The world according to Grayson

I've been needing to record somewhere, before he gets too old and stops doing it or I forget, how Grayson asks for more food. Somewhere in his head he knows the word "seconds" but for some reason he usually asks for "nexts". So cute! and I guess technically correct. Also, yesterday I was transferring a bunch of pictures from old photo albums(like from the early 80's) into new ones. Grayson looked the pictures over silently, thought for a moment, and then inquired as to why everyone had such fluffy hair. I told him that's how we liked it then, to which he said "I'm sure glad we don't like that now! Me too Grayson, me too!

Rain, again

These poor kids, how sad that they live in a part of the country where cold and rainy days in June are not out of the ordinary. They have so many things they want to be doing, like going to the river or playing at the park, but are watching it rain instead. They and the other neighborhood kids crowd together on whose ever porch is closest and ride out the worst of the cloudbursts. Yesterday they had friends over and played inside most of the afternoon, but today have decided to just go ahead and play in the rain. In a rare moment of positive thinking, Grayson said his bike needed to be washed anyway.

This is too cool!

I am just tickled pink with felting! It is truly like magic! You knit this huge blobby looking thing, wash it in warm water, and voila! Big thanks to cousin Suzanne for the felt book recommendation, and inspiring pics of her own felting magic! So far I have made a beautiful pumpkin colored hat (if only it weren't June so I could wear it) and a pair of bright pink slippers. Now I just have to figure out what to make next. This makes regular knitted items seem so boring to me now. My only real problem is that I have a front loading washing machine, so I have to either drive an hour to my folks house and use theirs, or hand felt it. So far I have been too impatient to make the drive and have just been hand felting. Hope everyone likes the idea of something felted coming their way at Christmas.

New dos, forts, and true love

I have been threatening the boys with Summer hair cuts since pretty much the last day of school, but didn't get around to doing it until today. They were less than thrilled, and the older two tried very hard to convince me that they should at least get some candy or something for their trouble. I think they're getting a little old for that! Grayson has wanted a mohawk since last summer when one of his little friends was allowed to get one. I guess I'm just not progressive enough to let my six year old make such a statement. Lets save that battle for the teen years. I told him he could have one today for five minutes, and that I would take pictures, so he could show his friends if he wanted to. I think I made the right decision not to let him keep it since he danced around the house and acted like he was a rock star the whole time he had it.










































This is what my living room currently looks like, a huge fort. Not only can't you walk across the room, but you also can't eat at the dining room table since all of the chairs are integral parts of the fort.











This is what Buster does pretty much every night. I don't think the picture quite captures the extent of his loving gaze into Paul's eyes. I think getting fixed has confused him.

14 years of wedded bliss

I can't believe we've really been married that long! We've sure come a long way. From just the two of us in a tiny (so tiny you had to turn sideways to get through the door of the bathroom) one bedroom apartment, to now the two of us, plus three kids, one dog and one fish in a 4 bedroom house with three bathrooms. Life is certainly different! This weekend we had an opportunity to spend time together just the two of us, and remember why it is we love each other. Big thanks to Mom and Dad for keeping all three boys overnight so we could celebrate. So fun to go out and have grown up conversation, and remember how fun we both are. We had a great time in the big city- oh how we miss living there. Great food, shopping and people watching. We especially enjoyed the latino clown making balloon animals at the sushi place we went to. This was a good preview of what life will be like when all the kids are grown, it will be wonderful, (but I still can't stand the idea of the kids growing up.) Happy anniversary Paul, I love you!

FUN

We got a call from some friends last night inviting us to come play at the river today. The boys were so excited that they didn't even complain about having to do their reading and cleaning first. There is a lovely stretch of beach not far from our home, with good sand for playing in. There ended up being four moms and 10 kids, 8 of them boys. A good combination of kids for lots of fun. The kids had a great time digging a huge hole and playing in the waves that the big ships make when they come up the river. The water was too cold for my taste, but the kids said it was great. I had to keep reminding Grayson that he really isn't a good enough swimmer to go very far out. He somehow thinks the few swimming lesson's he has had will see him through. Rowan was also a little too brave for my taste! We arrived home too tired to cook, so we showered everyone off and went to get pizza. Luckily a new movie arrived in the mail today, so we ended a perfect day with pizza and a movie.


Check out that huge hole!











I don't know if you can quite pick up the glee in Rowan's face, but he had a great time trying to get his brothers wet!

In the presence of greatness

So thrilled to have spent parts of my weekend with truly great men. I so admire all three of them for the devotion as fathers. Love you guys!

End of the year

It's been such a weird day today! I have been totally tearing up all day, just can't stand to see the kids getting so big. It started this morning when I dropped Grayson off at kindergarten. Watching him run in with his friends, I just couldn't believe the year was over. He suddenly seems so much older, and not so much my little boy. He's much more independent and confident. I am so thankful for the teacher that he had this year. She is a real gem, and we will miss her next year! Grayson got to celebrate his birthday early (at school anyway). His teacher had a special party yesterday for all of the kids with summer birthdays. He was very excited about this birthday crown, but not so much about my taking his picture.

Fuller finished out 4th grade in style. I was honored to be at his school's end of the year assembly today and see him get his "explorer award". I ran into his 3rd grade teacher while I was there, and he was impressed. He said that award isn't easy to get, so Fuller must have worked really hard. It was so cute to watch him up there smiling, holding his award. I also got to see the school slide show, which oddly enough had 5 pictures of Fuller in it. This kid must really be a camera hog, since there are more than 300 4th graders. At the end of the assembly they had a really touching tribute to the principal, who is retiring. He has been there since 1984, and is a really dedicated man. One of Fuller's fun memories of this year was beating him at 4 square. He is well known for playing 4 square with the kids and giving anyone who can get him out an IOU for a cookie, which can be redeemed any Friday. I so love people who devote themselves to education!

After school I took the boys to our favorite local ice cream place to celebrate the start of Summer. Sure hope it's a good one!


And one last thing- already in the summer spirit, Rowan had lots of fun in our local creek while we were at the park with friends yesterday. I swear this kid has a magnetic attraction to mud!

Buster's snack

I finished the puzzle this afternoon, and it is missing 13 pieces. So, if the lady that sold the boys the puzzle was telling the truth, then that means Buster helped himself to 12 pieces!

An exercise in futility

This weekend the boys bought me a present while they were out at garage sales, a 1000 piece puzzle. This was really very sweet, since I do love puzzles and haven't done one in years. The puzzle has a vintage nursery rhyme theme, and is very cute. They were quick to point out that it's only missing one piece (or at least that's what the lady at the garage sale told them) and they said they were all going to help. Well, frustration set in pretty quick. They have never even attempted anything over 100 pieces before, so clearly this is going to end up being a mom only project. I have been staying up late at night working on this darn puzzle, only to discover that Buster has been undermining my efforts. I walked into the dining room yesterday and caught him with his head cocked to the side trying to lick puzzle pieces off the edge of the table. I guess he must think they're just really big crumbs that I forgot to clean up. I don't know how many he got, but knowing him, I think my puzzle is going to have lots of holes!

One other story to share. One of Rowan's favorite books right now is "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell". It's a variation on the story of the old lady who swallowed a fly. I read this story to him yesterday, and then got up to go into the kitchen. As I was walking away he said "mom are you an old lady?" Before I could answer Grayson chimed in and said "no Rowan, she won't be an old lady for like 5 more years!" Glad to know I have a few good years left in me.

3 hours and $300 later

I don't know if it's a sign of aging, or of my old dentist not really being on top of things, but it seems like my teeth are falling apart. I had a lengthy stay at the dentist yesterday, where the good news was no root canals or crowns. I was very relieved, since as usual I had been anticipating the worst. The bad news is, I get to come back in a few weeks for another lengthy and expensive bit of work on some other teeth. On a funny note, Grayson said he is proud of me for being brave during the "pinchy part". That's what his dentist calls it when they numb you up. He was however appalled that I didn't get any treats! Also, I can hardly open my mouth or chew today. My jaw is very unhappy with me. Ahh... the joys of TMJ.

The best boss they'll ever have!

The kids had no school today, so that teachers could fill out end of the year report cards. We took advantage of the day off and went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the day. The boys have been dying to do some work for Grandpa. It's one of their favorite things in the world. It doesn't matter if he has rocks or bark dust for them to haul, or tree branches for them to pick up. I wish I could say that they like this so much because they love to help Grandpa out, but the truth of it is, Grandpa pays really well. My boys love money, and love spending it! They are incapable of saving at this point, unless they have to because I won't take them to the store. They moved rocks for less than half an hour today, and Fuller and Grayson each made $10, and Rowan, who does almost nothing made $6. I need a job like that! Plus, Grandma made them hot dogs and chips for lunch, and ice cream bars for dessert. They are sooo spoiled! They talked me into stopping at Target on the way home, so they could spend their money, and after almost an hour of painful decision making, spent their money. Fuller bought a nerf vortex football, cool hot wheels car, and candy. Grayson bought a hot wheels construction set, and Rowan bought a squirt gun and 2 hot wheels. They were quite pleased, and Rowan laughed all the way home about how much he was going to squirt Fuller and Grayson!

Shhhh.....it's a secret

Yesterday Fuller brought home an envelope ominously addressed "To the Parents of Fuller ________". The letter reads as follows... "Dear Parents, Congratulations! Your son has been selected by his teacher to be recognized for outstanding achievement during the entire year. The recognition is called the Explorer Award. He will receive a certificate at our end of the year awards assembly on June 14th. We prefer to keep our recognition of student achievement a surprise. Therefore, please do not tell your student." It concludes with information on when and where to come for the assembly. I am so proud of this kid! He is going to be really excited. He has been telling me about this award, and how each teacher gets to pick the best 2 students of the whole year. He has really been hoping to get picked. I am so thankful that my children choose to show the best parts of themselves at school (even if that means we get all the other parts at home.)


My poor Rowan! I don't know if you can see the bruise very well in this picture, but he's got a huge bruise on his cheekbone from where he and one of the neighbor kids bonked heads yesterday. OUCH!






One last thing, I just wanted to share this cute baby sweater and socks I just finished for my friend Tiffini's baby shower. The purple is actually prettier than it looks in the picture. This was so fun to make for her, since she is finally having a ! (she already has 3 boys.)

Life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest

It seems the beautiful sunny days with temperatures in the 80s are going to be replaced with gray , cold, rainy days for most of this week. Our garden is getting plenty of water, but those little sprouts could really use some sunshine! The kids are also a little grumpy. They were getting used to going to the park every day after school, and playing in the pool in the evening. Being forced inside is not sitting well with them. Also, Grayson is seeming more and more like a first grader. He says every day that kindergarten is boring, and he already knows everything. Also, this morning he asked that I quit kissing him goodbye when I drop him off. He says maybe I can just hug him sometimes. Ah, such love!

summer preview

This weekend felt so much like summer. Paul and the boys started the morning off by assembling our new badminton net, and playing a few games while they waited for breakfast. Very funny to watch them try to master this new skill. They managed to hit two birdies into our neighbors yard, and two on the roof of our house. Then we headed out to check out some garage sales. A favorite pass time for the kids. They all ended up with new hot wheels and a couple of new puzzles. Paul and I only found junk. The rest of the day was spent running around with friends like maniacs, until Paul and I insisted they take a break, before they collapse. We finished the day off with yummy barbecue chicken kabobs and home made vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries purchased at our local roadside stand. This morning we were treated to a cute little frog hanging out outside our living room window. Grayson tried really hard to catch him, but little frogs are so fast.

The countdown begins!

Only 8 more school days! We have two four day weeks, with a three day weekend in between, and then it is summer! I'm realizing also that this is my last year with Rowan as my full time buddy, all day everyday. With Rowan starting preschool in the Fall, I will begin the process of becoming obsolete (at least in the realm of all day mommyhood). It's hard to believe that I've been home with the boys now for over 1o years. There have certainly been days that felt like they would never end, but looking back now, I can't believe how fast the time is flying by. Also, a big "WAY TO BE!" to Fuller. At Fuller's school they give out little slips called "WAY TO BE"s when the teachers see kids being really good, or doing something extra helpful to a teacher or other student. This week they had a big reward party, a swimming field trip to the local swimming pool, for kids who had been able to amass 25 or more "WAY TO BE"s. Fuller was so happy and proud that he had earned enough to go.