Day 90/365

Today was our spring sandal outing.
Ever since Matthew was a toddler we have gone to Stride Rite to buy sandals for summer.
These are the boys' "dress sandals" for summer.
First the toddler polished fisherman sandals. (My favorite)
And now the "big kid" oil rubbed version.
(For my friends/family with boys: Buy one get one half off...sale ends Monday).

Day 89/365

I still remember holding Matthew's squirmy baby feet to make this stepping stone for Mom.
Love seeing these feet in her garden.  The real ones are much bigger now.

Day 88/365

"Will smile for fruit snacks."

Day 87/365

Dan saw this photo on my computer and got sentimental about how old Katie looks in it.

Time is passing far too quickly for both of us.

Our baby isn't a baby anymore....

Day 86/365

Andrew is so funny without trying to be funny.

He and the Bug were watching tv while I got a few chores done.

I came into the room and saw them like this.

Loving Andrew's face.

He makes me smile.  A lot.

Day 85/365

A Squirt bottle + A Daddy + 3 Squealing Kids dodging behind the shower curtain = pre-bedtime fun.

Day 84/365

I scooped Katie up and kissed her cheek and then saw 3 lipstick marks all near the same spot.
(You can't see one very well in the photo).

Apparently I have a favorite kissing spot.
There's something about a little one's cheek that just begs to be kissed.

Day 83/365

Chef Matthew made an after dinner snack for the family.

He wanted to make something "fun" for everyone that we could "eat as a family."

He chose the ingredients:

Goldfish crackers, pretzels, peanuts, and mini wheats. Mama threw in some chocolate chips for fun.

He mixed it, put it in baggies and labeled them 

"From Matthew."

Day 82/365

Last day of swim lessons!
In the locker room ~ after the LAST post-swim lesson shower. (Hallelujah!)
The kids were given lollipops as a reward by the instructors.
They requested a "silly" face photo to mark the occasion.
Matthew's "silly" face is crossing one eye.

Day 81/365

Homeschooling with Andrew

We've had our ups and downs.  

The letter "n" day was a down. :)

Today was an up.

He is doing so well and has come so far.

I'm so proud of you, sweet boy!!!

Day 80/365

Some simple fun.

The kids had fun coloring on boxes tonight.

Matthew displays his artwork.

Drawing/art is one of his favorite pastimes.

Day 79/365

The beautiful view of the Columbia River Gorge at Menucha.

Had a nice time,  but happily returned home today to my family.

Day 78/365

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,  and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

~ Matthew 11:28-30

Women's retreat

Menucha

Columbia River Gorge

Day 77/365

Looking cute on St. Patty's Day.

Sitting on the front doorstep ~ the spot she chose to sit.

Getting so big....

Day 76/365

A Leprechaun came and created a lot of mischief today!

Chocolate gold coins, shamrock sandwiches, corned beef and cabbage...

It was a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Kaitlin did not like us talking about being Irish.

"You're not 'Irish' Matthew, You're 'Matthew!"

"I don't want to be Irish, I just want to be a 'big girl!"

The boys loved the leprechaun confetti in the toilet ~ Hysterical.  :)

Day 75/365

These two were striking poses while asking for yogurt.

They've learned to try to maximize their cuteness when trying to get what they want.
Not a bad strategy. :)

74/365

Matthew asked for a "before" and "after" shot of his haircut today.

He had a rough day today at school.  

Book Nook was canceled for tomorrow.

He fell on the play ground and tore his jeans and hurt his knee.

He had to spend his time during recess watching everyone play because his knee was hurting.

At the "Book Exchange" he gave the one book that he wanted to a friend to "look at" and that child took the book as his selection, then Matthew couldn't find one for himself.

Sad, sad day.

I reminded him about Lilly's bad day from the book "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse"
on the way to his hair cut and we had a good laugh about her picture of "Mr. Slinger".
We talked about being polite, but standing up for yourself.
A ring pop after the hair cut and he went to bed happy.
If only his bad days would stay this simple.
And be so easily remedied.

Day 73/365

"Do you remember the bell we had growing up?"

I wonder if the kids will say this some day.

We ring the bell at dinner or when it's time to go and we immediately hear little feet running down the stairs.

If I'm not smiling on the outside at this sound, my heart does always smile at the inside.

The pitter patter of little feet.

The best.

Day 72/365

If I don't spend some time on sunday doing menu planning and lists/schedules for the week things do not go well.
I'm finding that prioritizing tasks and time management are huge in my life right now...
It is definitely one of the things I'm continually working on to try to make our weeks go as smooth as possible.
Life is BUSY!

Day 71/365

I spent the evening celebrating and encouraging Jessica 

with some other ladies in her life as she enters adolescence.

(She turned 13 on Friday!)
It was nice to see her surrounded by some impressive women who care about her 

as she enters what we all know to be challenging (but fun!) years.

Day 70/365

Andrew cracks me up.

This is how he spent his time at Old Navy today.

When I said, "Come on Andrew, let's go."

He replied, "How did you know it was me?"

:)

Day 69/365

Due to construction at Matthew's school the fall class photo was postponed until today. Matthew's hair cut appointment is on tuesday.
Mama was putting her (non) skills to work in the bathroom this morning so that Matthew wouldn't have hair growing over his ears for the photo. We'll see how it turns out. :) The smile however, never needs touching up.

Day 68/365

Ash Wednesday.

The boys were rock stars at swim lessons and church for Ash Wednesday. 

Angels!

They were rewarded with happy meals and ice cream cones.

A very fun and cheerful start to the season of Lent.

A very happy day.

Day 67/365

I am probably going to get this quote wrong, as I'm pulling it from memory. 

But in Pride & Prejudice Elizabeth Bennett says to her sister Jane, 

"Until I have your heart, I could never have your happiness."

It's one of my favorite lines from the movie 

and I often think of it with respect to Andrew and how he experiences joy.  

Andrew has such a sweet, simple, childish heart that allows for moments of unbridled joy.  

You can see it in this photo.

He was merely pushing Kaitlin on the swing.

Joy.

Day 66/365

Me and Matthew at my birthday dinner.

Matthew is sporting a Black Cherry mustache. 

I love his smile.

People often say he looks like me.

They're wrong.

He's way cuter.

:)

Day 65/365

Mom surprised me by staying on through sunday night to attend my birthday celebration at Mike and Michelle's house!  It was a wonderful surprise and such a nice night.
Chicken Saltimbocca, Red Velvet, S'More's, Sweet Potato, and Vanilla Cupcakes (delicious!) and fun Easter Table Linens and plates for a thoughtful gift.
Nana and her grandkids were the perfect "picture of the day."

Day 64/365

We were treated to a delicious dinner at Shannon and Ryan's house.

These little Besties had so much fun playing together.

I think this photo just might come back to haunt them during their teen years. :)

Day 63/365

A sweet photo of Uncle and Neice.

After Isaiah's baksetball game.

Love this picture.

Day 62/365

Matthew is required to read nightly for school. He is reading so well that he doesn't have to choose from one of the leveled classroom books to "check out." Instead, we can read whatever we'd like from home. We've been reading the Ramona series ~ they take me back to my childhood. He reads to us, then we read to him. We finished "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" this afternoon.

Day 61/365

Two of my favorite things.

Dinner simmering in the crock pot and an old movie.

I scored this one at Costco today for $6.99.  One of my favorites.

Dan and I will be enjoying it this weekend. 

Day 60/365

It might be cold outside but "Walter" (matthew named his bear after my Dad :) ) and Gus are cozy warm on the sofa...safely snuggled in Matthew's blanket courtesy of Matthew himself.  

The sight of them just made me smile.