Shell Seekers: July 2012

Saturday, July 28, 2012

A Mile High Hike

At the top... Our two special hikers.

Views of the three sisters, alpine meadows, wildflowers, clear skies...

Love these three....

5 miles.. Good job little turkeys :)

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The last few days the kids have been setting up a "clubhouse" in the backyard. Greta made the sign above. "The Inspector Gadget Club. No Smoking" Since we don't smoke and no one we know smokes, I told her I didn't think she should worry about second hand smoke. She told me someone may stop by so they need to know the rules... So what happens in the clubhouse? Well today and most of the time it is Greta laying down and reading to us while Fieldin lays in his lizard sleeping bag pretending that it ate him. He puts his alarm clock right next to his head, to wake him up. I sit in any open space listening or doing a little knitting. The cat comes and goes.

The sleeping bags are covered in Popsicle, dirt, mac & cheese and juice. With the clubhouse, bike riding and all the Fat Albert we've been watching I am having major flashbacks to my childhood summers.

A Little Boys Dream

Recently, construction has started in our neighborhood. This means lots of machines, dirt, noise and excitement for the kids. They like to ride their bikes or walk to the site to see what's happening. Usually they pack fish crackers, sit and watch like they are watching a movie. Very cheap entertainment. Another added bonus, all the noise is scaring harmless snakes out of the wetland near our house so we see many of them on our walk. The little man finds it very exciting.

This poor little bird DOES NOT like the noise. It is living right across the street from the racket.

I Honestly....

I honestly cannot imagine life without this silly cat...that thinks he is a dog.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Summer Continues

Summer continues and we are still marking items off our "want to do this summer" list. Like visiting the carousel and visiting children's museums in nearby cities. Today was very fun. What else is happening these summer days? play, watching and reenacting lots of Inspector Gadget, computer time, more play at a park, eating lots of Popsicles, beach time, forgetting to water the garden, hiking, more play at a park, movies and popcorn, basketball and making pesto for the winter. That's just some off it... and me staying up too late watching netflex... thank goodness for Thundermuck coffee waiting for me each morning, courtesy of Jeff :)

Greta picked out a school backpack today...Yikes, Summer is flying by!

"look, no hands"

my lovies

In the China Room

On a big slide!

Hiking in the meadows. Enjoying the birds, cows and wildflowers.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I Even Have A Lead Foot With My Sewing Machine

It's True. Who thought of making sewing machines with a pedal. I can't help going too fast. After I set up the sewing machine, I check the machine again, like a student driving checking their mirrors. Then very much like a student driver, I start slow. Barely touching the pedal hard enough to sew a straight line. Then in a matter of minutes, I go from student driver trying to merge on freeway to guy in mid life crisis mustang speeding down a country road with just a cloud of dirt left in his wake. This is how I sew. Too fast. Too slow. Somehow it all turns out in the end and I have a little piece of accomplishment to show for it.

Yesterday I pulled out the machine for the second time this week! and covered two mismatched pillows I found in the laundry room. The kids wanted more "movie" pillows to lay on. I also gave "ugly blanket" a new beginning. We all love "ugly blanket", Jeff and I got it for a wedding gift and it is meant to go under a comforter but the kids love to snuggle up with it and watch movies. Here is Greta watching Happy Feet 2 and using the "new" decor. Fieldin was wrapped up in it yesterday and then I took it over for awhile. Much needed comfort that didn't cost me anything. I love that. Best thing about it, it matches our blue chair. Bah-dah- bing.

So I have been making friends with my sewing machine and digging in my craft closet alot lately. It is time to get crafty again. I've missed the smell of my poor overheated sewing machine. :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sometimes....

Sometimes, a mom must be a super hero sidekick.

Sometimes, a mom must help the superhero when his snow boot inserts, a.k.a. superhero boots, keep falling off.

Sometimes, a mom must channel her inner popeye and stretch those biceps so Spiderman can be lifted up high by the walls to climb... this includes the city hall building...

Sometimes, a mom has to get stares by people downtown, in a waiting room and by people driving by because she has a big muscled Spidey at her side... or strapped in to a 5 point harness car seat.

Sometimes, a mom has to appreciate this little mans imagination and be so happy I get to be his side kick...

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Feral Friday The 13th

My word for summer: Feral.

No schedules, play, explore and the least amount of mommy "no's" as possible.

The best place to be feral is the beach. Lots of space where the kids can run wild without me being a constant helicopter mom. It's good for them and for me. Luckily, my friend Natalie, had a break in her work schedule so we loaded up the kids in her mini-van and headed for the feral fun.

The posse by the Japanese dock that washed ashore at Agate beach.

Greta dancing crazy in the waves, singing" I've got to move it, move it"...

building sand cities

smores!

Catching plastic fish at the aquarium.

In the shark tunnel .

Thank you for a very fun day at the beach, the aquarium and seafood! It's what summer is all about.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hula Hoop- video

Greta taught her most uncoordinated mom how to hula hoop today. Thank you Greta for not only teaching me to hula hoop but teaching me so many more things about life and love. Love you Gret.

All- Comers Meet

Last night we took the kids to the all-comers meet where the track and field Olympic trials were held. They were so excited to be there after watching the athletes on t.v. for so many days. Greta asked me if people would want her to sign their shoes and if reporters would ask her questions... :) Thank you to my friend Hillary, for telling us about it. It was fun to enjoy the meet with her and her adorable kids.

They both competed in long jump, soft ball throw and running.

Fieldin and his sweet friend. He does not let people hug him unless he REALLY likes them so this picture is special :)

Fieldin starting the 3 yr old boys 60 meter dash (1st place)

Greta at the long jump (8th Place)

Greta, set and ready at the 7 yr old girl 100 meter dash (third place)

very proud

Long jump :)

I loved watching the kids. So fun and happy that the kids enjoyed it as much as we did.

They all did awesome! What a cool experience.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Superfruit

We've been waiting... The kids and I woke up bright and early and picked lots of blueberries. I use child labor... These two pick lots of berries and I only need to pay them in the form of a popsicle. Since the kids know their berries and I don't even have to pick unripe ones out of their buckets anymore, I started a new rule... you want to eat them, you help pick them. Luckily the kids love picking berries...now. This may change in the future so need to get this rule in effect while they are young.

Greta was super helper today trying to carry our buckets, keeping Fieldin in check... thank you :) Fieldin mostly ate his weight in blueberries and told people not to pick green berries to pick the big, fat, dark blue berries without spiders on them.

Some blueberries were frozen, some were eaten, some were made into jam and some were saved for a pie that Greta wanted to make. Here is her first pie. I had to do the stove work making the filling and messing with the oven but she did the rest. She also wrote a list for Jeff to take to the grocery store to finish her dessert. It said: "Wippen cream and vanilla ice cream." Fieldin says he wants blueberry pie for his dinner. Looks and smells good Miss Greta!