Blogs!

So, I've been finding so many great blogs, that I thought I would post some of them here.

First of all there's Young House Love,which really started it all! It's such a great site for getting house ideas on the cheap. The couple is young and fun and just had their first little "bean", as they call her. From their site I have found SO many other great sites. I love, love, love that blogs can feature others' blogs... this is another way I find so many of the blog site that I, well, LOVE!

I found Katie's blog the yesterday, and I feel a connection to her. Not only do we have the same great name, but she too has 3 boys, close to my rugrats' age, AND she lives in the Pac. NW... Portland area. We're kindred spirits (although she doesn't know I exists)!

Today I found House of Turquoise, which inspired my background change. I love her beachy sense of style, and I am pretty in love with most any shade of pale blue/aqua/turquoise. (BLUE is my favorite color in case you didn't know!) And she had a link for her "button"... fun!


While perusing House of Turquoise, I found Simply Seleta. Another mom with 4 kids and beachy style... can you see the theme here! I am a beachy, summery, blue loving girl at heart! My dream home would be at the beach, a summery cottage that's fresh and airy. Something that I could drive my restored VW bus (that had no problems) up to and unload my crew of boys. Did I mention it would also have a room JUST FOR ME! Somewhere I could sew and leave my stuff out and not have to clean up every time I had to eat. My sewing area now is my dining room table, if you haven't guessed. My dining room has been home to my many adventures and if the boys need to eat when I'm busy on a project, then oh well to them... eating in the living room it is!

I also love crafty sites that show me how to make things, or ideas for parties... you know how I love to plan parties! City Cradle Design is one of those such sites, along with The Purl Bee. For inspiration I like to read Enjoying the Small Things. This mom knows how to write, take pics and throw pretty fab-u-lous parties for her girls! For comedic relief Catalog Living wraps all my loves into one... home style and funny notes!

Well, I think I'm done for now. I hope you enjoy and if you like a site, check out what their blog list is like, you may find another site just as great!

Preschool!!!

From Ethan's Pre-K Graduation

Ethan graduated Pre-School today, and I must say it was such a great school. It may be hard to hear, but Ethan answered everything in standard Ethan style! Here's a little re-cap if you can't quite hear it:


ALL ABOUT ME!!!



My name is Ethan Lott.
I was 4 years old when I started preschool and now I'm 4 3/4.
Things that make me happy are playing with my friend and helping out.
When I grow up I would like to be a chef... although when he answered in class, he said a firefighter.
My favorite color is pink, blue & purple.
My favorite food is pancakes & waffles.
The food I like least is green peppers & hot sauce.
My favorite book is Sword and the Stone... again, when asked in class, he let Mrs. Colpitts know that he didn't have that book (shoulder shrug)
My favorite song is Enchanted.
My favorite thing to do at preschool is painting and basketball at recess time... and riding the pink tricycle!
In the beginning of the year I couldn't dribble the ball, but now I can.
My Preschool frinds were Brooke, Brandon, Colin, Emma A., Emma G., Grayson, Bella, Jakob, Kylie, Wyatt, Mackenzie, Manuella, Patrick & Ryker.


My teachers at the Issaquah Community Center where I went to Preschool were Mrs. Colpitts & Mrs. Steere.

This afternoon begins a new jouney in Ethan's school career... a "Bear Hunt" to see his new elementary school. He is so excited and can't wait for Kindergarten to start!



Here's the next generation of ICC Preschool!

Oh Bono!

Oh Bono, why did you have to hurt your back and need emergency surgery right before your 360* North American tour. Didn't you know that you were going to be Adam's BEST Father's Day present EVER!?! I mean really, Qwest Field ON Father's Day... I didn't even have to really think about it! It was a total surprise for Adam, so he didn't even know about it until I told him he wasn't going. I thought for sure he had figured it out though because he's been listening to you, and talking about going to see you in concert a lot lately. But I was wrong... he didn't even know you were going to be in town. Everyone I know and have heard about has said that your concerts are the best they've seen. I truely hope you recover soon, so maybe next time we're able to go... I can go too with Adam. That would really be the best.

Easter!

So, Easter weekend started out fun, with the annual Highland Easter Egg Hunt that our church puts on. This year they had a $5 donation to participate, with proceeds going to World Vision, aiding in the long-term support for Haiti.
It was all good and fun, until the actual hunt started. It was a COLD weekend here, and with no trees to block the wind on the school field, we had quite the wind chill going on. Greyson stayed in the backpack, and Ethan wanted nothing to do with gathering eggs.

He just followed me around while hunted and gathered... with an extra 30lbs. on my back. It went a little like this... walk, squat, walk, squat for a good 5-7 minutes. I am glad to say that I am not sore due to my Stroller Strides class.

We got our picture with the Easter Bunny, again I got to do a squat, still not sore. Poor Grey just looked so cold and sad. He was like this the whole time... frozen. Ethan still didn't want anything to do with the bunny, so it was just me and Jude smiling. Jude did his hunt after with Adam, but we went to stay warm in the car.

That evening we decorated our Easter Eggs with glitter paint and sparkles. They were messy, but fun and yummy for me to eat the next day.

Easter morning, it didn't take long to find the baskets and finish the chocolate bunnies! Jude and Ethan are pros by now, and Grey is fast on their heels, learning the ways of it!

The Easter Bunny brought them fun books, pin-wheels and bubble bath too! It turned out great and we had a nice dinner at Jimmy & Rachel's with Grandma, Grandpa and Great Grandpa Greg.

So on to next year,

Happy Easter!

Ethan-isms!

"Ethan: Mom, when I smelled Dad's sweatshirt, it smelled like balls!" Jan. 14th, 2010

"Ethan just informed me that while he was at Lucy's, they kissed! Not just any kiss though, True Loves Kiss... Enchanted!" Jan. 10th, 2010

"Ethan's helping me with the dishes, and he said, 'Mom, when I'm slapping the bubbles, it's like butta!' I don't know about you, but all I can see is Coffee Talk With Linda Richman, from SNL! HA!" Nov. 21st, 2009

"Ethan was trying to say Massachusetts and called it Mackajushits... ahhh out of the mouths of babes." Nov. 14th, 2009

"Ethan: Mmm... it smells fresh, like McDonald's!" Aug. 14th, 2009

"Etahn: Did you eat the baby and that's why it's growing in your belly?" To Auntie Betsy summer 2009

I'm sure I'll be adding to these in the future! Have a good laugh!

Ethan's Fabulous Fourth Birthday!

We had a great, hot day for Ethan's birthday party and we wish ALL of our family and friends could have been there to celebrate, but we had a fun, big crowd even still! Here is a small collage of some of Bob's pix of the day. They really are fantastic and I'm so happy to have them.

I'll post more another day, but trying to think in this heat is tiresome. It's 96* today and supposed to be 101* tomorrow. Ugh!

Blueberi Stoli

I know that I need to do a new post, and I really mean to, but I'm just too busy this summer doing I don't know what! So right now I sipping my Blueberi Stoli lemonade and, well finished my ice cream, and I'm just writing something! I'm not going into all the details, but when does school start again? Can I start summer school for my kids Monday? I need them out of the house!!! They are going to kill each other, and they are learning NOT to respect Mom and Dad. Maybe I just need to do more play dates, but that takes work too. I am not a planner when it comes to play dates, that's I why I love my friends Annie & Cynthia so much. They are just like me and we can just call each other up (or go outside in Cynth's case) and say, "Hey, wanna play".

Well, I'm gonna go and relax some more and maybe go to bed early tonight (ie: before 2 am).

Enjoy some of the friendlier pictures of the summer. The teeth were sent from my mom in a package for the boys... what fun! They hang out on the floor collecting dust then go right into the mouth. Yummy! No rinsing necessary.

Bebe Hansen!!!! Can you believe it!?!

Well the day has come that Betsy and Bob are going to finally have a BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!

That is what I did when I first heard the news! I really never thought that I'd see the day this soon, if ever... neither did Bets, but a new baby is on the way and we are all so happy and excited for them. Can you believe the coincidence? I was due Dec. 24th with Grey (at the ultrasound they said the 23rd) and Bets is due the 23rd as well... OUR BIRTHDAY!!! A little freaky for identical twins. Now, who's birthday is this baby going to share, or not? Ours? Greyson's? Who knows but bet your butt that I'll be there to meet this new little one first thing! I AM going to be the FAVORITE Auntie!

I've already let Betsy know that I'm making all of her baby bedding and I found a great book that has all the directions I need (actually Molly found it)! Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones It is soooo cute and has a ton of cute patterns. So I will be busy in my late night free time this year. I guess now we have to wait to see what Betsy and Bob will be having...

My Handmade Things!

So with all these babies being born, I've gotten kind of crafty. (And found out that I'm kind of good at it.) All of my presents so far have been given, so I can finally show off my work. I decided to make burp cloths since they're needed and hard to find good cute ones. This propelled me into trying a receiving blanket and then a doll.. or two. Ethan has been shopping with me at the fabric store for all these things and decided he wanted to pick out his own fabric. So maybe one day he'll want to sew too, who knows! I also like to do my own cards too, and baby/bridal shower sign. I guess I'm an all around DIY-er. What I really like though is seeing how it makes the person feel that I'm doing it for, I get all giddy inside waiting for them to see. That's my number one Love Language... gifts (giving and getting).

Check out what I've been working on!

Baby Shower Card

Burp Cloths

Shower Invitation

Baby Shower Signs


Harriet Hare

(pattern c/o Bit of Whimsy Dolls)

Receiving Blanket

&
Harriet Hare

Happy Easter!

Meet Jon. This is the bunny that Jude won, getting the golden egg at the Easter Egg Hunt today. He decided to name him Jon. I think it's pretty funny for a bunny, but Jude likes it. He sitting near our front door waiting to greet the Easter Bunny when he arrives tonight!

Grey's 1st Egg Hunt!

So cute wearing the same coat Ethan wore 2 years ago for his first hunt.

Ethan excited to hunt for his eggs!

Doesn't Jude look excited?

Look at all those eggs!

Ooh... this is fun!

Ethan had a hard time knowing what to do. He even ran out early, but then just stood there and didn't pick up any eggs! He managed to get 3! Jude got really excited, and ran to look for the golden egg and forgot to get any others. I had to keep yelling, "pick 'em up, Jude! Get some eggs!" He finally managed to stop looking for the golden egg and picked up about 15 eggs. His friend Sybren got a golden egg, but since his dad helped hide the eggs, he had to give it up. He plopped it into Jude's basket! Sybren is so sweet, such a loving boy! This is how Jon came to be part of the fam.

We dyed our Easter Eggs tonight! What fun! Papa made a Mummy egg. Coloring eggs is so much fun, and then dying them... now we get to eat them! Maybe some egg salad.

Our finished product!

First Cut!

Well, the baby mullet is finally gone. It wasn't until this week that I finally thought, "this isn't so cute anymore." Not that my baby isn't always cute to me... and everyone else that sees him, but it was getting a little long and when people ask how old your little girl is (wearing all blue and looking so boy to me) then you know it's time! I started the cut and Adam finished it. He was mad and squirming so much, we only had to cut the back since the front didn't need it. It's a little choppy, but still cute. Hey, it was my first time cutting with actual scissors. I use the clippers on Adam, and tonight was only the fourth time for that. In these economic times, we cut all the boys' hair. That's what tonight was, hair night for the boys, and finally Greyson got to join in. Jude even asked to have his locks cut off. I think that he'll have plenty of time to get the "do" back so he can be Wolverine for Halloween. He has the perfect hair for it! When he gets sweaty it can be pushed up on all the sides and back and POOF, Wolverine!

Mullet tucked into the shirt collar!

Getting ready...

ooh, toys!

Oh, heelll no!!!

Happy within seconds...

too cute!

We've been up to, well , not much around here lately, but I've been plugging away with the camera. Lots of video lately since the boys have been pretty funny and Greyson's finally walking every where! He is so proud of himself. He is also teething, but thanks to his cute teething necklace, he isn't hurting that much. Just in the evening is he a little cranky, but it was much worse when he didn't have the necklace... for his first 2 teeth he got back in the summer! He finally has about 6 teeth, 3 of which just popped out and 2 more are finally dropping down after seeing them lingering for the past month or more. (FYI: I was just reading the site info, and they don't recommend these for babies anymore due to the laws, but we have not had any problems with Greyson trying to actually chew on his, he doesn't even play with it.)

Ethan has been registered for Pre-K in the fall and is very excited to "go to preschool when I'm 4!" I'm excited because it is about 1/2 the price of Jude's pre-k that he went to, and I think much better suited for Ethan. I had to go stand in line and wait for over an hour to get him in, he got the last morning spot available... I'll take last, we're still in!

Ohh, one big task that Adam and I accomplished was we switched the boy's bedroom with ours. I know, how could I give up my master bedroom... easy! It was turning into the boy's storage closet anyways. Now they have all of their things in their room, and we only have their rocker in our room. We DID NOT switch baths though. There is no way they need a big bathroom, they are small kids, and I have a lot of stuff to store in ours.

Jude is happy that we've finally had some better weather so he can go biking. I know it isn't Maine, but the rain gets to you too. Martha, I'm sure you'll see spring soon!

I think that my next task will be to... oh wait, I have baby showers to plan! Stay tuned for Molly and Geoff's "Party" update. Hey, that's what it will be, a co-ed cocktail party, mock-tail for Mol. She knows what she wants! Bets and I are throwing it for them in Portland and we're so excited, it'll be lots of fun.