swimming success

E finished up with his swimming class on Friday. He passed his front glide test but still need to work on his back glide and front crawl with breathing. He was quite pleased with himself and we'll most likely take Otters again this fall. Seeing E swim and swimming with him is truly some of my happiest moments. I am so happy he's a water boy.

happy birthday sam`

Happy birthday to the scrumptious baby boy Sam! We celebrated last night with his family - I still can't believe a year has gone past since his dad called me with a joyous greeting of, "Sammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy!" to announce they had a boy!

Sam is just about the most handsome boy I've ever seen - and his chunky goodness just makes you want to kiss and squeeze him all over! I am SO hoping he takes Em to prom!

Someday I'll have to share the incredible story of how I got so lucky to have my favorite friend from the midwest living blocks from me - but I can sum it up now by just being so grateful that we get to raise our children together and share special celebrations like this!

E and Moo were big fans of the cupcakes too!

a swede and her balls

I am embarrassed to admit, I can't stop making "balls" jokes after our latest trip to IKEA with Auntie Brooke and Marfie. I basically just followed the two of them around, oogling whatever they were into as both have terrific taste. Auntie B even knows the true design terms for things - things I read over and over but never really absorb so I am her faithful follower! If anyone deserves to be an editor at Martha Stewart, it's Brooke!

Between Auntie, Marfie, me and Emm , we had Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland covered - we were the holy quartet. I think they should have given us a discount.

A Swede . . .

Her balls . . .

And lingonberry pop . . .

boy power

It was a fabulous boy day for E - he decided he "wanted to act like I'm ten today" which meant he made his bed without complaint and in general, was quite a delight all day.

Our neighborhood has recently had an influx of new families with preschool boys - lots of fun playdates for Mr. Big. We made cookies with Owen and then had his parents and another neighbor family over for dinner. They boys played great and we drank some lovely pinot from Argyle.

otters

E is in the middle of swim lessons. He moved up to "Otters" after graduating "Penguins" and was a bit nervous about the new class. It turns out to be perfect. It's an all boy class with a teenage boy teacher and E is loving it.
They are working hard on the front and back crawl - I am delighted and fascinated to watch E learn this - I can't remember learning how to swim - I feel like I was a born water baby. To see him love swimming and ponder our future vacations that can center around a pool, ocean, or lake brings me divine happiness. Way to go E!

another photoshoot

One more photoshoot for Miss Em's birth announcement. I think we've got it this time! She looks amazingly like E did for his birth announcement. She is such a love - cooing and chatting and smiling.

ikea be thy name

I couldn't help it . . . I really couldn't. My friend cancelled on me for our walk and knitting get together and me and Miss Em were just sitting around gazing at each other when the live tv news broadcast from IKEA - on opening day here in pdx - and there was no insanity. There wasn't even a full parking lot. So I went. I went to IKEA on opening day - despite all of the hype on how crazy it would be.
It was awesome! I was just 6 parking slots from the front entrance, I wandered with Miss Em in the sling for about an hour, I tried a meatball and lingonberry cider and made my exit, spending less than $7 for a vase and a stack of washcloths. Success! I was a tad bit creeped out by the business of the store (I hate crowds of people) but since I knew what I was getting into, I sucked it up and just kept trying to get through by the good looks of my baby. The only true insanity I saw was the line for the restaurant - how patient can one be for a meatball platter? I skipped it and spent the majority of my time in the kids and kitchen areas.
I felt a bit guilty for going without Marfie so I picked us both up the big blue bags you can buy to reuse each time you go there - so when we make our visit together, we'll totally look like we are pros.

There we were a few IKEA superfans around including this father and daughter. Their elementary school age daughter was in shorts and a tee and standing far away from her family.

tally ho

We had a great time camping this weekend at Silver Falls State Park - it was the 5th annual camping trip for our dinner group. Wine flowed, wood burned and Miss Em was a champ rookie camper.
The falls were really the best part of the weekend - truly took my breath away. I felt like I was back in Hawaii - it was that special. The trail starts near the top and goes behind the falls and back around.
We got back to town and went right to the library to pick up the last Harry Potter. Both kids are asleep, Tall House Double Cup is out raking in poker money - I can't wait to dig into HP and find out what happens.

at least on paxil .....

Your Inner Child Is Happy

You see life as simple, and simple is a very good thing. You're cheerful and upbeat, taking everything as it comes. And you decide not to worry, even when things look bad. You figure there's just so many great things to look forward to.

How Is Your Inner Child?

i feel really cool

On the way downstairs this morning for breakfast, E said, "Mama, I feel really cool today." What a great way to start the day. I'm in total agreement!

i'm in love with the bob

I'm in love with the bob - not a guy but the jogging stroller. Kecia gave us the heads-up on this as the ultra stroller to get - ultra for my price bracket anyway - not like what I see on celebrity baby blog. With E I had a basic Graco plastic-y stroller. It worked fine but I actually walked the wheels down to nothing. I knew I wanted something a bit more bouncy and luxe with Miss Em.
The only drawback to the bob is that you have to buy an add on fabric drink holder. It velcros on each handle and sags a bit when fully loaded down. It does hold two waters/coffees, my keys, ipod and garage door opener. I like that Little Miss already sits/reclines very nicely.
the bob is definitely a motivator to get out each day. My parents bought me a nifty stroller speedometer that tells the temp, time, pace, mileage, etc - and it's matchy-matchy to the pink and brown color scheme.
All hail the bob!

in a flash, he was gone

In honor of Jonesie and all things Wisconsin:

Jonesie came and went this weekend. Our visit was all too short - plus he had a very bad head cold so our visit was pretty low-key. E is surviving his pink eye. It was a mild infection and the drops are clearing things up quickly. But we are ready to all be well and in fighting shape for our camping trip this weekend.

it's pink eye

crap. it's official. pink eye has come to our house. so if you were at happy hour play date last night - my deepest apologies and I'll be hoping your kids don't get it.

on a happier note, Jonesie arrived for a weekend visit. E can hardly think about his itchy eye because of his excitement over his favorite person in the whole world being here. and there is a bit of a love crush happening with Miss Em.

happy hour play date

One on my favorite things is an afternoon happy hour playdate. Especially when the fabulous Marci holds my bambino so I can be a hostess and throw back a couple of glasses of wine.
We had all the water toys out and there were snacks and vino galore. It was so lovely to bring together a very eclectic group of girlfriends - from lots of different parts of my life.
Sadly, the evening ended with E having some gross goo in his eye - over and over. Is it pink eye? We'll find out tomorrow. I am hoping beyond hope that it isn't - there were about a dozen kids playing with him just hours ago. Stay tuned,

double gelato day

Today was the third anniversary of Mio Gelato and they had their annual $1 scoop special - oh joy! I met some work friends for lunch and had the delicious double scoop of kiwi and peach. After E's last karate class tonight, we all went again and my evening choice was cinnamon and coffee. I could get used to this!

teeny tiny theater

E's theater troupe - teeny tiny theater - had their summer performance yesterday. They did The Gingerbread Man and Ananzi & the Moss Covered Rock. E had his biggest roles yet as the Gingerbread Boy and as Ananzi.
I alternatively cheered, laughed, and cringed as he definitely turned on the cheese for the audience. As soon as his best buddies in the front row giggled at his "funny" voice - he amped it up high and we never understood another word he said. E's physical comedy was great and by far the part he enjoyed the most.
A ton of silliness ensued that was at once quite funny and totally distracting.
We celebrated his performance by hiding out from the heat at the movies. Baby Em did a pretty good job - there were lots of crying babies there so her few gurgles and hiccups weren't particularly distracting.

from market to mantel

By far the best bargain at the market this week - crocosmia - $5 a bunch.

seven bottles of wine on the wall

You know your dinner group was fun when this is what you're left with at the end of the night - seven empty wine bottles and the crowd still calling for more.
Our dinner group started six years ago with six adults all under the age of 30 - fast forward and now we've added two marriages and four children to the group and are all 30-somethings. What hasn't changed is our ability and willingness to put away the vino! While we usually cook three course meals together, this time we kept it simple and ordered in pizza and salad with rootbeer floats for dessert. We watched the kids play and cooed over the babies. Next up for our group -our 5th annual camping trip - dinner group over the campfire is always an adventure.

nobody puts baby in the corner

can you count the cupcakes?

I see four cupcakes in this picture - or maybe two cupcakes and two cheeseballs who know how to get cupcakes out of their parents at 10am in the morning.