Apples

So, we've established that Garrett is my little gardener. He is such a funny kid, I am getting a big kick out of him this week.

So we had a big bag of apples we'd harvested a few days ago at Grandma's. We made apple muffins, and then we decided to dry some. We borrowed the apple peeler/corer/slicer from my mom and one day while Carter was sleeping and Madeline was at camp, Garrett and I got to work. He was thrilled with the whole thing, and of course took it very seriously. He worked so hard at cutting one line through the apples (since the peeler/corer/slicer leaves it in a continuous spiral), laying them on the drying screens, and also taking a turn now and then with the turning of the apples.

I won't say the dried apples turned out fabulously, but I will say that we will try it again! The kids are going up to Kelso again this weekend, and I am hoping they'll bring some more home for us!

Candyman

G: Mom, when I grow up, I want to be a candy tester. You know? The kind that tastes all that candy and doesn't ever get sick? (Pause.) Is that for real?

Garden Tour

The light was so odd tonight- bright sun and dark gray clouds simultaneously. Plus this mama needed a few minutes of quiet, so I grabbed the camera and walked around the yard alone. I go through spurts in my garden. I am currently on a veggie kick outside and a cleaning my house kick inside. (Not going so great, but . . .) So my flowers have suffered a bit this summer, but there is still some stuff that looks pretty.I love gladiolas. A lot.

Joel's dad made me this arbor for my birthday- my 23rd or 24th, I think. It's been at our rental (where we used to live) for all these years, it was just never a great time to move it. Last month we finally got it over here. We've lived in this house for 4 years, and it's finally HOME! The plants as the base are dark purple clematis. They miraculously made the move too!! As you can see, we need to put some rocks or plants along the base, etc, but it's a start.

Sweet Peas. Yum.

This hydrangea is so happy this year, who knows why. Some of the flowers are pink, and others are purple, and some are a mix. As you can see- I never trimmed last year's dead flowers off. Sigh.

More Glads.

The mystery squash that's growing out of the compost. Sorry for the blur. See the stripes on it? They are acutally ridges. I think it may be some random gourd that I bought (for decoration) last year at the Pumpkin Patch and threw in the compost pile when I was done with it.

Potty Tally

Times today the potty has been used successfully: 3

Changes of 'unnerwear': 4 (including one pair that went straight to the trash)

Spots of pee on the carpet: 3



Carter woke up this morning, ripped off his diaper and announced, "Mama, me want to weaw unnerweaw dooday." So, we went with it. It went well in the morning, but he definitely lost interest in the afternoon (as we suspected may happen).

I am hoping that come tomorrow he will forget all about it and we can exist peacefully in Huggies for a while longer!

Sunday in Kelso

We drove up to Kelso for the day and spent the day at "Big Grandma's" house. (Maddy started calling her 'Big Grandma' when she was 2 because she got 'Great' and 'Big' confused. It stuck, and Big Grandma doesn't seem to mind!) She is Joel's grandma, and a week and a half ago she had a very bad fall. She is slowly recovering, but she is basically immobile and needs a lot of help. We had a nice day of visiting, and picking a bunch of stuff for her out of her garden. Joel's parents were there too, so it was nice to catch up with everyone for a bit!

The kids were so cute enjoying her yard. Carter just loved cruising around the stepping stones and little trails. It is really a 'secret garden' type of yard- I love it! Garrett, was of course our lead harvester. He picked tons of berries, pea pods, and apples! Maddy isn't much into harvesting food, but I was so impressed with her. She spend nearly an hour going around the yard and picking the most beautiful flowers, and arranged them all by herself into a gorgeous bouquet for Grandma to enjoy- since she can't get outside to enjoy them herself right now.

And then. At the end of the day- Carter used the potty AGAIN! In, *ahem* a more significant manner! (If you catch my drift.) What in the world???
And just before we left, Vanita spotted a visitor outside Grandma's back door. A raccoon came to say hello!

Are you SURE?

As I snuggled down with Carter this evening, I whisper sang him a familiar little song, like I usually do . . .

Me: Skidamarink a dink a dink, skidamarink a doooo. I love YOU!

Carter: Me?

Me: Yep. Skidamarink a dink a dink, skidamarink a doooo. I love YOU!

Carter: ME?

Me: Mmm hmmm. I love you in the morning and in the aft-

Carter: Me? Carter Mac?

Me: -ernoon Yeah! I love you in the evening and under-

Carter: Me?

Me: -neath the mooooooon. . . .Yes!

Carter: Oh! Thank you!

This would be filed under the "Please God, let me always remember" tab.

"Big News!"

. . . says Carter as he calls Auntie Judy on the phone. "I pee in the toywet!!"

Yep, it's true. He went in the bathroom today all on his own, climbed on the potty, and actually went! While I am by no means ready to give away the 200 size 5s we have on hand here, it was pretty big news for a quiet Saturday. I suddenly got a glimpse of the light at the end of the diaper tunnel. We've nearly been changing diapers for 8.5 years! There will actually be a day that we will not need to write 'diapers' on the grocery list. Yes, it may still be a year away, but someday!

Can you imagine??

Me neither!


I have no picture of the potty sitting, but here is how Carter generally likes to spend his time lately:

Productivity

Being productive is not something I experience often. By the time Joel gets home, it probably looks like I was eating bon bons and watching soaps all day (I actually do neither) - toys out, couch pillows strewn across the living room floor (why won't they leave the pillows ALONE), and 17 dishes piled up next to the sink. It doesn't matter that I've been hauling toys back to the play room, rearranged the pillows, and done 2 loads of dishes during the day, these things just have a life of their own, it seems!!!

Anyway. This morning I sent Garrett out to do some 'harvesting.' We are going to farmers market this afternoon, and I wanted to take inventory of what we would need to buy versus what is ready in our garden. Garrett loves this job, as you can tell. (Maddy- not so much.)

It was so exciting! He just kept finding more and more!

Look at those itty-bitty ones! (We went back and dug some more after this picture and found a bunch more big ones.)

Well, we were pretty excited to hit the jackpot with the potato plant we dug up! There were like 20 good sized red guys under there! I know it is early to harvest them, and there were TONS of little ones, so we only dug up the one plant. Anyway, that will be plenty for dinner tonight!!

Then we went to the garden and harvested some lettuce. (Note to local friends- anyone want some lettuce??? It hasn't been sprayed at all. It looks really good, but there are some little bugs/slugs on the outside leaves. It is from a garden afterall! I soak mine in a big bowl of cold water for a few hours- rinsing it and changing the water a few times. Anyway, if you want some just email me. It REALLY needs to get used- I am guessing by next week it will be going to seed.) There is a LOT of lettuce out there. We also have some swiss chard. It's so pretty with the deep red stems. And we pulled up a few of the colored carrots that we planted! So fun. They are still pretty small though.

Here are a few garden pics.

This big guy is growing out of our compost pile. Apparently that means that our compost isn't actually composting correctly, because if it was it would be sterile. I guess we'll have to fix that problem (however one would do that) later because there is no way I am going to disturb him! The kids are positive he is a pumpkin, but I am secretly hoping for zucchini. I examined the just below the blooms though, and I am thinking he is some type of gourd.

You can barely see it here, but there is a little broccoli forming!

Fresh herbs! Basil, thyme, parsley, and . . .? Can't remember. I don't actually know what to do with most of these.

Hiding beneath our tree are these gorgeous lilies. Still in the pot- oops! I bought them last month at the Garden Tour Faire, but have been a little intimidated to plant them for fear of killing them! So I put them in the shade, and they are blooming like crazy!

I'd like more blueberry plants- so we'd have enough to freeze, but as it is we enjoy about a handful a day. (More accurate would be to say that Garrett enjoys a handful a day, and the rest of us are lucky to get any at all!)

Man oh man, have we enjoyed our raspberries this year!! We are at a lull right now- just a few here and there, but we are hoping for another wave of them in a couple of weeks. Last year we ate raspberries through most of October!

We have a few feet of marionberries as well. We use them for grazing and in smoothies, or mixed with the other berries in a crisp!

"Dis one good, Mama? Dis one ready?"

It's funny how productivity outside can motivate me to get going inside as well . . .

Home Again, Home Again!

Ok, so I know this is really long. But I haven't posted for a week, so just average it out. And I don't have a ton of great pictures- I was lazy with my camera this weekend, and I already regret it. And it is pretty sentimental and maybe even cheesy, but what can I say? I'm hormonal and tired. And sentimental and cheesy are personality traits of mine. So.

We had a nice trip to visit my family. Thankfully Carter stopped throwing up and we left Tuesday morning as planned. The boys were FABULOUS in the car. I was so proud of them! We were thrilled to get to 'Aunt Minnie's' and see Sissy- and she was thrilled to see us too!! She had a great time and was so glad she went.

I go to Idaho at least once a summer, and I try to get there another time during the year as well. My aunts are more like sisters to me these days, and I am savoring each minute my kids get to interact with my grandparents. Carter is completely enamored with my Grandma, who he just calls, "Jackie!" (ALWAYS with the exclamation point.) He often will ignore everyone, but when 'Jackie' arrives, the party starts for Carter. He comes to life- animated, funny, and full of hugs and kisses for her. She couldn't be more thrilled about this arrangement, I must say. Second to Jackie, Carter is completely in love with my Papa Burke as well. He doesn't have to be prompted to dole out hugs to these two- ever. He is just wild about them.

My grandparents live in a neighborhood that is for people 55 and older, and there is a community clubhouse where the guys get together for coffee each morning. My grandpa's lungs give him some trouble, so last year he bought this golf cart to get to coffee, get the mail, and cruise the neighborhood. Needless to say, the golf 'card' (says Garrett) is a big hit with the kids, and taking a ride on it is the newest tradition.

Salmon is the newest member of my Aunt Marian's family. Carter was a big fan of this cat. His last words before falling asleep were, "Where dat salmeen? Where dat kitty?" And he'd spend his time at Marians shaking the treat bag and giving out treats.


I also got a great surprise when Joel, who was on his way to work Friday morning, agreed to fly over and meet up with us! He turned around, came home, and bought a ticket! He flew in at 3 that afternoon- just in time to join us at Roaring Springs Water Park! The kids were glad to see him, the family was glad to see him, and I was THRILLED to see him. It was so nice to have him for company on the drive home as well.

One morning I took Grammy and the kids out to Uncle Chad's farm. Grammy is in the earlyish stages of Alzheimer's. She still knows all of us even though she isn't always able to get to our names right away, and sometimes gets confused. But she knows I'm her granddaughter, and that these are my kids, and that I'm married to a 'very good man.' (Amen!) I enjoy the times when I get her to myself- she seems relaxed and eager to share stories with me from her youth. On this day she gave me directions from her house out to Chad's farm. I didn't know the way from memory, so I'd previously looked it up on the computer, but as it turns out I didn't need the directions. She got me out there. And then she took me to Auntie Beck's, and then out to her childhood home several more miles out of town! I wasn't sure what to think when she told me to go right instead of left, and I had my doubts that we'd end up where she wanted us to. But she directed me right past where her grade school had stood, and past the neighbor's where she'd waited one day because the snow was too high for the 1.5 mile walk to school. And then right past the home she'd grown up with her 7 siblings. I was amazed. From a scientific view it's really amazing the way the human brain functions- the things from memory that Grammy has access to and things she doesn't. And how some days are different than others. From a emotional view point, it can be really hard.

This old engine belonged to my great grandfather- he actually used it for things like milling grain and pumping water. Chad recently had it refinished, so he started it up for the kids.

Grain and ladybugs at Chad's farm.

On the way back to Aunt Marian's, we stopped at this gorgeous cornflower field. It was so pretty! It was even more incredible with the early morning light when Marian and I had walked past it at 6:45 that morning, but I am just not dedicated enough to bring the kids out at that hour!!!


Last evening we were sitting around talking and Carter ran up to Papa, climbed on his lap and just snuggled and loved on him. No one prompted him to do it or anything. Papa snuggled him right back and I just prayed that I would always remember that moment as my grandfather's 80-some year old hands rubbed my baby's back and their cheeks touched as they hugged. My grandpa is one of my most favorite people in the world. He is the kind of person that when I'm with him, I feel so loved- like I'm his favorite person in the world. And I know he's a big fan of me, but I also know that he would never have favorites of his loved ones- he is fair and kind and slow to anger. I am sure that this season of his life isn't always easy- he has a lot of troubles with his lungs and breathing and has been in the hospital I think 6 times since the beginning of the year. But he still deals with Grammy and her memory problems with so much grace. They are in a whole different season of their marriage than they've ever been before, but they are still committed to each other and 'for better and for worse . . . in sickness and in health.' I am really proud of them both. We don't know why this is their journey. It seems so unfair and even cruel. But, we all just deal with it (better some times than others), and we are thankful for the time we can enjoy together.

I also got a great surprise when Joel, who was on his way to work Friday morning, agreed to fly over and meet up with us! He turned around, came home, and bought a ticket! He flew in at 3 that afternoon- just in time to join us at Roaring Springs Water Park! The kids were glad to see him, the family was glad to see him, and I was THRILLED to see him. It was so nice to have him for company on the drive home as well.

So. Good times. Good family. Lots to be thankful for. And I am.


P.S. If you made it through this entire post . . . here is your reward:

Sweet Home

We've returned from our quick trek to Idaho. I have started a blog 3 times (not kidding), but can't seem to find my rythym, wit, or correct emotion. So you'll just have to wait until the creativeness returns. Ha!

In the meantime know that I am about to sell my youngest child. I am sure none of you who know us will believe this since he is stinking PERFECT for everyone else, but he is really something these days. Let's just say I had to do 2 loads of laundry today to clean up for all the water messes he made ALL DAY LONG. Messes from the kitchen sink, downstairs bathroom sink, upstairs bathroom sink, cups on the counter, AND fridge water dispenser. Chasing him down, trying to prevent messes, and cleaning up messes just sucked me dry today. AND he grabbed my NEW sunglasses that I purchased YESTERDAY off the counter and broke them! When did he get tall enough to grab things off the counter? They were only $15, but STILL! $15 dollars down the drain in one day. Ridiculous. It's a good thing he is so cute and cuddly. Tomorrow morning, he'll mosey down the stairs and into my lap and smile at everything I say and give me tons of kisses and it will all be forgotten. Mostly.

Anyway. Here are a few pictures of our Idaho trip to keep it interesting.

Carter getting into Berkley's accessories.

The kids loved Uncle Chad's farm. They ate the wheat, they climbed the combines, they found the ladybugs. (And they posed for their mom.)

Photoless Update

Madeline is loving her time in Idaho. It has been reported that she has done much American Girl playing (my cousin, who is now 16, has several of the dolls and most of the accessories, and they got it all out for Maddy), much hot tubbing, art projects, swimming, reading, and general fun! I am missing her like crazy, but haven't wanted to crowd her.

The boys and I are supposed to go over tomorrow to visit with the fam and get Maddy. Carter is threatening to throw a wrench in our plans though. After a sleepless night, he started throwing up this morning. I am thinking that driving to Idaho with a puking kid is not going to happen, so I am really hoping a) he stops soon and b) the rest of us don't start! This is NOT a good time for the yearly stomach bug for our family of five!

Madeline's Adventure

I would like to start out by saying to Paige and everyone who was too horrified by my bug confession to comment, that Garrett's room is sparkling clean. I washed walls, trim, and all the furniture. We moved everything out (except the bed) and vacuumed (we moved the bed and vacuumed under it too). We went through books and toys and trash and Garrett's bedroom is so clean now. He is thrilled with it too. If you come to our house, he will surely drag you upstairs to marvel at the cleanliness, and show you his new reading corner. Phew.



Now for the news of the day. Our sweet girl boarded a plane and flew BY HERSELF to Boise today to spend a few days with my family. The boys and I are driving over on Monday or Tuesday, and my aunts begged to have Maddy a few days early. It seemed like a great idea at the time- I truly have the best memories of my Idaho summer days as a kid. But I was definitely rethinking our fabulous plan as I was standing at the window of PDX- tears streaming down my face as I looked at the gimonstrous (it's a word . . . now) blue plane containing my tiny daughter.

Backing up a little though- the past 2 days she was SO excited. We got her all packed up yesterday- sun dresses, swimsuits, her favorite pjs, and of course Pearly Jo, Kit, clothes for them, and 3 Webkinz. This morning she was still excited, but got so teary and sad when it was time for Joel to leave for work. She won't see him again until next Saturday- the 19th. After a half hour or so she recovered from that, and did a little better telling Nana and her brothers goodbye. (Nana kept the boys for the day, so I didn't have to take them! Nice!) We finished getting ready and drove into Portland. Madeline was so excited and just talking a mile a minute. I asked her if she was feeling better about things. She answered that she was, and then she got really quiet.

"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"The hardest part is going to be telling you goodbye."

GULP. Thank goodness for the rules about kids in the backseat- because I DIDN'T want her to see me blink back the tears. "I know, Sis. But you know what? I am so proud of you. I want you to be the kind of person that tries new things and takes risks. Then you won't miss out on things in your life! Sometimes things can be a little hard or scary at first, but you are so glad you did them, you know? I am so excited for you to have some days where you don't have to be 'the big sister' and you can just get spoiled and have fun." There was more, but I can't remember now.

The mood lightened again after that. She's such a fun girl. We got to the airport with time to spare, got her all checked in, ate lunch, bought her a new book, and headed down to C15. Deep breaths. There was just a few minutes before it was time for her to go. When it was time we just hugged and hugged and hugged and we both sobbed our eyes out. Couldn't help it. But serious, it's only 4 days!!! In reality though, 4 days is the longest she has ever been away from me. And only 1 time! I better toughen up some if Joel and I are really going to escape for our 10 year anniversary in a year and a half! Anyway, I sent her on her way. She didn't want to change her mind, and I (mostly) didn't want her to- it was one of those bittersweet things. I do realize I am being overly dramatic about an hour flight and 4 days, but some of you out there will know what I mean. It is a big deal for us. She's only 8!

So, since she was an 'unaccompanied minor', I was required to stay at the gate until her flight was actually in the air. So I sat there and sobbed my eyes out (really, I was a sight) looking at the ginormous plane and thinking of my baby inside. How she was probably sitting in her little seat, sobbing her eyes out along with me. Please Lord, give her peace, let her be okay. I called Joel and cried. I called Mom and cried. My Aunt Marian called me to tell me she was nearly to the airport in Boise and I could barely talk because I was gulping. My dad called to see how it went and I gulped and sobbed the ugly cry some more. Fun times. (Don't be alarmed though, I am a big crier in general. This was a bit of a scene, even for me, but not as unusual as you'd think.) Then I thought of all the moms and dads who have to put their babies on planes for hoildays and summers and weeks and months because of tough family situations, and I cried some more. Thank you Lord, that me and my kids don't have to know that. Finally the luggage was all loaded (I have a pic below of her little pink and purple suitcase going up the belt into the plane. sob), and the plane backed out. I waved and gave the I LOVE YOU sign (we flash that when we are too far away to talk), just in case she could see me.

Another 10 minutes or more and finally I was allowed to leave the area because my baby (and the other 100 passengers) were in the air, headed east. By then I was done crying, in my head knowing full well that she was going to have a fantastic time.

I started the drive home, of course making my usual whenever-we're-in-Portland-stop at Trader Joe's. As I pulled in to park, my phone rang.

"Hi MOM!!!" (Happy, happy girl.)
"Hi Sissy! How was it? So fun?"
I could hear the smile in her voice. "Yeah, it was good."
"Oh, I'm so glad! I'm so proud of you! I love you! Did you see me waving?"
"No, I couldn't see the building."
"Okay, we'll were you sad? How long did you cry?" I swear I wasn't hoping for her to be heartbroken all the way to Boise.
"Um, maybe halfway down the hallway?" Seriously? Not even until you got in your seat?
"Oh good!" Halfway down the hallway!?!?!?

Sigh. So she's happy and thrilled and ready to be a princess for the next few days. I am so excited for her and I can't wait to get my hands on her. The truth is that my boys aren't even going to know what to do without her here.

At lunch. She made me retake this one because Kit wasn't looking. (Kit wouldn't fit in the backpack, but Pearly Jo is in there- never fear!

Almost to C15

She's in there!

See it??? That purple suitcase? No?!?! Well, I can. Seeing it made me cry again!

So excited for her!