partied out

We are packing the van to leave for Seattle in the morning, but I had to make a quick post about Eve's birthday before it was too far removed. Grandparents deserve pictures!

This year, Eve had her first "friend" birthday party since she was four and it was surprisingly a lot of fun. She chose a science theme, in part because she loves science, but also because her best friend is a boy and wouldn't be so into the "come dressed as your favorite fairy" theme that she also considered.

We kept the invite list fairly small - 6 kids total, two of which were mine - and set up different stations where we could conduct the following experiments: gak making, milk color explosions, lava bottles, film canister rockets, and sharpie tie dye. Thank you, internets! To give it extra nerdy fun, we gave each kid a lab badge with their name and we hung plastic drop cloths between the rooms to give it that scientific, E.T. look. And then we finished it all off with an "invent your own ice cream experiment" bar.

I wasn't sure if all the kids would be totally into it, but they all had a blast and Eve just glowed the whole time. It took a lot of prep work and set up, but it all ran so smoothly (especially after Sammy finally decided he was done partying and took a nap.) I may decide I like this "friend" party business after all.

Without further ado, pictures:

I forgot we also had a pinata because Eve pleaded for one. It is a blob of cytoplasm.

Eleanor making gak

The scientists with their snazzy tie dye shirts.

Eve's actual birthday was the next day and it was a bit more low-key. A fun impromptu swimming party with friends and enjoying the AC on a blazing 108 day were the highlights! Some pics of her family celebration:

Hey, that's my new couch! And Eve's birthday.

Introducing new Webkinz to old Webkinz. On my new couch.

Pink legos! Hooray!

Not my best cake, but made to Eve's specifications. Yes, it's a little obscure, but I thought some family members would get a kick out of seeing it

The other party guests enjoying their cake

Whew! Enough pictures. Wish us luck in the car with Sam tomorrow - I'm pretty sure we will need it.

it's big! it's blue! it's a caldera!

Our trip to Crater Lake on Saturday was a smashing success. Jared's nasty cold delayed our camping trip, so we made up for it by visiting a lovely national park. On free day, no less! You know what words I love to hear? FREE DAY! It only saved me $10, but it colored the whole day in a rosy glow.


Sam was a pill in the car, but what else is new? He was a trooper at the park and loved scuffing around in the dirt. The girls were fascinated by the geologic history of the lake and watched the volcanic video in the visitor's center four times in a row. We kept it simple and kid-sized: a picnic and a few small hikes.


We also stopped on the way up at a little state park with a natural bridge formed by a lava tube. The rapids were beautiful, but I may have lost my cool a bit on the rickety swaying bridge with huge gaps in the slats that spanned said beautiful rapids. Why is it that my kids always want to lean as far out as possible?


Many pics of our fun, free day:

The natural bridge and rapids

Eleanor on the terrifying bridge of death (not to be confused with the natural bridge which is made of sturdy lava rock.)

Me, hovering anxiously and making sure the kids don't fall off the bridge

The beautiful Crater Lake

Presented with the majesty of Crater Lake, Sam admires a rock on the ground.

That's more like it.

Not the best picture of me or the kids, but you can see behind us The Phantom Ship, a cool formation that juts out of the lake's surface.

Me looking reprovingly from the car while Jared takes more pictures.

Now that we've been to the park, we can be good tour guides. Come visit and you too can see the deepest lake in the United States!

sometimes you don't need a camera

Yesterday I saw an image that I will forever capture in my memory: my bespectacled Eve lugging a book nearly as big as she is titled Timelines of the Ancient World, plopping herself down on the cushiest couch in the library, her face a picture of rapture, and settling in to read.

Sometimes we have drama and, when it hits, I'll just bring out this treasure and look at it. It'll do me good to remember that this really captures the essence of my Evie and not so much the drama.

sam turns one!

Hooray! Sammy is one!

Some high lights from the day:

Sam loved the little car that Jared made for him. How do little boys know how to make "vroom vroom" noises without any training, I wonder.

More things to vroom around.

Sam was pretty excited about his new ball.

He squeezed in some pilates between presents.

Thanks family for the thoughtful gifts. Sam (and Eleanor) really dig the stacking blocks!

Sam knew exactly what this part of his party was all about. Unlike his sisters, he did not waste time looking surprised or mystified or curious about the mass of cake and frosting in front of him. He was pretty impatient to get his slice.

About 10 seconds later.

Another 10 seconds. It was a very quick piece of cake. He was our first child to get cake in his ears and to be set, fully clothed, in the bath tub. That's our Sammy!

Sam rounded out the evening by snuggling on the couch and reading a story in his new hoodie towel, courtesy of Mom. Then he enjoyed a naked romp around the living room, practicing his mad walking skillz, before pooping on the carpet and then crashing in bed for the night. Whew! What a day!

Happy birthday, my sweet boy. You continue to be the most doted on little brother on the face of the planet and make us laugh every day. Here's to another year of adventures with you!

in which I talk more about my living room

The living room is painted! Well, nearly. I still have to paint the trim and the front door. And we need to replace the outlets with white plugs and lightswitches instead of that weird dirty gray color they are now. (Almond? I think it's called almond. It's gross.)

With the walls painted and the couch on it's way, I've started to think about what to put on the walls. I am in love with this print:

I miss my dear DC and I think the Ork Posters! neigborhood maps are super cool. They have most major American cities. Check it out and see if they have yours!

it walks!

On Sunday, Sam took a few steps in the church foyer. On Monday, Sam took a few steps between me and the couch. But last night, he went all out! He spent a good ten minutes tottering back and forth between me and Jared and the girls. Before his first birthday, even. That hasn't happened with our babies before. I think my excitement may quickly wear off, however, when I see the trouble he can get into.

Which reminds me - should I be worried if Sam has already figured out how to push chairs up to the kitchen counter and then climb on top of them? Hmmmm....maybe instead of fretting, I'll just be happy that my busy little guy has an outlet for all his energy. And then I'll put a child lock on the knife drawer.

what do you get for the baby who has everything?

Someone has a birthday this Sunday.

Sam has inherited so many toys from his big sisters - Little People, Duplos, a zillion puzzles, a riding toy, etc - that I just want to find something fun and special just for him. Do you have any great gift ideas for one year olds? I only have a few days left to shop!

fourth of july

We had a super weekend eating and watching things explode. I hope you did, too! We have only had one grass fire so far, so I think the Fourth of July weekend was a success here in Medford.

We met with a group of friends in the morning for a pancake breakfast and bike parade. We had a great time and the girls especially loved riding their patriotic bikes around. There's something magical about streamers on your handlebars blowing in the wind!

Eve and Nora ready to start the parade. I think this is the first picture I've posted of Eve in her new glasses! I should post a better one - they are kind of slipping off her nose here - but I think she looks darling in them.

Sam, I am sorry your little car is pink. But you have two big sisters and that's just the way things are going to be.

Sadly, we didn't bring the camera to the rest of the day's festivities, but later in the afternoon we met up with the same friends who invited us to swim in their luxurious pool. Since it was nearly 100 degrees on Saturday, the pool was a welcome break. We swam and BBQd and played until it started to get darkish. Then we adjourned to another friend's house for dessert and a home firework display. Eve couldn't get enough of the sparklers, though Eleanor kept a safe distance and covered her ears. Sam was entranced by all the colors and noise and kept trying to put the kids' poppers in his mouth. Yikes!

When our little party broke up, Jared dropped me and Sam off at home and drove the girls to a good viewing point for the city's big display. Everyone coped fairly well with the late night and there was minimal fall out the next day. Mostly just a tired Sam and a grumpy me, but the girls weren't phased at all. Hmmmm....not that I really want proof that they are capable of staying up later.

And between all the day's events, we managed to buy a sofa! Jared and I had a sitter come on Friday afternoon while we scouted out the options, but we wanted to sleep on our findings. Or rather, measure the living room a million more times to make sure we knew what would fit in it. There was this lovely sectional I really wanted - it had a chaise! I would never get out of that couch if it had a chaise! - but it was just too darn big for our living room. Everything looks so sensible and well-proportioned in the huge store, but not so much in our house. When we came to this realization, we decided on an also very nice, chaise-less, microfiber sectional. Won't be delivered for a few weeks, but that'll give me plenty of time to finish my painting.

All in all, a very satisfying day. We spent a bunch of money, over-ate, and lit things on fire to celebrate. It's the American way!

frustrating parenting moment #8,972

Yesterday we needed to make a quick run to the grocery store before swim lessons at 11:30. I carefully budgeted out the time so we could get all our stuff, run home, put the cold stuff in the fridge, and get to lessons without having to rush too much. We pull into the store parking lot and I start to get Sam unbuckled.

Eve: "Where are my shoes?"

Me: "I don't know, honey. Did you take them off in the car?"

Eve: "Um..."

*long pause*

Me: "Did you ever put your shoes on?"

*longer pause*

How did she leave the house without her shoes?!

Without a word, I buckled a very disgruntled Sam back into his carseat and we drove home for her shoes. We made it to swim lessons just on time thanks to some creative interpretations of speed limits.

I will be checking her feet before we leave the house today.

best birthday ever

Okay, so I haven't actually had my birthday yet, but I anticipate that it will be the best birthday ever. I am getting...wait for it!....NEW COUCHES! I'm a little excited.

Because I am turning a fairly significant number that rhymes with "hurty", Jared asked me what big gift I had in mind. He was probably guessing an adorable little Netbook or a Kitchenaid - which would also have been dreamy - but I decided to go all out and get the one thing I have been longing for almost since the first day of our marriage.

Have you met our blue couches? They have been with us in many of our homes, but it is time to retire them to the family room. Just one picture, for old time's sake:

They were Jared's grandma's and I will be forever grateful for them. They are lovely vintage pieces from the 1950s and I love their modern design. Not so much the upholstery, however. Especially now that said upholstery has become acquainted with my children's various bodily fluids. The other day my friend very kindly said they remind her of a Tiffany's box, which I thought was very generous of her.

I am right now painting our living room in preparation for it's makeover. And on Friday, we will hit the 4th of July furniture sales and hope we can get a screaming deal.

If money were not so much an object, here are some fabulous sofas I'd love to see in my living room (though they might outclass the popcorn ceiling):

Restoration Hardware - I like how the arms are the same height as the back.

Pottery Barn

On a slightly more realistic note, I've always loved this chair from IKEA.