Conflict Resolution

"Mom, take a picture of the frog I caught." The one I caught. You know the one I caught, all by myself. While Rollin was at school. And I was alone. By myself. Yeah, that one. The one I caught I. I. I. I. I.












I want to hold it too! It's my frog too!! I tried to shake it to death, doesn't that count for anything?!!
























No, just stand there and smile,wishing you had your own frog, while I hold MY frog.
That I caught.



















On second thought, let's both hold it.













I said nothing. Not a word. They completely resolved this problem, and even came up with the compromise, with no intervention. Nothing short of a miracle. Hallelujah!

Advent Day 1: Story and Cider

We read one of my favorite Christmas stories tonight, Apple Tree Christmas. The story takes place in 1881. I am a sucker for simple, humble, old-fashioned Christmas stories. And this one is so touching, but not at all sappy. The illustrations are beautiful as well. Then we enjoyed some spiced apple cider to warm us on this very chilly night.




















p.s. Darcie, your girls would love this story (if you haven't already read it)

It's time to feed me, Mom! I'm 7 Months Old!

First Christmas

Evan was mesmerized by the Christmas tree and I was completely mesmerized watching him. It was quiet and peaceful in the house, with everyone else in bed. Evan just looked up at the tree for several minutes taking it all in. The sparkles, colors and lights. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child is quite special indeed.



I am so looking forward to the next several weeks. Much of the planning is behind me. The gifts will mostly be experience oriented as I can't think of one thing the kids need or even want. I know they want something under the tree, a surprise, but I asked them to tell me what things we've done in the past that they most love about Christmas. Some of the things they said were decorating a tree outside full of goodies for the birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc like we've done the past couple of years (The Night Tree). They look forward to getting their ornaments and begged me to do the advent calendar with different ideas/activities each day. They just love the idea that there is something special (even if very simple) planned for each day leading up to Christmas. Decorating cookies, seeing the Botanical Garden lit up, looking at lights, making ornaments, and delivering homemade goodies to neighbors are some of their favorite activities. I had planned on each of those, but I have a few new ideas up my sleeve this year. Let the magic begin!

Thanksgiving at the Sleeping Lady

We had such a great time at The Sleeping Lady last year that we decided to go back again on Thanksgiving. Zig's Mom, Tina, and younger brother, Clement, drove up from San Diego and were able to come with us. The drive was gorgeous and Thanksgiving Dinner was so delicious. Fresh, local and beautifully presented. It was quite a nice feeling to be at the grocery store on Tuesday morning with just a few items knowing my Thanksgiving Feast would be stress free this year. I do love to cook, but my thoughts about Thanksgiving are a big crowd or go somewhere fun! And not many people are dying to visit Seattle in November so I have a feeling this could be a trend. Friday the weather was gorgeous, sunny and cool. We spent a couple hours in Leavenworth and then headed home to set up the Christmas tree!!


One of my little moutain goats

Clement hauling the girls in the luggage carts

He's got the "cheese" pose down

Nina with one of the painted salmon

Thanksgiving Dinner at Kingfisher Lodge

Evan enjoyed the squash soup and being held

A little post-turkey dancing with the stars routine

Sela and Nina enjoyed tossing things down at us from the loft and giggling all night long.

Leavenworth

Snow baby

Thankful tree

There is much to be thankful for each and every day, but it's so wonderful we also have a holiday to further celebrate and give thanks for the blessings we have in our lives. This year we made a little thankful tree with some branches from a cherry tree in the yard. The kids and even some visitors wrote the things they were thankful for on the tree. It's been a great visual reminder every time we sit down to eat, do homework, or visit that there is so much goodness in our lives. Interesting that not one leaf on the tree mentions toys or things or stuff, but instead people, animals, nature, life, loved ones, friends and God. Now the goal is to try and keep the Spirit of giving, thankfulness, and simplicity in Christmas as well.

Sela's Auction

Sela is inspired by anything and everything and I just adore that about her! She found a little strip of red tickets, and about two hours later she was hosting her own auction.

Up for grabs:

1 Packet of very original handmade cards. A different card for every occasion.

Sela's silkscreen turtle art piece.

A bouquet of cabbage, herbs,and other things she found in the garden. Love it!

A "kids go to bed early" ticket or "parents go to bed and kids stay up" depending on who gets it.

One Make- a- Wish card with the promise of a 90% chance the wish will come true. This one had a disclaimer that the wish can't be alive.














The goods
























Sela's lovely bouquet

















Time for the drawings
















Nina won first! (Excuse the couch in the background...it was halfway to its new spot in the basement)














The proud owner of the silkscreen turtle!




What fun! We all received two tickets to deposit in front of the items we most wanted. Nina won the silk turtle and the get out of bedtime certificate(like they need it!), Zig won the "wish" card, and I won the cards and bouquet. I divided the cards with Nina. We all went away happy! Thanks Sela!