Kinder Reader

So, for the third day, I attempted to get a video of Sweet Greta Reading.

Something always happens and I can't get decent footage. Today it was Fieldin. He was climbing all over me shoving his little yappy play dog in my face "for kisses". I didn't want to distract Greta while she read to me, so I gave up on video or pics.

I am so proud of her! She has only been in school for 2 1/2 mths and she is reading so well. Along with her school work I sometimes slide old school Dick and Jane into her reading time. Today she read and read. So future Miss Greta, here is a passage from Dick and Jane that you read to me today, without any help. I am not sure if I was even reading this much by the end of first grade.

Baby Sally said, "Oh Mother. Sally is big. Sally wants to work.

Sally wants to help."

Mother said, "Run, Sally. Run to the car. Run to the car and help me. Big, Big

Sally can help me".

&

Jane said, "Oh, Father. Mother can jump. Mother can play."

"oh,oh," said baby Sally.

"Mother can jump and play. Oh,oh. Mother is funny".

I always said, if you were ever a "thing", you would be a book. So happy you get to explore your beloved books in a whole new way. Gold star sweetheart.

The Burden Of A Tsunami Watchman

Jeff gives the kid's their nightly baths.

I find this, his most enduring quality. O.k. one of his most enduring qualities.

I have to admit bathtime is no funtime...most days.

One must be tsunami storm watcher, boxing ref, lifeguard, stern shrilly screamer, wet slippery seal/ child herder and animal hooded towel costume coordinator(they must be matching animals, of course).

Most evenings Jeff ascends from the depths of h...I mean the bathroom and looks defeated.

Two matching green frogs busting past him in a sprint for the hall yelling, "ribbit, ribbit, ribbit".

He is half soaked along with the floor. He smells of lavender Johnson & Johnson's soap which sorry to say, just doesn't smell the same on an adult or at least Jeff.

I love that he takes the burden of bathtime. Especially since I am busy doing(acting like) I have dishes or laundry to do.

Thank you tsunami watchman.

On another note, Fieldin tried to ride the bus today. He was equipped with his coat, knit cap, mini backpack and two cool kindergartner's in tow as we walked to the bus stop. He stayed in front of the pack constantly asking them "are you coming?" & "keep up". He waited in line for the bus with a delighted look on his face. He ignored those skeptics that tried to tell him"you have to be 5 to go to school" or "you are too small to climb the bus stairs". He ended up trying to make a break for the bus as the kids trudged on. Even though he gave poor doe eyes to the bus driver, it turns out he is too small to climb the bus steps. A sad day for pudger. We walked home, with him saying" mommy I ride bus, I go to school" In due time I told him. Once the backpack was dropped at the front door his Little People school bus was found and he played until thoughts of school were forgotten.. which was about 4 minutes.

More Griswald

A lazy Sunday.

Greta and I enjoyed watching Tangled at the theatre. It was wonderful. Greta dressed ALL up in party dress and glittery shoes. Hair curled and wearing Burts Bees lipcolor for "our date". I love dates with Greta. My Clark Griswald found some time to get outside for more decorating and we now own another Christmas inflatable...

Starting to deck the halls
Our newest inflatable and a trimmed front yard tree.

Putting out special family holiday artwork.

and stockings hung with ribbons saying"no peeking" and "don't open until Christmas".

We are still adjusting to Winter weather here. This year Jeff wore shorts, flip flops and a sweatshirt to decorate instead of the snow bibs he wore last year in Pullman. So strange. Nice, but strange.

It Took Less Than 12 Hours...

For this lil' Rascal to find wrapped Christmas presents. I admit I didn't hide them well but he found them first thing. Greta still hasn't seen them. Surprisingly, Fieldin, usually runs to his sister and shares any spy like info that is to their advantage and the two of them start scheming. This discovery must have been to huge, since he kept his finding to himself. Smart lad. After staring dumbfounded for a few seconds he found a play cell phone and called his friend Mickey Mouse for help. He described the wrapping paper to Mickey, which presents he thought were his..(Thomas and Goofy paper) and he needed "help!" Mickey must have had a prior engagement 'cause he never showed. Attempt #2 was dragging in his large garbage truck to climb up to the presents. "Too High" he grunted and headed back to the playroom. He returned with a play baby stroller which he called his "present cart". When we didn't fill it for him, he finally gave up and set up a nice tea party for himself(below).

"what that???" he said.
Enjoying a little peace and a tea party. After this, he set up a grocery store where everything cost $15,008.
We took the kids to a drive through Christmas light wonderland tonight. It was very cute and the kids loved it. They have some fun Holiday activities around here. While driving, Greta volunteered to help Fieldin write his letter to santa. What is he asking for? A real live penguin. "real live penguin, Greta! real live penguin" As my dad said, if you are going to dream, dream big. As for Greta, I have a feeling her letter will be 10 pages long, she is wishing very big this year!
On an unrelated note, Fieldin told me he is glad he is "called Fieldin, not Hans. I like Fieldin" I wonder what goes on in that two year old brain of his....

Gobble Gobble

Weather and traffic didn't cooperate with us this year. We really wanted to go to my dad's house for Thanksgiving but didn't make it. We were sad, especially the little ones. We hung around home instead and visited a neighbor's house in the evening for Pie Fest.

Watching Thanksgiving Charlie Brown...again!
Greta hanging under the tree after dinner.

Caught in the act!! Eating all the olives, on their fingers of course.

A game of pin the pilgrim hat on the turkey. Jeff's a little off the mark. I can't talk, I ended up in the hallway.

And a morning of the Macy's day parade. Fieldin loved it. Especially the Sesame Street float. Greta liked the dancing and Rockette's.

A Little Snow..

(Greta and her sweet friend made ornaments for our tree)
Our Skiff of snow. School was cancelled(don't laugh!) Thanks to rare snow memories from childhood, I guessed the skiff would melt in 2 hours. I got us out side early so we could enjoy it!

He was sooo excited"mommy SNOW!" "Get me dressed for SNOW!" "Wow"
He was too impatient to get his snow boots on, so we had to settle for his rain boots.

(Trying to make a snow man... me reminding them we weren't in Pullman anymore:)

So happy.

It's 9 p.m. and I am watching the Cougs win at basketball, so far(at least we can win at something :)) I hear lil' man, who should be in bed...ahem... shouting "awesome dunk!" "shoot the ball"..There is also alot of high fiving going on over there.. Sounds like he is learning alot from his daddy tonight.

Because Christmas Isn't For Shouting

Christmas is no time for shouting, time outs or broken glass, which is why we put up a tree that the kids can pull, poke, pinch...you get the picture. This year our Christmas theme is retro 50's.

We have lots of pastels, glitter and old fashioned ornaments on our tree. We even stuck fun small bells on the end of the limbs which the kids love. You can hear ding ding ding...through the house. Ornaments are made and attached to the tree, decorations are moved around, toys are placed within the limbs. Naps are taken under it...and best of all there is no stress. No worries of anyone getting hurt or anything getting broken.

Glitter birds, bells and antique wooden ornaments.

Glitter pointsettas, balls, stars and pine cones for extra sparkle.

And on an unrelated note. Here is a conversation going on behind me. Fieldin is standing on the kitchen bench eating applesauce and singing the WSU fight song happily. Then Greta starts to sing.

F: No sister!!! I sing.

G: Noo.. I can sing too.

F: Time out sister! I sing song.

He sings all day everyday. It melts my heart. I also love hearing them sing together but sometimes, they don't want to share the lime light. I live with divas.

A Little Flurry

We had a very short flurry of snow.

It didn't stick.

There is no sign of it anymore.

But it did happen, I saw it.

It was my first Oregon snow.

Light, wispy and lovely.

It only lasted a few minutes but

I hope it visits again.

A little reminder of our

past winters in Eastern WA

It is always fun to watch from inside a warm comfy house.

Not so fun to drive in as I remember too well.

Wait, more snow out the window again. Melting in the roads.

Off to bed for me. Will the snow globe still be around in the morning?

I want so badly to wake up the kids to share, but know it's a bad idea. Only if there wasn't school tomorrow... There is a skiff of snow collecting in the grass.

People told me it never snowed here. What a happy surprise!

If things are still like they were when I was younger, a little snow here means

most things shut down. I guess I will have to wait til' morning.

Be safe everyone. I know Washington got it's fair share today.

Because If You Don't Go Griswald, You Don't Do Christmas.

Those were Jeff's exact words.

Tis' the Season for the Clark Griswald in Jeff to come out of hiding. Jeff loves his lights and decorations. He has a giddy smile all December until January when he can buy MORE decorations discounted.

We have always decorated the day of or after Thanksgiving but the folks here in the Valley get a jump start early. We were coming home from errands last night and when the kids and me looked out our back window, we saw two neighbors with Christmas lights decorating their rooftops. I cringed, I knew what this meant. Before I had time to think I turned to see Jeff standing in the middle of the kitchen with his jaw dropped to the floor. "It's on like Donkey Kong" he said....here we go.

No surprise that some of the decorations made their way down from the shelves today. With the kids decorating our ladder in the garage with twinkle lights. The smell of wassail heating on the stove and the sound of Alvin and the Chipmunks singing Christmas favorites on the stereo. I came downstairs from doing laundry to find two sparkly moving deer looking at me through the window, and Jeff heading to the backyard, blowup penguin in hand, singing Santa Claus is coming to town. Fieldin peeked at me and said "mommy, I do deer" with a look of pride. Oh great, Griswald is genetic.

Greta was jumping around in joy and Fieldin was saying"It's Merry MissMas!" "HoHoHo!"

Whenever Fieldin sees anything holiday, he says"I see Christmas!"

So while at Home Depot tonight buying water proof extension cords for our Christmas herd of deer, Fieldin was pointing and shouting like crazy"I SEEEEEE CHRISTMAS!!!! Well, thanks to his daddy, now he (and airplanes above) can see Christmas every evening.

Love you Jeff.

(Fieldin and Greta watching the decorations go up)

**Added**

Fieldin woke up this morning asking to "Blow up Santa". He stood by the window saying "there they go!" and "That nice, Christmas!". I left the inflatables and dear on all day. He loved it. He would laugh while standing at the window..saying"ho ho ho!" and saying "mommy watch deer". He and Greta get so excited about anything Christmas. They both dance a happy little jig.

And Then The Indians Ate Carmel Dip...

Another successful kinder party. It was very fun and the kids were excited to wear their handmade headbands, necklaces and Indian vests. We got the cutest class pic all adorning their vests. After art fun it was the much awaited snack time. I snuck in some carmel dip with their apples so it was fun to see the kids using their fingers to get every drop out of the bottom of their paper cups.. Now it is time to look forward to the Winter party in a few weeks. These Kinders know how to party.

It is breezy today and it is telling me it is time to unpack our scarfs. Winter has arrived.

Happy Friday everyone!

Right Now at 8:30 p.m.

Listening to Fieldin laugh hysterically while watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

(Look at doggy eating turkey...that funny!)

Listening to Greta talk about Pilgrims and Indians and glance at Holiday books (Fieldy says "look Chris miss"

Greta is now talking about the "Mayflower Rock" (plymouth rock..which she has seen in person twice. She doesn't remember."What? when did we see it?") She is telling us " Pilgrims have lots of kids, of course"....

Looking over Jeff's shoulder while he is searching petfinder... and watching my two very cute kids sitting on the sofa, drinking milk together and watching good ol' Charlie Brown. Greta likes Lucy the the best. No surprise there. Good Grief.

A Post Before 8 a.m.?

I am looking at the cuckoo and it is 7:40 a.m. and I have had breakfast. That means everyone got up way too early around here, especially since Gret doesn't have school today. On school days we all get up late and have 10 minutes to get to the bus. Makes sense? not at all.

I thought it was a good time to give updates on the munchkins. Here is what I know about Fieldin at age 2 yrs & 1 mth, Greta at 5 1/2 yrs ( what she's 5 1/2?? wait a minute...really?)

Miss Greta

Is over the moon happy that she has a loose tooth and tells everyone she passes (it is big time excitement for her..big time!), She likes to play great grandma's organ (insert loud noise..."mommy does this sound like jingle bells?"), Her universe revolves around riding the school bus, She is reading extremely well and we are all excited for her, she is starting to take over our computer and is more skilled than we are, she is very competitive at sports(where does she get that from..ahem) she still is always surrounded by books and her dumbo, she loves soccer( I say she is more ball than ballet), She is a great big sister except when she sends Fieldin on her mischief missions for her :), She loves anything crafty and is a wonderful little artist, she loves her scooter and playing outside with friends, She is very social, she has a wonderful imagination, she is a girly girl, she is a tomboy, she loves the ocean, She is obsessed with scooby doo and mysteries, she eats like a 15 year old boy(or maybe even more, where does it all go?), she likes getting mail, she loves stickers and flowers, she is a packrat, she is sweet and kind, she makes up fun songs for her brother in the car, she likes to shop( this she didn't get from me..), she loves fashion, she doesn't like to sweat(her own words), her favorite foods are ice cream and noodles, she loves bugs and snakes.

Fieldin

Loves Batman and his sister, he likes to drive Greta around on his motorcycle, he is silly(I soooo funny, he says), he is in the kitchen pantry 75% of his day and eats little bits of food constantly, he talks 24/7, he loves playdough, the organ, his toys, drawing, bob the builder, the cat in the hat, dogs, books, trucks, retro cars, the ocean & shopping, he loves picking out his own clothes and trying to dress himself, he is a hoot, he sings bob the builder, twinkle twinkle little star, mr. sandman and 15 songs about safety(from a cd) on his own..usually while riding in a shopping cart, he counts to 11 then claps for himself, he sings his abc's, he is a good helper, he has a HUGE sweet tooth, he still has the whitest hair and still likes the ladies, he loves playing with Greta and making messes, he loves holding hands and cuddles, he is independent, he has a hilarious laugh, he pretty much does everything on his own these days, he likes drawing circles and showing them off, he loves babies, when there is trouble he shakes his head, smiles and says"it wasn't meeee!", he loves the bat cube and says " I like!" while we drive, he asks constantly "Greta on bus and school?", "daddy at work?", he wears a backpack filled with a change of clothes, buddy and misc stuff(packed on his own) most places, he loves soccer but hates little movers class, he is a sprinter, he likes trains and watching sports on t.v.

I could keep writing forever on these two but this is just a glimpse of them....

Thankful For...

Last year, I asked Greta what she and we were thankful for. I always find what she has to say interesting. Here we go, Thankfulness by Greta 2010.

Greta: God, Grandma, Gigi, Grandpa, angels, our play structure, daddy and mommy, myself, baby brother(because he is chubby), pilgrims and indians and our computer.

Greta thinks Fieldin is thankful for: His big sister Greta(of course), God, trucks, our backyard, his toy story buddies, books, daddy and mommy and candy.

Greta thinks daddy is thankful for: His mom, mommy, Fieldin and Greta, noodles, God, birds, his computer, underpants and the ocean. (pretty sure underpants made his list last year too???)

Greta thinks mommy is thankful for: Daddy, Fieldin & Greta, Grandma & Grandpa, God, flowers, birthdays, school, love, and teaching Greta new languages.

I always have the most fun hearing what she thinks we will be thankful for. She has also started her thankful book with a few additions to her above list: Sun, the zoo, the childrens museum, and turkeys.

What are you all thankful for?

Because This Made Me Laugh

If and's and but's were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas.
-Sheldon

Fieldin playing in playroom remembering a trip to get a burger with grandpa:
(speaking into his play cash register speaker) Age 2 years 1 mth.
"hellloooo. This is Burgerville. You want burger? I want fry" Have nice daaaaaay!"

Greta: "MOOOOMMY! Fieldin dropped a wooden toaster on my foot!"
Me: "I'm sorry. Tell him that's not nice."
pitter patter, pitter patter..little feet down the stairs. Then Fieldin staring at me arms clasped in front of him.
Fieldin" Mooommy? I drop toaster. Greta ok, it was fuuuuuunny!! giggle giggle.

Greta: (playing store with Fieldin) "you sure are good at shopping". "you want to buy these groceries" "it's one million dollars."
Fieldin:"one million dollars?? I get credit card".

I could sit in the hallway outside their playroom and type their conversations for hours. I love how they can communicate now, even if it means conspiring against me. I love them telling each other "secrets"and giggling over a joke together. I've been calling Fieldin "Lassie" lately. If a friend or Greta is hurt he runs for help. "Greta Hurt! Hurry!" he waits for me to follow after and then takes me to the crime scene. Thanks Lassie, good boy. Luckily the "hurt" person has usually bounded back and returned to playing and Fieldin says "you all right?"

Kind of a hodge podge blog post today. Kind of a hodge podge Monday. So I guess that's o.k.

Say What? I'm A Soccer Mom.....

I guess I could be classified as a soccer mom. I now spend time chillen(literally) at an indoor soccer complex . I said it would never happen, forfeiting my beloved Saturday mornings. Yet here I am, with a calendar of crossed out Saturdays and breakfasts on the run(a handful of Pirate's Booty and a 16 oz mocha, is my guess) in my future. At first I will be cheering and smiling with delight at my little prodigies, but as time goes by I will be huddled on a bench with a bag of knitting, magazines, snacks and watching the big clock tick away... Goodbye Saturdays. Hello, up at sunrise on a weekend. I only have myself to blame. I do enjoy it, don't get me wrong. Fieldin watching his big sister play...when he wasn't running up and down the ramps.

Greta and her very high Rockette Goal kick.

The rest of the week has been spent enjoying dads visit, walking among piles of leaves, listening to Miss Greta read and then listening some more, homework, party planning, ignoring dishes, watching football (way to go Cougs! Finally!!!!) , seeing all the holiday happiness in the stores and realizing Christmas is creeping up on me...Quickly!, and making paper sack Indian vests for kinders (thanks to the help of two lovely, patient ladies) that will be decorated by kiddos for a Thanksgiving party. I appreciated the help. My paper vests were looking more Janis Joplin then early pilgrim. We have been enjoying a houseful of guests this month and starting to look forward to the holidays coming our way.

Now it is time to play a little catch up around here and wait for Turkey Day...

On The Loose..

A telegram for you:

Thursday at 7:04 p.m.
Miss Greta discovered that she has a loose tooth. It is a front, bottom tooth. She is quite excited. She wants to tell her kindergarten teacher, get on the tooth list and get a sticker from the school office. She says Fieldin won't loose a tooth for 10,050 days. She is waiting for tooth fairy, wiggling her tooth and holding her tooth pillow.

end of telegram.

As for the rest of the day, we enjoyed a walk down by the river with my dad, ate Jeff's ribs o' fire, and visited a farm for produce for the last time this season. Happy Thursday!

A Rainbow and A Weekend

Happiness
Fall

Love

Fun

This weekend, Jeff's mom visited for a couple days. We had good weather so we headed to the ocean to get some sun and get some ocean air for our sinuses. While eating lunch we heard a woman sing a beautiful version of "over the rainbow", only to see a rainbow a hour later.

The weekend is over and Monday has brought us a little rain, a little sun, a little hail, a new reading book for Greta(that she has already read..twice), spaghetti and kalamata olive bread, a rucus bath, a popsicle smeared face from a world series party at school, a nap and a goodbye.

Hope you all had a wonderful Monday.

Afternoon Routine..

I guess we are finally in the swing of things and there is a routine emerging to our weekedays.

Fieldin and I wait for the big yellow bus to pull up and we run out to the porch to wave at Greta and the bus driver. Greta then comes in the house throws her coat, backpack, socks, shoes etc all over the entry hall. She speaks a mile a minute about the bus ride and what's in her backpack. Fieldin gets bored at this point and starts digging in the pantry for a snack. I sit down and see all the beautiful schoolwork Gret has brought home for me.

Then we have lunch. They both are STARVING, they tell me. They both want juice and have to have the same thing to eat.

Then Greta reads to Fieldin. I love this.
Then they get all goofy and chase each other and play. They snuggle up together and tell secrets and giggle.

Then off to naptime for pudge(on a good day) and more reading with Miss Greta.
We are still trying to get down a morning routine. We usually only make the bus on time by the skin of our teeth. We end up driving since we never have time to walk. Since chubs is in the cube, he always wants a morning joyride, as we call it. He says"I like it, wheee fun". I've been using this time for errands and he is my wonderful helper. When I am about two miles from home he starts to notice and cries"no home, more drive in the woddsies" (he likes to drive by the river and see the pretty Fall colors in the trees). We get home. He has ANOTHER snack. We play. We read. We go outside. Then we wait patiently for Gret's bus.

Routines are nice. I never thought I'd say that.

Today..

( Picture taken by Greta )

Today Fieldin and I both got hair trims because Fieldin is such a good boy.

Today Greta finally answered a question that has always stumped me. What is it, that a candy corn tastes like? she told me.. cake batter. That's it!

Today we are walking in the wetlands by our house at night with flashlights and warm cider in hand.

Today was the most insanely beautiful Fall day I have ever seen...

Today Fieldin put his own pants and shoes on.

Today Greta read a whole learning to read book on her very own. Very cool lovey.

Today my friend made me laugh about our yearly holiday decorating. If you don't go Griswald, you don't go Christmas! Just wait people.

Today I miss my mom, looking forward to seeing my mother in law and dad in the coming weeks and hope my sister is feeling better.

Today I learned I don't like buttered rum mochas.

Today I checked email for the first time in days.

Today I am content. Happy Wednesday everyone.

Falling Leaves in Flip Flops

The Halloween decorations are down and the Thanksgiving decorations are gradually making their way up. First we worked on a cut- out of a Horn O' Plenty, we turned small pumpkins into turkey centerpieces and today we gathered Falling leaves in short sleeves and flip flops. The weather has been so nice and I am still expecting the Pullman "don't forget your fleece hat!!!!" weather. I am digging the weather this year. This is my first Fall in this area since I was eleven and the feeling of a warm sun and a light breeze during after school play is all coming back to me.

I've been a bit lazy on the pictures as of late. The cameras are charging after working so hard during Halloween. The kids start soccer next week so they will be paling around with me again soon.

Happy post Halloween sugar rush everyone.