Kicky-di-doi

Translated as Clifford the Dog, Kicky-di-doi remains one of Saul's favorite books. I bought it at Powell's for $3 thinking it would be great for when he got older. However, Saul reached it on the shelf of books he'll grow in to and won't put it down. It contains three books in one - the alphabet, numbers and general around-the-town vocabulary words. Also, it's not a board book. Seriously, depending on the day, we can read this book upwards of 20 times!

The fun part is seeing how each of us adults - Aaron, me and the two nannies - focuses on different things when we read it with Saul. In the alphabet section there's a page dedicated to each letter of the alphabet, with things that start with that letter. C = cat, clown, cow. T = turtle, tea pot, tractor. I'm continually amazed by how many of these words he knows! At first, I thought it was just that he was memorizing them as they related to the book. But, then he started applying them more broadly. For example, y is for yak. We got him a new little alphabet book and while looking at the inside cover where there's a collage of animals, he suddenly pointed out "yak"! Crazy.

Saul loves to sit at his table to read. He pulls out a chair and points, "Mama. Chair." or "Dada. Chair." And though he won't do it unprompted, as soon as we start to say, "How do you...." he said "Peeeease!"

Aaron reading with Saul and pointing out a is for apron.

Both looking at the camera. Happy times.

Fall colors...and plaids

Once again, catching up.....We did get to the pumpkin patch pre-Halloween. It was a lot of fun - perfect brisk air, sunny and not muddy. The next weekend it rained, so I'm really glad we got out when we did. And, Saul got to dress like his dad for a day - flannel! The shirt's already too snug for a second wear. Fortunately, it's a hand-me-down, so I'm not feeling as guilty about the lack of wear we got out of it. I'm particularly partial to the last picture and predict many more like it in coming years.

Since the trip, tractors have been near the top of Saul's list of things to focus on, likely influenced by the tractor-drawn hayride out to the pumpkin patch. This morning we were looking at his Duck and Goose "Find the Pumpkin" book. (Warning: I'm going to give away the ending!) On the last page is the picture of a nice big pumpkin they got at the pumpkin patch. Saul started saying "hay ride" (his version of it). He added "momma" and "Saul" - meaning we were both on the hay ride. When I asked, "Who else was on the hay ride?" in an effort to get him to mention "dadda", he instead replied, "People."

Click on the link to Aaron's flickr page at the bottom of this post for
cooler pics of Saul at the pumpkin patch.

"Rock rock," Saul says.

The hay ride back to the car.
A favorite...picture for me and Sauvie's Island stop for Aaron.
We are walking up to the entrance to Cistus Nursery.

Aaron's flickr page loaded with great pictures of Saul, as well as plants and more!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22608595@N03/

Conserving water

Cousins in need of baths and parents still having fun visiting and celebrating Aaron's birthday results in two kids in a bathtub. They had a good time and now rather than focusing on words like "bubbles" and "wawa' when he points at the bathroom, he's saying "Claire", or his version of her name. They were really cute in there together!

Look up! Saul playing with his "hat", which is the device that keeps water out of his eyes while I wash his hair.
And Claire is, of course, chewing on duck's beak.

Another view - trying to get their attention.

Saul loves "eee-eee" and "roar"

Saul has two favorite stuffed animals. Until last weekend when neighbor Kathy very kindly gave him a hand-knit stuffed bear, his favorite was monkey. So, now it's monkey and bear. They are the two animals that sleep in his room - often on the floor next to his bed or on the chair (as shown in pictures below). Here are some sweet pictures of Saul giving them cuddles. It's hard to remember that at one point monkey was longer than him!

Surrounded by animals! His response when I asked for a smile.Telling monkey a story. Giving monkey a good squeeze.Bear gets his share of the attention

More catching up

I'm determined to be talking about a few days ago instead of a few months ago, but in the meantime I am organizing the pics and keep coming across cute ones.

We introduced Saul to crayons in early August. This picture of him is so cute and hopefully is a sign of the little studier we'll have. Of course, just moments after this picture the crayons were going straight to his mouth so we took a break.

The other picture is after a hike from Timberline to Silcox Hut up at Mt. Hood. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great time. We also learned the limits of Saul's patience in a backpack and changed our vacation plans as a result.

Saul's first time coloring at his little table.

Back at the car after a great hike.

The clouds only came in as we were coming down.

Faster, Dadda!

I remember my babysitting days when I would chase the little guys in Lynnwood round-and-round the house -- through the living room to the hallway, through the kitchen, the dining room and back to the living room. The fun never ceased. And, to make it really fun, you get ahead and then turn around and surprise them as they're running.

The game is just beginning in our house. For now, Saul is happy to just sit in his push-wagon and let "dadda" - Aaron - push him around at high speeds. They both were having lots of fun. Amazingly, a few of the action shots are even in focus!

On your mark, get set..... (in the kitchen) Go! (in the dining room)

And smiling through the living room.

More from Mom's visit in August

I think and hope that Mom had fun with the grandkids. Here are a few pictures from her visit while Michelle and Claire were down at our house, as well. It's so nice to have them only 5 houses away!

Three generations of ladies - Mom, Michelle and Claire. Saul pointing out the location of Claire's eye - he's NOT punching her! Auntie Michelle reading to Saul and Claire.