Quote of the day...

We were playing this morning and Sam went to throw a book and I said, " Sam we don't throw books, we only throw balls." 

Sam says, " No Mommy we throw other things, like fits."

Yes, we have an observant three year old and a lively one year old.

Weekend in Eugene

After much begging by my parents they got to have the kids for the weekend. I dropped them off Friday night and they headed down to Eugene. 

Sarah & Chris: Went shopping by myself, ate out two nights in a row after 7:00pm, cleaned the house, slept until 9am, Chris went to work, and had a great time just being in the house by ourselves. We did get up at 5:30 am ready to go get them on Sunday morning. 

Sam & Amy: Slept great, got what they wanted, went and saw GG (my grandma), played in the backyard, played baseball, played with the puppies (now only two that Sam has named Quinn & Jack. After his two good buddies.) and ate hot dogs and coco puffs. 

A GREAT weekend for all of us. Here a some pictures:

Sam's Class Play

Sam's preschool has been working on a play for quite a while - learning parts, making costumes, learning songs - all in preparation for a performance at parent's night a couple weeks ago.  Unfortunately, Sam had about a 103 degree fever on the day of the performance, so he had to skip out.  We think he was pretty sad about it, but luckily, his teacher agreed to have the class do a brief "encore" performance on Tuesday at the end of class, so Sam could participate and so Sarah & I could watch and enjoy!  Most of the kids left their costumes at school for the encore, and it was great.  The play was, I think, written by the class as a whole.  Sam played a goat named "Benny the Goat."   The plot was a little thin (something about animals and ice cream), but the songs were good and hey, these are 3 & 4 year olds.  Here's some pictures and a little video.  Enjoy!

Schools out for ...

As many of you know I have been working on two classes to renew my license. Well, as of this moment I have finished and will be mailing off the second class work tomorrow. Thank you all for your well wishes and help! 

Amy has been feeling ill, it has been a long couple of weeks. We are hoping to get better soon. 

 She has her monkey and Sam's bear.

Dozer Day 2008

On Saturday we went to Dozer Day (http://www.parksfoundation.us/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=29).  

Dozer Day is an indescribable, loud, kid-friendly spectacle in Vancouver, WA.  Lots of diggers.  Lots of dumpers.  Semi-trucks.  Fire trucks.  Garbage trucks.  You name it...if it's loud, big and likely to attract the attention of a 3-year old, its there and your kids will probably be able to ride on it.  

This is our 2nd year, and we had a great time despite the 93 degree heat (and despite the fact that both kids are probably a bit under the weather).  Don't worry, we hit the sprinklers and kiddy pool after nap to cool off.  Here's some pictures!

Chris

Sam riding and operating a digger

Climbing on hot, enormous tires

Seriously not just for boys

Inside a fire truck

The back of the fire truck

Here's some video from Sam puttin' in a hard day's work: 

Sick Sam

This photo describes how Sam has been the past six days. Hopefully he will be back to his normal self soon.

Gloria, the bike!

I have a new bike! 

Her name is Gloria because I feel Glorious when riding. I have a basket and a bell and she is lots of fun to ride. 

I spent an hour or so at the store getting all the kinks worked out. When I was leaving I had a huge smile on my face and told the guy, "I feel like I want to hug you because I am so excited. "He smiled and said, " I get that a lot, but how about a high five!" 

When I got home Sam helped me get it out of the car and wanted to ride bikes with me. After riding it for a few minutes around the block I had four sets of neighbors wanting to look at it. It was a very fun day for me. I am excited about riding this summer. If you are up for a bike ride you know who to call, Sarah and Gloria!

Climbing Trees

Sam learned how to climb our Dogwood tree this weekend!  He figured it out all by himself, and it was a great moment. 

Here's the tree (by the look on his face, you can see how he's trying to figure out how to conquer it...)

SUCCESS!!!

Monkey in the tree!

Silly Girl

     

She got some new shoes and loves them! She wanted to wear three shoes today, but couldn't quite figure out how... any ideas :)

     

As Amy is struggling to take two naps she is also doing some very silly things. Good thing, because I may go crazy with trying to get her napping. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Sam is sick and Amy was beside herself with disbelief when he was laying on the couch tonight and not playing with her. She kept taking his Milos and pulling on his blanket. Luck for her the medicine kicked in and they were able to play some hide and seek before bed.

New favorite treat for me!

Trader Joe's is great, but when I found this in their flyer I decided I had to have them. To say the least they are a mom  and maybe dad treat. They are GREAT! You must try them you will not be sorry.

Sublime Ice Cream Sandwiches 

No doubt about it, these ice cream sandwiches more than 

live up to their name.  Trader Joe’s Sublime Ice Cream 

Sandwiches are the end product of months of tasting and 

re-tasting by our panel.  (Yes, it’s a messy job, but we 

were definitely up to the task.)  When the chocolate chip 

cookies finally reached the proper crunchy-chewy ratio, 

we moved on to the ice cream.  After a few go-rounds, we 

landed on the ideal combination of cookie and ice cream. 

 

Then, of course, we had to make them even better.  So we 

rolled the sides in mini dark chocolate chips.  

Trust us on this one; these Ice Cream Sandwiches truly are 

Sublime.  And they’re sublimely priced at just $3.69 for a 

package of four.  (We do have one little hint to maximize 

enjoyment.  Let them soften for a few minutes so the texture 

is just perfect!) You’ll find them – where else? – in our freezers. 

Mother's Day

I believe that having children is very exciting and wonderful. It creates many new adventures, introduces you to new friends just because you both have kids, and most importantly you can too act like a child. So for Mother's day I have asked for a bike. It was so much fun shopping for it and finding the perfect one only to go back on Sunday and find that they have sold it. We did manage to leave the store with two perfectly fitted helmets for the kids and Nama (Chris' mom) stuck between.

We also went for a walk and enjoyed great food all day long. The kids were great, but Sam kept asking "when it is Sam's day?" We decided that it is Sam's day everyday and only Mom's day once a year. Too bad it is not the other way around. 

Amy Ella

Chris and Amy mowing the lawn this weekend. She did not want to be put down so we put her in the pack. She loved it!

Chris got new shoes and so she is trying to fill his old ones.

Brother and sister love... 

Amy is really starting to communicate with us. She is signing for more, diaper, milk and all done. She is nodding her head and starting to point and ask for things. She is also aware of her tummy and likes to show it. She loves our neighbor Laura and will go to the side door looking to get out. When asked if she want to go visit she nods and similes. She is also starting to do animal sounds, I think we have cow, monkey, dog, cat, duck, and working on goose.

Overnighter at Nama's

Sam had a fun overnighter at his Nama's Sunday night...he was really looking forward to it and had a great time as usual...Thanks, Nama!  

Making blueberry-kabobs

Sam sleeps in a "tent" at Namas

Sam with his "guys"...the one he's holding is Super Kitty

Growing up

Yesterday afternoon Sam was supposed to be napping, he came in my room and said, " Mom I am ready to go down the slide at the slide pool all by myself. You and Daddy can come and Daddy can catch me at the bottom." It was enough to make me very nervous, because it is a very big slide. So Chris and I knew that if we didn't go soon he was going to back out. Well, we went this evening and Sam went down all by himself. He was so excited and we were so proud of him. Amy loves the water and signs for more when we are done with the slide, tried to blow bubbles, and lays back in the water to float. 

 Here is a picture of the slide!!

Not only his he going down the slide by himself, he told me the other morning, "Mom I can see inside my bowl of cereal." After asking more questions I realized that sure enough prior to the current morning he was unable to sit in his chair and see himself scooping up his cereal. Oh the things we take for granted when you are an adult.

A Random Assortment of Recent Events and Images in the Life of a Small Family in the Red House

No real theme here, just opening up the shoebox a little bit...

Sam got a haircut...two bits.

Amy...future Playboy Bunny?  Dad hopes no. 

Molly waiting to be fed

Great kids...

Go ducks!

Amy, trying to get that monkey off her back

Amy's new game (up, down, up, down)

Sam's senior portrait, 15 years early...

Backyard fun

With the nice weather, we've been having fun in the backyard, planting our garden, playing tag, and playing on our fancy play structure and slide...MORE SUN!!!