In keeping with our college tour theme (UBC, then UW), Lake posed for a collegiate photo shoot at the UW Quad earlier this week in celebration of the cherry blossoms having popped. Somehow the lovely young German au pairs bring out that charming side of him for pictures that I really don’t have the talent for these days. Photo credits Luisa Jehle.

This morning we woke up running! So we ran directly to the Quad to check on the University of Washington cherry blossoms. They are out! The highlight of our year in the neighborhood.

If you’re interested in joining us for a run or some cherry blossom viewing, let us know! We’re planning on being at the quad next Sunday at 1pm with Langley and a handsome group of Newfoundland’s from the Newfoundland Club of Seattle. It’s going to be a perfect day. James Bond will be there, will you?

Canada. It felt like an epic adventure. Different outlooks different country. One hour border crossing. One “I’m not yet three” year old. We made it home each all in one piece. Our animals were each all in one piece when we arrived home.

Me: Are you happy to be home?

Lake: I have a smile on it. Because I’m happy.

Lake: (upon finding me in the house): I thought there was nobody. Then there’s yesbody.

Me: (laughing) yesbody!

Lake: Nobody. Yesbody. (Laughing) That’s a funny one!

Lake had a great time visiting the Greenlake Fire Department today! He was proudly wearing his fireman badge when I came home from work today. Turns out one can pop in for a tour of the fire trucks and get sticker badges and tours of the fire trucks and the firemen are really helpful and happy to host you… especially if you bring some muffins! Good work Luisa! Nice German Au Pair ingenuity! A great time was had by all… especially Lake!

Lake’s got the cutest expressions still. Every day something sweet and fresh. His latest take on the night time ritual is Sleep Dreams! And he says I’m going to dream on it when I went Sploosh! He’s referring to his most exciting event of the weekend, at the UBC campus Lake was ready to dive right in.

He was running all around their water features and we thought, it’s only a matter of time before he falls in. He actually cleared the fountain. Then, as we were heading out, he tipped over into their central campus entrance water feature, a chain of ponds and gentle waterfalls. As I came running he actually turned around so fast and scrambled up onto the walkway again. By the time I got there he was just coming up for air. I wasn’t sure if his exhale was going to bring laughter or tears. It turned into the biggest shocked horrified bloody murder scream. And as he tells the story, he went Sploosh! And Mama got him dry. Indeed, we directly stripped off all his drenched clothes right here in the middle of campus and quickly cobbled together a dry outfit: his jacket he was luckily was wasn’t wearing, our last dry diaper, mama’s socks, and Luisa’s scarf.

Riding up on the safely of daddy’s shoulders we went in search of lunch. From there, Mama spotted a children boutique and ran across the street to buy Lake a new (dry) emergency outfit and shoes. After all the excitement, he fell asleep on the restaurant banquette. Sleep Dreams, Lake!

Capilano Suspension Bridge Regional Park is British Columbia’s and nature’s own thrilling adventure park… so much fun! We all had a great time walking over the impressive suspension bridge, the beautiful canopy walk, the breathtaking cantilevered cliff walk, and ogled the beautiful of the trees and forest. Such a pretty spring day. There’s even a AAA discount on full-price admissions, so if you make it up here bring your AAA card! When we got back to the West End we noticed the cherry trees were blossoming. Spring is here in Vancouver, BC!

After just a little bit of sleep not a big bit of sleep just a little bit of sleep (Lake gesturing with his fingers ) we set out on the bathtub ferry boat for Granville Island Public Market, and then bussed up to the University of British Columbia where we saw the largest Blue Whale skeleton ever (well, at least in Canada), and plotted Lake’s future academic career at UBC. Then we visited one of my own favorite college haunts, The Naam, the 24 hour vegetarian health food restaurant open since the 1960’s that has such soul. Mid-chopstick, Lake took his nap right there on the banquet while we enjoyed our tea and dessert and chatted in the sunny window seats reminiscing about college days and swapping stories about our first jobs. A perfect day… so nice to explore British Columbia and Vancouver, Canada with Luisa, Lake, and Michael!

Langley was due for his monthly bath. Michael took him to Rub-a-Dub Dog in Greenwood. They’re pretty awesome. I’m unable to share the “during” photos due to privacy issues. I think a senior dog, and a retired grand champion deserves to be remembered in his full glory, not reduced to the drowned-rat look. Suffice it to say, he’s back to his fluffy (cleaner) self three bottles of shampoo and one full blow-out later.

Langley, “King of the Market”

I want my *so’cks* off. I want my socks off Mommy. I’ll sleep much better.

Large Baffle Lion

I’m going to Morocco. I’ll see you later.

Bye-bye! See you later. I’m going to Ketchikan on my boat!

I like your hair down. I don’t like your hair up. I like your hair down. It’s beautiful!

I need you Mami. I need you.

can you read that? It’s on German! Can you talk on it?

“I want to *carry* you! I want to carry you Mama!” Switching only once to the more proper but less whimsical “I want you to carry me” on 2/26/19.

“morning clothes” or “day clothes ” vs pajamas

My feet are getting so long!

I’m getting bigger every day.

I’m running so I get stronger so I can play baseball!

Are we tourning? It’s my turn; it’s your turn?

We can purprise Daddy!

Goodnight downstairs. Goodnight books!

A perfect day of toddler speak. I’m so glad I’m here with you, hearing all this preciousness!

I have big important things to do! I have big important things to jump and do.

Says Lake as he begins his long jump training for the evening. He runs the length of the dining room then the living room, then he jumps onto the “sand” aka giant beanbag.

One more. He will say and jump and say and keep jumping until absolutely necessary to allow himself to be reluctantly redirected.

Then we took Langley out for his walk and Lake wanted to keep on running! Langley do you want to run together? Let’s run all together!

A perfect evening of track and field! I’m glad I spent it with you Lake VonLaana ,Odin as he calls himself. I love you and all the big important things you do, (like make a Lion totem!), so much!