First Day of Summer

On the first day of Summer...

we had fun until the wee hours.

Today

Although life isn't always how we planned, life for our family has been pretty great. There have been little occurances that, while daunting at the time, have prepared us for the next challenge to come.

I think of it in comparison to the roads in San Francisco. When I was a little girl and we would go into the city, the streets felt as if we were walking straight up. But then we would come to a street that was steps, which seemed so much easier. My mom would point out that the stepped streets weren't any more flat than the others, and sometimes they were steeper, it just felt easier. Or at least that's how I remember it.

No matter what our little family has gone through, we have done it together. Here and there, a little or a lot at a time; but miraculously we were prepared for what was to come and somehow it was okay. Our idea of "okay" has changed from time to time and that too is okay. Not ideal, but okay. So now, the last couple of weeks, I have been feeling very fortunate. There have been two major contributors to the realization of how good things are for us. The first is that a friend from college was recently dealt a shocking hand. I met her when she was dating a friend from high school, whom she later married. We caught up with each other when we had kids in preschool together. And while we run in different circles (Evan and I are in the just a bit older crowd) we still see each other on occasion and we still like each other. Right now, I can't imagine what her family is going through, but they are handling it well.

The second, is that my neighbor had surgery on her back. Almost every day I see her walk by, some days more slowly than others, as she improves her endurance and regains her muscle strength. She has four at home, from six to sixteen (or around there.) Anyway, a busy life that doesn't stop for a hurt back.

I have been so blessed to have be healthy. I have the ability to get up in the morning and chase kids and pick up toys. It feels so normal, so happy. I know that I joke about the craziness and the chaos, but I love it. I love that my family lives together, under one roof. We eat dinner together, celebrate birthdays and holidays together, and saddness isn't part of every single day.

We all want the best for our kids. We want them to be happy and kind. We would like them to be healthy, but even without that it's okay. Because they have love and we have love and at the end of the day when you look at them you know this is where you belong. Right here with your family. So for today I am very happy.

June Art

Tuesday was my last day working with Ella's class. We made books using the bubble paintings as our end pages. We read "Alice the Fairy" by David Shannon and talked about point of view and descriptive words. I love that book!

I will miss their craziness and imaginations. We had a lot of fun, and hopefully they learned something.
They made some of the cutest little books. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the stories they wrote, some of which only they could read. The pictures in "The Little Red Ant" were some of my favorites.
Ella made a beautifully textured tale of princess dresses. I swear someday we will be watching her on Project Runway. This girl loves fashion! I will miss my little group. Some of the kids will be moving to a new school next year.
Thanks for a fun experience and a chance to spend more time with my girl.

Sadie was tagged...

by Rebekah
1. What is something mom always says to you?"I love you"
2. What makes mom happy?"When I obey."
3. What makes mom sad?"When I don't obey."
4. How does mom make you laugh?"Tickle me."
5. What was mom like as a child?"A nice, sweet girl."
6. How old is your mom?"Dad, how old is Mommy. 32"
7. How tall is your mom?"6 feet"
8. What is her favorite thing to do?"Hang out with me."
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?"Um, cleans the house."
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?"For her kindness. Cause you are."
11. What is your mom really good at?"Helping others."
12. What is your mom not very good at?"Making me go to bed."
13. What does your mom do for her job?"Loves me."
14. What is your mom's favorite food?"Fish"
15. What makes you proud of your mom?"Cause she's nice."
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?"Ginger Snap from Strawberry Shortcake."
17. What do you and your mom do together?"Snuggle"
18. How are you and your mom the same?"We look alike."
19. How are you and your mom different?"I ride in a booster seat and my mom doesn't."
20. How do you know your mom loves you?"Cause she tells me."

Sadie tags Eli and Eddie
(No surprise this is the child that jumps in my arms for a hug every single day after school.)

Karaoke

Shh, don't tell anyone, but last night, Evan and I went to a cool peoples party. I don't think they know that I have never been very cool. Thanks for a fun time,Tami!

Sugared Up

About once a week I have the following conversation with at least one of my children.

Mom: As child is getting into the utensil drawer and getting out a spoon, "What are you going to eat?"
Child: "Sugar."
Mom: "Uh, I don't think so."
Child: "But why not?"
Mom: "Because you can't just eat sugar by the spoonful out of the sugar bowl."
Child: "Why not?
Mom: "Because you can't! Why are we even having this conversation? Do I ever let you eat sugar by the spoonful?"
Child: "No. But it tastes good that way."
Mom: "I'm going to stop listening now." As I take away the spoon.
Child: "Can I have an Otter Pop?"
Mom: "Okay. Eat it outside."
I am a very bad Mom!

Mess Making Maisy

From one mess...
to another.
Is it bedtime yet?

Pincushion

Sometimes a little thing just makes me smile. Most often this involves my kids. But lately, as I sew, I put my pins in this cute little thing. That makes me smile.

I seldom make things for myself (I'm trying to be better about this.) So, thanks Angela for encouraging me to enter the challenge and make my pretty, little pincushion.

Let's Hear it for the Boys

Sadie and Ella have often played better with boys than girls, so showing up at a party of boys, I wasn't too worried. Water balloons, no problem. Relay race, bring it on. Catching a football, now that's a different story. But Sadie was out there with the rest of them. I can't say if she caught anything, but she looked good trying. So as girly as my girls are, they sure like being with the boys. Am I in for it?

Thanks for inviting us out for a fun evening at the park.

Ella has been tagged...

by Madden
1. What is something mom always says to you? "No"
2. What makes mom happy? "I don't know."
3. What makes mom sad? "When we disobey."
4. How does your mom make you laugh? "Tickle me!"
5. What was your mom like as a child? "I don't know."

6. How old is your mom? "How old are you Mom?"
7. How tall is your mom? "2 Feet"
8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Talk"
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? "Sew"
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "Sewing"
11. What is your mom really good at? "Sewing"
12. What is your mom not very good at? "Driving"
13. What does your mom do for her job? "Work in the yard and put clothes away."
14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Fish, oh wait maybe lasagna."
15. What makes you proud of your mom? "I don't want to do this anymore."
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "I don't know, pass that one."
17. What do you and your mom do together? "Cook"
18. How are you and your mom the same? "We both don't like tomatoes."
19. How are you and your mom different? "I'm not as old as my mom."
20. How do you know your mom loves you? "Cause she is nice to me."

(So that's what she thinks about me. Hmm.)
Ella tags Lana, Sofie, Leia, and Zachery

"EI"

This is my nephew, Eli, but around our house he is just "EI". He turned eight yesterday and we are so proud of him.

I made him a place to hide his books so he can read at night. We also put a headlamp in there for all that late night reading. Sorry, Tyler and Miriam, but sometimes you have to stay up late and finish another chapter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELI!

Goats & Waterfalls

Sadie and I went on a field trip Tuesday. For three days prior she sang "Just the Two of Us" every time anyone mentioned her upcoming trip. I was to chime in on my line, "Just the two of us, you and I." We rode the bus down there and saw the animals, rode on the tractor wagon, had lunch, and then went to the garden. It was nice to be with Sadie at such a beautiful location and not be pushing a stroller. Once we split up as groups, we walked all over, and proceeded to get lost in the gardens. But we did get to see a lot of plants and I am inspired to improve my yard. We got back to the bus almost five minutes late. Sadie fell asleep in my lap on the ride home. Actually, two of the three kids in my group fell asleep on the way home. Oh, how I love field trips and one-on-one time with my kids, just the two of us.

On the bus.

Panning for gold.
Laying down the rules.
Talking to goats.

"Momma, I need two dollars." Splashing in the fountain.
Walking through the garden.
The waterfall Fast asleep

Ah, field trips.

Jackzilla

I don't really know how to stop this child.
He is everywhere and into everything. It doesn't help that he knows I can't be too mad if I'm laughing.
As you can tell by the blurry photos and messy house it is constant motion and commotion.
He also is an entertainer, so if someone is watching he will put on a show. I think his new motto is have chair will climb.
How can you love someone this much even when they cause so much trouble?

Tonight...

We got dinner...
A show ...
and a sweet treat.

Birthday Presents #2

In my quest to avoid the toy section, I have made another birthday present. This time it's for Ella's really good friend from preschool. Alayna is almost a year younger than Ella, but they have been friends for a couple of years.
It's a basic tote with an appliqued "A" on the bottom panel. Ella picked out a coloring book to put inside and we got a sketch pad and box of sixteen crayons. The crayon roll fits inside the bag. It rolls up and buttons closed with a hair elastic that fits around a fabric covered button. Although I like how the ties look, most shoes are velcro or slip-on, so a lot of five-year-olds don't know how to tie. I really like how it turned out, I might make some to keep on hand for when we're caught of guard (like the party invite I got today for a birthday party tomorrow.) If anyone wants the directions for the bag, let me know. Happy Friday, Somer.

Grumpy

Today is a bit of a grumpy day. So, because some days are just like that - the Grumpy song by David Weinstone.
If you wanna be a grump that's okay
But could you be a grumpy
Kinda further away.
It's not that I don't love you
'Cause you know I do
Sometimes I'm grumpy too!
And if you wanna be an udge that's okay
But could you be an udgie
Kinda further away
It's not that I don't love you
'Cause you know I do
Sometimes I'm udgie too!I think I understand
Exactly what it is you're going through
Oh when your oatmeal's lumpy
and your socks are all bumpy
What's a poor kid to do.If you wanna be a pesk that's okay
But could you be a pesky
Kinda further away
It's not that I don't love you
'Cause you know I do
Sometimes I'm pesky too!
I think I understand
Exactly what it is you're going through
Oh when your oatmeal's lumpy
and your socks are all bumpy
What's a poor kid to do.
So, if you wanna be a grump that's okay

But could you be a grumpy

Kinda further away.

It's not that I don't love you

'Cause you know I do

Sometimes I'm grumpy too!

http://www.noggin.com/games/jacks/clubhouse/index.php?activity=videoplayer then click on box containing the guy with the grumpy face.