The last week or so

Feels like I haven't posted about much in a while so here is the last week or so...more or less.

Chad was in Moses lake all day and night one day last week (I can't even remember which day now) He didn't get home until midnight, but Gabby was determined to stay up and wait for him. She didn't make it...fell asleep on the couch.

The kids and I goofed around on the couch one evening...playing patty cake, tickle and everyone pile on mommy...Chad was snapping photos for a change (which is why there is only one that I'll show you! Mommy hates the other side of the camera!)

Grandma Elaine and Grampa Jack gave Gabby a new doll stroller...the one they gave her for Christmas was a temporary cheapie until the better ones were back in stock. The new one came with a baby carrier that Nicholas LOVES. I think he wore it for three days straight.

Gabby and Mommy went to Riverfront Park and watched Cheyenne at her very first skating competition! Gabby gave her a pink rose and skittles after her performance. Cheyenne placed 3rd that evening and 2nd the next day...yay!

Gabby, with baby and blankie, watch cartoons on Saturday morning...

We also did a little cleaning and organizing in the basement. Chad and Nick took a load of junk to the dump. (Nick was fascinated by the incinerator) I found this cute little owl of mine in the basement, while cleaning. I love his funny rhinestone eyes and his little birthday cake.

Later Saturday, we headed to the farm. Chad decided to install the ceiling fan in Rich and Kathy's bedroom...the one we bought them 3 or 4 years ago! The kids and I waited in the car during Chad's very long 'run' into Lowe's for supplies. I got bored and took photos...

Here are Gabby's cute horsey tights. She loves horsies.

Nick thinks if he does gross things I won't take a photo. He's actually NOT the one I usually have to scold for nose picking...

I do love his eyes in this photo...too bad he has fingers up each nostril...

should I frame it anyway?

Chad is trying to pass his addiction to Soduko on to everyone he meets. He taught his mom to play this weekend...hopefully SHE won't play it for hours while on the toilet.

Gabby on Sunday morning, watching cartoons. It's a weekend thing.

My boots...

Chad and the kids eating oatmeal on Sunday morning. We spent the night at the farm. Rich and Kathy went snowmobiling with Kip and Nancy that morning.

After breakfast, the four of us went on a little four wheel excursion through the woods. It was my first time driving a four wheeler. It was pretty fun although I noticed I don't enjoy the scenery as much when I'm driving. Luckily, Nick rode with me and he points out EVERYTHING. (He even knows which buttons I need to push)

The best part was on the straight away back to the farm...Nick got that little grin on his face and shouted up to me, "Mom! I think we're going faster than Daddy!!"

After the ride, we hung out at The Farm for a little while before heading home.

Nick playing on the floor at The Farm...with a mouthful of chocolate chips

Rolling up twine into a circular swirl takes a lot of concentration.

Playing together...

This is where I want to live someday...in a house next to that stand of trees.

We painted on Monday...

and built a house...

which brings to mind my very own little mastercard commercial...

Fisher Price Loving Family doll house .... $50

several sets of Fisher Price furniture....$14.99 each

watching them build their own house and then play with it for HOURS....priceless.

and played with the kitty...

Chad is out of town again. He left early Monday and will be back late Wednesday night. Don't feel too sorry for him. He's in Long Beach, CA for a seminar...and is driving around in his off time in a red Mustang convertible. Poor Chad.

The kids and I went to pizza with Travis and Angie and their kids, Rich and Kathy and Kip and Nancy and others on Monday night. The kids had a great time in the ball crawl and playing air hockey. I didn't bring my camera but I really wished I had when I saw their little smiley faces poking out of all those brightly colored balls. Next time...

Today, I brought the kids to Gramma Elaine's house. They're spending the night so they can wake up tomorrow and give Grampa Jack his birthday cards. Charlie, Anne's doggie, is staying with them while Alvin and Anne are on their honeymoon. Gabby, our little dr. doolittle, was thrilled to see him. I left her playing with Charlie...

And Nick playing with Legos...

Now it's just me...all alone in a quiet house...

and Netflix just sent me more Six Feet Under to watch!

Winter Watermelon

It seems weird to be buying watermelon in the middle of winter...but that's exactly what Chad did. Apparently, he and the kids have been reading The Very Hungry Catepillar quite a bit lately and every time the little caterpillar eats through the slice of watermelon Nick says, "I wish we had some of that..." So last week Chad stopped at the store for a loaf of French bread for dinner...and came home with watermelon too.

(didn't I tell you he NEVER gets only the items on the list?)

The kids were delighted and for an off season melon, it wasn't bad (or maybe the summer memories it evoked just made it taste better than it really was).

The next day, the kids were romping around the house in Gabby's sun dresses when they remembered there was leftover watermelon in the fridge. Five year olds see nothing odd about wearing sun dresses and eating watermelon on a cold day in March.

Thank you to Eric Carle and his Very Hungry Catepillar for inspiring this sweet bite of summer in the middle of a gloomy winter.

Gabby thoughtfully contemplates her watermelon..and then munches daintily...

well, as daintily as one can munch a big hunk of watermelon...

Nick ATTACKS his watermelon with gusto...

Spending the Night at the Farm

Gabby spent the night at The Farm last night with the 'farm grandma and farm grandpa' (Kathy and Rich) She had fun but I think Nick really missed her. In the middle of dinner Nick said to Chad and I, "I wonder what Gabby's doing right now..." later he said "I wish Gabby was home." Poor little guy was scared to sleep upstairs without her...so Chad got Gabby's bed and Nick and I stayed in Chad's and my room.

While we waited for Rich and Kathy to pick Gabby up, we got a little bit of fresh air outside. We're all very ready for warm weather and more fresh air! The kids had fun with their scooters and the hula hoop.

As you can tell, it's a lot easier to get a shot of Gabby than Nick. Nick just moves too much and too quickly! He did 'pose' for me while hanging from one of the trees that lines the sidewalk...

Today was Nick's turn to go to The Farm. Gabby seems better without him than he was without her...but then she's always liked to sit and play quietly with her princesses and horsies and such. Nick and I went for coffee this morning...maybe Gabby and I will do the same tomorrow morning...just the two of us.

I took this cute picture of Nick while he was waiting for grandma and grandpa to come and get him in their new blue pickup. I just love his little smirk.

Just a Spoonful of Sugar

I found a new spot for photos in the house yesterday...and took a few pictures of Gabby, looking very Mary Poppins-ish in a cute vintage hat. She was soon tired of taking photos and told me so in no uncertain terms. Nick happened to wander in about then and asked "Mommy, would you like to take a picture of me?" Thrilled with the prospect of a willing subject I said "Yes! I'd love to!" The kids switched places and Nick started posing away. Gabby left the room for a bit and then came back to tell us in her most pitiful sad voice, "I'm feeling left out."

There are days when I just can't win!

Here is my little Mary Poppins...maybe a spoonful of sugar would have helped today!

And here is Nicholas in photo mode. He often has to run off just before I snap a photo to check his expression in a mirror and make sure it's what he wants!

Nick even posed his blankie for me! This is what I call "blankie on a stick"

We also enjoyed a little visit with our friends Suzanne and little Ryan yesterday. They are finally moving back to Spokane after living in Pheonix way too long! Once they are all moved back, I'll have to offer to babysit this little cutie once in a while just so I can snap his photo all day. I love these blue eyes! This is the only shot I got that was even almost in focus...I think I was too close to him (I forgot how toddlers are always walking toward the camera!)