Taking the call...

This is T using the outdoor thermometer to make phone calls.

This is T getting very serious after about the 6th time he had to tell K to "be quiet, I'm on the phone".

Can't imagine where he might have heard that before...

Snow Day recap

I walked out into the kitchen this morning to see this...

Please explain why it is that my children struggle to get out of bed to make the bus at 8:10 but on a snow day they are up and dressed and asking to go outside at 7:05?

Sure enough, it was a snow day in Portland...

Being the mean mom that I am I did insist on some breakfast before we headed out.  We only had to turn the neighbor friends away twice to accomplish that task.  The kids had a ball outside playing in the 1 1/2 inches of snow...

It was like a chain gang.  In an attempt to make a snow man everyone was armed with shovels and buckets and they piled the snow on the trampoline and tried to pack it into the right shape.  I realize that my kids have no concept of how to roll the snowman's body.  I think I have really let my kids down...

My snow gear preparations paid off.  As excited as I was to have lots of boots and gloves and snow pants, I was reminded of what you have at the end of the snow play - lots of wet boots and gloves and snow pants...

It turns out that it was a good thing they played early.  This was our backyard by about 11 a.m.  I was ready to call the school to see if school was back on :)

With a day off of school (and no snow to speak of) we were left with a house full of kids and everyone searching for something to do.  J and T attempted the smart cycle (until they realized it's broken - but it did take them a good 30 minutes or so to come to that realization)...

K and her friend played checkers on the computer.  They had a playlist running in the background and I was highly entertained as they both sang every single word of every single song that played - I'm pretty sure that they weren't even aware that they were singing along...

C had two friends over and the three of them were all over!  I did catch them playing legos, which was probably their quietest, least destructive activity of the day...

K succeeded in putting all her hair flowers in her hair at once.  It reminds me of the swim caps worn in an 1940's Esther Williams film...

I prepared lunch for eight kids, but one ran home when I told him that he had to sit to eat lunch at our house...tough stuff I know...C told me that he knows how to sit but prefers to move around a lot.  

Good to know.

My take on the day...

I did finally get my pilates video in, though I did have to pause it three times and start it over once.
Luckily for me we made a batch of homemade cookies and I ended the afternoon with K snuggled up with me watching Hairspray.

Okay, so maybe snow days are not completely evil.

But I am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't snow again tonight.

Bring on the Snow (& a brief introduction)

When we took our family trip to Mt. Hood in January we had to outfit our kids 100% in borrowed snow gear.  Something about having lived in Vegas for 9 years left us ill prepared for cold weather and snow.

The prediction is for 2-6 inches of snow over the next couple of days here in Portland.

Realizing that we don't want to be left out in the cold (HA! - pun totally intended!) come the next snow day, I committed to preparing ourselves after Mt. Hood.  

Really at this point I should have a photo of me outside of my new favorite store...but I'll give you a hint...

It's made up of two words.

The first word is the opposite of bad.

The second word is what you have a lawyer prepare to indicate your wishes when you die.

I can't say I was a secondhand shopper before, but here in Oregon they are the place to shop.  I kid you not! They are packed, they are everywhere and they are awesome!

But back to my snow preparation.  I have been on the lookout and over the past month have purchased six pairs of snow bibs - starting at size 3T and moving up every other size to a size 12.  That ought to keep our kids covered for the next few years.

My next goal was boots.  Got them.  I've got five pairs in fact.  Size 8 kids up to a size 6.  Again, something for everyone for the next few years.

My favorite part...the PRICE!  I got boots for as little as $2.99 (which happened to still have the NEW tags still attached) and snow bibs for as little as $4.99. I didn't pay more than $7.99 for anything.  

I love my new store.  It's like a quest each week (yes I go weekly).  I have found lots of frames, books, an outdoor motorcycle for T, not to mention about 12 pairs of jeans for my boys who put holes in them faster than I can buy them.

And one of these days I may even show you my two new Ann Taylor skirts, purchased at the very upscale (seriously) Goodwill on 10th located downtown.  You know you aren't in your hometown Goodwill when they have shoes on the rack for $140 - sadly I didn't even know the brand but figured if Goodwill can sell them for $140, they must have been something incredible the first time around.

A twin?

This blog (here) makes me laugh.
I appreciate the humor she finds in raising her kids.
I appreciate her honesty in sharing the imperfections of her kids.
I appreciate that I have found C's TWIN!

We deal with the hair issue - including the Jesus response

We deal with the food issue - just because C eats (requests even!) something four days straight does not mean that he can't declare he hates it on day five!

We deal with the "wasn't it clear?" issue - not with the sink per se - but that's only because we haven't replaced a sink

We deal with the "life's not fair, everyone hates me, slam my door" issue - daily :(

And while I don't know the author of "The Meanest Mom" blog, she has given me great relief that maybe, just maybe, every 7-8 year old boy has similar issues and it's not just my son or my son's mom.
There is great peace in knowing you are not alone!

The Green Knights

Basketball season has begun.  

C is playing for the Green Knights, with his own dad as coach!

Forget everything C has ever said about loving football.  Now he "LOVES" basketball and the only thing he talks about is playing college and NBA! 

I don't know about going pro, but I do know that C has a pretty great grasp of the game and is definitely the team high scorer.

Going for the breakaway...   

SCORE!

Grab the rebound and go...

SCORE!

Valentines Day 2011

Glimpses of our Valentines Day...

Beignet's and a berry smoothie Sunday a.m. for breakfast...

Pink, heart shaped pancakes (and a repeat berry smoothie) Monday a.m. for breakfast...

A heart Valentine taped to the fish bowl, with the writing on the inside so the fish could read it (of course) - to the fish, from K and C...

Nevermind the gifts and treats that each of the kids received from mom and dad...the hit of the day was the balloons attached to the kids gifts (good to remember for next year).

Oh to be FOUR!

When was the last time you loaded your boat (couch) with all your most precious possessions (toys) and just kicked back and read a book?

It's been too long!

I {heart} Sugar Cookies

I feel a bit as though I let me kids down in regards to Valentines Day.

So many people have shared darling ideas that I really want to employ next year...Love Mail...Valentines Countdown...Custom Valentines...sorry kids that I wasn't more on top of it.

The one thing that is Valentines at our house is decorating sugar cookies.

We all LOVE it and everyone gets involved.

This year was no different.

I baked the cookies with the help of J and T...

(LOVE this hand)

Then later all the kids helped in decorating plates of cookies.

By the time we were done, most the cookies didn't leave our home. Aunt Alison got a special delivery as well as Tanner was mailed a package. Next year we either need to make MORE cookies or eat LESS in the process :)

Happy Valentines Day to all my kiddos!

Welcome Conner and Swoosh!

I have often said that I don't think C knows how absolutely amazing he really is.

Just one more example.

He has been saving his allowance money for a pet.

Yesterday he announced that he was ready to go to the pet store, so he and I went on a special date that ended at Petsmart.

C used his own money to buy a bowl, fish food and two goldfish.

He was SO happy!

Say "hello" to Conner (orange) and Swoosh (gold).

Swoosh is going through a bit of an identity crisis, as he was named Kobe, only to have his name changed 12 hours later. Hopefully the new name will stick.

What amazes me about C is the simple things in life that make him happy and content. I don't know many boys that would save up their money for a fish (or two). Video game, maybe, but fish, probably not. He finds joy in everything and I love that.

Just a funny... his best friend found out he was getting a fish and promptly asked his mom for a fish. He was told "no" because he has a hard time keeping his room clean. C promptly helped him clean his bedroom and their family room in an attempt to help their argument. It didn't work, but C told me he is going to remind his friend to clean his room so that "one day he can get a fish too." I like that friendship!

A break from the rain...

This week has been heavenly.

It's been DRY!

My kids have all been enjoying the rain-free days and have spent as much time as they could outside.

J and T are no exception.

Most of you are familiar with sand piles.

In Oregon they are actually Bark Dust piles.

Either way - give my boys shovels and trucks (and in T's case, pink work gloves) and they are in heaven!

Calling Upon the Heavens

This photo has nothing to do with this post - it's just a cute photo of my cute TyTy.

Oh, by the way, don't tell him he is cute because he will pout and say, "I not cute, I TyTy".

Same goes for handsome or fun or silly. He is none of those - he is "TyTy".

I keep a journal (or try to) of the funny things the kids say and do - but this one deserves it's own blog post.

I was replacing ceiling air returns in a number of rooms this afternoon and Ty was following me from room to room as I did so. When I got into Conner's room, Ty wanted to be on the bed - which is a pretty tall bed. As he struggled to get on top of the bed he called out (pretty loudly), "Help me Jesus!".

I wasn't 100% sure that I had heard correctly but after he repeated it a number of times I knew I had heard him accurately. I asked him why he said that and he said, "because Jesus loves me and you love me and you can't help me so Jesus will".

I LOVE that kid!

Happy Birthday - an entire week late!

This is major confession time!

My sweet daughter celebrated her TENTH birthday last Thursday and I just barely downloaded the photos tonight.

There is something wrong when a momma is so busy that she can't even blog about her only daughters birthday.

I am SO sorry K!

In my defense, I had begun a sentimental post to K a couple weeks ago (read that again, an entire week BEFORE he birthday) but I don't want to embarrass her so I will just leave it at

"I LOVE YOU TONS AND TONS MY LITTLE GIRL".

(if the words to Taylor Swift's Never Grow Up are running through your mind, I won't fault you!)

Kaitlyn's favorite thing to say on her birthday was

"I'm finally in double digits"

10! She is right. I guess she is catching up with me cause I'm in double digits too :)

The birthday stash - complete with the beach volleyball cake!

The clothes from Justice from grandma and grandpa Wright - you can never go wrong with Justice!

The phone call from Tanner, all the way from Idaho!

(Conner took her on an ice-cream date two days before her birthday)

The traditional money from grandma Dougall - a dollar for each year is beginning to add up!

My sweet, sweet C made K a birthday banner...

I hope you had a great birthday K!

It's always fun to celebrate your birthday and mark the beginning of my motherhood (the best part of my life!)

{Dining} Portland: Voodoo Donuts

Okay, so "dining" when describing Voodoo Donuts is a MAJOR stretch. But seeing as it is food, it gets the "dining" category.

I admit that upon moving here I was not familiar with Voodoo Donuts.

Somewhat remarkable since it's made Time's "10 things to do in 24 hours", it's been seen on multiple food shows including Man vs. Food and was the final destination for last seasons Amazing Race.

My introduction was my in-laws stopping by to get the 3 gallon bucket of donuts to travel with on their way to the family reunion this past summer.

I've been curious ever since.

The run down is that it is a true hole-in-the-wall with unbelievable lines (and a strange amount of Kenny Rogers decor).

The menu is completely unique (maple bar with bacon anyone?), but beware that it is PG-13.

Oh, and you can get married there...in case you have ever wished that you could say your vows over a donut!

Crazy weird.

Totally Portland!

My kids enjoying the patio - is that a dentist chair? I did mention it was weird, right?

T in front of the Voodoo tree....

K enjoying the Dirt Donut - raised yeast donut with vanilla frosting and crushed oreos.

C enjoying (solemnly) the Captain my Captain - raised yeast donut with vanilla frosting and captain crunch cereal.

J enjoying a donut that I won't name - chocolate cake donut with chocolate frosting and coco-puffs.

What's up with my kids and cereal?

T went for a good old-fashioned donut.

No photo of me. I wanted to try something different but couldn't quite bring myself to try the maple bacon bar. I really liked my choice of the Mango Tango - raised yeast donut filled with mango jelly, topped with vanilla frosting and tang powder (as in the fruit drink)

Verdict: Come prepared. Prepared for a long line. Prepared with a disinfectant wipe. Prepared with cash.

I will be back. I've got a feeling the Memphis Mafia donut is really good.

{Family Outing} January: Mt. Hood

We have a history of giving "Family Outings" to each other as part of our Christmas.

(for an explanation click here)

Love that tradition and missed it last year when we didn't do it because of the move.

But Christmas 2010 saw the return of twelve little boxes under our miniature tree. Each box held an activity for a different month of 2011. It feels great to be back!

January was K's month to choose the activity.

She chose to spend a day at Mt. Hood playing in the snow.

So that is exactly what we did last Friday since the kids were out of school.

My camera didn't make it up the hill so I only have a few shots of the kids playing in the snow next to the car. I promise the snow we played in was white!

Turns out T couldn't see most of the day. With no snowpants or boots for that kid, I needed to make sure that no heat escaped his head.

Our cousins snow ball maker was a hit! At one point J nearly filled the sled with snowballs (he did have some help) and although he seemed to enjoy sledding, he was just as content playing and digging.

K looks like a natural, doesn't she. Let's just call her fast and furious! Up and down that hill more than anyone else.

I sense that C really wanted an all-out snowball fight. Unfortunately he didn't have any takers. Sledding was his second choice but he seemed to have fun.

Mt. Hood was just over an hours drive for us. It had been a warm week so there was no real fresh snow - which was a bit of a disappointment when it came to sledding, but we were pleased to not have to drive in any treacherous conditions.

The first stop we made was at Government Camp. They supply the tubes and a small hill and it was worth looking into. Turns out it may really be run by the government - as in RIP OFF! $20/per person with Ty and Jake getting the discounted rate of $10. It would have cost our little family $100 TO GO SLEDDING! We thanked them (and came back later for hot cocoa) and kept moving on.

We eventually found another area that fit our needs. There weren't tubes provided but it was a snow covered hill and it only cost us $30 - but that was for the parking ticket :)

Now we know!