E's First Swim Meet

E was all smiles during all 4 of her events (she must have swallowed a gallon of water with her mouth open like that). She competed with other 7/8-year-olds, and felt great about the experience. I was volunteering the entire evening as a timer, so I didn't get to focus on her like I would have preferred, but her 4 grandparents were in there in full force along with N, I was so thankful for their support.
   

*This cracks me up every time. She's swimming, but more interested in spotting her grandparents on the side.

N's First Bike Ride

We got E the tiniest little bike when she was 2. She rode it a lot until it was outgrown and then we lent it out. Well, it's back in the hands of another 3-year-old... One who strangely enough is content to pedal at a snails pace. Just like his sister though, N's is having a little bit of trouble with the pedaling direction and often stomps back to a jolting halt. I have no doubt that very shortly I'll be screaming at him from the front porch to slow down, and stop playing chicken with oncoming traffic.

This clip is almost 2 minutes long and mostly placed here for posterity. Please forgive the gushing motherly instruction and encouragement.

What May or May Not Have Happened

 

 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!

Roller Skates

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.

1st Tumbling Class

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!

Better Than Dirt

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!

Boeing Creek Park

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

Weekend Walks in the Woods

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.

Mother's Day 2011

My morning started with sleeping in! What a gift! Then moved quickly into french toast and coffee made by my man! Afterward we went on a family hike, out to lunch, home for naps, then out again to Green Lake for another bout of exercise and fresh air. Then out to dinner, and ice cream! Totally awesome day of no chores or cooking. Thank you, my family!

*Please take a read, this was written by a friend/homesteading mama, and spells out pretty much how I feel.

Beach Morning

Daddy came home last night, low tide and sun. Beach Day!

Doggie, Daddy, Daughter Date

Dog Paws & Crab Claws (yes, both crabs alive)

Me & The Kids

Pose

Rock Climber

Morning Walks

The weather has been getting slowly better. The sun is coming up earlier and earlier, so by 7am there is daylight lurking outside our windows. When it's not completely pouring I like to get a walk in with Molly before she and we have breakfast. E rides her bike, N settles into the jogger and Molly trots next to us. We're all a pretty well oiled machine. We walk to a park about 1 mile away, the kids play, and then we head home again. Though we're walking mostly through neighborhoods I still am pretty aware of the speedy traffic about, so we all wear reflective vests and whatnot, and Molly get's to wear this sweater that makes us giggle!

Climbing the Walls!

My kid learns how to rock climb in school...

and she loves it!

Biker Boy

N loves his little push trike that Mabel is lending him. He hasn't yet figured out the peddling motion, but is taking his job very seriously. Not at all like his older sis, who was so distracted by ringing the bell that she'd slip off! N holds on for dear life! We've taken advantage of the break in the drizzle to do our quiet Mama/Son loops in the neighborhood, and can't wait to add our Molly into the mix!

Miles for Midwives

Come support a very improtant part of our community!

2.8 mile Family-Friendly Fun Run/Walk

Saturday, October 9, 2010
Seward Park in South Seattle
5895 Lake Washington Boulevard South
10 am to Noon

*find their website here

Mushroom Head

We're getting in gear for our summer bike rides!  In preparation we've been looking for the best way to cart the boy around...we got a trailer off Craigslist and we're test driving a few bike seats to see what will work best for us.  N got to try out this handlebar seat this evening, and wasn't too sure about what was happening; he especially didn't like the round bulbous helmet we strapped on. Although to be fair, the first time I snapped it on I accidentally pinched that tender waddle under his chin...