seven

Aden's birthday is the first weekend we will be in Seattle. I thought a little send off birthday bash would be a great way to celebrate. I was crazy stressed, with packing up & everything that still has to happen, but when I look at the pictures I am so glad we did it. Isn't that the way it always goes?

Cashing in, BIG TIME.

Aden & a crew of boys, everywhere we go the boys just seem to multiply.

We had the water themed party at Lakeview Park
 with another huge event going on in the background.
 I joked that we hired a live band for our party.
Good friends & family showed up & we did not get rained on, hooray!

Bobbi & I, nothing has changed since 8th grade for us.
(Except maybe we don't sneak off to cheerleading practice
with vodka in our sports bottles anymore- yikes!)

The Nelsons have been such great friends to us & the boys.
They are some of the most innovative & pioneering folks I know,
in practical things & relational.

I will give Aden a proper birthday post closer to his big day, our little blond firecracker is 7!

I had the day to explore Seattle a few weeks back while Matt interviewed for a job. It is such a strange shift, telling myself, "this is not a vacation, this will be home."

I guess it is good we will be locals, because "Tourism is crap." 

Farmer's Market! There is one in our neighborhood.

Yes folks, that is the sun, IN SEATTLE.

I hardly knew what to do with a couple hours to myself,
so ice cream & thrift stores lent a hand.

I covet those metallic topsiders. LOVE.

Then Matt met up with me & we headed to Molly Moon's for some ice cream.
I found out later that I went to Boise High with the Molly Moon,
what a happy small world.

So ya, I had ice cream twice that day.
The sun was out in Seattle, it just seemed right.

Matt is the best date, I love him but I also really like the guy.

Salt Licorice & Thai Tea. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Later that night we stopped in at a French bakery near our house.
Those French, they may be known for being jerks
but boy can they work magic in the kitchen.

the before

Pictures of the new place in Seattle, ya know,before it is covered in fingerprints & awesomeness.

The new place has 2 fireplaces,this one is in the basement living area.

The basement windows with bars on them shouldn't look so pretty,
 but I love 'em. Bonus: harder for boys to break a window.

A lot of old house storage built in, this will be the pantry.
In haste, Matt & I ripped all the cabinets out of our Nampa home.
Ever since, storage just calls to me.

Upstairs fireplace & hardwood floors!

Once again, I am swooning over closet space.
Also, the lilac right outside makes for a beautiful view.

round up

Parker played basketball this winter.
Matt coached & Parker actually listened to him.
Shocking.

Aden's 3rd quarter assembly.
The adults were doing the "Firecracker" cheer,
he was judging the parents on their enthusiasm.

Daddy came to watch Aden get his reading award with Collin & I.
Aden has gone nuts with reading this year,
by 4th quarter he reached 500% of his reading goal!
That was more than any other 1st grader.

Aden & his fabulous teacher, Mrs. Evey.
She is obsessed with pirates, so Arrr...chuleta was the perfect kid for her classroom.  

LOL

nanny

Yep, we have a nanny. She works for free. From sun up to sun down she goes on field trips, weeds the yard, makes ice cream runs, & wipes runny noses. (Once last week, in an emergency, she wiped Collin's nose WITH HER SHIRT! Right then, I knew our communal living experiment would work out just fine.)

edible art

 About once a month I have been able to teach an art lesson in Parker's 5th grade class. I think he has enjoyed it, as much as an eleven year old will let on anyway. To wrap up the year, we mixed primary & secondary colors of frosting & frosted color wheel sugar cookies. Parker is sad to say good-bye to some good friends in his class this year, they all enjoyed project. In fact, this was by far the kids favorite art activity from the year.

aden

After 4 boys, 11 years, & countless injuries,
Aden finally broke our lucky no stitches streak.
He jumped of the bed & caught the toy box corner with his eyebrow. 

A few days later, those 3 stitches were healing up quite nicely,
but the bruising was more obvious.

My mom took Collin so I could join Aden on his Discovery Center field trip.
Here he is giving the weather forecast.

Shaking claws with T-Rex.

Mastering robotics.

And having lunch with his good friend, Connor.
Aden has had a terrific year in 1st grade.
I was so sad to hear his wonderful teacher is looping with the kids to 2nd grade
 & he will miss it. Those are some big shoes to fill.

mother's day 2011

Last Sunday we gathered at my mom's for food & family.

Tried, again, for a decent family picture.

Pretended motherhood is always an honor, even on sleepless nights.

My mom says all we did as babies was sleep.
Praise God some of the whiny, projectile vomit,  Barney on replay
moments will be blotted out someday.