Rockin’ Out

The newest additions to the family.

Well Spoken

Rain, Rain - OK, OK

Fall seemed to have landed smack dab on us yesterday with day 4 of rain that went from light sprinkles to downpour to downright chilly day.

After digging out the warmer version of our rain gear, we decided that if you can’t beat ‘em you might as well join ‘em.

So, M and I bundled up for a morning of exploring rainy-day style.

We hadn’t been out to the Lazo Marsh in quite a while.

Lazo is one of our Winter haunts as it is sheltered and at its best when the leaves have started to fade and the seasonal birds return.

But, it seemed like the perfect wander yesterday - packed full of huckleberries (I think we spent an hour snacking on forest berries), plenty of things to collect and the fresh smells of clean showers.

A run by the farm after meant we had plenty of veggies for a great, warm Summer borscht dinner and M let me know that she forgave the rain for showing up on her birthday because “Rain is a lot more fun when there are no pools around.”

It also gave me a minute to just be - something I totally took in and appreciated as our late nights and crazy days of work continue.

Rain, it seems you and I are working things out.

I may not love you.

But, you’re OK.

Perfect Combination

The D’Eon-Kwan crew totally gets M’s vibe:

Hockey-playing octopus…that sums it up.

(thanks for the cool gear!)

The Birthday Rocked

Surfer girl loved her big day and promptly announced that we have seriously cool parties, but she won’t be having a pool party next year.

“I was too stressed out,” she tells me (yes, this is our 3-year-old’s exact words). “The rain made me super mad.”

Right there with ya sister.

Anyway, I’m back to work in a most serious way as the redesign of CVK commences full-on.

Updates here will be sporadic at best until late September.

I’m pretty sure Ken and I will be saving up any spare moments of down time for the actual act of sleeping, though I doubt it.

Party On

So, it’s 7:45 a.m. and for the last three weeks it has been Summertime perfection in terms of weather.

Today - rain.

Like crazy.

…And M is trying to comprehend that her 11 a.m. pool party is not looking good.

I’m frustrated, for just another minute or so more.

Ken and I stayed up practically all night making decorations, chopping, mixing and whipping up some yummy food and having a chat with the rain gods.

Apparently, they weren’t in the mood to negotiate.

So, while I still plan on hoping the rain will let up and the sun crack through the thick clouds just in time for some major backyard good times, I’ve got to go let go of being mildly pissed off at Mother Nature and figure out how to entertain 14 kiddos in the car port.

Addendum to invitation: Rain gear required

3 - A Year In Review

Happy Birthday beautiful girl.

2 was AMAZING. We can only imagine how spectacular 3 will be.

Happy Birthday Bro

My brother, my brother how old you are.

My brother, my brother you live so far.

You cook, you hunt, oh yay, you fish.

Blow out all of those candles and make a great wish.

Happy Birthday Dude!

We love you.

Elves

I love my family.

…and perfect days in the sunshine filtered forest playing “Queen of the Elves.”

Abra Cadabra Mishicaboo.

Couldn’t wish for anything more than these two

37 - How I Know I’m Too Old to Claim Coolness

I actually care about parental guidance ratings at movies, and have no compassion for people who go to matinees and expect the preschool crowd (for whom the movie was made) to be quiet.

I complain to the manager at restaurants that do not have diaper change tables in the washrooms.

I told a woman at a gorgeous clothing store the other day that I couldn’t try on any wrap shirts, because my 3-year-old would make sure my girls were hanging out of it.

Capri pants are the dressiest I get.

The Pixies are creatures in the forest, not a great band.

I was alive when Debbie Boone released You Light Up My Life.

And I sung it at the top of my lungs in our backyard.

Vintage Pyrex was for sale at KMart when I was a kid.

People have started saying “You were born last century”

“Geriatric” is starting to show up on my medical charts.

They haven’t made my favorite candy since 1985…10 years after I started eating it.

Pancake cake is the thrill of my birthday.