Friday, August 14, 2009

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Family Fun Night.







We made a new addition to the living room.

After much rule-making about when it's okay and when it's absolutely not okay to use the amp, we had our first night of keeping the electric guitars in the living room. The acoutsics and other little instruments are always avaibale, because you never know when the spirit will move you. Well, I decided that rockin' out just wasn't happening enough behind the closed doors of Dad's home gym. So we shall see. So far we haven't awoken, nor have our neighbors, to the screams of True covering "Vertigo" by U2.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Smarty boy.



It amazes me that no matter how much TV and Leapster this kid loves, not matter how disinterested he is in drawing, art, or anything else academia besides books, he just absorbed all the letters and numbers anyway. I took so many measures with my first child, and nothing like her hunger for knowledge really showed up with number 2. He's very typical, stereotypical really. First his passion was balls. The race cars. A minor offtrack into dinosaurs (way out there, I know :) ) and back onto race cars. He loves sports. I mean He. Loves. Sports. He's a very physical kid, physical "love language," physical learner. Therefore when we assemble this huge floor puzzle of an alphabet train, he has to tap each letter while he says it's name. In a rock and roll beat, because he loves that too.
But even while he's all boy and very predictable as far as all that's concerned, he's still a three and a half year old that very much wants to be like his big sister. Which explains the orange toe nail polish with blue glitter on top. Dark blue. Because he's a boy. :)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Joy it Up!

http://jenlovelady.com/
I have been taking this course for 7 weeks and I highly recommend it to all moms. I have to say, I feel as though I have really got a hold of the reigns on home management, as well as adding some serious joy and depth to my everyday life. I have found time each day to do the daunting things I've been putting off for months, but more importantly I've made it a priority to practice personal development daily, have daily talks with God, and be more present for my family. Jen is starting up this exact same course, and I have already registered for session 2. She's also starting one for moms that own their own business, so check out her site!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Great Wolf Lodge.











We took the kids for a surprise stay at Great Wolf Lodge over the weekend and it was such a blast! I'm telling you, this place thinks of everything. Mind you, it's a one time a year event for us as it's pretty expensive, and there are lots of opportunities to spend money once you're there too, but it was a fantastic getaway for our family. Amazing splash park, magic wands that light up and activate different features throughout the hotel, video arcade, onsite Starbucks (for me) and a bar & grille (for E). The best part for me, aside from seeing a very happy family, was that True had just as much fun as every kid there because the staff went to great lengths to feed him all of his specialty items, allergen free. He got sorbet with gummy bears on top, a caramel apple, real french fries that weren't itchy (a new height of bliss for him), specially made smoothies. You name it.
This place rates tops in my book.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Our second home.


This is the simplest idea but last week I set up camp in our second home, our car. I bought a trunk organizer, but you could easily use a big bin for less money. Mine has three compartments, the middle one being an insulated pocket for snacks, water, juiceboxes, etc. On one side I organized all of my reusable shopping bags, and on the other I placed the items we need for various outings each week. Soccer shoes, Hapkido uniform, extra clothes for accidents, and a fully stocked swim bag. I also stocked the car with wipes, bandaids, sunblock, allergy meds, a new stash of books for the back seat, and sunglasses. It seems that this mama who claims she loves the simple life is actually on the go quite a bit, so knowing I'm prepared and don't have to pack snacks, sports equipment, etc. every time is a big weight off my to-do list.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Art camp.
















Ofcourse I got some great shots of my kids at Art Camp last week, but check out this eye candy! Don't you want art camp too?

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

SeaFair.
















We had a generous friend take us out all day long on their boat Saturday for SeaFair. It was our first boating adventure as a family and the kids did great! The Blue Angels and other air shows were very exciting for True, as were the times the boat went "super fast!" Carsen was so excited to swim in the middle of the lake and stayed out later with Dad after True and I had had our fill. It was a big success, and we got some fun pics.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A goodbye book.

This is for Wendi, who moved to Michigan last week. The opening page.


Each page notes the everydays and the milestones we shared between our two families.



The "end," but really there is no end. Look how tiny and chubby True was!




The inside of the back cover, to prompt a little love mail!







Monday, August 3, 2009

The big surprise.









So Ethan's birthday turned out to be a big hit. He started the day with a sleep in, a basket full of goodies (some of his favorite treats, art from the kids, a few health & money magazines, a scrapbook layout, and a running arm band for his ipod), and candles in his croissant. We then headed to the Family Fun Center for mini golf, video games, bumper cars, and squirting water boats. Lunch was at the Old Spaghetti Factory, then we had a date of delicious appetizers at La Medusa, with wine and very connecting talks. Hope you enjoyed it, Sweetie!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

This is not goodbye.

My dearest friend Wendi has moved away. I have spent every single week with her for over six years. Since our babies were chubby, little Cheerio-eaters that couldn't crawl yet, through the foggy first year of Motherhood, we've moved houses, had more babies, enjoyed family nights together, vacations together, shared Bible studies, deepest thoughts, and monthly scrapbooking. I can confide in Wendi with my most private worries, she cries with me, prays for me, laughs with me, and relates to me. I don't know where I'll be now that she's half a country away, and not a three minute drive. I don't know who I'll be without getting a love-fix from her amazing kids, and without our families enjoying the weekends together. I know and love her kids like they are my family, and while her newborn son is only two weeks old, I held him every hour I could before he moved to place where I won't hear his first words, see his first steps, and I won't know his little idiosyncracies.
We will visit, we will write. Atleast there's Skype. But I can't help but feel that it just won't be the same. I am so happy for her family and their new adventure. But for now, I am oh so sad to see her go. Love you, Wen.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

My little pretty.







Carsen is growing up right before my eyes. Our big 6 year old, nearly a first grader, library card holder, and sweet as can be.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

"I can't believe I'm doing this!"



Stated by Carsen while filling out her first Library Card application.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Dog days of summer.
















For Seattle, it's been off-the-charts hot outside. While we wait for the sun for about eight months a year, we still get to the point where venues with air conditioning start to sound pretty appealing. We've had a good mix of scheduled outings, like soccer, swimming, and our new love: Hapkido. But we also have a good assortment of impromtu outings to nice, cool places, like Ikea playroom, Seattle Children's Museum, and REI for a smoothie and climbing in the treehouse.
And ofcourse there are many opportunities for downtime, like playgrounds, the beach, and a few more movie nights than during the school year. This has to be my favorite summer yet, since having two kids.
Also, the middle picture is our family enjoying the newly opened lightrail. We rode it from Columbia City on it's opening weekend, and it was a big hit for all of us.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thanks for the date, little dude.





While big sister was at camp, T and I snuck in some special time. Well, let's be honest. Mommy snuck in a lot of internet time, a lot of scrapbooking time, and True got way too much TV time. But one day I made the effort and we enjoyed a date spot that never gets old. REI in Seattle lends a beautiful structure, a fabulous climbing tree for kids, and tasty smoothies at World Wrapps, all which makes for a super happy kid. And Mommy.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Surprise!

It takes a lot to pull one over on Dad, so after weeks of planning, the day is finally here! To really throw him off, we secretly planned for him to take the day off, the day BEFORE his birthday. The kids put so much love and thought into surprising him, and here's what they came up with:

  • Allow Dad to sleep in (per Mommy's insistance, oooh, so hard!)
  • Treat Dad to his fave, a fried egg sandwhich at the neighborhood diner. We are big egg sammich fans, but because of True's allergies we can't have eggs in the house. So this is an unusual treat. Right up there with PB&Js.
  • Treat Dad to a round of Mini Golf, at the nearby "Happy Family Fun Center" (dubbed by True), which is one of those places you will probably never see me. Unless my kids planned it for my husband's birthday.
  • Lunch: Dad's choice. I'm sure it will either be A. Another sandwhich, B. A slice of pizza, or C. Dick's burgers. Ewwww. Again, only on E's birthday.
  • Home for a nap/uninterupted time with the Xbox while I fend off the kids.
  • This is the kicker: For E's birthday, the kids got the idea that they MUST set up an obstacle course. In our back yard. Hmmm.
  • Lastly, we will wrap it up in a manner that is as much selfish for me as it is a treat for Ethan. A babysitter. This will get us out of the witching hour, while we dine at La Medusa, and then turn in fat and happy.

No gift, you say? No, no gift. We are big on birthdays around here, and will probably never be the couple that only buys for the kids. But this year, my husband decided to purchase two big-ticket items for himself. On the month of his birthday. In this economy. Thanks, honey. I mean I know it's out of character for you and all, but geesh. So we now have a ping pong table (?!) and a home gym. And so, happy birthday, E. This year, it's mini golf, obstacle course, and dinner. I guess it's original!

Monday, July 20, 2009

I love this man.












I am so blessed to have him. He is just what I need, and God knew it. We're going on nine years married this fall, and while E feels his stomach grumble at the thought of turning 37 this week, I think he is going to ROCK this year! Here's why you're the best, Honey:
*You make a killer pizza.
*You get up with the kids nearly every morning before work so I can run, pray, and start my day.
*You have seen me through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and with such love and adoration.
*You're kids feel so lucky to have the silliest dad they know.
*This Spring, you decided to get your act together and take care of yourself. Look at you now, honey! (He's going to kill me for putting that swimsuit shot here!) You kick booty on the Kung Fu mat, in the home gym, and at the three-mile loop near our house- with kids in tow on the bike trailer.
*You keep your morals and your beliefs right in front of you at work, in the often greedy field of finance. Your clients trust you, and you don't take that for granted.
*You are the meanest penalty kicker, ping ponger, and all-elbows hoop shooter I've ever watched, and I mean that in a good way.
*You provide, you love, you lead.
We love you, Sweetie. Here's to another fabulous 37 years of your very lived life.



Friday, July 17, 2009

Old standby.











This never gets old.

A little shaving cream, a little food coloring, and a sprinkler. And lots and lots of smiles.