Around Here- Tuesday

 Around here, I found them watching Shawn the Sheep like this. 

 Around here, board games and Greta is reading to Fieldin regularly. I think it is neat she enjoys reading to him without being asked. 

 Around here, my succulent garden is slowly coming along. 

 Around here, my ground cover is in bloom. This picture doesn't do the color justice. I love when the white blooms. 

 Around here, we did some dog sitting which made this guy so happy. No, we are not getting a dog. Fieldin has refound a cape I made him that makes him "super fast" When he's not wearing it the cat uses it as a pillow. 

 Around here, more prettiness in bloom each day. 

Around here, enjoying the time I get with this one. One more year before he starts kindergarten. He will be going to preschool 4 days next year. I want him home on Fridays :) So lucky I had special time with Greta before Fieldin came along and before she started school. Now I get that time with him. Very different kids, both so special.

Grandpa Or Fieldin

It is quite obvious to me and Jeff (and anyone else that has ever seen my dad) that Fieldin looks like him. Even has some of the same mannerisms, build and alot of his personality. Fieldin should feel lucky. While scanning in some family photos last night we came across this picture of my dad. If it wasn't in black & white, it could be Fieldin. This is how he laughs too, or acts when he is being silly. I actually have at least one picture of Fieldin on the front porch laughing like this. (my next to do item is to find it) A big thank you to Jeff for helping me take on this scanning project. Such great photos that need to be saved forever.

Please Don't Take Down A Bird, Little Robin Hood's...

Today we were home much of the day which was nice. We finally had a chance to take the kids out to practice with their bow and arrows. 

I was taught archery in middle school but you would not have guessed it by watching me today. Luckily, Jeff was at least able to shoot straight. 

The kids loved this. Really loved this. We joked that if Fieldin had a diaper he would look like cupid. In true Fieldin form, he was shooting like he has been doing this his whole life. Greta did great and had to learn to use a more advanced bow because she is taller. She was really shooting once she got the bow down and it was hard on the fingers, trust me. We joked that we may have hurt a few rocks... luckily nothing else. Even with the dull kid proof arrows I was nervous in my own helicopter mom way. 

 The little man. It shouldn't have surprised me how much he liked this. 

 Toward the end, they were shooting at the same time. It was cute. 

 Greta really liked this too. She didn't even want to head home for dinner! *gasp* She never says no to 

food especially when she is growing which she is AGAIN! at least according to the growth chart we have marked on the wall... 

 I loved watching him be so careful and patient while he set up. 

Good job guys. They asked to practice again tomorrow. Watch out birds, don't fly too low. 

Around Here The Last Couple Days

Around here, It is officially bubble time. 

 Around here, they've been playing in the sprinkler. Yesterday was in the low 80's. 

 Around here, we found another reason to love Oregon hazelnuts...their shells! We covered the front and back yard with them. They are said to last longer than bark, they keep the slugs out and cats avoid using your yard as a litter box. (Sorry Chompers)

 Speaking of, he needs to leave our birds alone. 

 Around here, we have some vegie plants and we are getting ready. Kudos to Greta for spelling "Walla Walla" correctly on her own. ;) 

 Around here, there is more bubble blowing... I need a barrel of bubble soap. 

 Around here, I am able to make pesto again. I am already starting to put some away for winter. 

 Around here, she likes to take breaks and read. If we can't find her, it's always good to check on the couch. 

Around here, my lilacs are about done but so much more is starting to bloom. 

Around here, I have been to the nursery a couple times this week. Bringing more plants home than I need. I'm so happy to garden again. 

Slow Change

This is my view from the kitchen window today. 

This morning the top portion was heaped with toys, kids table, wagon, water table etc. All the "stuff" had been sitting unused. This area was meant to serve as a play area that could later be turned into something else. It has been a crazy mess for three years. Last night, we asked the kids if we could get rid of the play area. I was afraid to ask, knowing they would be against it! To my surprise, they both looked at me and said "yes" in unison. Greta asked if we could make her an area for reading and Fieldin suggested making it an area for gardening. Umm..I am still a bit surprised. Anyway, much was moved today and now it looks so different. I am sure my neighbors are as pleased as I am :). 

This was just one of those instances that I realized our little family is growing up. Even me. I had grand plans for this space and now I am thinking we should leave it like it is and not rush into a change. Maybe wait another year, or three. 

Around Here

 Around here, this little man makes me laugh. He said he was taking a nap(in Greta's beauty mask) but when I started telling him how beautiful he was, I caught him in a giggle. Faker! 

 Around here, we are almost done with swim lessons then taking a break for awhile! Whew.. These two want to play in the beautiful weather we are having and I have to say, I do too. 

 Around here, my favorite farmer is open after winter. Fieldin and I went to visit and check out their plants and fresh rhubarb. They had succulents! My favorite. They enjoy seeing how much the kids grow. Fieldin was asked if he is 4 now... he said "No, I am four and a half. You should see Greta, she is 8. Just eight 

not 8 1/2"... 

 His "girlfriend" celebrated her birthday. When we got home from her party a neighbor boy asked Fieldin where he'd been all day. "I was at my girlfriend's birthday party". Sneaky boy ran off before the three of us could tease him. :) He made her TWO birthday cards. We knew something was up. Luckily for her dad, we live in different towns. :) 

 It has been sunny and warm here. I was just mentioning to my next door neighbor I hadn't seen our resident snakes yet. Then today Chompers brought one to the sliding door to show me. He likes to play with them... luckily, he doesn't hurt them. This cat is afraid of bugs and frogs but snakes are ok... and our birds. Bad cat. 

 Ring Pops.. He loves them... here is trying to look tough. 

Our favorite pizza place now does gluten free pizza part of the week... I missed this pizza. 

Gret's Party

Yesterday, Greta had a pool party for her birthday. It was a mermaid theme.  This was the year for the pool since her and her friends are now all 7 years and up which means no parents have to be in the pool. Awesome! but then I forgot about Fieldin.. So, I had to join in the pool fun this year too. It was fun.. there I said it. :) 

 Setting up the party at the aquatic center. Speaking of Fieldin, he is in the background stealing "mermaid fish"  .Good thing she didn't see that. We also had mermaid tail pineapple, "seeweed" Kabobs with grapes, fruit. 

 We turned the group into merfolk. Both the girls and boys were good sports, while being finned and playing games. 

 Blowing out her candle. I made cupcakes that were supposed to be sea anemones with pearls. 

 We had a hour party and then 2 hours in the pool. It was hard to get these two out of the water. 

The party had 8 kids in total which made it easy for games and craziness. 

I was worried about this little guy in the pool but as he kept telling me "I'm fine". With a life jacket he swam all over and played with kick boards and noodles like the big kids. Like his sister, he also likes jumping off the side of the pool. 

Around Here

This weeks photo dump. Since I was blogging about the Birthday Girl(post below) I thought I might as well play catch up. 

 Last Saturday Greta did a dance clinic at her future high school. She was more excited about free pizza than the dancing. She couldn't stop talking about the pizza :)

 This was not intentional but he has grown into a new pair of converse and now he and Jeff match. 

 When Greta isn't at the park, reading, or eating, she loves designing fashions. 

 He likes to bake. Making cookies for his pre-school snack. He loves running the mixer. 

 Last day of Basketball. 

 dribble drills

 This boy loves to run. It is his favorite thing to do, especially when people will chase him. Here he is running lines. 

We get this look alot. A wave, a shrug then he runs off. 

That's a bit of our week.. 

Celebrating 8

 A card from Fieldin. Inside he drew a picture of Greta as a fashion star :) It is hard to celebrate a birthday on school days, since we don't see her all day. We celebrated the best we could and will have more of a celebration on Saturday. 

 We let her open Fieldin's gift in the morning before school. A webkinz cat, that she loves. 

 We took ice cream sandwiches to her class for a treat. She's getting "fake birthday spanks" and then a pinch from Jeff. Fieldin loves to visit Greta's class and be a big kid. Fieldin kept saying" Greta, you still look seven." 

 We were able to sneak her home early for gift opening and dinner. 

 Then frozen yogurt with a couple friends before Fieldin had basketball. Here she is trying to dunk. 

 Someone has outgrown the birthday train in years, so now we have to get creative. 

 She told me her wish. It's the same wish every year and very sweet. Love you Greta.