Bedtime Routine

February 29, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Hazel's Bedtime Routine has been the same every night for four years.  Dave and I alternate nearly every other night.  She does pajamas, brush teeth, we read two books of her choice, say prayers, then she turns out the lights and we sing songs.  Thankfully it's, more often than not, something she looks forward to.  

Worms

February 27, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Hazel begged for permission to touch a worm; though very apprehensive.  She asked me to pick it up and put it in her hand.  So I did, and she screamed and screamed!  After dropping it on the ground she said, "I was just scared of it because I thought it was slimy."

Sleeping Baby

February 26, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Sleeping babies are simply precious.

Soothing Smoothies

February 25, 2016.  Vancouver, Washington.  We are still suffering as shut-ins due to Hand Foot Mouth, but I at least got us out for some yummy smoothies.  Hooray for drive-thru!

Hand Foot Mouth Disease

February 24, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  This is what Hand Foot Mouth Disease looks like over here.  The only thing I know to compare it with is Chicken Pox.  Both girls had just two days of fever then broke out with these sores.  The baby has it much worse and struggles to sleep at night.  We're all a bit tired of it already.  And really, really miss our friends.   

Shut-Ins

February 23, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  The hardest part of having (now two) sick little girls has been the social reclusion.  I just had to get out this evening and go for a walk.

Hand Foot Mouth Disease

February 22, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  It's official.  Hazel has Hand Foot Mouth.  Though it doesn't normally cause discoloration of the hands (wink). 

Exploring Hood River, Oregon

February 20, 2016.  Hood River, OR.  I learned something new this week.  I learned that just like Apple Hill in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, there is an Oregon trail, The Fruit Loop, in the foothills of Mt. Hood.  Now that sounds like my kinda place, so my husband indulged me and we went for a drive through the countryside today.  Be forewarned--holiday gifts from now on just may come in the form of a gift basket full of fruit.

Face of Triumph

February 19, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Emily just crawled over to the stairs, started climbing, and never looked back; and what a look of triumph!  Hazel was so worried for her and followed behind the entire way up.  I love my girls.  

A Sick Hazel

February 18, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  I had to cancel preschool and Music Makers today.  Hazel has a fever.  I guess it's going to be a movie day for us.

Farewell Cousins

February 17, 2016.  Gresham, Oregon.  I went to help my cousin get some boxes packed before a big move, but not sure how helpful I actually was.  At least we got to see each other!    

Food for Thought

February 16, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  This girl often eats just as much and more than Hazel.  She's a very good little eater.

Mending the Fence with Daddy

February 15, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  A break in the rain, time to mend the fence.

Ways to Say I Love You

February 14, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  In addition to Valentine's Day, this week was also my sweetheart's and my 10th Wedding Anniversary.  We have a small getaway planned, sans girls, in a couple weeks but I still wanted to say I Love You with a few of his favorite things.

Fallen Leaf Park

February 13, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  A great little family hike almost all to ourselves today.  

Emily is 10 Months

February 12, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Emily is 10 Months.  She is 10 MONTHS!!  Already??!!!

Valentines

February 11, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Hazel and I made these fun little valentines for her friends in preschool.

Music with Mommy

February 11, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Emily LOVES LOVES Music Makers.

Little Movers

February 10, 2016.  Washougal, Washington.  While Big Sister is in dance class I'm doing my best to keep this little one entertained.  She is SO busy with her new crawling skills. 

Rainbow Fish

February 9, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  She often sings when she paints.  And she's really, really in to rainbows.

A Homemade Puzzle

February 8, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  What a fun little project this was.  Now I want to repeat it until Hazel can do it completely on her own.  First, she traced basic shapes onto construction paper (from cut-outs I'd made from cereal boxes.)  Second, she cut out all the shapes.  Third, she used a glue stick to attach each shape to construction paper; creating a pattern all her own.  Fourth, we turned the construction paper over and drew lines to create puzzle blocks.  Fifth, she cut along the lines.  Sixth, she made all the pieces face up and put together her homemade puzzle.  Cool!!  

Birthday Wishes

February 6, 2016.  Vancouver, Washington.  Her birthday is a full 6 months away, but she's already planning her party.  She insists there will be LOTS of balloons and a piñata full of candy.  

Gifts in My Life

February 5, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Can these girls possibly be any cuter together?!!  I am so incredibly grateful for all the gifts in my life.

Field Trip to the Post Office

February 4, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Exciting little field trip to the Post Office for preschool today.  

OMSI for Little Ones

February 3, 2016.  Portland, Oregon.  This is what my little ones did at OMSI this week.  Now that Emily can crawl she can really begin to explore too.

Emily Loves, Loves, Loves Water

February 2, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  This girl of ours is SO expressive.  Those little eyes look at me and look at the world and then speak volumes; her eyes just seem to talk.  She gets this giddy little look in her eyes whenever I get her a drink of water and she celebrates great accomplishment any time she can get her hands--and mouth--on my Camelbak.   

Art in the Morning

February 1, 2016.  Camas, Washington.  Art in the Morning; it's a new thing I'm trying out...to replace cartoons in the morning.