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.

Knee High by The 4th of July

Our popping corn is plugging right along, and if the forecast is correct the next stretch of sun will really help things along!

Happy 4th!

On the Receiving End of a Video Chat

As I mentioned before E got to tag along on the last leg of her daddy's tour. Kinda awesome, right? Not too many kids get to take a week and a half off of homelife and drive from Atlanta back to Seattle in a tour van. She's loving it. I've had a harder time not having her around. I think there were 2 consecutive nights I spent away from her last year sometime, but nothing like this type of separation. Our family is equally divided down the middle; 2 away and 2 stay. Of course we have our multiple daily conversations when I have to interrogate her on teeth brushing and vitamin taking. Every once in a while my phone let's me know there is a video chat afoot; let the silly face making contest begin! Her and her N could have hour long spells doing this: 

We miss her, and cannot wait until next week when we're all back together again.

Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony

This Lucky Girl got to sit next to her best friend, Kaela.

E has graduated to a Brownie; we attended her Bridging Ceremony this evening! Unfortunately during the ceremony she changed from this giddy gal pictured here to an ashen shell of a girl. The flu hit her hard; high temps and aches with a furry. I watched her sink lower and lower in her chair as the evening went on, and when we met up afterward she was pale and could barely walk to the car.

Hi Ho Cherry-O

N's first Family Game Night

Wait, When Did She Turn 15?

It didn't take her long to make a few new rules after her brother moved out.

Student of One, No Longer

Usually I set N up with blocks, his cars, or a video while E and I plug away at math or language arts for the day, but fairly often he's been asking for some work of his own. He's been able to recognize more and more letters lately so I thought I'd start there. He did so good and as you can see very proud. For those of you that don't know about this great free website check it out, I get a fair amount of supplemental worksheets and ideas from them! There was something kind of magical about having everyone around the table this morning.

Fart Sounds Make Him Laugh

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

Me Too.

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.

He Makes Chocolate Look Good

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

"Op-Ti-Cus"

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

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

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!

Fall Puyallup Fair 2011

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

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."

Green Egg & Chicken Shoes

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.'

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!

Ponytail

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...

Potty

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:

Birthday Surprise!

N got to ride the ferry boat today! We were on our way back and the captian noticed how excited he and his sister were and it got mentioned that it was his birthday. Well, he just invited us into the office and asked if the kids wanted to try on the fire equiptment, and show us around. He even offered to have E wish her brother a happy birthday over the loud speaker...and when she couldn't pull it together and stop giggling he went ahead and wished out little 2-year-old a very Happy 2nd Birthday. So neat!