Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Car!

After thirteen years the time finally came to replace the van. After a lot of research I decided on a Volvo XC90. Here’s the new ride. I love it!




I had the following to say about getting rid of the minivan: It’s the end of an era. Just like that my minivan is gone after thirteen years of dutifully toting my family around. I never wanted it to begin with. My very first car was my parents Plymouth Voyager, so when Jonathan and I purchased the van when we were expecting our first child, what I really wanted was an SUV – something that didn’t say “mom” quite so loud. But those sliding doors and the built-in DVD player were pretty sleek and practicality won out. I drove home in a Honda Odyssey The car salesman called it “the Ferrari of minivans!” We got off to a bumpy start when less than a month later we were rear-ended driving Avery, our newborn, home from the hospital. I was half asleep in the middle row beside him and burst into tears when I realized what had happened. It was traumatizing, and although we were all fine, I’m pretty sure I traumatized the poor driver of the vehicle that hit us. A new mother, my perception of control and being able to keep my family safe was shattered quickly. We never fixed the rear bumper. It still has a small “bellybutton” dimple from that day. We drove that van 165k mi, brought three more babies home from the hospital, I nursed many hours it it, we changed a lot of diapers in the back, and we pulled over on countless country roads so our boys could pee. It was bittersweet saying goodbye today, but I was really glad to see it go to a nice family who needed it. Selling the van was another reminder that we’re gradually moving to the next chapter of our lives. Guess it’s finally time I get my SUV!

Saying goodbye to the old ride

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on New Car!

Mother’s Day 2020

I great a nice Mother’s Day this year, despite Covid. This year Mother’s Day fell directly on Kieron’s birthday, so most of the day was about celebrating his milestone birthday. The kids made sweet cards for me and in the afternoon Grammy and Papa came to visit and celebrate in the backyard. The weather cooperated.

No hugs this Mother’s Day

Socially distanced pictures always look so weird. We tried to fake that we had our arms around each other. It sorta works.

Mimosas for Moms

Grammy and Papa brought a kite for Avery so we took it to Carmichael Park to fly.




Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mother’s Day 2020

Kieron Turns Ten

Kieron celebrated a milestone birthday this year. He turned “double digits” during our little pandemic. I was hopeful things would settle down more in time for his special day, but unfortunately they did not and the stay home order was extended. Fortunately Kieron is a bit of a homebody and all he really wanted to do was open presents and play Fortnite with Avery and his friends. The day also happened to be Mother’s Day this year so there was lots to celebrate. Grammy and Papa came over in the afternoon to visit and wish him a Happy Birthday as well.

At ten, Kieron is sweet, smart, sensitive and strong-willed. He loves cooking, history, reading and riding horses (oh, and playing video games). He doesn’t care for long car rides or writing papers. Kieron is quite content with a couple of close friends and his siblings, to whom he is very loyal. He has a funny sense of humor and loves to joke around. Happy birthday to our darling middle boy. We love you more than you’ll ever know!

Crepes for breakfast



Alexa!

An iPod!

In case you’re wondering what texts between Avery and Kieron look like, here’s a funny screen shot I took during one of my recon missions

Kieron’s class sang him “Happy Birthday” on their Zoom meeting

Eggs ala goldenrod for lunch


Boiled chocolate cake


Last night as a nine year old

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Kieron Turns Ten

April in Quarantine

Here are (quite) a few pics from April. We started the month off with an indoor scavenger hunt through Compass Outdoor Adventures, located in North Bend. It was fun, but unfortunately they were bombarded with participants which really slowed down phones so we dropped out after about 45 minutes. Here’s the selfie we had to take at the beginning:

We had to take a picture of a family member in a hiding spot

This was reenacting a famous scene, the three monkeys

Avery drew a picture of somewhere he wants to go

Avery’s birthday present from Nana arrived in the mail

A new, big boy suitcase!

Phoebe took the box

Then she was joined by roommates

He approves!

Making a house

I was tucking Layla in one night when Yoshi appeared to be in trouble

He managed to do this!

Another day, another puzzle

Hiking the Deep Creek Trail

You can see Snoqualmie Falls from here

Getting my hair did

Setting up an epic battle

Chalk art

The School District decided to do a boundary change in the midst of a pandemic. It was pretty upsetting.

It’s 60! Get the pool out!

Playing soccer with the dog

Drive-by visit from Clare and Caroline

Love this girl!

This face!

Social distance play date

When the golf course is closed they open the paths to walkers and bikers!


Avery created a Lego version of the Fortnite world

Quarantine find!
  

We got tagged by Ethan and Clare!

Another walk on the golf course. The girls were expert social distancers

Learning to ride!

Quarantine is a great time to finally break out the old Barbie Dreamhouse
 

My puzzler

Home project: pantry shelves!

 

Back yard progress

On the golf course again. The house to the left is being rebuilt after burning down TWICE!
 

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on April in Quarantine

Homeschool in April

April brought more homeschool with it. Here are some pics of what we were up to:

Zoom meetings!





Layla wanted to attend circle time as “Coronation Elsa”







P.E.

Art


Lunch



Layla’s preschool put these signs in our yards.





Checklist

This was part of a teacher appreciation week photo mashup  we did.




Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Homeschool in April