Last wkd (I gave you my heart & the very next day...)

No winter trip to Phoenix is complete without Schnitzen (the red-nosed chevy trailblazer), a skateboarding lesson, a family photo & an occasional nap.

First guitar

1st Pippi Longstocking Costume

Beatrice was lucky enough to attend both her daycare & a little friend's Halloween parties before going on her first trick-or-treating adventure with Uncle Nick. Below you will find her painting a pumpkin, not hitting a pinata, & making her final selection for the monkey to play "Mr. Nielson."

What is it about Elmo?

1st Pony Ride, Climbing Wall & Bouncing Thing

Many days I still feel new at parenting. I question my own judgement, for example, when it comes to Señorita Fearless & determining what may or may not be safe for a not-yet-2-yr-old to play on or with. The following items seemed like a good idea at the time. Additional audio commentary provided by our friend Heather.

1st visit to State Fair

Beatrice enjoys observing prize-winning sheep & miniature horses. What else did we learn from this experience? Prying an ice cream cone out of Beatrice's hands is damn near impossible.

1st Taco Bell

After our first camping experience, we drove over to the Maryhill Art Museum, where they have an outside sculpture display. This one was probably our favorite & yes, "Taco Bell" was its title.

1st shiner

Do you see what happens, Larry (when Mommy says, "Sit down before you go down the slide" & you don't sit)? Poor little Bea...

1st trip to Utah

Despite growing up in this country, not a single member of the Sofranac Madore family had ever vacationed in Utah. But that all changed mid-July when we met up with Uncle Nick, Jessi, Djeda, & Grammy in the scenic Park City! We were told we should really come back in the winter (much like we were also told when we went to India in August - oh well). As you can see, Beatrice still enjoyed it in the summer.

(Mommy's) 1st triathlon

OK, so this one is more a first for Mommy this time. But we were both excited/doing uncomfortable backbends at the finish line!

1st time w/microphone

Practicing karaoke to the 2nd line in "Twinkle, Twinkle..."

1st Market Street Block Party

Face-painting, BBQs, & a live band help make our first ever block party a great success! 80 degree sunny weather helped, too.

How does your garden grow?

The rainiest June in recent memory seems to finally be on its way out & allowing ourgarden to do it's thing.Clearly, Beatrice has grown impatient waiting for things like strawberries & snap peas to ripen already! Behold a few before & after shots.

20 months old

And just too much is changing & funny for words, really.

Difference a Year Makes

Its hard to tell from just pictures how much Beatrice has changed in a year, eh?

Reading

Truckin'

Rainy day aside, we made it to the NW library's annual Truck Town, where Bea learned to drive a UPS truck & snow plow, among other things. I just have to point out how much I LOVE the 2nd photo, where it looks like she is in fact THEE Truck Town Tour Guide & the 1st photo, where it looks like she's checking her right mirror before turning!

Today on "Sewing with Mommy"

Bea's been great helping Mommy start her new lil biz venture (shameless plug: buy stuff on our Etsy site). She can unravel bobbins & thread, use the embroidery hoop as a bracelet, and now this.

Spring Break

Like so many children this time of year, Beatrice escaped to a warmer climate to splash around, relax, visit grandparents, help in the yard, etc. I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank the inventors of sunblock.

Visit from Aunt Maddy

Aunty Maddy chose to take a Spring break from the snow in Flagstaff to be with her beloved niece! One of the many adventures they had included trying on her glasses; so sophisticated!

Road trip from Seattle

For those who don't already know, the key to a successful car or plane ride with a toddler includes: snacks, toys, & sleep. In this video, you will notice how expertly Beatrice combines all three.

New Camera

+ new markers = this video.

First Valentine's party

This year, Bea's daycare had a little party. I think this might just become her favorite holiday, due to the sheer amount of cupcakes & hugs involved. She got some pretty cute valentines & helped make some, too, as Mommy also tried her first run at making valentines for the masses. (They turned out to have an unusual theme, though, as it was also Finnish Friendship Day & Chinese New Year & thus are not pictured in this post.)

What to do on a rainy morning

Indoor Park! The East Portland Community Center has the great set up where you can take your kid (<5 yrs old) to run around & play with other kids & toys. All for a buck! Clearly, Beatrice has a good time. Can you spot her in this last photo??