Daddy Daycare

Greetings!

Jonas and Elsa enjoyed a week of daddy daycare with Dan. Mari was back at work full-time and Dan was at home with the twins this past week. With the tempature in the 80's, there was lots of playing outside and going on adventures.

One of the days, Elsa and Jonas went to visit the Black Diamond Bakery. It is a small bakery in the little town of Black Diamond. Elsa ordered sprinkle cookies and Jonas ordered a muffin. Everything was delicious. We then stopped by not one but two playgrounds on the way home. The first playground was a little disappointing so we decided to try another one.

Tuesday night the skies opened and it rained all afternoon and evening. Elsa and Jonas braved the weather to see an intimate Caspar Babypants show at a local park. The fifty brave folks that joined us in the audience had a great time as Caspar Babypants and Ronald Babyshoes played for an hour. Elsa and Jonas danced up in front to their favorite song "Run Baby Run".

We had dinner with friends last night and Jonas and Elsa played with their good friend Joshua. Elsa also was able to hold Isabelle. Great times and great fun!

This week is the first week of school for Jonas and Elsa. We are optimistic that they are going to love it!

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Summer!

Greetings!

Another fun week in the sun for Elsa and Jonas! We brought out the sprinkler and it was a hit. Of course, the kids demanded that we demonstrate how to jump through a sprinkler before they would even think about it! Fun!

We set up a tent in the backyard and have been day camping in our backyard this weekend with the kids. Lots of books, toys, games, and snacks.

We have also begun talking about 'school' with Jonas and Elsa. They know that it is coming and seem up for it but it might be a big shock when Dan has to drop them off at their school in the morning in a few weeks!

Jonas also received a stylish haircut this week and everyone got a treat as a reward.

We had a great time seeing some friends this past weekend and playing with their wonderful kids. Thanks to all for a great time!

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

A walk in the woods

Greetings!

Elsa and Jonas spent yesterday hiking and playing in the woods with their Grandma Charlene. We took a trip up the road to the Federation Forest outside of Enumclaw. Jonas and Elsa hiked a trail next to the White River, played in a field, and had a great picnic lunch. What a great day!

Friday was the last story time of the summer. Elsa and Jonas loved going to the library for story time and learned a lot! We have to pull them out of the children's area, sometimes kicking and screaming, to go home. They are avid readers!

Elsa had another follow-up eye appointment with her favorite doctor and her eyes continue to do well.

Another great mild summer week in the books!

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Best Wednesday Ever!

Greetings!

We try to make every day the best day ever with Jonas and Elsa. As part of this practice, we will talk about the day at dinner and say, "This was the best Wednesday ever!" There will of course be Wednesdays that aren't a ton of fun or ones that require a lot of work but we really want Jonas and Elsa to seek the best out of each day.

To that end, today was the best Wednesday EVER!

We have been blessed with so many great children's entertainers this summer...they have all been great! One group has a special place in the Lysne household. The Wiggles. Yes, we love them. The kids wake up each morning and want to hear wiggles songs. They know the dance moves, the lyrics, everything...

Today we attended a wiggles concert! We sat in the back of the first level and loved our seats. There were several rows open ahead of us and we had lots of space. We briefly entertained the idea of moving up some rows but then decided to enjoy the space and the show. And what a show it was and what a smart move on our part! The show started and Elsa and Jonas were enthralled...Mari and Dan were too! Then the Wiggles came into the audience. As they walked around they made their way right past us in the empty row! Dan just started smiling and pointing, Mari started waving, and Elsa and Jonas stared at their wiggley heroes! It is a real compliment to the Wiggles that they can transform parents into giggling little children and awe toddlers at the same time. What an amazing time of singing and dancing! Elsa and Jonas made it through the entire 90 minutes and everyone left with big smiles on their faces!

After the show, we then went to the rainbow forest cafe. We had never been before and thought it would be a fun adventure for the kids. Another hit with the kids! Great times and a photo with the frog!

What a great day!

Pictures: Team Lysne at the Wiggles; Captain Feathersword; Yellow Wiggle Sam; Blue Wiggle Anthony; Dorothy the Dinosaur.

God Bless,

Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas

Forgetting things...

Greetings!

A note on forgetting...

We forgot to post a new blog on Sunday and with that in mind as a theme we thought we would reflect on things we have forgotten.

We have forgotten the phone number and the secret code to the Mary Bridge NICU. Seriously, we had this down pat and could call it half-asleep on a Thursday morning at 2:00 am if necessary.

We have forgotten how to convert (quickly) the metric measurements to the standard measurements. Elsa and Jonas were weighed every day and we used to celebrate 20 gram gains!

We have forgotten how to hook up an air tank at home.

We have forgotten all the names of the ventilators that our kids used.

We have forgotten the rotation of the cafeteria and are not really sure when onion rings are on offer any more.

We have forgotten the name of the old specialized formula that we used to feed Jonas and Elsa.

We have, sadly, forgotten some sames, but not faces, of some of the doctors that helped allow Jonas and Elsa to thrive.

But we haven't forgotten how much we love Jonas and Elsa. We are so blessed and so thankful.

P.S. We forgot to take any pictures this week.

God Bless,
Mari & Dan & Elsa & Jonas