the warm and fuzzy feeling

THNX! Oh my!

So, I found this totally awesome new blog yesterday. I seriously LOVE it. It's called thx thx thx. It's so cool that I've decided I'd like to mimic Leah (the author of thx thx thx) and throw in my own thank you letters a few times a week. That *should* help me keep up around here. Less pressure, you know!

Lets start!

Thankful, fallish projects

Oh man, if you asked me what I'm enjoying right now, I'd tell you.

One is Harrison. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the terrible twos are behind us because what is here now, is good. It's real good. It's funny and clever, it's spirited and fun, and most of all -- it's warm and loving, just like it should be.

Another thing, is fourth grade. Campbell is spreading his wings to soar and it's amazing to watch. He's smart, oh so smart, he's responsible and he's really finding his groove as a person. It's just fabulous and being able to parent this kid is pretty great. I'm lucky, there's no doubt about that.

I'm loving how adorable Sawyer is and how he's still imaginitive and interested only in play. I mean, what is more important than that when you're seven whole years old?

And, I'm loving crafts. The things that complete me...the things that fill in the nooks and crannies and ooze around the love I have for all that is good in this world. Paper and adhesive, ribbons and buttons, and add in some vintage ephemera and finds.

I'm working the papers, my Christmas cards are coming down the assembly line: cut, glue, trim and stamp. Rinse and repeat. There are banners in the project box waiting to be made. Crackle paint, crepe paper flowers and glitter have found their way into the box along with vintage milk bottle caps. I can't wait!

Here's what's adorning the place now!

{fun mdf type pumpkins. they are festive with patterned paper and modge podge, trimmed with acrylic paint and wired raffia!}

{The current banner adorning our mantle: GIVE THANKS. Chipboard shapes with crackle paint, crepe paper flowers, vintage velvet leaves, vintage milk bottle caps and GLITTER. }

Off to work on a couple of fun things I found today at an antique store!

When you turn 3

When you turn 3 you have to party like the best of 'em. You have to throw up a jumper, chow on popcorn and snowcones and run around until you pee your pants. Yup, all of these things happened last week at Harrison's birthday party.

The kids patiently waited their turns and then swung and swung until their arms were sore and treats fell from the trees out of pinatas.

We ate cake fit for a mouse. Mickey Mouse. We delighted in the treat that was so very good and sang and sang merry verses intended to celebrate.

The treats have been had and our party shoes are put away, until next year. Until then we'll make every day count, just like this one.

Happy Birthday, Harrison

Today you are three.

You are spunky, fun and full of life.

You were so sweet today when you woke up after your nap and asked if it was still your birthday.

Your behaviour seems to be changhing a bit, and daddy and I are hopeful that you might be turning the corner on your challenging ways. It seems possible that we are leaving the terrible twos behind.

What's next for you my sweet boy? The thrilling threes? I sure hope so.

What I do know is this. You will take 3 by storm, acting willfully and learning every day. You will continue to challenge and charm us. Everyone who meets you is smitten with you and I look forward to the adventures you have with all of us this year.

Here you are, my 3 year old third son. Wonderful and loved as ever.

I didn't mean to

I meant to share something with you. What? I don't know. Maybe about how all I do is pick up trash. The other thing is taking miscellaneous objects out of the dogs mouth. Rinse and repeat. I didn't get around to sharing anything with you because of, well...trash that needed throwing away. Socks that needed to get into the hamper, the dog...and a headcold. Oh, and Disneyland!

Yes, Disneyland. After school I packed the kids up, along with a cooler of water and headed to Disneyland. I wasn't going to let a cold or homework stop us! (Disclaimer: The kids DID do their homework. Instead of working at their desks they sat in front of the DVD player replaying Scooby Doo 2 for the 76th time. They used clipboard and pounded out definitions and math facts!)

We arrived with a mission in mind. Riding Space Mountain! Guess what happened, or better yet, what didn't happen.

We roll up to Space Mountain, completely excited only to find that it was shut down for an indefinite amount of time. Seriously?! We stood there shocked and I did what any good parent would do. I promised we'd return on Saturday.

We quickly headed over the Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters where I procured my highest score of all time. And, because I knew Cam wouldn't believe me, I took a picture of aforementioned high score! YAY ME!

We still had some fight left in us, even though we all knew we felt like going home. (Sawyer really wanted to play baseball in the front yard with the neighbor and Cam has a HUGE project due on Monday) If we couldn't ride the holiday themed Space Mountain, we'd have to settle for Haunted Mansion.

{while harry was not at all fond of this ride, he did enjoy the train!}

Since I'd promised Harrison we'd see Mickey Mouse, we had to go find him. While he was taking a rest, his friends Pluto and Goofy filled the void.

Just one idea for after school fun!

truly

There is no hiding the delight in the days that are fall. The morning chill, the orange pumpkins that are dotted along front porches and the excitement of Halloween that is just a few days away. There are exchanges over who will wear what and who needs what to complete the perfect costume. Plenty of Halloween crafts line shelves and hang on refrigerators.

Quite frankly, this is what childhood is about. Scratch that. This is what LIFE is about. It's about fun when friends and families come together for the sheer joy and pleasure of it all. It's only made better by the cool evenings and festive decorations.

What's one of the best activities of the fall? The annual pumpkin patch pilgrimage, of course. It's all about pig races and pony rides, drippy ice cream treats and finding the roundest, biggest and best pumpkin for carving.

Truth be told though, there are bittersweet moments, too. Moments when you realize that childhood is fleeting and there comes a point in a boys life where the pumpkin maze is the coolest thing at the pumpkin patch and that this is the last year for the pony rides. A boy must grow up despite his mothers plea's for a few more years of youth. I am thankful though for all of the moments I did have and all of the trips to the pumpkin patch that passed. I am lucky to have experienced it all. Though, I do wish I had paid more attention at the time.






Even still, there are goats to be fed and giggles to giggle. May there be many more pumpkin patch trips every fall, because it just doesn't seem like fall without it!

{Palm trees for sale at a pumpkin patch. You don't see that everywhere!}

Team E

Good times, baby. That is what this life is all about. Sure, there is triumph, heartbreak, and lessons to be learned...but really, it's all about the good times. Seeing how many you can stuff into a single day, or better yet, one weekend.

{this guy can fit alot of fun into one weekend}

Enter, Team E.


Team E is made up of good friends and people that are fun to hang out with. Team E manages to squeeze lots of good times into a one hour softball game on Sunday afternoons. Team E isn't the best softball team out there, but I have to bet it's the best time out there.


Team E came about when 1 person asked Andy to join the forming league. I mentioned it to another friend that her husband should play. From there, it blossomed. Now, it's full of friends and fun. Love that.

Here's to a Team E win this weekend. And even if they don't pull it out, it will be amazing. Promise.