July 6, 2006
Naked Lunch
The weather last weekend was relatively hot(at least for the Pacific NW) hovering somewhere in the mid 80's. Of course the humidity was really low making it uncomfortable only when sitting for too long in the direct sun. The previous weekend the kids got their first swimming pool. Since it was plenty warm outside we filled up the pool and let them play in it for a while before lunch, burning off lots of energy and keeping them cool in the hot sun. Porter loves to get the hose and spray things with the water nozzle. And Fallon can play for long stretches just filling up buckets with water and pouring them into other containers. Of course, they both love to splash as much as possible and on occasion lay down and pretend to swim.
Toni had also bought a small patio umbrella, table and chairs for the kids so that they could practice sitting at a table. So for lunch we let them eat outside and make as much of a mess as they liked (which they naturally took advantage of). By then they had already decided to play in the pool without their swim diapers so eating in the nude seemed like a perfect fit.
They did really well and it made for a few good photographs to commemorate the occasion. (If you want you can click on the images to see them full size.) We had a really good time that day just sitting outside and absorbing the sun, warm weather, and watching the kids have fun.
They both continue to expand their vocabularies and sign things like bird, fish, and airplane; and anytime they see a bird outside or hear an airplane they'll point at it and look to get our attention. Fortunately we have lots of different kinds of birds in the neighborhood and a well stocked bird feeder. The squirrels also like to come by and steal food from the feeder. The kids get particularly excited when that happens and begin screaming and running around. 
In this photo Porter's holding up a piece of sausage (he loves sausage) before he gobbles it down. Fallon seems to be content just rubbing spaghetti sauce all over her face (she much prefers pastas, breads, and fruit). Their appetites and desire to try anything we're eating amaze us; especially since we often eat some pretty weird and/or spicy foods. They pretty much like it all as long as we're eating it too. Their weirdest eating pleasure is frozen chicken nuggets. They like to gnaw on them like popsicles. Maybe because it feels good on their gums where their new teeth are still sprouting.
Both of them are getting pretty good at using a fork and spoon. Porter especially feels a big sense of accomplishment when he can spear a hunk of meat and get into his mouth before it falls off. Fallon will use utensils but seems to much prefer using her hands (taking after me on that one). She does quite well with a spoon, however, when eating her oatmeal.
At some point during lunch Porter decided to move over to our picnic table. The lighting happened to be just perfect so I snapped this shot. He was so happy and proud to be sitting on top of the table enjoying his meal.
On a different note...I'm taking three weeks of vacation at the end of July (my first vacation since starting at Microsoft last May). I think we might spend a few days on the east side of the cascades somewhere on the shores of Lake Chelan. Resorts aren't typically our vacation style but a friend of mine from work recommended one that looks nice and relaxing. All of the rooms have kitchens and the weekly rates are very reasonable. It'll give us more opportunities to soak up the sun and play in the water while summer lasts.
Comments
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for the pictures!!! They are getting so big! They are just adorable!
miss y'all, Kim, Berman and the boys!
ohhhh my little cousins are so cute!!! :-D
Gosh, I can't believe how big Porter and Fallon are getting. I enjoyed reading your entry about what is going on with their development. Hope we can see you all before too long.
I wish i could have seen them growing ...hoping to see you soon and u are too good my friend will always miss u