a fun filled weekend

as april comes to a close and we get ready to embark on some major renovations & house projects, we were happy to enjoy a weekend of simple, fun family time.  

on saturday morning we headed to ikea, seeking inspiration for emre & baby brother's rooms.  we're considering swapping out emre's crib for a 'big boy' bed (so that the baby can use the crib when the time comes).  of course, we want to take our time with that transition so we'll just buy a new crib if necessary.  in the meantime, we DID have success in finding emre some quality pot and pans for his kitchen - a stainless steel set - which led to hours of play in the afternoon.  

he mimics everything we do - he washed the lettuce and vegetables before steaming them on the stove.  then, it was time to wash the dishes.

very seriously serving up some steamed broccoli and salad

such a boy, playing with his trains and legos

after ben had gotten up on a stool to replace some lightbulbs in the hallway, emre decided he needed to 'work on the lights.'  he used a telephone cable and went around the living room with a stool fixing each light.  

on saturday night we got all dressed up and headed out, leaving emre with evelyn for the evening, to attend ozge & ali's engagement dinner.  in turkey, after the proposal, a formal engagement takes place with the families.  the tradition is that the groom, along with his family, goes to the bride's house, where she prepares coffee for him (some like to play a joke, putting salt in the coffee, and watching the groom drink it & pretend like it's good, but ozge was kind to ali & opted not to).  they exchange wedding bands (which are worn on the right hand up until the wedding), and then have a dinner to celebrate.  these two are a great match whom we adore, and we were so happy to be included in their celebration.

celebrating ozge & ali

this is what was happening on the other side of the table

on sunday morning, after a lovely breakfast out, we headed to the mickey mouse clubhouse show that was taking place at the mall.  emre had NO idea what was coming, which made it all the sweeter.  after partaking in some of the activities they had for the kids, emre and ben got in line to meet mickey mouse, who appeared on the stage.  the first time (while i was off grocery shopping), emre was apparently so excited, clapping and jumping around, that he forgot to hug mickey.  this really upset him, so he and ben got back in line so they could try again.  by then i was there & able to capture it on camera - he was soooo thrilled to give mickey hugs and kisses, and has not stopped talking about it since.  he brought his polaroid shots (which they gave him) to school on monday for show and tell!

waiting patiently

finally his turn!

big kiss & hug for mickey

are you getting this, mom?

the other excitement on sunday was emre's first tricycle ride.  the vintage bike was a hand-me-down from a friend, and i'd been waiting until emre was big enough to use it.  we took it out for an evening ride and he loved it!  he's working on steering & pedaling simultaneously, but it won't be long before he masters it.  lots of fun was had, and boy was he exhausted by the end of the day.  

thanks for the help, dede!