You Have To See It To Believe It

I knew this day was getting close, especially when she started wearing my socks but I didn't think it would happen so soon. At nine years old, Greta now wears the same size Nike's that I do(size 8). 

I will keep this post short because I need to go hide a few pairs of my favorite shoes. 

She has already taken a pair of my rain boots. 

Around Here

 Around here we have Spring fever. The sun has been out but it is still a bit chilly. 

We've started hiking again which makes me so happy. I love being out in the forest. 

We hiked 5 miles the other day and took some new paths and Greta came across this "elephant tree" that looked like it has a trunk and tusks. 

Fieldin has been busy with school and soccer and wanting freedom to cook in the kitchen like Greta. So the other morning, after years of standing beside Jeff making them he made pumpkin pancakes from scratch by himself. He even opened the can of pumpkin alone. He is king of the griddle now and loved it. 

 It was also 100 day party time last week at school. He took in 100 shells to share. 

I can't believe it is almost March! 

A Busy Two Days For Greta

It's been a busy couple days for Greta. And for her poor parents that have sat and watched her and cheered her on with shaky hands and a sigh of relief when it's been all over. 

Friday, Greta's Battle of The Books team sealed a spot in the championship for the second year in a row. Now we wait for them to compete in March. Both years they have been undefeated up to the championship, not that there hasn't been some close, nail biter battles. I am very happy for her and her team. 

Then today, she had a 4-H cooking competition. This time she had 25 minutes to prepare an after school snack. She had to present, lay a place setting with centerpiece, be questioned by judges and then clean up. She made her kalamata olive hummus dip which is quite addictive to all that tries it. She's always loved kalamata olives. 

 Here she is setting up her table. Instead of flowers this time, she chose to use collected shells as her centerpiece. 

 adding olive oil to the food processor. 

 making her carrots and pita chips look lovely.. 

 finishing up

 being questioned by the judge... I have to stand really far away so very glad I have a zoom lens. 

 The judge told her she got an A+ and she was presented another blue ribbon which she is very proud of. She now refers to her hummus as "blue ribbon hummus" 

One more pic for the scrapbook. 

Valentine's Day

It was a busy Valentine's Day around here. 

The kid's had Valentine's Day parties at school(though Greta chose not to hand out Valentine's this year) 

Their Gigi flew in on Friday so she was able to visit them at school and then got to see them both be ball kids that evening. 

 here they are at the game, my double trouble mop crew. 

 At Fieldin's Valentine's party. He was content eating and didn't really care about his Valentine's. 

 Busy working below, it was another great game. 

 Time at the beach  below. The weather has been beautiful here which is a nice change after lots of fog this winter. 

 Fieldin made he and Greta sandwiches and used a cookie cutter to make them fancy. He took the bread scraps to the beach to feed the seagulls but the crows beat them to it. 

 It was low tide so there were lots of treasures

like these beauties... 

Lego Robotics

Both kids have been interested in doing robotics for awhile. I signed them up for a few classes to see if they liked it and they both really enjoyed it. 

This class was with Lego's so Fieldin was in heaven. 

 Greta and her friend worked together and enjoyed it too. 

They all had to be in pairs and make a motorized bulldozer. 

It was fun to watch. 

 Fieldin liked pushing his to go faster. 

Keeping The Tooth Fairy Busy

As the front teeth come in another bottom tooth comes out. 

Time Is Flying

I cannot believe it is February already. Time is flying so quickly I can't keep up. 

We have been busy around here with school, work and the beginning of sports again for both kids. It is Battle of The Book time for Greta at school so she is excited. Now that she is older there is always some kind of project to do. 

 Greta is still enjoying 4-H and cooking. She makes mac & cheese for Fieldin and herself and makes dinner once in awhile. She made the rhubarb raisin pie above with some help from Jeff on the meringue(heart) topping. I love that she likes to cook and she likes to look for new recipes. I actually feel pretty safe having her in the kitchen working which as a helicopter mom surprises me greatly.. 

 As for Fieldin he always wants to bake cookies and he still is creating. This is his football helmet for superbowl. 

 It's indoor soccer time for Fieldin and swimming for Greta. Greta also starts volleyball soon. It was nice to have a sports break for awhile. 

 Valentine's Day is sneaking up on us. Fieldin started his Valentine's for his two classes and Greta has decided not to give out Valentine's this year. She has no interest in it at all. Kind of surprising yet kind of funny too. 

 cooking dinner...

 Yesterday was the first day I had time to start cleaning shells from our trip. It is like finding new treasures all over again. 

 Fieldin creations. I love the lego lemonade stand below. It is one of my very favorite things. 

Feeling very blessed these days, appreciating my friends, my husband and my kids so very much. 

I go to bed very tired each night and feel lucky because I know my days are full. 

I love seeing the kids blossom into their own people and pursuing new interests and I am enjoying the ride.