Ok so I have been a very bad blogger this last month. It has not been an easy one!

Getting ready for Back to school has been a bit crazy. We have moved the kids into the new P.A.C.E. program and that means more meetings and prep. On top of the usual back to school business.

The house is falling down. Thankfully we don’t own it yet. There has been some major shifting in the house and some cracks to show it. Thanks to some recent changes to the water table, we have a lot of new “quirks” to the house. Apparently if the house was built on filler anywhere we will have issues with erosion.

Aiden is potty training. It’s his idea. We have lots of incentive. The only pee accident was attention based. The rest of the last 48 hrs has been dry. HE hasn’t  gotten the #2 thing yet. I dunno how to do that except to let him keep at it his own way.

The most amazing family photos taken by Charles Ellis & Jenny Grand (follow the link by clicking on the photo). Best photos ever. I can’t believe how much more personality he captured in photos I would still consider an annual portrait! This is definitely my go to annual portrait source.

These were free compliments my OB Dr.’s office (frequent buyers points?) thru a place in bell square mall.

I purchased a new sewing machine, and am loving the new possibilities. I made reversible personalized car seat canopies for Jason and my nephew griffin. (the metallic thread and my sewing machine had an argument)

I plan on making an awesome quilt for Aiden’s birthday. Speaking of birthdays I have Aiden and Charlottes all figured out. I also have their printable invitations and party kits all lined up to purchase over at etsy.com. Aiden will have superhero party (costume fun thanks to his Halloween proximity). Charlotte is having a pool party, so a mermaid theme.

I have gotten my first yarn shop consignment deal for my twilight yarns and patterns. I will be making my first delivery to Serial Knitters in Kirkland this weekend. Here is a sneak peek of the Twilight Bite Me Colorway Thirst by Knitterpated (me). I am pumped.

Now that school is starting tomorrow, you can count on more posts from me.

I have a new baby nephew. He arrived on Friday evening. Griffin Gilchrist was 5lbs 8oz and already has us wrapped around his itty bitty tiny finger. We have happily been running errands designed to make his life as cozy a start as possible. He looks like such a doll.

Before that excitement we took the kids to the Seafair Blue Angels practice flight on Friday noon so that we could miss the Saturday show crowd. Little did we know having the day off for fun would have other helpful things to it. Or that Saturday’s show would have been a rain out for us. We were well prepared. We had the kids coloring on the freeway with colored chalk while we were waiting for the show to start. As the show played continued we noticed some pretty funny stuff from the kids. Video coming soon.

After the air show we went to the Magnolia festival and caught a clown show, said Hi to Uncle Ludger and had desert. Once we got home we relaxed for an hour or two before we were called out to meet our nephew. Full circle. Thats all for today… I got myself a piece of art in magnolia, hopefully everyone will enjoy it (:

My 3 eldest are at my mother-in-law’s. Since Sunday. I did not ask, she offered btw. We warned her that Aiden is ummmm challenging?! She wanted to have him too tho. I have been thoroughly enjoying every minute of the break. I still have the two babies of course. Of course I have thought of the kids here and there. But…..

I HAVEN’T MISSED THEM!

They have called me…. several times. And I have hung up and laughed every time. Glad that it wasn’t me. I feel bad for my Mother-in-law. I guess like giving birth, forgetting the sheer pain of surviving 3 year olds is required. So far my son has fallen asleep at 5 pm and woken at 10 pm to keep grandma up to midnight + when she finally turned out the lights and told him it was bed time. He treasure hunted around till he found a bottle of fish oil to consume. He sprayed his sisters with the hose when it wasn’t water time. He pooped 4 times in one day (he wont go in the potty).

I HAVEN’T TAKEN THIS TIME TO SPOTLESS CLEAN!

Many other times I would have cleaned the house spotless, as if I was being paid to do so. But I decided breaks are too few and far between. So I wasn’t gonna waste it scrubbing the walls, or mopping floors, or decorating rooms. etc. Instead I ran errands without kids. I slept in every morning. I loved every minute of quiet. I took naps. Babies slept at the same time.

Katie has had several wardrobe malfunctions, and has called to resolve them. First there was the water incident (see above) and she had selective sight (there were clean clothes in her bag, yet she claimed there wasn’t). SO SO Funny to have a 6 year old call to negotiate change of wardrobe assignment. Just a few moments ago I had the following conversation (the second day in the row for this type of phone call).

Me: Hello?!

Katie: Mommy I wanna wear my ducky pajama shirt with my pink polka dot skirt cuz the pink shirt that goes with it is too plain.

Me: Remember we talked about patterns like polka dots, stripes, or plaid need to go with a plain colored shirt that matches one of the colors in the pattern.

Katie:*sigh* But mommy it would be so cuuuuuute, I just wanna wear it please.

Me: *Laughing* Katie!

Katie: *interrupting* It’s so hot, and the ducky shirt is a tank top!

Me: Katie!

Katie: *sighs again*

Me: Hey guess what?

Katie: What?

Me: There is a new outfit for you here!

Katie: I already saw the school clothes mom!

Me: No, another one!

Katie: *excited voice* oooh oooh what is it whatdoesitlooklike!!!

Me: Chinese style, blue. Cute

Katie: oooh I can’t wait k mommy bye mommy love you *kissy noise*

I am counting down to the fall for school to start for keeping the kids busy with the normal routine of school and activities. Right now its a struggle to keep sane, especially when it gets hot in the house. I will have 3 kids in school (ok Aiden is only preschool, but I am still looking forward to it).

Yesterday my youngest and last child turned 2 months old. I find myself taking extra time to cherish every moment with this baby. I always try to appreciate the best part of each stage with every child, but this one is especially poignant. I just am really enjoying every second. He had his two month check up today. He ways 12lbs and is 24 inches long. He is tall for his age, but average weight. He seems so small to me.

Today marks 7 years from when my darling husband and I married. It seems like yesterday in some ways, yet we have come so far. We don’t pretend, we know that we got very lucky and are very blessed. Many never thought we would last. We have been through so much together and are stronger for it. I love you honey!

He is 30. Today. Friday was one of his gifts, A Mariners vs. Yankees game. He also got a pair of Vibram five fingers.

I got a pair too. Trouble is his didn’t fit so we have to exchange them.

His family gathering includes a couples gathering for pizza, and a guys night bowling.

Tonight his cousin is sitting for free, and the kids got him some funny gifts.

  Happy Birthday Honey

This post is mostly pictures beware! Seattle had a teeny heat wave last week, and on the last day of it we went downtown. First the Children’s museum.

Then the fountain.

Then the fun forest.

Then Katie and Bekah joined my parents and us at the Yankees vs Mariners Friday. Jason and Tim’s picture made it to the big screen.

We did the annual trip to deception pass on Saturday. No camping this time. We had a good time, but I forgot my camera. Bummer. Anyway, that night we came home and minus a grocery run just hung out. Sunday we watched fireworks over the lake. Tim spotted the kids while they got a great view from the top of our SUV. Snacks and a show!

Monday was a fun trip to White Rock B.C. We decided to hunt down our first letter box there. Fun (more about letter boxing in another post)!

We had ice cream on the promenade, took the kids to the sandy part of the beach to play and for us to catch our breath. I can’t wait to go back!

I also saw Eclipse with my dearest. Besides the leads it was pretty good. The best yet with the Budget and the script. Dakota was great as was Taylor. Sad that the world is obsessed with the two actors I like the least, but what can you do?