Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Pushed In


I pushed Mary off the dock this am. We were stalling getting in so I secretly nominated her to begin. Hee hee. She was thrilled and so pleased that she could provide me with material for my latest blog post! :) I'll have to watch my back on swim days now, but it was worth it.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

I miss my neighbor


I miss my neighbor Stephanie. What I adore about her is the pace which she goes about life. She has a thoughtful way of looking at everything. I can fly through a moment and miss the 4.2 million details she captures. I've gleaned from her and I miss her.

She was a ray of sunshine for me in so many different ways, on so many different occasions when I needed it the most. She regularly gave my kids their dog fix on her daily walks (Duncan helped with that too!) She re-taught me to knit (In the round at that!), introduced me to Dee Hardie, let me rummage her plethora of vintage buttons, read my writing and gave feedback, sat with my kids during preschool drop offs or boo boos needing attending, cut interesting articles out for me like the peep contest in Seattle and blessed my house with flowers and baked delicacies regularly. My old amazing garden was thanks to starts from her green thumb and generous ways.

I remember a time I was at Ralph's and she was at home. We were both on one anothers heart at the same moment. She went to walk her dog and left a bouquet on my door step, as she often did, just as I was driving to her house sneaking a box of chocolates on to her stoop. We totally missed one another. It was hilarious and warming at the same time. I haven't seen her since I've moved, but will intentionally do so soon. I miss my neighbor. I also think everyone needs a neighbor just like Stephanie in their life. :)

Monday, July 27, 2009

Jumped right in!


I swam in Ward Lake this morning with my friend Mary. True to my word from an earlier post, I jumped in! Granted, it was a dock and there were millions of lilly pads by shore and ..... Mary would've pushed me in had I had a change of heart. Seriously, she would. :)

I love swimming. The quietness of it is so peaceful and it's a great work out. I got to see the sun come up over the trees while in the middle of a lake of glass. It was beautiful and jumping in is definitely the way to do it! I felt like a kid and that's a joyful way to start the day.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Episode Two


"Why is it so hot out here everyday? Seriously, what is with this place? I just can't get cool." squawked Helga.

"I can't even lay my first egg. I'm so scared they are going to get rid of us. Think about it, laying hens that don't lay? We're doomed. Have you ever heard of chicken pot pie?" said Hazel.

"You ladies might be doomed, but not me. Look at me, I'm irresistible. Look at these tail feathers coming in. Can you see 'em? Simply magnificent. I know!" boasted Hans.

"Will you gals cool it. Getting all worked up is not going to help things. Now let's just relax and think calming egg laying thoughts." reasoned Harriet.

"Is it going to hurt?" worried Helga.

"Probably." assured Harriet.

A Perfect Night


It's been a whirlwind week. My house has been classified as a disaster center and I'm quite certain I've forgotten how to cook. Our family has obtained departure tickets and we chose to leave destination whirlwind last night.

Last night we slowed it down and it was a perfect family night. Natalie scouted a picnic location in the back 40 and lead us all there. "We need our shoes mom. There's pokeys everywhere." she announced. We ate turkey sandwiches, strawberries and macaroni and cheese (Remember my comment about forgetting how to cook?!?!). We were "in the forest" enjoying our meal and only had a few unexpected insect visitors. The chorus of birds and insects, however, was beautiful. We watched the tops of trees dance towards heaven and it was a perfect dinner. The kids even found some blackberries ready for eating. This seems too early! It must be the heat.

After dinner, we drove to Safeway and bought a container of mint chocolate chip ice cream and cones. We then headed to the downtown fountain. We ate our ice cream and the kids played in the water. Will immediately got drenched. This is so his personality. Just go for it! He had to show us how he can sit on the water hole and block the water with his bum. Natalie took a bit to warm up, but when she did she didn't run or walk she literally skipped whenever she moved. Her smile was one of sheer delight and I'm sure it is now a memory she'll keep with her forever. Lydia got a few accidental sprays, but chose to stay dry. She raced in circles around the perimeter of the fountain, and a couple times ventured into the center. Ted was drenched! He often sprayed the kids by positioning his foot at an angle over the hole, but sometimes this plan backfired and wet he got. Will mirrored this behavior and got him good once too. I sat back and drank it all in watching each of them with a joy of my own.

We didn't bring our swimsuits, on purpose. :) The kids, and Ted just got their clothes drenched and this made it simple and more fun I think. I didn't remember my camera last night, but this too is ok since some memories are best captured in words and with the imagination. I love my family and am excited about intentionally slowing down the pace this week.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Fly tape. Yes, fly tape


I have 3, yes 3 fly tapes in my kitchen. Yes, fly tapes in my kitchen. I can hardly believe this and yet there they are as I am HORRIBLE at catching and killing flies. I don't understand where they come from but I strongly believe they sent out a memo to all the flies in a 300 mile radius and said, "Party in the Bailey kitchen, ALL summer long."

Monday, July 20, 2009

It's 8:22 do you know where your kids are?


YES!! Mine are in bed. This is quite early for summer, and a bit late if this was let's say rainy 'ol January. It seems we linger outside playing, playing, playing and then come in and the quick throw them in bed can't happen as they are dirty from head to toe each night! I must admit the bottoms of Will’s feet are stained with black splotches that will not come off and I have no idea where they originated from. I am taking the sharpie-on-the-body approach and going to let it wear off. If it is still there by rainy ‘ol January I will begin to be concerned. I assure you, my kids have never had such regular and frequent bath schedules. We go through LOTS of bubbles in the Bailey household these days. Clean kids are fun to cuddle and kiss. :)

Vacation Bible School started today. Will has been telling me all day long about Moses. Love it! Natalie was excited about the pudding snack and the purple t-shirt with a crocodile on it.

Nat, Will and Lydia did special chores tonight to earn some quarters to purchase canned food items for the church food pantry. Natalie got the concept, work=money=helping others. Will said, "I want to keep all MY money in MY piggy bank." This equation was a new concept tonight for my 4 year old and did not result in the response mom was "expecting". In the end, he dug in and finished his 2 extra jobs. Natalie, older by over a year, said as I lay her to bed, "I want to take more money out of my piggy bank so I can get more than 1 can tomorrow mom." Lydia chimed in, "I want money too!"

I'm thankful to my friend Mary who planted the seed of this idea when she explained she had her boys do jobs to earn money for a camp they went to. I often think of those concepts as being for teens, but forget that those concepts can be a way of life and easily applied to wee ones as well. I am so thankful for the amazing examples in my life. Thank you God for family and friends!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

My Cup Runneth Over...




It was my Birthday last week and I turned 34. As I get older I say that B-days aren't a big deal, but there's that kid part inside of me that is so excited about the day and in all honestly, there is anticipation for something, surprise I guess. My poor poor husband…. He almost bought me new running shoes. Ha, that’s another story.

My mom, Natalie and I began the day with a pedicure. What a way to start the day! It was Nats first pedicure experience. My mom picked my toe color, purple with sparkles and I picked hers, a vibrant blue. She requested sparkles too and I agreed, having the power and all for what would grace her toes. Natalie picked blue also, but to our surprise in addition she received a design on each toe! She's a customer for life we're sure of it. :) When we left the pedicure establishment, my minivan was FILLED with a rainbow of balloons. SURPRISE! Sitting in the front seat was a diet coke for my mom and I (Ahhhhhh), and yoo-hoo for Natalie. Along with a big bag of chocolate chocolate chip cookies from the Safeway bakery. Yummy yummy for tummy town. It was awesome and the day had just begun. *As a side note, later that day, I thought for certain someone had sharpened all the rocks around our house. As it turns out my newly tender, callous free feet were WIMPS.

Ted took a half day from work which was so sweet. We went swimming in Deep Lake in the afternoon. My mom just jumped right in and I was a wimp, maybe it had to do with my new wimpy feet??..... Anyway, it took me a while to submerge in the water. Although I knew I was prolonging the inevitable, I tortured myself going a few inches at a time. I am going to run full speed in on our next lake visit and that’s a promise. Finally, completely drenched, we swam way out with our 'fun island' and Ted and I raced to the end of the swimming area. I won the race. Ok here's what happened.... I did yank his trunks down a couple times and he said it was my birthday so there you go, Bailey swim champ for the day Robin by default. I'll take it! His arms are so STRONG! As a side note, if it were a kick only race I'd lap him. Truly, he is a horrible kicker and will admit to such, you can ask him.

After swimming, my mom, myself and the kids went back to the house while the guys went to get one of my favorite meals from Lemon Grass. 2 1/2 star green curry with chicken, without mushrooms or eggplant but substitute broccoli. :) Once they returned, we ate, had cake and opened presents. FUN!

I thought the night was over and was outside playing with the kids. Ted called me in and told me to shut the door. When I did and turned 3 grown, I thought civilized; adults sprayed a bottle each of silly string on me. I was so shocked I stood there and took it and we all laughed hysterically. It was FUN and such an awesome birthday as I love to laugh and I love surprise.

I also want to mention how blessed I was by all the cards, voicemails, calls and facebook well wishes. I think I was sung to more than ever before and there's something about that which is just precious and loving in its own way. So thank you all for the love!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Episode One

The tales of 4 chickens. 3 who knew they were hens, 1 who thought he was a rooster (Robin did not). Their names (today) are Harriet, Helga, Hazel and Hans.

"Why I do say I overheard Robin say she was going to have a year of chickens. HA! Like she will be able to give us up in a year. We are irrisitible." said Harriet.

"I shouldn't care what she does with us. Folks would line up from far away lands to take care of a handsome stud like myself. Really now, I've seen you all checking out my tail feathers. Take a gander. Nice, huh?" said Hans.

"Oh for Pete's sake Hans. Get over yourself already. If you are indeed a rooster you have no voice box. Really attractive. I can lay an egg without a rooster thank you very much and NO thanks." said Hazel.

"You two jibber jabber nonsense.. I want to know what is with the pinnacle balls in the nest box? Seriously now, who does she think she's fooling?" said Helga "I'll be laying my eggs when I'm good and ready lady."

Ted's Birthday



Ted's Birthday was on the 7th and he turned 33. It's funny, we don't feel that age. (For 9 whole days we are the same age!) Yet here we are with 3 kids, a station wagon AND a mini van, a house and a blessed life. God is good. Ted recieved gifts to aid him on his 45 mile hiking adventure (His word choice, not mine...) the end of July. He was excited. We had apple pie, per the B-day man's request, dinosaur punch, balloons and a lot of family fun. It was a GOOD day. Can you believe we forgot the Birthday hat?? How in the world did that happen? We will "stage" a photo tonight with him in it. Better late than never on that one, after all tradition is tradition.

The 2 things I love most about Ted today are. 1. His childlike spirit. He is just plain FUN! and 2. The dad he is. He is amazing and boy oh boy do his kids love him.

What's daddys favorite thing to do with you?
Natalie- "To go on special dates with me."
William- "He likes to play with me and wrestle me. He shoots with me with our toy guns too."
Lydia- "Daddy likes to open and close the gate with me."