His Use of Language

While driving one day, Rooke asked Ryan, "When I get home can I have a tic tac (his new special "treat")?"  Ryan told him that we would have lunch first.  He repeatedly asked for a tic tac and when he heard the same answer for the fourth or fifth time, he asked "why?".  Ryan started to explain, but it turns out that Rooke wasn't really interested in the explanation because he interrupted and said, "No, Daddy.  I wasn't asking why.  I was just saying the letter "y".  Just the letter.  I don't need to hear why."  

Talk Time

For the past year, on most Thursday nights, you would have seen at least one member of the Payne family participating in "Talk Time", a ministry to Chinese students studying at the University of Washington.  The first hour is spent eating dinner together and the second hour is spent talking in small groups on a set topic, like traveling, friendships, religion, etc., giving the students a chance to practice their English.  I love Talk Time for so many reasons, least of which is that it's a breath of fresh (ahem) air from life in China.  Being with Chinese students is a very comfortable place for me.  And I love what Rooke observes and learns when he joins us.  He loves going to Talk Time.  Last week was the ultimate Talk Time Thursday - Chinese New Year!  We loved getting to ring in the Year of the Rabbit with some friends from China.

This is Rooke and the leader of Talk Time, Zhen Chuan.  The first thing Rooke does when we arrive is look for Zhen Chuan.  If I can't find him, he's almost always with Zhen Chuan.  He loves this guy.

The kids and I posing with Yong.  There were cameras everywhere that night!

If only the star were yellow.

Rooke and Gretchen were the only American kids present.  They did good posing for lots of pictures with our friends and Rooke was great at "helping our friends practice their English".

Go to the Mattresses

We have an extra mattress that is usually propped against the wall in Gretchen's room.  We've been a bit slow in putting things back in order after some friends stayed with us, and I decided to take advantage of the cushy play space after naps.  The kids and I played on the bed for almost an hour! 

"Tough Guy"

"Surprised"

"Startled" (not to be confused with "surprised")

"Happy"

At Home

Just playing and chillin' at home this week . . .

"Hey, what's goin' on in there?"

Post-nap cuddles are my favorite

She likes doing what he does

He's been into reading by himself lately.  Thanks to Starfall, he can actually sound out some simple words.  But mostly he just recites the story or makes up his own.  Gretchen thinks it's great!

The Molar Monster

This is Gretchen: our happy, dramatic and somewhat easy-going girl.  That is until the ugly molar monster came for a visit . . .

And this is what we've seen more often than not lately.  Her little gums are so swollen and tender and she is letting us know that she does not like this teething business one bit!

Her brother doesn't know it yet, but pretending to be like him cheers her up quickly.  Sitting in his chair and playing with his computer makes her a happy girl - at least for a few minutes!

Girl Time

I have been completely spoiled lately by some serious girl time - all the way up to dinner last night with my neighbor, Sarah, who happened to be a dear friend before we moved next door.  Thank you, sweet husband, for making it possible.  Last weekend I helped host a shower for my sweet friend, Jaime, who is expecting her second baby and first boy next month - yay!  

Later that evening, I pulled off a super duper surprise for my super duper friend, Jessie.  Her husband and I conspired together to shock her to the point of tears!  We went up to Cananda to stay the night with my sister and then played in Vancouver the next day.  It was the perfect girl's get-away!  It's not every day that two moms get to hang out without stopping for naps and talk to the point of being hoarse without being interrupted to remind little ones to share, right?!  Yummy food, a bit of hiking, no traffic or border lines, lots of talking - a complete blessing! 

Playing

We decided it was time to introduce Gretchen to Playdoh and coloring . . .

She watches her brother intently

Revealing her masterpiece

She is getting to play with markers much earlier than Rooke did!

One day last week the kids both woke up early from their naps.  I decided to roll with it (obviously the best choice, but unfortunately not always the one I make), and took the kids to Pike Place.  Why not when it's just a 10 minute walk away?!  We had a great time wandering around, grabbing a few of our favorite market snacks, and pausing for plenty of people watching.

"That's cheese?!"

A Special Visit

Last weekend my dear friend, Tricia, and her daughter, Myla, flew up to visit us!  What a blessing!  Tricia has been a faithful friend since our days together as music majors at OBU.  It was so much fun getting to spend time together and to be around her daughter more.  Although, on several occasions I think my kids were slightly overwhelming for mellow Myla, to which I thought, "Oh no - we are one of those families".  Nonetheless, our time together was fun-filled and over too quickly.

Gretchen and Myla are 4 months apart and were quick to "give kisses"   

The kids had fun playing together in our courtyard

My bohemian baby . . . you get a better shot of the entire eclectic outfit below

Thank you for coming!!