It’s rare that we’re able to organize a photo of the four of us. Generally one of the adults has the camera while the other is attempting to get kid 1 or 2 to look at the camera. There’s often some snapping or cheerful chirping to try to get Corbin to smile.

So we were lucky that we ran into friend and ex-neighbor Erika at the Syttende Mai parade last week. It’s the big only-in-Ballard festival to celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17. Incredibly it’s been happening in Ballard since 1889. Despite lack of ponies (there was some collection of Scandinavian ponies that Jody and Jonah went to last year that weren’t around this year. I’ll leave it to you which of those two mentioned that lack of ponies repeatedly leading up to this year’s parade), the parade was as vibrant as ever. Lots of traditional costumes mixed with marching bands, drill teams and balloon animal peddlers. Jonah would start muttering “please…balloon!” every time one of the vendors went by. After making him wait through the 1.5 hour parade, we figured he deserved a treat, so he got to walk home with an inflatable cat.

Anyway, here’s the Stewarts at the parade (thanks Erika!):

Not sure what Jonah's chewing on here...

Also rare are my posts of late. Doh. Just a few quick observations since I’m writing:

- Jonah ate two strawberries today. As in the whole strawberry with the stem on. It didn’t occur to me that he’d just munch the whole thing when i gave him the berries. I’m still learning a bit about parenting.

- Corbin – age 3 months – loves to smile. It’s his way of communicating and his face will light up when your face appears above his. Fun times.