Sunday, January 10, 2010

Roping the Moon.

When my mom came on her last visit we were just starting to look at the Elmer's house. She came through with me, and upon seeing her "guest rooms" and private bath.....became my #1 supporter in purchasing the home. I tell my friends you'd think I'd had a baby when my mother made comments the weekend we moved such as "I wish I could be there to help. Take lots of pictures! When I come I will cook, clean, tend the kids...whatever you need me to do!"

True to her word she came prepared to work! Deep cleaned ALL the wood blinds and shutters (and there are many). Wiped down and paint touch up on woodwork trim, doors, mouldings. Scoured the guest bathroom, painted my bathroom cupboards white and washed curtains. Not to mention playing with the kids, cooking, and buying general items i "needed" for this house :> Mom told Kenna she'd curl her hair in raggy ringlets just like when I was a little girl. Hmm, why is Kennedy more willing to let Annie do it than me?
Mom bought the girls a few books and spent time in front of the fire reading with them one on one. How I wish I had her built in for that!


We had a snow storm on one of the days I worked. The girls were very nervous when I didn't arrive home at my usual time. I let them play outside until midnight, having a snowball fight with Griffin followed by hot cocoa and cookies.

On Dec. 30th Camdyn turned 10. She invited a group of friends to go bowling at Big Al's then come to our home for games by Annie, and cake.


On Dec 31st Griffin invited 3 friends over for a New Years party and sleepover. We all had a nice array of appetizers, played a fun round of hide n seek with all the lights out in the house along with a few other games I had for them. They retired to Griffin's room and the bonus room until midnight when they came out for the first annual polar plunge (my idea!) Boy were they gigged about that!
The pool was freezing! The girls wanted to do it so bad, but I wouldn't let them. The boys said they felt their bodies were "burning" after they got out because it was so cold! I made them cocoa then went to bed. Mom and I loved how we couldn't hear a thing when they were on the other side of the house. Yes!
Todd worked a 48 hour shift on the 31st and 1st. When he got off work on the 2nd he and I left at noon to stay downtown at the Marriott while Annie watched the kids. We had such a nice time, and boy were we ready for a break from those kids and the business of the last few weeks! I drug Todd with me to an antique hardware store for more parts to fix a few doors, shopped in the Pearl, ate at Macaroni Grill and checked into our hotel with plenty of the evening to spare.
We stayed here last New Years with the kids. The seperate bedroom is a must with a kitchen to boot!
Todd loves the breakfast! It's the main motivater for our 9 mile morning run the next day meandering through the various districts of downtown.
After checking in I was craving a McD's vanilla cone, so.....
We walked up the waterfront, to Pioneer Square, to the McD's at PSU. All the Christmas lights and Tree downtown were still lit which was a bonus. It was so nice out that we walked for quite some time before hitting the hot tub and playing cards for candy!
I'm in love with all the original vintage hardware in this house. Several screws were stripped or missing various pieces, not fitting tight in the door.

Bobby is my new best friend at Hippo Hardware. He calls me "the cool girl from Camas" and loves that I appreciate all of his knowlege and expertise. I just took a bunch of pictures, brought in the handles and said "help me!"
Last night we took kids to a Portland Winterhawks game. My co-workers husband is the asst coach and she scored awesome seats for us! We rode the Max in. Brody was entertained by the fights from the players and the snacks I brought!
We walked back to the car since it was another nice evening outside. When it's not raining, and not windy, it's nice!
Poor Todd had worked a 48 hour shift, got home at 8:00 a.m. and left at 8:30 to drive Griffin to a soccer tourny in Seattle. Got home at 5:30 p.m. and we left for the game. He is a wonderful provider, husband, father and friend. When we got married 15 1/2 years ago we had this song
with a line "she thinks I could rope the moon. In her eyes there is nothing I can't do." Amazing how that is SO much more applicable today than it was back then.

5 comments:

Jamie Jo said...

That was a great post, and a very sweet thing about T-Bone there at the end. I'm trying to talk mom into letting me drive with her in April to see you. See if you can wear her down on your end!

Lee said...

Great recap on all your recent activities. You look like a hot mama model in all your pictures :) And you're a hoot thinking you need "lee lessons" on how to provide a fun home atmosphere. Palease! You do such an outstanding job- that you should go on the road w/ seminars to those of us who are lacking in that area :)

Annie said...

What sweet words all the way around. Your hair was rockin for sure! I miss Todd's lovely fires and reading with the girls. Not to mention Brody/Bob.

Lindsey said...

What a great post! How nice to have someone clean your blinds, especially mom since you would know she did a good job of it. I love all of your family adventures and activities. Your life is just set in such a different backdrop as mine, and yours is triple the magic. Can't wait to see you sometime soonish.

Unknown said...

Your moms so awesome like that! I loved the polar dive {or whatever it's called} I'm sure those boys will always remember bringing in 2010 at the Lakes!