Potty Time!

Gretel has had a major breakthrough with using her potty this past week. Although she's used it a handful of times before, it's as if something has just clicked in her head and now she really gets it. She's used it every day for the past 4 days, and will clearly tell us that she needs to go (and whether it's big potty or little potty) before sitting down and going. It's quite amazing to watch, from a parent's perspective. One day she's disinterested and unable to know when her body needs to go, and the next day she's very aware and very eager to sit on the toilet. We have been throwing little "potty parties" (complete with lots of loud clapping, cheering, and dog barking) to celebrate these awesome occasions. Go Gretel!

Chores

It's Gretel's job to get the eggs after school each day. The chickens began laying again in February and now we're back to 5 or 6 big beautiful eggs a day! Gretel carries them inside in the basket and carefully places them into a carton while Alistair waits patiently for any casualties to hit the floor.

Happy chickens scratching in the garden!

Sour Cream

Gretel recently took the liberty of exploring a carton of sour cream. I think the pictures speak for themselves . . .

Gretel's Party Trick!

Gretel can put her coat on all by herself! I tried to catch this fantastic trick on video. Here are some outtakes for your enjoyment.

Blanket Bags by Liz!

Here's Gretel's Wobbler classroom holding all the new blanket bags that Grandma Liz made for them. These colorful bags are designed to hold naptime blankets, saving thousands of plastic bags from the landfill over the years! Teachers Linda and Mary Louise are thrilled with them, and the kids had fun posing for pictures with them. Thanks Grandma Liz!

Gretel's Wobbler class L-R: Cadie, Samantha, Amos, Gretel, Willa, Violet and Sadie.

A Weekend to Ourselves

For President's Day weekend Casey and I were lucky enough to have a few days just for the two of us. Gretel and Alistair stayed with their Grandma Liz and Grandpa Larry for a few nights while we made off for their beach cabin in Florence. At first we didn't know what to do with ourselves, but managed to fill our time with mushroom hunting, a walk on the beach, some coastal exploring, eating out in a restaurant or two, and even going to a movie! Here are some pictures from our getaway weekend.

We didn't find any mushrooms of the edible variety, but saw some beautiful (likely) inedible outcroppings of others.

Our all-local meal.

The crabbing docks in Winchester Bay.

A Visit to Astoria and Cannon Beach

Gretel and her mother got to take a trip to visit Auntie Sally and Uncle Roger in Astoria recently, and also circled back through Cannon Beach to see Barbara and Rainmar. It was a whirlwind trip but so nice to catch up a bit with these folks.

Gretel had a great time playing with all of the stuff at Sally and Roger's house.

The weather held for an afternoon walk on the beach with Sally, Barbara and Rainmar.

Gretel learned about sealife from Barbara.

We met a very friendly stray dog on the beach, then Gretel proceeded to follow it home until she was quite far away from us. Who knows how far she would have gone if it weren't for taking a tumble and needing someone to dust her off?!

I think that Barbara and Rainmar took a shine to little Gretel, and she was most certainly taken with them. We hope to visit all Coastal nerds again soon!