What a Weekend!

What a fantabulous weekend! Fantabulous is a word, right?! Fantastic and fabulous.

It started with Littlebit and I heading to the market on Friday. The sun was shining and the market was bustling. That evening we went to a Rainiers game. Lovey walked out on the field with his team. He loved it! The Rainiers won. 18-4! Even though the sun was shining it was so cold at the game. The wind whipped through the stands. Brrrr.... Littlebit didn't complain about watching baseball because she new that there were fireworks at the end.

On Saturday, Lovey had a baseball game. He made an inning ending catch and got his first hit and RBI! Way to go, Lovey! I actually got the hit on video tape, but not the catch. After he caught the ball, his teammates picked him up and swung him around. It was very cute! My dad made it to the game and took us out for ice cream after the game.

We went for a bike ride on Sunday morning. Lovey rode his bike for 7 miles! It was an overcast day, but very muggy. We spent the afternoon working in the garden and then watched Beezus and Ramona. What a nice way to end a beautiful weekend.

Movies

Over the weekend, we took the kids to go see the movie, Tangled. It was such a cute movie and both of the kids loved it. It is not your typical "princess" movie. And Littlebit was right, Rapunzel traps the boy with her hair. (This is what she said after she received a Rapunzel doll for her birthday.)

We stopped at the grocery store to buy candy bars first. (I wasn't sneaking candy in. I don't think the place we were going sells movie candy, but you can enjoy a meal while watching the movie! I even saw people walk in with ice cream cones.) While at the grocery store, I realized that my kids have never picked out a candy bar. They have had candy, but I don't think I have ever had them pick out I candy bar. My poor deprived kids! I remember my mom buying candy bars for us. I typically chose Big Hunk. Not because it was my absolute favorite - I did like it though, but because it was big. I couldn't believe how expensive candy bars are - wow!

It was fun family time!

Love this!

Littlebit spent the weekend at Nana's house over the long weekend. She was so excited and has been looking forward to this for months. On Saturday morning she woke up and said, "Is it tomorrow yet?" She could not wait to get to Nana's.

It sounds like she had a wonderful time. Nana spoiled her while she was there too. Littlebit came home with a lot of gifts. One of my favorite things was Crayola Disney Princess Mini Coloring Pages with Mini Markers. Littlebit loves it! Every time we get in the car, she brings it with her and spends the entire car ride coloring. She calls the pictures her photographs and it is all contained in its own box. It is so cute!

Littlebit had a wonderful time and can't wait to visit Nana again! Thank you Nana!

Pumpkin Patch

Littlebit and I went the pumpkin patch twice this past week. We went once with her class and then as a family. The weather was foggy and cold for her class trip, but the sun came out while we were there. She had a great time with her class going through the hay maze and down the big slide.

The weather was beautiful on Sunday, so we took a trip to a different pumpkin patch. After picking out our pumpkins the kids went through the hay maze, petting zoo, and the kids' play area. Littlebit loves the animals and even touched the sheep and pig. Lovey is like me and didn't want to touch any animals.

Now we are ready to carve our pumpkins!

Camping

Last weekend, we took the kids camping at Lake Crescent. We only had two three day weekends left before Labor Day, so even though we had a 30% chance of rain, we decided to go for it.

It was cold on the drive up there. It's August and only 58 degrees. Brrr... By the time we got there, the sun had come out and it started to warm up. Hooray. After finding a site (there were only 5 left) and setting up our tent, the kids wanted to go swimming in the lake. Brrr... I brought life jackets because if the weather held up we were going to take a ride in my dad's boat. I made them wear the life jackets since I was not going swimming. Lovey was disappointed because it made it difficult to swim. Littlebit didn't last very long in the water because it was so cold.

At about 5am, we woke up to rain on our tent. It was just a little drizzle, so we decided to pay for the next night of camping too. We went hiking to Sol Duc Falls with my mom and went we came back, we discovered that it must have rained a lot while we were gone.

There was water under our tent and the chairs were full of water. We decided to pack up the tent and end our camping trip early. I tried to be a good blogger and take pictures of the watery mess, but I got in trouble for not helping pack up. Oh well.

Here's the mess on the tarp. You can't really see it, but it is covered in water.

Big Daddy pouring water out of the chair.

Now we have everything set up in our garage to dry. When our neighbor saw the tent in our garage, he laughed and asked if we were camping in there. No, we just have bad luck camping. This is the third trip in a row that we have been rained on.

Outdoor Adventure

Saturday was Mom and Son Outdoor Adventure Day! It is an event put on by the Parks and Rec department here. Lovey was very excited to go - he even missed a birthday party because we were signed up to go. The weather was beautiful!

They had a lot of different stations, but we didn't try them all. I thought Lovey would like the jousting and swords, he always is playing it at home, but he didn't want to have any part of it. He did climb the rock wall and made it about halfway up before he said it was too hard. I don't think this guy helped him as much as last year, so he had to work harder. We both shot a bow and arrow at the booth put on by Cabela's and then we ran in an inflatable hamster ball. The one I was in had a leak, so if you stepped in the right place, a burst of air shot at you. I had a hard time regaining my balance when we got out, but Lovey went back to do it two more times. We also tried to do geocaching. It was hard to figure out the GPS the first time, but Lovey was quick to pick it up the second time.

They had a lot of snacks and even ice cream. Poor Lovey, dropped his cone half way through it. Too bad I had already finished mine. Lovey and I had a great time and can't wait to do it next year!

Surprise!

Whenever we need to run errands or go somewhere, the kids throw a fit. Rarely is there an exception to this rule. I don't know why they do this, but it often makes us late for things. I should clarify, usually it is Lovey who is throwing the fit. Running errands is boring, but it is something that has to be done.

I also find it absolutely hilarious to fool my kids too. I find delight in telling them that we are doing something so absolutely boring, like clean the garage, when in reality we are going out to ride bikes. They are pretty good about knowing when I am joking.

Big Daddy has finally convinced Lovey that baseball is fun to watch and when Lovey finds something he likes, he can be a little obsessive about it. So for weeks, all I have heard about are the Mariners and Ken Griffey, Jr. When they are playing, what the score is, etc. Since the games come on after bedtime, he listens to them on the radio. He wants you to throw the ball to him everyday and with the weather being nice, he told us that Sunday would be a great day to go to the game.

All of this led to our plan for Sunday. We told the kids that we needed to go to a flooring store in Seattle to look at more flooring. (We have looked at a lot of flooring lately.) We expected complaining, but instead Lovey just asked which one and could we listen to the game in the car. Okay, not was I was expecting. Both Littlebit and Lovey put on their shoes without grumbling and quickly got into the car. Seriously?! I can't get them to do that when we are going anywhere.

On the way up we had to listen to the pregame show. I told Lovey that we probably couldn't listen to the game because we needed to go to a lot of stores. He said okay. Who's kids are these? As we neared Seattle, Lovey pointed out where the Mariners played, but when we turned in that direction he didn't get excited or say anything. When we passed by Safeco field, Littlebit got excited and said, "Hey, that's the Mariners' home!" Still no clue that we were going to the game. It wasn't until we turned to go into the parking garage that they figured out we were going to the game. They were so excited!

It was Kid's Day, so Littlebit and Lovey got Felix Hernandez jerseys. Lovey wore his the whole time and dind't want to leave his seat because he might miss something. Littlebit was less enthused, but she had fun playing in the play area and asking for every treat that went by. Unfortunately the Mariners couldn't pull out a win, but it was a beautiful day to be watching a Mariners game.

We all had a great time and the best was when they said thank you for buying the tickets! It was a great surprise for all of us. For the kids that they went to the game and for us that they didn't throw a fit when we said we were going to a flooring store.

An Adventure

In December we had a little bit of snow. It didn't last long, but we had hopes that we would have more snow during the winter. (Last year we had snow in April.) We decided to buy the kids a sled, snow pants and snow boots in early January, but the weather never worked out to go sledding. It was either too warm and the sledding hill we were going to go to was closed or it was raining. I wanted to have fun, not be miserable.

This weekend was forcast to be beautiful and we decided we had one last chance to actually cut the tags off the snowpants and boots and go out to the snow. We decided to go to Mt. Rainier. Everything was perfect. We had lunches packed and managed to get out of the house by 8:30. Our plan was to return home in the early afternoon.

I showed Big Daddy where we were going on the computer and we had been to Mt. Rainier together, twelve years ago and since he refers to himself as a human map, I trusted him to get us there. That was mistake #1. We passed signs that said the highway was closed and I didn't question him. Mistake #2. I assumed that he knew something that I didn't and that he knew what he was doing. Mistake #3. All of these mistakes added up to us driving 2 hours to a road closed sign and needing to turn around. Ugh. We had driven towards Sunrise, which is closed in the winter. Apparently this was the only place at Mt. Rainier that Big Daddy had been to and assumed that it was the same place I was talking about.

There wasn't much we could do, but laugh about it and drive back down. After consulting the map again to show him where we were going, we decided that we would drive back around. We finally reached Paradise at 1:30, a full five hours after we had left our house!

It was beautiful with the clear skies and the sun shining. We all took turns going down the sliding hill in our sled. We had a great time. We spent about two hours sledding before the kids wanted to go home. We went home the correct way and it only took two hours. We were all more tired from sitting in the car than from walking up the hill many times.

Thankful!

What a fabulous and busy Thanksgiving weekend! My mom and Scott arrived on Tuesday. That night Lovey had a sleepover with a dear friend who is moving away. They had a great time and in the morning, my mom drew the outline of their bodies on paper for them to decorate. The kids loved it.

The Thanksgiving turkey took an hour longer than it was supposed to and one side didn't quite reach 180, so we didn't eat that side. I don't know it was weird. The food was delicious. We tried a new stuffing recipe from Sunset magazine that was quite tasty and Scott made cannales. My mom made olive cookies that were good at first and then I thought they were okay. She didn't like them, but Scott did.

We went to see the Christmas Forest on Friday and then my mom and I went shopping. We went to all the stores I can't take the kids into. We spent most of our time in a nursery of all places. We laughed and talked a lot and had a great time together. I had so much fun.

Saturday Big Daddy put up the outside lights at Lovey's insistance and then after my mom beat me at two games of Nerts we went to Fantasy Lights. The kids really liked it. Favorites included the construction equipment throwing the snowballs to make a snowman, the dinosaurs, the reindeer, and the bees at the flower.

What a wonderful weekend despite our house being full of runny noses and coughing! I'm so glad my mom could stay for so long, it was a treat!

I think I might be crazy...

What a fabulous weekend! The kids went to see Disney on Ice with their grandparents and Big Daddy and I went spent a fabulous Saturday together. We treated ourselves to coffee and apple fritters and then did a little Christmas shopping and walked around downtown. It was nice to go into stores I don't dare take the kids into and just stroll around at a leisurely pace. I even showed Big Daddy the piano I really, really want.

To end the weekend, I started on a project that I hope turns out well. I am making a slipcover for a pink chair that my mom gave me. I hope it turns out well and I'll have a completed project to show you soon.

Weekend without kids

I thought I would get so much done last week with only having one child at home, but it was just too hot. Lovey went to Grandpa's to going fishing. This was one of the things on his summer to-do list. He had a great time. He caught two pinks and brought home some crab too. His first day fishing they didn't get anything, but then they went out the next day and finally caught something. The straits were a little rougher that day with some white caps, but Lovey had a great time on the boat.

He was very tired when he got home and the next day we got in the car and drove to Grandpa and Grandma's house. We wanted to see their new addition on there house and the kids were going to stay there for the weekend.

We always seem to over plan when the kids are gone because there is so much we would like to get done without the kids around, but I'm always disappointed when we don't get to it all.

We had a great weekend though. We did a little shopping after dropping of the kids and went to a late dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. (I ordered a raspberry martini that was watery and couldn't believe that it was $10! Yikes! I will not do that again.) We went to the sale at the bike shop and looked at washers and closet organizers at Lowes. Then we were off to a coworkers wedding. The reception was on the water and the sunset was beautiful, but oh my, it was hot! The next morning we were able to pick some blueberries just in time for the kids to get home.

Now we need to rest. Everyone is tired.

Camping

A few weekends ago we went camping with three other families. There were 17 of us total. Eight adults and 9 kids. We went to a state park with a creek on the canal. The kids had a great time riding their bikes and scooters and playing in the creek. They wanted to swim in the canal, but each time we would go, it would be low tide and the oysters would cut their feet.
We planned on taking the kids swimming in the canal on Saturday night, but while we were changing we heard thunder. We waited awhile and since the cloud seemed to pass over us and there was blue sky we went down to the canal. As the kids were getting in, we saw lightening. We decided everyone had to get out and we would try again in the morning. It rained on and off with a bit of thunder and lightening, but ended soon. At 6am we woke up to a huge clap of thunder, I think Lovey was the only one to sleep through it and he had gone to bed with a migraine. We got up and took down our tent and left by 9:30. As we started driving off, it started to rain.

Here are 2 funny things that happened while camping:

1. My friend, Amy, killed a spider by the door of my tent. While she was killing it, she said, "You would do the same for me if it was a snake." I responded with a maybe. That afternoon while walking back from the creek, we saw a snake. She turned and ran screaming. I screamed and ran after her. Hmmm. Some friend I am.

2. Amy, Big Daddy, and I were walking back from the bathrooms in the dark and a dog started growling and running at us. The owners are yelling that he is off his leash. The dog is scary and is snarling at us. Big Daddy throws me in front of him and hides behind me. Nice. Thanks for protecting me! The owners got the dog and then said he was friendly. Sure.

Birthday Weekend

Even though Lovey's birthday is not until Tuesday, we spent all weekend celebrating.

Saturday we had a soccer game. Very funny and cute seeing four and five year olds running after the soccer ball. Lovey spent the whole time smiling at us as he was playing.

Then it was time for his dinosaur party with his friends. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. Everyone had fun and I had lots of activities planned. Then family friends stayed for an unhealthy, but yummy dinner of nachos, little smokies in crescent rolls, and a green salad.

On Sunday Nana, Scott, Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa came for lunch. We had grilled lemon garlic chicken and a couscous salad. Nana sent Lovey on a scavenger hunt for dinosaur eggs and then he had to dig in his sandbox for his presents. He loved it and Littlebit enjoyed collecting the eggs after he found them. Great-Grandpa eve played the Wii with Lovey and he thought that was very cool. Sadly they had to drive back home and we spent the rest of the evening playing in the backyard.

What a great weekend, but now everyone is very tired!

Ahhh... Sunshine, let spring begin

We only had one kid for the weekend. Lovey went to stay the weekend with Nana. He was so excited. He has been waiting for this and called her a couple of weeks ago to ask when he could go to her house. I love that he likes to go and stay with his grandparents. We took him up after school on Friday and he couldn't wait for us to leave him when we got there. He went hiking in the rain forest, saw elk, and collected rocks at the beach. When he got home today he was so excited about the time he spent with Nana.

Littlebit was a sad that she did not get to stay. She also missed her brother and kept asking for Lovey. We tried to make the weekend fun for her. She got chocolate milk on the way home from Nana's and we bought apple juice and she watched the last half of a movie. Grandpa also came by on Sunday and she was in heaven to have a grandparent all to herself. Grandpa pushed her on the swing and put up new toys on the playhouse. She also chased Ella, his dog, around the yard too.

We had a lengthy to-do list for the weekend and we accomplished most of it. We went to the nursery, planted a tree that my in-laws brought us last weekend, expanded the planting bed, went to Costco, pressure washed the back patio, finished Lovey's height chart, planted some seeds to start indoors, finished a skirt and jacket for Littlebit, cut the wood to frame our mirror, cleaned the high chair and posted it on craigslist, bought a grow light for our seeds, and enjoyed the sunshine.

We had grilled steak and red potatoes for dinner Saturday night and Lemon, Chicken, and Leek Pot Pie and grilled oysters tonight. The pot pie was very yummy, but would be much better on a cold day in January, not a nice warm day like today. (When I planned my menu it was snowing out.) The husband doesn't care for pot pie, but he liked this one and I know because he had seconds. We had never had oysters before, so my dad left us with some to try. I was indifferent about the oysters. They aren't a must have like shrimp and crab, but I didn't hate them. Lovey said he liked them, but I think they received a thumbs down from the rest of the family.

Spring break starts tomorrow. Hopefully this weather will stay around longer.

What a weekend

What a wacky weekend! Our weather has been everything from sun, rain, hail, and snow. Yesterday it snowed and then in the evening the kids played outside in the sunshine. This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow and right now tiny flakes are falling. Yesterday the flakes were enormous.

Daylight savings time started this weekend and that usually throws are schedules off, but this transition was easy so far. I think that had something to do with the kids being sick and I mean sick.

Friday night Littlebit woke up around 11pm and one Lovey woke up at 2 and someone (mostly Littlebit) was sick every half hour until about 5 or 6 in the morning. I know I didn't go to sleep until 4am. We also did 6 loads of laundry in the middle of the night and I had to change my shirt 3 times.

We took it easy on Saturday and watched tv and movies all day. The kids went to bed at their normal time and woke up at their normal time Sunday (which because we didn't change the clocks ended up an hour late - so bonus for us.)

We were all a little stir crazy, so we went to Ikea. It started snowing on our way, but we decided to keep going. The kids walked the entire store! Littlebit was tired of walking towards the end and it was nap time. I didn't find what I was originally looking for, but did find a few things I wasn't looking for. (Of course.) All of that walking and lack of sleep the previous days, both kids were out at bedtime on Sunday night and even slept in this morning.