Henry Turns One

Yesterday was a joyful/sad day for me, as it marked one year from the birth of my babe. I was glad he has made it thus far and has blessed our lives immensely. I was sad because my wee babe is growing up. In other words, I want to have my cake and eat it too (literally and figuratively in this case).

He had plenty of help getting that candle blown out. In fact, if we hadn't plopped a huge cake right down in front of him, he wouldn't have even cared, for he was more interested in pushing around the car he was holding. The cake was just a formality. And, he didn't get any presents from his mom and pop because, let's be honest, he has plenty of toys (most of which are household items like cupcake pans and shampoo bottles).

I am always making this cake, Martha's One-Bowl Chocolate Cake, and it never disappoints. It is moist, light and dense at the same time (how does that happen?), rich and chocolate-y. And so, as the woman who gave birth to this little bundle who turned one, I chose the cake flavor. Maybe in future years, when he actually develops favorite flavors, he will have a say in his birthday cake. But, this year was my choice and even the day after I'm still reveling in it. Cake for breakfast, anyone? Yes, please.

Let the Chips Fall

While I love this house and the kitchen especially, I want to move the back row of cabinets into the dining room to make the walkway bigger (see those ones with the glass-fronts? Those and their base cabinets).

My mom, ever the designer/space planner/efficiency expert, was here last week and she was the genius behind the idea. We're going to move that row of cabinets here, along the back wall of the dining room. This will free up precious space in the kitchen walkway, filling in the less-used space of the dining room.

I'm very excited about all of this. And I've got paint on the brain. There are paint chip trails stuck all over my kitchen. I'm trying to find the perfect shade of gray to make my hickory cabinets pop. Life is in the details...

Afternoon: Down and Dirty

I usually don't like (okay, I dread) those two afternoon hours from 3 to 5 PM. There's something about the stretch between post-nap and dinner-time that drags and tugs at my patience.

But today was different. Under a cushioned cover of overcast skies, we played out that dreaded chunk of time in dirt, driving little metal cars, and spectating Lucy's bike parade extravaganza (I played announcer).

Above: the scene of my posterity in the thick of it.

And who knew that "onions" (aka: gladiola bulbs) burrowed in the front flower bed?

New Terrain

We made the move! It's been an exhausting, relieving, rewarding and crazy past several days. We've got the remains to prove it: a fort in the basement made of boxes, for one (you know Finn was behind this one: anything involving construction, boxes and tape he is all over). And, a basement! We finally have a house with room enough for a basement! (Not that I'm a fan of basements, but now we have more room to nest our brood).

Exhibit No. 2: Henry christens the new kitchen sink by taking a post-dinner bath

Exhibit 3: Batman himself watches YouTube videos of himself (or the Warner Brothers one) from the new kitchen computer post

And, this photo is from our old house, but it shows the lackadaisical nature of the Matron of the house (me), in the midst of all this moving, unpacking and general chaos. I never would've let child number one lounge on the dishwasher door! I'm turning into a softie/crazy lady!

All jest aside, it feels so good to get settled into a more permanent living space. Plus, with the new school year, the daily drop-off and pick-up of the school bus, the cooling of the weather, and the settling of the memories of Summer, life feels like it's settling. What a welcome sensation.

I think I've left the house twice in the past three days, and have maintained my standard pajamas-while-at-home dress code. Two kind friends took my kids for hours on end so I could move and then unpack. They are angels. I got so much done with no "helpers" around. Between unpacking spurts, I have moved sprinklers and pulled weeds, only to come back inside to continue the "untying-of-the knot" effort.

I feel like I'm finally getting my bearings (much like after giving birth, or getting married, or any major life-change). I'm not hanging pictures yet (that will come after lots of painting and replacing carpet, etc.), but I might make a trip to the gym or the grocery store. I might not change out of my pajama attire, but I will make the attempt to resume my "normal life." (Normal here implies still a dirty house, disheveled-looking children, random piles of stuff scattered around the house, and holes in some of my favorite shirts).

So, life moves on and we've crossed a hurdle, for which I'm thankful. I've read alot in the blogosphere about the happy anticipation of Fall (i.e. pumpkin bread, crisp weather, sweaters, etc.) and I have to say, I am also looking forward to the upcoming season. This morning, as I bent over the overgrown front flowerbed in my multi-colored polka dot pajama bottoms and hole-y gray shirt, weeding, I felt a warm breeze slide through the general crispness of the air. It felt good. Just like being in this new terrain: our new home.

Dam-Building

Canyon Creek, a small offshoot of the mighty John Day River, butts into our backyard. Most days, it is forbidden to play in it (because usually it's fast-flowing), but today we undid the chicken wire fence partly to let ourselves down. Finn and Lucy were going to build a dam. We spent an hour placing rocks, making sure we had a wide foundation layer to support the top of the dam (Finn taught me that one). I don't know that it'll remain intact overnight, but it looked pretty cool when it was finished.

Oregon Coast, Simplified

We just got back from a short but sweet visit to a family reunion at Rockaway Beach, OR. On the one day I remembered to grab the camera to take pictures, my battery died. So, here's the beginning of a walk to the beach to capture the little 'uns frolicking in the surf and turf. At least I tried, right?

Napping

I am a four-pillow sleeper, as this photo attests. A couple months ago I added a fourth pillow to cover my head and it's amazing how soundly I sleep with less noise.

And here's a fuzzy photo of Batman napping at Paradise Point in McCall. He literally wouldn't take that thing off even for a nap!

More Reunion Shots

Front Porch Bedtime Stories

While we were in Boise last week, I grabbed my camera to capture this sweet moment.

I loved seeing my Mom read to Lucy. It was like I was a fly on the wall, watching the nightly ritual of reading bedtime stories.

I also loved the pretty planter box, which framed the setting perfectly.

Paradise Point, McCall 2011

Finn, just doing a little work on the pottery wheel

Miles and his inseparable second skin (a Batman costume from the fathoms of the rec. room closet). He literally wore this for two days straight, through diaper changes, naps and night-long sleeps. I finally threw it away, sucker-juice-streaked-stickiness and all, when he wasn't looking. He had broken the neck tie and the sleeves when he was trying to get it off.

This little snarfblatt (did I just call him that?) played either in the sand or a tube or this playpen. He was his usual plump, content self, especially content in the arms of his mama.

Finn and the Payette Lake scenery. It was beautiful. Already missing that paradisaical place.

My Country 'Tis of Thee

I found this old 50-star flag at Ki-Yo-Te Antiques a couple weeks ago.

I loved the aged fabric and the tea-stained look of the white stripes and stars.

It's in Finn and Miles' room because blue and red are Finn's favorite colors.

(And, fingers crossed, it will go up in their room in our new house. Yes, that's right: we made an offer and it was accepted on a house here! I am really looking forward to having a house of our own after renting for 7 1/2 years. I'm sure there will be projects to show on it.)

Finn-Bob Turns Six

Here is the birthday boy, with a proud smile, after building his buttermilk pancake stack topped with raspberries. (I must have snapped this right after the prayer: hence the folded arms).

The cake: buttermilk chocolate sheet cake with chocolate frosting (plus his favorite colors: red and blue).

Some of his friends, including his neighborhood biker gang buddies.

I don't know what he wished for, but I wish for his continued growth and learning and a quick transition to school in the Fall! My Summer babe....Finn-Bob Schuller.

Babe in Action

Henry is crawling now...

...exploring drawers, things left on floors...

...no territory too dangerous or intimidating...

...and he still has that smile and those chubby legs.

Thank goodness!

He/She

(Where he works).

(Where she works).

Repose

Today I'm feeling: annoyed at all the clutter, piles and toys everywhere

Looking forward to: trips to Idaho and the Coast next month

Lunch was: refried beans, sweet potatoes, green salad with red peppers, Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips

Felt weird at: a family-oriented "messy" playtime; not because of the activities, but because I felt like I didn't have anything in common with the parents there except that we all had kids

Need to: make more granola, clear the clutter, piles and toys

Want to: make some homemade wheat bread, start a fun project, find a cool vintage laundry basket

First Haircut