Diapers and Books

I forgot to mention that we're getting very close to being through with diapers! Kyra's doing a great job going on the potty -- I think she's still a little reluctant with #2 but is doing great with #1. It helped a lot to have her stay home for 2 weeks with my mom here -- undies most of the time. Also, Matt's mom picked up a potty book that Kyra loved at the library and that's also been great -- not that she doesn't have other ones, she just really liked this one (by Karen Katz). I am hopeful that I do not have to buy any more diapers -- although when someone mentioned Costco as the $300 store I attributed it to diapers -- and lo and behold, last weekend it was $300 without diapers (amazing what wine will do to you Costco bill)! Better to be buying wine than diapers I believe!

I also wanted to begin sharing with other moms who read this some of the great books we've found at the library. We usually go about once a month (yes, the kids stick with the books that long) and here's what we currently have that the kids love:

1. Follow the Line Through the House.
2. Llama llama mad at Mama (for anyone who's had a crabby toddler shopping with them)
3. There's an Alligator Under My Bed by Mercer Mayer (the kids fight over who gets to keep this one in their room)

As for adult reading, I recently read "Water for Elephants" and really liked it. I am currently reading "This I Believe" which are the essays that NPR collects and reads on the air. The collection includes essays from the original program in the 1950s as well as from today -- from famous people (Bill Gates) to ordinary folk. I'm really enjoying it!

If you've got any great recommendations, I'd like to hear them. Usually my reading choices are whatever's on the paperback shelf at the entrance where I get about 3 minutes to look at that covers and glance at the awards and possibly read some portion of what's on the back before selecting -- total crap shoot - but I've done okay.

Summer...

All our family visitors have gone home so we're all alone now. We definitely miss the company and extra hands to help out! We had a really nice time with my mom and then Matt's parents in town. You can see how much fun the kids are having with Grandma here! Daniel got a new bike and is doing great with his training wheels. Here is a family picture on Deception Pass Bridge on Whidbey Island, WA. We spent a weekend at a lovely house we rented up there. Daniel and I did a lot of beach combing and have been coloring and painting the shells we found. The last picture is the kids at Experience Music Project in Seattle -- they be jammin! There's an exhibit right now on the influence of Latino music in America. I was very proud of my Panamanian heritage being mentioned twice: Reuben Blades, of course, and the start of Reggaeton in Panama. Love it!

New house pics

They are making some great progress on the house! It's really starting to come together. Here's a pic. It's been a crazy couple of weeks here -- I had to let my assistant go so I've been completely underwater with the business trying to keep up. My mom has been here which has been great since she's been able to help with the kids while I try to catch up. The sad part is that I haven't been able to spend as much time as I'd like with her. Today Matt's parents arrive so the 'rents cross over for a couple of days -- lots of childcare help!