Soren turns four -- Grrr!

Can you believe it? Soren is 4!

Today (Sunday) was his birthday party, a memorable event shared with his best friend (and agemate) Tayla. Here they are blowing out the candles on their cupcakes. We hand-cranked ice cream, too, in what is becoming Soren's birthday tradition.

"Carnival of the Animals" was the party theme, so there was face-painting (Soren wanted to be a puppy)...

...and a pinata shaped like a monkey.

As always, the tire swing at our neighborhood park was a hit. Someone called this bunch "Soren and his girls." Much fun was had by all.

Then home for a good scrub in the bath.

We were lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma make the trip from E. Wash. to be with us today. A new puzzle and a new coloring book were among Soren's many gifts from the people who love him most.

"Now I can fight dragons more better," he said matter-of-factly, upon opening this present from his parents -- a knight's breastplate to go with his armor collection.

So now that he's 4, what's in store?

Happy Mis-Mis!

"Happy Mis-Mis," says Soren. "Christmas" has some pretty tough consonants for a two-year-and-a-quarter-old tot. All the same, merriest greetings from our family to yours.

I'm writing at the end of a long Christmas day that began at 7:20 a.m. with Soren waking up the household, and it is not over yet at 10:15 p.m. as Jeff makes attempt #2 to put our stimulated child to bed and quietude.

But in between was homemade cinnamon rolls, present-opening (oddly, not of too much interest to Soren, but he is appreciating his new Thomas the Tank Engine toys and branded clothing), a walk to the beach, and fine dining out at The Belmont, a waterfront restaurant that dates to 1885. We all enjoyed a delicious meal and Soren was extremely well behaved and chowed down on various bits of shared seafood entrees. The clam chowder was a hit with him.

Ah, yes, we are celebrating with my parents (Soren's Nannie and Papaw) and my sister Nora ("Auntie Nono"). Sis Jill had to work a shift at her ER on Christmas Day and Jim and Gloria are fairly well snowed in in Eastern Washington.

These photos are actually from Thanksgiving weekend, when downtown Port Townsend rolled out the red holiday carpet. We donned elf hats to take a carriage ride down Water Street.

Our be-jingled horse, with the wedding-cakish Hastings Building in the background.

The model train in the lobby of the Palace Hotel provided much entertainment that day and tonight as well, after we finished dinner across the street. Soren can stand stock still for long minutes on end, watching the train repeat the loop. I always indulge him him when he asks to "go downtown and watch train."

As the holidays have progressed, the scene on the train tabletop has gotten progressively more wintry and festive, with fake snow added and little lighted Christmas trees and random wrapped presents along the tracks. No wonder Soren thinks it's wonderland.

Here's wishing you some holiday cheer delivered on the express. Choo-choo!

You don't say?

Where does our little boy come up with these expressions? These were teased out of him from his "Auntie" Sierra on a recent visit.

Maybe here Soren is recalling his shock at glancing down our stairwell recently and seeing this out the window...
Yes, one of the town's feral deer--a young buck--had plopped down in our yard and there he stayed for most of the afternoon. Was he hurt, resting? We didn't bother him because he wasn't eating our garden plants. This is why a significant portion of our yard is fenced. If we catch the deer nibbling, we throw ice cubes at them. They are not cute wildlife. But that's another subject.

Soren was fascinated, to say the least.
To see what kind of animal Soren was for Halloween, see his blog post!