Kindergarten Art

"That's you, like waving to somebody and that's like the wall and that's the store right here and thats' me sneaking out in like, a wolf costume."

One of those moments

I turned around today, while I was cleaning the kitchen, when I heard this adorable little voice singing 'Baa, Baa, Black Sheep' and 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider'.



The sight of her sitting on the couch, with her books and toys all around her, made me stop and think, "This is why I do this." This is why Jason works two jobs, this is why we still rent, this is why I'm a stay at home mom (at least 10 months of out the year). So that on a quiet, sunny, beautiful fall day, my little girl can spend her afternoon with her books, and her toys, quietly singing.



This is why we do it.

Halloween Decor 2009

I'm loving the top of my entertainment center this year. One of my all time favorite halloween decor creations. Unfortunately, I didn't take the time to move the antenna or speakers out of the way! Oh well. I'm hoping to get a good night shot with the candles glowing, but I need to get new candles first.

Regret? We'll see.

I just spontaneously, and very liberatingly, deleted 1,029 emails from my inbox.

And ignored the little red line showing up under the word 'liberatingly' because whether or not it's a real word, I like the sound of it.

And I keep playing over and over in my head my favorite scenes from today-

-When Sophie went running towards her dad in her halloween costume saying, "I'm a bumblebee. I like to fly!" in her adorable Sophie voice, with her newly acquired lisp.

-When Carson pulled out the red barn and actually played with it. He really played with a toy, like a real little boy!

-When Spencer, after talking to Steve on the phone, came bounding through the house frantically pulling on a costume yelling, "I've got to go! I've got to go to Grandma Goude's! There's aliens! Uncle Kent...Lisa's dad...Superman told me! There's aliens! I have to save the day!"

Up and Running

Come see us at the Halloween Store next to Safeway in Kennewick (off of 395 and Kenn. Ave).

I would try to sound more enthused but I'm too exhausted, we've spent the last week setting up and now we're ready for customers!

Edison "Seagull"

Spencer had his very first day as an Edison Eagle, though he still thinks he's an Edison Seagull.


Giving me his thumbs up.


Having his after-school snack.

I always loved coming home to a special made snack, I think my favorite was my mom's yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting. I was feeling pretty good about myself for baking some brownies, only to have Spencer come home, grab a jell-o and pass on the brownies!

Highlights from his first day:
Getting to go to P.E.
Getting a real tray at lunch time (he's in all day kinder).
Searching the school for the gingerbread man, even going into the office.


Check out those fine cutting skills! Thank you Mrs. Kristen!

Great and not so great highlights from my day:
Finding myself asking "do you have homework today?"
Telling Spencer to change out of his school clothes, and realizing I sound like a real mom.
Breaking up the first of many after school fights between siblings.
Finding gingerbread cookie crumbs in the bottom of the brand new backpack (he said it tasted like tomato soup- he was right.)
Tearing up as we walked away after watching him go to class. It was only a little bit, since I could feel Jason staring at me waiting to make fun of me!

How Carson spent his Summer

A little manual labor, we like to start them out early around here...


Chasing bubbles at Grandma Goude's...


Getting caught trying to climb the steps...


Tackling objects larger than himself...


Rock Climbing...


Posing...



Eating...


Drinking...


A little more posing, a little fit throwing...


Finding his own "emergency binkie" (much more manly than the purple emergency binkie)...


Bike Riding...


Park Playing...


and Growing Up...