My Girl & Me

I like this photo of my girl and me. We spend time together just talking and it is so fun. She is very expressive, she likes to share all the details, and she really can get into her stories. Other times she is quiet and prefers to snuggle and observe. Both ways are fun depending on her mood, and I just cherish every second of our togetherness.

We are down to just one day of summer. Floating by like the gentle beach wind. She will be in fourth grade. Where has the time gone? Where are the moments she would gaze her big blue eyes at me with her wide cheesy grin from her white slated crib? Where are the moments she would say her cute little word "That?" while pointing to something. And the moments when little brother arrived and it was all about saying "No, no, no, no, Mommy, I do it."

Fourth grade. Taking more steps on her own away from mom, but still within arm's reach.

My Girl & Me = Happy.

LIVE!!

My hubby and I thoroughly enjoyed our final date of summer this evening at an outdoor concert with the amazing sights and sounds of Sheryl Crow. We haven't been to a concert for so long, and this was really fun. The weather parted during the late afternoon; it was sooo nice and a welcomed surprise. James Blunt opened and made the gutsy move to literally run through all the pathways amongst the crowd; which took the level of crowd-pleasing up a notch. They both rocked the park and it was a great way to end the summer!

Is this Iowa?

I often reminisce about the farm towns that we passed on our road trip four years ago through Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. I enjoyed the feel and look of the open sky in the farm lands, the solitude of small towns we walked through, and the contrast between that and the big cities we visited along the way. But I especially preferred the quietness of the corn fields. I like the look of corn fields; to me it says down-home America. So simple. Wispy wheat things on top, neat shades of green on the bottom. To walk through a corn field is an experience; getting lost in a corn field is an experience too.

Our little box of corn in our backyard was perfect this year. It was fun to see it shoot from a tiny start to a not too shabby height. We harvested some today; and we have already had some for lunch. However, I can't tell you if this is like eating corn from the great Iowa fields that I enjoy so much, since we did not get a chance to taste any corn in the corn state, but I can tell you it got two thumbs up from our family.

As much as my husband would like to take a summer sabbatical to Europe, I would like to take a summer sabbatical and live on (preferably) a crop farm (versus livestock farm). I of course envision that I would have loads of great recipes and canning techniques up my sleeve to perform on command, and it would be just as magical as I picture it in my head.


***I just received this email from my dad that I thought was too funny after going on about wanting to live on a crop farm (and yes, he is a farm boy). The title of the email was Hey Farm Girl and it read: "The wheaty thingy on top of corn stalks is called a Tassle or Corn Silk and is part of silk that you have to get rid of when you husk the corn to eat. Just trying to Farmucate ya." Got it! Thanks, Dad!! xoxo

Fast Thinkin'

So we have crashed in the sun department in the West and it really is not very fair, I mean, it is still August! But I will refrain about our aggrevation with weather because it really becomes boring to hear us complain. In addition, with the hurricane approaching the U.S., I know in all seriousness that we really don't have much to complain about around here.

Today I filled up my cloudy day at the kids' pediatricians office for their annual well-child checkups. Having upcoming birthdays, I finally got smart and scheduled early enough to hit the summer window so time off from school was not necessary. Our pediatrician, whom we've adored from day one, moved toward retirement, so we have a new doctor. Today was the test. She blew us away with flying colors. We are happy!

Looking in my son's chart, she noticed that his chicken pox booster was ready. However she let it slip that the booster recommendation was from age 8 to 12; "So we can get that done today." My quick witted, mathematical son pipped up and said, "Well, no, cuz I'm not really 8 until October, so I'll just wait until I'm 10. Yep, I'll get it when I'm 10. It's between 8 and 12."

He escaped the booster ... with a chuckle from the doctor and a smirk from his mother.

High Definition Experience Project; a photoblog

I have been waiting all summer for this site to be published. My husband encouraged me a year ago to blog and I did not. It was not until our friend Willow said to "just do it." Now it was my turn to hound my husband to publish a blog back in May when he received our Canon Rebel XSi. He has an incredible gift in creativity and art and his photography skills have skyrocketed since being mentored by, once again, our friend Willow. We call it the Willow-Effect.

So as his photos began to stream across our desktop files labeled Home Photos; I would snag one here and there for my blog. But I kept thinking about all the hundreds not accounted for, just happily taking up file space on our pc. I urged him to "just do it" and he finally did.

I love his site; all the photos published, and all the potential ones sitting in the wings behind the scenes. His photography captures a wow-ness factor, creativity, and a genuine gift for having a keen eye. He is an amazing person who is multi-talented in the field of art. I am very proud of the many things he does for our family ... but right now, I am super proud of his blog which publishes his photography.

Go check it out, bookmark it, post it on your blog, check back daily, and add any comments. The High Definition Experience Project is what's new on blog-world ... don't miss out.

Paint Away!

The kids and I had a great day spending time with their cousins and Aunt (my sister-in-law). The kids are like four peas in a pod; always happy to be together doing the kid thing that they do best ~ laughter, giggles, laughter.

We met at a pottery store where you get to choose off the shelf, paint to your heart's content, and then come back seven days later for the finished pottery product. As the kids were sitting at their table, happily painting and being very patient with their individual projects, it dawned on me that I forgot our camera. I was so frustrated with myself. It was definitely a camera-worthy moment.

I will repost with pictures when we receive the finished masterpieces. I will confess that I kept thinking of this neat site (and her blog) while I was engrossed in watching the kiddos create. I think I might have to go back on my own when the kids are in school and do something myself; I was kinda inspired today. Both my SIL and I admitted that we are low on the pottery artistic pole, so we need all the concentration we can get without conversation in order to get anything remotely well done.

Paint Away!

Through the years

My daughter has changed her mind. She no longer would like to do basketball versus Jazz this upcoming school year. Being out of dance during the summer closure has shown her that her current passion is still dance.

A call to the studio confirmed there was a spot for her and it requires her first set of Jazz Shoes (of course that was a nice surprise for her and an "Ohhh" surprise for me). Today we went to the dance store to gather her new ballet shoes, her jazz shoes, her new ballet uniform and a (supposed) extraordinarily easy bun maker for her hair. While I was driving her home, I was reliving the memories of her in dance throughout the years.

We first surprised her in Kindergarten when we purchased a Christmas gift of Ballet Dance Classes. She was completely excited and could not wait to start.

In First Grade, the girls had Badge Day, which was when the dance teacher called a student's name and asked that student to prepare to be the leader of the class in two weeks. This meant that she needed to know and perform accurately all the steps and routines that they had been working on, they were scored by their teacher, and the student was expected to create and perform a dance solo to her own music at the end of class.

In Second Grade, the Exams began. We were introduced to the twice weekly, grueling practices that we know will only get more strenuous as the years continue.

Third Grade, Exams again, but this time in groups of five or six which meant that teamwork learning and coordinating were key. This particular pose was done in our living room, only because all the photos that I snapped during class time this year were completely a blur. Every..single..one..this..year! I have tons of video, but my pictures are lame.However ... getting the new Canon in May was a blessing because my husband now had the professional camera to go with his lighting equipment to do our own photo shoot of her dance recital uniforms (versus spending way too much money for low quality prints from the studio photographer). The above white screen was eventually Photoshopped into a background like this:
While it would have been fun to see my daughter try a new sport, I am very proud of her for knowing her inner drive and passion at this moment in time. It will be fun to watch another year of growth in her dancing to add to our memory books.

A Little Light

It is amazing what a little light will do to cheer up a room. We did not upgrade our living room when we moved into our house five years ago (I can't believe I am correct when I type that number; seems like yesterday). While I knew that an upgrade would be nice, I have never felt like it was a necessity. This room is mainly used for holiday gatherings and on Monday's when I host piano lessons (all day long); and for both occasions it has worked just fine.

But this week we were thankful when it was mentioned that Grandma had always wanted my husband to receive her living room lamps. I must say that they really do fit perfectly in our living room. They add so much to the large room, that I can't imagine that we had not purchased lamps before. However, seeing these particular lamps make me extra happy because I know they were a gift from Grandma.

The cranberry leather chair was a gift from my Grandmother after she passed away about 15 years ago. I loved her cranberry chair in her living room and I love it in my living room. I'm very particular about that chair; the kids and the dog both know that it is a very special chair.

I am glad for the little light and red chair in our living room; memories of two amazing, strong, heart warming women!

Harvest

With the sunshine and warm air today, it brought out all the neighborhood kids for constant playtime of volleyball, badminton, and time sharing a lemonade and cookie stand (knowing the short term forecast to be rain rolling in).

While the kids played, my husband and I sat on the front porch and went through boxes of items he received from his Grandma's apartment. It was fun to talk about the items; making funny comments about the way things were "way back then", and other comments were more serious like where we were going to place something in our house.

This evening we ordered take out from our local authentic Mexican restaurant and ate it on our back patio. The outdoor pool is no longer up, the flowers are on their last stand, things are beginning to look like summer is fading and school is approaching.

Later, we harvested some of our yummy garden. It's been a productive, all inclusive fun family week.

Two Fish!

My son is the new proud owner of two female Betta fish! Nestled into their tank today with a divider between; the smaller, more light pink colored fish is named Cricket and has a No Fishing sign posted on her side. The more pink-red, bigger fish is named Panda and has a Pagoda on her side. Adorned with wispy greenery and a purple flower plant with the light shining from above, I will admit that they are very peaceful to watch as their graceful fins and tails glide through the water.

At Petco we bumped into my mom's dear friend who was shuffling her three little ones through the isle each with a Betta bowl in hand. Asking her if these fish were really that easy, she said, "They are very easy, unless the kids decide to give them a bubble bath, then you'll be back like us today." Oops!Wishing all the best to my son's new little friends; Cricket and Panda.

Animal Day

Earlier this summer my son had a special date with my mom when they went to the zoo together. Today it was my daughter's turn to have alone time and it was her choice on what she would like to do. She chose to stay with Splash all day long! She had a fantastic time "training" the little pup, complete with shopping outings to Home Depot, Petco, and of course the patio of Starbucks. When they arrived back to our place, she toured the neighborhood knocking on doors for friends to meet Splash. It was very cute and my mom said she was a natural.

While my girl played with Splash, my son and I ventured into fish world. He has been asking for his very own fish for a very long time. During a secret meeting of the minds, my husband surprised me when he said, All kids need to have at least one pet fish in their lifetime. Really? I had two pet fish for a science project in elementary school and I disliked the experience every day of their existence on my bedroom shelf. My mom's memory is different; she thought I really enjoyed them and I cried when they died. But my memory is just old tank, old water, old smell, fish!

Taking a deep breath and visualizing all the wonders that a pet fish can have for a boy, I have been preparing for this adventure and it has arrived. While we did not pick up the fish today, since he would like his sister and father involved in watching him select his fish, we did purchase the tank and supplies. We have decided on a Betta. I hear they are the easiest starter fish and very hardy. I hope my research and talk at Petco proves to be true. The tank is set, ready for occupation tomorrow.

Now I am going to relax with my fluffy, cuddly, kissable favorite pet, Cora, and cross my fingers the fish experience will be positive for my son longer than 48 hours.

down sizing, part two

*Early Sunrise photo at Cannon Beach, Oregon

I must just write how thankful I am that we switched our vacation plans away from this week! It is pouring rain and we are stuck inside. I can just imagine how we would have felt if we were trying to enjoy the beach right now. I do not think we could muster up the cheer like we did when we went to Whistler. At least there you have other things to occupy your time. But a summer beach vacation, to me, needs to be sunny and warm. I'm thankful that's exactly what we received.

Today we are taking advantage of our rain, however, and zooming in on the fact that we only have a dozen more days until the first day of school. Our agenda that was successfully completed today has been the deep cleaning of our playroom, and the kids' bedrooms, in hopes of it staying fresh since the kids will be busy with school and activities.

It feels like we just cleaned the playroom; but this time around we actually tubed toys into storage. I can't believe that we are at this cross roads in our family where toys can be put away with glad acceptance. I am finding that most of the toys are my sons. The Fisher Price Dinosaurs, Toy Story Action Figures, Rescue Heroes, Wooden Blocks, and Hot Wheels Race Tracks. Full sets of each, all boxed and labeled for the far future (insert crossed fingers and thoughts of grandchildren). It feels right.

The down side is that now I have many bagged items for donation, and our local donation store burnt while we were vacationing! I will have to store them in the garage (which will not bring a smile to my hubby's face) until the store is remodeled and opened. One room cleaned, to junk up another room. Seems counterproductive. But I like to help our local community, so I may have to find a way to sweet talk it into staying until the reopening.

Now ... I'm in search of that sun, that lounge chair, and some lemonade!!

Home Again

These two mugs were waiting for me when I returned on Sunday. Yea!! Finally getting the chance today to breathe and enjoying a yummy cup of chocolate.

It has been a whirlwind of a week with nonstop fun on our vacation; coming home and literally dropping our things on various floors in our house; being gone all day yesterday; getting to see our doggy again last night. With stacks of laundry and grocery shopping ahead of me today, these two mugs are the perfect pick me up to keep moving. I just love them! AND they came with neat Russian Candy inside. A nice surprise.

Our pup ran a great Agility run today with only one other dog in class, so a true nonstop work out for us both. It was great. She is crashed at her recent favorite hang out in our house; all fours spread out with her nose sticking through our top balcony railing. Such a cutie. I would have taken more pictures, but the Sony I grabbed only shot one for the battery life remaining. She is glad to be chilling at home today too.

Home again with miles of work to do.

Saying Goodbye

This morning we will say goodbye to our Grandma during a graveside service, followed by a reception at my in-laws. A nice lunch will be served, and it will include memories of her favorites. She will be laid to rest in her favorite color; green. She was 90 years old; able to see the world change dramatically in new technologies, married to one man, and then lived independently for thirty years following his death. She was able to see all of her children marry and stay married, all of her grandchildren born and married, all of her great grandchildren born. She lived a full life.

Grandma was a woman who was gentle, but knew how to speak her mind. Sometimes she was a little dramatic in her interpretations of how things really happened, but it made for light hearted humor and always a smile from those involved in those happenings. She would tell the truth and let you know if she did not approve of a choice you made, but was extremely balanced and fair and you always knew she loved you deeply. Perhaps inside she worried more than she let on, but she was very even in her emotions, and my favorite line I heard her repeat when things were out of her hands was, "Nothing you can do but pray." A wise sentence.

We have pictures of her at every birthday party of our children, and the same for my nieces and nephews. When you hosted a family dinner, Grandma would always arrive with three things; toilet paper, root beer, and a decorator magazine. Yes, a great combo, isn't it? She lived through the Depression Era, so to her, toilet paper was very valuable and was meant as a kind gesture. The root beer ... just Yum! And the decorator magazines were her passion. In addition, sometimes her load would also include these three things; licorice, Ginger Snaps, and Werther's Originals. Coffee's were never weak enough, desserts were always served too big, and her favorite potato chips were Pringles; which she treated herself to only three per lunch.

I have heard stories of her taking her grandsons (my husband included) as pre-teens to the movies and getting snowballed into the rated R shows. As soon as the first "R" scene appeared (regardless if it were language or something different) she stood up and hauled those giggling boys out with a scolding. She would also host sleepovers of her grandchildren, tucking them into bed with Gingersnap cookies. A Grandma hip on sports who could chat with her grandsons, and into celebrity gossip and chick flicks to chat with her granddaughters.

She looked fabulous in her red Christmas coat with the neat lapel pins; and she always wore those plastic, see-through bonnets to protect her hair from the outside winter weather. Her necklaces were always worn long; gold toned or colors of green. Lipstick always in place, hair always freshly curled, skin as beautiful as any Dove model.

A solid woman. An honest woman. A beautiful woman with soft eyes and a gentle voice. A refreshing soul who will be deeply missed. We love you, Grandma!

Seaside vs Cannon Beach

Cute, with a Fringe on top! We rented this four person pedal car during our day visit to Seaside yesterday. A little disappointed it was not allowed on the beach or boardwalk, we still enjoyed our trip through the small streets of Seaside. While there were four sets of pedals, my son could not reach his, my daughter barely reached, I pedaled all the time, even though my husband did all the work and wondered, "Are you helping?".

For those in love with Seaside, I will say that perhaps we did not go to the sections that are awe worthy. But for us, we found it to be a disappointment. More amusement park feel, than relaxed beach experience. It was packed! and the fog had rolled into the beach, so we even opted to skip that. We had lunch, burned if off with this buggy bike ride, and then went back to Cannon Beach where it was full sun, no wind, beautiful!!!

Our vote; Cannon Beach with a stay at Surfsand Resort. A resort on the beach with ocean views of Haystack Rock, easy beach access, great pool and fitness center, and many other hotel amenities that you can take advantage of. Extremely friendly and accommodating, ultra clean with a modern feel, this is our family vote on where to stay.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Where do I begin to share about our time here?

I think the best part has been the new experiences that we have shared together. While we have treated the kids to an ocean vacation before, it was at "our part" of the Pacific, which is completely different than the Pacific we are seeing this time. Now it is all about playing in the sand, the beauty around us, the neat shops, the amazing hotel, everything rolled into one vacation.A first for me, a bon fire on the beach complete with fireworks. A first for the kids; the bon fire plus the never ending sand-castle-beach-digging-surf-chasing-recreation. A first for my husband; riding the rented beach bike at full speed, and all the amazing photography he has completed.
We have enjoyed sack lunches on the beach, and seafood dinners at restaurants overlooking the ocean. The weather has been blue sky, and fluffy white clouds. The evenings are the best because there is hardly any wind; it is very calm for walking and fire pitting. The mornings are slightly foggy until about Noon; just enough lazy morning time to make you feel like you are on vacation as you dip into the pool.

Where do I begin and end about our Cannon Beach Vacation?! Tomorrow is our last full day, then we are headed back to the city before our final stop home on Sunday.

Peace

It was too soon, too raw to type yesterday, but after much conversation in the car today during our next leg of our driving vacation, feeling at peace ... I can type that we received a phone call just as we arrived at our destination yesterday that my husband's Grandma passed away.

After two weeks of a good attitude and fight following her heart attack, her heart decided after 90 years of love and living that it was time to let go. We will miss her beyond measure and our relaxing, peaceful vacation has been a blessing as we have time to reflect on her life and love for each other.

Here are photos of our day; full of sun, sand, surf, sunsets ... and peace.

First Stop ...

We were able to check in early today to our first destination. Although the kids were disappointed this fancy downtown city hotel does not have a pool, it gave us a chance to explore the city outside in the hot summer sun. We walked block after block, enjoying the new sights and found ourselves on a river's boardwalk for an ice cream snack. Walking back to the hotel a different way, we noticed some neat parks and cityscapes.

For the evening, we enjoyed a neat dinner at a local brew house with my hubby's cousin, wife and new baby girl. It was fun to meet the little one for the first time, and catch up in person with the adults. This little one is so adorable, so calm, so precious. Her parents are doing a fantastic job and it will be fun to watch her grow and develop her personality.

My kids are now showered and snuggled in their bed watching the Olympics on television. Or I should say; the Olympics are on and my kids are playing in bed ... something about being at a Boarding School with a strict Room Mother (which they said was not me). Where did they come up with this scenario?

We are headed to our next destination in the morning. Just a quick stop over to break up the driving and a chance to catch up with cousins.

Not this, but this

We are soon headed out the door for another vacation. I am told there is laptop capabilities at this destination and perhaps the speed will be such were photos could be included. So daily readers, stay tuned as you might get updates here. Or you might just be looking at this post for awhile ....

I remember July '07, eating at an outdoor cafe as a family, looking at the clouds as the slight wind blew our summer jackets, deciding as a family whether to reschedule our Whistler, B.C. vacation. We were ready to leave in three short days, and the weather forecast was gloom. It was mid-July, many weeks of summer were left; we contemplated whether August would be a better thought. We had already started washing and organizing, could we really just stop, put everything away, and start over in our excitement a month later? No, we decided that we'd go for it, and it would be just fine.

Regarding weather, it was not just fine. Regarding our fun and making the most of it, yeah, we were okay there.

As we woke this past Saturday morning to clouds with a weather forecaster telling us rain and clouds for the weekend, a cheerful pick me up sunshine later in the week, and then return to more clouds and rain right during our vacation plans; my husband and I said nothing and just continued our morning routine.

It took about fifteen minutes later when instantaneously we looked at each other and said, "We should jump on the sunshine and switch our vacation plans." Two hours later, our friend had been called with a thumbs up for watching Cora, many, many, many rings later a thumbs up on a hotel room was achieved, and all the miscellaneous cancels on our end for golf, professional window cleaning, and (sigh) a cancel on a family barbecue, we are set for our vacation to begin shortly!

Trying to avoid using this:


We are looking forward to using this:

Watercolors

My husband gladly had time with the kiddos today while I was away with my super fun mom. Due to the day being more overcast, they decided to dig deep into some watercoloring that they had been talking about for a long while.

I came home to a spotless kitchen area and these prints on my desk! The Flowers are by my girl artist, the Hot Air Balloons are from my hubby artist. My son opted for happy time doing his own thing; not as much into art like these two, and that's ok.

Completely in awe of her talent, as I consider myself talent-less in this area, my daughter loves the arts and it is fun to watch her grow each year in her interests and ability. Easily inspired, willing to try, relaxed ... my girl and art.

Got it back ...

I had a date with my mom this afternoon and I got my 95 minutes (plus!) back! Yahoo!! It was so much fun. I just love hanging out with my mom; she feels like my mom, but she feels more like a super best friend. We went to see The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 movie and it was fantastic. It really followed the book well, the scenery shots in Greece were awesome, and the actresses did a fine job portraying their characters.

A must see for any Pants fan.

Evening Together

Late this afternoon we took a tram ride through the city to visit an Art Festival where our dear friend Willow had a booth. Decked out in her cool shades (she can do her own photo unveiling of those) and hip style, we had a nice chat. Then we were off to Over The Moon Cafe to see our kiddos on the wall. How cool was that to see!!

The owner recognized the kids when she brought our water and she was so complimentary of Willow and of the cute kid faces that were displayed for her to see every day! Her Cafe is very chic, very welcoming, very rich, very calm. Her food is beyond amazing; the best food I've tasted in a very long while. Able to accommodate the children with Alfredo, I thoroughly enjoyed the Crab Bisque (I could have easily had another), while my hubby enjoyed his Sage Chicken; oh, and I enjoyed that as well! Their salad dressing is homemade and fantastic (Mixed Green Salad with sweetened pecans, grapes and crumbled blue cheese - wow!).

So happy that my children are on the wall of this Cafe. Happy to have patroned there!! Happy for the unexpected down pour summer rain storm we were caught in going and coming ... for we had a great laugh at our plastered hair, wet faces, soaking feet. A great evening together.