Week of April 11 to April 17

The week of April 11th to the 17th was marked with historically bad cold and wet weather.  There were patches of sunshine we took advantage of.  Rachel continues to swim on Monday mornings with Carrie Apple which is healthy for her and the baby (and light on the joints).  We spent a lot of time on the house, inside and out in preparation for Owen's birthday party.

Ella had her second dance class.  According to Rachel she will just stand there and analyze the setting for about 5 minutes and then jump right in.  Owen had gymnastics on Saturday and did his first bridge while being on his back.  At first he said he "I can't do it" which is out of character and then he did it and was pumped.  The teach some complex body mechanics and we are really proud of him.  He was the only boy in the class yesterday so he sometime gets viewed as being too rough, but I think he is just being a boy.
Some of the funnier comments for the week:  We were eating curry and passing around shredded coconut.  Owen tried some, really liked it and shouted out, "Mmmmmmm I like sweet nuts". 

He has also been taking his pj's off sometime in the night and waking up naked.  Yesterday, he came into our bedroom butt naked at about 6:30 AM and was laying next to me and Rachel.  He was rubbing my chest and pointed to my nipples and said "Daddy's nipples are small, Mommy's nipples are big.....that is a pattern.  It was hilarious.
Other noteworthy events included selling the Volvo, buying a new Sienna, lots of yard work, and Owen's birthday party.  Owen's creativity skyrocketed this week.  He was into building bridges out of anything and everything.  Some of the bridges he built out of kitchen items was really cool.  He was also recalling events from almost 2 years ago like having a pillow fight at Bob's house with Gabo.  He was also asking me about the stars at the cabin and fishing. 

                                                    Video of Owen building a bridge

Owen's space drawing of "laserman spaceguy"

Ella is experimenting with facial expressions.  Here she is learning it is hard to be angry when you are smiling.

Ella practicing facial expressions

The new Sienna is going to be a great car for everything



Ella revisited her interest in facial expressions.  I am currently taking a class on Neuroscience and another class on Pediatrics.  It is amazing to watch how Owen and Ella react to different stimulus. Here is a video of Ella doing some facial expressions.