Backyard Campout

Well, it was interesting. I am not a big camper, and I lasted until midnight. I was positive it was going to rain, (it didn't), so every time the tent rustled I was petrified that we were going to get poured on. Then Garrett started coughing and Joel got up to use the facilities a zillion times, and by 12, I was DONE. The bad news for me is that from July 3-6 we are camping (for real) with some of Joel's family. It is always a very fun time, but I am usually sleeping in a trailer or a house. This year we are doing it right, as Joel says. I guess I will REALLY enjoy my next 2 nights of my own bed!

Everyone else made it through though. Yay for them! The kids thought it was pretty much the most fun thing ever. The Bigs fell asleep long before Carter. He kept saying, "G? Tiderd? Doodoo? Tiderd? ME TIDERD!" Although he didn't seem very 'tiderd' at all. Then, when everyone would be so quiet and about asleep, he'd yell, "DIS FUN!"

Here is proof.

This Should Be Interesting . . .

So, right now, I am in a sleeping bag, in a tent. With the rest of the Gibson Five.

In our backyard.

I will have pictures tomorrow.

So far, Carter has gotten out of his sleeping bag 35 times. Garrett has asked if it was midnight yet. (It's 9.) And Maddy has gone inside 3 times on various errands.

I'm sure it will turn out great, but for the record I would like it noted that this was NOT my idea.

Whew!

So 20 pounds is a lot of berries! With all the strawberries, plus an abundance of raspberries from our yard, I have:

6 pints of freezer jam
13 half pints of freezer jam
6 cups of berry sorbet
3 gallon ziplocks of frozen berries (not bursting full, but still)

I used Pomona Pectin, and followed the 'freezer jam' recipe in the box.

Here is the recipe for Sorbet, and how I tweaked it.

4 cups mashed berries (I used mostly strawberries, but maybe a cup of raspberries.)
2 cups sugar (Our berries are super sweet, so I used about 1 1/4 cup.)
2 cups buttermilk (I didn't have any, so I did 2 cups milk + 2 T lemon juice.)

-Mix all together and then beat well. Pour into cake pan and allow to freeze. (several hours or overnight even)
-Take it out and chop up the frozen mixture into a mixing bowl, then beat the crud out of it.
-Pour into a container w/a tight lid and put back in the freezer. Allow to set and enjoy!

YUM!

Who Knew?!?!

After a friend told me about going with her family to pick strawberries, I thought that would be a fun outing for the kids and me. My kids think that strawberries (and everything) come from 'the store', or at best a fruit stand. So this morning we loaded up all the (fake) tupperware we own and headed out to a little farm near Dayton.

I have to say here that as I child I HATED picking strawberries. I would maybe be excited initially about it, and probably was okay the first couple of minutes as I was stuffing fresh ripe berries in my mouth, but once the bottom of my container was covered, I was pretty much done. Of course, my parents were all about having a ton of berries, so I grumbled and complained, and eventually filled up the bowl. Come to think of it, I still really don't like picking berries. I have the attention span of approximately a gnat when it comes to harvesting berries. Joel and the kids do raspberry duty around here, and every August when we go to my dad's to pick blackberries, I put myself in charge of 'the baby.' (Whoever it happens to be that year.)

So I was laughing to myself as we drove out there. I was being upbeat and positive because I wanted it to be a fun experience for the kids- they've never even SEEN a strawberry field! So I was telling my kids about picking berries as a kid (the 'sunshiney' version, of course), and I just have to share this conversation.
Me: So when I was a kid, I would go pick berries with my mom or my dad.
Garrett: Who is your mom and dad?
Seriously? In case you don't know, we live about 6 blocks from my mom, and 15 miles from my dad. They are both pretty much key players in the story of our life. And I swear, we've had this conversation 70 times. And we'd just stopped at my mom's 30 seconds before.
Me: Really Garrett? Who are my mom and dad, do you think?
Garrett: Hmmm. Papa Bill and Grandma Nita? (Joel's parents who live 2 hours away.)
Me: Garrett! Who is my mom? I'll give you a hint...we just saw her!
Garrett is silent.
Maddy: N-A-N-A
Carter (I swear!): NANA!!!!
Garrett: OH! Nana! (Completely acted like this was new information.)
Me: Right! And who is my dad?
Garrett: Papa Burke?
Me: No! That's my grandpa!
Carter pipes in: Joel?
Garrett: Yeah! Joel!
Oh my word.
Me: No, Joel is YOUR dad, my husband. Here's a clue, MY dad flies airplanes.
Garrett and Carter: PAPA Vroom Vroom!
Me: Right. Sigh of relief. Good grief!

Anyway, we arrived at the patch. Garrett was really concerned that there would be too many people there and we wouldn't have our own space. He was relieved to see that their was only one other lady there- and the field was probably 5-7 acres. Phew!

Let me tell you, these kids are berry pickers. They must take after their father (or my parents), because they were all business. Carter had his little bucket, but mostly just ate. But the Bigs just went to town- I was amazed! I was thinking we'd probably get 1 bucket (6-7 lbs), and call it good. But the kids kept wanting to pick more and more- and we came home with 3 buckets- around 20 pounds of fresh strawberries! I was just amazed. And they were so nice to each other. I kept hearing, "Wow Garrett, you are the best strawberry picker in our family!" And then, "Well, you are pretty good too, Maddy!" They just crack me up.

It was just a gorgeous morning. It's days like this that make living in the PacNW worth it for me. Here are a few pictures, and then I am off to deal with 20 POUNDS of FRESH strawberries!

Fun in the Sun!

We've had a nice quiet week. Many of our buddies have been gone for fun summer trips and we've enjoyed some time at home. Maddy and Garrett are getting into the swing of playing together again, and sometimes they even let Carter join in as well!

Yesterday it was so hot out (by our standards), we set up a couple of sprinklers. Carter was thrilled to have one just his size, but he spent plenty of time in the big one as well.

Pouting. But the joke was on him, because out of the entire yard he chose to pout by the compost pile. He didn't last long!

We finished off the outside playtime with some popsicles. Carter decided to dress down for the popsicle eating, and headed straight to the bath afterward!

I generally try to avoid internet nakey pictures, but these bunnies are just too cute!

Also, our raspberries are starting to ripen like crazy. We don't know why the raspberries are so happy, but this year we have even more than last! So the past few nights Joel and the kids have picked like crazy and this evening we made jam! It's just freezer jam, so it's nothing big, but we loved what we made last year!

Opal Creek or Bust!

Yesterday the Gibson Five plus Papa Vroom Vroom (aka my Dad) headed up to Opal Creek to celebrate a belated Father's Day. It was a gorgeous day and we ended up doing 7 miles! Yes, the length was a bit long, but it was SO incredible. The kids were amazing. . . but we are all beat today!

Highlights included . . .

• yummy picnic
• amazing waterfalls
• G peeing in the North Fork of the Little Santiam River
• Carter riding on backs, fronts, and shoulders
• Maddy's beloved walking stick
• beautiful forest vegetation- ferns, trillium, trees, moss, mushrooms
  

On the way home, we stopped at Taco Bell (if you are thinking of my Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Post here, please don't. I had my reservations. What you people DO when you only packed a lunch and your kids are hungry and your hike went hours longer than you anticipated? Seriously!) for some sustenance and some guy came up to Dad and Joel and commented that he noticed our party was all walking funny. We about died laughing. We were all hurting pretty bad by the time it was over!

Fun day, Dad. Happy Father's Day! (I forgot to give you your card!!!)

Swim!

Last week the Bigs had Swimming Lessons. (No classes for Carter to take until he's 4.) They had a lot of fun. It's so funny to see how different Maddy and Garrett are. I can honestly tell you that when Maddy was 5- terrified or not- it never occurred to her to say, "No," when her teacher asked her to do something. Garrett was very polite, and every day when his nice teacher asked him to put his face in the water, or his head under, he smiled, shook his head, and said, "No, thank you!" No kidding. I guess it's good that he can stand up for himself? He is definitely a person that has to do things on his terms. He really enjoyed class though, and I am happy to report that he went from a 90 degree angle while floating on his back to more of a 135 degree angle. (180 is straight, right? That line would have gone a lot more smoothly if I remembered anything about geometry.)






Sissy got put in the wrong class at first, so she was a little shaken up but once it got all ironed out, she had a great week. She is really turning into quite the swimmer. Great form, strong kicking, and man! She's FAST! I mentioned to her that I'd noticed her speediness and she told me that her strategy is to go as fast as she can across the pool so she doesn't have to practice breathing as much. Whatever works, I guess!


Meanwhile, Carter was pretty happy to have some attention to himself. He spent a lot of time snuggling on my lap or getting read to. (He's really into I SPY books right now.) I'm sure a lot of younger siblings would be yearning to swim as well, I remember Garrett being like that, but Carter could really care less. He's pretty funny.

I Can See Clearly Now . . .

The rain is finally gone. Okay, it's probably only on hiatus for a few days, but it has been seriously gorgeous the past few days. And everyone (and everything) is feeling it.

Our garden is growing and happy. Last week we ate 10 artichokes! TEN! The raspberries are about to burst forth, and we are enjoying fresh lettuce and spinach daily. YUM. The tomatoes are full of blooms, and the sugar peas are quickly climbing their trellis. I am picking boquets (and ignoring weeds). I love this time of year.


This afternoon we had a neighborhood lemonade stand. It was so sunny and warm. The stand brought in over $16, and it was so nice for all of us neighbors to catch up a little- kids and adults!
Later Carter went on a field trip with Nana, and The Bigs and I headed down to the local Farmers Market. It was such a great evening that Joel met us down there and we stocked up on produce, berries, honey, and cheese (yum!), and ate dinner. The kids carried their purses, (yes, Garrett carries a purse at times. It is camo with a silver star- not kidding. If you saw his wallet you'd know why. It's about the size of a softball because it's filled with so many coins. I giggle each time he hefts it out of the 'purse.'), and Garrett insisted on buying us cookies from Red Fox Bakery. Thankfully the girl was sweet and she got nearly as big of a kick out of him and his coins as I did. She was super patient with him as he counted out all his quarters. His moola was definitely burning a hole in his purse, er, manbag.

Restaurants and Stuff

Joel was asking Garrett to help pick some stuff up.

G: I didn't get it out!

J: Well, I sure didn't.

G: I know YOU didn't. You don't play.

J: I don't play? What do I do?

G: I don't know. You eat at restaurants and stuff.

In Living Color

I have been horrible about taking pictures lately. Here's what I've missed in the past week or so that you'll just have to imagine . . .

-Going to Melting Pot with fun friends
-Father's Day in Kelso
-4 days of swimming lessons for The Bigs
-Lots of playtime- inside and out (the sun has arrived in the PacNW!!)

I guess I can say I've been experiencing it 'in living color' instead of behind my viewfinder. I'll try to be better!

I have also been reading. I know many of you are quite literate and reading isn't something that would typically make the blog, but I have not been reading much for grown ups in the past few years. If I had 20 minutes to myself I would take a nap instead of pick up a book. But I am slowing feeling like a normal person now that my 'baby' is pushing 2.5 and there are no more babies on the horizon. So I picked up Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barabra Kingsolver. Wow, wow, and WOW is all I can say. It is simultaneously interesting, inspirational, and terrifying. And it has ABSOLUTELY made me take a second (and third, and fourth, and . . .) look at what my family eats. Don't get me wrong- at times we are a major fast food family. We eat out way more than average people, and we have a lot of habits that need breaking. And I think we all 'know' how detrimental our nation's eating habits are to our health, but man, I really had no idea how bad the situation is. The good thing is that there are solutions, there is a way out, and there is hope. It doesn't matter where you fall on the political spectrum- we all want our kids to be healthy and develop healthy habits! So pick it up. (If you are a reader, she also wrote The Bean Trees, Prodigal Summer, and The Poisonwood Bible, among others.)

Can't wait for the Farmer's Market this afternoon!

FYI

To those new stalkers of my blog. And old ones who have never taken my sage advice.

Get Google Reader. It's the best, and will totally cut down on the time you spend needlessly blog stalking.

Not kidding.

That's What I Get for Trying to Exercise

This morning I woke up around 6ish and thought, "What a nice morning for a run." (FYI, I use the term 'run' very loosely.) I stayed in my cozy bed for a few more minutes and before I could pry myself out, Carter ran into our bedroom. I thought, "Oh, fun! I'll put him in the jogging stroller." So I snuggle him for a few minutes, and then start getting us ready. While I was getting dressed, Maddy comes out of her room. I tell her what Carter and I are doing, and she asks to join us. Sure! Sometimes she joins me on my 'runs' and it's always fun.

As I am getting a blanket out of Carter's room, Garrett starts yelling for me. I go in to his room to find that he has a wet bed. This happens only very rarely, and of course usually on inconvenient mornings. So I throw him in the shower. While he is washing off, I am carrying Carter to get some socks, and I feel a warm wet spot on my side. Sure enough, Carter's diaper had leaked and he peed on me. Right on the running shirt I had JUST PUT ON.

I was starting to get a little discouraged, but at this point I was NOT GIVING UP. I changed my shirt and washed myself off, got Garrett out of the shower and did the obligatory drying off with the hair dryer since that's the only way to dry off, according to Garrett. He of course wanted to join us as well- on his bike. I go to the garage to get the jogging stroller. It is on the shelf, under 35,000 carseats, and when it is unearthed, I realize that the tires are super flat. I find the pump and fill them up. I go to the back yard and get Garrett's bike and helmet. His bike is fine, but apparently his head has grown in the past 2 days so I have to adjust his helmet. Done. His shoes have to be retrieved from under the seats in the van. Okay. If you think I am going on and on, you have no idea. I am leaving out 57 more details of things that happened to slow this process down. It was like the universe was completely working against me. (Why would the universe want me to keep this tire around my middle, I have no idea.)

FINALLY. Literally an hour after I'd decided it would be a great morning for a run, we were out the door. It took us a bit to get our system of run/walking down, but eventually we did it.

Tomorrow? Totally setting my alarm for waaaay earlier than my kids wake up. For sure.

Endings

There is some saying about when one thing ends, something else begins. I am sure that's true. But today I am going to give myself permission to be sentimental about these endings.

First, today is the end of second grade for Madeline. She's had a fun year, and just loves her teacher. I met Paige nearly 6 years ago when I started teaching kinder and she was the ELL teacher. We made a good team during writing time (never could have gotten through all those journals without her), took ELL and Masters classes together, and were the only 2 from our cohort who decided to walk at graduation. While we were in line together that August day in 2005, I confessed to her that I had just found out I was pregnant (with Carter). She still likes to remind my mother that she knew first! So it was a special treat that Maddy got to have one of my friends as her second grade teacher. I can't believe the year is over. THIRD grade sounds SO big and responsible. I'm not sure I'm ready for that!

This morning.

She was so sad when I picked her up today. She's such a sensitive little thing- just like her mama.

Here is the other ending that today marks. I don't have the words right now to form around this ending. It's too big of a chapter capture in this blog. If you know me, you know the story of my friendship with Judy. And if you don't, just ask. It's one of my very favorite stories. (And it's not over.) But after 5 years, today is the last day I am 'officially' watching Judy's kids. It's definitely a big ending for all of us.

First day of school, September 2003. (Yes, Garrett was really THAT huge.)

Today. (Garrett sure isn't that roly poly baby anymore- where did all that baby fat go!?!?)

And then there's these two. The 'babies' who aren't at all babies anymore. Carter has never gone to Judy's daily like Garrett did, but Judy's house is the only place I can currently leave him knowing that he won't cry when I leave. It's definitely like a second home to him too.

First day of school- September 2006

And, today.

What fun we've had.

I Set Myself Up for This One.

Me: Carter, go upstairs and get some socks (because it's so freaking cold here in June that we have to wear socks and winter parkas whenever we go anywhere) out of your drawer!

Carter: Kay.

Molly: Me help Carter!

Carter: Kay.

Result:



Oy!!!

Gorilla Man Garrett Gets Shots

Welp, Garrett is officially ready for kindergarten. Today was his 5 year 'well child' check and vaccinations. Thankfully, Joel took the morning off and escorted G to the Dr office. (I am still reeling from taking Maddy for her shots . . . 3 years ago.)

I had a pit in my stomach all morning- from when I woke up, to when we were getting Garrett ready, and the hour that they were gone. I knew how scared he'd be when he found out what was coming. I knew that it would hurt him. And, I knew that it was necessary.

Joel called after it was all over and let me know that he did alright, had few tears, and was super brave. Then I asked to talk to Garrett. As soon as he heard my voice? BURST into tears. Sometimes talking to my mom after stressful situations has a similar effect (affect?) on me. He cheered up soon though- they were headed to Hopscotch (our local, independent toy store), and then we all met up at Shari's (Garrett's choice, not mine!) for some breakfast. Chocolate chips and whipped cream on a pancake go a long way in healing owies, apparently.

He was pretty proud of his 4 band aids too.

With "Stripes"- his new prized possession.

This One...

No reason for this post, other than showing off this funny, funny boy. (And his new hairdo.)

He is Mr. Personality Plus, and keeps all of us laughing . . . most of the time.

Days of Dance

I have had some trouble with the pictures this morning- hopefully it is all fixed now!


Thursday through Sunday at our house was all wrapped up in Maddy's dance recital- one way or another.

Thursday brought the dance rehearsal. From 5-9. Yes, we spent 4 hours at the theater for my 8 year olds rehearsal. We had to stay nearly until the end for the Student of the Month presentation since Madeline was awarded SotM for February. We found out that after that was dance team auditions. One of Maddy's friends was auditioning, and Maddy decided she wanted to as well. I figured that we'd chalk it up to a learning experience and I'd let her do it. Plus we'd been there SO long already, what was another 30 minutes, right? And then if she wanted to really try out in a couple of years, she'd know what to expect.

I was so proud of her at auditions. She was working so hard, really trying her best. And most of the other girls were teenagers with years of dance experience. It had to be intimidating! Who knew Madeline was such a risk taker?

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I found out the next day that Maddy made the youngest dance team! Oh my word! We are really, really proud of her, but aren't sure if it will be a great fit for her or our family for this coming year. Anyway, here are a few pics from rehearsal...

We found some black sequin trim at JoAnn's and we wrapped it around her splint. It was perfect and fabulous! I told her, "This is WAY better than a cast!" She excitedly agreed with me!

Also on Thursday, our Idaho family starting arriving to watch the big show. My Aunt Becky and my Grandparents came Thursday, although Mad and I didn't get to see them much that day! Thankfully, we got to hang out with them a little on Friday and Saturday morning. Also on Friday, my Aunt Marian and Berkley arrived from Idaho. My kids just love them all!


Bissy Fixing M's hair. THANK YOU BISSY!


Carter is wild about Papa Burke!

And then, Saturday. Saturday was the big day. And by 'big' I mean, wonderful, amazing, proud, crazy, and exhausting! There were 2 shows for the recital and Madeline and I were at the theater from 1 until 10. Yes, 10:00 at night. We were wiped! Anyway, Madeline and her friends did such a beautiful job dancing. We could tell they'd been working so hard. Madeline had been practicing at home a LOT since she had missed several classes when we were in Europe and away for Jolena's wedding. Hard practice paid off though and she was just flawless. She had such lovely stage presence and grace. I was just so proud of her.

And then- our family. For the first show Madeline had 8 people cheering for her at each show. Joel's family came from Washington to watch, and my family came from Idaho. (Marian and Berkley made it over too, and Berk sat through BOTH performances with Nana Pam!)

Everytime she came off the stage she gushed, "Mom. That was SO fun. Oh I just LOVED that."

And some pictures of recital day.


Almost time!


G tried so hard to make it through the whole thing, but he was wiped! He did watch his sister dance though. He later told me, "I knew she was the same girl because I could see her broken arm." Phew!


Flowers from Daddy. (And Mama, G, and Carter too!)


"Big" Grandma at her 3rd recital!


Three BFFs. I call them "Real Life American Girls" They are all so different, but such good friends.




Sissy and Grammy Jackie.


Sissy at the Student of the Month presentation. She didn't win one of the Student of the Year awards, but she was so gracious and really excited for the older girls who won the honor- and a full year of free dance classes!


If you made it through this whole thing, you deserve an award. I have the perfect thing. Amish Friendship Bread starter!