Where are the photo's?

So my blog has been lacking in the photo department lately, not to mention the blogging department in general! With the kids being sick for over a week plus I was sick the few weeks before that, there really has been nothing to blog. That is unless you want to hear about the constant tissue usage, pj days and sleeping...it really does not make for a very interesting blog!

We have had a few little drama's like Tom's trip to the ER and the Fire Fighters visiting our house, that was all pretty exciting. But all in all we have been pretty much home bodies for the last few weeks.

Now that we are all well again (knock on wood!) I will be back to my regular blogging =)

Also I have really appreciated all the emails encouraging me to keep blogging and asking where the latest updates are...thanks for reading and your continued interest in our blog!

Here is a pic of the boys, right now as I am typing this blog...Harry the Power Ranger and Thomas with his eye's glued to the WALL-E dvd.

Home Work!

With being so confined to the house lately, with sick kids. I have focused my energy into looking after the kids and getting them better as well as getting the house organized! I'll be the first to admit that keeping house is not my strength in fact I really do suck at it! With Dave out of town so much over the last 3 months I have come to not rely on him for any help around the house, gosh its all up to me and its been quite the eye opener!


Dishes in the sink, missing shoes, the mad dash to get the kids on the bus! Well that was the old me. I have been doing my home work, literally! I have been reading lots of books, looking things up online and then trying it out for myself. Learning how to look after and organize a home! Even the boys are now not accepting mess and are picking up after themselves....Victory on the home front!





I have been reading this wonderful book called "House Works" by Cynthia Towney Ewer and it has changed my life! Gone are the days of my messy house determining what I did that day. Do I stay home and clean or get out so I don't have to deal with it? Do I organize to meet a friend at a park because my house is to messy for company? instead now I'm in control and organized! Its all about routine and taking one little step at a time...and it's a wonderful, freeing feeling.


One of my favorite quotes "Do you suffer from CHAOS? Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!"


So this is my Declaration of the new me!

Here are some websites that I'm addicted too....
http://organizedhome.com
http://flylady.net
http://www.busy-moms-online.com/

Harrison the Karate Kid...

All dressed up and ready to learn!

So it has taken us a long time to determine which Karate school would be the best for him. It was important to us that they were going to teach the character and the beliefs behind the discipline. We ended up going to the one just down the hill, the Washington blackbelt academy. It turns out he has friends in the class that live just down the street too.

He's all signed up, has his uniform and will receive his white belt tonight. So off he goes for his first night of school. Harry gets a private lesson for his first time, this will help him focus and not get distracted by all those around. The master is wonderful at explaining the art to Harry and teaching him that the key to good Martial Arts is discipline...Being a good listener!!! This mom is loving that lesson!

He is so very excited to be learning Karate. And can not believe he has a Karate uniform, its priceless the excitement. He is taking such pride in it and insists on hanging it up in his room for everyone to see. Not to mention showing off his kick'n Karate moves at every chance.

photos to come!

Where did October go? I must have blinked...

I have lots of updating to do, just have to get all the pics of my phone!

Stay tuned...

Following in mommies foot steps....
New Blog by the boys

Harry loves seeing all the stories I blog of him and Thomas. When I tell him that I write down all the stories of the many adventures we have together or the stories he brings home from school, he gets very excited and loves it when I read them to him.

He asked me if he could have a blog too and how it works. So we came up with the idea of having a blog that Thomas and Harry write (with my help). This new blog will contain only stuff that they want to share with everyone. This will be from their own words and perspective.

We called it Tom and Harry's Playlist. I don't intend to do much writing on this blog, unless they ask me too write their stories. It is mainly going to consist of video's, songs, links to things the boys likes (and dis-likes) Photo's and anything else they want on it! Its a total experiment and could be quite interesting or just completely full of power ranger stuff...lol!

Harry and Thomas have both blogged their first blog. To check it out visit.....

http://tomandharrysplaylist.blogspot.com/

Enjoy =)

One day to go....

I am so excited, Dave is coming home tomorrow, I have butterflies in my tummy!
During the first few years of our marriage, when Dave would return home from work in the evenings, I would hear his car pull into the garage, I would get so excited and that is exactly how I am feeling now! I have missed him so much, (ok, so this is totally clique) but absence does make the heart grow fonder! Its a good feeling, knowing that after 10yrs of being together you can still feel the same way you did when you first met.
I can't wait to hear the sound of a Taxi pull into the drive tomorrow night...the anticipation is killing me!

Some randomness about today....

Harry laughed so hard that it gave him the hiccups
Thomas ate 4 packs of peanut butter ritz bitz and left all the crackers, must have been some good peanut butter in those things
Harry had an x-ray of his shoulder today and is now convinced he is a skeleton in disguise
Thomas not liking something Harry did and tells Harry "Time out Harry!"
Harry is really into making books at the moment, you guessed it, Power Ranger books
Thomas loves singing the theme to Speed Racer...Go Go Go, Go Go Speed Racer!

I am sitting at home still without a voice, its slowly coming back. Funny how it goes again after the kids get home from school!

2 more sleeps until Dave gets home.....can not wait!

Photo's with Little Monkey Photography....

I think it has been at least 2 yrs, maybe longer since we have had a family photo taken.
In saying that the only professional ones we have ever had are either with Santa or dressed in western gear for a cheesy period photo. So when this opportunity came along I just knew we had to take it!

Leya, friend and owner of Little Monkey Photography (also the best photographer I know). Planned a unique Holiday photo shoot. For one whole day, I think starting around 8am and going through till 5ish, we could book a 30min shoot with her, just enough to get a shot to use on a holiday card and finally get that elusive family portrait that has us all in it (minus Santa). This was just the perfect length for my boys, really any longer and I think they would have been more trouble than what they already were....Harry insisting on posing like a Power Ranger and Thomas running off every chance he got.
Thank god for the plastic chicken, that really got their attention and made them laugh.

I will post the shots when we get them, can't wait to see how they turn out! Thanks again Leya

Pumpkin Time....
Our annual Fall outing to a local pumpkin patch!

Rain boots, snugly warm coats and sunglasses were needed for today's adventure!
One of my favorite things to do as a family is our traditional pumpkin patch day! The weekend before Halloween (or when Dave is in town)
Together we go sloshing through mud puddles, down bumpy paths with the wheelbarrow which either contains kids or pumpkins to reach the field of pumpkins. We have so much fun running around trying to find the perfect little family of pumpkins to greet trick or treater's at our front door.

I have so many favorite pics from the day, but this one really captures the sweetness of family together....Harry was asking Dave about pumpkins and why some are big and some are small!

We each pick out a pumpkin, this year it was hard as there were so many wonderful pumpkins to choose from, thousands and thousands!!! Harry had his heart set on a green pumpkin, which was a little trickier to find, he was very excited when he finally found it. He's so funny, he didn't want one with mud on it...good luck finding that in a muddy field!
Thomas was more interested in playing in the dirt, well there's a surprise! Thomas had brought some cars with him and was totally content just sitting in the dirt playing, while the rest of us ran around obsessing over pumpkins.
We took the camera and as always had a bit of amateurish photographer fun.

Another weekend another Adventure....
Jungle exploration - Seattle Arboretum

When we woke up this morning Harry was shocked to see the sun....Mommy its summer! Oh only if that were true. But today we had the next best thing, a beautiful clear, sunny Fall day. A freezing 36 deg when we woke up at 8am, but yay a sleep in!

During breakfast I asked the boys what they wanted to do today, not much response. OK boys what adventure should we have today? Wow the excitement that filled the room. Harry shouts out "An adventure, cool!" Harry as you know is obsessed with Power Rangers - Jungle Fury, so what else do you do when you are blue power ranger but want to go to the jungle.
All I could think about was the Seattle Arboretum, perfect! I get to look at plants and enjoy the beautiful surrounds while the boys get to feel like they are exploring and having a fun jungle adventure.

I have to say I really love these special times with the boys, where we are not rushed to be somewhere, or have any type of agenda. Its just about us having some fun and enjoying each others company and surrounds. Really helps you stop and look at the little things about my boys, when they laugh and giggle and get excited about finding acorns on the ground or red leaves on a tree that looks like a monster.

Some of our favorite things from today's jungle exploration.
Walking the many winding trails that took us through a huge redwood grove, an enchanted forest with moss hanging from the monster trees and walking a trail that took us down a huge set of steps to a trolls bridge.
Chasing squirrels up the trees and laughing when the squirrel dropped an acorn on my head.
Stomping in the mud and on the many mole hills.
Collecting pretty leaves and rocks from the ground.
Taking it in turns to choose the direction in which to go and what path to take.
Talking about everything the boys see.

What a wonderful day!

Its slowly coming together....

Finishing my dining/lounge room

I have finalised the fabrics for my dining room chairs and cushions. I am going for a Whimsical French theme that mixes old world formal with contemporary transitional pieces.

The colors in the right photo are the more accurate colors. Reds, yellows and chartreuse.

I can't wait to see how it looks when finished, will post some photo's next week, fingers crossed!

We're going on a leaf hunt.....what a beautiful day!

We can't go over it, we can't go under it, we have to go through it....MUD, squishy mud! And that is just what Thomas did, repeatedly...lol! Not to mention sit in it. Thank god for rain boots and play clothes.

One of our favorite books is "We're going on a bear hunt!" and that kept coming to mind yesterday as we explored a nature path with our friends. What fun!

We had planned this trip weeks ago and it was going to take place rain or shine. We'll luckily we had the shine....whoo hooo! It was the most perfect, crisp, sunny Fall day. Blue sky and the chill in the air that says "wake up!" so refreshing.

Thomas and his buddy Derick in the woods playing chasing's

Our goal was to let the kids explore the beautiful Fall nature, collect leaves and branches etc to make an art work. It was a lot of fun, but like always Thomas was more interested in the dirt and running with his friends...such a boy!

Opps he forgot to keep his boots on, he now has wet, muddy socs....icky!

I LOVE Homework!

Harry had his first homework this week, he was so excited! It was so cute, only if he knew what his future held....years of saying "I don't want to do homework!" well that is if he takes after his mommy.

I felt like capturing the moment, something he can look back on in years to come! Yes Harrison you said it "I love homework!" Anyway, here is his work. The care and time taken was just amazing, I am so proud of him and his work, he really is doing his best...and Loving it!

When the family is together.....
Make the most of it!

Dave was finally home, the count down on Friday was killing me as I could not stop looking at my watch. Knowing that in so many hours I would be swallowed up in his arms.
6pm whoo hoo, time for Dave's plane to arrive. Come on boys lets jump in the car, Daddy has landed in Seattle! (Does it really take only 7mins to get to the airport? Opps....)

It was a love hate moment, the love of seeing my man, but yet the hate of hearing that they want him to go back. I could not bare the thought, so I quickly changed the topic.
The boys were beside themselves at seeing Daddy, big hugs all around, plus the catch up of weeks worth of missed high fives and knuckles from Harry. The battle for Daddy's attention on the way home was hilarious, I had never seen the boys, especially Thomas, want to talk so much. And of cause Harry did the latest Power Ranger updates.

Back home we decided that as we only had a few days before Dave would be off again, that we were not going to waste our time being domestic....ha!

We ate out for every meal, we went on fun day trips and spent special family time together. First off it was Maltby for breakfast at the famous Maltby Cafe, where the tables are barely large enough for the plates...my god they serve huge meals! Then it was off to Snohomish for some antiquing...too fun! Sunday it was to Issaquah for our traditional IHOP breakfast and then off to the Annual festival "Salmon Days" where we got to see the wild Salmon swimming up stream, quite a sight.
All up it was a wonderful family weekend, time spent together creating sweet memories. I tried to push aside the thought of Dave leaving again, and tried to just enjoy the then and there!

I have some photos to come from our weekend adventures, they are on Dave's phone, so honey feel free to post them here if you want (or have the time?)

What a Big Kindergartner!

Harry's 2008 school pic

After a big day.....

There is no keeping Thomas from falling asleep!

"Thomas! Thomas! are you still awake?" No reply. He was exhausted! Even though his favorite Speedracer DVD was playing and firetruck still in hand....he was out, there was no keeping him awake.

We have been on the go since 6:30am this morning....yikes!

It started like most Monday mornings, were no one wants to wake up. We all would have been happy to stay in bed for a few extra hours this morning!

With Harry off to school on the bus (wearing power ranger underpants and in a great mood!) It was time to get Thomas and myself ready for the day.

First we were off to get mommy her coffee...agh! Then off to a friends place to help with some gardening. Jill's bub is due in a month so it was great to meet up with friends and pull weeds and spread manure, it takes a true friend to carry someones S%#T....hahaha!

Then it was off to preschool for Thomas.

I met up with Teresa at Vince's coffee shop to catch up and do some PTA stuff.

Then it was off to meet the boys at the bus stop. We then headed up to the park to meet another friend, Veronica who also lives in LR. It was great catching up and letting the kids play, even though briefly as Harry needed to go potty....badly! (Mental note, take kids potty after school and before park play....Ha!) This will not only save me from having to do extra laundry but will save me from having to clean out the car too.....grrr!

Its been a big day and we are all looking forward to an early night, its 6pm and already bed sounds good!

Life's a beach!

Sunshine, crabs, a cool sea breeze and two happy boys....

Come on boys, lets go on an adventure (my way of saying I have no idea what we are doing, lets just go and see where we end up....ha!)

Another day of just me and the boys, what to do? Its a beautiful Sunny Sunday, the weather is absolutely too perfect to stay indoors. Harry suggests we go to the beach! Great idea Harry, but lets not do the swimming part, its a little too cold now for that.

So off we set, no agenda and really no idea where we are going. After 30mins of driving we ended up in West Seattle via Seattle center? Yeah I know, not exactly the beach. Lets keep driving to see what is over on the Puget sound, Fauntleroy area down near the ferries.

We came to a great little community park, we practically had the place to ourselves.

But wouldn't you know it, just as we pull up and find this pretty little beach to play at, Thomas falls asleep in the car, literally the second we pull up.....agh!

What do you do, so I wrapped him up in a blanket and he snuggled, asleep on my lap for a while. Harry was so content playing with the rocks on the shore line, exploring for shells and crabs in tiny rock pools. It was just beautiful and so relaxing.

Thomas eventually woke up and was fortunate to be in a great mood! The boys played together on the beach and had a great time catching crabs and collecting white rocks.

My happy boys, they loved showing each other the cool things they could see....

Flash Back.....our first blog!

I found our first family blog. This blog was started in 2006, the boys are so little.
Thomas is just a baby and Harry is about 3yrs the same as Thomas is now. Gosh how that time has flown.....Crazy!
Here is the link, check it out -

http://rulefamily.blogspot.com/

Look at those cutie boys...were they ever that small?

Mommy goes back to school....
Volunteering in Harry's Class!

As it was Harry's birthday yesterday I asked his teacher if it would be ok to volunteer in his class for the afternoon. After Thomas left for school I headed over to Bryn Mawr Elementary, what a great look of excitement on Harry's face as I opened the classroom door!

OK, so I am sure he was more excited about the tray of power ranger cupcakes I brought for his birthday, but I am sure he was still excited to see me too.

This was the first time I had volunteered in Harry's Kinder class, what a wonderful experience!

It was great to see Harry actively participating in class and having fun....phew, my fears were put to ease, he really does have fun at school! I enjoyed watching him interact with his teacher and friends, playing games I had only heard stories about.

I got to see where his desk is, who he sits next to, where he builds with blocks, where his art is proudly displayed on the wall, who his friends are, where he sits for circle time...etc. Its a very stimulating, organized and fun kindergarden environement, Mrs Wilson has done a great job of putting her brightly colored room together.

I think the most gratifying thing to see was how well he did in class. Harry followed the teachers direction well, he listened, he sat with his legs crossed, he raised his hand when he wanted to speak, he even sat quietly and paid attention to the story with out being distracted. I was so proud!

Today was gym day, I had the chance to see what they do in P.E. They played some relay games and were asked to pick teams, the captains were selected and then the teams were chosen.
Harry was picked first in gym today, what a proud mommy moment....hahaha!

His teacher Mrs. Wilson has a full day class of 24 kids...yikes! She handles it so beautifully and for only knowing the kids a few weeks you could feel the protectiveness and joy she has for her students already. You can really tell she loves what she does, what a sweet and fun class to be in!

Happy 6th Birthday Harrison!

Power Rangers, Cupcakes and School....But mom it's my birthday I don't want to go to school - Harry.

The excitement on his face when he woke up this morning and said, "mommy its my birthday!" just beautiful.

The look on his face when I handed him his gifts, gosh even more excitement.

Realizing it was power ranger stuff....WOW totally priceless!

Seeing mommy show up at school with a tray full of power ranger birthday cupcakes...could the day get any better? Yeah, the teacher gave him a birthday crown and sticker too, what a great birthday!

Lights Camera Action....

A photo class and one snap happy mama!

This morning one of my friends (who is pro and the most amazing photographer I know) offered to do a photography class for the moms group. Gosh it was good to get out with other want to be photog's....hahaha! I forgot how much fun it is to learn about something you are passionate about. Learning something I have always wanted to learn, I love taking photo's but more from a creative side, so it was good to learn some technical stuff. As a result I have not been able to put my camera down all day. Trying out some of the many things we were taught today. Thank god there was a handout, or this mommy brain would have forgotten everything by now!

The boys were having fun out the front this afternoon, in the sunshine, riding bikes, digging in the garden.

A day in the life of Us!

Today is Saturday so this is not like a normal weekday, nor is it like a normal weekend as Dave is in Cali on business.

So honey this is for you, to see all the fun things we are up to today (I'm just trying to stay optimistic for our day....hahaha!)

6:30am - Its still relatively dark, as well as grey and rainy! BANG! BANG! BANG! Thomas is already up for the day and banging on his door...don't you know its a weekend? Sleep in!
I bring Thomas into my bed and he falls back to sleep, yay! Although I spend the next 10mins digging match box cars out from under me, total count 15! how did he carry that many into my bed with him, I'll never know!

7:30am - "Morning Mommy!" Harry comes running into my room and jumps on the bed, so happy and awake, wish I could say the same for me....lol! I get him to crawl under the covers too. So now I have both boys in bed, fingers crossed they sleep a little longer. prayers answered!

8:30am - we finally get out of bed! Head down stairs for breakfast. After making a bowl of oatmeal, mini wheat's and peanut butter toast....grrr nothing eaten! Come on boys EAT! its a battle every morning. Anyone have a trick to get them to eat, I'm about to resort to bribery or let them eat chicken nuggets, I know they will get eaten! Washing on, dishwasher stacked, kitchen clean and the lounge room, well we won't go there!

9:30am - Getting dressed. Ha another battle in this mommies life! Harry insisting on wearing his power ranger costume to the shops today, while chasing Thomas around with a diaper trying to change a stinky bottom....oh the fun! OK, so they are dressed and it went relatively smoothly =)

10:00am - Out the door, time to do the groceries! Fred Meyer here we come! OK so its 10:23 and we are still here. Anyone seen my car keys....ha! Harry get your shoes on, come on lets go! This is one of those times when wish I could wiggle my nose and magically have everyone ready and out the door.

3:00pm - Home again. We hit Fred Meyers for groceries, Thomas played in the kids club while Harry was my helper. We then stopped in at Target for some storage boxes. Also picked up Harry's birthday presents and few extra things, Halloween is just around the corner after all. Time to get organizing...knock on wood! Boys please play so mommy can get some work done....hahaha!
The groceries are away and dinner is planned for tonight. Harry has been asking for meatballs, so we are going to make some meatballs and pasta for dinner....yum!

Everyone ate dinner tonight...huge WOW! That is a rare thing in this house, I will have to make meatballs again, what a hit!

The boys are now in bed, teeth brushed with their new power ranger tooth brushes, books read and lights out. Now its time for some mommy time, why is it that all I can think about is the hundred things that need doing, feeling so overwhelmed that I don't do any of them and go to be instead....lol!

Is 7:30pm to early for bed on a Saturday night? so sad! I think I might tackle a home improvement project tonight, second thoughts maybe I will clean my bedroom instead.....but bed is sounding so good on this wet and rainy night!

Well that is our day today, nothing too exciting but all in all fun! I love my guys and having time with them is always (mostly) a fun adventure!
Honey I hope you are doing well in Burbank, we miss you =)

I can breathe again!

Tonight was curriculum night at Hillcrest Preschool. My first official school night as PTA President as well as my first official presentation to the staff and parents....agh!

All I can say is, thank god that its over! I have not slept well these last few nights....Its funny, its not really that big of a deal, I have addressed larger and more influential crowds before. Honestly, I think it's more because its school....lol! Brings back all those horrible memories of presenting homework to the class or standing up at assembly.

Anyway, I fell like the night went really well. We had a number of parents take membership forms and sign up for PTA and I had the chance to meet a lot of new parents, yay!

I am excited for the school year and all the opportunities it will bring!

First ride on the school bus!

Thomas loves seeing the school bus go by in the morning. His two favorite toys at the moment are yellow school buses and he loves singing wheels on the bus, he's not obsessed but he does have a love for them!

The look on his face when he got to climb aboard today was priceless!

We saw the bus approaching from the top of the hill "school bus mommy! school bus mommy!" he would scream while jumping up and down, seriously! The excitement was so high pitched.

The doors opened and he looked at me, you could tell from the look that came to his face, he so badly wanted to go on but wasn't sure. "Go on, climb up" I said to him. He lifted his little leg, it just reached the first step, its so high off the ground. He reached the top of the stairs and looks around...."Harry? Harry?" He called "Where are you?" Thomas thought we where getting Harry from the bus. I continued to tell him that it is his school bus and it was going to take him to see teacher Becky, he just could not wait to sit down.

A little worried I said good bye, he looked a little worried too. As if to say "aren't you coming with me mommy?"

Off goes my big boy on his little yellow bus.