Rainy days at the library!

We love our local library. It has such a warm familiar feel about it, we've been going here for years and its one of the treasures we love about Renton. The boys love it and are always excited to visit.


They look for fish in the river, place their books in the return slot, play on the computers and find a new book to get lost in. We love our little library traditions.


Lately the boys have both really been finding their love of reading. Especially at night before bed, there is nothing like a good book and a snuggle.


Harry is really into chapter books called "The Magic Treehouse" and Thomas loves the "captain Underpants" series. Some of the boys other favorites are, magic school bus, any early readers and any thing on space, hamsters, ninjas, inventions, robots and so many other things.


Dave and I love books and love that we get to share it with the boys. What better way to spend a wet and rainy Seattle day together!


Posted via iPhone...love it!

First time for everything!

Seriously shocking news in the Rule household this morning!
Dave....drank his first ever cup of coffee!!!


While Dave loves his caffeine and it's somewhat of a necessity for him to function like a human. He has always taken it in the form of soda...naughty man! So now with the new evidence from government testing and statements from the FDA that diet soda can cause stroke and heart-attack in 60% off people who drink it...yikes! As a result to maintain a normal level of alertness without the heightened risk of a stroke, He has decided to make the switch. (to the lesser of two evils I guess) But if that's not motivation to quit diet soda I don't know what is?
I am kinda excited that we can now get coffee together, yay!


Posted via iPhone...love it!

If I can't garden, I can blog!

I am so excited about the coming garden season this year, especially with the little spurt of sunny dry weather we've had lately. A little tease of spring has been in the air! My garden is starting to show signs of life and it's all I can do to not be out digging!!!
Until the plants arrive in the nurseries, I'll blog about my gorgeous happy place till then....


Check out my northwest gardening blog at www.polkadotgaloshes.blogspot.com
Posted via iPhone...love it!

Little coffee protege!

What a gorgeous site to come down stairs to this morning. Dave teaching Thomas how to make coffee!


Apparently Thomas has been really curious about where my coffee comes from every day. Which led to an impromptu coffee lesson.
He was so proud of the cup of coffee he helped daddy make.


Favorite cup, favorite coffee, favorite coffee makers with the best smiles...And man it was yummy!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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.....

















Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!



Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!





Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!


Posted via iPhone...love it!

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.

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!

via iPhone...love it!

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!!!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!


Posted via iPhone...love it!

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 :)


Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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)

Posted via iPhone...love it!

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!

Posted via iPhone...love it!

Wordless Wednesday

Posted via iPhone...love it!