Have I ever shown you.....

The Mustard Face
(Long came up with that)

Beautiful Children

Yup, I've got 'em.

33

Today is my 33rd birthday, it started out a bit rough - Maggy stayed up late last night.

I'm laughing right now as she's standing in front of me on the desk, one foot propped up on Jim's textbook. She's been shoving things off the desk, then stopped to loop my headphones over her head and picked up my iPod. When she saw me looking at her she gave me a funny laugh and a look like, "don't watch me Mom, this is private business." Which translates to, "Please don't take this all away and make me get off the desk?!"


So, back to the birthday stuff. I got up, running late for work- needing the coffee I quite drinking. (Oh well, it's my birthday and Starbucks called) Fletch wanted me to open my presents, right now (work can wait another five minutes - right?).
Maggy gave me an exercise dvd I like, Fletch gave me a MUCH needed iPod cover and Jim gave me a MUCH wanted mandoline. It's this one which is perfect, but I'm a bit scared to use after reading just how many people have visited the ER to have finger parts reattached after using it!

I got off work early, had a nice visit with my Dad and then headed to SLO with Jim and the kids to spend Maggy's birthday gift certificate at Tom's Toys from Grandma and Grandpa. We had fun picking out an sweet little alphabet board book, a soft monkey with hands made for teething, and a few other animals she and Fletch love to play with together.

Then on to Mom and Harvest's for dinner, ice cream sundaes and more gifts: this travel tea mug and two wheat free cook books which will arrive soon!

Tomorrow Jim and I will head to the movie theater, we've not been since I was pregnant with Maggy. Harvest will come over and watch the kiddos, which Fletch is so very happy about. At some point on that outing we'll stop by Michaels so I can spend the birthday money Granny sent on new water colors and paint brushes - I've not had new water colors since high school - I think it's about time!

It was a beautiful and sweet day, thanks to all my loved ones!

News from the kids

Today, Maggy decided to re-decorate our coffee table. She added two front teeth-shaped marks! Jim said there was lots of blood, crying a fat lip - but her teeth are still attached to her gums. Thank goodness.

Granny sent Jim's new favorite t-shirt to Mags for her birthday.

Fletch has been in Karate for just over a month now. Here he is in his gee, showing off important moves. He loves class, and takes it all very seriously.
We had looked into karate class last year, but Jim and I felt he was not quite ready. He was still just a bit too goofy to pay attention during class.
This year we thought he might still have a hard time keeping the silliness in check - but to our surprise he's very intent on participating in the class, doing well and learning all he can. To avoid a smack on the head with a belt (lightly, otherwise Mom would not allow it) and push ups, he is not so goofy. On April 2nd he will take his first belt test to move on to the next color!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY MAGGY!

Today was the right day, though not the right date. I had no idea how much that would confuse me! Instead of waking up singing Happy Birthday, I said, "You're one year old today!".

It just doesn't feel like her Birthday, weird. I'm sure by next year I won't be so stuck on the date thing. Either way, we had a good day celebrating Maggy:

We played a the park, Maggy climbed lots and ate sand.

Her favorite thing was the slide.


After dinner she took a bath in the sink, which she thought was pretty funny.

After the bath we gave her a few gifts, a wooden car from Mom and Dad. A wagon from Fletch, she thinks the wagon is fabulous.

We're sure about the wheat problem now. She and I have both been wheat free since the tenth. Her rash has gotten better, but not completely gone. We're hoping with her teeth getting ready to break through the rash will disappear. So I was surprised to see bright red back today - her poor tummy. The only thing I ate different yesterday was fish and chips, what could be wrong there? Duh. The breading. Solves that - wheat back out.

Maggy is amazing, she has such a strong personality - very fiery. She cracks herself up, and us along with her. She climbs everything, throws what she can't climb and has a fascination with table lamps.

No more wheat

Maggy and I went to see Dr. Watz on my lunch break, the rash we've been fighting is a wheat intolerance. Glad to know. Now, we've got to cut our diet in half - Whoo Hoo!

It could be worse. We'll be glad when the rash is gone.

Maggy is.....

.... Hungry, teething, feverish, hilarious, loud, talkative, cranky, climbing, and walking!

She refuses to stay in her chair (the one I cut the straps out of when Fletch was 2), and constantly climbs onto the table! Little stinker.

A playful evening, the boys are in bed - we girls are just having fun!

Since we were having so much fun, I thought I could get some pictures of Maggy walking, she thought otherwise!Alright, alright - no more pictures!

More great pictures from our day at the park:

Oh, yes - did I mention: Maggy is completely in love with her Daddy!

Fletcher is....

...finally done with birthday celebrations!!!! What a relief for Jim and I. The party was great, everyone seemed to have fun. Fletcher loved the party. We went with the Kung Fu theme and celebrated Chinese New Year with homemade fortune cookies and traditional red money packets with chocolate coins. The fortune inside each cookie said, "Thank you for joining my party. No Shadow Kick tenfold. Love, Long"

I was up late the night before sewing his new black gee. Jim and I put together a koi fishing game and pin the tail on the dragon. My mom, Harvest and Grandmere pitched in on the food: spring rolls, sushi, wontons and the most amazing chocolate cake EVER.



One of his gifts was a rope from Maeven, Rita and Family. When we've been out to their farm, one of Fletcher's favorite activities is swinging on the rope swing. So, first thing he tried was putting one up with Jim. Unfortunately the only tree big enough to hold one at our house is too close the sliding glass door - imagine that for a moment! The other day we ended up at the park by Cuesta College and he put the rope to great use:

He has since used the rope tied to a basket for hauling toys up the stairs, spent two days with the rope tied around his waist (in case he needed it for anything, then attached it to his Evan day backpack!

Here is his gift from Seth and family, with many beautiful Chinese characters decorating the wrapping.

Maggy came dressed in her gee.

I am.....

Too busy.

I've started several posts lately, but can't seem to finish any. I've got a few minutes now, on my lunch break: Maggy just fell asleep and the boys are out getting the oil changed in the car.

Our life is busy and happy and rainy. I'm still grateful to be working, but missing my baby fiercly. Fletcher is amazing, I miss him too - but it's easier to be away from him. I can talk to him when I get home, I can find out how he's feeling and how his day was. Thank goodness for hugs and cuddles - Maggy and I do lots of that when I get home.

I've got too many knitting projects going at once, wool pants for Maggy, Nate's Christmas gift - a beanie, socks for myself, Maggy's birthday sweater, and crocheted animals I was trying to get finished for Fletcher's party (but did not).
In the evenings I intend to sit in front of the t.v. with Jim and knit, but then there are dishes calling, Jim needs a back rub, a baby waking up again or I'm just plain too lazy to do it!
So I'm really looking forward to this Sunday's knitting date with lots of lovely ladies at a coffee shop in Paso. Whoo Hoo!!!!

Now that I'm engrossed in talking about my life again, I've decided to head back to my previous posts and send them out to you...

Jim is.....

a student at Cuesta College again. Whoo Hoo! This semester he's studying Electonics Fundamentals. His teacher as basically already given him an A. He's reading, I mean really reading his first text book and enjoying it. Strange, I know.

Also, he's one year older as of the 23rd. We celebrated a bit lazily. I made eggs, biscuits, sausage and gravy for breakfast - then off to work. Jim had his normal day with the kiddos. On my lunch break he got a call from the post office to pick up a package. He got a new iPod from his Dad and Melinda. Everyone was excited about that.
In the evening we had tri-tip tacos I had cooked in the crock pot and then ice cream sundaes.

Happy Birthday Babe, love you!

He's a master homemaker. While our strengths are not the same, we compliment eachother so well - we manage to keep this house going no matter who is at home and who is out working. He is becoming quite the cook, he follows recipes (where I do not) and it is always lovely to come home to the house smelling great and dinner on the table. Where I was horrible at timing dinner, we usually ate at seven, he's got it done when I get home at bit after six. I really don't know how he does it.

He's a master homeschooling parent. Jim loves going to Evan day with Fletch, and I know Evan appreciates sharing the experience with a dad. He does at least 95% of the homeschooling work, and he digs it! They do all sorts of science experiments, today they set up one to make a rubber egg. They work on math, reading, writing, and social studies in all sorts of interesting ways.
When we first embarked on this homeschooling journey, Jim was on board - but still skeptical. He wasn't convinced as I was that Fletcher could teach himself everything he needs to know, if we were there to seek out the resources and help him. Now, he's excited every day to watch Fletcher's mind expand, and to share in Fletcher's love of learning new things.

He's a wonderful husband. Every day.

Six Years Later

Happy Birthday to my boy! I love you Fletcher - oops, I mean Long.


My sister(and boss) worked things out at the last minute so I could have the day off. We started with homemade cinnamon rolls at the six year old's request. Then he opened all his presents early:
A sewing machine from Grandma Paffy and Granny


A sewing kit, binoculars, and pan flute from Jim and I
And a mama and baby panda bear from Maggy


Next he watched The Clone Wars with Dad.

In the afternoon we headed to SLO for our appointment with his teacher, then over to Tom's Toys to spend his gift certificate from Gamma and Grandpa. He bought a nerf crossbow, a microphone for Maggy and some spy gear - I can't even begin to explain what that is! We missed a visit from Grandma Sue and Aunt Harvest, but they left cards on the doorstep - Long was very happy with the cash inside!

Dinner was McDonalds (yuck - but what are you gonna do?)
Then choclate cake and vanilla ice cream.

It was a lovely day.

The reason I'm not posting any pictures from today is a long and boring story - I'll have to get you one later. We'll be celebrating again with a huge party on Chinese New Year!

A Great Start to the New Year...

We spent the first day of the new year enjoying every moment! In the morning Fletch headed off to Morro Bay with Grandmere then to Los Osos to the skate park. Meanwhile, Jim, Maggy and I had a late breakfast in front of the t.v. watching Burn After Reading. What a strange and intriguing movie - and not even remotely appropriate for Maggy.

As soon as Fletch returned we all headed over to Atascadero Lake where Jim and Fletch spent an hour fishing while Maggy and I walked around the lake. What a beautiful day in a beautiful setting.






I was reminded of our fortune while reading Katie's new year's post. Yes, there are so many many problems in this world. Yes, money is tight. Yes, Jim hasn't worked for many months. Yes, I'm now working, not at home where I long to be. Yes, we could wallow in all this. We choose not to. I choose not to. We are so very lucky.
I am so very very lucky.
Every day I wake to this family I cherish. Smiles, laughter, kisses, new joys, familiar and comfortable joys.
Every day we are fortunate.

From Us.....

To You!

Merry Christmas To You!

Long's Masterpiece

In case you did not know, Long is Fletcher's current preferred name.

Christmas Eve:

Once the kids were in bed, we got a chance to sit back and admire our beautiful tree surrounded by all the gifts just begging to be opened.

____________________________________________________________________

Then Christmas came....

Wake up Sleepyhead, it's time to open the presents!

Hexbug, it's a robot bug.

Stocking fare

Whoo Hoo! Roller Skates, get out the butt pads.

Maggy loves her brother's flashlight.

Fletch just went to bed with his Ipod, he is one very happy boy to have his own. He's also a very sweet boy - he offered to share it with Dad.

Maggy and her dolly.

We've had an amazing Christmas.
We hope yours was full of joy!