I'm with Ava & a sleeping Dylan at a mall play area, AKA germaphobe hell. Shudder to think what this place looks like under a microscope. Ah well: builds immunities, right?

Ballard Locks visit

The whole family headed out for "an adventure" today at the Ballard Locks. Everything, even trips to Home Depot for mundane items, sounds more exciting to Ava when described as "an adventure."

Not being up on my fish life cycles, I didn't realize they're not spawning and thus not moving through the locks this time of year. Somehow I've grown up here and not keyed in to this fact, even though it makes perfect sense. I'm just used to fish and seafood being a year-round thing here. Maybe in the grocery store but not in the wild.

Dylan was his usual mellow self and Ava enjoyed the trip, although she was a bit freaked out (as were Jason and I) by the narrow, slippery walkway over the rushing water from Lake Washington mixing with water from the Sound, which is visible in the picture.

We'll be back in the summer and fall when there are actual fish visible in the fish ladder.

Grillz?

Toddler grill? No, just gag teeth from Ava's dental cCheckup. But it made me laugh.

Big sister, bigger brother

Here's a shot of the newest addition at 10 days old and already catching up to his petite big sister. I may start a separate savings account to cover his future food bills.

Dad and son

Dylan arrived 12/8 weighing in at a chunky 9 lbs. 14.8 oz. My apologies on delayed post. I took a social media break to get adjusted to this new little one.

He is very mellow and is putting on weight like a pro. His big sister is enthralled and adores him but is having some terrible two issues (not her usual cooperative, helpful self and wants to do EVERYTHING herself, whether it's within her abilities and my patience level or not) that we're grappling with.

Those issues aside, we are LOVING the new addition. Non-cell phone pix to come.