sniff sniff

Now you know your ABC's.

Colors, shapes, and days.

You sang some songs,

Learned some poems, rhymes, and fingerplays.

We played outside on sunny days

And inside when it rained.

Your little hands and little feet were busy every day.

Your teachers sure did like you,

you kept us on our toes,

We tied your shoes, zipped your coat,

and even wiped your nose.

But now it's time to say "good-bye"

To all your preshcool friends.

Preschool is over, summer's here,

But learning never ends.

Gracie had her school picnic today to commemorate the end of the year.  The kids ran around at the park until the rain came and sent us inside the school for snacks and more playtime. 
We loved Miss Karen, Gracie's teacher, and will miss her dearly.  She sent every child home with a personalized and handmade book full of pictures of each child that had been taken during the year. 

Oh, where does the time go?

 Handy husband met us there and became the designated book reader.

 Miss Karen and Gracie

First day of preschool. September 2010.

 Putting her bucket away for the first time.

 My last picture as I walked out the door on that first day.  They always say, it's harder on the parents. Apparently, this was my truth.

Memorial Day

I've been absent lately.  It must mean that I've been a fantastic mom lately, right?  We've been busy around here.  The garden is being continually planted in between the rain storms and we are excited to be building new trellis systems for our peas and beans.  We are are going to try a trellis system for our squash this year.  Pictures to come.  

Grandma and Grandpa Wasenmiller were up this weekend and we put them to work in our overgrown yard.  The chainsaws and pruners were at full speed ahead.  Now, we have the tedious project of hauling away many loads of trees and branches. 

 Graham decided to skip a nap and supervise.

 Entangled in thought or branches?

 Gotta love child labor

Consultation with the lead pruner

On Sunday, handy husband and I took the kids to ride the merry go round at the zoo.  Graham tucked another "first" under his diaper tabs with his first spin on the horses.  Thank goodness for an annual membership-the line to purchase tickets was a 45 minute wait.  Geesh! We said hello to the penguins as we headed out.

 A stop at Essential Bakery for a delicious lunch of sandwiches produced my most embarassing moment yet as a mother.  I was sitting at our outside table with the kids and a woman was standing on the sidewalk chatting on her phone-just a few feet from us.   She was one of those "Seattle women".  You know:  the type that looks tough, wears the pants that have a zipper at the knee for the "presto chango" option of shorts, has the "I've just climbed El Capitan in record time" look.   As the kids were getting restless our conversation went as follows:

Me: "Hey kids, let's play "I spy".

Kids: "Ok!"

Me: "I spy a bridge"

William: "I see it!"

Gracie: "I spy a MAN talking on his phone."  (In one of those excited loud voices) Note: this is the woman I just described.

Me: "I spy Koby in the car."

Gracie: "Mom, you didn't find my "I spy"!"

Thank goodness, the impeccable timing of handy husband ended this interaction.   My apologies to the woman on the phone. Maybe you should zip the bottom half off your pants and paint your toenails.

So, here's a little snapshot that might warm your heart.  I agree, it's sweet but this is really teaching this young son of ours something I don't want him to learn.  Handy husband wears Graham in the Bjorn from time to time when he is cranky and doesn't want to be put down.  This  doesn't pan out well when I'm home with the three rugrats and need to  put the kid down. He looks at me with tears in his eyes as if to say, "Daddy wouldn't do this!".  You're killin' my mojo, sweet husband.

I never thought I'd see this.  The man I married has always snickered at the men we see in public wearing the slings and wraps with their babies in them.  Graham knows he's either wore him down or being the baby means you break all the rules.

Our dear friend, Leah, dropped by to give Gracie a beautiful "princess" dress she bought for her at a flea market. 

Checking out the twirling capabilites

 Thank you!

The detail on this little number is beautiful.

Thank you, Leah.

Last but not least, we love three day weekends around here but we love our freedom more.  Handy husband and I were just discussing our vacation plans to Washington DC on Memorial Day weekend when the kids are older so they know it's not about parades and a day off.  Thank you to our military and veterans that keep us safe. 

back in the groove

We're on the mend around here.  Handy husband and I made a trip to the pharmacy to pick up antibiotics on Saturday.  His bag was filled with goodies to heal his conjunctivitis and mine was filled with goodies to cure a sinus infection.  No wonder I wasn't feeling better! It gave us a glimpse into our marriage at ninety years of age....a trip to the pharmacy on a Saturday afternoon. 

I still managed to be a "mom" despite not feeling well-if you could call it that.  The kids didn't play with the kitchen knives.  However, we did get out on a terribly cold spring morning to harvest my "yet to bloom" poppies and climb the rhododendron trees.

This is a big "no no" at my house  These little rugrats love to pick the poppy buds and open them up.

"Ohhh...look what's inside!"  We should know this by now....it's only the fiftieth one they've opened!

The kids were wearing these HEAVY winter coats.......

 ....and these are blooming.  Where is spring????

Then, one day, out came the sun.

We headed to Nana & Papa's house for lunch, al fresco.

 Baby Graham's first time dining outside and his first summer outfit...ever!

They inspected a ladybug.

 She doesn't have a chance.

On Friday night, we took the older kids to their first ever live show, "Sesame Street Live" at the Comcast Arena.  They loved it and were completely mesmerized.  At eleven dollars per ticket, we couldn't have spent a better evening.  Just a quick note to the family behind us-next time please don't bring your hacking kids to sit directly behind me and cough so hard it blows my hair around.  Gross.  While I'm at it, don't you think parents could find something else to do at intermission instead of stepping out for a smoke?  Seriously-the show was called, "Elmos Healthy Heros". 

Quick pic before our hot family date.

After a day of planting our veggie seeds and new raspberry plants, we took the kids to Snoqualamie Gourmet Ice Cream for a little treat.  It was the first time the kids have been old enough to choose their own flavor with excitement. Grace decided on Rainbow Sherbert and the green color of Mint Chocolate Chip made William's tummy swoon.

Last night I finally cooked. I think I had pushed the limit with tasteless food and leftovers while being sick.  We had a lovely spring dinner with wild salmon, asparagus, and roasted potatoes.  Dessert was burrata cheese with strawberries, basil, and balsamic.  Delicious.  Graham was smackin' his lips for more salmon.

buffet : 7 month old style

Here's a quick list of what baby Graham ate today:

whole plain yogurt

applesauce
ricotta cheese

a soup consisting of:

white beans

pinto beans

homemade chicken broth

celery

onion

thyme

farro

swiss chard

broccoli

sweet potatoes

butter

banana

Happy and content after spending an hour in the highchair eating a four course dinner.   We usually have to strip him of his clothes and clean out the rolls when he's done. Notice the dimples on his calves.  I'm off to revise our food budget.

On a side note: Handy husband and I are spending our evening trying every home remedy we have found on Google to ease a sore throat.  We're a bunch of zeros lately.  I seriously have no voice.  It's ridiculous.  How does one parent without a voice?  I may just have to be super mom tomorrow ( I have very low standards). It will only consist of sick me, on the couch, whispering to the kids, "leave the kitchen knives alone".  Anything else will be fair game.  Wish me luck.

happy spring kids

 William on the horse swing

Graham "on deck" to head outside. This is his holding spot while we get the other rugrats ready.

Hanging out in the Italian plum tree

the girls and the boys

Today was absolutely beautiful.  So beautiful, I think it miraculously healed my sore throat and sickness...at least until 2pm set it.  It was also a day to "power through".  Us two grown-ups are sick.  In the "sans child" days, we would have spent ours on the couch, in our pajamas, drinking some whiskey and lemon concoction to cure what ails us.  Apparently, this is not an option when you have kids banging on the windows yelling, "it's sunny, its sunny!"

Just after I whipped out pancakes with sauteed apples for breakfast, Gracie and I headed out for a girls morning together.  We went to the vintage market in Snohomish,  Second Saturdayz,  in search of all things old and beautiful.

Grace has arrived at the age where she likes to choose her own clothing and prefers her hair in a ponytial, with a hair clip on the side, and only in matching colors.  She filled her purse with a snack, binoculars (for those treasures that are just up to high), and a train. 

We had a delightful time together.  I just treasure these moments when I get one on one time with my kids.  Grace loved to touch everything, usually asked permission beforehand, and was not afraid to say, "excuse me" if a grown up was in the way of something she wanted to look at.

My favorite part was walking hand in hand with her and talking about everything we saw.  She melted my heart the few times she said, "Mommy, I love you.  You are a sweet girl." and "I like Mommy and me days". 

 A few pics in the driveway just before we hit the road.

 Koby decided to go...not so sure he was thrilled his choice.  Boys will be boys.

 Just a little shopping.

 She found a treasure.  A vintage, metal, just her size, wheelbarrow for $12.  This was our find of the day.  I've been looking for a mini wheelbarrow for quite some time but wouldn't pay the $30 price tag I've seen on so many.

 She pushed it up the street and around the block to the car.

We also found an old truck planter that looks just like handy husband's Ford.  It was already planted with geraniums and is now enjoying its new home on our back patio.  A vintage hair clip made it's way home as well.  Gracie was drawn to it many times over.  It was actually the first time she's asked for money! We decided we'll both share it.

Taking a rest after visiting Nana at the shop.

Meanwhile, the boys stayed home and prepared for our departure for the Issaquah Farmers Market to purchase our heirloom tomatoes for the season.  William and handy husband prepared rows in the garden for seed planting and filled a bucket with worms while baby Graham napped.  When Grace and I got home we all loaded up and hit the road to the market. 

The raccoons are sleeping and us grown ups are sick and wiped out.  I think the one I married is excited that I have officially lost my voice.
It's amazing what daytime adrenaline will do for you.
Handy husband just walked in with two cups of hot tea-let's hope there's whiskey mixed with that tea.

Night night.

uncle uncle!!!

You win, you win....whoever you are...you win. 

We've had enough around this house.

Last week, Grace had two ear infections and conjunctivitis.

This week, Willliam has two ear infections, a fever (for 3 days now), conjunctivitis, and possibly strep throat.  He's miserable.  Heck, I'm miserable. 

We just spent the only sunny day we've had this year inside the house and at a doctor's office.

We need sun. We need outdoor playtime.  We need health!

To all of you friends of mine that snicker because I tell you we eat organic, cook from scratch, never eat fast food, and avoid processed foods in an effort to stay healthy- you now have permission to laugh at me as you sit in the drive thru line waiting for your Happy Meals.

Here's proof that my kids have a little fun.  I made them french toast sticks for breakfast on Saturday morning with real maple syrup for dipping.  It's the first time they've had maple syrup on their french toast.  They usually have applesauce.  Yikes!

I

mothers at Palisade

We joined my parents and my sister's family for a Mother's Day brunch at Palisade. It was fabulous. The kids loved the water feature with the fish, the bridge, and the multiple trips to the buffet. After we stuffed our bellies, we enjoyed the beautiful, yet cool sunny day to walk the marina and dream of setting sail to a faraway and warm place. I'm certain William is going to earn his living or feed his soul with something associated with water or boats.

The kids enjoying the fish.  I was certain that a nightmare was in store when I saw our table was located right next to the water.  However, the kids followed the "no touch" rule and the water kept them occupied and out of trouble. Amazing!

Nana and her sailor grandson

One of my faves

                           Me and my 3 rugrats

 love you

 My dad and my stoic son

 chocolate mousse on a giant spoon-who can resist?

 Nana discovering Toy Story 3 on a 3D slide show!

Dock shoes and anchors on his pants. Yes, I planned every last stitch of it.

 "Ahoy, we forgot the buoy!"

Papa is always showing the kids a good time. If there is a cart with wheels, you can bet our kids will be doing wheelies in it.  If there's a something to jump off of....our kids will launching.

Mothers Day 2009

 Mothers Day 2011

Apparently, with the addition of Graham, we need a cart to contain all of the kids.

 The ones I love

(Graham is under the hat)

 3 generations

Ok, kids...everyone look away from the camera!

To my three rugrats: my angel, my peanut, and my squeaker.  You must stop growing so fast.  This time is just too precious and too much fun right now.

 I love you all to the moon and back. 

xoxo


Speaking of being a mother.  
My two "brown boys" are certainly the other loves of my life. 
Koby and Brownie, they always seem to melt away the stresses of the day. A glass of wine in the barn at night and then reading in bed with Koby are usually how I end each day.