Obama

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

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!

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!

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

BPS-Dog Woods

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

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!

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.