Camp Olson

If you ever need a Summer Camp Director my Mommy would be perfect for the job. She has kept me really busy this summer.

Most Mondays we go to the zoo and enjoy strolling through visiting the different animals.

On Wednesdays we have been visiting the library for story time. We read books and sing songs and dance, I really enjoy the dancing. Afterwards we usually visit the playground for a while before heading home for naps.

To wrap up the week on Fridays we have been visiting the Everett Children's Museum. It is a wonderful place for me to run around and explore. They have a lot of hands on activities, like a water table, pretend driving an airplane and a bus and even a large playground on the rooftop.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I've still been attending school but I prefer my adventures with Mommy.

Next week we're off to Hawaii for vacation maybe then Mommy will let me relax but somehow I think she's going to keep me busy there too!

Saturday, Mommy, Daddy and I went over to Wanapum State Park on the Columbia River, to meet up with the Wyatt crew. Papa Boogs and I spent a lot of time in the water, and I checked out all the cute girls in their bikinis.

Sunday, I got to spend the morning with Thomas the Tank Engine! I didn't realize he was so big, and made so much noise. It was fun.

2 Bits!

That's right I'm 2 years old, and have the attitude to match.

I had an awesome birthday party this year, most of my family made the event and even a few of my friends made it; Stella and Tom. We had my birthday party on Mommy's actual birthdate so I had to share the spotlight a bit but we had a lot of fun. Mommy and Daddy surprised me with a Curious George cake and decorations; I couldn't have picked a better theme myself.

For my Birthday, Mommy and Daddy got me a big-boy bed and a sand box. I got to help put together the big-boy bed and I am really proud of it. I like my sand box and hope to use it more when we finally have some summer-like weather. Most of my gifts this year were Elmo, Curious George or Thomas the Train themed. I guess word got out about what I like.

The weekend after my birthday I got to spend the whole weekend with G and Papa Boogs, I was so excited to go to their house and wasn't ready to go home when Mommy and Daddy picked me up on Sunday. G said that next time I come to her house I have to eat more. I was a picky eater but I did manage to get her to feed me some Fruity Pebbles and Mommy never lets me have sugary cereal like that. Mommy said she and Daddy enjoyed their adventures without me but missed me a lot.

Today I went and had my 2 year old pictures taken, I was such a good model. Grammy made me a sailor suit so I could have a picture taken like Mommy has of her and Nanny. I thought I looked pretty handsome so I humored her. Daddy and Mommy thought the photos looked good (link) and hope to share them with everyone soon, so check your mailboxes next month!

Friday was Mommy's last day of work for the school year so now we are officially on Summer Vacation! Mommy said we're going to be making a lot of trips to the zoo and the parks once the weather improves and then in July we're going to Hawaii! I can't wait to play on the warm beaches and in the pool that will be just outside of our bungalow.

Mother's Day and other fun May events

We celebrated Mother's Day on Sunday the 9th with Grammy, Grandpa, G and Papa Boogs. It was such a nice day that we played outside and ate dinner on the deck. Mommy made a yummy lasagna. Daddy and I took Mommy for a walk on the trail, she really liked spending time with us and hanging out outside on such a nice day.

On Saturday we had a play date with my buddies Tom and Quincy. I hadn't seen Quincy in a while and boy has he gotten so big. He's 2.5 years old, I think it's cool to be friends with an older kid. We played in the sand, rode the swings and ruled the slides. It was so much fun, I can't wait until Summer vacation.

On Sunday the 16th Mommy, G and I participated in a walk called "Beat the Bridge" to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. We were impressed by the crowds of people on the UW campus that day, it was the slowest 4 miles Mommy has ever walked (she's not a stroller with the stroller!). We finished in Husky Stadium and enjoyed the free events and giveaways then brought G to the airport.

Mommy's also been taking me to play soccer on Friday afternoons. I'm getting really good at kicking the ball, although I don't quite get the concept of "no hands". I like goal time the best.

Next weekend Mommy is off to join some girlfriends in San Francisco for the weekend. She's nervous about the trouble Daddy and I might get into but I think she's looking forward to some adult only time.

Here comes Peter Cottontail..

This past Friday Mommy and Daddy and I went over to G and Papa Boogs' house for the traditional dying of the Easter Eggs. I enjoyed it this year just like last year. I think my egg dying and cracking skills have improved but Mommy said my egg pocking skills still need a bit of work. I tend to drop my egg or make my opponent drop their egg before we actually begin the pocking ritual.

On Easter Sunday I awoke to find the Easter Bunny had visited my house. I was very excited to find a chocolate bunny in my basket along with some plastic eggs and a "Super Why" doll. Then Mommy showed me that the plastic eggs were filled with Sesame Street characters and I was even more excited! Later that day we went back over to G and Papa Boogs for dinner and some entertaining episodes of "Super Why."

Today I underwent my second hypospadia repair surgery Mommy and Daddy said Curious George and I were really brave and they were proud of us. I'm feeling very tired and sore so I think I'll sleep off the day. I hope to be hitting the playgrounds soon.

Chutes and Ladders

I haven't posted in a while, and once again the fans are getting restless, but not much has been going on in my life. I've been taking it easy the past month enjoying the buddings of spring and thanks to Mommy's keen eye, have been enjoying some new playgrounds.

I have become quite the master of the schoolyard. Mommy and Daddy have taken me most every nice weekend to a playground nearby that is just my size. I love climbing up the steps to the slides and even going down headfirst on the tunnel slides. Mommy has taken me on a few weekday trips to the nearby church playground but it's a bit harder for me to navigate. We've been enjoying the sunny warm weather and are looking forward to summer.

I'm finally eating lunch at school and am starting to eat big-boy food at home. I know Mommy and Daddy are so relieved that I am giving up the all oatmeal and yogurt diet. They are still my favorite foods but I'm adding some protein to the mix now. I even stole some sweet potato fries off Daddy's plate last weekend.

My vocabulary is enhancing at a rapid rate. I am very good at repeating words and phrases now. My favorite word and color would have to be "yellow" but "caco" (or as you say, Cisco) is probably a close second. My favorite phrase is "peas cookie" and boy do adults melt like putty in my hands when I say it.

Daddy celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago, Mommy and Daddy were able to enjoy a few nice dinners out and also Daddy got his 2 favorite meals, lasagna and bun bo. He appreciated all the nice birthday wishes and cards he received.

A few more weeks and it will be Spring Break for Mommy and I, we're looking forward to the time off but unfortunately I have to undergo another hypospadia surgery so I'll be taking a few days off from the playground.

Mid-Winter Break Getaway!

Mommy was feeling adventurous in January and decided that her February midwinter break would be a good time for us to go visit Nanny in Oklahoma City, alone. She tried to claim insanity as the reason for our adventure but Daddy was only too happy to send us off to Nanny's house so he could revisit the days of his bachelorhood and have a no pressure Valentines Day. I'm not sure why we chose to visit a colder climate rather than enjoy our Spring like weather in the Pacific NW but it seemed like a good idea to visit Nanny since we didn't get to see her at Christmas this year.

Our flight from Seattle to Denver was non eventful until I decided dirty my diaper a few minutes before landing...then because we left Seattle late Mommy had to speed walk through the airport to catch our next flight. (I really think she could make the Olympic team next year with how fast she pulled me through the airport.) The flight from Denver to OKC was so turbulent that we had to stay in our seats the entire time. Of course you can imagine when we landed in OKC not only did I not smell fresh but I was also mad that I had to sit in that filth for an hour! I got Mommy back though, when she pulled me out of my seat to get off the plane she came away with a surprise on her sleeve, gross!

The first day at Nanny's we were greeted by a light snowfall and the arrival of the Sherman's from Dallas. Wayne and Blane have gotten so big since October. We all went to lunch at a Mexican restaurant in Bricktown and then were supposed to go to the park at the airbase but it was closed. So we ended our visit early and went back to Nanny's for naptime.

The next few days were very relaxing just hanging out with Nanny and Rachelle and avoiding the wind and cold outside. I pressed a lot of buttons at Nanny's house, which she wasn't too happy about, and chased Max and Buddy around the house.

Finally it was time for Mommy and I to head back home, our flight we found out at the last minute had been changed and so we spent 4 hours in the Denver airport. I learned how to climb up chairs and dive off them and that not all jetway doors lead home. After 3 hours I was ready to hop any flight Mommy would join me on. I cried most of the flight from Denver to Seattle but I had had enough and just wanted to get home and away from my dreaded carseat.

Daddy met us at the airport and was so excited to see us, I was a little bit scared since it had been a few days since we saw him. I slept so good in my own bed without Mommy complaining that I snored or kicked her all night.

We wrapped up the week with a trip to a new playground where I can climb up the stairs to the slides all by myself and chased a bunny who crossed our path. Overall I had a nice week hanging with Mommy and hope that I didn't misbehave too much so she'll take me on more adventures soon.

Who Dat!

Who Dat indeed! What a game it was on Sunday when the mighty Saints took down Peyton Manning and his seemingly unstopable Colts.

I was very excited because Mommy and Daddy let me have my first Super Bowl party. I didn't have much control over the guest list because Mommy said we had to share in the historic event with her collegues who have Louisiana ties. I got to invite Papa Boogs, G and Uncle Josh. We also had my new buddy Stella over with her Mom and Dad and my new friend Michael. Stella's Mom is from Shreveport and Michael is from Point, LA. I think the cajun folk are starting to take over Seattle. I hear they even let Patrick into Spokane.

We were lucky that G had a last minute business trip to Arkansas so she stopped of at Aunt Josie's house to pick up supplies for the big game. You wouldn't have known we were all the way in Seattle for all the traditional cajun food we had.

Mommy cooked shrimp creole, G made boudin and brought sausage cheese bread and king cake. Stella's mom made shrimp and grits and made a king cake with using Saints black and gold sugar icing.

The game was so exciting; I had been wearing my Saints gear all the days leading up to the game illicting many wishes of good luck for the game - they didn't know with Mr. Brees on our side luck wasn't a factor.

I was a little scared when we finally were declared the winners for all the shouting in the house; I thought maybe I was in trouble, but then everyone was hugging and I think I even saw G with a tear in her eye, so I knew I was in the clear. I think we're going to be celebrating this victory for a long time; we've only been wainting 4 decades for this to happen!

Who Dat! and Happy Mardi Gras!

Merry Christmas!

I know it's taken me a while to write this update but I've just been really busy playing with my toys and enjoying the last of my vacation time. Santa Claus and my family were really good to me this year. I received so many toys, book and clothing that I think Mommy and Daddy are going to have to build on an extra room to our house to fit it all! Either I was really good this year or I'm the only grandchild and nephew in the family.

Christmas Eve Mommy and Daddy cooked up a traditional Christmas gumbo for everyone to enjoy, we had a lot of people over to our house, G, Boogs, Uncle Josh, Charlotte, Aunt Loren, Grammy, Grandpa, and Uncle Darren. It was so full in our house that we ate in shifts!

On Christmas morning I woke up to find everyone back at our house to watch me open my Santa gifts and to enjoy some Welsh Rarebit made by Grammy. It is the traditional Olson Christmas morning breakfast which we were able to share this year with more of our family. Leave it to Daddy's side of the family to come up with a breakfast of cheese sauce!

From Santa I recieved a big boy potty, a keyboard, a bowling set and some bubbles for my bath and other stocking toys. From family I got a lot of puzzles this year and some neat Melissa and Doug brand toys, some Thomas the Train Engines and a Little People farm and school bus. Like I said I made out really well this year!

Christmas Day we also were lucky enough to celebrate the day with the Litka family over at G and Boogs house. G said around 27 people were joining us for dinner, can you imagine! It was fun but we were really tired so after dinner came home to relax in our once again quiet house.

The day after Christmas we went back over to G and Boogs for another gift giving celebration and another meal. This time we were allowed to stay in our pajamas and ate Uncle Richard's style Mexican Breakfast.

I feel very fortunate to be loved so much in my family and am grateful for all the time that we were able to spend with everyone this year. I hope you have a wonderful start to 2010!

Wyatt and Jewell Family Christmas

This weekend we celebrated Christmas with the Wyatt family in Louisiana and with Paw Paw Jewell and Kathy from Oregon. I bet you're wondering how we were in two places at once?!

We couldn't make it to Lafayette this year, so we did the next best thing and used Skype to sing carols and open presents with the family. It was nice to see everyone there but it certainly wasn't the same as being there in person. Mommy and Daddy agree we're going to Louisiana next Christmas no matter what. I got some awesome Saints shirts, a super cool puzzle, some books and a color desk that plays music while I color and to the speed I color. I must have been a good boy this year.

Paw Paw and Kathy came into town to spend the weekend with us and Uncle Josh. Mommy cooked all weekend and we had Pre-Christmas feast on Sunday, The Olsons even decided to join us for the event. Mommy certainly has become a good cook since I came along; too bad I only eat oatmeal and yogurt. Paw Paw and Kathy gave me a neat truck that chases me around the house and talks when I push the buttons. Of course they also gave me lots of Duck gear to wear for the Rose Bowl. Kathy has converted Paw Paw into an avid Duck fan.

Mommy is preparing herself to cook the traditional Christmas Eve gumbo in a few days and has cooked lots of yummy cookies and treats that I get to enjoy because I'm so cute; or at least that's what she tells me. I'm looking forward to getting presents from Santa and hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

The Return of Santa Claws

Today Mommy and Daddy took me to Molbak's in Woodinville to take my annual photo with the so called "Santa Claws". I'm not sure why I have to take a picture with the very scary man every year around this time. He sits on a bench and people actually wait in line to be scared by him; adults, kids and even dogs!

I decided this year I'd had enough and tried to fight him off and make a run for it but Mommy insisted I had to take a photo with Santa. Some photo she got! I was told that Santa might still bring me some gifts since I've mostly behaved myself this year. I don't know if he understood what I wanted since only Mommy and Daddy really understand what my grunts and signs mean. I can clearly say the words bubble and Cisco now but that's about it for my limited vocabulary. I find pointing and screaming most effective.

Sorry I haven't done much blog posting lately. I've been out of the game with a really bad ear infection and Mommy and Daddy haven't allowed me much computer time. I might have to get ear tubes put in to help with the ear infections but we won't find out until later this month.

I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season. I guess my next post will probably be about the Wyatt Family Christmas which unfortunately I will only be attending via Skype because of something called the economy, it must be friends with that bad man Santa Claws.