Birthday pictures: went to McD's for the big dinner with grandparents and home to a football cake afterwards. He ate pretty pretty much all the icing off the top before digging into the cake and sharing with us. S'mores at the campfire. His new haircut can be seen in the photo of him in the high chair with yellow pants.

Two year old changes

So much happens in a toddler's life every day. He had his first scratched knee today...and pretty much had a meltdown when he finally saw it. He was fine walking to the kitchen and up the stairs...until he could see his knee. It wasn't even a deep cut.

And Squeakums had his first haircut ever last week and looks so much like a boy now. Amazing what a difference that makes.

BearHunter leaves on Sunday for a way too long camping trip...mama's not looking forward to the hundreds of times that Squeakums will no doubt ask "Where's daddy?" all week.

New YWAM school started yesterday with 7 students originating from New Zealand to Alaska. Said goodbye on Monday to our last graduate from the winter school. Always saying hello and goodbye to new people...it's a lifestyle in YWAM.

We enjoyed grammy and grampa's visit for Squeakums 2 year old birthday last month. Everyone had a good time I think. Grandparents checked off our TO-DO list, THANK YOU, and treated us and a friend to a lovely glacier cruise in Seward. We also were able to visit briefly with some family friends here on vacation as well.

I think potty training is close to being done. He hasn't wet his pants in a couple of days and is starting to indicate needing to go potty by attempting to take his pants off. We were asked to quit using the split pants for awhile, so we've put him diaperless in normal pants. However, he also has started taking his bedtime diaper and pajamas off at night....hmmm. Growing independence.

Mother's Day Pictures

Some fresh pictures:

Squeakums and mom
Squeakums with rose on Mother's Day.
Toilet Paper art by our creative explorer
Mama's 28 week belly

BearHunter is out huntin bear this weekend across the bay with a couple other guys. Squeakums and CalaLilly are missing him already very much.

Pheasant and Ash

Here's his pheasant. And the other picture is of the first ashfall from Mt. Redoubt in Homer, covering our deck, tarp on the car, and the adjacent church roof.

Pictures of Baby

Squeakums is changing so much. He's talking in almost sentences. He understands that there's a baby in mommy's tummy and not one in his own! He can occupy himself for a good twenty minutes peeling crayon labels or other minute detailed work. Like mixing dry beans and rice in a bowl is a favorite activity now.

We've pulled out fingerpaints a couple of times (see pictures) and playdough more frequently....it's easier to clean up.

It's fun that he recognizes people by name and remembers teammates who have left. He even realizes when there's abstract art of Jesus. Or other things spiritually he'll pick up on, too.

Since the weather has been beautiful this week (in the 60's, which is as hot as it will get all summer) we've been enjoying the outdoors. Our team of students has been on outreach to Saint Lawrence Island for over a month already. Life is quieter now.

BearHunter shot his first pheasant and we ate it. Tastes like chicken, but it was a bit tough from being overcooked. Fun to have a hunter in the family anyway. This month he heads out bear hunting again. Spring bears are best and not fishy tasting. Last year's bear is now a rug hanging on the wall, pretty impressive.

Potty training is almost done. He's great most of the time. Occasionally he'll mess on the floor, but usually he takes himself to his little potty. We have him in split crotch pants all the time (at least at home and on short outtings) so it's real obvious if he tinkles on himself...he doesn't like it and will speak up right away. We also encourage him to go use the potty if it's been awhile since he's gone.