Adventures in Drawing

It was so fascinating to watch Audrey draw this picture. It was the most deliberately I've observed her go about a task to date. She set five markers on the desk, she grabbed one, asked for help getting the cap off, drew with it a little bit, put the cap back on, opened the desk drawer, set in the marker in the drawer, shut the drawer, and then repeated this exact the process five times. When all five colors were completed, she handed me the paper and said "bye-bye."

Drawing is certainly one of Audrey's favorite activities. Thank God (and Crayola) for washable markers!

She also has given up walking in favor of running, and her current favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar. (I've got it memorized.)

Go Sounders FC . . . Poor Huskies

Daddy was pretty sad that the UW Huskies got knocked out of the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, but luckily it was opening day for Sounders FC, so mom and dad raced down to the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field to watch the Sounders take out the Philadelphia Union 2-0.

The Coolest Tree in Seattle

From the upstairs bedroom and balcony we are fortunate to have a great view of a large and expanding Blue Heron rookery. The birds built about six or seven more nests since last spring. The most heron we've counted in the tree at one time is 19! There are 15 in this particular photo.

I've got Irish Roots

O.k., so in the interest of full disclosure I have more German genes than anything, but Irish is a probably a close second. In any case, the "Mc"Williams clan got together on Saint Patrick's Day for a traditional home made Irish feast. Shepard's pie, soda bread, braised brussel sprouts and an Irish cheese, pickle and egg plate. All washed down five types of Irish stouts and ales, including of course Guinness. For dessert it was mom's shamrock brownies, featuring green filling courtesy of some creme de menthe. Yummy!

St. Patrick - Pray for Us
St. Bridgid - Pray for Us
St. Columba - Pray for Us

Of course mom and dad look happier than me, there the ones with the Guinness.

Chow Time - Feeding Giant Dogs by Audrey B.

For a long time now Audrey has been completely enamored with feeding Oscar. She has refined the task from just throwing food all over and often will take his bowl off the table where Oscar usually eats and make him lie down while she feeds it to him small handful by small handful. What a patient and good old dog!!

Winding Down

Audrey has recently discovered the fun (perhaps "high") of spinning in circles. We captured an episode right before bedtime recently. Notice Mommy's careful oversight when Audrey gets a little off balance. (Note to concerned grandparents, we do closely monitor and limit this activity.)

And speaking of discovery, here's Audrey beach combing at Fort Ward State Park on a Saturday day trip to Bainbridge Island.

Fun at Matthews Beach

We've been spending a lot of time during this spring-like winter playing at Matthews Beach Park. I can't wait until it really warms up and mama and dada let me get into Lake Washington. For now, I am supposed to be satisfied wading up to my ankles in rubber boots.

Catch me if you can . . .

Fun picking flowers . . . and

running through bike racks.