chicken feathers

scrabble

I taught Grant how to play scrabble today.  While he was waiting for his introduction to the game he oriented himself with the letters.

It reads "MASTER GRANT ROCKS AND RULES"  he later added "FOREVER"

We encourage humility.

soccer, anyone?

I have been feeling some strange guilt for not being diligent in having our kids participate in team sports, encouraging them to instead play outside.  So today I asked Grant if there was a sport his was interested in playing or learning.  He thought about it for a little while and then asked if fishing counted.  Not being the response I was anticipating I hedged a bit.  He said he didn't really like fishing and was just curious if something like that counted...what he REALLY wanted to learn was how to hunt.  Uhhhh, still not the soccer or baseball I was thinking.  Trying to keep an open mind I said that I supposed we could figure something out - maybe target shooting?  Grant then clarified that he didn't want to shoot guns he wanted to learn how to use a bow an arrow.  At this point my visions of T-ball had evaporated into the dusty outfield.  I said I wasn't sure if there were archery lessons in the area but that I would look into it if that's what he really wanted to do.  He then said, "If you can't find bow and arrow lessons, look for ambush lessons."

Oh. my. word.  

 

not for breakfast

When Rhett crawled into bed with Russell and me this morning he asked what we were having for breakfast.  A normal question.  Russell said we'd have spankings.  Rhett thought about this for a minute and then said, "Spankin' soup is not for breakfast.  It's just spankins."

fruits of summer

The kids held their first lemonade stand the other day.  They made $3.50.  $3 from parents and $.50 from their one legitimate customer (the newspaper guy walking his route).  

preparing the signage

 

completed.  i can't BELIEVE we didn't have more traffic!  who could resist a sign like this?!?  

 

the entrepeneurs.  grant, anna and their buddy from across the street.  

 

In addition to lemonade standing we made our annual trek to Nelson's Blueberries for our morning pick-a-thon.  This is one of my very favorite traditions.  There is something so wonderful about being in the field with my kids right beside me, all enjoying ourselves and eachother.  The dynamic is so different each year with the changing ages and stages of each kid.  This year was probably the easiest of them all.  Next year we'll have a new picker...or at least observer.  What will that be like?

One of my favorite moments this trip was overhearing a conversation one row over:

Anna:  "Grant!  Watch what Rhett does when I hold my hand like this!"

*giggles from Grant and Anna*

Anna:  "He eats them like a goat!"

she was right!
 

he still makes my heart skip a beat

Especially when he is being the local lumberjack.  Be still my beating heart!!  Thankfully my beloved made it down with no harm or injury.  The tree, however, is no longer with us.  It gave it's life to be future firewood and make way for next year's orchard. 

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On an unrelated note, Rhett has a new saying.  The other day I sent him to his room for one thing or another (there are generally a few options these days) and when he came out he said, "Mama a BAD MAN!"  Classic.

 

 

laurance lake

It's been a gajillion degrees around here so we took off to higher elevations for the weekend to try to beat the heat.  It was still pretty toasty during the day but the lake was gloriously chilly.

Utter filth was had by all.

 

Heading down to the lake to get the canoe...Oh yes, the canoe...

I think I mentioned previously that Russell bought a canoe.  This trip marked my maiden voyage on the L-team sloop.  Picture this:  Mom and son heading to the canoe carrying kiddy rod and tackle (Grant keeps calling it snackle which I like much better).  Mom is feeling a titch nervous to be a) in charge of operating a canoe that is b) occupied by a bouncy, wiggly 5 year old boy who is c) chomping at the bit to go fishing for the first time ever. 

The memory of what happened on the boat is a little hazy...I remember that there was some fishing that managed to happen (I thank the merciful Lord that there were no fish caught - adding a flopping fish into the mix was and still is too much for me to wrap my brain around).  I also remember that there was a stiff breeze.  Did you know that a stiff breeze makes paddling a canoe for someone who has paddled a canoe ohhhh...maybe twice before just a hair difficult?  You know those Family Circus cartoons that shows Billy going from their house to the neighbor's with the dotted line showing all the places he went in between?  If our canoe trip would have been a Family Circus cartoon, the lake would have been one big red scribble.  I could not for the life of me get that beast to track in a straight line.  We were ducking and weaving like nobody's business.  My personal favorite was when I'd totally lose control and we'd just spin in a big ol' circle.  I swear I could hear an observer on the beach say "There they go again!  Bwah ha ha!"  And so it went for about an hour.  Grant made sure I knew that Daddy was much better at canoeing than I was.  I made sure Grant knew that he need not worry - Daddy would be operating the canoe from now on.

Rhett skipped out on the canoeing but still seemed to enjoy his first camping trip.  He thought the fire was amazing.  Ditto on rustling leaves and the ripples on the lake.  He also feverishly shoveled dirt and rocks into his mouth whenever he got the chance. 

And what camping trip with children is complete without some barfing?  Here's is Grant's illustration outlining Anna's illness done for the enlightenment of the folks sitting in front of us at church today.

 

They appreciated the information in all it's technicolor glory.

Ahh, the halcyon days of summer!  What sweet memories they make.

kitty pool

To ensure a long, lazy, nap-filled afternoon I took the kids to our local pool which has a separate area for wee (pun intended - i really hope the water is HIGHLY chlorinated) tots.  On our way there I was telling them that we were going to the kiddie pool.  Anna immediately perked up..."is that where they teach kitties how to swim?"

worth it

Russell took my girl to Portland this morning to drop off a load of fruit so it was just me and the little men.  The littlest man was asleep, I was doing the dishes and the big little man was playing outside.  I heard the doorbell ring and knew it was my boy.  I was ticked.  The kids have the annoying habit of ringing the doorbell when Rhett is asleep.  I don't know how they manage to time it that way but it's pretty amazing.  Anyway, I stormed over to the door and was about to lay into Grant when I saw his big eyes looking up at me.  His hands were in his pockets.  "Hi,"  he said.  "Would you like to come outside and sit on the porch to knit and we can talk?"  Well.  First you'll have to mop me up but after that I'll be right out.

   

our angel

Before I launch into this post, I have to explain my plan of action.  We took a really fun trip last week...or was it two weeks ago...hmmm...anyway, there are a lot of pictures and whatnot.  I thought about doing a mammoth post but I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and work through a big project like that.  So instead I'll just post little bits here and there.  That seems much more manageable.  Just in case you were wondering.

- -

This, by the way, has nothing to do with being a redneck.

So, our angel.  Cambra.  She came into our family as an answer to prayer.  I was at the breaking point with a new babe in the house and my sweet mother offered to fund some some hired help to keep her daughter in one piece.  Enter Cambra.  I knew her from church but wasn't sure if watching three kids was something she'd be interested in.  I had her come over one morning for a trial run to see if she would like to come over once a week for 4 hours.  It was at that moment that our own Mary Poppins entered our life.  Cambra is amazing.  She helped the kids make finger puppets, houses out of cardboard boxes, masks, cookies; she came up with scavenger hunts; took the kids to the park...and on and on and on. 

I completely trusted her with my three lovelies and felt very free to leave and run errands or go to the library and read or sit in my room and knit or whatever.  I knew the kids were well loved.  I was especially thrilled with how well Anna took to her.  I've been a little concerned with my little lady.  Since Rhett's arrival I've had the sense that she has been feeling left out and slightly adrift.  I try hard to focus my attention on her when I can but time is simply fuller these days and I can't love on her like I used to.  Cambra was able to give Anna some of that extra attention she's been craving.  It broke my heart in a bittersweet sort of way when she exclaimed at one of Cambra's departures - "you CAN'T go!  I'll be so lonely!"

Imagine my utter dismay when our Cambra informed us she was moving.  To Idaho.  Heartbroken.  Heart.bro.ken.  Not only were we losing our Mary Poppins but I was also losing a friend.  I just loved talking with her and really looked forward to our weekly visits.  She came over one last time to bring the kids muffins (she had promised to make some with them but had to leave town earlier than originally planned and couldn't fit it in).  I managed to say goodbye without crying but I had to keep swallowing hard.  The kids were oblivious to what was happening and waved goodbye from the window like they always did.  Sniff.  We love and miss you, Cambra!

you're old

Today's my birthday.  As Russell was getting the candles down, Grant said, "Mom's going to need help blowing out her candles because she's so old."

That comment aside, I had a lovely day today.

I was able to get a rare picture of Rhett and me.  Creatively, but at least we're documented together!

 Getting help blowing out the candles...because I'm so old, after all.

And the birthday spankings.  Luckily, Grant can't count to 31 so I was spared quite a few.  He was awfully eager to administer the spankings...in fact, they were his idea.  Stinker. 
Oh my!  What is that in the lower left corner?  A pasta machine?  Glory be!  I'll have dreams of butternut ravioli tonight!  Watch for a pasta love-fest in the future!  Thank you, Marty :)