Just the way I like it...

It's been a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend here in the midwest; if only we had some nearby cousins to share it with!  We have had fun as a family though and would love to share what we've been up to~

Ella Jane has finished up her preschool year.  She's so excited about Kindergarten now and trying to make sense of time as she has the whole summer to go before she is "officially" in elementary school.  Matthew has about a week and a half yet before he is done.  He told me today he is "asi-asi."  (He finished up a Spanish Club at school a few weeks ago and often uses a few Spanish words to get his point across.)  He's happy for the end of the year, but sad that it is over.  My sensitive boy he is.

Sara turned two while we were out in Seattle.  She and I took an unexpected trip out there last month to attend a funeral for one of my uncles.  We had a party Seattle family style; aunts, uncles, cousins, the whole shebang.  It was fun to be around everyone for one of those events because really, it's usually just us and a few friends.

Ella Jane is signed up for soccer and she couldn't be more excited.  She keeps talking to me about her pink shinguards.  This is the first time any of our kids have been in a sport.  We're all excited to watch her.

The kids and I are entered in a local 1&4mile run in June.  Grandma will be here and they are thrilled that she will be cheering them on.

I've been making some tremendous dinners as of late.  And cleaning up afterwards.  That says a lot.  I don't always make the yummiest meals and I don't always clean up.  But Jim has started his doctarate program so we've had to be a little more on top of things to keep everything moving smoothly!

This morning the kids and I had a WONDERFUL time at the nature center.  We got an early start and thankfully it was pretty cool~ no humidity.  We finished a hike that we had started but not had time to finish back in March.  This time the kids were braver going across the suspension bridge.  And so was I, I must admit.

We stopped to throw some rocks in a pond.

Then kept on hiking.  I carried Sara a lot of the way but she also handled it pretty well on her own.  Just look at her mastering this bridge!

And what hike wouldn't be complete without a snack and a water break?

We had a lot of fun and the kids love going there.  After our hike we went inside and explored all the fun thing they have for us there.  Now it's quiet time/rest time at our house and I broke away from a game of Rush Hour to put up a post.  Ever played it?  Matthew and I are masters.  We really love it.  And it's a fun way for us to connect with each other.

Summer will be here before we know it and we'll get in on all the sleeping in we can, trips to the library for FUN programs, time with Grandma while she and Grandpa visit, swim lessons and of course a little soccer!~

Lately...

I've seen a lot of lying down reading from all the kids; but really mostly Matthew; he likes to read this way and I like it because it reminds me of being a kid.  Do you ever see adults read this way? 

We had an early out this week and would you believe me if I told you that this is how Matthew and I spent the afternoon?  EJ was at school, Sara was napping and it was just Matthew and I~ and our books.  So peaceful.  Just lovely in fact.

I've been doing some demolition work in our house and Ella Jane is all over it.  (And yes, those are her pajamas and yes, it was the middle of the day.)

Look at her go!  She's my project girl.  Love having her as my right hand.

Holidaayyyeee.....

as in the song by Madonna.  I just have to share this story because it keeps coming back to me and giving me a good laugh.  I had all three kids at the grocery store at 4:00pm in the afternoon.  Never really a good combination but it was what it was.  We're in the frozen food aisle choosing a vanilla ice cream for Rootbeer floats when the song Holiday comes on.

Do you know what my musical Matthew did? 

Oh I'm laughing now as I remember.

He started moving.  Like bopping his head.  And his hips.  And then moving his hands to the beat.  And bending at the knees whole body moving.  Matthew has had an interest in music since he was young.  Well, he's young now (only 6) but I mean really young like maybe 2yrs. old or so.  Got the whole beat thing down early so him dancing is not really news at all. 

But him dancing in the middle of the grocery store is which is what makes this whole story so dang funny.  I'm trying to open the door to the ice cream and he's in the middle of it dancing.  He's also trying to talk (while bobbing his head up and down) to Ella Jane to let her know that this is the song "Holiday" on their Kids Bop CD.  I was just laughing at this point and made the rest of the shopping trip much more enjoyable.  So funny.

Sara and I are back now from our extended weekend in Seattle.  I think we may have brought back the weather with us though.  It's been nothing but cloudy and rainy!  Finally had thunderstorms today which has added some excitement to the afternoon. 

Assuming it all lets up by the weekend we'll be planting our garden.  The kids and I are excited about this endeavor.  I'm actually pretty nervous about it though.  What if the deer eat all of our hard work?  Or the bunnies?  I'm not sure I want to put enough energy into to it to keep all the critters at bay.  We at least still have our Farmer's Market~ love this time of year!

I got schooled...

My brother Fraser (and also my twin) challenged invited me to join him in his Hot Yoga class today.  Me, having never really done yoga before; (just at home and enough to know it wasn't really my thing) but always up for a good challenge, accepted.

Um, it may not have been my best decision of the day.  Or perhaps it was.  I'm still pondering.

Ever been to Hot Yoga?  Neither had I, until today.

The class which was full, was in this itty bitty room was about 105 degrees.  Or so I'm told.  Give or take.  We speak in hushed tones, lay down our mats, and begin our stretches poses.  Or rather the yoga folks begin their stretches poses.  I don't  because I'm the new girl who's never done Yoga (well except for in my living room but I don't think that really counts, b/c after about 4-5min. I get really bored and push stop on the DVD player) so I just sit cross legged on my towel staring at my reflection in the mirror hoping to get through this thing without fainting.

We begin and the instructor starts speaking Yoga.  Did you know it has it's own language?  She kept saying something like Chanooga and all I could think of was Chattanooga and the country song by Alan Jackson.  Now can you see why I only last 4-5 min. in my living room?  :)  I've got no discipline when it comes to downward dog and breathing.

I think I lasted about 20min. and then the instructor came my way and very kindly told me I was doing it wrong.  Well, not in those exact words but she could tell that I was getting tired.  So, I plopped myself down because my heart at this point was racing and I knew I wasn't going to be able to keep striking a warrior pose.

I was determined to stay in the room and as long as I breathed through my mouth I was okay.  You have to understand it's like being in a crowded sauna with 20 other VERY SWEATY strangers.  So, if I dared looked around (and I did once) I found myself wanting to gag and head for the door.  But then I'd be the new girl who couldn't take it and I wasn't about to be her!  But seriously, I've never been in the company of so many sweaty people before.  And their like 6 inches on either side of you.

All I could think of was my high school days and my friend Jane during soccer tryouts.  They were always held in the month of August and afterwards we'd drive down to the lake, sit in her van and let the sweat bead up on our arms.  When the heat was too much to bear we'd throw open the door and race down to the water and jump in.  Ahh, that rush of cool water....

The class did eventually end and much to my relief I was able to escape make a quick exit.  I came home drenched but feeling refreshed.  It was a challenge I'm not sure I'll do again but grateful for the experience.  (This picture was taken after we got home....all sweaty refreshed!)

Oh, and in awe of my brother (my twin) who does this 2-3 times a week.  Way to go bro.

My Little Sidekick...

Sara (who turns TWO today!) and I flew to Seattle last Thursday to attend a memorial for my uncle who passed away last week.  It's just the two of us and we are both enjoying this one on one time together.

The big kids stayed home with Jim and they're having their share of fun as well.

But for now, it's just me and my girl until we fly home tomorrow.