Lucky

this post

http://lisabest.blogspot.com/2009/12/gulp.html



made me happy cry. I feel lucky. Lucky that my son is so incredibly loved.

Safety First

When Decko rides in the car with me he typically sits on my shoulders so he can look out the window. The other day we were in the car and Decko went into the back of the car. I looked back to see what he was doing and this is what I saw.

Safety first!

Holiday fun weekend

I tried to make this weekend fun and festive by doing come Christmas activities.

On Friday I invited Mickayla over to have a sleep over with Will and I. We made some Moose Munch and the kids started crunching up some candy canes for the peppermint bark that I made. They had fun minus fighting over the meat cleaver, which they were using as a hammer to break up the pieces.

Sometimes I think Will doesn't realize how much he loves Mickayla. They are so much like siblings. While we were baking he said, "Mom, why is Mickayla here?" I replied, "Because we're having a sleep over." "Why?" he asked. "Because it's fun!" "Well it's not fun for me Mom!" "Well, she's my sister and it's fun for me."

Later when the kids were asleep on my bed, and I was cuddled up with Decko on the couch, I had to remind my self. "This is fun for me!"

The next morning we got up and got all bundled up to meet Nella and her kids to go ice skating. At first I was trying to help Will skate. After accusations such as "You're pulling me too fast." "You are making me fall." I decided to take a break and told Will that he could skate again once he decided that he was going to have fun.

After a few minutes of sitting Will decided that he wanted to skate again. We talked about how it's ok to fall and that everyone falls but that you have to just laugh and keep going. I think it was easier for him to realize that when skating with Mickayla and Bailey. They held his hands and when one of them fell they all fell. They looked like they were having fun. I enjoyed some time watching while talking to Nella.
Later that night we went to my parents church party, where the kids got pictures with Santa's helper. (I'm not even gonna try to say that this guy is Santa, the beard is obviously fake!) The kids seemed to have fun and I again enjoyed time talking with Nella and Casey.

I think our favorite part of the night was when I borrowed this adorable baby from a family at the party. They recently adopted him from an orphanage, I believe in Cambodia (?? amy, correct me if I'm wrong.) He was the sweetest thing. Unfortunately we had to give him up when it was time for him to play baby Jesus in the Nativity.

Poor Decko

Will and Decko have a love hate relationship. I think Will needs a bigger dog that would be able to protect himself more, but I'm glad that Decko is patient enough to put up with Will. I'm sure Decko is happy on the weeks that Will is with his dad.

My mom sent me an e-mail earlier today that said "Will wanted Decko to be festive. I walked in and found Decko sleeping with the head band on." and had this picture attached.

Poor Decko.

Oh Christmas Tree

Sorry I've been behind on my blogging. Here is a quick post for you.

Will and I went to pick out our tree yesterday. We walked around in the freezing cold for quite a while before we came to the conclusion on what tree we wanted.

Last night, Mom, Dad, Reed and Mickayla came over for dinner. Dad and Reed were kind enough to help me get the tree set up, and they helped Will put the star on top.

Here's what the tree looks like now, decorated almost completely by Will because he did not want us to help. Reed and Dad did help pick him up so he could place ornaments all over the tree.

Push Ups

The other day my dad was trying to teach Will how to do push ups.

"see, like this" "ok, now you try"
Will looked more like he was praying to Allah, but we asked him to show us his muscles anyway. :)

"The Farm"

All last week we had planned that we would go out to "the Farm" in Snohomish. Unfortunately the weather report was not cooperating. We decided we should go and hope for the best. And I'm glad that we did. Mom, Dad, Mickayla, Will and I drove out their and braved the rain. Really it didn't end up raining on us much. There were a few times that it rained, but we just went into one of the indoor activities until it stopped.

Hay maze

Kids play area

Duck races

Slides

Corn play area

Fishing

Pumpkin Patch

Some things we did that are not pictured. Hay jump, petting farm, holding baby kittens, hay ride, watched a pig show, ate yummy cinnamon rolls and drank apple cider

My unconventional friend

I never thought I’d be so ok with sharing my child with another woman. I didn’t like the idea of someone else hugging him, or loving him, or any other mom-like duties. But my whole perspective of that has changed. I think that’s greatly in part to having that “woman” that I share my child with being so awesome.

I love hearing Lisa’s stories about things Will did. It makes it easier for me on the weeks he is with Brett. And I feel like she understands my stories about Will more than any of my other friends. We laugh and go on and on about the funny things that he does. I know she loves Will, and I also know she respects my role as his mother.

Aside from sharing my son with her, I also feel like Lisa is my friend. It’s funny, and odd, and sometimes just plain awkward, but I’m so grateful for it. We send each other links of fun or funny things we see on-line. We share dreams about what we want “when we grow up.” We chat about non-sense, fashion, our families, personal struggles, crafts… you name it. She’s bluntly honest, yet loving. She’s hilarious, but sincere. She’s my ex-husbands girlfriend, but my friend. She’s pretty freakin’ awesome.

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Thanks for being so awesome! You truly are a blessing in my life.

Mom's birthday

Yesterday was Mom's birthday. It was different having hardly anyone around, but we had a good time. I made mom roast and potatoes for dinner and raspberry pie for dessert. It was a nice little celebration.As is tradition in our family, the candles left lit represent babies to come. For mom these are grand-babies. She purposely left one candle for Candice and Scott's baby. (BTW: I didn't put 51 candles on there. I just put a group of 5 and then 1... close enough.)

Clown Car

The other day Will and I were driving along when from the back seat he said

"Hey Mom! Look! A clown car!"

I looked over and saw this; a Smart Car.

They are pretty ridiculous looking, and I'm not sure I would feel safe in one on the freeway... but I am jealous that they can park in the parallel parking spots that no one else can park in. But all in all, I can't have one because my son will think I'm a clown. (not that I was considering getting one anyway.)

Corn Maze

On Saturday Rudy and I took Will, Mickayla and Mickaylas friend Jamie to the Corn Maze in Redmond. When you start the corn maze they give you a "map" that makes absolutely no sense. You are supposed to go through the maze and find the questions which if answered correctly will lead you to a sign with a hole punch. There are 8 hole punches, and if you get all of them then you get a prize of a little, tiny pumpkin. This seemed like fun. We got the first 2 punches really easy, but then somehow to ended up at the number 8 sign. We were totally lost. After about a half hour of wandering around we decided it would be best to just start over from the beginning. We finally got back on track and eventually finished the maze. It actually was quite fun, when we weren't lost.

Doesn't the picture below look like a picture of band members?

Elementary School Carnival

This last week we went to the elementary school Carnival. It felt weird to me that it was in the fall since it used to always be near the end of the school year. Nella and her kids came with us. Mickayla was with us to, but I dont know why I dont have pictures of her. Probably because she was little Miss Popular and kept running off with friends.

We had a great time. Here are some pictures of the fun.

Cuddle toy

Yesterday, I heard Mickayla and Will whispering about something so I knew they were up to some sort of trick. Soon after, Mickayla drug a huge bucket of stuffed animals into the room. I could tell by how she drug it that the bucket was heavier than it would be if it were only filled with stuffed animals. Sure enough, after taking off a few stuffed animals from the top this is what I found.

ha ha, what a snuggly, cuddly, little toy.

I'm so glad that Mickayla and Will have each other. They have a good time together.

Will is 4!

I have come to the realization that every year on Will's birthday I will be amazed at how old he is. I cannot believe my baby is already 4 years old!

Yesterday, we celebrated his birthday with a few family and friends. Here are some pictures of the festivities.

Casey Will trying to be like Casey
Batman shirt from Nella, Casey and the kids

The most adorable card that Bailey made for him. Super Will! (Will was really excited about this)

Will got so many presents that he dove into the wrapping paper afterwards.

Group picture!

I think Will liked us singing happy birthday to him. Look how happy he looks!

Wow! He's 4!

After everyone left Will was still playing with the fishing pole that grandma gave him. I think that was his favorite gift.