impromptu

 Right after the Science Center we wandered past this freshly raked pile of leave & once again, I was not quite ready with the camera. Little boys move like lightning & have no time for photo shoots. They do however, go with the flow, have boundless energy, & brush off grudges easily. That is better, for this mama, than a perfectly posed picture. Love my band of hooligans, I do!

weird science

Along with the swords, Grandpa & Grandma brought us Science Center passes. We had a fun afternoon playing & learning at all the exhibits, nice to have a one adult-one child ratio in a place like that. Trips like these are counted toward homeschooling hours as well. Here's to making learning fun!

 My favorite to watch was Collin. He took it all in with such wonder, this space shuttle, the dinosaurs, he thought they were all the real deal.

 The butterfly room was an unexpected favorite for the boys. They tried very diligently to keep still for the chance that one would land on them. Then, one did, and Mom's camera was not quite ready. Boys and butterflies, who knew?

And after all that, Grammy asks for one picture. Err... they're working on it? Ah well, good thing they are so cute most of the time.

armed

Grandpa brought custom handmade swords for each of the boys. They were elated & began "training" immediately. Yes, it is dangerous.
...and it is awesome.

purge

blechhhhhh!aggleflabbleahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhf@!#ugggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!

click on photo for source

So...you know when you are mad because someone made you mad but you are more mad because you allowed them to make you mad? Mad about being mad? That's what I am feeling right this very second.
In case you were wondering. Thanks for letting me word vomit. I feel so much better now. Have a beautiful weekend.

We will be playing with Papa Ken & Granny Annie, they arrived yesterday! Pics & post to come.

schooled

 The homeschool is schooling me. It is crazy hard to get into a new rhythm after the longest summer break ever. (May 25- Sept. 6) One thing that has been working is our new (to us) bookshelf. We end up doing most of the online school in the living room so it has been great to have all the boy's curriculum so accessible.

 The added bonus is the price, free! We have met some very generous peeps up here in the Emerald City.

This little guy knows how to make the ladies swoon. A fist full of weeds yet it SLAYS ME.

control freak

I am waving my freak flag high here. I am, admittedly, a huge control freak. Raising these boys serves as a daily reminder that I have little to no control in life. That's okay, I know The Boss well, His plans are good & so is His track record.

 You know what I can control? Serving up a warm bowl of Olive Garden inspired soup.

 And there were even candles on the table. FANCY.

found here

weird & awesome

We were picking blackberries in the alley behind our block last month. One of the free activities we have taken advantage of in our new season. The boys were busy at once brainstorming what act they would be if they were in a circus. I smiled & took in one of the rare moments when they are all laughing & being silly together. 

They are so weird. I love it, because I am weird. I come by it by my mother. She was always dorking out with my sister & I when we were growing up. That freedom she gave me to be weird is such a gift to me. 

So Collin must come by it genetically. Matt & I read an article around a year ago saying that Steve Carell was the 4th of four boys. We looked at each other & knew, yep, that'll be Collin. 

He moves quickly in his random acts of awesomeness so his "Freaky Rabbit Ninja" hat started to slide off his head. "Freaky Rabbit Ninja," can't be havin' none o' that.

 Kaleb constructed Collin a turtle shell from a cast out box. Leonardo from the Ninja Turtle is part of this kid's DNA, I think this shell may go to college with him.

"Hey Collin, what's that in your hand?" 

(cue Collin lowering sharp stick in plastic sheath)

"Nufing Mama." 

If I get shanked, at least you all will know what happened. 

the end

  I have finished the last book.  I am still crazy geeked-up about the whole thing. I spent the entire morning of my 30th birthday finishing it & then promptly ran out the door with the three oldest boys to see the last movie installment in theaters. That did not seem like an occasion worthy of the day but then, on the way there, it hit me. It is a rare thing when a mom, a middle schooler,  a ten year old, & seven year old are all incredibly excited about the same movie. We loved every minute & we did it together. What a happy tale I have found myself in.

a birthday affair

 We were given tickets (and $100 cash to spend!) to our first ever Puyallup Fair. Some friends at Mars Hill blessed us & it just so happened to coincide with my 30th birthday. We took the afternoon off school & headed to the fair.

 The boys really liked this attraction...hmm....

 Lost children or deep fried butter, wow. I mean, just, wow.

 My baby boy, Collin, is in one of those swings! He was a daredevil, as always. I do not think the height requirement took extra-tall four year olds into account.

A super fun way to spend the day. We were right at home with the Carnies, how I do love our little circus.

book six

Albus Dumbledore: You must be wondering why I brought you here. 
Harry Potter: Actually sir, after all these years I just sort of go with it. 


Parker's ferocity with the Bible ( he just finished for the 4th time, btw ) trumps my Potter obsession. I will say the books continue to resonate with me deeply & our adventures of late.