Conversations With a 7-Year-Old

Setting: Backyard; I'm in our shed cleaning and organizing and she's swinging on her tree swing near the door.

E "Mom, if you could have just one wish what would it be?"

Me "Probably that we wouldn't have to ever worry about money."

E "Ok, what if I add you up to 5 wishes?"

Me "Whoa, well that's a lot to think about."

E "Ok I'll minus you down to 3."

Me "Ok, no money worries, health and safely for those I love, and...well peace I guess just about covers it."

E "Well, what if our car could fly? Like a rocket button?"

Walk Like an Egyptian

E and Kaela have been working tirelessly over the last few months with Jen creating and practicing for this evening's Egyptian Feast! The girls learned how to write actual hieroglyphics, they discovered many Ancient Egyptian customs and part of their presentation was a choreographed dance (view at bottom of post) . They did so great! Among many other delicious treats for our feast they served us hand pressed hummus, antelope, and alligator! After our meal they included their dad's in a mummification presentation. Yet another tick on the side of homeschooling, E would never have had such an in depth look at Ancient Egypt in a traditional 1st grade classroom.

...and all was right with the world.

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.

Girl Fest 2011

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!

Pie Snob

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.

First Sewing Lesson

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!

Girl Scout's Camp 2011

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

Fairy

As close as she'll get to flying.

Girl Scouts

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!

Santa Barbara Weekend

I traveled this weekend. Wait. Read that again.

Yes.

I
traveled
this
weekend.

Yes, me. Me, who has never left my near 2-year-old son over night. Me, who has only ever spent one night at a time away from E. I know, stop the presses! I hopped on a plane for sunnier skies to celebrate my cousin's long awaited wedding in Santa Barbara, CA. Things did not fall apart at the seams, my children did not die from sadness, and most of all I didn't either. I spent 2 nights away and came home aching for my babies and husband but really did enjoy myself. I ate amazing food, my sister and I reveled in sleeping all night long, walking in the warm sand on the beach, we had a royal ball with my cousins at the wedding it was an 'eat, drink and be merry' occasion (with a little dancing and photo booth fun too). I also busied myself with a little game for E; I snatched one of her little robotic hamster guys and took pictures of him on my adventure. It helped keep them close. Here's what transpired. plus a few of me too.

The Adventures of Dexter

Dexter hid away in my knitting bag

Exploring the Airport

Security

Made it!

Seat Belt Didn't Quite Fit

Window Seat

Palms

In N' Out!

Blowing His Straw Paper at E

Enjoying the View From Our Room

Lifeguard on Duty

Fig Tree Planted in 1876

Moby Dick

Fish N' Chips on the Wharf

Pink Berry

Front Row Seats

Cake

Hello Zuma Beach!

::::::::::

My Sister and Me

A Little Wind Blown, HAHAHA!

Wedding

YES!

Mom & Girls

Zuma

Su-UN!