Sitting - Ada

I can sit now without assistance. I like it. These photos are outdated, but they were the first time I did it. I only briefly did it without holding on, but that is not included here. Sitting makes playing more simple. It also brings me one step closer to being like my dear sister. I can also more easily play with her toys. She does not like this, however, no matter how patiently I share with her.

I still, however, cannot sit for very long before I must return to my crawling studies. I transition, as I do with everything, in the most graceful way possible. This typically includes me falling flat on my face. Gracefully.

The best part about sitting up, though, is that I can now eat at the table with the family. This makes me immensely happier and makes the delivery of sustenance to my awaiting maw simpler.

Finding Dowy - Ellie

I recently saw my very first movie I have seen in a special place known as a theater. For those who have never been in a theater - which I assume to be exceedingly unlikely as there were many, many people in the theater - it is a large building with many rooms with big televisions that show movies. The best part, however, is the inordinate amounts of popcorn that is distributed to the patrons. I got impatient waiting for Mommy to get napkins and Daddy to put salt on the popcorn, and decided to head off on my own to find Dowy. I had been told that we were going to go see Finding Dowy, and, having seen Finding Nemo the day before, I knew how much I cared for Dowy, I set out on my own to find her. "DOWY!" I called into every doorway. "DOWY, WHEH AW YOU?" Mommy and Daddy caught up with me, and showed me the way into the correct room. The seats inside were innumerable and full of people with whom I made contact individually. The television was gigantic. I wish our television at home was that large. The movie was delightful, but I had some slight criticisms. First, I was disappointed that the beginning of the movie was disjointed, seemed to have very little to do with the rest of the plot, repeated this odd green screen, and had no Dowy. "Wheh's Dowy?" I asked repeatedly. I was told to wait. So wait I did, snuggling into Daddy and starting into the popcorn. Popcorn is delightful. I like popcorn. I ate it through the entire movie, which lost some of my interest when the popcorn was depleted. When that happened, I spent some time making eye contact with other patrons and kissing Mommy repeatedly. Anyway, the only other issue I had with the movie was the scawy part. Luckily, it was short. Otherwise, I liked it, especially seeing Dowy's Mama and Dadda and making whale noises (OoooOOOooh!). Afterwards, we took pictchohs by some very flat versions of characters from the film.

Pre-Crawl - Ada

I have an exceedingly active sister. I love her deeply, and wish that I could do more to play with her. As of right now, she mostly plays with me by trying to kiss me, hold me, and body slam me. Needless to say, I would appreciate more ways to play. Thus, I am actively attempting to utilize my own limbs in my movement. I began by getting up on my feet and my hands at the same time.

This resulted in difficulty with moving my feet without falling, so I moved on from there to being on my knees.

I am thus able to move my knees sequentially. This would seem to be the answer to my quandary if it were not for the fact that I have not the slightest clue as to what my hands are supposed to do. Thus I remain, on all fours, waiting for the day that I will discover the next step in the process. Occasionally I will fall onto my tummy, inching my way towards objects, but, typically, I wait, staring at my hands and willing them to do something useful. While I wait, my dear sister keeps moving incessantly. Even when she is attempting to help me, I can't help but find it a little insulting.
 

Undawatoh Amals with Gwamma and Papa - Ellie

 We have been visiting Seattle quite often lately. I like Seattle. This latest excursion included a site we have visited many times before which I call "Fwench Fwies and Boh-dees." Here all except me eat fish while I feast upon their fwench fwies. We then feed the fwench fwies to the boh-dees who fly around outside. In the past I have held out fwench fwies for the boh-dees to eat, but it is s'awy, so I let Daddy do it. All one must do is hold a fwench fwy aloft and it is taken from one's hand by a boh-dee as it flies by. I also mourn the loss of all catsup delivery devices lost to boh-dees. Throughout most of our trip, Papa was my pal, although Gwamma stepped in occasionally, too.

 

 We then went to see undowatoh amals. I was quite frightened by them at first. As in times in the past, I found the high amount of water and the odd amals' ability to swim through it disturbing. I turned to Gwamma for comfort.

Slowly, with some help from Papa, I was able to warm up to the concept.

There were places to touch the amals, but I thought it was slightly excessive. Instead, I settled for touching the watoh once,

and the statue of a seal.

My favorite amals were the sea otters, seals,

and the amals from Finding Dory - Dory, Nemo,

and Pink the Octopus.

There were multiple places to put my head. The problem with these is that I can never see what I look like in them.

The Aquarium, or, A Lovely Place with Strange, Delightful Animals - Ada

I recently visited a delightful site where odd animals, suspended in liquid, moved about above my head. This was especially helpful as I could then see the animals from my carriage. 

While I did just fine in my stroller, I am happy to say that my mother took pity on me and allowed me to be carried for most of the time in the aquarium, allowing me an even more effective vantage point.

The carrier also afforded an effective chewing device.

While I loved all of the animals, there was one that was especially intriguing. Oddly humanoid in shape, it was able to wave at me and play peekaboo with me. I found it to be a very friendly fish.

 

I also found the small, translucent fish named Bubbles to be fascinating.

After an afternoon of fiercely studying these strange creatures known as fish, I have yet to come to a conclusion as to how they dwelt inside the walls and how they moved about. I wish to be like them. Unlike my dear sister, who showed fear upon her initial encounter during this aquarium visit, I appreciated every moment I could spend in the fish's presence. 

Best of all, at the end of our expedition, I was awarded with a fish of my own. 

Happy Birthday America! - Ellie

I have a very strict time by which I am to be in bed each night. Except, apparently, when many of my cousins and other children gather with family members to watch fireworks go boom. While groggy, I greatly enjoyed the evening.

By the time the fireworks started going boom, I was exhausted. I had only gotten a nap in the car. I sprawled across Grandma Peggy's lap and could only weakly utter the necessary ooh's and aah's.

By the end of the display, however, I was wide awake, but still too tired to be anything more than exceedingly obedient in getting ready for bed. The next day, we went on a walk in a place where I was promised amals. It was, by far, the most scarcely populated zoo I have ever seen. I did, however, get to push Ada's stroller, chase Daddy, and see ducks and a rock Mommy and Daddy claimed was a turtle.

 

Then we saw cousins, I swam (I will describe my current feelings towards swimming another time), and set off "baby fireworks." I even got to hold a couple, but mostly with Daddy's help.

All of this mayhem, lack of sleep, and danger was, in fact, a birthday party. I know not who America is, but she or he  seemed to have a happy birthday.

Day of Independence - Ada

I love holidays. I love most things, but holidays are exceptionally delightful. There are more people to adore me and an increase in exceptionally interesting sights to gaze upon. For example, we recently celebrated Independence Day, and it offered many wonders and much cuddling. I find little pleasure in what the holiday celebrated, as I personally value my dependence in many ways, but I recognize that others may appreciate the concept. The festivities began with what is commonly considered a fireworks show. It was as if the entire sky was the device known as a television, and was lit up with many colors. The main difference, however, was that I was permitted to view this television, and I was enthralled.

The next day was the actual Day of Independence, and I was treated to a walk. I love walks. I love seeing nature and spending time with my family. I will, occasionally, demand cuddles, but I find this to be a small accommodation that should be made for my comfort.

Later, we spent a considerable amount of time with family being cuddled. Altogether, I found the day to be a success.