Feeling Saucy

Why, yes! Yes, I did make applesauce tonight. Thanks for asking! How much? Enough to fill 15 1-quart Ziploc bags. All I can say is it is a mighty good thing that we have a spare freezer that had just enough room for all of the bags!

Last weekend of summer weather

By looking at the 5-day weather forecast, it appears that fall has decended upon our fair city. To celebrate our final weekend of summer weather, the Olsons seemed to cram as much as possible into 48 hours.

The big project was installing the recessed lighting into our kitchen ceiling. It looks wonderful, but the drywall dust that the project created was a bit less appealing. In some ways, it reminded me of when Mt. St. Helens erupted and its traveling ash cloud left that fine silt everywhere. Eric is an absolute rock star for spending much of his weekend in the yucky and grungy attic getting covered in crud and gunk.

Annika and I also got to spend part of Saturday with the Beeman family to celebrate their little guy's 3rd birthday. Gage is definitely Annika's little buddy and they play beautifully together. It is a kick to watch them together and I know they'll be two people who grow up just always having known each other.

After Gage's b-day party, Eric and I shuffled off to some other friends for a great dinner and fun evening of Guitar Hero and Quiddler. I love that we're finding more couples who like to play card and board games!!

On Sunday, Annika and I traveled down south to take my dad to church. To round out the day, my mom, Annika, and I visited some lifelong family friends who offered to share part of their apple crop with us. (I love knowing people who can even have an apple crop!) While my mom and Mrs. Simon caught up a bit, Annika and I played at their beach throwing rocks. Upon arriving home, I went into apple cleaning and apple prep mode to commense my whirlwind applesauce making marathon.

Playing with Nana's hat during church


Throwing rocks at the Simons'

Slang

I've noticed recently that Annika is picking up slang and using it in her daily vocabulary. For example, we taught her to say "thank you" and now she'll flip between that and "thanks." Another one I noticed today is when she drops something, she'll say "oops." We never directly taught her to say these things, but she's definitely saying them. It amazes me how kids are like sponges and pick up things we don't even notice. I couldn't tell you my rate of "thanks" compared to "thank you," but I know I use both to express gratitude. Now Annika is doing the same things. If only adults could learn at the rate kids do... we'd be an even more amazing species than we already are.

A week in review

On Sunday, Eric, my brother (Troy), my sister-in-law (Staci) and I got gussied up and enjoyed the spectacular muscial "Wicked". It was beyond amazing and wonderful. The actors were incredible vocalists and dancers. The script contained a perfect balance of humor, insight, drama, and action. The costumes for the Emerald City inhabitants seemed to be a cross between something from Mardi Gras and Dr. Seuss. Truly a show that will stick with us for a long time. After the show, we enjoyed a family-style dinner of take-out Chinese food back at our house with my mom (who was on kid patrol during the show), Annika, and our niece (Kat) and nephew (Ian).

On Monday, as I drove home from work, my sister called to see what I was doing. "Uh - driving home from work." Her reply, "Do you want to come see me at the airport?" OF COURSE! I went home, made a quick dinner for the family, scooped up Annika, and drove to the airport. We had a smidge over an hour to chat, catch up, laugh, and watch Annika play. Even though it was a short visit, I still consider myself lucky to have had a little face-to-face time with my sister. We tend to only see each other 1-2 times per year and this visit seemed like a huge bonus.

The rest of the week has been focused on the day-to-day and gearing up for a dear friend's baby shower on Saturday. I'm co-hosting it with a few other gals and I think it should wind up being eligible for baby shower of the year. Last night, I made my first-ever ice ring in preparation of the shin-dig. Now, let's see if I can get the darned thing out of the bundt pan on Saturday! (Fingers crossed!)

Things we hear

Annika's vocabulary has taken off by leaps and bounds, which is typical for kids her age. There are a few key phrases that we tend to hear on a VERY regular basis... in addition to the typical two-year-old's "NO". Enjoy!

B'self = I'll do it by myself.
Mines = That's mine, back off.
Are you? = Where are you?
Uppydown = upside down
Mommy, come (included is the hand motion we use for the dogs)
Daddy, wait (again, included with the hand motion for the dogs)
Help me = I want to help you do whatever you're doing
Lotion = I want to slather anyone within reach with baby lotion

In addition to the vocabulary development, Annika has really taken to imaginary play. One of her favorite things to do is put her dolls and stuffed animals "nigh-night". She is very particular about how the blanket (aka napkin or dish towel) falls over the napper. It is also critical that the napper be in the correct position - on its tummy.

Putting Bunny down for a nap


Giving Bunny nigh-night back pats

Wrong Number

A few nights ago, our phone rang at 1:45 AM. Eric shot out of bed and while I dealt with the wealth of adrenaline that was pulsing through my body. After the 2nd or 3rd ring, Eric answered and found no one on the other end of the call. No "oh, sorry. wrong number." Nothing. The caller just hung up.

A note to everyone who makes ridiculously late phone calls... make sure you dial the right number. For the love of all that's holy! The rest of of would be quite grateful. Thanks! :)

Playing at the Beach

Sunday afternoon, Annika and I headed to Carkeek Park for a little fun at the beach. She loves to throw rocks into the water .... or wherever they may land. The weather couldn't have been more perfect: it was sunny without being too hot. We threw rocks and then enjoyed splashing in the water for about an hour and a half. It is days like this that make me hope she'll hold on to a few memories from her early childhood. It was a good day. :)

Throwing rocks into the Puget Sound


Admiring the view and her throw


Mommy and Annika waiting for the next wave

Splash!

Sunday afternoon, Annika and I headed to Carkeek Park for a little fun at the beach. She loves to throw rocks into the water .... or wherever they may land. The weather couldn't have been more perfect: it was sunny without being too hot. We threw rocks and then enjoyed splashing in the water for about an hour and a half. It is days like this that make me hope she'll hold on to a few memories from her early childhood. It was a good day. :)