Pa-a-a-a-a-a-rk!!!

Thanks, Daddy!

Jerry built Eva a playground in the backyard. It's so fun and sturdy (we can sit in the fort and swing on the swings, too!!) Jerry did a great job completing this massive project in his "spare time" with minimal help from me. Of course, it's been raining almost constantly for more than a week, so she's been able to play on it only a little bit. Summer's coming, right? Thanks, Jerry! I've always wanted a swing in my back yard! I mean, Eva. Eva's always wanted a swing...

Here's the frame! Wow, that's gonna be big.

Laying the decking and putting up the rails.

YAY! Hi Mommy!!

(it will have a slide next to the stairs when we buy one)

And here is Eva checking out her completed playground for the first time. Oh, the joy!

A Walking Girl

Eva's doing great walking holding one hand. She's taken a couple stumbling steps between people but I don't know if she knew she was on her own. I'm so thrilled to be able to have her walk next to me. I've been waiting for this for over two years (she's 3 yrs. 3 mo.) We walk thru the stores together; we go across the street to get the mail. And slowing down to her pace is a good exercise in slowing my mind down, too, which is always necessary and good. Here are a couple videos in our backyard from this afternoon. You'll notice her big exciting playground in the background that Jerry has been working on. I'll post a series of pictures of the project when he's finished with it, later this week.

Burnin' Off Some Energy

Before bed last night, Eva was singing into her shaker (like a microphone) while watching Celtic Thunder w/Jerry on PBS. Of course, she wouldn't do it for the camera till the last two seconds of the video. Oh well. Anyway, she tried to stand several times and got some good downward dog poses in there, too.

Folklife Festival

The Space Needle at dusk.

We enjoyed a fabulous, fun, relaxing weekend as a little family of three. We spent the better part of Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center watching cool musicians of every sort, dancing with the huge crowds and people watching. Eva had a lot more fun than when we took her two years ago and we did, too. She spent the nights at my mom's and Jerry and I had a hotel room a couple blocks from the Seattle Center. He and I had some much needed couple time to remember why we married each other--five years ago Saturday--and remind ourselves that we still like to hang out together. The three of us had some much needed family time to relax, have fun, enjoy music out of our usual genres, and be silly, which is good for all of us. I hope you had a relaxing start to the summer festival season and are as excited as I am for all the upcoming outdoor/musical/community events. See you there!

Eva and Jerry lounging in our hotel.

Eva standing all by herself; giggling! She's been practicing over and over.

Eva listening to a bagpipe and drum band--she LOVED it, though she looks a little concerned here.

Listening to Zimbabwean mbiras (big wooden xylophones) and gourd shakers.

Seattle Times Article

The Times did an article about Down syndrome, aging and a new civil rights movement. Click HERE to read it.

Springtime in My Backyard

Color has finally returned to my dwelling space!

Yellow tulips

Blueberry

Cream tulip

Dandelion

Candytuft

I forgot what this is...

Fiery tulip

Pretty little purple flowers

Aahhh. Everything is better when spring comes.

Goal!

Eva and Jerry enjoyed a little Daddy-Daughter soccer match the other day. She has quick moves. I think she won.