asher says @ 19 months:

Athen (only when Athen has hurt his feelings will he say his name), Pop, get out, what, hey!, meow, he haw (for a donkey) yay yay (which means anything sweet, as in "Yay! I got a treat!") night night, bed, good guy (any toy or person wearing a helmet, hat, holding a sword or riding a motorcycle) s'man (spiderman, just like Athen used to say,) zoom (for cars,) jump, on, off, light, Mom and Dad.

He has stopped saying "Mama" and "Dada..." so sad.

the eve of kindergarten

Athen starts school tomorrow. I'm not really excited. I'm worried. School is really learning about life, and Athen's sensitive nature has become more of a stressor for me over the last two years. It makes me sad that something I love about him so much, is also a personality trait that will be painful to overcome. He is a good person, thoughtful and sincere. It's too bad that once we submit to the government/society standard of education and correct behavior that these kinds of traits are seen as hindering.... and honestly, I'm torn.

Athen, however, is very excited to be in school. I'm thrilled he is. He knows a few boys from soccer camp that will be in his class. The teachers made a good impression on him. The school is right across the street from our home. The kindergarten orientation was a positive introduction and he said to me, "Mom, I really like this school! I can't wait to go to school!"

I guess in the end it doesn't really matter what I think. He has to live his life. But, I miss him little sometimes...

asher says at 18 months:

ball, no, please, mine, eat, bow wow (for dogs), mouse, neigh (for horses and zebras), moo, caw caw (for all birds), stop it, yay!, daddy, nana (banana), apple , meat, good guy, water, out, read, doo doo and wet.

vacation bible school

I asked Athen if he liked camp this morning. He said he didn't like it that much. "It was too long," he said. (It wasn't that long, 9-11:30am) I dropped it.

Later this afternoon I said, "Tell me about camp, what did you do?" Athen sighed and said, "Well, we looked at pictures of damage...."

At this response I start cracking up because he's 5, his tone is so serious and I realize immediately that he is generalizing images of what I assume are pictures of earthquake aftermath. But he misunderstands my laughter and says, " Mom, I said DAMAGE."

Seattle visit

My cousin, John, came to visit us for almost a week this summer. It was a great visit. For the few days he was here it was a whirlwind of Seattle sites, mossy woods, good company and new music.

I love visiting the Fremont Troll, I hadn't been since last summer
The boys interrupting our senior portrait sitting...

I took several photos of John at the EMP.

View from Gasworks Park
Pike Place Market
JT & John on the Technics...

Seattle Center • 7/2010

Me & John • 1998
In this photo, John is the same age as Athen is now.

colorado visit

Athen, Asher, John and I went to Colorado to visit my parents for two weeks. Athen went to summer camp. He learned how to ice skate and swim, which he really enjoyed. He also went to a mini sports camp where he learned the basics of baseball, soccer and basketball.

Asher, Gamma, Pop & Athen • June 2010

Late afternoon bike rides, home cooked meals, family, good conversations, a knitting lesson and a visit to the New Belgium Brewery. I really enjoyed hanging out with my Mom and the boys and visiting with my Dad. It was one of the best visits back home that I've had.

The boys on the front porch swing

weird

Tonight while John was finishing his dinner, Athen said, "I think you're weird."

John said, "You think I'm weird?"

Athen said, "No, I mean both you guys, both of you are weird......"

....."but, I think you're cool too...."