Summer has landed

This weekend was such a beautiful weekend – and it officially feels like summer has finally come.  I’ve put away all the winter clothes and washed up the summer bedding (not really – that just sounded really organized and something my elders would do).  I finally replied “YES” to Christian’s constant asking if he can just always wear shorts every day now instead of waiting to ask me first.  Flip flops are the shoe of choice.  The 10 day forecast looks great – actually HOT in fact – but I swear you won’t hear me complain.

Seems that summers here in Seattle area are the glorious payment we receive after long, dreary, rainy days of winter.  Our reward for that makes up for our vitamin D deficiencies.  Perfect (and relatively bug free).

So this is right where we’ll be for the next few weeks.

Soaking it all in, and loving every minute of it.

moving on down

We moved Beckett’s crib to the lowest setting this weekend.  And this pose is the same one we’ve always done to mark such a momentous occasion.

Rattlesnake Lake

Now that Christian is biking like a pro on two wheels – we took a trip around Rattlesnake Lake yesterday.  It’s a nice, easy, paved path for bikes and strollers.  Christian was yet again confused and slightly disappointed that there were no rattlesnakes around Rattlesnake Lake; “Why do they keep naming places like that mom?  No tigers on Tiger Mountain and no rattlesnakes on Rattlesnake Lake?? Why would they do that?”  Good question.

Before leaving we stopped at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center – what a great, interesting place.  The grounds area is incredible as well.  There is an area where drums are set up with water droplets hitting the drums and making some very cool, zen like rhythms.

They also have kid sized backpacks filled with hiking stuff – animal track guides, binoculars, magnifying lenses, etc… for kids to check out and then return after their nature walk.  A really cool center that we had no idea existed until yesterday.  We will definitely be going back again – especially since its really in our backyard.  (5 miles)  I love discovering stuff so close to home.

And also a great viewing spot to Rattlesnake Ledge.  When Beckett’s hiking on his own we’ll plan a trip to that ledge.

A day well spent

We spent the day on Whidbey Island and had a fantastic time. The weather was absolutely perfect for a picnic on the beach, a hike along the water, and ice cream in a little historic costal town.  It just doesn’t get much better than that. 

Beckett put his little toes into the icy cold waters of Puget Sound for the first time (and didn’t not like it one bit). 

Campbelle and Christian had no problems at all with the water temps.  Its so much fun to watch them play… they would have stayed here for days!

We hiked around after lunch and explored an old WWII artillery dug out.

Campbelle would have liked play ‘house’ here.  She thought it had a good view.  I’d say so.

And Beckett took a little nap in the backpack.  (and Leif’s shave day is tomorrow I hope) ;-)

Then onto Coupeville – a great little historic town right on the bay.

The town is filled with art galleries – and I can totally understand the artistic appeal of this whole island.  Beautiful.

Then heading back home (we didn’t take the ferry over because the waits where so terribly long – and instead drive up and around) – we stopped at Deception Pass.  We had planned to walk the whole length of the bridge, but the footpath was just inches from the highway with fast cars and only a few little wires separating us and them.  And with Beckett on Leif’s back – if Leif moved to the side, Beckett was either hanging into traffic, or hanging over the bridge and either way that was just too much for my heart to take.  So we took a few steps on and then quickly exited.

A truly lovely day and we’ve now discovered a new spot to take all our out of town guests.  So when are you coming?

Our morning

70 degrees without a cloud in sight and two happy boys giggling in the sunshine.  Life is good.

Hip Hip Hurrah!

Today we celebrated at the Ballard Syttende Mai parade and festivities.

The kids were all decked out in their bunads.

And my handsome husband in his.

The kids scored loads of candy at the parade and really enjoyed all the fun – and of course the ‘pølse med lompe’.

 

Christian was always up close, checking things out.

 

And decided that he would like to do what this guy is doing in the next parade.

 

Beckett had a great time at his first Syttende Mai parade and had all the elderly Norwegian women swooning over his handsome good looks and outfit.

The weekend was finished off with a scoop (or two) of ice cream  - every kids Syttende Mai treat.  What a great celebratory weekend!

 

Happy 17th of May

We celebrated Norway’s Constitution Day last night with some friends.  It was a great party.  A lot of food.  A lot of Aquavit (some had more, much more than others).  A really good night with great friends.

I made Kransekake again this year and have improved my skills by leaps and bounds from last years try.  Give me a few more years and I’ll be a pro!

 

And this party, we actually remembered to take pictures! 

Dick and I.

 

Outside was where all the singing and dancing took place.

 

Frode and Dan.  Dan’s Canadian – but we don’t hold that against him.

 

 

Here are two very drunk Norwegian boys.  Truly celebrating their country.  :)

 

Watch out – aquavit will get you!

 

 

End tally of the night:

• 35 people
• 10 bottles of wine
• 3 lbs of shrimp
• 1 lb smoked salmon
• 4 bottles of aquavit
• countless beer bottles
• 4 people passed out ;-)

All makes for one very good, entertaining party!

(more 17th of May photos coming after the parade today!)

9 month photos

We finally got around to taking Beckett’s 9 month photos at JCPenny today.  They turned out pretty cute… none with his big, flashy smile – but we’ll take what we got.

This one cracks me up.  Looks like he’s some body builder baby…. bulking his muscles up.  “Don’t mess with me.  I’m one tough dude.”  But then his big bright smile trips his image up a bit.

Every Girl deserves a little special treatment now and then….

And to be honest, after years of highlighting my hair – I probably could use a good Downy dunk too.

Campbelle thought that her doll Ruthie (American Girl doll knock off) that came free with the knock off American Girl doll bed on craigslist, needed a new hair do.  She came to us after several years of not being played with and her hair not being tended to.  And that kind of neglect would start to wear on any girl.

So I search the web and found some solutions.

http://www.justmagicdolls.com/articles/HairCare/AdvancedHair.htm

My mother’s Day

Yesterday was a great mother’s day that started with breakfast in bed, and homemade gifts (along with a beautiful orchid and a previously hinted at sewing machine!) Then the rest of the day was spent outside and being together.  I am one lucky mom!

We hiked 3.5 miles on Tiger Mountain.  The elevation was quite steep for the first mile but the kids did great.  Not a word of complaint from either one of them the whole trip.  They were just happy as can be with their nature cans strapped to their packs, walking sticks in hand, and an eye out for anything ‘dangerous’. 

Christian was sorely disappointed that he didn’t see a bear or a tiger (can I tell you how many times we had the question ‘Well why is it called Tiger Mountain then mom, there must be tigers up here somewhere”).

Here are just a few more photos of what was a great trail.

Leif hiked with an extra 22lbs of baby on his back too.  He is amazing – because it really did get pretty tough at times.  Beckett was great too.

After the hike, we had a nice picnic lunch up at the view point overlooking the Snoqualmie Valley.  The kids ran and played while Leif and I stretched our sore muscles.  :-) 

A fantastic day with my 4 most favorite people.

Train Field Trip

I went with Christian’s preschool class on their field trip to the old train station in Snoqualmie.  They had a morning filled with all sorts of train related activities – story time, crafts, etc…  The highlight was the actual ride on the train out to Snoqualmie Falls and back again.  A fun morning… but wow – I can cross off Preschool Teacher from my list of possible jobs.  Yikes!  Those teachers have remarkable patience!!

Christian and his buddies.

3 Kids = Loss of mind

First off, you have to promise that after reading this post you won’t report me to Child Services.  Promise?  If so, read on and please don’t judge me.

Campbelle and I decided to join the Green Team at her school.  There was a meeting scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at 3:30.  It was during Beckett’s nap time and I had made plans to drop Christian off at our neighbors for a little while.  When dropping off Christian, my good kind neighbor said that she would gladly watch Beckett too.  Being it was his nap time, I assured her it would be just as easy to bring him along, in the stroller, and most likely he would stay sleeping throughout the whole meeting.  ‘Thanks for the offer.  But he can just come with us” I said.

On the way to the meeting, Campbelle and I are chatting up a storm about all the things we can do to protect our earth and keep it clean.  We are having an intense conversation about what a ‘carbon footprint’ is and how to reduce ours when we pulled up to the school and were discussing the process of composting as we walked into the school office.  (Do you see what’s missing already?!?  ).  We waited in line at the office for a several minutes.  Then got directions to Mr. Hayden’s classroom, which was at the far end of campus.  Campbelle and I stopped by her classroom.  We looked at some art in the hallways.  We chatted with a few teachers.  Just happy as can be – the two of us.  We walked outside to get to the Green Team meeting…. about 10 minutes after arriving. 

As I’m walking up to the ramp to the modular science classroom, a thought occurs to me:  Why, this ramp is great for wheelchairs.  I wonder if there are any kids at SES that are in a wheelchair, … and my stream-of-consciousness continued for a few seconds until it lands at ….. or how easy would this classroom be to push a stroller into!  STOP DEAD IN MY TRACKS!  Let out a little scream and pull Campbelle by the arm as we are race through the school grounds back to the van.  Where. I. Forgot. Beckett. !!!  The whole way back I’m nearly crying while saying a little prayer that the van isn’t surrounded by a bunch of moms and teachers – or worse yet - police.  I was praying that my sleeping little guy was still quietly sleeping and not scared to pieces and losing his mind.  I was praying that we didn’t run into anyone that knew us and asked us where the boys are.

We got back to the van and thankfully he was sweetly sleeping.  Without a care or worry in the world.  No people were congregated around the car and I felt relieved that all was well.  But now, I have the problem of leaving with all 3 of us – without making it obvious that I had left a baby in the car unattended.  I, or course, have to be parked directly in front of the pick-up lane (that isn’t moving) and several school crossing guards.  I’m entirely too embarrassed to go directly to the stroller and fetch him out.  So I make Campbelle jump in the car.  We left.  Drove around the parking lot.  And parked in another location.  I breathed deeply.  Calmed my nerves a bit.  Swore Campbelle to secrecy.  Said a little prayer of thankfulness.

And then, the three of us kindly made our way back to the meeting.

And good little Beckett napped.

9 months

Only our happy baby would get his shots at the doctor yesterday, make a fussy little face for 3 seconds, and then give a big, slobbery wet smile and giggle to the nurse.  That pretty much sums up his sunny disposition.

22 lbs and 31 inches of pure sweetness!

So cool

Jan von Holleban's Dreams of Flying series literally made me laugh aloud.  Upon showing it to the kids, they thought we should promptly setup to create our own photographs in similar style.  We’ll see.

 

Almost!

Like I said earlier… look out everyone.  Now I’ll be recording everything! :-)

Pocket Video Camera

I am soooo not a ‘techy geek’ – I’ve got someone else in our family that fills that role just nicely.  And when that someone starts talking to me about the latest and greatest thing, it sounds a bit like Charlie Brown’s teacher in my head.  (whaaa  whaaa whaaa).  But to give credit where it’s due – usually after the installation/purchase of these techy geek stuff, I’m generally very satisfied  (ok, sometimes I takes me a few weeks or months to retrain my old fashioned brain).  And I did say USUALLY.

Last weekend Leif was certain that we needed this newest digital video camera.  I, of course, resisted on the basis that we never use our current video camera except when in the hospital delivering a baby.  (don’t worry – those won’t be coming to YouTube.)  But much the same as Leif never wins arguments about paint color in our house, we promptly drove to the nearest Best Buy and he made a purchase.

And I have to tell you, it has turned out to be the coolest little gadget.  So small that it just slips right into you purse, so easy to use I figured it out in just a few minutes, and directly imports HD quality videos right into your computer.  And it comes in pink. 

And …. (I’ve already thrown the ad out so Leif doesn’t see it)… it’s on sale at Target this week.

So look out – I’ve got the ability to capture video with me at all times now!

Kindergarten Concert

Campbelle had a concert this week at school.  They did “Stone Soup.  A Rock Opera”.  It was so cute; all the kids sang their hearts out.

Campbelle’s part was to deliver the onions to the soup.  She did her part well – “even though I can’t stand onions”.  Way to act Campbelle!!

Happy May Day