Cuteness...

Thanks to Mark and JoEllen for the super cute, super warm hat! Van loves it and looks adorable in it :)

Karate Skills & Starbucks

Visitor from the North

Elf on the Shelf

I have been seeing all kinds of fun stuff about "Elf on the Shelf" online.  Turns out, Santa sends a helper to make sure we are being nice and not naughty!  Well if you are more prepared than I am, you could have ordered this lovely kit ahead of time. Luckily though, we ended up borrowing one (accidentally) from MorMor and Papa's house.

Here's Van's version of the story so far: Santa knocked on the door and left Elf.  Elf is on the shelf and he's watching me. I'm gonna be a good boy so Elf tells Santa.

Elf is a trickster so keep posted for fun :)

Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Holy Pinterest

Those who live in the creative realm have known about this forever...for...ev...er....

I am a newbie but absolutely love the idea of having different boards on which I can pin other's ideas...kind of an organized wish list/to-do list...

Colleen's Pinterest

Are you wondering what Van is doing right now...while I write all this and admire other people's creativity on Pinterest? Something in the bathroom...not sure what...about to go check...oh, wearing socks on hands, cape, underwear only, and a Spiderman-shaped bucket on his head...time to go and admire my own creation ;)

Welcomed

All families at Van's preschool were asked to create a family quilt-square with  scrapbooking material.  What a great, and stealable ;), idea! We feel like part of the community and know that Van is loved :) I just love the family portrait in the middle...check us out!

UW ECEC

Truth...in our house

 

Another Truth: Having a 3-year-old is like having a blender without a lid! ~Another mom...

Excited to head north and share this with the grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins!

Hopping Meat

Last night we cooked a roast.  After we were done, Brett went to scrape plates into the garbage can and says, "What's this on the floor...it looks regurgitated...like meat."  I'm thinking ew Isabelle (the dog)! But then Van says, "It just hopped off my pwate.  I didn't do it...it was the meat."  

Check this out!

Amanda O'Rourke: Photo and Environmental Stylist

Must brag: my brother's wife has a way of making simple things beautiful

Thankful and Proud

Bug-scustin' Earwigs

That's not what I'm talking about...but it is nasty...

As Van says, "Earwigs is bug-scustin' (disgusting bugs)!!!"

I can't see one of these things without being completely grossed out. The thought of having to pick one up with a wad of tp and get it to the toilet before it leaps into my ear is just enough to make me jump and scream...and I'm not really the squeamish type.  I blame it all on this man...............

My brother, Trevor! His beautiful wife is excused of course.

I have believed him for about 20 years now, that these bug-scustin' bugs will crawl into your ears and gnaw your brain to bits.  Do you believe?

Here's the truth...I think:  Earwigs: Brain-eaters?

I still need to personally speak to an entomologist about this...

National Adoption Month

I have known many adopted children and adoptive families throughout my time teaching.  Every child deserves to feel safe and loved.  Adults can create such chaos in the world of a child, but we also have the opportunity to bring security and warmth.

For families like ours that have struggled to safely and healthily create a family, my heart aches but also has hope.  Our brothers and sisters are our most beloved friends...the stories we share and the relationships we have now are just wonderful.  I hope for this for Van someday in some way...

Please take time to read and consider what your role can take on:
Wyoming Children's Society
Bones That Float  (this book was  gift to me by an adoptive family that I taught in kindergarten...what a gift)
Holt International
Recognizing and Sharing 

For Dad...

How could I miss this....

Viking Van...Successful Pillage

 We had a blast and Van loved wearing his costume.  I was proud of how it turned out and loved making it for him.  It feels so great to be able to make something :)  We went to the UW Safe Treat and played games. Some of the costumes were a little scary but after awhile he felt more comfortable.  We then went to the neighborhood up the street and Trick-or-Treated until he said, "My boooddyyyy is sooooo tired."  After a piggy-back home, he was awake enough to enjoy a couple pieces of candy ;)

Vanism

"I can't eat that (cauliflower)...I'm not a ingetarian!"

Vanism

Refusing to eat dinner (pot pie, not completely home-made--frozen veggies and pre-made crust but still good)...

When's the last time you said this to your mother.....


"BUT I CAN'T EAT IT! IT TASTES WIKE GUINEA PIGS!"