It's The Simple Things

"This is so exciting Mommy"!

She has been waiting for months for her wildflowers to bloom. We planted a mixed seed packet clear back in late spring, and I don't know if it was because it was so hot so early or what, but finally, finally there are flowers blooming.

I could tell this was going to be a mini sunflower a few weeks ago and once I mentioned that to Sky the watching game was on. She has been checking it daily, several times a day. The excitement has been building, and the anticipation was almost too much. She really wanted to "help" force it open, but somehow she managed to wait it out.

Finally this past weekend one of the flowers opened up, and she stood there admiring it and gently petting it for the longest time.

She can hardly believe that there are going to be more of the bright, sunny, yellow flowers in the next few days.

I love that with all the distractions of big, fancy, shiny, bright toys that make all sort of noise and do fun things that waiting for a simple yellow flower to bloom has been such a big deal to her.

The joy on her face when she walked out in her pj's Saturday morning and realized the flower was open, and waiting for her was priceless. It's a good reminder that we don't really need much to be happy...to have moments of pure joy and beauty in life.

It's so easy to get caught up waiting for the "big thing" that we risk missing out in the simple, every day, "little" things that bring a twinkle to the eye, a smile to the lips, and joy to our hearts.

Thank you for the life lesson munchkin.

Summer Slow Down

She kills me with the looks she gives me, I just can't handle it sometimes. I don't even want to admit to this, but yesterday was the first time this summer we went to the park to just play and hang out. I mean, really...what kind of mom am I?!

The kind that doesn't enjoy 95 or over, but that aside, the fact is this summer has been one "thing" after another, every weekend. It's felt like a sprint, and I am not a sprinter! The week days have been on repeat...unpack, grocery shop for the few days we are home, re-pack, get ready for the next trip.

Believe me I am not complaining, it has been so much fun, and we have done and seen beautiful things, and spent time with people we love. But, I have felt like I'm missing summer right here at home. Mostly what I'm missing is the school-free schedule...the freedom to sit in the sun and soak it in, play with Sky, picnic at the playground. Things that we enjoy, a lot! And, I'm missing friends and play dates at home.

This week, while play date free, has felt a bit more normal. Time for cuddles, playing at the park, cooler weather that makes sitting outside pleasant (although both of our comfortable outside chairs cracked in two, so I guess I better bust out the camping chairs), making sun tea, watching the garden grow. Just enjoying life, at home, in the summer, when it's the most magical, beautiful, amazing time around here.

 Cuddling and watching cartoons with Sky, I kind of like her cartoons! 

We took Silas to the off-leash dog park for his birthday this week! I love how much she loves him!

That dress used to cover her feet...that dress used to be mine when I was her age.

I even had time this week to sit, kid free for a few hours with a good book, and a good glass of wine. Sure there were things I could have worked on, a few things I've been procrastinating on (sort of freaking out about the 10 mile trail run I have in 6 weeks...must start training!), but sometimes you just need to stop thinking and escape. 

How do you slow down and enjoy summer?

Growing Pains

Parenting is one big exercise in getting our kiddos ready to live life without us really. It's all leading up to the day they walk out the door, and walk into their own life, in their own space, making all their own choices. It's our job to teach them how to think, be kind, and make good choices for themselves, and then set them free into the world.

I've noticed her beginning to pull away a bit the last few months. More alone time, more I'll do it myself's, more I don't want to play with you, and less cuddle time, less need for reassurance (usually in the form of a thumbs up) during swim class & soccer, calling me Mama instead of Mommy. I can see her growing into her own, strong, independent self.

Her alone time = hours of coloring in her room.

Even though her coloring time gives me time to myself to do things around the house I have to be honest and say it hurt a little when she looked up at me and said "Mommy can you just leave me alone".

I know she's only 4, but the tides are changing. I guess the timing is right...she'll be in school full time next year and I won't be around all day every day for her. I already miss the days of having her all to myself, and those days aren't even over yet.

It feels like I'm living life with a countdown clock. D Day is a little over a year from now when she starts kindergarten. I can't even imagine how much she'll change between now and then.

My focus...enjoy the moment, soak up every second I get to spend with her, say yes to every cuddle that does come my way. Once it changes, it's changed forever.

It's Getting Hot In Here

It's heating up around here, for real, living life in the 80's and up (it's not even officially summer yet!), and with the influx of people and attention the U.S. Open is bringing to my favorite place to run. Which, there won't be any running going on there until after this week. Missing Chambers Bay as an option for sure.

Oh well, I don't mind. Sky and I are hanging out, enjoying that most people are staying home, left town, or are at the tournament so the roads are actually pretty open, not much traffic, and ton's of state patrol. So, you know no speeding, but it means everyone is on point with their driving and that's a nice change.

Upper Right of the pic, the long white stretches are tents put up for the U.S. Open. That's about as close as I'll be getting the action. 

Very happy to enjoy the sun, water, and sand while the golf thing happens down the way.

I'm sort of relishing the lack of schedule, and just enjoying what each day brings. I know that needs to change, there's stuff to do, but I'm putting it off as long as possible. For now we are having fun, getting back to a solid pilates routine, mixing in a bit of running during the week, and that's about it. 

To give myself a little credit I was up at 5am this morning, and got a ton of Jamberry work done, and laundry. So that's something. Now, to enjoy a book in the sun...keeping it low key today after a busy weekend and way too many late  nights for Sky. It's caught up with her and she is not feeling well. Time to recharge and rest before we take on the rest of the week! 

A look at what we've been up to...

We attended the Lakewood Relay For Life event with our friends/team. It's been an important part of my life for a long time, and I have a feeling it will be an important part of Sky's as well. 

19th year of Relay For Life. 

The Tacoma Farmer's Market started in May I think, and we have been counting down the days until school was out so we could start meeting Mark down there for lunch. It tends to be more about food, crafts, and fresh flowers than produce from farms, but it's still fun and gives Sky some Daddy time during the work day.

She wanted to be a leaf fairy. 

Getting an up close look at her face painting.

Sky received her first bow and finally had a chance to shoot it after Mark tracked down arrows for it. She LOVES it! Elk camp...get ready...Sky's practicing! 

 Not strong enough to pull it back by herself yet. She'll get there though. 

 Retrieving arrows from the target.

Every time she hits the target this happens! 

It's funny how things happen sometimes. Sky and I were headed to the spray park, and saw Elya's car on the road. I honked as I went past but she didn't see me. Her kids however saw Sky and started waving and making a ruckus. Sky was so funny, "Mommy, there are people waiving at me, who are they"? 

Thankfully we were able to roll windows down and connect so we could follow her to the spit on Fox Island for time in the sun and sand. Sky had a blast, I had a blast, and Mark and Silas got in on it when they joined us for an impromptu bbq at Elya's sisters house. So much fun! I'm so thankful there are other mom's that are prepared out there. I had the very minimum of what we needed for an hour or so at the spray park, no extra snacks or clothing etc. Elya and Ella were ready though and helped us enjoy a fun afternoon/evening in the sun with good friends. 

 I may have to start keeping the life jacket in the car, she couldn't swim because we didn't have it.

 My spot on the rocky beach. 

Enjoying a little movie time before dinner.

The gang...thank you Elya for sharing this picture! 

Happy Birthday Sky

I can't believe we have a 4 year old! It's nice to be able to say that she's now been with us longer than the years spent waiting for her!

Adoption is a test in faith and patience. My mantra was "It will be the right baby, the right birth mother, and the right situation, at the right time". 3 years is a long time to wait, but it was so worth it.

Sky is so perfect, and so us, and so makes our life complete. I'm thankful every day that her birth mother gave us the most precious gift in the world.

We are off for birthday camping this weekend, per Sky's request.

 Take my picture Mommy...oh but wait my shoes are not perfect!

 4 means I'm an adult, and I can drive your new car mommy. 

No, she can't drive my car, but she can upgrade to a big girl booster car seat! She can buckle herself, and it's like a whole new world for both of us!

Sky Right Now: 

-Loves corn dogs and mac n cheese

-Must have cuddles every day to be happy

-Would rather be outside all the time no matter the weather

-Works her buns off in the garage and yard with daddy

-"I want to work on computers like daddy"

-"I'm a super strong girl mommy"

-"I'm ready for duty"

-"Let's have an adventure"

-Wants to travel to the North Pole, Italy, The Great Wall of China, and Disneyland 

-Loves riding her bike, running, and playing chase

-Asks to go camping or go the beach every single day

-Wants to visit the farm every day

-Loves swimming and school and is doing well at both

-Plays her harmonica in bed to fall asleep (by favorite thing about her right now)

-Mostly wears running shoes or cowgirl boots

I could go on and on, she's just so much fun, so full of love and adventure and so perfect in her imperfection. 

Simple Family Adventures

I've posted about this before, but with summer right around the corner and family vacation & weekend trip planning happening for a lot of folks it's a good reminder.

Adventure has always been important to us, and it seems to be a big theme for a lot of people this year. I'm seeing it all over the place, and I love it. I'm making lists and filing options away for future adventures. While I wish adventure meant we were globe trotting whenever and wherever we want, the budget doesn't allow for that, and you know there are things like jobs, school, swim lessons etc. So, whats a family to do when "big" adventure isn't always an option?

Go big, or go home right? WRONG! How sad to let the little, every day adventures slip through the cracks, and only plan for the big trip/vacation once a year, or every few years (whatever the case may be). I for one want to enjoy life every. single. day.

It's a simple concept really, open your front door and say "I wonder what adventure we will find today"! Every time we leave the house Sky says something along the lines of "I'm ready for my adventure Mommy". The exact statement changes from day to day, but it's always about what adventure we will find that day. Even if all we are doing is grocery shopping, it's going to be a fun filled adventure somehow, someway.

A lot of our adventures take place at the park, and while you would think it may get old, since it's so close and we are there all the time, it really doesn't. We always find new ways to have fun and new things to admire and speculate over.

 Shadow Family.

Be still my heart. Picking flowers for Mommy.

A few ideas for making everyday an adventure: 

-Letting the tot pick out a new fruit or vegetable at the store to try

-Guessing what might be in the mailbox on the walk to get the mail

-How many potential fiery homes can be found in your yard

-What color flowers will we see at the park

-Go to the local nursery or home improvement store and have your kiddo pick out a plant or seeds and their own pot/flower box to create their own flower or vegetable garden

-Driving around in the car while testing out the new big girl booster seat, and waving to other's as we drive past

-Take the globe/map/Nat Geo magazine (you get the idea) outside and map things out in the yard or find similar bugs from the magazine in the yard. Better yet let the kiddos find a good spot for a lions den (or living space for any outrageous animal that may be in the Nat Geo magazine but would never live in your yard) in your yard, or at the park 

-Family outings to the park, the whole family, are so much more exciting than the usual mommy and Sky (for us) trip to the park

-Finding ways to include them in activities that typically are done without them. Now that I don't have the jogging stroller I hardly ever run with her, so including her in running (her on the bike, while I run) is a huge adventure (more like a game of chase) for her

The nice things about kiddos is they like routine, and find comfort in doing the same types of things every day. You don't have to do wild crazy stuff to find adventure. Be excited and they will be excited, and all of a sudden even mundane things like going to the post office become an exciting event, with new discoveries! It also makes it easy to change one tiny little thing to make things more adventurous than usual. 

Catch us mommy, catch us...yeah right.

 Worlds best balancing tree!

 Tuckered out after playing and running around the park.

The best adventure of all...letting her walk Silas and choose the path we will follow!

Checking out a new store...my adventure shopping in a new wine section, her's was picking out a cookie in the bakery.

And sometimes the best adventure of all is building a fort in the living room, and slaying monsters in a princess dress, viking helmet, and party shoes. 

There's SUN in the PNW!

Something about the sunny, warm weather makes life feel so much more fun...like a vacation. Maybe it's eating dinner outside in the evenings. Or taking cuddle breaks outside, and reading books or magazines while the dog lounges and Sky plays. Sipping a cool crisp white wine in the warm afternoon sun with my babe...maybe it's all of it, but it just makes life feel more fun and relaxed. 

Evening adventures in the sun...looking out over the tracks in Steilacoom.

We are doing our best to enjoy this unseasonably nice sunny weather. I don't know that it will be this way year after year, so I'm/we are making the most of it! 

I planted the first of many (more to come!) portable square foot gardens. This one is all about the herbs. It's my first attempt so lets hope they grow!

I really thought Sky would be all about helping plant, but she wasn't. There's time though. Maybe vegetables will be more exciting for her. In the meantime her stuffed dog, Baby Bishop, is her constant companion. He goes everywhere with her, and if it's something she can't take him to he ends up riding in the car and keeping her company on the road. Bishop is still a daily conversation, and I'm thankful she has her stuffed Bishop look-a-like to help her through it.

 I totally benefit (or not depending on how snug the jeans are fitting) from Mark's food allergies. All the cheese and bread parings to myself! 

Give her some pretzels and let her smell the wine and she's good to go. 

The best part of all this sun is the spur of the moment walks that somehow turn into wine tasting! And, not just wine tasting, but chatting with the wine maker, who was in the tasting room that day, and tasting directly from the barrel. So good!

A wall of liquid goodness.

Sunglasses...adorable. And, she's decided she doesn't need the car seat any longer. Nice try Sky.

If I don't post much, ok I already don't post much so how about if I start posting even less, over the next few weeks it's because I'm traveling a bit, and the down time I do have is spent soaking up all that sun with my munchkin! 

Weekend Fun

I'm already missing the sunny warmth we were blessed with over the weekend. Even though Sky had a lovely cold we managed to make the most of it, and got her out of the house for a bit of vitamin D.

Since we were both itching to take the new car for a little bit of a drive we opted for a trip down to Priest Point Park in Olympia. What a lovely place to visit and very few people around which was perfect, because we didn't want to share Sky's cold with anyone.

 They found a fiery house! 

 Just hanging out looking adorable. 

 Snack time. 

Selfie outtake...they are harder to take than you would think!  

 Squishy jelly fish. 

 She found all sorts of treasures on the beach! 

First family road trip in the Sub. I love Silas peaking over the back of the car seat! 

We took full advantage of the sun and played, cuddled, read books, and enjoyed good wine outside as much as possible. 

 I think she liked it!

 That Stew = amazing! I'll be sharing the recipe later this week! 

 Cuddling and playing on Daddy's new Kindle Fire. 

 I can't wait until summer and we can eat outside every evening! 

Chef Sky making the Seafood and Chorizo stew. I'm loving that she wants to help in the kitchen. Food adventures here we come! 

Looks like the sun has left us for a bit at least. So excited for hot summer months and long sunny days!