Prudden House

Happy New Year

2012-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a high level statistics course, which tells me when I look at the sidebar and see that in 2011 I made 25 entries and in 2010 I made 75, well, statistically speaking, that is a big difference. I know, I know, I don't write here anymore. I post photos on facebook and I write short updates there. Most of my free time is taken up with reading and rithmatic for school. I have not decided to abandon the Prudden House blog entirely, I'll keep checking in, but it could be liberating to say goodbye, right?

Halloween

2011-11-03T09:01:00.001-07:00

No time for words, just pictures!

Birthday

2011-10-19T14:03:00.000-07:00

Action shot of the ballet dancers. We had around 8 little dancers, very fun and low key, but crowded in our little house.

Happy with the tower of Red Velvet Cupcake. I used Paula Dean's recipe, excellent!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

Calendar worthy!

"Stop making faces and smile."

"Honey, that's as good as your going to get."

"That's the perfect ball gown for the pumpkin patch."

They are such hams.

Birthday

2011-10-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

My husband said it best: "To my little ballet dancer, master artist, scrappy independent, and giver of hugs and kisses that touch my soul, Happy 4th Birthday. Your joy is infectious. You are my birthday present even though you insist you wouldn’t fit in the box."

I took E to a inflated jumpy place for her birthday with her best friend. Yes, she is wearing a Dorothy costume. I made the day special since I had class that night. Girls are so fun to hang out with.

October!

2011-10-01T20:37:00.001-07:00

First day of first grade! Yes, that's an angler fish on his shirt.

Zoo visit before we were locked into a school schedule (mom included). We all look at Butters that way, at some point in the day!

Some days, she looks like she's a teenager! This girl sits and colors page upon page of pictures. She paints, the colors in the lines, she write letters. She colors first thing in the morning and right before bed.

The leaves are falling, the rain has come and I'm back to making soups for dinner. The autumn is here. With the new weather, brings the biggest change of all, I am now a graduate student, back to school. Excuse me while I go read 100 pages of scholarly articles!

Baby Surprise Jacket

2011-07-20T07:34:00.001-07:00

A Baby Surprise Jacket for baby Charlotte. Finished several months ago but I couldn't remember if I had posted this or not. My knitting friend knit the hat and I did the sweater.

Pattern: Zimmermann's BSJ
Yarn: Breeze, cotton and wool blend

Kentucky!

2011-07-13T08:15:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful visit to Kentucky. We went to Coney Island for a very hot Balloon Glow to see hot air balloons and ride the rides.

We had a blast with our cousins at the farm!

We had a picnic at Big Bone State Park and toured the diorama, museum and walked to the buffalo. The heat started to get to us, although the Princess is a bit overly dramatic here!

We also went to the pool, went shopping and saw many many amazing fireworks!

Soccer!

2011-06-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

We survived Spring soccer in the Pacific Northwest! Out of 8 practices, I think we had 2 where the sun came out.

The kids were troopers, during one they practiced in 45 degrees of wind and rain with no complaints! It was a full family affair, DH would meet us after work and we cheered each other on (or, sit in the car and stay dry waiting for the other one!).

The kids were proud to finish it and get certificates at the end, they made some good friends and next year, we'll sign up for the summer session!

Butters was a proud big brother!

Flashback!

2011-06-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'll bet my sisters and parents can relate to this photo. When I was younger and I'd get mad, I'd hide under my favorite blanket. It was a pink, blue and white crocheted blanket from my great Aunt Eva (I think). I could see people from between the holes, but I felt like they couldn't see me. I suppose history likes to repeat itself. Who do you think is under this towel?

Art Quilt

2011-06-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

We've been recovering from some serious computer virus and technological failures in this house! My blog has been seriously ignored. But, we are back online and I'll update you on our Spring as we start our Summer!

This is an art quilt that we'll hang in our bedroom. I used free motion quilting and pieced it together so you'd see those small brown squares. Sewing it together didn't take long, the quilting took about 30 minutes a square.

Wallace Falls

2011-05-30T11:36:00.001-07:00

It's a 3.6 mile round trip to see the waterfalls along Muddy Trail. We started out jumping rocks and puddles and the last 1/4 mile climb was tough, about 300 foot elevation gain. So, you see E on my back and C with a grumpy face. The way down was much faster! We stayed in a very nice cabin for two nights at the park, had smores both nights and camp fires, despite the rain. This was a great trip and hike for young kids!

Mom Visit

2011-05-30T11:33:00.001-07:00

We had a great visit with Grandma!

Carkeek Park and the beach and The Pretzel Tree hike, a hike with a story board about a little mouse on his way to see the Pretzel tree.

Muddy Spring

2011-05-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

What can I say? It's been a long and muddy Spring. The kids made this mess while I talked to my mom on the phone. It lasted about 20 minutes and took about 2 hours to clean up including a load of laundry. We have officially started popsicle season. She looks about 5 in this picture! I swear she is bigger than some of Butter's classmates.

He even managed to get mud on his face and in his hair. It was about 50 degrees out, but it wasn't raining!

I pre-washed the kids (ie, I sprayed them with the hose) until they were clean enough to take a bath.
We've been busy with school and soccer. I got into a Masters program at UW-Bothell and with that, need to take 2 classes this spring and summer. I've been studying Statistics and have my first midterm tomorrow. It's been about 15 years since I took a mid term, so I had better study some more!

Some Go Around

2011-05-02T19:04:00.000-07:00

Where is the prince to lay down his coat when you need him?

Spring (?) Break

2011-04-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

I took the kids down to see their grandparents and cousin for our spring break. This gave DH a few nights to himself which he enjoyed, even if the Mariner's lost by 11 points!
They went to the children's museum, I went to the yarn store.
They went to Point Defiance Zoo, I did my statistics homework. A girl could get used to this!
The best part-is all the fishing you can ask for (and Butters did, constantly!)

If there is no dancing and silliness involved then we don't want to be invited!

You can just see it in her face, she's saying in her head. "Look at me, I'm fishing and I look like Strawberry Shortcake."

Nice cast! We had patches of sun, it was around 45 degree for this shot.

We even fit in some sunset fishing time. No, we didn't catch anything. But, we used nearly every lure, even the salt water ones. The Princess demanded to catch a salmon and Butters told me he knew more about fishing than I did. I told him I went out on one hundred and eight whale watch trips and I have been a galley wench and captained a 100 foot boat (for 30 minutes)! But, I have no tackle box, which equal experience, in his eyes.

Hot Dog Car!

2011-03-28T10:52:00.001-07:00

Richard Scary, how can I thank you for the hours of entertainment?

Back to Work

2011-03-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

I completed my Postpartum Doula training at Bastyr University's Simkin Center and got CPR certified. I did all the required reading and finished breastfeeding training. I've got a business license and a website (visit it here) and business cards. Next, I had to find a client! I was referred to a family that was a perfect fit for me and a great example of people who need a postpartum doula. A wonderful couple from Seattle who have had some post birth complications and a partner who ended up needing surgery (details have altered to protect identity).

I've been able to do evening-night shifts, the witching hour for babies, and that has been a good fit for my family. I leave after dinner, DH puts the kids to bed and I put in most of my hours while they are asleep. It isn't exactly a smooth transition, the Princess grips my leg and begs me not to go and Butters has told me repeatedly he hates it. But, really, it's only a few nights a week and they are with their dad, so how bad can it be!

It feels good to help a family and it feels good to help my family financially. I've got a lot of balls in the air: pesticide free park, Snohomish County democrats, Master's, doula, but so far things are all coming together, although the house is a bit messier. To make things even better, we had 3 solid days of sunshine and we were outside for hours on all three days. I can see a fun summer on the horizon!

Painting

2011-03-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

Same paint dot markers, same type of canvass, two vastly different paintings! See if you can guess which one is by Butters and which one by the Princess.

Snow!

2011-02-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

Snow day, no school, sledding with friends and lots of hot chocolate.

Butters didn't want to go down the hill after the first time. E jumped up and said, "Again!" She went down it around 6 times, he did it twice. Then, last night, we got around 3 inches and Butters finally enjoyed sledding, it was dark out and he rolled down our backyard and couldn't get enough of it.

Ballet

2011-02-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

This was going to be a post with pictures of Princess E dancing all around the room in her ballet class.

But during the parent observation day, she decided against participating. She one of the youngest in the class, and that day, it showed. She usually hangs on the teachers every word and has a great time. On this day, the parents walked in and her face dropped. She told me later, "I didn't do what the teacher told me to do."

Strong willed, that girl. Something tells me this could be the last photo from ballet!

We Made That!

2011-02-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

The kids and DH made this to send to Grandma.

I made this play tent for the table. Inspired by this one (click here), but not as nice since my table is 89" long! I hope to go back and add windows.

We made this for my mom's birthday. The center needlework is by my grandmother who had put this on a dress for my aunt. The fabric was my grandmothers, so I used it to make a boarder. The frame is made by DH from purple heartwood. That amazing purple hue is the natural color of the wood!

School Yes and No

2011-01-21T09:13:00.000-08:00

School is going great for this little lady, you can see where she wrote her name in the photo. And, she can make a perfect snowball, I'm kidding, DH made the snowman with a snowball maker. E loves going to school, and she catches on fast. She is actually jealous that her brother gets to go and she has to drop him off and pick him up but doesn't get to stay.

Butters is her opposite. He has relented to attending school, but his class is so big, I worry I am doing a disservice to him. There are now over 30 kids in the class and only one teacher. His handwriting is full of bad habits. It's so hard to know when to jump in and demand more. So, I went ahead a wrote a letter for the principal and had the parents sign it. I'm asking for an update on what is being done to improve the learning environment. I don't even know how his teacher can walk down the hall with that many kids!

PacSci

2011-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pacific Science Center and the Harry Potter exhibit, a fun family outing for the New Year.

The tree was down the post party clean up complete so we headed south for a bit of fun!

Sledding

2010-12-30T20:44:00.000-08:00

DH took today off, their wasn't snow in our neighborhood, but it wasn't hard to find. We went to Tucker Willis Park, there was a little hill for the kids, the dog and BYO hot chocolate!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-30T20:38:00.000-08:00

We had a nice holiday, hope you did, too! We didn't go overboard and buy them everything, we tried to keep simple, they each got about 6 gifts each. Butters was excited to pick out his own gifts. I'd like it to be more about the giving, so next year I'll encourage them to make gifts for other people. We need to donate more, but it's never too late for that.

Birthday

2010-12-30T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you try to steal your mom's birthday sundae!

Nutcracker

2010-12-30T20:31:00.000-08:00

We went to Ballet Northwest's presentation of The Nutcracker. We had perfect seats, on the balcony, right above the sound board, so when some of us were bored, there was something to look at! The girls had their photos taken with the Snow Princess and DH's cousin is the Sugar Plum Fairy (in purple). The kids loved it and were very well behaved for the long dinner afterward. A fun tradition.

Famous

2010-12-16T20:18:00.000-08:00

My Letter to the Editor was published:

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20101215/OPINION02/712159964

I am writing this letter because I support a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. This outdated policy discriminates against the gay members of our military and keeps qualified gay and lesbian men and women from joining our armed forces.

The policy has been found to be discriminatory and a violation of our rights and can therefore be reversed by the courts. I am asking our Congress to vote to dissolve this policy and create a means for openness in our military. Our military would be stronger with an open policy where members are not forced to lie about their sexual orientation. I am proud to know that my representatives, Rick Larsen, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, support a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

Knitting Alert

2010-12-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

This is my Frankenstein sweater. I had started the Tilted Duster by Norah G a year ago, but I reconsidered the idea and now it's a Zimmermann Saddle shoulder. I used the sleeves from Norah and worked the body from the other pieces, you can see one in the corner. It's working up fast, but is now past the portability stage.

Evelyn Clark's Shetland Triangle is the shawl I finished. I used Lamb's Pride in worsted, but the pattern calls for a smaller yarn, so I got a bigger shawl, enough to wrap around me on cold night instead of a Snuggie. Cats provide scale.

Completed hiking socks and feet for scale.

Outside Interest

2010-12-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

It's a rainy day today, the river is supposed to reach flood stage in a few hours and we found a leak in the basement. We are staying in to wrap presents (check), make cookies (check) and get every toy out and play with it once (check) and monitor the leak.

On friday, as usual, E and I went to pick up Butters from school and E wanted to bring a pad of paper and a pen. Kids are great at exposing your habits, from the back seat I heard her say, 'Get in the car, check." We pulled up to the school. "Pick up Boy Boy, check." I guess I write lists a lot!

I've become more involved in the neighborhood association and with Snohomish County Democrats. I'm now secretary of my legislative district. I need outside interests and I need things to do or I create my own stress. I'm working on my certification as a postpartum doula, so if you know any pregnant women within a 30 mile radius, send them my way! The kids are getting better at playing on their own, but now I've got to go because they are now wrapping up their toys and one of them has a permanent marker....

Spa Day

2010-12-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

DH and I went shopping and the kids, got to have a spy day! Hair bows, glitter, painted nails and a haircut for Butters!

Snow

2010-11-28T09:10:00.000-08:00

Action shot!

Always being funny.

The next Vanna White, showing off our littlest snowman.

"Take my picture, Mom."

We ended up with about 3 inches of snow, and two days off from school! We made it down to Olympia for Thanksgiving with no problems and had a wonderful holiday-we are still eating leftovers. Our hill in the backyard makes the perfect toddler sized sledding hill and while staying in I've managed to make new hats for both kids and a lace shawl for myself. Next up, mittens.

Social Commentary Via A Hat

2010-11-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

His video game was never interrupted. She still loves her brother, even if he doesn't pay attention some times. Usually, he gives her too much attention!

I knitted the hat, entirely out of scrap yarn, I've got every color of the rainbow! Guess who wants one now! I did a 2x2 rib, casted on 72 stitches on size 10 needles.

A Rare Sight

2010-11-12T13:22:00.001-08:00

Not just that it was 65 and sunny in November but that they shared a space without fighting for about 15 minutes! After this little photo shoot, it was all over. The paint became finger paint, they fought and E fell to the ground at the suggestion that I wash her hands. Punctuated equilibrium.

Zoinks!

2010-11-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter. I hand knitted the scarf, "It itches." He didn't wear it for long.

A Princess in a witches costume! She didn't want to be a Supreme Court Justice.

DH was shaggy. We went to a family friendly party, tick or treated in the nicer neighborhood with the sidewalks and got to bed by 8:30! It was a fun night. E was dragging her bag of candy but kept going and Butters had a great time with his friends and glow sticks.

Happy 3rd

2010-10-30T21:22:00.001-07:00

Angel Surprise Birthday Cake With Raspberry Surprise Icing (per your request)

The Arabesque

New dress from P. Mookie at the Knufflebunny show today.

One of many happy faces.

One of many silly faces. This was fishing at cottage lake, it's okay to dress up.

I can honestly say, there is no one else like you, dear E. You are loyal and sensitive, stubborn and strong and I hope you never change!

One Month!

2010-10-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

Eegads! I haven't posted in a month, now that's scary. I started working at from home, so any time I can spare I'm in front of the computer. This ends up being about 15 hours a week and I'm burning the candle at both ends. I'll catch you up as best as I can. I'm also volunteering on the elections whenever I can and still volunteering with the community group. Not much sewing lately but some knitting.

I finished these socks-My Irish Eyes from Socks That Rock.

This little man finished up the fishing season. H started school and is doing well. We already started reading, but it looks like he's got his mother's penwomanship! He had seriously chapped lips at the start of school but things are under control. We've been busy with birthday parties nearly every weekend.

This little lady started school! She's actually squatting in this photo and was convinced it was ballet school, hence this pose! I struggled to find a program to take a young three year old, but we found a great fit, E walked in and proclaimed it her school and told me, "See you later." She can count to 13, knows all the colors and shapes and started making letters. To tarnish her perfect image, she won't try new foods and survives on bagels and macaroni and cheese.

Go Fish!

2010-09-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

DH went on an all male family member fishing trip in Eastern Washington. He was a natural. They floated downstream in waiters and individual pontoons and caught and released fish. He came back with a beard and a tan. He never takes time out for himself, so I'm glad he had the chance to do this. They saw otters, a bear, and lots of deer, but thankfully, no rattlesnakes.

Flashback: Wedding photos

2010-09-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

The public demanded a photo of E in her bridesmade dress, but I had used the old fashioned film and only this week had them developed. Here she is, in all her glory, with her cousin.

Lego Competition

2010-09-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

We are going to send this in for a Lego competition, you can tell I didn't help him build it, but I helped him pose! In Mr. Jim's 5th grade class, he asked us all what we wanted to be when we grew up, my answer: "A scientist." My friend Nikki, "A hand model." That sounded so much cooler to me, I went home and practiced and considered a change in careers. I looked a lot like that little guy right there!

Crafty Times

2010-09-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

In between the trips, school drop off, grocery store and other daily life, I sneak off to the basement to do a little sewing. Here's what I've accomplished this summer between the hours of 8:30 and 10 pm!

Scrap Sock Monkey Baby Quilt-it became more of a changing pad! I loved piecing this and playing with the layout, it's entirely from scraps from P. Mookie, but it's probably too sturdy and small to really wrap a baby up in. The good news, babies come in all sizes, so at some point you can fit an infant on this to lay on, or change a diaper if you really hate it!
This is the back of Sock Monkey, I realized a bit late you should line up the quilting, so I sacrificed a bit and re-did part of it so the quilting actually lined up to the back rows. I didn't do any vertical quilting, hope it's okay.

A little Stacked Coin-type baby blanket. I think brown would have been a nice choice for the solid sections, but it's still nice for a little girl to be born in November. Notice, no white! I like color but admittedly, this choice was a bit off.

Sandwich wraps for some of my favorite San Francisco ladies. I made a template for these and I have this down to a quick sew, I should sell these on Etsy! Would you buy one?

First Day of Kindergarten

2010-09-08T09:24:00.001-07:00

We did it! I managed to get his hair to sit down, but he still wouldn't stand still for the camera and we were already late, so this is the best picture!

He is wearing his new Seattle Seahawks shirt and rain pants. Grandma and Grandpa came up so I could take Butters without his little sister. He started to tear up as we walked to the classroom; I didn't cry. I had to push him into the classroom. Then he sat with the group and off I went. He's been promised lunch at a restaurant and ice cream after, but I hope he doesn't expect it every day!

Soccer!

2010-09-01T09:29:00.001-07:00

"I don't want to play soccer." "I don't like soccer." "I don't want to go." Then he tried it and he came home that night and said, "I love soccer!" This was something we decided he could do just with Dad. So, Dad took him every Wednesday to the 1/2 hour class and they had a great time. It's nice to be together as a family so much, but we also really appreciate our one on one time. The princess and I usually went to the grocery store together and ate her favorite: Macaroni and cheese.

He still can't stand still!, even after a long day.

Going out for ice cream after also helps!

Hurricane Ridge

2010-08-29T10:51:00.000-07:00

We stopped at Hurricane Ridge

on the way home. We did a short hike. The kids were done by that point and so was I!

Last Big Trip-Lake Crescent

2010-08-25T15:27:00.001-07:00

This was our last big trip of the summer. A special two day trip with just mom. It was a big test for me, but I realized after I came back that I could have been behind a desk at a job so being solely responsible for 2 kids for 36 straight hours isn't that bad!

We met up with Nancy and Jill at a rustic cabin right on beautiful Lake Crescent at the north border of the Olympic National Park. It was absolutely beautiful. I kept exclaiming about the mountains and the trees. I heard this from the back seat, "Yes, Mom, we know, it's beautiful." I suppose since I didn't grow up here and I'm not used to seeing mountains every day, it's more amazing for me. Plus, they are kids, what do you expect. Maybe next time we are in Kentucky they'll be impressed by rolling green hills and horses!

The kids did great and I think at least they'll remember having the s'mores!

Granite Falls-Ice Caves

2010-08-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Oh the places we go! This is the 1 mile hike up to the Ice Caves in Granite Falls. We saw them as a slump of snow in May, this time, the caves had formed, but you should not go in them, they are unstable and dangerous. The cool breeze was worth the walk on a very hot day. This kids were tired but they managed! Butters complained but he also offered to carry the Princess' baby doll all they way up. I got stuck carrying the baby on the way down, but it weighed less than the Princess so we made a deal. I'll carry you or the doll but not both! The doll won.

Next up for Catch Up

2010-08-24T20:47:00.000-07:00

I am still catching up on all our family trips. We went to Ocean Beach for a wedding and finally had a nice weekend to really enjoy the lake where my husband grew up.

Sun Cadia

2010-08-24T20:41:00.001-07:00

Finally, we caught a fish. Success.

At least someone got to use the fancy tub!
Catching little tree frogs! Don't squeeze!

We did a color scavenger hunt, this was brown.

They slept well at night!

Family trip to Suncadia. A beautiful resort town with hiking trails, swimming pools, mountain views and expenses paid! We had a lovely extended family trip. Here are the highlights.

Get Your Knit On

2010-08-18T08:25:00.000-07:00

Photo by Butters (not the most flattering)

I finished up this sweater top a few weeks ago, but haven't had a chance to wear it until now. It's dropped about 20 degrees and it's now 60 degrees in August. Time for the short sleeve sweater.

Pattern: Rusted Root

Yarn: Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool

Modification: Lengthened by several inches and decreased the number of stitches for the sleeves and followed the puffy sleeve for the smaller size.

Almost Famous Again!

2010-08-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

Here is the official mail-in ballot for my voting precinct and I'm on it! I'm running for Precinct Committee Officer. It's a volunteer position to get out the vote in my precinct and represent my neighbors. It's about as grassroots as you can get! It's partisan, I'm actually running un-contested but still need to get 10% of the vote.

Remember to vote in your primary!

Weekends Are For...

2010-08-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

Picking berries at Biringer Farm.

Weekend Are For...

2010-08-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

Fishing together!

Summer Trip-Wrap Up!

2010-07-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

Serious Americana at the hometown parade! The Rand Paul float went by and I heard crickets chirping, this is some serious McConnell country!
Four wheeling at the farm!

Water park day, fun in the sun.

Fresh skyline!

Summer Trip-Makers Mark

2010-07-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, I brought minors to a distillery, but DH was super excited and the tour was short and free, so we all explored! The grounds of the Maker's Mark distillery are beautiful, it was a long by pass through back roads and it ended up taking us twice the time to get home, but we got to see a lot of Kentucky. We came home to Skyline for dinner.

Summer Trip-Mammoth Day Hike

2010-07-13T13:37:00.001-07:00

Sometimes we needed motivation to keep going. It was hot out, at least in the 90s!

You can see the river coming out of the cave.

Candy energy to get back up the hill!

We stayed in a cabin at Mammoth Cave National Park: four bedrooms, basic but a great deal. The kids made new friends and ran around catching lightning bugs and fell asleep exhausted. The next day, we hiked down to the River Styx to see where it came out of the caves. It was a full circle adventure! We drove back north, with a stop at Makers Mark Distillery.

Summer Trip-Mammoth

2010-07-09T08:15:00.001-07:00

We drove down to Mammoth Caves from Northern Kentucky, about a 3 hour drive. We met up with my sister who drove from Florida. We rented a big cabin for the night. We did the River Styx tour, which is only offered 5 weeks out of the year and only one tour a day. It's a 2.5 mile hike and 2.5 hours. The tour guide was very informed and funny. The youngest rode like a princess the first half, she even fell asleep. But too many steps and once we hit Fat Man's Misery and she had to wake up and walk by herself. Both kids did great on the hike.

Tan Floridians in a dark and damp and cold cave!

The Flashlight-hours of entertainment!

Fat Man's Misery, worn smooth by years of people walking past, some wearing the rocks down more than others! The trip ends with 500 stairs up to the top, both kids walked every one. People commented on how well they hiked, but I never really used a stroller so I suppose they are used to it! The tour took you down to the lowest and newest part of the cave and you peer into a deep hole to see the river. This area floods as the river rises during rain. The Princess enjoyed the mud, singing, "Mud, mud, I love mud!" Both kids did not like Absolute Darkness. The highlight of the trip, my sister asking a Park Ranger where the "River Phoenix" tour starts!

Painting Every Day

2010-06-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

Several times a day, the Princess heads into the sun room and paints at the easel. Water and water colors, paper or just the chalk board. She will carefully paint a picture, then cover it up and paint again. She's very busy and her dresses are ruined!

It's also easy to get distracted. She paints her hands and her feet as well!

Lost Tooth

2010-06-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Butters lost his first tooth! Bottom left. He wiggled it and it popped out one night as we were reading books. He said, "I need to show my Dad." We put it in an envelope for the tooth fairy and put it next to the bed, so she could find it. Then he asked, "Am I a grown up now?" Close, you have 27 more to loose (or something like that)!

The tooth fairy left a certificate, and a dollar. And the one next to it is wiggling!

Butters Photo Shoot 6

2010-06-18T17:04:00.001-07:00

I won't show you the rest of the photos Butters took at the animal park, they are all close ups of animal butts! He thought that was so funny! I didn't.

Notice: E is still wearing that wool hat I knit her, even though it's about 65 and sunny. When it was cold, she didn't wear it, she wore tank tops and now that it's warm: fleece and wool!

Does This Look Cold to You?

2010-06-18T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was windy and cloudy Monday, but no rain, so we did the animal farm and the spray park at Forest Park. All free, but we made a donation to the animal farm. E has to let brother try everything first! And yes, it was cold, but bearable.

Legalize Frostitution

2010-06-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

Rowdy Rascals toy sore, cupcakes at the newly open Simply Sweets, and a walk along the river to work out the sugar. A trip to Snohomish on a cloudy day was just what we needed.

Sickness

2010-06-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

When you see a picture of a sick kid do you ever wonder how someone can just take a picture of it and not feel anything? She got Tylenol before this and had just woken up, I assure you, she's fine! This was our annual bought with cocksackie, the hand, foot and mouth disease. It's a virus that gives you a fever, aches and sore on the mouth. You are supposed to only get it once, but Butters has had it twice now.

We stayed home to avoid contamination, but that doesn't mean you can't rock out!

Date Night

2010-06-09T09:35:00.001-07:00

Burke Museum, Butters called this a monkey person, I decided I should buy a new bra before I look like this.
He doesn't look happy here but he was beaming the whole time! He had been sick earlier in the week and his skin is broken out, but he's feeling fine.

We decided we needed more one on one time with our kids, so Butters and I went out on a Date Night! At his request, we put on our 'fancy clothes,' I even put on a dress. After DH got home from work, we braved the traffic and headed into the city to the Burke Museum, which was free and open late that night. Without the Princess to distract, we were able to really look at the exhibits this time, ride the giant elevator again and take our time.

Next, we ended up the University village, where went to the book store and bought a book on, you guessed it, Star Wars. We had dinner at the Johnny Rockets diner where the server talked to us like Yoda and he made us this:

We had milkshakes, so Butters ate none of his dinner. We went to the play area, then home and to bed. He felt pretty special, and I tried to rekindle the old flame. It seems most of the time I'm yelling at him about something he's done to his sister, so this my first attempt at more peace.

At home, DH decided to spoil the Princess, they had her favorite dinner-Macaroni and Cheese! They also had ice cream and a special bubble bath.

Fashion Glossary

2010-05-29T07:48:00.001-07:00

The Tank Girl Look (Great Lori Petty movie from the 80s)

Sorority Girl (It's all about the red cup! There is juice in there, I swear.)

Elana Kagen Supporter.

The Granny Look. Pissed Off and Refusing Help.

Tired of posts of about What My Daughter is Wearing? Luckily, this was done over a few weeks, but this has been known to happen in one day!

Leftovers

2010-05-26T15:47:00.001-07:00

The best way to eat leftover birthday cake is Cottingham style.

Recipe for Cottinham Style Cake:

Put a slice of cake in bowl and pour milk over it.

1/2 cup to 3/4 a cup of milk should do it.

Eat cake. Drink milk.

A Trained Jedi

2010-05-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

TIE fighter cake from the How to Be a Domestic Goddess cookbook by Nigella.
Death Star pinata smashed.

Lego set that he's, "been wanting for his whole life." Check.

Complete with Preschool Graduation.

The preschool teachers were crying, they probably won't see these kids again. They gave us a great start in life. I got a little teary eyed, but for the opposite reason. School's out? Booo hooo!

Flip Side

2010-05-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

This was her watching him open presents and reading cards.

This was him watching her get a haircut. He wanted to be able to see her and cheered her on, at one point telling her, "Concentrate, Ellie."

Five!

2010-05-21T07:55:00.001-07:00

When you are five, you get to do the whip cream on your waffles and strawberries by yourself!
We aren't five until 2:30 pm so we got into the Burke Museum with two adult tickets, free for four and under. He called this a 'totem pole submarine', it's a wood carved orca whale.

Reading birthday cards with Dad, he said he loved everything.

He asked for a TIE fighter months ago. Instant hugs when he opened the package.

Cookie cake and his favorite dinner-grilled cheese and tomato soup. This weekend is a Jedi Training party. We've got the detailing done on the Death Star pinata, inflatable light sabers and I've got to get to work on the TIE fighter cake! Five, I'm so excited.

First Haircut!

2010-05-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

She enjoyed every minute of her first haircut! I can't recommend Fun Kuts in Lynwood enough. Great experience. Complete with hair glitter and a ribbon. Yes, photos show the process backwards, but I'm not in the mood to fix them.

Snow in May

2010-05-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day, DH told the kids they had to do whatever mom wanted. So, I slept in! We had a wonderful breakfast-vegetarian biscuits and gravy then we took a hike. I've been wanting to hike to the ice caves in Granite Falls. We packed a lunch and hit the road. My camera ran out of juice after the top, but here are some family snap shots. This was a perfect family hike-2.2 miles round trip with a lot of changes, you start in a marsh/bog, cross bridges over streams and rivers, then you are walking through big trees. Then, you are at the base of a glacier! Butters did the whole thing without complaint and the Princess was carried in a back carrier and on our shoulders.

We heard and saw avalanches, a first for all of us, it reminded me of the power of nature and the need to heed warning signs. I was happy to get back away from the snow and back in the forest. That night, we had another first for me and DH-a date night with a babysitter. We had a nice relaxing dinner and then we went to the grocery store for cat litter! How exciting! Next time, we'll do better and plan for a movie or roller skating or bowling.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

By Anna Quindlen, Newsweek Columnist and Author

All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow but in disbelief. I take great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost-adults, two taller than I am, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom, zip up their jackets and move food from plate to mouth all by themselves. Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with rubber ducky at its center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except through unreliable haze of the past.

Everything in all the books I once poured over finished for me now. Penelope Leach., T. Berry Brazelton., Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education, all grown obsolete. Along with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories. What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations --what they taught me, was that they couldn't really teach me very much at all.Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay. No one knows anything. One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can be managed only with a stern voice and a timeout. One child is toilet trained at 3, his sibling at 2. When my first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies were put down on their backs because of research on sudden infant death syndrome. To a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will follow. I remember 15 years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton's wonderful books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil for an 18-month old who did not walk.Was there something wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged? Was I insane? Last year he went to China. Next year he goes to college. He can talk just fine. He can walk, too. Every part of raising children is humbling, too. Believe me, mistakes were made. They have all been enshrined in the, "Remember-When-Mom-Did Hall of Fame." The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language, mine, not theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed. The times I arrived late for preschool pickup. The nightmare sleepover. The horrible summer camp. The day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her geography test, and I responded, "What did you get wrong?". (She insisted I include that.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald's drive-through speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch the Simpsons for the first two seasons. What was I thinking? But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs.

There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less. Even today I'm not sure what worked and what didn't, what was me and what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were because of what I'd done. Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over the top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with the three people I like best in the world who have done more than anyone to excavate my essential humanity. That's what the books never told me. I was bound and determined to learn from the experts. It just took me a while to figure out who the experts were.

Friday

2010-05-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

Our day in pictures, also known as, How to Entertain the Kids All Day Until Daddy Comes Home From a Week Long Trip!

In the Moment

2010-04-29T08:16:00.001-07:00

I've been trying to be more in the moment lately. It's just hard to pick the right moment. We really go up and down. And the kids pick up on my mood. I think as a whole, Moms put too much pressure on themselves and therefore we never feel like we do enough. If I feel content and relaxed my kids will be having fun, if not, then we are all grumpy. Some days, my goal is to teach them as much as I can, about the world, compassion, how to hold a pencil. Other days, if they are still alive, I figure I've done my job.

Sometimes an experience will put it all into perspective, I saw a dad at the beach the other week with his son. The son was disabled and you got the impression this was a very stressful task for the dad. The boy kept throwing rocks, he couldn't leave him even for a second a the waters edge. It will be like that forever for that boy and that dad. If I don't have stress in my life, I create it. Why am I wasting my time doing that when here is a family with real stress. Enjoyment, too, I'm sure, but also constant struggle.

Raising kids is like the first time you share a bed with someone. You wake up when your partner moves, you have to find a new comfortable position that accommodate their bodies. Sometime, it's too hot. Then, after you get used to it and you have a night away, you sleep alone and the bed feels huge and cold. Constantly putting others before you and meeting the needs of your offspring can take some getting used to, then you blink and they are grown up. My kids are going to grow up and they won't want to hold my hand in public. They won't kiss me as I put them in the car. They'll be the one driving the car.

The other night, Butters told me he loved me while he was asleep or at least in the middle of sleep. My bed felt big enough then, but I can't help wishing for my days of sleeping alone and taking up all the space I want, until it's cold out and I need another body near me. Still, it's tough to wake up every morning with bed head, but you get used to it.

Sewing When I Can

2010-04-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak of what is next.
This is what I finished up: a custom double pointed needle holder. Pieced the outside together and the quilting makes the pockets. They weren't deep enough so I added the elastic, which moved around on me. I reinforced the stitches on the elastic. The inside fabric was scrap from the binding on E's quilt. I had the cutest pink bandanna fabric, to match the knitting pirate, but the color was just off. This solid isn't perfect, but it works.

Slugs

2010-04-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

For the record, this is not the proper handling of slugs, but at least they were sharing! It took about 30 minutes to get the slime off. In the end, a scrub brush worked best and next time, they'll use sticks to pick them up! The toys we find in the great PNW!

Fashionista

2010-04-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we started with this ensemble, here she is saying, "We're ready to go!" Notice Butters is still in PJs.

By the time I got B dressed and I was ready, she had modified to this. Somehow, it actually matches, but it matches in a way that I used to think my pink shoes could match anything.

We made it to the dog park prancing around in this! By the way, she kept the same bathing suit on under all these!

Cupcake Blanket

2010-04-15T16:00:00.000-07:00

The cupcake blanket is done and don't be fooled by the top photo, she loves it! Nearly every fabric shopping trip we took, I let the Princess pick out some fabric. It started with cupcakes, moved to dots, cherries, hearts, then when it looked like sports equipment was going to be added, I cut her off and started sewing. Nine patch squares with solid squares and white sashing. I top quilted 2 rows/columns in the sashing which showcases the squares nicely. I also free motioned a heart in the top corner. I used some of my grandmother's fabric at the top and the bottom-to cover her from head to toe! The back is one large single piece of European fabric, so it was just the size I needed (about a full size top), I got it from Bunte Fabrics. It's divine! I miscalculated (hmm, maybe that's why people follow a pattern instead of going maverick) and my back was a tad too small. I ended up making some fat binding to wrap around and reach the back fabric. Crazy, I know. It's a new trend, fat binding, you heard it here first!

If you are worried about mixing too many colors and patterns, don't be. Take it from the expert:

Busy Busy

2010-04-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Minor setback, the latest, with the cupcake quilt. I guess I underestimated how much fabric is used when you turn a corner with your binding!
We've been busy with some visitors, here's a shot from a great day at Carkeek Park. We met the Bubbleman, slide down a salmon slide and played around on the beach. This stump was a pirate ship, a castle and a space ship all in one afternoon.

Happy Spring Easter Day

2010-04-05T07:50:00.001-07:00

Sunshine on Sunday, I got E to wear a dress and since Butters doesn't even notice what he wears, he's dressed for golf! DH made an amazing brunch and we had friends and family over.
Over indulgence at the neighborhood egg hunt.

Like most spring events in PNW, this one was rainy and cold!

I wouldn't trust him either, E. But he was a funny guy. I told him he had the best nuggets in town! Butters was amazed and stared at him.

Coloring eggs!

Baby Blanket

2010-03-29T21:40:00.001-07:00

I pieced together a quick baby blanket over the last couple of weekends for Clizziare, my collage friend who now has one month to go before birth day! This is Amy Butler Midwest Modern fabric I'd been saving and not sure what to do with. I had two fat quarters (center and around the center), and a yard of the big boarder and a yard of polka dots for the back and little corners. I didn't want to cut up the big pattern of the flowers so I made that my focus, and put in two boarders and called it a quilt! The backing is the same little dots you see in the small squares around the first boarder. I fussy cut the outside boarder to keep the lines of pink consistent. I machine stitched the binding, I uhh, wanted it to hold up to frequent washings (or, I'm just lazy!)

I practiced my free motion by tracing the large flowers in a matching pink, and did stitch in the ditch for each boarder. I think some wide spaced (maybe 3 inches) horizontal lines along the outside would have been nice, but I didn't think of it until I was wrapping this for a baby shower on Saturday. The free motion takes some practice, I tried area stores to buy a $29 sew slip or supreme slider to make the fabric move nicely so you can control your work, but I no one had them and half thought I was crazy! After my husband raised his eyebrows at the idea of buying 'quilting gloves,' I made due with some 99 cent plastic kitchen gloves, and it gave me the traction I needed.

I struggled with making such a simple quilt with such quality fabric (read: expensive) but in the end, a simple well made quilt can show off a nice fabric and you don't need to complicate things. And, if halfway through the process it becomes an okay-made quilt to an "at least it will keep the baby warm" made quilt. That's okay, too!

You can see my plum tree is in full bloom, expect plums at least a month earlier than usual.

Beach Again

2010-03-29T07:43:00.001-07:00

We had a stretch of sunny, warm days and we took advantage of them by being outside as much as possible. This is our beach visit, our goal was to find a sea worm. She had fun, she's just acting mad here! She can be very dramatic, I don't know where she gets it.

Low tide can be slimy!

His hair is like that b/c of the wind-just kidding his hair always looks like that!

They either play together or right next to each other!

We found a baby sea star and a small worm which were both returned safely to the sea. Of course, we got ice cream at Woody's and watched the ferry boats.

What Does it Mean to You?

2010-03-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well, we were glued to the news last night watching the final votes come in and we are very excited to see health care reforming! When I woke up, the sky had not fallen, so I suppose, if you don't agree, we should give this a chance, right!

The majority of my family members have had cancer or other pre-existing condition which would prevent them from ever getting insurance on their own. That is no longer the case. If my husband wants to build guitars for a living, we can search for our own coverage now. If my dad wants to retire before 65 (which he should), he can now get affordable coverage for my mom and him. Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of misinformation and a number of people don't feel the way I do. Not a majority of people, because we voted for Obama to do just what he's done. So, I wanted to copy a post from his website of exactly what this could mean to you and what starts happening now, this year.

Click here for the full site. Here's the text. I encourage you to visit the white house website: www.whitehouse.gov

The White House Blog
Reform Begins
Posted by Dan Pfeiffer on March 22, 2010 at 08:36 AM EDT
After more than a year of extensive debate, the House voted last night to pass the most significant health reform legislation this country has seen in decades. It was a historic victory for the American people. And now, millions of Americans – workers, families, seniors, small business owners – stand to benefit from lower health care costs, expanded coverage and tough consumer protections.
This year, thousands of uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions will have the opportunity to purchase quality, affordable health insurance. Beginning in 2010, small business owners will no longer be forced to choose between offering health care and hiring new employees because they’ll be offered tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help insure their employees. Medicare beneficiaries will no longer wonder how they’ll afford their prescription drug bills because they’ll be given a rebate of $250 if they hit the prescription drug donut hole in 2010. And early retirees will be provided help through the creation of a temporary re-insurance program to help offset the costs of expensive premiums.
This year, you will now have the security of knowing that insurers cannot deny coverage to your child because of a pre-existing condition. You won’t have to live every day in fear of having your insurance taken away from you if you get sick. And for new plans, there won’t be lifetime or restrictive annual limits on the amount of care you receive from your insurance companies.
Because we didn’t settle for the status quo, Americans who have insurance will now have the security and stability of knowing their coverage will be there when they need it most, and the millions of Americans who don’t have insurance will be provided with quality, affordable options. The legislation passed last night brings down health care costs for American families and small businesses, expands coverage to millions of Americans and ends the worst practices of insurance companies. And it begins to do so this year.
Dan Pfeiffer is White House Communications Director

Doctor Visit

2010-03-13T12:19:00.001-08:00

Time to register for kindergarten and that means getting some shots for Butters. This is probably the hardest thing to do as a parent. First, to decide what vaccinations you want them to have, if it's the right thing for your family in the first place, then the actual act. The nurse told Butters to look at his mom while she and another nurse inserted needles into each arm. He face dropped, he had a look of fear, then pain, then he cried and said, "I don't like that, I never want to do that again!" Two MORE! In the end: 4 shots, 80% height and weight, 20/20 vision and we are ready to start school.

I spent about 2.5 hours at the doctor, with both kids. E got attached to a pink fabric dog she was playing with, and started crying not wanting to leave the dog. When Butters got to pick out stickers, he got one for his sister, too, to make her feel better. As we walked out to the parking lot, Butters totally melted again and started crying. The princess said, "Help make Tarter feel better!" She gave him her sticker. They were so sweet we went out for ice cream after. When they are good to each other like that, it reminds me why we had them so close together.

As I type, Butters was giving her shots, "for viruses." And she presumably was not allowed to get up.

I Love You Like I Love Strawberry Milkshakes

2010-03-09T15:50:00.000-08:00

I love fresh strawberry milkshakes! These two even eat differently: Butters meticulously ate all the sprinkles first, then dove right in and the Princess drank it all up with the straw and then worked on the whip cream. (I'm not sure why her complexion looks so pale. She's not feeling well but we have been out in the sun at every chance! She gets it honest. All the crap on the floor in the back is from Hullaballoo, one of the best kids games ever.)

In knitting news, I finished a pair of Coriolis socks by Cat Bordi. This is a crazy toe up new kind of sockitecture that blows your mind! I don't have duck feet, that's just the angle, but you can looks close and see how they spiral out clock wise and counter clockwise for the other foot. Yarn is Wild Foote by cascade, double stranded. ModificationsI changed the top to a rib and increased every third stitch then bound off to keep them from being too tight (which they were at first). These are bound for my brother in law. You can find this pattern free on the DIY website. I've got some serious startitus and I casted on for the Minimalist Cardigan and I plan to cast on for Rusted Root as soon as my swatch dries.

Milkshakes are gone and the bubble machine is going, I better log off.

No Medal For Me

2010-03-03T14:42:00.000-08:00

I didn't finish my Olympic Mittens on time, in fact, I might just make them fingerless gloves! I can only manage about 3 rows in an hour, too much concentration needed for these to turn out right. I challanged myself with colorwork, but a true olympian would just keep going. So, I'll press on and finish these some day! Thanks for the challenge, Harlot!

Springtime!

2010-03-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

The sun brings out the best in us! We had our first outdoor lunch of the year, in March, I cannot believe it! Messy hair and food on their faces, our signature!

Maya Angelou

2010-02-28T22:04:00.000-08:00

My in-laws got us a family membership to the YMCA for Christmas, and I've been taking advantage of it. Once a week, the kids go to childcare and I do some cardio, then ride the bike and read to keep moving. I read Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter and was especially moved by the Fannie Lou Hamer chapter. I'm copying part of it to commemorate Black History Month (I just made it!):

By Maya Angelou:
I believe that there lives a burning desire in the most sequestered private heart of every American, a desire to belong to a great country. I believe that every citizen wants to stand on the world stage and represent a noble country where the mighty do not always crush the weak and the dream of a democracy is not the sole possession of the strong.

What do I think of my country? What is there, which elevates my shoulders and stirs my blood when I hear the words, the United States of America: Do I praise my country enough? Do I laud my fellow citizens enough? What is there about my country that makes me hang my head and avert my eyes when I hear the words the United States of America, and what am I doing about it? Am I relating my disappointment to my leaders and to my fellow citizens, or am I like someone not involved, sitting high and looking low? As Americans, we should not be afraid to respond.

Back to my words: With the Olympics closing and health care debate starting back up again, I keep thinking about these two paragraphs. I've visited my senators, signed petitions and written emails supporting health care reform. I don't have a single family member that would be able to go out and find insurance on their own in this capitalistic society. It's time for reform. Should we make it possible for all Americans to get their own insurance? Should we insure people who would not be able to pay for it themselves? The answer isn't no, it's yes.

Faces

2010-02-20T09:19:00.001-08:00

This is my Olympic knitting. You cast on for a new project and finish by the end of the Olympics. It's supposed to be a challenge for you and get you to try something new. This is a color work project, a mitten. But, the Olympics are half over and I need two! Looks like I'm not getting the gold this year:) I've got a long plane ride ahead of me, so we'll see if I can make up for it. Maybe I'll be the Lindsy Vohn of knitting. I think the only challenge for me will be to not curse in public as the yarn keeps breaking (see all the ends hanging out, complete agony). We've had amazing weather here in the PNW. Sunny and 60s on Friday so we headed to Mukilteo beach. Here are some faces to get you through the week! Butters opted out of the photo shoot!

She'll either be in the Olympics or the Oscars!

Make it Work

2010-02-11T07:39:00.000-08:00

The other month, at my neighborhood meeting, I was knitting when the couple behind me asked about it. They had never used circular needles. "Can you turn a heel?" the man asked. Of course! His grandmother had raised him and taught him to knit and crochet. He said she would take the cotton string pulls from sugar bags, save them and have him knit them into square wash clothes. She would sell these to the store to buy more sugar!

Now, this is a man who calls the vice present and I, "the ladies," and only suggests men to chair committees or drive the tractors in the community garden. I started thinking about the two things that have changed so much: we don't make boys sit and do things like they used to and we don't use things up like they used to. They had a saying: Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. Or it is, Use it up, make it work or do without. I might be channeling Tim Gunn on that last one? Anyway, I'll get down from my soap box and just add that we have a very disposable outlook today. Disposable towel scrub brushes (how clean does the inside of your pipes need to be?), disposable bibs for babies, and don't get me started on Lunchables! We are surrounded by waste (and I'm just looking around my dining room at all the crap I have)!

E likes to pull on my yarn as I'm knitting and asks if it's for her, "Dat to me?" Butters has not shown any interest in crochet, knitting or embroidery or even sitting still for that matter. He used to like to visit my craft room and make stuff, but not much lately. Although the other day he tried knitting her hair in the bath, so maybe their is hope!

In and Out

2010-02-05T14:14:00.000-08:00

In: Tank Tops Out: Velour Pants
In: Seasonally Inappropriate Dresses Out: Jeans

Sewing and Knitting Update

2010-02-04T07:26:00.001-08:00

This is a button cowl neck warmer for my awesome friend in San Fran, she picked out this Firebird color in Malabrigio, it was a refreshing knit for the winter. Got it at Imagiknit, store pattern is My SoCalled Cowl.Next up, a loser. I'm still trying to perfect brioche stitch but this hat shows I've got more to learn. This is for a cancer survivor in Southern California, but the thickness is more suitable for Alaska. The yarn was a bit pricey, should I rip it out and make something else or live with the mistakes and send it to a non-knitter in Alaska (not Sara Palin, she's got plenty of money to spend on hats)? By the time I decide and make something else, his hair will be back and winter will be over!

Mark Lipinski fabric from P. Mookie, it seemed like it wanted to be log cabin squares. I made about 18 of them, and they are 10", not sure what they want to do next! Table cloth, summer quilt, all I know is, it's bright and happy.

Blue and silver Asian-type fabric. This is a thick table runner with colors going dark to light. Two layers of fabric, batting and heat resistant batting-so it's a giant table protector! I started quilting it and bad things happened. It's on time out. It was going to be a Cmas present, but i might keep it for myself!

This is what I've been doing the last month, for about an hour a day, The Princess Blanket! There is more than pictured but my helper came so I grabbed this photo and stopped laying it out. I've pieced 33 nine patch squares, 6" each. I figure I'll need 60, I'm halfway! Larger print fabric in blue and pink are cut to 6" squares and I'll put it all together and tie it. It will be too frustrating to put this large of a blanket into my machine! Whenever E and I go to the fabric store, she would pick out fabric and I'd buy 1/4 a yard. You can see she likes cupcakes, pink, hearts, polka dots, cherries and when she started picking out sports equipment and butterflies I decided we had enough themes to work with! Can you believe there are over 6 different pink cupcake fabrics!

Stay Home

2010-02-02T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's taken 4 years but I've finally admitted I'm a stay home mom. My answer would change based on who would ask me. First, "I stay home but I work from home for my old job." Then, "I work on the weekends at a knitting store." And for the last 2 years I'm an unpaid, never stay home mom who's kisses heal hurt knees, I specialize in wiping butts and remembering all the things you may possibly need for a day at the beach, I can locate lost toys, organize our finances and raise two loving incredible beings. If this wasn't an important job, I wouldn't be doing it.

I just stepped away from this to comfort The Princess who climbed over the arm of the chair and banged her leg. We had a 10 minute hug and I can still feel the warmth from her snugly PJ body. Before, I would think of the other things to do, there is always so much to do! Now, I'm content to sit and enjoy things. I'm also working on not being there. I know that sounds contradictory. But, we've turned a corner and the kids play on their own so much better now. I used to turn on the TV, give them a drink and take a 10 minute shower, walking backwards out of the room. This morning, they were arguing (hey, they are using their words), and I just hopped in the shower-no planning other than my clean pair of underwear. My hubby and I can now make dinner together, at the same time, while the kids play and we don't have to be hovering or playing with them. It's heaven!

I asked DH a while back if the kids should take classes at the museum or a science camp. He said, "You are their mom, they are in science camp." It was the best compliment he could have given me!

*Photos are blurry but I couldn't resist. We inflated a balloon with a bottle. Put vinegar or other acid in the bottle, then add pockets of baking soda made from toilet paper or other dissolving material and put the balloon on. CO2 gas is created which inflates the balloon and goofiness ensues.

Obama

2010-02-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

If you didn't catch Obama finally being Obama, here's the video from the Rebulican Town Hall Meeting:

http://my.barackobama.com/HouseVideo

He had an open debate with republicans and took any and all questions. Great discussion.

Balance

2010-01-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

We went to Mukilteo Y and the kids and I played in the gym for Tot Time. After, I dropped them off at child watch and did some serious cardio. Both kids did well at child watch, I picked them up and they were rosy faced from climbing and running around! We ate a packed lunch (always saving money), and then we all got ice cream and went to the beach.

(Yes, I washed his hands after touching the crab leg.)

There is much more balance this year! Balance of time together and apart, it's something both DH and I needed and the kids needed. Some people make a new years resolution to spend more time with their kids but mine is the opposite! We eat every meal together, we go to the bathroom together, we are always together or at least on the same floor of the house. But things are slowly changing- Butters will go upstairs and play by himself up in his room. And the two of them will play nicely together, acting things out, reading together or just sharing a space without injury!

Well-almost no injury!

DH and I are doing yoga at night to get in shape and get even more balance. It's a great start to the year! My other resolution is is need a belt again!

Knitting and Knitting!

2010-01-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

There has been knitting. This is the Shalom Cardigan in Manos. I'll try to Ravelry the details for the knitters out there.
Concentric circle vest that photographed like a giant blob and wears like an 80s vest. It's got cables done in short rows so they make circles around the arm hole.

Completed Zimmermann Bog Jacket, arms are 2 inches too long but very warm, I like the waist shaping.

Sunrise Circle sweater in LSS, a silk wool blend. Very soft, very warm!

And next up is the Tilled Duster!

I pictured a mosaic of all the knitting from this year, also imagined me pictured in the sweaters but I'm tired of waiting for the perfect photos, so here we are, my winter of knitted sweaters.

Enough Said!

2010-01-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

She's Single and Fabulous and she gets dressed by herself!

BPS-Dog Woods

2010-01-08T11:07:00.001-08:00

A hike in the dog woods on a mild day made for a great first photo shoot of 2010 with Butters' own camera! Comments by Butters.

"I don't like Levi anymore, because he stepped on my foot when he was watching me. That's bad, Levi"

Plywood

Lichen

"My dad is special."

"That's all I want."

Sneak Peak to the Future

2010-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

I read the Mother Jones article about pink as a gateway color to sleeping in science class, and I read Reviving Ophelia and See Jane Hit (totally disagreed with this theory of sports involvement increasing violence in women and girls). My goal is to raise a confident, strong young woman. But lets not get ahead of ourselves, first we need to get past 2! I can't help but look at her and see the future E, future Madame President or even a great Mom or even both??? I try to balance the pink by telling her that she looks smart and strong in her dress, but there are a lot of things about her that are just girlie and she loves it. So, we'll make sure she's a happy 2 year old for now!

Gotta run, the Princess just slammed the bathroom door!

I will balance this non-Butters post with a photo shoot from the camera-shy Butters!

Take a Walk with Us!

2009-12-29T09:46:00.001-08:00

Butters' illness before Cmas meant we couldn't leave the house. So, when DH got home early on Wednesday, I hit the road for a last minute gift and some road rage. I was home in time (the sun goes down around 4:30) to take a walk with E who had been couped up and needed some attention, too! Take a walk with us!

Blurry, but look at that smile! "Follow me!" She said. Then she ran off, "Can'tcatchme."
Demonstrating the grouchy face. M&Ms got her going again, then she said she was, "Just kidding!" You have to stay one step ahead of her. Notice the socks on her hands.

Examining rocks, her favorite.

Put the rocks in your pocket. Mom, don't forget to get them out before the washing machine!

"Pick me up?" She walked about a mile round trip.