Lego Man, Sprinkler Girl

Never before would I have thought I would know so much about Legos, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Speed Racer, and many other things that Jack has taken an interest in. I really wanted to post something about Legos because they have been Jack's top interest in the last year or so. He has gotten very good at building them, and I don't want to sound like I'm bragging or anything, but I'm really proud of his Lego building capability. Most of these Lego sets have recommended ages that are 7-9+ years old, and this 4 (almost 5) year old seems to have no problem putting them together. He's always shown an interest in organizing things, putting things together, and taking them apart, and what I really love about Jack is that while he still wants to play with them and blow them up, it's important to him to put them back together and keep them nice and organized. Gotta love that quality in a little boy!

Jovie just toots around as usual. This child has lots of energy and interest in trying everything...at least once. I'm a little scared for the 15 year old Jovie, but I suppose we'll cross that bridge when we get there. How did my parents do it with 4 girls? Rob has been watering at night, and Jovie loves to help him:)

June became July

Without so much as a warning our crazy June is gone and we've welcomed July with what seems to be a very fickle NW summer...(geeze that sounded like a weather reporter). Anyway, June was full of commitments and plans, as you will notice, however July has brought me some refreshment and reprieve from life's demands. I can't hide from my emotions, nor can I explain them right now, and every day wish I could share my thoughts and feelings with the woman who I shared everything with, but at this moment I feel okay.

The following is a long journey of pictures and captions that are so random that I can't place or title them. It just is what it is...so enjoy.

These wonderful culinary masterpieces are from the annual Summer Institute for Educators at BTC (Bellingham Technical College). Translation: a class teachers take for clock hours or professional development. This was 3 days of "American Regional Cuisine" themed around Southwestern, Tex-Mex, Pacific Northwest, and a tour of Wood Stone Co. in Bellingham (manufacturer of the best wood fire ovens west of the Mississippi).

I went straight from my cooking class to Relay for Life. 18 hours of walking to cure cancer. An event I'm usually very inspired and passionate about, however I think it'll take some time to get my inspiration back. After Relay was my 10 year class reunion...it was a busy weekend, but the reunion was a blast and I think my friend Julie has some pictures on her blog if you're interested. Thanks Cathy for taking such great care of the kids, and thanks Rob for coming along to the reunion with me and working the next day on only 3 hours of sleep. You're a trooper.

Jack's new bedroom set arrived a few days ago. Solid pine bunk bed/desk with memory foam mattresses and dresser. The pictures of the bunk bed do not do it justice. It is awesome and full of storage. Jack loves it...he's told us over and over again how much he loves us and how lucky he is. So grateful and appreciative. We're happy he is enjoying it so much. He played Legos for hours at the pull-out desk yesterday and today. His patience and persistence is, in my humble opinion, beyond his age.

My new craft nook, handmade by Rob as a mother's day/birthday gift. He took my vision and made it so much more than I could have hoped for. Love it honey! Also, thanks Betty for the tins...I'm SO ORGANIZED!!!

Joves is 18 months old today! What a fun, energetic, loving, and passionate child. Her current obsessions (and believe me, this child defines the word obsessed) are Dora, Otter Pop popsicles, and her CareBear babies. I don't even want to report how many popsicles she had today.

So, if you're still with me, that pretty much sums up the latter half of June (phew!) and brings us into July. My hope is to turn my July into a "few commitments, spend as much time with the family as possible, get my life organized, cook good food, and relax" kind of month. I think it's possible and so far I'm doing okay.