A Conversation with Carter

After catching Carter doing something 'naughty' like, emptying a box of cereal or crawling into a bathtub fully clothed and turning on the water, or throwing every last frozen blueberry that was in his yogurt bowl onto the clean wood floor, or putting said yogurt bowl onto his clean head (from said bath)...I say to him, "Carter! You are so naughty!"

Carter replies, "No naughty! Nice! Molly naughty!"

Mama, "Molly's not naughty, she's nice."

Carter, "G! Naughty!"

Mama, "Garrett is naughty?"

Carter, "G! Naughty! Molly! Naughty! Me! Nice!!"

Oh boy.

(P.S. Garrett and Molly are most definitely NOT naughty!)

Do Pirates Have Mamas?

Today I was cleaning up the kitchen, and Garrett surprised me with an "Aarrgh!", and a kiss- while wearing a pirate eye patch.  

I said, "Thanks for the kiss, my little pirate!  Will you still kiss me when you're a big pirate?"

Garrett answers, "Pirates don't have Mamas!" (long pause) "Do they?"

He looked a little worried, and I assured him that even pirates have mamas.  And no, they don't ride on the pirate boat.

Happy Birth Day, Baby Aiden!

Our good friends Kim and Sean welcomed Baby Aiden to the world today. Aiden is so lucky to have such a fun and loving Big Brother, Elliott. So happy for all of you. (And I really can't wait to hold that sweet baby again!)

Mt Hood

Since we haven't gotten much snow at home this year, we decided to take a trip to the mountain while Carter was gone. Playing in the snow is difficult with him- he hates his hat and mittens. So we loaded up all the snow gear and met Joel's parents, Jenell, and Dakota in Sandy. Then we headed up to Mt Hood and spent the day tubing at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl. The weather was just unbelievable- we had to wear sunscreen! It was such a fun day!



The patient Bigs waiting for Daddy to buy tickets.


Ready for the trip UP the mtn!


Garrett was SUPER excited!


I wish someone would have told me my hat was wonky all day long. And my mud boots! I didn't want to ruin my UGGs by wearing them in the snow, but I suppose that is what they are made for!


Action shot! (I had to super crop this...) Papa Bill is about to come over on Maddy. Um, this run didn't end well!


Sweet Dakota all cozy in his little tent! He was such a happy little guy while we played.


The whole crew trekking up the hill for lunch. We had Dakota rigged up with the baby carrier, a disc sled, and a belt!

When Carter's Away...

The Bigs Will Play!



After we dropped Carter and Nana off at the airport, The Bigs and I were headed to Clackamas Mall, via Krisy Kreme (I know), and we got a little lost. Finally I realized we were nowhere near Clackamas OR Krisy Kreme, but that we were near the house my dad grew up in. My grandma lived in the house until I was a senior in high school. So we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous February evening and enjoy Brooklyn Park and 10th Street a bit.

It was nearly dusk, but we had time for a little spin on the merry-go-round. This is the same merry-go-round that I spend HOURS on as a little child. I had no idea it was still there- every other merry-go-round in the state of Oregon has been pulled due to safety reasons (that's the word on the street, anyway).


These kids didn't even know what a merry-go-round was!! Seriously!


The Bigs in front of '10th Street'. . . talk about full circle.

I can't even tell you the nostalgia and memories this place brings back for me. My cousins and I spent hours at this park, and this house is one of the main settings of my growing up life.

Anyway...

Carter's Big Adventure

Before each of our kids turned 2, my mom has flown with them to Idaho for a long weekend. Last weekend, it was Carter's turn. The Bigs were beyond heartbroken when he left. You'd think they would be sad that they didn't get to go to Idaho, to go with Nana, or to have an airplane ride. Nope. They were SO sad that their baby was leaving them for the weekend. Lots of tears. I tried to cheer them up with the plans for the weekend (playing in the snow), smoothies that they wouldn't have to share with a slobbery baby, and anything else I could think of, but they were just sad!





However, the scene was so different on Monday when we picked up Nana and Carter at the airport. Is there anything sweeter?




Sissy got the first hug!




"Pleeeease can I have some smoothie, G?"

What a nice big brother you have, Carter!

We are SO glad to have our funny little buddy home!

Valentines

My babes are SUCH project kids. (Apparently that gene skips a generation, because I am pretty sure I don't have it.) Each year since she was 3 I have given Maddy the choice of buying or making Valentines. As a kid, I think I nearly always purchased. Are you kidding me? Candy and real cartoon characters- it was young consumerism at it's finest, and about the only time during the year I was allowed to fully partake.

My kids on the other hand LOVE to make their own Valentines. Even Carter and Molly got in on the action this year. I love listening to Maddy and Garrett think as they create. "Mom, Paco LOVES soccer, so I am going to use this soccer paper for him." Or, "Miss Amanda's favorite color is pink, so can you please cut me a pink heart for her?" Nana bought tons of paper, cardstock, stickers, doilies, you name it. It was quite fun!






(don't worry- the scissors are kid safe, and I was right there! But oh man, he loved them!)


On Valentine's Day, Garrett joined me in helping out at Maddy's class party. He was so happy to be there. He loves school, and I can really picture him in kindergarten next year. He is going to love it!

Last One for a While

Whew- it's been a blogful day!

Do you know about Google Reader? If you don't, you should google it. (ha ha) My friends Hannah and Annie have been keeping it a big secret from me, (wink), but they finally let me in on it. It keeps track of all the blogs you like to read. And then when someone updates, it just lets you know! So you don't have to visit everyone's blog each time you want to know what's new- you just check in with Google Reader! I know, right?

You are VERY welcome.

Out on the Town

Carter and I had a grand plan this morning to run errands, take a walk along our fun downtown 3rd Street, and attend story time at the library. Of course Carter didn't get the memo about our super fun morning, so he fell asleep before errand #1. He slept through errand #2 and #3, which were thankfully drive through or up errands, so I didn't have to wake him. I added an errand #4 (Starbucks, naturally), and still he snoozed. Plans foiled. Luckily he did wake up before it was time to pick up G, so we did get a little walk in. (And a little purchasing.)

The best part though, was playing with my camera on 3rd street. Carter was a great sport- as long as I kept up my end of the bargain and kept the M&Ms coming. I realize that I have a LOT to learn still about how to work my camera to it's full potential, and be able to record what it is I see in my mind. It was SO fun though to spend the morning with my little guy.

Here are a few of my favorites...















Happy. Happy. Happy!

Sun Break!

I recently read an email forward that said, "You know you're a Pacific NWer if....you use the statement, 'sun break,' and know what it means..." Yep.

We've had a few Sun Breaks this week and took the opportunity one afternoon to meet our friends 'The Rinrins' at the park. We had a great time, except for when I was running to catch Carter from falling down the hill and in the process fell (while holding my camera), got really muddy, and may or may not have taught some children a new word (or two.)






The Garrett's on the volcano. These 2 actually have a lot in common, but their nearly 6 year age difference makes for not a lot of communication! My Garrett quietly watches her Garrett.



Carter watching the action.


Mr. Chicken Hair guarding the fort.



These two girls are just darling together.


Miss Ellery thinking of eating mulch. "Not for babies!"


As I was recovering from my big fall, Visty caught Carter being a funny man with my sunglasses.

It was a fun day! Thanks for hanging out with us, guys!

News to Him

Yesterday I told Joel (sincerely) that I really didn't need flowers this year. I really meant it. I wasn't sure what came over me, (I can't help it, I love overpriced red roses), until today when I was walking down 3rd street, and a force stronger than I could resist pulled me into the shoe store.



Thank you Honey, I love them.
xoxoxo
Sarri

Elite 8, Minus 1, Plus 6

How that for a group name?

Last night we had our college buddies over for our sort-of-but-not-really monthly gatherings. Unfortunately Merrick was sick, so he didn't make it. (He's the 'minus 1'.) Luckily Hannah came and brought Gracie, which was SO fun since we haven't seen her since November, I think, and she has changed SO much! I love her little orange nose from eating so many carrots, etc. She is really SUCH a good natured little person!


All the kids had such a good time playing together (hence, the 'plus 6'), I don't think we had to referee at all, did we Annie? Well, except the time Callum and Carter both climbed up on the counter to eat the leftover potatoes. Callum apparently has a few tricks up his sleeve that his mama didn't know about! Leave it to Carter to be a bad influence...

Lots of kids at the Gibson's counter!

Melissa and Justin were there too, and we all had a great time talking, eating, playing the Wii, and just being together. The guys even let us have a turn with the Wii for once. Thanks, boys.

These Two are Trouble!

These were from earlier this week. Molly and Carter are so fun these days because they are actually really starting to play together and enjoy each other. They still do have their times of not really being too fond of each other, but hopefully the general trend is improving!

We put Maddy's old princess tent up around the reading cushion (aka pet bed), and the kids have been having a blast having it up.





MMMWAH!

Ahhhhhhh.

Today was a long one. But such, SUCH a good one. I am exhausted, it's pushing 11, I just finished some of my responsibilities and now am torn between two choices. Should I head to bed since I am tired and don't feel great? Or should I stay up a little, enjoying the quietness of my house, the peaceful rain falling outside (sometimes not so peaceful with the wind gusts!), and unwind a little? Since I'm here, apparently the latter won out (for now).

Here is a little catching up from today...

Garrett and I started the morning out by doing puzzles. We simultaneously did 2 USA puzzles. One wooden one that he knows by heart practically, and one cardboard floor map puzzle that he has never done. I sat by him but didn't help much. Mostly we visited about who lives in Idaho, "Uncle Chad!", when we went to Florida, and why Maine had 'the north pole' on it. (A lighthouse actually.) Carter actually entertained himself nearby for the 20 minutes or so, and Garrett really had me all to himself- a rarity. It was nice. Garrett and I go through cycles of butting heads majorly, or just meshing really well. Right now is a meshing time, and I am so thankful. He brings us such joy. (But don't tell him that. "I do NOT bring JOY!") Anyway, I didn't get a picture of our puzzle-ing-too busy enjoying the moment- but here is my boy insisting that I take a picture of his face. (After I snapped several of Carter in Pearly Jo's wagon.)


Carter is (as always) such a funny boy. He is talking SO much now. Finally! I love when he explains things to me...
C: Mama?
S: Yes, Carter?
C: Mawwy. Wuff.
S: You love Molly?
C: Yeah! Jewey. Wuff.
S: Oh! You love Judy too?
C (big grin): YEAH!

Or when he lists off (to himself) everyone who is in school: "Nana? School! Dootoo? School! G? School! Jewey? School!"

He calls 'Sissy': 'Dootoo.' I have no idea why. And he can't say 'Garrett' yet, so I taught him to say 'G'. He says it in BOLD, every time.

Here are Garrett and Carter watching Toy Story 2 today. (I totally screwed up naptime earlier, so they rested and watched a movie instead.)



And Carter...taking his lunch with books near Pearly's wagon. The funny face is because he knows he is busted and thought I was going to make him move back to the table. You know, where we usually eat! (He was so right.)



Also this morning, after we dropped G off at preschool, Carter and I headed over to Sissy's school to help with the Artist in Residence project going on. This week they were working with mixing paint colors to make a giant color wheel. Next week they are going to do more with the papers as well. Anyway, Carter and I were in charge of the violet-red station. It was so cool. Carter was such a good boy with his 'nacks' (snacks), and Maddy was happy to have us there. Even if Carter did yell, "Dootoo!" Several times during it.


Carter was all set with his 'nack' bowl, his water, and his favorite board books.


Sissy working hard.


The color wheel. This is only from 2 classes. The entire school is doing this, and I think there are 24 classes. It's so cool!


BFFs.

So that got a little long- sorry! Maybe I'm more verbose (wordy) when I'm tired? Anyway, sometimes I feel a little guilty for blogging more about Carter than The Bigs, especially Sissy. I had such a good day- with ALL of my kids- that I had to get it all down.

And now, I am officially tired.
Good night!