Practicing...

and Learning.

I was a little disappointed that Cali wasn't reading better than she was by the end of Kindergarten. Then they had a cool camp for kids still needing help and she wasn't invited. I was a little disappointed by that too. I decided If I didn't know the right people or wasn't one of them, (it's often a lot about who you are or you know- isn't it?) then we'd make our own path. 

Cali's new job is to make grocery lists for me. This was her first one. I found it super cute that she said to me, "In case you can't understand my writing, I drew you some pictures." I think it's pretty wonderful and it's been a fun way to encourage her to write and spell. 

In case your curious, that first word is 'sprinkles'.  :)

I Got the Hippie in Me

After much deliberation, I forced myself to head up to Girdwood, Alaska today for their annual Forest Fair. I heard about it a week or so ago and told Scott I really wanted to go. I thought the trip was going to coincide with Nana's return trip home and figured it was perfect timing. It turns out the fair was a day later and Scott ended up having to work anyway.

I am often game for new experiences but when I have to do them alone, like most every other person in the world, I get a little apprehensive. I'd heard many interesting things about this event, and was expecting to get drugged  and end up in lala land by the time I left. :)

By last night, I decided I was going to go if it killed me. I really wanted to, I just wanted a grown person with me. Since I couldn't make that happen, I took the kids and off we went anyway!  The drive was beautiful, it was unbelievably sunny, unlike Kenai when we left. I just knew it'd be a gorgeous day and it was.

When we arrived, I was mesmerized. It truly was a 'fair in the woods'.  There were tents EVERYWHERE as we drove past it; as far back into the woods as I could see. I felt like I was headed straight to meet Robin Hood, if he and every one of his friends owned a canopy tent of course.

Right when we walked in, we spotted a stage where a guy was singing something I'd never heard before and kids were hula-hoopin'.  I'm not sure what the deal is with hippies and hula hoops but it looked like a blast!

Then we wandered to a little kid area so Cali could make something. They craft was designed to make necklaces but Cali had already noticed the many women walking around with their colorful fairy skirts and tiara's and things and she had other plans. She is a whiz with a pipe cleaner and got right busy making herself her own crown.

While she was hard at work I noticed the neighboring tent was offering a breastaurant. That was a first for me. I laughed more when I noticed the back of their sign was for the beer garden. I guess that's for later after the kids are fed.

I loved snapping photos through the day and was amazed at how colorful everything is when you put in a forest!

We walked further into it and found another stage where there were some Irish singers. They were dressed in costume and while I found them cool, the kids got weirded out and didn't like the music. They did love the assortment of food and even tried things new to us! Seriously, if you ever have the chance to try spinach bread, DO! You'll be glad you did.

While we were admiring the colorful people and all their skills, the kids decided they also loved all the signage.

Every kind of thing is painted on a piece of wood. If it's wood, it's painted and it's bright and pretty. Cori wants duplicates of two signs she spotted for her birthday. I'm not an artist but I'm gonna try!  We even spotted one to make for Wren's room.

Being up in the mountains, made for wonderful scenery.  There were many flowers everywhere and it appears hippies like them too.  Flower wreaths were abundant and lots of ladies carried bouquets of them which prompted Cali to pick an assortment for herself on our l-o-n-g mile walk back to the car. Why we decided to take the shuttle down but not back, I'm just not sure.

I am really glad I braved the hemp-loving, yoga-bending, incense-burning gathering called the Forest Fair. I made it out with all my wits and was still capable of driving us all home.  I did realize that everybody doesn't have to shower every day and hair doesn't have to be brushed; life goes on and people are happy just the same.   I bought a hippie bag the other day. Today I brought it with me, I think it was kind of a security blanket. I fit right in and you can't imagine how many people asked me where I'd bought it. I told them, then asked if they knew where I could get a hula-hoop. :)

Tugging Heart-Strings

I haven't posted life's happenings in so long that I am unsure if many of you realize that we had a small addition to our family this past winter.

Now technically she isn't a permanent addition but we love her just the same. Little Annie was on loan to us beginning in January. And what a wonderful holiday gift she was. She was laughter, determination, curiosity, love and joy.

Cassi had the most wonderful teacher that a student or parent could ask for last year. And not only a fabulous teacher,  Marianne also became our friend. When it came time for her maternity leave to end and she needed someone to occasionally care for Anner-Bananers, as she is affectionately called here, we raised our hands (Actually we jumped up and down screaming!) and such my girls became sisters x 4!

When the girls learned that we would have the opportunity to keep her after school let out for the first days of summer, they were beyond excited!  Especially Cali Bay. She fed her, learned to change her, played with her and loved her! Oh gosh, did she LOVE her!

With Marianne being a teacher and having summers off, we knew we'd be handing Pippa-Loo (another call of affection) off sooner rather than later and we'd see her daily no more. Now those of us with a little more of life's wisdom knew that we'd be seeing her still, just not on a schedule. Those of us with a little less of life's wisdom had a harder time bearing the thought of the lack of scheduled visitation.

On the last day of our normal schedule we were a bit off, even the wisest of us all I must admit.  We played until the last moments, took lots of pictures, and gave kisses with reckless abandon.

That night, bless my baby's heart, she could stand it no more and came to me, sobbing, broken-hearted and sure the love of her little life was gone forever! Being prone to drawing her feelings, she came to me with this note.

She asked me if I would take a picture of her to send to Miss Annie, which I promptly did, but only because I wanted to some day remind her that even so little, the heart is an amazing vessel that can grow beyond any depths imaginable.

After I clicked one I reminded her that it might make Annie a little sad to see such tears to which she offered to take another photo,with a smile. She worked hard for this smile, a labor of love for the very being that stretched her heart to the seams.

Just today I learned that we'll have our little borrowed sister back again for scheduled visits, starting next week. Love abounds again.  <3

amongst friends~ A special message

To all my 'amongst friends' friends, don't give up on me.
 I'm so sorry for me lack of time.  I will be back on track soon.

amongst friends #75

The letter F~

Yet again, it’s been a while since I received everyone’s pictures. It actually took me a few minutes to find everything. I hadn’t saved some of them from email and thought I was missing a few. Sheila we are missing you this collage, I hope things look up for your family soon.

Now, onward.  Many of you are still sticking with your photo search and sending me pictures. Thank you and I am glad you are still at it.  I will get them all into collages as soon as I am able but also want to give those who are waiting for my postings before sending more pics a minute to get one to me.

This collage is for the letter F, in case I’ve completely confused you with my tardiness.

Karen sent me her feet picture a long time back. She sent in a few photos actually but I liked this one. It was different, and after having recently returned from the beach when I received it, I longed to be right back where she was while taking this photo.

Jerri sent in a different picture but I somehow deleted it. I don’t remember ever seeing it so I am glad she was able to take something new so quickly.

This is the floor in her entryway. It’s very beautiful. So is the ceiling above it. J

Sandy also has been keeping up well. I’ve had her photo a long while. She said she’d been playing about with an idea for a project...she used chocolate foils to make a foxglove blossom.  Sandy, my daughter recently had to make a poster for a teacher and used Hershey kiss wrappers that were made of red foil for Dorothy’s ruby red slippers. Great minds think alike!

Kelly sent in a picture of one of her favorite cookbooks. I think she told me she uses it a couple times a week. I have this one; unfortunately I don’t use it enough!

Janice’s picture of Family, Faces, Fair and Fun is perfect!  Janice, you’re hot in this picture, purple is definitely your color Momma!

Debbie’s picture of Logan is darling and I can understand why it’s one of her favorite pictures.   She said, “It reminds me of a Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn photo.  The mischief, the freckles, the frog.”  :)

Jenny sent in a photo of a fence in the fog.  I really like this photo. It reminds me a watercolor painting.  Jenny is another one who has been doing very well keeping up with sending in pictures. Thanks Jenny.

I was surprised Jocelyn was the only one to send in a flower photo.  I am not very knowledgeable about flowers but these are certainly lovely.

Mady sent in a cool photo and as always her commentary makes me smile. (If you caught my error when I originally posted her G descriptions- it’s all good. Her F descriptions are even better.  She said, “I've really been enjoying this alphabet game! I was able to find far more F's in this photo than I thought possible. Here goes: A fine fandango at the Farmer's Market -- found flourishing downtown -- full of farm fresh fromage, fancy finger food, and fragrant flowers. I was accompanied on this frolick by some fabulous friends. We feasted upon filling food and frequented the fantastic stands flaunting felted finery and fragrances. The finest moment was when a fetching young fellow sang one of my five favorite songs, I Will Follow You into the Dark. It was a first-rate feat of musical awesomeness. You might not have noticed, but F is my favorite letter :)

Mady, I think you are 15 years of awesomeness and I just want to mention my friend Jana, Kelly’s mom, would have LOVED you! ;)

Linda sent in a picture of Jimmy.  She said “So this is the First visit we have taken to Botanica in 2011 and we had a great time feeding the Fish. Jimmie got the biggest kick out of watching them attack the food.”

Renee’ bought this her little Frankenstein as a gift for her daughter. I’m thinking I would probably keep him, he’s cute!

My picture, like Karen’s is of feet. But aren’t they the cutest little feet you ever did see. Especially looking all surfer-like!  They belong to darling Annie who spends the mornings with me occasionally.  I love her little tiny toes and all the rest of her too!

I am still moving forward and trying to keep posting. I have all the greatest of intentions to post G pictures in the next day or two. I have most of them so if you want to submit one, please do it soon so I can get that collage up. Then we will be up for H next Sunday.  Whew!

Have a wonderful week and keep your eyes open. There are lots of wonderful pictures to be had out there!

Still my Baby

While taking baby Annie for a walk today, her Daddy came to pick her up. He was running late so he grabbed her at the top of our road and took off. Of course that meant the stroller was empty.  So Cali jumped in!
I was already carrying Boogs in my jacket to keep him out of the stroller. He felt sitting on the baby's lap was the perfect place to ride. It was just like old times pushing my baby girl and for a minute I missed those days.  :~)

amongst friends #74

~The Letter E

Well, I am finally getting around to the “E” collage. I sincerely appreciate all of you who just keep on clicking. That is truly the way I envisioned it to work and while I’d like to think I will eventually catch up, it’s nice to know most of you have now made this your own and you continually look for creative ideas with me hassling you. 

As you might notice there are many elephants this week. To be fair, Linda sent hers in first however Cassi and I were in Hawaii and this is the closest thing we could connect to the letter for the week. I really wanted to look for other things but I just didn’t notice them amongst the gazillion pictures my family was taking. Go figure.

Kelly sent in a picture of enchiladas her neighbor shared with her for dinner one evening. I sure wish I had a neighbor that brought me dinner.

Janice’s said she took her picture at the fair last year. She said “The sounds, the smells, the rides, all so EXCITING!

Debbie said this is one of her favorite shots of all time. Emily- She was so proud of herself for catching the ball. I told Debbie, I remember the moment as well and it truly was quite fun to be a part of. It was a great day and when I saw the picture that night, I loved it too!

Jocelyn sent in a picture of her husband, Edwin.

Sandy said she sent a picture of something a bit different- and empty bottle. And in case you’re wondering, she said “yes” she did bring it home to recycle. I loved this idea and thought it was a great reach for the theme. Excellent!

Mady says about her picture, “The photo's of an electrifying and energizing experience in Everett, an event called Acquire the Fire. Acquire the Fire is a Christ-based event that spanned the weekend. We got to experience hours of musical worship, a dramatic performance, various speakers, and at one point a car was lowered from the ceiling. There were also quite a few mentions of zombies as well as some amazing performers (at one point I was ten feet away from Jimmy Needham!) It was a very spiritually powerful experience for me; at one point, the entire arena of about 2000 people joined in singing the chorus to a song over and over again for nearly twenty minutes. That singing was one of the most powerful things I've felt in my entire life, and definitely the closest I've felt to God in ages.”

Jerri sent in a picture of her electrical box and Karen sent in a pile of Easter bunnies, both great choices for “E”.

Sheila thought of elf. She said this about her submission “I would love to live here in Keebler Elf Tree. I enjoy eating cookies and this would be a dream come true. The Keebler Elf original chip deluxe cookies are the best with chocolate in every bite. This is my type of Elf hanging out in a tree baking cookies all day. Sheila, I think you should forward this note to Keebler, you are a great spokeswoman and who knows you may end up with a free bag of cookies! 

Jenny went with Eclectic for her connection to “E”. She said, “This is my pic for E...Eclectic! It’s at a restaurant called Santa Fe Cattle Company in Troy, Alabama and they have great hamburgers! Jenny, I am sure I’d like it, especially right now, I think I need to make some lunch!

A lot of you have already sent in your “F” pictures. Thank you! I am still hoping to catch myself up. I know I’ve missed a week for sure, but go ahead and send “G” when you get this, I’ll get there.

Hope you are enjoying your spring and the opportunity to get outside to take more pictures. Have a Fun, Fantastic, Fabulous week!

Cheers!