1,201 Baths and Counting

Preface: So many nights I LOVE bath-time.

And for each of those nights, there is an equal and opposite night I ask myself, "how many times have I done this?". Bath-time can be a parent's version of Groundhog Day.

I found this Amazing Days Alive Calculator online and was able to determine that as of tonight, give or take a few dozen baths generously provided by Grandparents and Friends, we have provided 1,201 baths to Henry and/or Lucy.

Power to the bath-givers all over the world. God knows we love a clean-smelling kid!

We Love a Good Garbage Man

Wednesday morning is the most exciting morning of the week at our house. The Garbage Man comes. One day we ran into him at Starbucks and after introducing ourselves and practically asking for his autograph, he asked for our address. Ever since, he not only waves, but honks if he doesn't see the kids in the window yet and gives them a chance to wave back. He and his partner are awesome. They will be getting a big batch of cookies this Christmas.

We've yet to win over the Yard Waste Man, whose indifference just about brings these two to tears every Wednesday.

Starbucks finds yet another way to make us happy in the morning.

A Christmas Elf Come Early

This was my hat when I was little. Maybe my mom thought this one might pin my ears back. For that same reason and several others, it suits Lucy as well.

Crab Feed of Another Kind

At Point Defiance Zoo with Grandpa and Grandma, watching the otters eat their crab dinner. This was really fun to watch close up and we could all clearly relate to how happy they were.

Gas Man

Henry has always been a good "gas man", but now he is putting his skill to propper use.

Portland Part IV: Introducing Kristin and Tom Russo

IV: Kristin is somethin' else and her new husband Tom, seems about as perfect a match as I could hope for her. Loved being part of this event. Extra loved Tookie and Grandpa babysitting for us two nights in a row. That was so good for all 4 of us in so many ways. Thank you! And thanks for getting married Kristin!

Portland Part III: World Class Thighs

III. These thighs, belonging to my cousin Amy's daughter Ali, deserve their own post. They are award winning! She is perfection.

Portland Part II: Gigi is Great

II. Spent the morning with Great Grandma Gigi and Freeman cousins Amy (her baby Ali) and Amanda. LOVED being able to see them all in one stop. It was a very fun morning!

Portland Part I: Mimi is Marvelous

I. First of many adventures in Portland this last weekend; visit with Great Grandma Mimi. Lucy was in rare form and even doled out a couple of kisses. You lucky Duck, Mimi! We love you.

One Long Hour for Mom

Lucy and I dropped Henry off yesterday at an introductory hour of "Catholic Preschool" of sorts. Not a very rigorous program, just an opportunity for "quiet play" and to meet new friends at St. Pats and most importantly, to take direction from someone other than Mom and Dad without either of us there. Lucy and I said, "Have fun Henry!" and turned around and headed for the car, being sure not to look back and offer an opportunity for either him or I to chicken out. To be honest I think it was harder on Lucy than me. We got to the car and she looked very confused, saying "enny, enny, enny?". Then we hit the produce stand right outside St. Pats and she got a whole pear to herself. I could see her smile, thinking, "I could get used to this."

Kids are quick to move after class, and our camera is a POS (excuse me), so the photo below is the only one I caught of Henry's big adventure. I'll be sure to have a new camera by the time "real" school starts. Henry said, "School was so fun, I painted and cut flowers, but now you need to wash my Crocks". And when asked if he would go back next week for two hours, he said, "uh huh" in his deepest voice. Big kid.

Etsy Update

Back on the wagon. Just posted 6 items on Etsy.

Have any Etsy sellers ever used the "promote" funtion to buy space on a "showcase" succesfully?

Coffee Milkshake

In Blender
2 C Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

1 C Ice

1 C Coffee

1 T. Coffee Grounds

Awesome

Lord, keep these little ones safe on their boards and let the first hole in the wall happen before I repaint the living room.

And They're Off

Great time a few weeks ago at the Closing Day of the Horse Races with the Rob and Cristina McDougalls. My Grandpa Bobbie used to take me to the track when I was little and so we were delighted to find out a namesake horse was running. Note the sponosor as well. Thought it was kismet. When we hit the booth to bet on him however, learned he had dropped out of the race. Funny.

Best part of the day: Ole' Hank saddled-up on his first pony. Yeehaw.

The Henry Mack Project

Once Henry's shoes are on in the morning, it is time to go. In an effort to distract him while I get dressed etc. I sometimes give him the task of "styling" Lucy. His choices are interesting, but sometimes hit the mark. I'll give Luce credit for the "pretty pretty" on her wrist though. She is a loverly lady after all.

Henry's Bathroom - Phase II

Phase II

• wall color chosen and applied (Laura Ashley - Brick #5)

Break it Down

Break-Dancing has hit an all-time high around here. In fact, it seems to be the only kind of dancing Henry does. I think I have "Save the Last Dance II" to thank for this. I love how Lucy gets so worked up she's ready to derobe at one point. Sorry for the length of video, just so hard to tell when you might miss something high-larious.

Lucious the Goofy

Meg, have an extra clown college application lying around?

I Love "KNOCK KNOCK"

I'm a little sick about organization. I know this. Much to my pleasant surprise, today I found a whole company full of sick people in, "KNOCK KNOCK". One example, their "task clips" above. Good news for me and my kind.

About their "{TO DO PAD}" which I also bought:

Making a list of things to do is one of the few chores that is both essential for organized productivity and delectable for leisurely procrastination.

Amen I say.

Beach Friends

5 adults + 8 kids = a full house and lots of fun.

Some of the Whammerettes headed to the Freeman/Caldwell Beach Compound this weekend (Thanks Mom and Dad!). We used up every bed and then some. The kids had lots of fun together and since all of us brought our strollers and everyone's kids hit the sack at about 7:30, the Moms + Brit had a few moments alone too! We walked into town for coffee and donuts and played on the beach every morning and even hit the Astoria Sunday market on the way home. Thanks for coming everyone! It was a little tough to get 8 kids under 3 years old corralled for a photo on the stairs, so we'll have to save that one for next year.