No Accidents!

Sylvie has been working for a few months on getting through an entire day with no accidents in big girl underwear with no pull-ups. We have tried many methods. For months now, the first thing she screams at me when I pick her up from school is, "I WENT POO POO"! After about 5 bags of M&Ms, Dora Underwear, Princess Underwear and Princess Pull-Ups, running to resaurant bathrooms, cleaning up pee at the thomas the train set in barnes and noble, cleaning up pee on the couch, cleaning up pee from my Parents Couch, and a few accidents next the toilet (so close!) we finally made it through.

She finally did it on Saturday. It was a group effort - my parents had her most of the day - and with constant reminders, she finally was so proud and got what she had been working for.....a set of Cinderella magnets. Woo Hoo! After her bath, we had a mini ceremony to mark the occaision....

Beaming with Pride!

Seven Months Man

He looks a bit like a man with his hair combed to the side and the bitty sneakers. His current hobbies are razzberrys and sitting up. He constantly has his mouth open on the off chance that someone will stick some food in it. He is very proud to be sitting up and, as you can see here, he is training for his next big ascent...crawling.

Push ups

Scissors meets Pillowcase :(

Why didn't we learn the first time? Today Sylvie took her scissors, which have only recently been given back to her after the cutting her hair incident, and went to work!

While I was gone and Vicki was doing something with Leo - can't wait what cause I wasn't here - Sylvie cut up the cover of the book I am reading. It was on my bed stand which means she was in my bed when she did it. Now I can't hand it off or resell it or even give it to goodwill.

Then, as Vicki was making our bed (bless the Lord above) she discovered that Sylvie had also cut into a pillowcase. This was a pillow case that was given to me by my grandmother.

Sylvie was sent to her room for a while where she proceeded to try on all of her shoes - no skin off her back. Then I went in to talk to her about why that wasn't right, I started crying because it was my grandmother's pillow case and she is old and not the same and it is sad. The drama of everday life here.

Mother's Helpers 2006

There are a few things right now that are getting me through the day. Right around three I am wondering what it will be that will carry me accross the afternoon chasm. These are them - sometimes all three in one day - pure heaven.

1. My famous Mint water
I take some of the mint leaves that I grow in a pot outback, rustle 'em up a bit but don't tear em, put them in a ceramic pitcher with some cut up lemons (no seeds - that makes it bitter), pour hot water over it and let it steep for a while. Later on - with some ice. It defines refreshment.

2. A handful of Kristen's Seventies-Style Granola:
preheat oven to 250
mix the following in a big-ass bowl
6 cups oats
2/3 cup coconut flakes (the big ones)
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup flax seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup all bran cereal

heat on med til bubbly
1 cup honey
3/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
(I add some fresh grated nutmeg)

Pur hot, wet mixture over dry mixture until thoroughly coated. Spread coated mixture on two baking sheets with edges. Put in oven for about 2 hours, stirring and switching racks every 30 minutes. Let cool and pour into air-tight container to enjoy.

3. Sitting Sylvie in front of her favorite movie "Sleeping Beauty"
Shut up, she loves it.

Baby Sauce

Sylvie calls Leo's food jars "baby sauce" I realize that no one will love these photos as much as I do

but look at the personality that is coming through...

Palm Springs

I am going to Palm Springs in October with 3 of my best friends from College and I am so thrilled.

Phyllis will be there too!

Memorial Day Weekend at Gig Harbor

We had a great time with both sets of grandparents! We scored a few great deals at Garage Sales like a $5.00 jogging stroller to keep at the beach and a little tikes kitchenette for $10. We also got some great 33s like Heart and Chuck Mangione and Marry Poppins for listening to on the record player. There was up and down the river and canasta and too much good food. Joey and I even got a date night but ended up at X men3 because DaVinci code was sold out. We were surrounded by Tacoma Teens Text-messaging Throughout The Theater. It was annoysome. However, it was nice to hold hands for a few hours without having to pick up a child. Thanks Grandma, Grandpa, Noni and Papu. It wasn't gorgeous weather but we still did some of our favorite activities like rock art, clamming and boating......

A Smiling Heart

Sylvie is a fourth generation Washington Clammer

(these are Little Necks on Carr Inlet)

Rock(s)
6 Month Tickley
Sylvie's first Pony Ride!

Romy and Leo

Amazing Genetic Specimens. How different are these two!?!? only two months apart and born in practically the same zip code. Godda love the melting pot. Is she gorgeous or what!?

Janie Baught a Car

Here is Jane proudly buying her first car from us. We will miss that workhorse and nothing beats a 1988 Volvo 240 in terms of solid safety but we had to upgrade a couple years and got a 1990 740 - DELUXE apartment in the sky time! You know how sometimes cars' personality shows in their headlights. This had great personality as a mom car and looks reliable and full of integrity. Now is has going-to-grad-school-in Ohio-have-to-make-it-accross -the-country integrity ;) Good luck Jane!

Leo is 6 months old

For his birthday Leo decided to sit up on his own for about 30 seconds! His favorite foods are peach oatmeal and banana and he loves walks on the beach, getting caught in the rain and pina coladas. He has sparkley eyes.

Mom's Day

Four Generations - Three Moms and

one two year old teenager - check out her hand on great-grammas shoulder

Haney "O"

Uncle Adam and "Uncle Leo, HELLO!"

First Time on the Swing!

What's happening here....

She's moving away from me....
I love the swing!
Old Pros - Gracie May and Sylvie

First Bath Together

Point your Fingers and Do the Twist

Thank you Auntie Christie for convincing us to brave Friday night traffic to Tacoma to see the WIGGLES LIVE! It was the highlight of our spring. I was so impressed with the show: I thought that the Tacoma dome would be cavernous but they made it totally intimate. I actually cried a little when the wiggles came out because I couldn't believe how close they were to us and how real they were - like George, Paul, John and Ringo. EVERY song they sing was one of our favorites and Sylvie and I were jumping up and down and singing the entire 2 hour concert.

Here's the best part: At the end of the show we rushed the stage and almost touched Captain Feathersword, then we had to swim upstream to get back to our seats so we were eventually one of the last families out of the dome. Before we left I approached one of the dome workers and asked if the Wiggles would be signing autographs. They were my new bestfriends, afterall! HE said he didn't know. Then I spotted a wiggles-vest-wearing Aussie who gave me the official "Um, No Maam (you American crazy mom!) they are not" DARN! We sang the whole way home though and I will never miss another Wiggles Show.

Just so you know, we totally listen to appropriate amounts of real music with Sylvie including The Beatles, Bob Marley and Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack just to name a few of our favorites. So there.

WAKE UP JEFF!!!

Dorothy, Henry, Capt. Feathersword and Wags

Can't wait to get into the show!

Egg Hunt

Sylvie 'just happens' to have a beautiful red dress with bunnies on it given to her by her née-Lutheran-converted-to-Reform-Judaism Grandmother. Hm. It goes perfectly with the little basket and a little egg hunt at the Murphy's for Easter Dinner of Ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls (during passover) and asparagus! Joey had his very own HUGE steak - THANKS!

Montesano

We visted The Tyndells at their beautiful property in Montesano. They have the good life out there and served up smoked prime rib from the smoker and a 20lb. Turkey. Sylvie got her first Easter basket - she was thrilled! Joey was totally looking forward to riding the ATV and can't hide the smile on his face. We also threw rocks down at the river. We can't wait to go back in the summer!

Our Cousin Macy

Passover Haiku

Leon tastes the bitter herbs of slavery.

Someday, "take the garbage out!"

Hasson Seder

The First Night of Pasover was spent with 27 Hassons. It was the first Seder where Sylvie really got it and she was thrilled to sing Dayenu and the four questions with all of her cousins!

Sylvie with Uncle Victor all the way from Israel














With Noni and Christie!
















The Little Family

















The Gorgeous Table

Mt. Baker Park

It was a GORGEOUS day on Tuesday and Leo, Sylvie and I went to the park for a long walk. We tried to feed the ducks but not only are there signs everywhere saying "DON'T feed the ducks!", the ducks have learned and have gone elsewhere. So we danced and sang our way through the park!

Dance Moves

Oceanus' Birthday

I didn't get any photos of Oeanus on his birthday because he was surrounded by other's taking photos so I took photos of background action....

Ari P. Doing some Bidness

Leon Meeting Frieda saying "Please!"

The Leos y Mamas

Joey saving Sylvie from being pulled to the ground by the power of Frieda