An ode to the farmers market

We really like going to the downtown farmers market.

We sort of think coming from Portland gives us farmers market credibility. And while I didn't go to allll the farmers markets in pdx, over 9 years I went to quite a few. This big one here in Albuquerque is by far the coolest farmers market I've been to. It's bustling. Lots of kids and babies being worn and pushed. Live music on a grassy lawn with big trees giving shade. Good music, most weeks. Today was great. Folk-y with lots of instruments and little people dancing about. I always get a latte and sit while the boys and I take in the scene. Sometimes I grab produce. Today they shared a croissant (with its chocolate insides on their little faces). And it's always sunny. That part doesn't get old, even with Oregon style afternoon rains the past couple days... this morning was about 70 and sunny. Perfect Saturday outing!

a thursday.

Well, Eli is off to preschool two days a week--Thursday is one. He loves it. He cried the first week when I said goodbye (and I'd suspected he would--he wanted to stay and play he just wanted me there too). But by week two he gave me a kiss and hug and off he went to play! So this morning Henri and I got some time for just us. After running some errands (post-drop off and he's still in jammies), he sat on the doorstep and played with my keys while I unloaded the car. It was the sweeter, calmer side of this busy one year old! And I'm often seeing more of that when he's solo with me. Eli gets home from preschool and needs his down time. He cuddled in my lap a bit while Henri got some lunch.

a ukulele

you see… 

these boys of ours, they love love love their musical instruments. 

so i stumbled upon a ukulele and knew we would give it a good home

henri loves playing it, dancing, and generally seems to need it whenever someone else has it. 

and then there are needs for water breaks… 

eli likes helping henri get a drink of water and his methods sometimes crack me up. 

especially the one hand on the head move...

good to let these boys do their thing… it seems to be working for them...

Construction!

This was outside our house today:

Entertainment for our boy! We wound up eating a picnic lunch on our front lawn so we could watch the excitement that is a backhoe, dirt, pipes, and so on.

Biking with the boys

Moon needed the car this week for clinic. So I biked with Henri to pick up Eli from preschool today. We toted Eli's helmet along and then I rode them both home. 5 minutes flat! 

Jam session

A ukelele

An electric guitar

And a couple brothers

at home...

lots of time in the sandbox! 

these two are learning to enjoy it together...

a couple weeks ago I captured these images of baby H...

this boy loves his water play...

brothers!

giving baby henri a check up...

grandma and grandpa came for a little visit! 

Brothers at the park

Around here

Good times at the anniversary party for our favorite coffee spot (where they use stumptown beans from time to time).

Swimming! Kids cost 25 cents to get into our little local pool. Eli used the floaty as his little boat

Sandbox time! Oh Henri and his brooms!

Walking the trike.

There he is

He put the hat on and tied his blanket into "his scarf"

100% Eli styled here

A library trip

We checked out a new branch of the ABQ library system, which we love. On the way out the door... "Can you sit next to Henri for a picture?"

"No fanks" 

"Please? I want to show grandma"

"Okway"

One sits one stands

"Is that a rock?"

"It's small, looks like a rock, I love putting those in my mouth. Should really grab it."

"Think I'll just walk to the library at this point"

3 seconds after we get there...

Show us the toys and we'll make ourselves at home!

We may or may not have exited to Eli holding his 683 truck books and then having them slide out of his arms slow motion style over the floor right in front of the check out station. Henri shrieking to hold a book while trying to dive out of my arms.