Willa apologizes with feeling

Occasionally Willa can be naughty and sometimes she accidentally hurts Ethan (fortunately, being super-cute it's hard to stay mad at her). If she realizes it, or if we tell her, she will apologize, saying, "I'm sorry Ethan." Recently, she has taken to saying "I'm so sorry Ethan," as though to emphasize how bad she feels. However, a couple of nights ago, after being put to bed, we heard Willa "practicing" her apologies, over and over again, so, maybe she doesn't feel "so sorry".

Camping with Grandma

This past weekend we went camping with Grandma Linda (Friday-Monday). All-in-all, a good time.

Highlights included:

• Willa and Karri slept all three nights together on the high bed;
• Ethan and Michael slept one night in the tent together, one night Ethan was in the camper and Michael was in the tent, and one night together on the low bed in the camper;
• First time wwe got to use our tent that we bought about 2 1/2 years ago - very happy with it - big enough for 4, no problems;
• S'mores - Willa and Ethan both loved them;
• Grandma Linda got Ethan and Willa toy bows and arrows (Ethan had been eyeing one in his toy catalog for weeks (and wanted to use his yard sale money to buy it and was wondering why it wasn't at our house yet)). Ethan played with his pretty much every day;
• Playing in Stafford Creek (refreshing when the temperature was over 90);
• Eating wild huckleberries (of course Ethan said we couldn't use that word so we called them small, round fruits); and
• Reading all of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret"; and
• Using "special" camping gear like backpacks (pink for Willa and blue for Ethan) and headlamps.

Of course hiking itself was not so successful. I think we made it about 50 yards when Willa wanted Karri to carry her. Negotiation - walk for 5 minutes, then Mommy will carry you for 5 minutes - was not so successful and shrieks of "carry me" or "pick me up" could be heard in parts of Oregon and Idaho. After about a half-mile of Karri walking and Willa screaming and following, Willa decided she had had enough and lay on the ground and threw a fit. After 15 minutes of fit throwing (while Karri and Linda picked huckleberries close by), Willa picked herself up, dusted herself off, and "like a big girl" walked back to the trailhead. During this time, Ethan had decided he had had enough and wanted to hold my hand and walk back to the trailhead, so we did but we made a number of mini-adventures to look at butterfly's, creeks, or berry patches.

Daphne enjoyed camping, especially all of the extra food (including half a package of beef jerky). She is becoming a bit naughty in her old age. Of course, she loved rolling in the dirt. And, it is always interesting how much less wildlife you see when Daphne is around.

On the plus-side, unlike last year, I did not have to get up at 5 in the morning and stroll Willa up the road for an hour or so to help her chill out.

Not a lot new, but...

Things have been a lot of the same at the Lapins lately.
Ethan eats pancakes almost every morning for breakfast, followed by Jeff Corwin watching, then off to school, home for a couple rides around the block on either his scooter or his bike, stories especially the Fog Mound trilogy, then bed.
Willa is still jumping off the bed and being her crazy lovable self. I think she sometimes likes to be a little naughty. Every Monday is pink dress day. Humpty Dumpty spoons and forks are very important to her. She likes books, but especially pink ones, so Fancy Nancy is a hit. I think Karri said that if she wasn't so cute, she'd be pretty bratty, but it is hard to get angry with her, and of course she knows it.
This weekend we are off to a Mariner's game with our PEPS group. Willa has never been, but Ethan has been each of the last two years. It is Ichiro jersey day, so we will need to make sure we get there on time, although we will likely leave early.

I like to ride my bicycle...

Fourth of July weekend was big at the Lapin's house.
Friday was pretty typical with a trip to the playground, scootering and WeeRiding, followed by a trip to Macrina's Bakery. Karri got a little break and got to ride Grover. Afternoon, no
Saturday was go-go all day. In the morning we did a great hike just past North Bend - Twin Falls. Daphne came too. Picnic lunch. Dipped our feet in the river. We estimated that Ethan hiked about 2 3/4 miles and Willa about 2 1/2.
After getting home, Michael went to a memorial for Dick, who lived across the street. Explaining to Ethan that Dick had died was tough.
Then, when Willa woke up after about half an hour, it was off to Mollie Moon's for ice cream - honey lavender, strawberry, scout mint, and salted caramel.
Then, over to the wading pool at the digger park in Wallingford.
Then, the twins, Nick and Parker, came over to play with Ethan and run through the sprinkler.
Sunday was less crazy-busy. We were at the playground by about 9:30, but that is relatively late for us. It was great because we hooked up the "third-wheel" to my bike and Ethan and I took a long ride all over Queen Anne. He loves it. Then, later in the afternoon, when Willa had woken up from her nap, she decided she wanted to ride a bike too, so we took Ethan's old 12" bike and attached a push-bar and away she went. She is a natural and will probably be going full tilt without any assistance by this weekend.

Ladies Man

So at the oh so young age of 4, little Ethan has become quite the hot commodity among 4 year old girls. A couple of weeks ago he declared that he was going to marry Kate, but that his girlfriend was Anika. Ethan dropped Kate last week when he declared that now he was marrying Anika and moving to China (and according to Ethan, he is serious and not kidding).

Will this one last longer than a week? All signs point to yes. There are strong indications that maybe Ethan is serious. First, they play with animals together every morning. Second, they go to the bathroom together. Nothing says romance more than sitting on the toilet together. Third, and the biggest indication (according to his teacher Phyllis) is that they are crossing a hurdle that many four year couples never do -- they are playing at the playground together. Generally the playground is very segregated, boys play with boys, and girls with girls. But Ethan and Anika are playing together in the sandbox, holding hands while riding bikes, and giving each other rides in makeshift wagons.

Ahhhhh, true love. At least for now. Rumor has it that there is yet another four year old girl vying for Ethan's affection. We are all hoping that Ethan's appeal to age appropriate ladies does not peak at age four.