Cheepers

We got chickens!  Today Blake and Reade became fathers.  Piper became a chicky momma.

Here is video footage of them putting them in their makeshift nursery:

Firetruck Nozzle Hose didn't look good 10 minutes after we put her in her new home.  She was dead within the hour.  I showed Blake and Reade and Blake said, "Oh Reade, it's your chicky that died."  Reade fought back tears, tilted his head and said, "We just need to give him some medicine."  He learned that sometimes it is too late and I promised him a replacement.

I headed back to the grange and we now have Firetruck Nozzle Hose II.

The other chicks are named: (B) Hop Lego Chicken, (P) Quail, (S) Donut, (A) Sensei

Ours

I got one of my very own. I can't wait to frame him.

Preschool Patience

Monkey Business School

I have been super busy interviewing preschools for Reade.  I have seen two and have been frustrated each time I get back home (okay, 5 minutes into the open houses).  The top-notch preschools are all full for fall and have huge waiting lists so I am kind of limited in my choices.  I have three more to tour so I am sure I will find something interesting in the end.  Maybe the school of our dreams?

Mr. Postman

I am back home and Andrew showed me what Blake had been up to while I was gone.  He wanted to write a letter to the mailman so Andrew helped him create a message.  They put it in the mailbox and Blake got to lift that little red flag.  This is what it said:

 Blake received this note back:

Cutest thing ever.

Birth Days

My sister threw one heck of a joint birthday party for Reade and my Nana. We ate pizza, ate cake, then headed outside for goodbyes. A police car was driving by and they saw Reade on the sidewalk with his balloons. They stopped and offered for Reade to take a picture in the squad car. That was so nice of them, but the policeman lifted Reade up and he freaked out and started crying. He then fell asleep with his "friends from my party."

Decorating

Things are finding their place around here.  I still am in search of a bookshelf so that my books can make their way out of boxes.  I got a country hutch so our alcohol cabinet will soon be set up.  I think I need to add some salvaged doors to the front of it so that my kids don't kick a ball and knock off all the wine glasses.  I am always looking for an excuse to get back to the building salvage store here in town. I fly back to Sacramento with Reade and Piper tonight (yes, alone - God help me) so that my Nana and Reade can party together since they are kindred birthday spirits.  I heard a rumor that is is 90 degrees there.  I have gotten quite accustomed to my 52 degrees with a touch of wet.

Reade is Three

The middle one turned three today.  He steals my heart a little bit more every day that passes.  It blows me away that he can be so painfully shy at times, while having a complete understanding about who and what is around him.  Usually, kids hide behind a mother's leg, but Reade will stand tall in his surroundings just hoping that everyone will pass so he can get back to what he was doing in that space. He finds the world amusing and has a happy disposition.  The way he runs cracks me up because he adds a little hop in there because he finds it so fun to move his body so wildly.  Things he likes to do include: throwing things, talking/screaming at such a loud volume his head must reverberate, play and create fireman situations, read, stack things and organize things into lines or creative scenes, and ask for a cup of milk and a cup of water at the same time.  His skinny legs and tiny bottom and ears pull at all of my DNA to protect this kid so I can make sure I get to see what kind of things he will do in all of his future days.  Play on Readey Peadey.

Mum-Mum

My banana slug:

Real Weather

My first time experiencing hail that lasted for longer than a minute and stayed on the ground.

A video of it (again, turn your speakers down):

Ferried

We took a ferry across Puget Sound to visit a friend's farm today.  We got to see: sheep, goats, a rooster, ducks in a pond, cows, and lots of baby chickens.  We ate homemade pizzas with duck eggs on top.  Best thing ever!  It was fun to see their garden set up.  Inspiring, yet terrifying regarding laundry. 

Self Explanatory

Equipped

University Ave

Dropped the boys off at a drop-in preschool and explored University Ave. for a short while.  I had to stay close in case Reade flipped out, but he didn't.  Piper and I ate Greek pastries then hit one of the hippest Goodwills I have ever encountered.  Next door to that is Buffalo Exchange.  I bought one thing and got out of there quickly before one became five.

It felt so good to cook dinner.  I made homemade chili and biscuits.  I also emptied the dishwasher twice today.  I give myself a gold star and a pat on the back.

Antiqued

Started at Seattle School District offices (Blake is legit for school now).  Found an antique mall across the street.  Then couldn't resist the donut shop next to where we parked our car. 

Shot At Kindergarten

Shots day.  Now, I can drive to the school district to submit all my forms.  I've been waiting a long time for this.  The fee schedule went up for next year so it will now be $311.00/month for public Kindergarten.

Salvage

My new decorating theme is industrial country farmhouse.  That means finding a place like Second Use ( http://www.seconduse.com/) is top priority!  Technically, I found a super highly rated donut shop before stopping here and it was closed (wah wah).

Wet Fish

Just waiting outside of Chuck's Hop Shop for some fish 'n chips for dinner.  It is really rainy, but I am taking the food back to my warm, cozy house.  Ha ha hipster people, you only wish you could spend your Saturday night in your robe and slippers like me.  (Maybe not.  The guy in the corner is really excited to talk about beer.)

Can not get enough of the Lumineers:

Licensed To Drive

I'm temporarily legit.

Dance Mom

It felt real today.  Like I have found my Eden.  I keep waiting for someone to pinch me and wake me from this dream.  The people I meet always respond, "I know, right?" so I am glad to know this bubble just might not pop.  I am super happy to have found hip hop lessons at a tiny dance studio just down the street.  It was surreal to sit upstairs peering down at my son.  Yes, he is there simply because that environment makes his mama so happy.  His smile and excitement lead me to believe I might actually be a dance mom.  I know millions others are too, but the sound of a dance studio and the wall-to-wall mirrors fill my heart with dreams of "anything is possible."

Beach Day

A local mom introduced me to our private neighborhood beach today.  I have to drive down a huge hill then hike down flights of stairs and then cross railroad tracks, but it is worth it! 

Included is a picture of Reade getting his arm stuck in our upstairs railing.  Our plexi guard sheets just came so things like this don't happen again.

Easter Memories

Our neighbors invited us to the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  We met tons of neighbors and everyone was really nice.  Who knew there were that many young kids tucked away in all these homes?  Andrew knows how to pick a neighborhood.  It is amazing that the views get even better from the homes a couple of streets down from us.  They are the people to know!  Oh, and word on the street is that we have to pay $250/month for kindergarten because it makes up for what the state can't pay.  There is also fundraising right now to attempt to pay for laptops for the teachers.  Guess we're not in Palo Alto anymore!  My friend Stephanie knit Piper's bunny booties.  Sooooo fun to wear on Easter.