My Solo Weekend

My weekend alone was glorious. Should I feel bad about that? No, I really don't think so. I spent fun times with Audrey and Jill who provided me with a positively delicious sushi experience-my first. I walked Greenlake with Dad and was able to catch up with him. And Danielle and I had a fantastic time at the Mariner's game. A couple of beers, a Mariner's win, and a way-too-big-bag-o'kettle corn later, I had a huge stomach ache!

Henry's GI tract was challenging him this weekend though, so my responsibility hat was not completely removed. I became quite the dog nurse/chef making him rice with scrambled eggs as well as boiled chicken. I would then follow him around the yard to see if my recipe for firming things up worked...and it did! That was an accomplishment!

They boys had a fun time at the beach, and Scott asked if they could do it again. Um...yeah! Here are a few pictures of their weekend:

Pinch Me...

I must be dreaming. The boys and Scott left this evening to head down to the beach house for a Boys' Weekend. In simple terms, I have no one to take care of or be responsible for except for moi. Friday evening until Sunday evening. We had plans to go boating with Sonjia and Mark this weekend, but the passing of a friend's dad is keeping me home to attend the memorial service. Now,I hardly know what to do with myself! Tonight, I'm starting with a cold glass of chardonnay and a movie rental. How on earth did I get so lucky!!!!!!

Baseball? Camp

This is the second summer I have enrolled Nathan in some sort of day camp. Last year he did basketball and soccer day camps, each only lasting a week. He cried. He hated both of them. I had to be a cheerleader every morning to get him into the car to go. This year when I told him we would like him to do just one, he tried his hardest to refuse, but we said it's only one week of his summer. He finally, without any enthusiasm, agreed to go to a baseball camp put on by the Huskies at the UW ball field.

He just finished day #4 and loves it. From what I can get out of him, it sounds like a great program where is is learning baseball fundamentals and skills. He has changed his swing (which is a good thing)and has been working on his defense (his least favorite part of the game). What I hear the MOST about, however, is the refreshment stand where if he could just bring some money, he could buy his favorite blue Gatorade or Doritos, or even better yet- four Otter Pops for $1! Yesterday he commented on how the kids that are at camp for a full day (he's only there for a half day) get lunch. Yesterday they had pizza- "No fair!" was his comment. He and his friend Matthew started up a "We want pizza too!" chant. Today the full day kids had Georgio Subs that had ham and lettuce, and potato chips, and and and....

Baseball camp? I think I should enroll him in a cooking camp next year.

Architectural Critic

This is the infamous Seattle Public Library. Many people think it is a masterpiece. Thomas said yesterday while driving past it, "Mommy, what is WRONG with that building?!"

Is This Disturbing?

Nathan came home from a play date with his friend Ryan yesterday and was full of vim and vigor. In addition to playing lots of video games, they were mad scientists. They took a frozen slug (that fact on it's own is bothersome) and put it in the microwave to see what would happen. Luckily, Ryan's mom discovered their antics after only 15 seconds in the powerful cooker so I think ultimately she was able save her microwave from sheer destruction and grossness. The slug only shriveled up and looked like it was fried. Yuck. They then decided to dissect a slug. Is this disturbing?...or are they just being boys?

It's Hot

It's hot today and as a result, the house is too hot to sleep. The boys are going to all sleep down in the basement tonight (if they don't keep each other awake) and Scott and I will try out our new portable AC unit in our room. I love summer, but I hate this heat.

I Feel Old

Thomas' teacher at swim lessons today was Anna. I met Anna when she was three, babysat her and her sister while I was in college, was a nanny for their family for a couple of summers and spent many days at this same pool with them. Now Anna is entrusted with my child's well-being and safety. She seemed very poised, confident and capable. I feel really old.

Thomas is 5!

July 5, 2007. Thomas turned 5 today. Happy Birthday to our own firecracker!

Holding Hands

A favorite image from our trip.

Cali Vacation

We returned from 10 days in Southern California earlier this week. We really had a great time. The highlight of Cousin Matthew's wedding was watching Thomas, as the ring bearer, carry the rings down the aisle in a brand new Nike running shoe (the bride and groom are AVID runners). The other highlight was having our generation of cousins form a dance circle around Drew at the reception and watch him turn it out!



Disneyland was as fun as Disneyland can be in almost 90 degree weather with insanely long lines. I would say the parades were a highlight.



Laguna Beach was relaxing, rejuvenating, and probably one of my favorite places in the world. Our unit was right on the beach. I couldn't have asked for more... except for more days there. Nathan tried boogie-boarding and I reminisced about doing the exact same thing when I was his age...maybe even near the same beach.




The kids did great on the plane, great in multiple hotel rooms, and weren't that picky of eaters...how many days in a row can they be expected to order hot dogs off the kiddie menu?!

Scott and I weren't ready to come home. We hope to return to Laguna, boys or no boys, in a year or two. I'm a big fan.

GoodBye Roaring Mouse

Thomas graduated from Roaring Mouse Preschool this week. He was sad. Scott and I were sad. What a great school it was for him. So creative and loving. It really felt like an extension of our family. We will miss it greatly next year and can't wait for the magic known as Kristy and Cheryl to get their hands on Drew in the fall of '08!

Goodbye to the mouse that roared. We feel so lucky to have found you!

Funny Thomas

Thomas and I were working in the garden today. I was pruning the dead roses and he was weeding. He began to contemplate plants and how they grow and die. He surmised that a plant dies when it is pulled out of the ground and also when it's roots are pulled out of the ground. I agreed. He then said, "Hmm...I wonder how I'm so smart when my head is so small?"

Do You Believe in Karma?

I hope there is such a thing as Karma. Today, I took the boys to see Shrek the Third. About an hour into the show, Drew wasn't the best movie watcher. He was asking questions about the movie, asking for more candy, and kept getting out of his seat. I quietly handled him as best as I could. The next thing I know, a young gal who worked at the theater came up to me to say there were some complaints about Drew. She said I needed to keep him in his seat.

I know who complained about us and I hope there is such a thing as Karma. Isn't Shrek a children's movie? There were MAYBE 15 people in the entire theater. Were we really THAT disruptive? I hope something not so nice happens to that nasty woman!!

John Mayer...

asked me to share his tent with him. (He actually asked everyone and anyone at the concert that night at The Gorge, but that's a minor detail). Anyways, if you look real close, Danielle and I are in this picture from that night.

I heart John.

Baseball Fever

Thomas is crazy about baseball these days. He knows so much about the MLB players, we have found him sleeping with his mitt, and he told me the other day that he's not going to get a real job after college because he is going to be a baseball player. He actually is pretty darn good for his size and age. You go Thomas!

Blogging Attempt #2

I don't know why I gave up on this, but it's been over a year since my last entry. I'm going to attempt to be a blogger once again.

What's new? The boys only have one week left of school and then Nathan is a mighty 3rd grader and Thomas is a Kindergartener! THAT is hard to believe!

We fly down to Southern California next week for 10 days. That should be a trip full of memories! Can't wait.

Then, it's summer break. My attempt is to be a fun and spontaneous mommy over summer vacation. Perhaps if I make myself accountable by posting my activities here, I'll be more creative.

We had our house painted this week. It looks so nice. The fire to move has died down. I can't wait to see what the house looks like with our new front door. I'll take a picture of it next week when it is in place.

Grandpa Ben is Smiling

This morning at breakfast Thomas had a revelation. "Mom, um well, Grandpa Ben, Shelby, and...what was his name?...oh yeah, Johnny Cash all died because they were old, right?" My reply, "Well, Grandpa wasn't really old, but yes, he was older than you and me. Johnny Cash and Shelby were old, yes." Thomas says, "Well, Grandpa can never have a birthday party because he wouldn't be there." "Yes, Thomas, that is true."

I hope Ben is with Johnny Cash right now and they are smiling.

Spring Break

It's spring break and I'm exhausted. I'm trying to keep the boys busy daily. Three young boys need activity or all hell breaks loose around here. Even with my attempt at being their activity director, Nathan has scratches all around his left eye from a wrestling match with Thomas yesterday. This was the first casualty of the week. I'm confident there will be more.
Nathan's best friend Henry came over yesterday which kept Nathan and Thomas happily occupied. Today we went to the zoo with Terriko and her little ones. I walked around the zoo for three hours with someone at all times on my right hip- usually it was Drew, but at times it was Thomas. I think I'm starting to get tendonitis in my right wrist. A double stroller doesn't keep them happy though. I need to invent something that will make outdoor adventures easier for a mother of multiple children. That's my ticket to fame and fortune.

Lost Friend

Nathan was sad last night at bedtime, mostly because he was over-tired. Thomas told Scott he was sad too.
"Why are you sad, Thomas?", Scott asked.
"Because I lost my whoopee cushion."

Weekend Recap

We had a pretty average weekend around here. Some of the highlights:

Scott: is hell-bent on getting a new mattress. EVERY morning he wakes up and complains that his back hurts and that we need a new mattress. Granted, we've had ours for 13 years and it is time to say goodbye. But mattresses these days are so expensive! He wants a pillow-top. I think they are too soft.

Scott made stuffed porkchops tonight for dinner. They were delicious, but as usual, he modified the recipe. Scott is notorious for putting his own spin on a recipe, and then spending a good part of the meal asking, "Do you like it? What should I do differently next time?" I can't help but wonder if he followed the recipe, would he be asking this? I guess that is why I am the baker in the family, and he is the cook. With baking, you have to follow a recipe exactly, or it won't turn out. Speaking of which, I have the ache to bake. I hope to make something this week.

Nathan: was heartbroken George Mason lost in the Final 4. As the GM players sat on their bench in the final seconds with their jerseys pulled over their heads, Nathan was as close to tears as a person could be and said, "Why do all of my favorite teams keep losing?!" Don't fret Nathan, I think UCLA is going to take it all the way tomorrow night.

Thomas: is an honorary member of Nathan's T-ball team. There is hardly anything cuter than Thomas participating in the stretches and warm-ups, running of the bases, and running to the hill and back. He is always last, but gets an A+++ for effort! The issue of his hearing continues to concern me. There were multiple times this weekend where I was quite surprised how he translated what we actually said. I'll call the doctor this week. Thomas has taken to eating with kid's chopsticks. He ate his pork chops and salad tonight with them. Such a character.

Drew: has started to reach that stage where he exhibits frustration. He attempts to bite us with his two teeth and will throw a swing or two...what are we in for with him? On a cuter note, he points at things and says "sshehh." Our translation, "What's this?"

Well, it's my favorite night on television. I think Grey's Anatomy is the best show in years. The acting, the writing, the humor, and Patrick Dempsey isn't bad to look at if you don't think about his interview with Barbara Walters!