Cultivating Childhood

I'm getting behind again!  I think I actually started writing this blog post on June 1st, but then started posting more recent things and didn't get back to it.  Well, here it is again if not tardy. The boys have really been getting into their own art lately.  They can be so content with paper, markers, tape and scissors.  Add to this their current fascination with superheroes, and you get a lot of this... Batman Iron Man Mask Grandma and Papa also came to visit this month.  We had the best weather in the country that weekend - even better than their beloved San Diego.  We decided to make the most of it and take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island.  It was gorgeous.  We had a lovely time, but it was super quick.  I'm looking forward to having them come back in August for Button's birthday. With their crazy grandsons at the bus terminal All of us on the ferry We also attempted some backyard camping.  Button didn't realize that you're actually

The day we moved in Seriously, what do you do when you're faced with the prospect of losing your home unexpectedly? On Thursday night, my life became a bit more complicated.  Having come home from a meeting, I went and grabbed the mail.  Noticing a letter from Sound Transit, I tore open the envelope before I even got out of the car.  This is what I was greeted with... You are receiving this letter prior to publication of the DEIS because Sound Transit wants to inform you as early as possible that your property at [....] has been identified as one that Sound Transit may need to partially or fully acquire in order to construct the project under one or more alternatives. Say what? Apparently, they may need to acquire our home in order to build the light rail that will be extending from Northgate to Lynnwood.  Our location is where they would like to put a station.  After reading more of the information that they sent us, it looks like we'll know more about their need

Remember this ? Well, our little boy has now finished preschool! He had a great 4 months and learned a ton.  Westgate Chapel was fantastic, and Buddy loved his teachers.  Although we will miss them next year, we'll be able to visit them regularly as Button will attend there for two days a week in the Fall. The graduation was quite fun.  It was a beach theme, and each class had a little performance.  Buddy's class sang a little worship song. Buddy also graduated with some of his friends from church.  It will be fun to watch them all grow up together.   Congratulations Buddy!  We are so excited for you! And I'm so glad that I get to be your teacher next year.

Remember the great Mother's Day cards that Phil made with the boys?  Oh, yah, I totally forgot to do that with the boys for Father's Day.  Whoops!  Mommy-fail.  So, as a last ditch effort, I decided to ask the boys why the like having their dad as their dad at dinner.... Buddy: I like my dad because he's really tall, and he's a lot smarter than you, Mom. Me (slightly offended, but mostly cracking up): Wow.  Okay, I think I need to video this. Buddy (while I'm out of the room to Daddy): Is that true?  Are you smarter than Mommy? Daddy: Mommy is smarter at some things, and Daddy is smarter in other things like electronics. Then I got back with my camera, and here is what they said then.... And then it was Button's turn: For Father's Day, we volunteered at church, and then headed down south to spend the day with Phil's aunt, uncle, cousin and grandma.  We had a lovely BBQ and fellowship with them.  For some reason, I'm always terrible

I've always liked the idea of going out with dates with our sons.  Conveniently, since we only have two kids, we can each take one for an afternoon and make it a special time for one-on-one with a parent. A couple of weekends ago, we did just that.  Phil really wanted to take Buddy to the Maker's Faire in Seattle.  It was a magical place for inventors of all kinds.  They had robots, woodworking, different art, and all kinds of media.  The picture below shows someone 3D printing a number of his own designs that included printing bracelets and giving them out to kids. 3D Printer Magnetic Music Show Open Beam Construction Spin Art Wooden Crane Mommy and Button, on the other hand, went to Marina Day at Shilshole Bay.  They were offering free harbor tours aboard Argosy Cruises and had a bouncy house and other fun things to do with kids.  Button thought the bounce house was pretty great. It was a pirate bounce house!   We then went