Happenings

To be honest, I am a bit reluctant to post on this blog due to the inherent obligation I will feel to maintain it. Especially since I am not sure I can live up to the obligation. There are so many great happenings in our lives right now that I just can't keep the stories and pictures to myself. Plus it will make my mommy happy and that is always worth the risk. :)

Since I have too much to share for just one post, I will leave you with some photos of my littles. They just don't stop getting cuter!

(Keep your fingers crossed that another year doesn't pass before the next post. So I don't have to wither in shame...)

Lets Go Orioles

One of the things I love about our home is that it is walking distance from Matthew's school and the Mt. Tabor Little League field. This was the first year Matthew was able to play baseball due to age requirements and he loves it. He has been practicing with Carlos and I and sleeping with his gloves under his mattress.

His team, the Orioles, have won all their games and Matty has several hits, runs, and RBI's. It has been a joy to watch his interest in baseball develop. I can definitely see both Carlos' and my competitive spirits in Matthew.

Playdate

Matthew had a play date with his friend Solomon last week. Actually, it wasn't a play date. It was two friends, "just hanging out." Because play dates are for babies. At least that is what Matthew told me while reminding me that he is almost six years old.

My boy has outgrown the term play date. I am not sure how I feel about that.

Egg-citing Easter

Easter 2010 was quite lovely. Carlos' mom Marianne has been in town so we were able to share the day with her. Portland has been very rainy, windy, and cold as of late, so early Easter morning we decided to take advantage of the fact that it was dry outside and have our egg hunt.

Natalya took Matthew's cues and frantically raced around the front yard in search of hidden eggs. She did awesome, finding three eggs. She would find an egg, exclaim "a chicken," put it in her basket, then take it out to re-find it. It was pretty cute.

Matthew did a good job of letting Talya find the obvious eggs and really had to search for the rest. He was climbing trees, sliding under cars, and generally dashing around like a lunatic. In the end of it all, both Matty and Talya had fun and were delighted with the loot.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing, enjoying each others' company, and preparing and eating a delicious meal. He had a spiral ham, mashed sweet potatoes, and grilled asparagus. Yummy. After we stuffed ourselves, we watched "Sherlock Holmes" and snuggled on the couch. Talk about the perfect day.

Splashing in the Sprinkler

Yes, they really did run through the sprinklers when it was only 68 degrees outside. I should add that it was a gorgeous 68.

I love the firsts of spring/summer. The first time Carlos has to mow the lawn. The first time I can wear a dress or skirt without tights. The first flowers blooming. And, naturally, the first tromp through the sprinklers. (Not to mention the gorgeous photos made possible by better and more natural light.)

To my fellow bloggers reading this, I have to tell you about Picnik, the web-based application that I used to create this collage. I heard about it during an e-course that I took recently and this was my first time using it. And boy was it EASY, FAST and FREE. I created my account, uploaded these photos, and created the collage in under 15 minutes. I will definitely be using Picnik over Picasa from now on. Check it out.

Please note, that I used the free version but there is an upgrade available, for $24.95 per year. I am considering upgrading because I think the price is reasonable and I've heard great things about it.

They're crafty

I love watching Matthew and Talya create. Children are spontaneous and free in their art, something that adult artists have to strive for. It is obvious that the process is more important to them than the product. I try to steer clear of my adult programming while they are crafting, not allowing myself to worry about the mess I'll have to clean up. Yes, even when Talya is clapping her paint-covered hands together, splashing paint in places yet to be discovered.

First Signs of Spring

The kids enjoyed the sunny weather we had recently. I got them outside in hopes that the sunshine would dispel their cabin-fever.

I have been making some formatting changes to this blog, so if the layout looks wonky it is because I am making some adjustments. Hoping to beautify my bloggy blog a bit!

On the hunt - Chore Board

Like me, Matthew lives in the visual realm. He likes to see what he needs to do and what he has already done. Because of this I am looking for a chore board or chore check list to keep a visual record of his to-do's and done's.

I first saw this one at a local toy shop. Loving that this version is very comprehensive and the dry erase bottom section would come in handy. However, it looks a little too "day-care center" for me. Is it vain to expect the chore board have a certain aesthetic, one that I would not shudder at seeing on my wall? I think not. :) Particularly since I need it to be in a central location, the kitchen, to use it properly.

So my search continued. Etsy has several options, a bit more suited to my tastes.

This is from soapstarmom who offers additional chore cards as well.

AbbiesHouse is another great option, also offering additional chore magnets.

And these are only a few of the choices out there. Yet, all in all, I have not found THE ONE. I'm thinking this calls for a craft project....

Christmas 2009 continued

Truly, this was one of the best Christmas' I have ever had. Surrounded by family and love. There is no better a gift.

Warmest Holiday Wishes

I was so blessed to be surrounded with loved family during Christmas. It was beyond special. More photos and their stories soon....

Few Things Better

When I was pregnant with Natalya, Matthew's day care provider said one of the greatest joys of being a parent of two children is witnessing the love they have for each other. I was touched by the sincerity of her words, feeling their truth, believing with certainty. Now I know from experience that there are few things better.

Pour it all in

Carlos: How much bubble bath did you use?

Me: The rest of the bottle.

Carlos: Why?

Me: Look at them smiling.

Carlos: {unconvinced expression}

Me: Sometimes you gotta pour it all in.

Did this happen a month ago? Really?

This year for Halloween I had Ben 10 (a cartoon network character) and Wondergirl. Matthew just loves Halloween. We decorated the house at the beginning of October and counted down to the day. Talya wasn't happy unless she had her foot inside the plastic pumpkin and once we took pictures of her in her costume she started tugging at it, saying, "All done." It goes without saying that she wasn't nearly as enthusiastic.

laurelhurst park

a few weekends ago we went to laurelhurst park. it is a ginormous, and beautiful park. really, we couldn't get over how big is it. despite the flurry of activity going on in all the park's nooks and crannies, the sense of calm was undeniable. we spent four hours there, playing on the play structures, feeding the ducks, watching a juggling class. as you can see from the photo, matthew accidentally kicked his shoes into the pond. we had to wait for it to float downstream before i could grab it out. i've washed that shoe twice already and still every time he wears it his feet smell like pond scum at the end of the day. (yuck!)

i find that it is so easy to fall into routine in life. the same parks. same restaurants. same everything. i have to admit that there is still so much of portland that we haven't explored. yet when we do try new places, break through habit and routine, it is so rewarding. so here's to uncharted territory and new adventures.

celebrate summer's last days

By the end of summer we know the ice cream man on a first name basis. John. He comes by our house at 3:20. or so. Yesterday, John told Matthew that he wouldn't be coming around as much because summer is almost over. I didn't think Matthew understood what he was saying. That is until he plopped down on the grass (that brown stuff in the photos) and said, "Well I'm really going to enjoy this snow cone then."

kindergarden. a beginning.

I can hardly believe that my boy started kindergarden last Friday. The thirteen year adventure that is primary education. We were all so excited and prepared that not a single tear was shed. His first day went so smoothly and better-than-expected, that he was asking when he got to go back the entire weekend.

Since we live 3/4 of a block away (how cool is that!?! It's super easy and quick- plus, I always wanted to live right by school.) Matthew rides his bike while I walk Talya in the stroller. His teacher is named Mrs. Brewer and the class has 24 students. Harrison Park School. He goes from 8:40am to 3:00pm.

My little guy!

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In other news, Carlos started his externship this Monday that will last six weeks. He is at a Legacy Hospital clinic on the Good Samaritan campus in downtown Portland. Because he is externing for such a large hospital system, he should gain useful experience and have a lot of potential for hire once the externship is complete. I cannot believe how fast his schooling flew by. We are all so proud of him for finishing with a 4.0 gpa.

Also, I intend to return to posting here more regularly. This summer was crazy fun and busy but I am embracing the added structure from having Matthew is school all day and Carlos working at his extern. I am still working at the nightclub but will be able to catch up on sleep while Talya is napping during the day, leaving me time to be more than half-awake, to tend to things that I enjoy, like this blog.

Look forward to more photos and stories of our summer and beyond. This is an exciting time for my family!

supermodel

Every parent thinks their child is the most beautiful. Myself included. But no person in their right mind would argue that the kid in this photo is anything less than striking. And yes, just like every parent, I brag shamelessly. :)