Lucy knows the true meaning of Christmas

And that is...the boxes are WAY better than the presents. Brian has already suggested that Santa's next stop be the produce section at the local supermarket for some empty boxes and raspberries...Lucy's perfect Christmas.

Lucy knows how to plan an escape.

Step 1: Put on your big girl candy corn socks. Step 2: Climb out of bed. Step 3: Try not to fall asleep while climbing out of bed.

Lucy knows how to eat a bagel.

Lucy has a really unique of handling pretty much all bread products. It's sort of an inside-out, burrow from the center type of thing. Much like her mother, Lucy SERIOUSLY loves her bagels, which I think these pictures fairly accurately portray. If we try to cut the bagel or make it in any way more manageable to eat, Lucy usually wails "PUT IT BACK TOGETHER!" and then refuses to eat it. She will, however, be happy to cut it herself if you'll just go ahead and hand over a knife. And while you're at it, how about a lighter and the circular saw??

Lucy is fierce.

Lucy took Brian and I to the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation Center in Grants Pass when we were there a couple weeks ago. We had to keep her on a leash because the bears and bobcats are still recuperating and may not be fully able to fend off the Wild Lucy Badger.

Lucy is concerned about your safety.

Brian and I took Lucy to the Everett Children's Museum this weekend and she had a GREAT time in the "Safety Room". There's a fire truck, fire hats, a place to "stop, drop and roll", and little telephones to practice calling 9-1-1. Good thing for the other kids that Lucy is an expert, having called 9-1-1 on Brian's phone a number of times already. BABY GENIUS!

Lucy is a superstar!

Wait. Do I have something on my face?

Lucy isn't letting the weather bother her.

Lucy took Brian and I to the Ballard Locks yesterday to look at boats, fish, birds, and mostly her back as she ran and ran and ran in the botanical gardens attached to the Locks. Lucy and Brian checked out some mushrooms together, talked about boats, and generally had a great time. Good thing, because when we got home, this is what we found:



Not to worry, the truck is fine and the apple tree has been cut back...although it lost another branch this afternoon, but we'd already moved the truck - HAHA TAKE THAT TREE! Better be careful, or we'll sic Lucy on you!

Lucy will show you how to carve a pumpkin!

Lucy and her cousin Austin helped the adults carve some pumpkins last weekend. Predictably she was most interested in a) holding knives, b) pulling the guts out, c) ordering Austin around, or d) having a post-carving snack? E! ALL OF THE ABOVE!

We put the pumpkins in a place of honor on the front porch and every night when Lucy gets home she hugs and kisses both of them, and then asks if she can light the candle. FIRE!

Sigh.

Lucy will help you make Halloween snacks!

Lucy and I made Halloween treats this weekend. Lucy helped me by crushing the pretzels and eating the still warm fruits of our labors. Not surprisingly, she is pretty good at crushing things. And, being a child of mine, she's pretty good at eating marshmallows as well.

Lucy will turn on a dime.

I'm SO SAD! I will never be happy again...NEVER!

OH HI!! Did I mention how happy I am right now? SO HAPPY! I'll NEVER be sad again!

Lucy is a fashionista.

Suede boots and a binky. It's all the rage.

Lucy has a cousin - and he's super cute!

Lucy and her cousin Austin went to a little amusement park last weekend (see prior pony ride pictures), and they both had a great time in the (hot hot) sun. Thankfully for Lucy, Austin is extremely is patient with her somewhat...ahem...dictatorial management style.

Lucy rode a pony!

It's not a penguin, which would have been her first choice, but was still fun. More pictures of the "amusement" park still to come...and by "amusement" I mean, "holy crap, how hot can it possibly get and it costs HOW MUCH to get in here??"

Lucy loves summer. All one day of it.

Summer has finally arrived in Seattle, and we all know it could end at any minute. We have been spending every minute outside and going to the local beaches and parks as much as possible. Lucy has learned a number of new concepts from these outings, including "SUNSCREEN NO!" and "more fruit snacks!" Because, let's face it, nothing says "enjoying nature" quite like sitting in the car eating preformed sugar and preservative filled "fruit" out of an Earth-killing plastic bag. She does love the water though and has a lot of fun with Brian standing in the surf until her lips are blue. Ahhhh....summer in the Northwest.