Trick-or-Treating in Ballard

Elsa really enjoyed her first trick-or-treating experience. Her Aunties - Lynn & Amy - joined us for the festivities. She was not shy at all asking for candy, reaching in the bowls, and dancing to the street musicians. In fact, "treat" is her new favorite word (uh oh...). What a fun afternoon!

Fall Festivities

Fall is my favorite season so it was fun to get to try out some of the kid activities around the city this year!


Carving pumpkins at home - Elsa was into the slimy at seeds at first, but lost interest after a short while

Swansons Nursery offers fun activities -she really enjoyed the hay maze...

...and the tractor ride around the parking lot

I wasn't sure we'd make it to the Zoo Pumpkin Prowl - Elsa was sick most of this weekend - but luckily she was on the mend by Sunday night! She really started to get the hang of trick-or-treating. Her favorite part was the giant dressed up Brown Bear (from the brown bear carwash, you know?). She just wanted to hug and kiss him - so sweet :)

Fluffy Wetzler

Elsa got her first pet this week - a blue beta fish named Fluffy. The name (we think) came from one of Elsa's favorite Elmo videos. Surprise surprise! We were originally going to get a goldfish, like the one in Elmo, but ended up getting a beta because they are easier to care for.

Besides wanting to put her hand in the bowl and "pet" Fluffy, she's been pretty good with him (in her normal hyperactive way). She loves to look into the bowl, say hi, and "night night." So sweet!

Fluffy is visisted only under strict adult supervision!

Tumbling Toddler

Elsa recently started a gymnastics class for toddlers at the local community center. It's basically free play but with mats, bars, balance beams, etc. It took her a bit to get comfortable, but now she keeps up with the best of them! (and she's the only girl in the class!)

Elsa has been practicing her somersaults at home.

Transitions

Times they are a changin' around the Wetzler household. I hope that explains why I haven't sent out an update in more than a month!

Elsa and I started up another school year at the end of August. Elsa's transition to toddler school was, well, not exactly easy. A new school + Elsa the drama queen + the time of day she starts school (right before lunch/nap) = disaster.

I'm happy to report though that things are getting noticably better. She's had a few great days recently - very few tears, great naps, scarfing her lunches (as usual), and fun times singing, dancing, and playing with friends. Just what a nervous mom could hope for!

How time flies when you're having...fun?

Elsa loves being naked these days :)

The gorillas and monkeys at the zoo are the best!

The librarian in me loves this picture. Here she is just chilling at the public library with her stuffed animal buddies and a good book!

18 Months Old!

I still remember thinking if I can just make it to 18 months... and here we are! Elsa is really turning out to be a free spirited, imaginative, creative, determined, and kooky little kid. She loves to play outside, swim, watch Elmo, have "tea parties" with her animals, and more... She is also becoming much more confident with other people. I went away for 4 days recently and she didn't seem to mind one bit who took care of her (Daddy, Nana, Grandma, etc.) or where she went - just as long as she could run around and explore.


I took Elsa to get some pictures of her at 18 months. You can view the pictures by clicking here. Just use the password KARI WELTZER (note the misspelling of our last name! Ha ha!)

San Juan Islands on the Copycat

We just returned from a fun-filled (and HOT) "week" aboard the Copycat with Nana and Grandpa. Brian and I decided that 5 days would be enough this year with our type A toddler. I think we made the right choice. All in all, Elsa really was very good - she slept in her makeshift crib with little complaining, watched Elmo videos while we were under way, and LOVED exploring the new ports.


Roche Harbor is one of my favorite places - and I think it's one of Elsa's now too. She couldn't get enough of the pool (seen above), playground, flower gardens, and - of course - the donuts.

Elsa didn't mind her life jacket too much. I think it helped that other kids were usually wearing theirs, too.

We went ashore at Hunter Bay - the water was 58 degrees. Elsa didn't want to stay on the beach though (did I mention she LOVES water?), so we had to strip her down to her diaper to preserve one of her few precious outfits that I took along...