My creative genius' at work

I can not get enough of my boys artistic creations. From thomas and his love of cars to Harry and his passion for martial arts. I love how a small experience or object will trigger an interest. Which will then lead to a passion, which produces some of the best creativeness, art works, buildings.
Not to mention a priceless new found interest in learning about something new! Love the discovery of a Childs imagination!


Last week I purchased a new magic tree house book for Harry. All about ninjas and the samurai in japan. He absolutely loves the book! We read it every night before bed along with answering his a hundred and one questions. At the dentist yesterday he got to choose from a number of toys as a reward for just going (will post about that visit soon) but anyway, what did he choose but a collection of small ninjas. He is now fascinated with drawing ninjas and learning about their clothing, looking at Japanese architecture and writing the characters of their unique writings.
To think, it all started from a 69c book from the goodwill!


You just never know what is going to spark a kids interest and provide an invaluable tool for learning!

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Pics from the zoo....

So I know I had said in a previous post, that I would download more pics from the zoo. Well over 100 photos later, here


are some of my favorites.....

















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Some little things I love!!

I love yummy hot chicken and rice soup. Loaded with hot salsa and jalapenos and sprinkled with crunchy blue corn chips!



I love fresh flowers, especially when they are still on the plant! I love it even more if I manage to keep it alive for more than few weeks!



I love my fresh coffee beans from Sips! I love even more, that Dave makes me an amazingly yummy cup every morning and he doesn't even drink coffee!



I love the birds that visit my yard. But while its winter and too chilly out, I appreciate my little whimsical birds!




I love it when things work! Like my favorite little vignette. It's a compilation of things that bring a smile to my face or a memory to mind. From my little French postcard from Montmartre and the typeset letter "R" from a Paris flea-market to the art work of Harrys and the cherry blossom branches from my yard. It just all works!



I love a yummy sweet white wine. Especially after a stressful mommy day. I really should've invested in Hogue wines.



Along with my wine, I love a good house magazine. I love dreaming of what could be and am grateful of all that is! I am really loving the gardening mags, I can't wait to get back into the yard!!



I love a good photo where there is no sign of a double chin! The other thing I love about this pic is, the house is quiet. Kids are in bed and I'm enjoying some of those little things I love!



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Family time!

My gorgeous little family out enjoying Red Robin for lunch. Followed by a trip to the movies to see Megamind.



This right here is my world! Love the sweet moments! But like the point of the movie...You can't have good without bad! It's all about the balance and one making the other one more powerful. How could a good moment truly be good? If we hadn't yet experienced the bad to tell the difference or appreciate what was better and therefor good.
I'll take the good and the bad, the ups and the downs! It's what makes life...LIFE!





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It's fun being a boy!

Painting, cars, Lego, video-games, bike ridding, building forts...


My little Van Gaugh at work painting an ice Kirby. Apparently there is no such thing as too much blue!





Thomas and his love of cars is still strong, he wanted to see which color car he had the most of. I think red was the winner!


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Children's museum Tacoma

Fun day spent with good friends at the Tacoma Children's museum. While it was fun playing with the magnetic/tube ball wall, it was sad to realize that Thomas has really outgrown most of the activities at these younger kids museums. It's the end of another part of a little kids life. No longer babies!


Here he is with his friend Savannah, having a fun time with the ramps.

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Mighty Mighty Mustang!

My proud Kindy boy!


Such a wonderful mommy moment! Another mighty mustang of the month award! Way to go little man!
Thomas' teachers have been so impressed by his excellent behavior, his willingness and helpful attitude in class. He's been a great listener and will always try his best in class, so very proud of him! Really I could not ask for more...woo hoo!
He really is having a fabulous first year at school, kindy has been nothing but perfect for him. The class has just started their reading program. Which for Thomas, is a piece of cake. I had him tested in the program and he is reading at a 2nd grade level. Way to go!!! I have requested that he read the 2nd grade material as he is already so bored with the kindy readers. Miss Jennifer has been wonderful and is really happy to work with Thomas, to keep it fun and challenging!

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First signs of spring!

Ok so it's only the first week in Feb, but gosh spring is in the air! I know it's not here to stay, it's just a tease, but we are getting out and making the most of it!


Thomas has been having a great time building his confidence on his two wheeler. Ridding up and down the path in front of our house, forgetting to use his breaks, finding a parked car to finally stop him...agh! More grey hairs for me! But seriously, It's great to see him finally put his beloved scooter aside and give the bike ago.


The weather has been just beautiful! Clear blue skies, crisp cold air and glorious sunshine!
Perfect weather to stroll around the garden, checking on the plants while discovering some wonderful little signs that warmer weather is on it's way!

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Look what arrived on my doorstep!

Full circle farms....


Last year I came across a wonderful deal on local organic produce. $16 for a $36 box of yumminess!
As I've been trying to implement more organics and local produce into our daily diet, I jumped at this offer.
I had a year to use the deal and figured I would wait until after the hustle of the holidays.
A week after putting my order in here it is and ready to eat...nom nom!


I was so excited to rip open the box and start creating a meal to go with the produce.
Here is what I received.....
•celery bunch
•shallots bunch
•apples x3
•carrots x4
•pears x3
•broccolette bunch
•oranges x4
•mango x1
•green beans .75lb
•tomatoes x2
•mushrooms .4lb
•parsley bunch

Most of it looked wonderful, not as much as I thought and not as local as they had promoted! In all honesty I won't use them again as it was pretty pricy (might do a price comparison at Fred Meyers, will post my findings) Also the quality was so-so.
But at the end of the day I have a box of organic fruit and veg for $16 and I didn't even leave he house. Time to get cooking!!!

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Homesick!

Yikes, I can't believe how homesick I am feeling at the moment! Once a year I'll usually miss home, family, sunshine beautiful Australia in general. But gosh I have never missed it this much before. I'm sure it's got a lot to do with the rainy miserable Seattle weather, christmas with no family, Oprah doing a week long show all over Aus. Not to mention the schooling/Medicals and the kids growing up, spending more time away from family.

Last week on the way to school Harry asked me, rather told me "Mommy, I want to live in Australia!" why Harry? "because it's always sunny and that makes me happy! I just want to live there!" wow, just what I need when I'm homesick! But can you blame him?

It's kinda funny to think that my boys have not yet lived in Aus. They have yet to really see what Australian culture is, what it's like to go play a game of backyard cricket at their cousins house or spend the afternoon at the beach when they get home from school.

While at the zoo yesterday, Harry came across this map.....


"Look mom, I'm in Australia!" Almost made me cry! I love living here and feel lucky for the opportunity, but Australia will always be home!


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Point defiance zoo & aquarium!

Big day at the zoo with the boys! Lots of fun and hundreds of pics. Here is a few pics, I'm tired from a big day and am off to bed. Will update tomorrow!


Where are we going? What did we see next? Will post more pics soon :)


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A boy obsessed with Kirby!

What exactly is a Kirby? I have no clue!


But Harry sure knows...."Mom, a Kirby is like a ball that's all colors, he cooks and battles on super smash brothers"
Harry, why do you like Kirby so much?
"Cause he is very cool, he can do all kinds of cool things, like do freezing tricks and battle the bad guys".
Our house is now inundated with Kirby talk, Kirby drawings, Kirby games, Kirby! Kirby! Kirby! It seems, when Harry likes something he REALLY likes it! I've got say I love the passion and attention he shows his interests.


A family of Kirby's!

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Blogging!

Since getting my new phone last year, blogging has definitely become easier to do. I can do it anytime and anywhere! The only problem with this convenience, is that it's become a quick little catch up of a blog. And I have to say I am missing the writing part. My blogs have become a little to factual and to the point. I am missing writing about the depth and stories that go with the pics, all those precious little moments that are behind the scenes that are not seen in the photo.
I love writing, I love telling a story and sharing memories. I love taking a moment and sharing the sounds, the smells, the feelings, the emotions that a quick little memo and a pic just can not convey.
Is quantity really better than quality? I think I will start to focus more on the substance and a little less on the, wanting to write a post everyday. (ok, I still want to post everyday, but I'll do some pic posts instead)

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Broccoli-fest!

I might have gone a little over board on the broccoli the other day. But it's not often at 60c a pound...amazing! Five huge heads later, now what to do?
A broccoli cook off! Starting with a cheesy broccoli bake, creamy broccoli and sweet potato soup, tempura veggie's and some yummy sweet potato fries, I even tried turning the broc stems into shoestring fries, yum!



Now if only I could get my boys to eat any of it and not scrunch their noses up at the sight of it.
Even smothered in cheese and bribed with jelly and they still wouldn't touch it. One day!



What's not to love about a bake? Except when no one else eats it and you go for seconds. My scales don't love that!
Talking about cooking. I am excited to try my hand at some cooking classes this year. Maybe some exotics and middle-eastern styles. I'm loving cooking new things, especially when they work out. It's also been a great way of getting the kids to try new foods too. So fingers crossed they will try and love broccoli one day!

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Wordless Wednesday

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Today's project!

Build a tower using all the duplo!


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How to get your kids to eat cauliflower!

Cover it in Cheese!
Hope you're sitting down, Thomas ate cauliflower...And he liked it! Seriously, the worlds fussiest eater ate cauliflower!

Wow, that was a moment tonight. I love when he tries new foods, even though the lead up is painstaking. The fussing, the refusing, the gross sounds and faces. Only for him to finally give in and take a bite, chew chew chew..."mmm, I love cauliflower!" really, was it that hard? Oh Thomas!

Cauliflower bake
• 1 cauliflower head separated
• 1 1/2 heavy whipping cream
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 cup of grated cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
• salt/pepper to taste

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil or butter. Boil cauliflower head in salted water. Once soft place in baking dish with onion and garlic. Stir. Cover with cheese, poor over cream, cover with breadcrumbs and season.
Place in oven for 15mins on 350, finishing with a high broil for 5 mins.

Enjoy! I served it up with a steak and steamed green beans...yum! Even a 5yr old will eat it!!

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What's going to work? Team work!

It's sometimes as simple as something we say to our kids. But why is talking finances one of those difficult topics we avoid as married couples? Is it the realization of reality, the thought of the other finding out what we really spend or the discovery of an overdue bill. Either way it's a bumpy topic, that for me is usually best avoided! (or at least tackled with a glass of wine)
Tonight Dave and I decided it was time for a budget meeting, check the accounts and see where we are at. Usually this is met with a quick (and subtle) check to see if we are both in good moods. It's not the type of thing I am good at when, well you know, pms'ie or if I've had a rough day with the kids. Likewise for Dave, if he is tired, then let's not even go there! The mood check is always the first step into these murky waters.
Well long story short, it was a breakthrough, 10yrs married and this was without a doubt the best coming together of the financial minds yet. Very exciting, lots discussed, problems solved and lots of discussion how to make a difference together with our finances and make them work for our family! I love when we work so well as a team, thanks honey!


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Weekend of friends!

What a crazy social weekend! Loved it! Dave had a great time bar hoping and hanging with the guys on Friday night. I headed out to yoga with my friends while the boys got to play with their friends in the kidsclub.



Saturday Dave got to hang with his mustang friends down at the Dyno, playing the "my car is faster than your car" game. While the boys had their friend over and played video games, mainly smash brothers and guitar hero. Notice Thomas' mad guitar skills here....



Then it was my turn to play later that night! Celebrating two of my best friends birthdays. All the girls here for pre-party drinks, yummy food, x-rated cake and more drinks! Then it was off for a night of dancing and memorable moments at club snow! (by the way, girls I need more pics, this was the only one I had on my phone and its blurry, but still cute!)



All this fun while the boys visited with their friends (in particular Harry's girlfriend) for movie and popcorn and beers for the dads. Followed by a lush, I mean girls slumber party here with some very interesting, unseeable movies, laughing and more drinking! Then birthday cake for breakfast. More friends stop by later and the kids get to play with another sweet friend!



I am so grateful for my American family, the love and fun times shared with my friends is what makes life here great!!!! Love weekends like this!


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Relaxation yoga!

Agh! So tonight I discovered a few things about myself...
1, I'm not flexible!
2, I'm really not flexible!
3, Downward dog is easier than half pidgin/flying eagle
4, Relaxation yoga is really relaxing, is it bad I wanted to nap
5, I need a pedicure
6, My joints like to crack!
7, I'm getting old!!!!



While it was a relaxation yoga class, man do my leg muscles hurt! They ache from all the stretching, bending and balancing.
It was wonderful to have some down time, focusing on nothing but balance and breathing. To empty the mind and to focus on bringing balance back to life.
But I'll be honest, it was hard, the balancing and the cirque de solei moves were a challenge. But hey, I didn't fall over!
I went with two of my girlfriends, Brooke had to leave early due to bub not liking the kids club to much. Jill stayed which was great, I was so glad to have her there for my first time.
As I sit here and type this, my legs really are aching. It's very surprising to feel this hours later, it's not like I ran a mile, but man it feels like it!
While the body aches the mind feels rested and fresh. I am looking forward to continuing and getting better at this!


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