letter of the week

ryder is practicing the letter Z this week at school.  love the cute artwork!

 

getting creative

this gloomy wet weather has us getting creative on ways to entertain the kids.  today we went to the asain market to explore and find some new treats and snacks to try for lunch.  we picked some ramens, sandwiches, mochi cookies, poky sticks, sesame candies and a chicken curry bao.  we enjoyed all of it and it was fun to check out the bakery section, fish and treats!  and it happened to be next door to a pet and fish store i have been wanting to visit because they are one of the only local ones to carry axolotls, which we also visited!  

tourists in our own city

crappy weather this weekend, which makes it the perfect opportunity to be tourists in our own city.  we started this morning at the seattle museum of history and industry.  ryder's favorite thing there was the exhibit on how the ballard locks work, so we visited those after lunch.  for lunch we went to a seattle favorite that we have not been too before, dicks burgers.  it was a great day exploring!

sleep over

i promised the kids a sleepover for the long holiday weekend.  we piled in our bed and watched movies, and although i didn't get much sleep, this view is pretty special.

freeze time

holding on to these last few weeks before this kid turns 4.  he sure doesn't look 3 years old and this pic makes him look like he should be rushing a fraternity in college.  

open house

tonight was an open house, science and culture fair at bowie's school.  we got to see her kindergarten classroom, play on the play ground and walk around the multipurpose room to check out the science and culture fair as well as the raffle baskets.  

my heart is broken after the tragic event at the texas school from the day before, so the comradery, positive energy and excitement from families was uplifting and much needed.  i won't take this for granted, and will be hugging our kids extra tight.

boy mom moment

this kid will melt your heart like ice cream on a hot day.  last night while tucking him into bed he told me, "mommy, i love the way you are."  for me this had such a deeper meaning, he knows i am a safe spot for him (ALWAYS) and loves me imperfections and ALL.  

ryder, you are such a sensitive, kind, caring, sweet, affectionate and a wise little guy.  i hope you never get too old or too cool to let the ladies in your life know how much you love them.  these are the kind of loving words that everyone needs to hear and i cherish YOU!

north bend pump track

jarad took the kids to the big pump track in north bend before picking me up from the airport last weekend.  they are really into their bikes lately and are so brave, i love the end when ryder and daddy are waiting for bowie and cheering her on!  

bowie tooth # 4

bowie lost her 4th tooth this afternoon, which happens to be her other front tooth.  she did it all by herself.  she quietly went in the bathroom to wiggle it and 5 minutes later she came out so proud of herself.  i love her new look and she is super excited for the tooth fairy to visit.  she has been saving her money so she can spend it on a big toy!  i think we will be going shopping tomorrow after school!!!

cali

i am home from a short trip to california to visit my family.  i wanted to go after my moms surgery to help out and of course meet the newest member of the family (my new nephew).  it was the kinda trip that leaves your heart full and your cup overflowing.  

my mom is doing a great job of recovering and healing from her knee replacement and my dad is such a fantastic nurse, catering to her every need and spoiling her.  she is managing her pain and getting around well.  meeting pierce and spending time with quincy were icing on the cake.  and the timing was awesome since both of my cousins were home from school.  i got to hang out with the family and we enjoyed each others company, laughed, told stories and were so happy to be together.  i felt bad that mom and dad didn't put me to work more, but my mom said that me being there was the emotional lift she needed and was looking forward to, sometimes healing and helping comes in different forms.  

i came home so excited to see my own family and am looking forward to our trip at the end of june.  big thank you to jarad for making this trip possible and being super dad!