bandwidow

Back at It

2012-02-07T23:43:00.001-08:00

E started her new semester's worth of classes this week. We'll be continuing on with Math and Language Arts here at home, and our co-op classes with Kaela (World Geography, Art Appreciation, Ocean Studies and World History) and adding Engineering, Reader's Theatre, Creative Writing & Art, Movement & Games, and a new Spanish co-op at our resource center. It's a load, but exciting!

In addition to our new classes, our school is now offering an indoor play space that rivals anything I've ever seen. It's cooperative play, build-your-own playground. N and I have been in there each day this week and each time I go in there it's different; big kids helping the smaller ones, kids using their imaginations in impressive ways. It's amazing.

It's Not Always Easy To Figure Out How I Got Here...

2012-02-02T21:19:00.001-08:00

...but this article hits it pretty squarely on the head, and no I didn't breastfeed my children until they were 4.

Excuse Me While I Kiss My Chicken

2012-01-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

The winter brings a lot less to worry about in the yard, the veggie garden and fruit trees are resting and in our chicken coop so are the hens. Something most people wouldn't realize is that with the shorter days comes reduced egg production. Chickens need light to lay. The average laying chicken needs approximately 13 hours of daylight to trigger egg production. Often times chicken owners will install an artificial light source to keep those eggs a comin; after all we still have to feed and care for the birds regardless of whether or not their making us breakfast. I didn't get around to that this year, and for 2 strait months my egg bowl on the counter sat empty...no eggs (this is another little known perk about chicken husbandry, freshly lain eggs don't need to be refrigerated. An invisible yet protective membrane is washed away before lining them up in a cartons for sale in stores).

This is a bitter pill to swallow after a plentiful summer of more than 3 dozen eggs a week, I was selling them to neighbors for heaven's sake! A little part of me died each time I had to pay for eggs at the grocery store, I know it's not a handsome fee but to have little egg making machines scratching around in my own backyard and then pay for far less than superior eggs just killed me. Well, the days are getting noticeably longer, and we got our "first" egg this week. When I compare the two it's no contest, my eggs are better. Look at the difference! You couldn't buy an egg that big at QFC!

organic free range egg on the left from a grocey store/organic free range egg on the right from our Marigold

Keep Calm

2012-01-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

I know these signs are kinda the rage right now, but c'mon. This is my favorite chicken thing I found on Etsy today.

(check out their other fun posters)

Pants Optional

2012-01-20T17:14:00.001-08:00

Alone Time

2012-01-19T15:27:00.001-08:00

Tho all this snow (that is still falling) makes for hushed and beautiful streets around our neighborhood, I had to get out in it to enjoy them this afternoon, just glancing out the window was not cutting it; going a little stir crazy (and that's a lot coming from a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom). I had enough of the repeated begging to watch movies, and tattling. Molly and I hit the street headed for the nearest Starbucks. I returned to a sleeping 2-year-old and a serene 7-year-old.

*Thanks Babe, I needed that break.

Snow Topped Cabbages

2012-01-18T17:43:00.000-08:00

We got over 1/2 a foot of snow during the night, and it never stopped coming down all day. The only thing left visible in my garden were 2 lonely purple cabbages, the chickens have been to 'chicken' to even step one claw outside, and the only thing moving in my backyard at 9am were these 2 clowns.

Snowed In & Out

2012-01-18T11:09:00.001-08:00

Molly enjoyed her off leash snowy walk/romp on our quiet deserted street this morning.

Fart Sounds Make Him Laugh

2012-01-16T23:28:00.001-08:00

He just can't get enough of someone saying "toot" or imitating bodily functions...

Snowy Morning Ride

2012-01-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

The first real day with snow in ages!

Me Too.

2012-01-13T20:22:00.000-08:00

Last year E wanted to run away after she and I had a minor argument. In her fashion she stuffed her backpack full of all the things she'd need, and was ready to bolt. Where to? Well, in the end it didn't matter she decided to stay for supper and forgot all about it over our meal.

Well, something sparked that romantic view of up and leaving with all her precious and necessary items strapped to her in a ladybug backpack this evening. I noticed just before 5 that her backpack was by the door again and she was stealthily making trips up and down the staircase. I was a bit clueless as to why all this was happening again, I suppose it could have been the fact I informed her that our family movie night was canceled due to her lack of regard to specific instruction I had given, or maybe the math homework I insisted we complete, or the fact I offered the last coveted slice of Margarita pizza to her cousin for lunch. Whatever it was, she was decided. Our home was not a livable place and she was packin' up and walking to Gram's house (she later confided).

Dinner seems to make everything better. She smiled when we asked her why she wanted to go; she couldn't remember why. During her bath as I scrubbed her soapy head, she even gave me permission to look through her backpack.

I know none of this warrants too much worry, she's a smart 7-year-old who likes to play the drama card frequently. We spend our days in very close proximity. I pretty much know her every move, and if I'm not right at hand there's at least 3 other mom's watching her like a hawk and wouldn't flinch to have to report any malfeasance. I get it. She's a strong headed kid in a house with 3 other equally strong headed goofs. Hey, I wanna run away at least once a week! She and I are cut from a similar cloth. I often feel like it isn't fair I have to do things I don't want to do all day. That I don't get to choose what I eat, where I drive, how much sleep I get or don't get, what I get to spend my money on, or how I spend my free time (because it just doesn't feel like free time!).

It's just the tiniest bit hard though, to not take it personally. Doesn't she know I'd be lost without her? Doesn't she know I live my entire day for my family? That I've specifically chosen this path in life? That what brings meaning to my morning is the immediate realization that they're mine. That I grieve repeatedly because she's had to learn life lessons so much earlier than I did. I want to run away too.

She confided that her plan was to wait until we were asleep and then leave, and I kind of think that Molly was part of the conspiracy too. What she couldn't comprehend is that I awaken at the slightest cough from my children, how could she slip away under my radar? Maybe it wasn't a forever decision, because she didn't pack any clothes this time, but what did make the cut leaves me with such an essence of who she is right now:

1 stuffed dolphin N gave her for last Christmas
1 small black pillow she and I made for one of her first sewing lessons
my security blanket from when I was small
toothpaste
an old necklace I gave her
a crystal she bought with her own money
her safety reflector vest
a photo album
her journal and pen
and 1 of D's dirty socks (this one is un-understandable to me)

As I now read over this list part of it makes me laugh; a reflector vest and worn sock? Well, at least she'd be safe. A good majority tho, makes me wonder what she was trying to get away from if she packed so many things that are from me, of us? I know, it's silly to analyze this to pieces, but in that small nagging place in my brain I can't help but go over it.

N's Favorite Song/Music Video

2012-01-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Electric Car by They Might Be Giants, Here Comes Science

Ugali

2012-01-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

We've almost come to the end of the Africa unit for our World Geography co-op. The girls made ugali, a traditional cornmeal-based Kenyan staple. After they stirred and stirred we formed it into a dome and took small pinches and dipped it into our chili.

Downtown Christmastime

2011-12-22T20:42:00.000-08:00

This afternoon when N woke up from this nap we shuffled the kids into the van, drove downtown to find a parking spot and did our yearly Christmas outing. It was just us, and we had a really nice few hours. N even wore underwear the entire time without an accident! We didn't do everything I had on our list; we forgot about the giant gingerbread houses until we were already back in our seat on the monorail, we skipped ice skating on purpose because neither D nor I wanted to wait on the sidelines with a 2-year-old rubber ball bouncing off the walls. But the miniature train was pure magic for N, the aforementioned monorail offered a lovely view, and the carousel is a must. This year we also stopped in for a scheduled snow flurry inside a mall (not much to write home about, but now we've done it). All in all it was a really nice time with my family.

Stilts

2011-12-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

It's been really fun to see N take a few of the same classes E did when all those years ago. The 1 1/2 hour Fun Factory class with Teacher Tracey has/was great for both. It's basically preschool time with parents. Art, songs, snack, sensory table, parachute play, and large motor play. E especially loved the stilts back then and N is getting the hang of them too.

Little Boy(s) Blue

2011-12-20T09:28:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned yesterday, N has finally flipped that all important "use the potty, not my diaper" switch. And apparently, so has Kola his side-kick puppy, both in their blue undies this morning.

He Makes Chocolate Look Good

2011-12-19T21:33:00.001-08:00

N surprised us all today by using the potty all day! We rewarded him with a trip out for ice cream.

Vacuum

2011-12-14T22:16:00.001-08:00

N has really been into using scissors lately and is making a royal confetti mess at the art table. Every few days I haul out the vacuum and have him clean up. (click on picture to watch video)

I feel like there should be an overdub of Julie Andrews as Marry Poppins saying "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and SNAP the job's a game!"

"Op-Ti-Cus"

2011-12-11T10:57:00.001-08:00

N talks a lot about octopus's since our last visit to the aquarium a month and a half ago. Today he drew one, showing off his new talent of lovely circle making! They're not connected, but all the 'pieces' there; body, and long legs and in the same color as the real thing!

Throw Your Teddy Bear

2011-12-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

Here's N in his gymnastics class, you can also see cousin Inger in the pink shirt and piggy tails.

My Christmas Decidedly Just Got Merrier.

2011-12-06T13:42:00.001-08:00

I love Tuesday mornings, we wake up to find all the delightful things I ordered the day before from our milkman. Most every other morning it's, well, milk, sour cream, the occasional muffin 4-pack, loaf of bread or bag of coffee and since N can't stomach (literally) the cow variety, Almond milk. But when the holiday's come round their seasonal offering's are mouth watering! Today's splurge was Alki Bakery's Chocolate Crinkle cookies, they're dipped in peppermint white chocolate and then topped with crushed candy cane. Yu-Um. So perfect with my afternoon cup of coffee.

A Noun is a Person

2011-12-05T16:32:00.001-08:00

Today we began working on identifying people as nouns. E's workbook requested that on a separate page she draw a person and then write a sentence about that person and underline the noun, she choose Kaela, her best friend:

Tree, 2, 1, GO!

2011-11-26T21:52:00.001-08:00

We were in and out of the tree lot in less than 5 minutes this year. It had to be a team effort with everyone hustling this year; we had to get Daddy back on a plane for the second half of tour (he kindly flew home to celebrate Thanksgiving with us). E picked it out, D carried it to the cashier, and N followed everyone to the car with the twine to strap it to the top of our van.

11:05:18am :: 6 1/2 foot Nobel Fir tree located

11:05:53am :: tree carried to counter

11:06:38am :: fresh cut on bottom with chainsaw

11:09:03am :: tie to top of car

11:21:04am :: home

Bodkins are a Girls Best Friend

2011-11-20T22:43:00.001-08:00

Don't worry, I didn't know what a 'bodkin' was until today either. My family has this accumulating stack of gym pants/shorts and hoodies, where the drawstring has been pulled out. Some drawstrings have gone missing so I made a trip over to the fabric store to buy a few yards or cording and offhandedly asked the woman at the cutting counter if she has any magic tricks for reinserting the buggers. Her eyes lit up and she said "Follow me!" A Bodkin! This little miracle worker costs less than $2, and I had all of our clothes restrung in less than 5 minutes! This little metal needle has pincher's on one end instead of an eye, and a ring that clamps it shut; it's genius.

Swanson's

2011-11-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

We hit Swanson's for the Reindeer Festival every year with Asher, Mini, and Eileen. Now with most of the brood synced up with school hours we braved the crowds this weekend to snap a few quick pic's before heading back to their house for some cookie decorating.

Season's First Snow

2011-11-19T11:30:00.001-08:00

E was at a slumber party last night, so when the boy and I rolled out of bed this morning we had our own little snowy surprise! He looked out the window for a long time, and then decided to pull his parka over his jammies, and chunk on his snow boots for some crunching and digging.

...cue the Christmas music.

Friends

2011-11-16T14:37:00.001-08:00

N has 2 very special boys in his life, Sawyer (middle) and Jesse (left). Lucky boy.

She MADE that!

2011-11-16T09:48:00.000-08:00

E has been teasing me with the small details of a surprise she has been diligently working on in her pottery/metals class. She finally presented me with these very cool earrings! GET OUT! And I'll actually use them!

Leaves

2011-11-14T00:22:00.001-08:00

This autumn has been exemplary. Yes, we have moved into the cooler days and a few have been drizzly, but the leaves have really shown their colors this year. They'd hung on as long as possible; until the last few days of chilly blowing winds. When we went out for some air this afternoon we were all so pleasantly surprised to find the pavement littered with colorful leafy confetti!

Gifts

2011-11-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

It's The Great Pumpkin!

2011-10-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween everyone! Our family really went all out this year, and we had sooo much fun! There were a lot of really late nights and long hours poured into the papier-mâché heads, but didn't they turn out great? And isn't our little Woodstock the cutest?

Carve It Up!

2011-10-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between trips to the store, heating up the hot glue gun and sitting at my sewing machine for costume making we managed to get our pumpkins to the table for some slice and dice fun. E was set on using a skull template that came with our carving kit, but in the end decided she wanted to just go free style and she did the entire jack-o-lantern herself, knife-work and all! N just wanted something happy, but he was determined to use these little pink tongs from his play kitchen to clean it out. E sketched something on our blackboard that he willingly approved. I tweaked it a bit, so the missing teeth coordinated with E's little jack-o-lantern smile she's been sporting this month.

The chickens and Molly also got to celebrate with grated pumpkin in their bowls! We thought we'd be carving up our very own home grown pumpkins this year, but try as we might not one pumpkin grew from our vine! Tons of flowers (all male apparently) no fruit...next year, I guess.

"I learned how to do a big boy!"

2011-10-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

N has graduated to the status of Big Boy. The other day I installed a Good Behavior Chart in the hall; each time we catch him obeying or listening the first time something is asked of him we offer him a sticker to place on his chart. When all the spaces filled we drove down to our sweet shop with the promise of a treat. Wouldn't you know it, without any guidance from us he chose the exact same suckers his sister did at that age!

Pitter-Patter

2011-10-19T22:43:00.000-07:00

E is just growing up so quickly. It's so amazing to see how she's learning and changing each day.This is one of the true benefits of homeschooling your child; you see the development in every aspect of their life. Here are a few things that she's done recently that I just couldn't pass up on posting:

This was a reflective assignment she completed for World History in our co-op. They were instructed to look around outside for what a cave person would use or need. Then she drew a picture of the Stone Age...hilarious!

This was the result of her and I having a discussion about what time her dad would be picking her up from her YMCA class. I told here that she would be dismissed from the pool at 4:05 and that would give her 10 minutes to rinse off, get into clothes and meet her dad at 4:15 in the lobby. We talked about what the clock would look like, and this was her reminder note she made for herself. 4 for the hour and 3 for the 15 minutes.

What May or May Not Have Happened

2011-10-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

I got a call on Friday morning saying E and N had been selected from a drawing (which, ahem, may or may not have been so random) of raffle tickets (which, ahem, we may or may not have padded the purchase of) to pick out a pumpkin over at our Rubberneck Farms. What I do know is, that this afternoon we went for a walk so the children could get their beautiful pumpkins. And it was a relatively strenuous walk back home for me with 2 pumpkins and N in the jogger, Molly on leash and E gliding along (not so gracefully) in her new roller skates. Thank you Mike & Melissa!

...and all was right with the world.

2011-10-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Our Petunia wants to be a mom. Every 2 months on the dot she starts showing signs of indisputable mommy-ness. She sits in the egg box all day and night, to the great irritation of the other gals she commandeers their eggs, and all in the name of hatching babies. Each time I notice we're back in 'broody world', I set up the dog crate in the garage and break her of it. It works, it's fine, I just can't help but wonder what would happen if we did give her a few fertile eggs to set on?

I did it.

I picked up 5 eggs from Jen, who's allowed to have roosters intermingling with her gals. I set up a private little apartment with her own food and water and nesting box and let her settle in. She immediately strode over, cocked her head this way and that eyeing those gorgeous eggs, gobbled up a large amount of food (broody hens rarely feed themselves), took a dust bath, rearranged the eggs, fluffed her feathers and slowly lowered her warm body right down. That was yesterday, and she hasn't moved! We're hoping to have chicks in 3 weeks (which coincidentally lands right on my birthday)! All the other gals are very curious about why she's getting the special treatment, it's quite hilarious to watch them circle her apartment, not sure how to get in. We gave 'em some extra clean straw so they wouldn't feel left out.

Garlic in the Ground, Tree's in the Trailer

2011-10-09T20:45:00.001-07:00

Stopped by my neighborhood nursery and found a few things that got me out in the yard for most of the day. Inchelium Red Garlic, a Gravenstein Apple tree and a 4-way Combination Pear (Highland, Red Bartlett, Conference, Bartlett, Anjou). I love replacing useless trees with food trees; we took out a few ornamental's that had either died or were driving me nuts and quickly divided up the heads of garlic and planted for some good eating next year!

Camp Korey 2011

2011-10-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

The sun was out this morning as we made our way over to Carnation for the second year in a row. We had a really great time with animal petting, corn maze, marshmallow roast, pumpkin bowling, tractor hay ride, and of course the search for the perfect pumpkins. We had a lovely time last year, but they made it even better for 2011. If you get a chance check it out, they're open every weekend in October for their Fall Festival 10am-4pm. Please support this wonderful organization.

Papier-mâché - chewed paper

2011-10-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

Our Art Appreciation and Geography classes were combined today! We started our papier-mâché globes, and had so much fun. As we talk about each of our continents and land features we will be adding them to our globes, but today was up to our elbows in balloons, torn newspaper & flour/water glue.

Roller Skates

2011-10-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

We got E a pair of roller skates. Yesterday she spent 2 hours practicing in our garage. It brought back plenty of memories of when my sister and I would tear around the ultra smooth surface in my dad's garage on rainy days...nice to have another indoor/outdoor activity.

This day, 7 years ago

2011-09-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

There's not a lot that escapes me when I think back to this day 7 years ago. I woke up with contractions around 7:20. I called the office in Seattle and made plans to board the ferry to deliver my baby. Our friend Ben accompanied D and I as I paced the aisles on the boat, and then later on the bright sunny sidewalks in Ballard. D kept a hawks eye on our stopwatch as we marked the intervals my body was readying itself for it's most exhaustive work; welcoming our E. When it finally came time to officially check in to the labor and delivery wing Jen was there to help me through those first eye-opening moments when my water broke. And my mom was there when she was born. We called everyone we knew and the nurses shook their heads at us for having so many welcomed visitors. I cried out to an exhausted husband to retrieve our baby from the nurses because I couldn't remember what she looked like: that 8 pound 15 ounce baby that was finally ours to hold.

I love you so, my dear daughter.

Girl Fest 2011

2011-09-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

We went down to Girl Fest 2011 this morning for a great time with loads of stuff that girls are interested in! She rolled pretzel dough, competed in an obstacle course (and won by the way), climbed around on a fire truck (a few of the guys knew our uncle Jason), learned the correct form for crunches, petted a horse, chatted with the people from School of Rock, was interviewed by a King 5 News anchor, and all sorts of stuff!

Art Appreciation - Day 1

2011-09-22T23:04:00.000-07:00

Today was my first co-op class here at our house. It was completely exhausting but so rewarding! I decided to take it down to the real basic level of color for our first class. We spoke about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. I had the girls mix balls of red, yellow, and blue play dough and tell me what they got. We then made up color wheels, it was so much fun to see the light bulbs going off above their little heads. E and Kaela were so proud that they had mixed all 9 (secondary and tertiary) colors independently.

A Detailed Sketch of a Plant

2011-09-20T21:27:00.000-07:00

E's Science teacher instructed the children to draw a plant with as much detail as possible, and then label. Here is what she came up with:

I love this. When she was showing me this evening, she pointed out that she knows it's "not 'th' at the end of branch, (she) just made a 't' instead of a 'c' on accident." Makes my heart melt that not one word is spelled correctly, but she took her assignment seriously.

Pie Snob

2011-09-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

I can't just eat any pie.

But the thing is, that I love pie (specifically blackberry, followed by apple, and then cherry, there are a few chocolate creme pies that are good). My criteria for what makes a good pie lies in the crust. Pie of course is meant to be sweet; the filling and the crust. It could be the world's most beautifully browned and flaky crust, but if there's any trace of saltiness I leave it on my plate. Just cannot do it. When D and I were dating we'd drive all over the city looking for a slice of warm blackberry pie, but the right kind. I think it was Barringer Farms that did a decent job of a warmed mini pie in a paper bag for a while and sold them at the swanky UVillage QFC, but that was short lived.

My mom's mom had it completely and utterly right, I can't explain it, but there's nary a trace of salt (even though there's just a pinch). But it's not flavorless, either.

It's a really uncomforatable place to live though, being very skeptical about how pie should taste but not being brave enough to just break out and make my own. In the past I've put in orders from my mom...a present of apple pie makes the perfect birthday.

Well, today was the day. I had to take hold of this obsession. I picked 4 1/2 c. of blackberries with the kids on Tuesday and they needed to find their way under a pie crust. I called my mom and said I was ready to learn. Break out the flour, I was coming over!

The recipe is crazy easy, my mom patiently walked me though a few little secrets and it was done, I had made my first double crust pie!

It is delicious...all of it.

1st Tumbling Class

2011-09-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

not really sure about what to think...

I was so excited to get N into a few classes this fall, here's a few shots from our morning class with cousin Inger. All class shots taken by E!

the 4 of us

balance

obstacle course

roll!

rope

stamps!

the starting star

ta-da!

Trades

2011-09-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Doesn't the world just seem perfect when you can give part of yourself and receive back an equal part from another? This last year we've become friendly with a really neat couple just down the road from us.

Last winter I watched as a sprawling grassy field was converted into a glorious garden! The couple, Mike and Melissa bought the property when it went up for sale last fall and did what I always envisioned for that space. I was always so hopeful that someone would convert the pristine sunny exposed property and use it for its potential. It happens to be on our every-day driving route and each time we passed there was something new, something exciting! We'd slow each day while passing and exclaim about the covered rows, or drip lines. And apparently we weren't the only ones; so became Rubberneck Farms.

One day I stopped and introduced myself (Which as many of you know is not typical behavior on my part. I am pretty firmly planted in my comfort zone and reaching out is difficult for me). I let them know we were eager fellow homesteaders up the road with a flock of chickens and a small but hopeful garden. After some sincere conversation it was arranged that for 1 dozen eggs we would take home some of the most flavorful produce you could ever find. Some weeks it's a bag of purple, green and yellow beans, a few zucchini and pound of salad greens. Other days we get to take home a bunch of carrots and tomato's. And I will say that my family eats it with abandon.

This is what drives me to become more self sufficient, this is what I believe it's all about and the thing I earnestly and purposely expose my children to, so that it goes on. We must come back to a place of knowing our neighbors and feeding one another. Not just with food, but with information and empathy. We of course send our texts and e-mails to sync up our trades, but when it comes down to it; when I offer that carton of eggs and they extend their harvest it's putting us out there. We have conversations about our lives, about how our passions have gotten us here. It's what changes my mind about the direction of where our world and country are going, it's what makes my cold and skeptical heart warm a bit; I have evidence: People can be good and can take care of one another.

Girl Scout Fall Nut Sale!

2011-09-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

If you're so inclined, you can click here and follow the steps for ordering items to support E's Girls Scout troop. If she sells 25+ items, she'll earn her badge! These make lovely Christmas presents....

How can you say 'no' to that face?

Backstory

2011-09-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

So guys, I'm beat. This ~~homeschooling~~ Public School Alternative Learning Experience Program thing is really rewarding, but man, it's so much work! I've been uncharacteristically excited about the beginning of a new year with E, but with the recent State Legislation changes to our program I feel like I've learned and done more work that E ever will this year, and we haven't even started classes yet! Our first real day will be this Monday and we've got a lot of great stuff lined up and some really exciting changes too. For starters, the Hall family and ours have formed a co-op! I'll be handling Visual Art Appreciation and World Geography over here, and my good friend Jen will be working with the gals on Ocean Studies, and Life Skills and we'll trade World History back and forth each month. E and Kaela are such good friends and Jen and I get along famously.

E will also be logging a few hours at our Homeschool Resource Center each week with: Pottery, Spanish, Problem Solving (math), Plants and Earth, Exploring Cultures Through Literature, and her YMCA gym & swim! Whew! Add all that to the basics I'll also be covering with her individually: Reading, Writing and Arithmetic and we've got ourselves one heck of a schedule. Not to mention the 2 classes I singed N up for this Fall...so all of this to say, I may be a bit absent for a while...until I can catch my breath. D's out on the road again, we're planning for E's 7th (can you believe it) birthday, and the garden is just now starting to slow down. I even had an anniversary a few days back, and couldn't stop to give a little shout out about our 12 years! Thanks for all the e-mail's and calls; "we are here, we are here, WE ARE HERE!" (Horton hears a Who)

I'll be back soon, can't stay away too long!

::::::::::

Here is a little something to chew on...Happy Anniversary D.

2003

8/14/2011 *and apparently I'm a terrible speller and forget to use the built-in spell-check...bear with me everyone...

Fall Puyallup Fair 2011

2011-09-12T20:34:00.000-07:00

So we went to the big one today with Mabel, Stephen and Rochelle. Lots and lots of rides took up the bulk of time, but I think looking into the future, E will always remember when she lost her 3rd tooth eating cotton candy.

Twirling Gals

Mabel, and N just behind

C'mon, how cute is this?!

cars

You'd think we'd be sick of 'em, but no, N looked at the chicks with their mama for a long time

Mabel's face became progressively frightened each time the roller coaster went around until she was shreaking...poor thing.

goats

E rang the bell and took home a blow up dolphin

Immediately after her tooth fell out

Stephen was content to snack and watch the big kids

Swings

Train

and Train

Sweet Tooth

2011-09-12T18:29:00.001-07:00

E was begging and begging for cotton candy at The Puyallup Fair this afternoon. The minute I relent, her loose tooth falls out of her head on the first bite!

I asked her if her head felt lighter after loosing that big tooth, and she said in an exasperated tone "Mom, a tooth only weighs like, a millimeter of a pound."

Better Than Dirt

2011-09-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went out for an after dinner walk and happened along a lovely little patch of blackberries. Happily, N had brought his dump truck along in the jogger with him so we had a large 'container' to fill with ripe berries!

1/2 Dozen

2011-09-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

I think at this point my mom has more shots of her grandbabies than she does of my sister, brother and me. She never misses and opportunity to line 'em all up and have them beam toward the camera's...tho come to think of it, maybe it's just a ploy to see her grown 30-something children act like complete idiots behind the camera to fulfill her never ending requests for this tiny generation to "SMILE!"

First Sewing Lesson

2011-09-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

I got E a sewing machine for Christmas last year and it kinda landed on the back burner, what with starting home schooling and all. It's so cute, and very functional for a first timer. Well, we've all done a bit of growing this summer and she was definitely ready to take on this challenge. I loved teaching her all about her machine, and the important steps in running it and she is an eager leaner. She paid very close attention and really respects this machine. Her first project was a pillow for a stuffed animal and she did great! I'm looking forward to teaching her a few more things over the next year, and D and I are really excited that this could be another creative outlet for her!

Flip

2011-09-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

We had family photo's this week, and got to peek at the proofs online. After scrolling though a ton I realized that my son was flipping off the photographer...magnified it so you can see.

Taxi!

2011-09-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

Really excited about a new tomato variety I tried this year, big bright & yellow like it's name sake.

Morning at the Zoo

2011-08-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

We set out for the zoo this morning with Rochelle, Mabel and Stephen.

We were delighted to see some great peeks at the hippo (walking around, eating and then submerging herself), elephants (getting a bath) and lion (dozing in the sun very near the viewing window). The Animatronic Dinosaur instillation gave N quite a scare, but for some reason he was totally amped to climb up on the back of this T Rex that didn't move.

The meercat exhibit always offers some great photo's; Mabel and E were in fine form.

Undies

2011-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Despite my greatest efforts, N has been resolute in his desire to avoid going on the potty. He'll sit, and sit, and sit. No action. I stopped at Target today to pick up some school supplies for E and grabbed up a few packages of training underwear, thinking it may be just what he needs...He can keep them dry for a 30 minute period of time, but still won't use the potty, and furthermore is completely unphased when he soils them. No magic bullet....baby steps I guess.

Summer Playgrounds

2011-08-22T22:09:00.001-07:00

Caleb & Savannah

2011-08-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

Congrats to some really great people! Our clan joined them in their beautiful celebration in Magnolia Park this evening. The weather was beautiful, the view stunning; a lovely time was had by all.

Best wishes, you two.

M.S. Dutch Oven Recall

2011-08-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Man! I use this thing all the time, remember when I was swooning over it? Mine is chipped up, but I just chalked it up to wear and tear...hope they'll reissue them.

Go here for more info on the recall.

The Other Molly

2011-08-14T22:47:00.000-07:00

I've been in a bit of a foodie-mood lately. And I can't say whether it has informed my decision to finally read Molly Weizenberg's, A Homemade Life or the other way around. It's been sitting in my mental 'read soon' list since Eileen and I went to her book signing 2 years back (has it really been that long?). Something made me grab it as I was shoving things into my bag for our yearly camping trip to Eastern Washington last weekend, and I tucked a few chapters away each night after wrapping the kids up in their sleeping bags or in the late afternoons down at the beach. At any rate, I'm now full of fresh inspiration. I want to try new recipe's, I want to start making the things I grew up eating (just made a pan of brownie cake this afternoon, Mom) I want to grow the food my family can and will eat and I've even been thinking about food movies that I want to see; Ratatouille, Julie and Julia, Tampopo, Babette’s Feast, Like Water for Chocolate, Big Night and Eat Drink Man Woman have all just have made their way to the top of my Netflix queue.

Her book is a memoir with recipe's and most sound fabulous. In fact, we tried her french toast at the campsite. Good. I've read/enjoyed her blog for years now and I, likely along with many others around here identify with this Seattle based witter (and come on, she was a fan of Fugazi, and The Longshoreman's Daughter restaurant in Fremont, both a substantial part of my dating history with D). I was also tickled pink to sit down with a book that uses just about as many comma's as I tend to do. It's been a pleasure to get a bit more of her back story, and hear about the food has been present throughout her life.

She says it best:

"I write about food and cooking, and in that sense, I aim to be informative, but I write about my life some, too, since it intersects with food roughly three times a day. I don't think many of us are terribly interested in recipes that have no stories or real-life context. For me the two are inseparable. One is pale and boring without the other."

Lake Chelan 2011

2011-08-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

You know the drill. I've taken this camping vacation every year of my life, save 2 or 3 summers. My mom before me and her mom before her; it's tradition. Some of you have joined my family over the mountains, some I hope to come in the future. We were thrilled to have Molly with us this year, and my sister and Laila joined us for a few nights too! The weather was hot and the water cool. Here are the pictures in no particular order (but cannot believe I don't have even one shot of Gram, the one with E jumping rope does not count, so sorry Mom!).

Daddy time

Kids making the pancakes

N loved sweeping

D did all the cooking!

beach boys

water time

float in a boat

float in Papa's boat

reading at the shore

cousins and Papa in the background

dinner at the drive-in

Karlee and Laila

swings

peeking out of the tent in the morning

E learned how to jump rope

bath in a box

baseball

relax

Slidewater's

sea-saw

water boy

fast slide with E

impromptu hairbrush concert

the DJ

balloons with Papa

Fresh local Bing cherries

E and D Go-Karts

N's first Go-Kart

Chicken Prison

2011-08-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

I've mentioned before that the gals just haven't been getting along. They're catty yes, but I think I was trying to make them all live in a smaller space than they deserved. Our original coop was built with the idea that we'd only ever have 3 chickens, and since then we've added 3 more birds, and a little more room...but in retrospect not enough. I was frequently jolted awake by squawking in the early hours of the morning to free them. I have even considered giving one or two of the trouble makers away to make my life easier, but then we wouldn't be getting 1/2 a dozen eggs a day, and I've gotten used to that. Thankfully D easily saw my predicament and took an entire day off, rented some equipment, bought the necessary supplies in order to build what he now affectionately calls "Chicken Prison." I love him for this new addition. Its walls are high enough (over 7 feet) so that those nit-whits cannot fly over, and the fence itself is not ugly, I think it looks a little like a zoo exhibit, myself. I love going out and collecting eggs and feeding them now, they're even letting me sleep in!

N watched his dad from the play structure


the gals were freaked by the noise

large post holes next to old fence

the digger

posts in

cross beams on

door together

Ivy hiding

helping

adding the chicken wire

the inmates

finished product

Cousin Water Play

2011-08-04T22:42:00.000-07:00

What do you do with an empty wadding pool on a warm evening? Fill it up and call the cousins! Mabel and Stephen came over for some splashing & sunshine! Love those guys.

Less Tree = More Sun

2011-07-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

Remember a few short monthes ago when I posted this? Well my garden is even happier today. My dad came over again armed with a 50 foot lift and a chainsaw on a pole.

Hello sun.

Thank you Dad.

Anyone need free firewood?

Leaving the Livingroom; Bye Bye Carpet :: Part 4

2011-07-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Well, our scheduled day to remove the remaining carpet in our living room was quickly shoved forward a few days due to an unforeseen...shall we say ingestive/digestive problem with Molly and my son's diaper?

Yup.

The kids hiding under the displaced coffee table

If I never see another strip of carpet tack...

Anyhow, the offensive bits had to be removed as soon a possible so armed with my trusty pry bar off to work I set at 1pm, a quick break at 3 to pick E up from Summer Camp, then back at it until supper. After D arrived home from work we successfully removed everything (living room and kid's room) by midnight. The bare floors look and feel great. We are tired, but happy.

inch by inch

Due to the terribly disgusting nature of what I witnessed you, dear reader will not be subject to any beforehand photo's, you just get to see the shiny after shots!

only hardwoods

Girl Scout's Camp 2011

2011-07-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

Camp Sign

In between 2 very long drives to and from Longview, WA we had 'Just the 2 of Us' Mother & Daughter Girl Scout's Camp this weekend. E and I slept 2 nights on bunk beds in a rustic A-frame cabin, we did art's and crafts like crazy, our chores, we made new friends, participated in games and skits, sang around the campfire, painted our faces and just plain had so much fun 'Just the 2 of Us.'

The Cool 3-Way-Bridge Over the Creek

Flashlight

Hand Painted Mural in Lodge

We Made Ice Cream

Our Hands

Scavenger Hunt Climb

Outdoor Bathhouse

Costuming For Our Skit (look at those knees!)

E's Duck for the River Race

Hollow Tree

Face Painting

Bridge

Closing Ceremonies

A Cleaner Kitchen; Bye-Bye Carpet :: Part 3

2011-07-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Next was our dinning room which adjoins our tiny kitchen and, as of late it has also doubled as a preschool style play room. We really cannot believe that we waited as long as we did for this part. The stains were so numerous from 6 years of daily spills that in the end I just threw up my hands and stopped my monthly steam cleanings. Yes, the linoleum waiting for us underneath was way dated, but in fair shape. From beginning (pulling up the carpet) to end (prying up the ominous carpet tack) it took just 2 hours.

See previous editions:
Part 1
Part 2

My Bright Shining Star

2011-07-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

It's just a sticker, Mom

There's no doubt that this girl is special. She's got something that is magnetic and smart and creative and happy. She's that way even when she's not covered from head to toe in stickers. Love you, my bright and shining star.

Ready, Set, Raspberry!

2011-07-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

You would be hard pressed to find a fruit that I love more than a fresh raspberry. And now I'm growing my own!

Starting in on the Main Floor; Bye-Bye Carpet :: Part 2

2011-07-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

I get the 'pull-the-carpet-up' bug just about every Tuesday evening after supper. The trash is collected on Wednesday morning, and I just cannot stand to see a half empty trash barrel (like my Massachusetts lingo Tan?) go to the curb. So on go my work gloves (that also double as my garden gloves) and out come the pry bars and pliers. Last week it was the majority of our second staircase, and we started on the main floor this week. I have to be strategic tho because I don't want to pull up more than will reasonably fit in the container at the street, and I don't want our house to look any more crazy than it already does.

Last night I yanked the 4.5 x 7 foot section at the top of the stairs. I carefully cut along the areas that butt up to the hall, the entrance to the family room, and also kitchen. Then I pulled the padding, and then the painstaking job of getting each staple and nail. As you will see, my assistant was not so thorough...see that bit of tacking with the 2 nails sticking out...D knelt on it and they completely sunk into his left knee...and then he was sent for a Tetanus shot today.

Tho she still prefers to lay down on the quickly disappearing carpet, Molly hasn't seemed too phased by this new slick surface and I just love hearing her clickity-clicking on the wood as she follows me around.

The wood underneath is not perfect, there are a few dents and scars that I will worry about when we refinish, but I say; "Imperfect wood looks better than dirty carpet, any day."

Slip 'N Slide

2011-07-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have very fond memories of the Slip 'N Slide my parents finally broke down and bought us kids. My dad tried to talk us into making due with an old tarp and hose for a while, but the grommets riped into our legs and it just wasn't long enough; a really good run at it would send us off the end, hurtling and tumbling onto the worn grass.

I found a decent deal on one a few weeks back (when I assumed summer was actually starting for real) and brought it home for the kids. Today's weather finally showed some promise of warmer temperatures so we fished it out of the garage. The only dilemma was where exactly to put it...The backyard has a nice slope, but it ends at a chain link fence and is frankly covered in 2" long pine needles...The side yard would have been nice, but ends at a very busy street. So the front yard it was; not as much on a decline but softer grass and over-slipping would put them in the driveway. Not ideal, but safer...sorta.

E was soooo excited to try it out, and N just looked on for a bit and tested the waters with his toe. After a few practice runs that girl was flying down that thing in her preferred kneeling pose. N went down a few times with a little help, but mostly just really liked watching his sis. And no one ended up on pavement.

Portland

2011-07-15T22:19:00.003-07:00

Together again.

Drove down to meet up with Daddy on his way back home from his latest 6-week tour!

93 Days in Jail for Planting a Vegetable Garden

2011-07-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Can you belive a 3 month jail sentence is a posibility for growing your own food in your front yard in Michigan? Read the article.

The Biggest Little Circus in the World

2011-07-13T23:37:00.000-07:00

The Wenatchee Youth Circus was back in town and the rain held off for the performance. We met up with Mable and Rochelle for some popcorn and fun! N was a little hesitant to enjoy himself for the first 1/2, but as soon as he realized he was safe up in the bleachers he really enjoyed it.

* you can't see how completely nervous this outing makes me, but rest assured that my mouth is dry and my palms are sweating...before the act even starts.

Ocean Shores 2011

2011-07-11T23:57:00.000-07:00

I've visited Ocean Shores a few memorable times in my life, but not quite like this:

Eileen and I reserved a site for 2 nights at Ocean City State Park, it came highly recommended by my trusty camping in Washington book. We expertly packed our van with all the necessities and drove to the coast with our 4 children, and 2 canines...it was a tight fit but I'm happy we could all squeeze in together. You'll remember, our first overnight camping trip went so well 3 years ago, we decided to add another kid and pups to the mix to make it more interesting/challenging...

We set up camp, ate a few snacks (fished N out of the fire pit - no it wasn't lit) then set out to find the sand and waves!

After a nice long walk, we were ready for supper, a climb in our tree and of course a fire with s'mores!

When we woke the next morning, it was a quick bite to eat while we dodged mosquito's then loaded up the van again for a drive onto the beach where we parked next to a tiny stream and set up our spot for the day.

Complete with lots of playing in the water, food, sandcastle building, food, kite flying, food, naps, hot coffee and loads of smiles.

The next morning was spent trying to keep the kids occupied while we packed everything up; not an easy task. But we were all rewarded with another quick lunch/playtime and popcorn roast on the sand before the long drive home (but not before fishing N out of the fire pit, again - WTF?).

Thanks so much dear Eileen, here's to many more trips with the kids and dogs!

Ocean City Camping

2011-07-09T11:39:00.001-07:00

2 Moms, 4 kids, 2 black dogs in 1 van heading to the ocean...stay tuned

The 4 on the 4th

2011-07-04T22:29:00.000-07:00

red, white and blue

This was one of my favorite days so far this summer. I got to hang around the house most of the day and then take a short drive and celebrate with food and friends. How cute are these kids together? Both sets get along so well. Of course I completely forget to take any shots of me with my friends, but you get the idea; good friends & good times.

Jesse, N, Kaela, and E

the boys watching fireworks

buddies

giggly girls


marshmallows!

s'mores mouth

sparklers

*Thanks Jason for helping me capture the evening with pic's!

Good Day Sunshine (bathtub version)

2011-07-01T19:26:00.001-07:00

We've been listening to a lot of Beatles in the car lately...

Boeing Creek Park

2011-07-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Took the kids and Moll-Doll on our regular hike this morning in the sun.

Green Egg & Chicken Shoes

2011-06-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

You guys, I finally got a beautiful bluish-greenish egg this morning from Ivy, one of my new Aracauna's! And it was in the egg box, right next to Marigold's big brown beautiful egg (not playing favorites)! How these relatively dim birds figure out where I want them to deposit their precious egg is beyond me. It is so perfect; and the only real reason I got new chicks this year!

::::::::::

... and it was a double-yolker to boot! Don't you love how the shell is seafoamy green, even on the inside? So happy!

Also finally invested in some proper coop shoes. I've been ruining my clogs and flip-flops out there and needed some designated 'chicken shoes.'

Garden Update

2011-06-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

The cooler temperatures still have things a bit stunted, but we're making progress! So excited about our asparagus this year!

Pushing the Envelope

2011-06-27T23:12:00.001-07:00

The temperature was in the 70's all day, but so overcast it looked like the 50's. We didn't care, I piled the water toys, towels, snacks, and kids in the van and drove to the wadding pool where it was very evident that most folks were using the non-existent sun as a guide...we were the only ones there! Hey! We live in the Pacific Northwest people! If you don't grab it while you can it'll be drizzly sweater weather before you know it.

Weekend Walks in the Woods

2011-06-27T22:32:00.000-07:00

My family really enjoys walking through our local forests. They're not strenuous hikes, but we puff up steep inclines and trot down the other side. We splash across small streams. We scratch up our bare arms and legs. We talk about the foliage and wildlife. We stop and chat up other like-minded people with their dogs. We love these walks.

In Our Own Backyard

2011-06-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

They started digging this week...

A Dog and Her Boy

2011-06-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

Fairy

2011-06-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

As close as she'll get to flying.

Give Big - June 23

2011-06-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

"GiveBIG is a communitywide giving challenge created by The Seattle Foundation that will increase the size of your donation to a non-profit (of your choice). This new, one–day, online charitable giving event will rally together our community on behalf of the amazing nonprofit organizations in King County." There's loads of good organizations to give to like our zoo, Seattle Tilth, etc. Help out!

* Quote from zoo.org

Summer Lovin'

2011-06-21T16:07:00.001-07:00

2 of the best ways to spend a The First Day of Summer; ice cream and sprinklers in the garden

Father's Day, Day

2011-06-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

Me and my dad

I had the pleasure of inviting my family over for a Father's Day dinner. Albeit, my husband wasn't there, my sister's family had plans, and my brother (father of 2 girlies) was in New Jersey for his initial Coast Gaurd training. But we made the best of it, and celebrated with chicken skewers, quinoa salad, green beans with toasted pine nuts, fruit and cocnut cake! The kids are all getting older and playing so well together. Here they are after a rousing bout of chase:

Inger, Atalie, E, and N - yes his pants are on backwards....and he's only wearing one sock

And after everyone went home, and the kids had a nice bath E thought it was a good oppertunity to introduce her brother to Twister...hilarious! Thankfully I was nominated as "spinner person."

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T01:05:00.001-07:00

To the father of our beautiful children, we love you and miss you!

Bubble Trouble

2011-06-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

N got a bubble machine for his birthday, he loves it!

Girl Scouts

2011-06-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

E had a great first year of Girl Scouts, she earned all her Daisy petals, and a handful of badges for her vest. She and I are really looking forward to participating with her troop again next year and attending a few events this summer!

Ponytail

2011-06-16T13:04:00.001-07:00

I love E's hair short: an inverted bob with cropped bangs. She's been wanting to grow it out, but we have that ongoing morning battle combing out tangles. She also has taken to chewing on it...so I've made the ultimatum of either cutting it back to short or pulling it out of her face e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y. I hate mornings in the bathroom. But, now her hair is almost long enough to stay in a ponytail and she grins and bears the pulling and tugging...

A Little Bun(s) In Your Day

2011-06-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

Poppies

2011-06-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

E has become fast friends with a little girl around the corner from us, Megan. Yesterday her mom got out canvas's and paint for the girlies to use, and now I have new artwork for the playroom!

Potty

2011-06-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

N has been pretty steadfast against using the potty...I know it's usually harder with boys and I really haven't been stressing about it. But I figured I'd at least give the potty chair route a go. I am totally grossed out by them, but he's deathly afraid of the potty ring on the big pot, so I think I'll at least try it for a while. I did a bit of research and Baby Bjorn has never disappointed me before so we went with the blue throne for his birthday and threw in a little reading...so far so good. He's delighted to throw off his diaper and sit when his big sis is.

Highly recommended items:

String

2011-06-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Oh, the tangled web he weaves...

...when he finds Mama's garden string.

Chicken Boy

2011-06-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

It occurred to me the other day that N won't know what it's like to not have chickens in his childhood. I kind of like that. He's fearless around them, just scoops them up if they're careless enough to get too close. Most of the time I try and keep them in "the chicken yard" to avoid dug up plants and poop everywhere, but the younger ones are still quite flighty, and oftentimes I'll find them pecking around just outside the confines of the 3 foot high fencing.