FIG Discussion

Some rubbery fabric sculpture outside of the Lightcatcher building.

Tonight I went to the "discussion" about the new Children's museum. I felt like I spent the money on my membership and I have been pretty vocal in my disappointment in the Fig and I don't like complaining and then doing nothing but complaining. So I did my duty and spoke my voice (it didn't even shake!). I did the ol' 'pat on the back and kick in the ass' method of speaking: I told them what I love and appreciate about the building and layout, and what I felt they failed us on, not only in the FIG (Family Interactive Gallery) but in the actual art museum itself.

Bottom line, the majority of us there were displeased and felt misled. And no, we didn't expect a play area for the kids, but we did expect an area that was stimulating and educational and fun since children learn most when they don't realize they're learning. And I have to say (hey, I did say) that I found it incredibly frustrating to listen to the board complain about the lack of funds as their reasoning for the FIG's shortcomings. Really? Have they never seen the influx of children at other museums? At $7.00 a pop there is A LOT of revenue running through those buildings. So if nothing else, accommodating what the people want would be a huge money maker, and they wouldn't be struggling to find the funds to incorporate the philosophies that they've been so desperately seeking the funding for.

BUT... my kids were in the FIG for over an hour happily playing (of course they each had their own personal babysitter to keep them entertained... Natalie was read story after story "Crickwing the Cockroach" was the title Natalie quoted me of her favorite book, and Brady created a really cool Giraffe out of foam blocks that had to be 9 feet tall) so they were happily entertained at the FIG.

"Be the change you want to see" That is the quote that sums up tonight I think. I sat next to the Bellingham Herald reporter, so we'll see what he has to say in the morning.

More sculptures around Bellingham...

Outside of the Museum... on our way to Mallards.

My little brother...

(Turn off the music, and turn up the volume for this 3 second video!)

The kids and I went to see my little brother and his girlfriend Nicole today... and I paid my brother to detail the van for me. Yes I did. And it is fan-friggin-tastic. I might even take pictures of it, for those of you that have even seen/smelled the inside of my van, you'll be impressed.

But after a cocktail and a glass of wine at book club (super fun evening and we even discussed the book!) I'm so not looking forward to Monday morning. They're hard. Really hard to get all that I need to get done done and out the door by 6:15. Times 3. But I'm not complaining... noooo, not me!

Just leaving Everett... they get very far down the road before crashing.

Moose the Pixie-Bob. He took up my whole lap and then some.

Brady enjoyed Nicole's sons toys, and Uncles X-box (a really cool game in particular: Little people, Big Planet)


Playing the game...

Fun with the Fuzz

This morning as I was heading downtown it was raining. I mean really raining. Like raining so hard that when you get out of your car you RUN to your destination. Except running was my destination. Yick. And wouldn't you know... after the half hour of standing around in the rain getting our bib numbers and t-shirts (you're gonna have to wrestle it from me Tracy, it's a pretty cool shirt) and got thoroughly soaked and cold, the rain quit.
We ended up near the SWAT team unit (that's what we're calling them anyway) which was a nice distraction and I think it helped with my personal best time!
I think the rest of the day is going to be spent on Kate's couch, the kids and I are heading that way to prevent any rainy day blues. I'm so lucky to have her as a friend, and love that our kids love each other too.

I never said I was cute at 9am in the pouring rain... but we were ready to run!

Hello, boys...

Token cutie-pie shot: Natalie wasn't feeling good so she went to snuggle up on Erin's couch. Ashi took full advantage of the situation and tried to make her feel better, which by the smile on her face I think he did!

Dog leads trooper to owner's home

My mom told me she heard about this crazy dog yesterday (at least I think it's this dog). I think it's an amazing testament to the power of mans best friend.

The news article said that Buddy the German Shepard was with his owner working out in the shop when there was a chemical explosion. The owner, who received flash burns told Buddy "we're gonna need to get help". So that's what Buddy did.

Why we live here.

Seriously?!
In front of the old Whatcom Museum.

Ashi sharing another handful of wet sand with his mama.
Thomas was not feeling top-notch, but how adorable is he?
So pale, yet so pink.
Little brothers... you just can't escape 'em.
Brady and Christian... there was some story about 'killing the dead crab and seeing it's brains'... uh, ok boys.
The girls had quite a collection of sand dollars and clams.

"Old Man Attack!" Just for that comment, he did just that.

Sunny and 70, I could get used to this, but I know better than to. But man oh man, it was a nice day. Almost perfect even.

And I have to brag... Elizabeth, Erin, and I all carried our youngest children back up from Clayton beach... that's a workout! Ok, I only carried mine about 3/4 of the way, but she outweighs the other 2 by at least 20 pounds, so cut me some slack. I could use a shoulder rub now, however!

Wrapping up a wonderful day in a wonderful way: BBQ outside with friends.

Her Calling

I had a feeling she'd be great at it... and she is. Natalie had her first Itty Bitty Cheer practice last night and she did great. And more importantly, she loved it, she was totally in her element!

But I'm sure all I'm going to hear for the next month are her two cheers, but at least one is a "Go Big Blue" cheer which of course is awesome since that was a high school cheer from South Whidbey... and her other is "We are Proud! Say it Loud! Go, Fight, Win!"

Me and My Boy

No, it's not the greatest picture of me (without make up and after a run) but I love the joy in Brady's face... I'd rather see that than a good picture of me any day of the week.

It was still sunny at 7:00 tonight, so B and I (having a night to ourselves while Natalie spends the night with Grandma Honey) headed out for a bike ride. I just followed Brady's lead and we ended up on some great trails (oh, and conveniently encountered a playground) and discussed our next adventure and where we might go... I love listening to him plan trips and adventures and just hearing his mind work.

Waiting to get the combo to unlock the bike shed...I was "forced" to hold my favorite 2 year old... I love this candid that Brady got of the two of us...

Back to normal

I feel almost whole again... the kids spent a week with their dad for spring break and I was over it yesterday.
So tonight the kids are in bed, read to, brushed, bathed, and snuggled. And I feel closer to normal.
Now lets not get crazy and say I didn't enjoy my time... because I did. BUT (dot, dot, dot)


Brady drew this... Grandma and I are so very impressed. I think it's beautiful. I'm going frame shopping tomorrow.
This pose reminds me of that RuPaul song "Supermodel (You Better Work)" I think that could be Natalie's theme song for life.

Brady has been so sweet lately, calling my mom about once a week to invite her over for dinner. He always runs upstairs and crawls under his bed when he talks to her... and he's trying to lose another tooth... and he's becoming quite the artist. And I love him.

Little Miss? She's been having a hard time as of late, and I was harboring a lot of guilt about it and feeling awful for her. And then I talked to my best friend Jackie and to my mom and got some more information and feel better about it. And I feel better equipped to help her through it. So that's good. And she's cracking me up. She has such a bright inner light! She told me today that the Easter bunny didn't even recognize her but she snuck a peek at him, then she proceeded to describe him in detail to me. And at lunch she showed me all the different ways she can move her eyes, all the sounds she can make with her tongue, and all her special dance moves (and I showed her some of mine). And I love her.

Oh yes it's ladies night...

The spread: wine, kalamata olive sourdough bread with swiss ale fondue, assorted veggies with hummus, and a gourmet cheese plate from Erin (we'll just stay quiet and let her take credit for the classy contribution). After Kate called us names, we finished off the wine and she cracked another beer...
The $9.99 forgotten cake... we took a few stabs at it...

Holy smokes... well post time is 12:52am, so you can get a feeling on how ladies night/ my housewarming went... well most ladies stayed until 9:20... then Erin threatened to mix the cheap wine with the good stuff, and Kate called me a pussy, so we all had another round... and then I remembered the red velvet cake (and two more bottles of red) that I specifically went to Costco for.

I have to work in 6 hours. Good times.

Derby night!

Does this picture make you wonder what's on the other side?
I believe that's Gladeye Ater jamming for Tough Love with Pearl Haggard jamming for the Cog Blockers. We were torn; we would cheer for Pearl as an individual, but Tough Love as a team... sorry, they have a cooler logo.

Showing off our matching shirts (oh shit Tracy, we were one of them tonight...)

The newly engaged couple... so in love. It makes me so happy!

Chloe (who used to be Acute Destroyer when she was a Betty) came to town to watch derby... she is such a sweetie.

Can you tell who wanted to take the picture and who got coerced into playing along?

Holy Smokes you should see this chick skate! Friggin amazing. That's all.

Spring Break

The kids are on spring break, and luckily their dad was able to take the week off with them, so they've been busy having adventures in Seattle and indoor camp outs while I've been enjoying a clean quiet house, taking my time getting home from work, running all those little piddly errands that are just a pain in the ass with kids... and basically enjoying my time but missing them too.

Lots of plans for the weekend though, sure to be a fun one!

The bunny drop zone

6:55 am...
Little Miss enjoying the hunt.
Brady found a whole nest of hidden eggs...

Very pleased with his loot.

I did manage to get a few obligatory "we-love-each-other-enough-to-stand-in-close-proximity-to-each-other-but-don't-push-it-mom" photos.

Man am I glad it's Monday...

Easter.

Being that we're not a spiritual family, most holidays are just reasons to get together, reconnect, create magic for the children, and eat.
This year was new, different. But it worked pretty well. And I hadn't planned on making a big dinner or anything because I was going to be the only one who would eat it. The Brady invited Grandma over, which was super sweet and she is always welcome anytime. And I now had an excuse to cook!
And I have to say... I hooked the two of us UP. The menu:
*Rosemary chicken
*Baby red mashed potatoes with roasted garlic (and a pinch of Parmesan)
*Sauteed Asparagus (that was so tiny and sweet!)
*Salad with homemade Roquefort salad dressing (I'm telling ya...)
*Strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream (there wasn't room for this... we were stuffed)
*Oh, and 2 glasses of cheap red wine. Because I am my mothers daughter.

Pictures tomorrow, I'm pooped tonight. The kids decided to stay up late trying to trap the Easter bunny, which meant I got to stay up late reading waiting for them to succumb to slumber. Then they came bouncing onto my bed with baskets in hand at 6:55 a.m.

Sun, Hail, Rain, Sun, Wind... and so on

Whatcom Falls Park was the site of our one (and only) hunt today... we all agreed to bag out on everything else (including opening day of the farmers market, sigh)... due to weather. The day started out so promising...

Little Miss enjoying the bounty...
Nat, Claire and Brady enjoying the hunt from the canopy of the cedars.

Brady ran out to the van and "grabbed a jacket". His skeleton jacket... classy dude (and lets just ignore the socks pulled up all the way...)

The whole gang of kids that somehow know the Boyle's and or McKinley's. And we're lucky enough to know them both! Thanks for another fun year!

Natalie and Amelia were so happy to see each other... couple of cute girls right there.

And promptly after the kids had collected all of the eggs, we ran for the van because:

She likes to move it move it at OneTrueMedia.com

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I'm a MA that uses CPSS at TRG...

I took my "final" today at work. I got a 95%. And then I sat there and cried. I was so mad at myself. One effing thing. And my trainer whispered in my ear as she handed me my score "It was ONE tiny little thing on an application that you are going to be sooooo mad about" that cost me the points of the entire application. I was this close to 100%, but I sabotaged it.
I went for a run after work to try to adjust my perspective on it (sweat therapy really has merit). I mean, it's an excellent score. It also means I get the job and all the intricacies of health care (well not really, but what they want me to know, I know). And it means that I am a little more valued there. And the mistake I made has nothing to do with my knowledge of the position.
But...