From the Mouths of Babes in September

Eileen:  I don't want Robin to grow up cause then I won't have his cute baby face to look at anymore.

Eileen:  Mama what were you eating under there?
Me:  Under where?
Eileen:  giggle giggle giggle
Me:  Wait.  Did you just make me say underwear?
Eileen: giggle giggle giggle

Eileen:  If you keep that mustache, you'll be a new kind of daddy.

When Dave was a new kind of daddy....

Me:  Eileen, why is there dirt in your hair?
Eileen:  Oh Robin and I were playing in the wishing garden.

Eileen:  I don't like those new brown boots.  They look dirty because everyone said to drop them on the ground in the 1970s.

Tim is 3-&*#$@*!

The problem with being an adult is that things like birthdays feel a little bit less special.  If anything, getting one year older becomes slightly less cool.  9 to 10? Cool! Double digits!  20s? Yeah, look at me!  I am an adult!  30s?  So far,  I personally feel less celebratory.

The other day I asked my brother, Tim, what he wanted for his birthday.  I usually try and find a really hilarious card and stick a gift card or cash in it or something.  Tim was so sweet and said, "Honestly, I was hoping you would make me a birthday dinner.  I know it's corny, but I just want to spend my birthday with my family." How could I say no to that?

The birthday man in question.

 Since he is an adult, Tim had to work on his birthday so we celebrated two days later with my parents and sister.  I actually like to host and flex my kitchen and pinterest muscles.  Given the opportunity my kids would only eat fruit, PBJs, Kraft mac n cheese, and chicken nuggets.  They turn their nose up at most of my food.  It is nice to eat with adults who have a slightly more advanced palate than my kids.

On Saturday, Linus and I went to the party store for supplies.  We wanted to throw him a very grown up birthday, which in Tim's case means mustaches with a black and gray theme.  Linus helped me hang streamers and a birthday banner.  I baked (from scratch) a white cake with an oreo cream cheese frosting.  Robin was super excited to help.

For dinner I made a baked chicken alfredo (from scratch) with lemon garlic green beans.   It was yummy.  My kids of course did not eat it.  Linus was the only one of the 3 who would eat the cake.  All three turned their noses up at Tim's favorite ice cream, mint chocolate chip.

It was so nice to spend a little bit of time with my brother.  He really is an awesome guy and a great uncle.  He is kind, loving, and scrappy and has a wicked sense of humor.  Tim always keeps his head up in the face of adversity.  He is the guy that is always there to help a friend in need.  I'm pretty lucky to have him as my brother.  I'll happily bake him a birthday cake any year.  He deserves it.

A Weekend of Labor

I love unions.  They are awesome, they are amazing, and I am grateful for everything they have done to ensure the rights and safety of workers.  I stand with the teachers of Seattle in their quest to improve public education for both students and workers.  In celebration of unionized labor and the extra long weekend, Linus and I headed to Portland.  We labored.

My sister and her family are moving to Wisconsin in a few weeks.  There are a few domains in which I can honestly say I excel.  These included, but are not limited to, organizing, planning, moving, cleaning, and being a work horse.  Because I love my sister and brother-in-law, I offered to lend my talents to their cross-country relocation.  My sister was a good student, and dutifully did as I told her to prepare for my arrival.  I promised I would try to be gentle.

After a full day of teaching 2nd grade, staying up late to go to the Seahawks game the night before, and a long drive to Oregon, Linus and I collapsed asleep in Portland.  We used Saturday to play tourist.  We shopped Powell's books, rode the tram, and had fun at the Saturday Market.

After a long nap, I dove into the packing, cleaning, and purging process.  Over the course of the next 48 hours, I deep cleaned and packed up the kitchen, dining room, playroom, tv room, and kids' bedroom.  Chris stayed busy hauling things to the dump and Goodwill, and working in the garage.  Beth worked on packing away and organizing the stuff that I couldn't help with easily.  Sunday afternoon Chris and I packed away all the toys while Beth took the boys to the arcade and Gwen slept.

The tram is pretty fun except for the part where it lurches and it feels like you are going to lose your lunch.

The Saturday Market is a little gritty, but that didn't keep us from having fun.  I let Linus get his face painted.  He wanted lots of blood.  We had to compromise. 

I love seeing the love between Beth and Gwen.  So much adoration.

Gwen was having trouble choosing an outfit.  I finally grabbed this striped shirt and asked her if she wanted to be a burglar.  She nodded a satisfied yes.  The hat really adds a certain Portland 1990s  vibe. 

Gwen thought we stacked all the boxes in order to serve as her personal playground.

Helping the Rousseaus was backbreaking work, but I left feeling like I had made a huge dent in the long list of things to do in order to move. I'm glad I was able to help.  While I was gone, Dave stayed with Eileen and Robin.  They had a grand time from what I could tell.  He took them to both the Evergreen State Fair and the zoo.

Robin loved the merry go round and cried when the ride ended.  Luckily, he got another chance the next day at the zoo.

Robin was not please that he was too short to ride in the car with Eileen.

Linus was a big help down in Portland.  He and I both really enjoyed the one on one time.  By the end of the weekend I was missing my babies.  I believe they missed me too.  I made sure to give Eileen an extra thorough bedtime routine with lots of reading and songs.  Today Robin and I had a lovely coffee and walk around Greenlake date.  He has had lots of hugs and kisses for me.


My body is sore after so much hard work, cleaning and lifting. I'm excited for the Rousseaus to come stay with us for a few days and sneak in a little more quality time with my niece and nephew before they move far away.

Thank you labor unions for everything you do, but especially for the long weekend every September.

1st Day of School

Thank you dear, sweet Jesus.  School started today.  I can't remember the last time I had such a nice, peaceful morning.  It was all so smooth.  The kids put on clothes, brushed their teeth, made their beds, and came down for breakfast.  After breakfast they worked on earning their screen time.  After enjoying my coffee, we unhurriedly left the house and drove to school.  There was no fighting and no talking back.  I'm telling you it was surreal.  Please note the pictorial evidence.

Linus pretty much never chooses to put his arm around Eileen unless it is to put her in a chokehold.  Eileen of course, still adores her older brother.

I hate shoes with neon, sparkles, or lights.  Thanks to the show, The Odd Squad, I was able to easily sell Linus on the idea of red converse sneakers.

 Robin wanted to do a silly picture too.

After dropping the kids off and chatting with other parents, Robin and I went to a bookstore and then came home to enjoy the rain, some books, and a little coffee.  Robin's therapist came over for our weekly session.  We had a little bit of time before heading back to pick up the big kids for early dismissal.

My morning was almost blissful.  The only thing that would have improved it might be a pumpkin spice latte (it's just about that time of year).  I have a first grader, a pre-K, and an almost two year old.  I'm hoping to substitute teach a lot at the kids' school this year. I love the school community and it feels so good to be back.  Both kids had a good first day of school, but I think mine might have been even better.