Mary Lu has started possibly the cutest trend ever. About a week ago we were reading a book and when it came time to turn the page she said, "I do". I doubted it at first because it seemed a premature use of pronouns, but sure enough, that's what she said and she says it all of the time because if there is something to be done, it is certain that Mary Lu would just as soon do it herself. It is seriously so unbelievably cute. She says it in this voice like someone assuring you not to worry and they will take care of it. Like, "oh, no no, I'll do this!" Sometimes she adds, "this"--"I do this" and also she will tell me, "You do" if she wants me to step in.
We went to Spokane this past weekend (loved it, beautiful city, beautiful park, totally exceeded my expectations) and over the weekend she went from "mama" to "mommy". Beginning of the weekend it was 5 mamas to one mommy and by the time we made it back to Oroville I was mommy. John too, he's daddy now. Notably she says it in the same sing-song, twinge of something European lilt that Juan uses. No idea where this comes from but it's great.
While in Oregon this last time Juan went to zoo camp at the Portland Zoo and it was SO AWESOME; I can't say enough about it. He came home every day and wanted to act out zoo camp where he was the counselor and Mary Lu and I were the campers. He'd take us all around the zoo like his counselor did and tell us all about the animals and their habitats etc. He learned so much and was so into it. His counselor was absolutely fantastic and really made it a great week for Juan. In fact, he came out on the last day so I could get a photo of them and went on and on about how amazing Juan is. Pretty cool.
Other than that we are endlessly doing home improvement projects which are fun and tiring. Their room is almost done thank goodness--they've been in limbo all summer.
Lastly, John is healing very well and thanks everyone for the well-wishes. He's back on regular duty and is feeling much better.
Juan at a 4th of July party
View of Oroville and Lake Osoyoos from the host's yard
Mary Lu at playgroup
Juan holds a baby bunny at a petting zoo in Keremeos BC
Mary Lu bleating at a goat
Mary Lu painting one of the doors in their room
Juan doing the same up high
Mary Lu points out the triceratops to Juan. Great touring dino exhibit at the Portland zoo.
Juan and Family Camp buddy, Elliot have some play time one morning at the zoo.
Mary Lu loved watching the zoo campers go by while we waited for Juan
Juan and counselor, Ben
Juan wanted to make these banks to save money for the oceans and the rainforests. He decorated them and here he and Mary Lu are putting money in. He is totally into saving the Earth and endangered species. For months I've been on the lookout for places to donate money or organizations who would have some sort of back and forth with Juan to no avail. Greenpeace, The Sierra Club, and a couple other places never wrote back to me. If anyone knows of a kid-friendly enviro group I'd love to hear about it.
The kids started riding lessons. They've only had one so far and it's very casual. Juan doesn't want to ride. He has a couple of times before but isn't interested right now. He had fun leading the horse, though.
Mary Lu holds a barn kitten
Mary Lu on Dancer. By the end of the one hour lesson, she was riding around on Dancer solo. Her teacher was leading her and I was standing next to her, but Mary Lu was clicking to her and kicking her to go. She is a natural for sure. Next time I'll bring her a helmet.
