happy friday

While the big kids were enjoying a nice picnic lunch....

....Ethan figured out how to get into the Cheerios box! He loves to pick things up so I got out a bowl and he cleaned up his own mess. I've learned the hard way that it's easier to teach kids good habits than it is to change bad ones. Of course it took me three tries to figure this out but better late than never!

I just love these chubby legs! Oh, and he did his first official sign today. I said, "Ethan do you want to eat?" and he sat right up and clearly signed "eat." Woo-hoo!

last day of preschool

Liam had his last day of preschool today. Wow - that year went fast! We met his class at a park to play and then they had a cute little ceremony at the school. Way to go Liam!!

memorial weekend

It was a great Memorial Day weekend! Saturday we went to the big Ski to Sea parade which was very fun. We discovered that Ethan does not like the grass so we could put him down on the blanket and he just stayed put. Patrick called it an invisible fence for babies! Sunday we went down to Fairhaven where they have an annual festival and enjoyed ice cream and live music. Today we relaxed, did some yard work, and BBQ'd. Great way to spend a three-day weekend.

boxcar children diorama

To celebrate Audrey finishing her first chapter book, we did a fun project. A Boxcar Children diorama. What fun! (How come I never liked these things as a child?) Painting, cutting, gluing, coloring...FUN!

random pics

Just some random pictures from this week. Will I always think my kids are this adorable?

great resource

We love our library! So many cool things to check out and the kids just love it there. On our most recent visit I found some great DVD's that the kids are really enjoying. It's a documentary series that was on PBS called "Families of the World." There are twenty of them and each one follows two children from each country and shows how they live. The kids love them and are so excited to check out two more next time we go.

grace

My kids often give me the best earthly examples of God's grace.

Me - "Audrey, I'm sorry honey - I guess I'm pretty tired and grumpy today too."
Audrey - "That's ok Mom. We're doing our best today and I know you are too."

Whoa. Some of the things that come out of her precious mouth bring me to tears. Isn't that just how God is with us? We mess up time and time again - we don't deserve His favor - but he continues to lavish it upon us. And where would I be without it?

go mariners!

What a great daddy/daughter date!! They both had a ball! The weather was beautiful, the Mariners won, and Audrey enjoyed lots of "sugar". Memories that will last a lifetime, I'm sure!

one happy mama

Ethan slept through the night! First time ever! And I am one happy mama! Now I'll be a crazy woman today trying to recreate his schedule from yesterday so he'll do it again tonight.

Audrey and Patrick are off to the Mariners game today. I'll hopefully have pictures to post tonight.

at last

The Oscarson family has needed a new car for quite awhile. Our 2002 Explorer had experienced some pretty major problems over the past couple years (4WD issues, rebuilt transmission, random electrical problems, and as of the last couple weeks - no A/C!). So we've been talking and praying about a new car for quite some time. And today was the day. We have a new 2009 Honda Pilot which we're hoping will last for many, many years!

These several months of driving a questionable car has just opened my eyes (once again!) to God's protection over us. Never once did it die while I was alone with the kids (my worst fear!). Never once were we completely stranded (although we did have to rely on Kylie to come pick us all up one time!). Every single time I arrived back home in my driveway I said a little prayer of thanksgiving for having made it back home safely. The verse I'm memorizing this week is 2 Cor. 12:9, "But he {the Lord} said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." God's power was clearly seen through our "weak" car!! And while we're thankful He's provided a new car for us, we are also thankful for the lessons we learned with the old one.

plants and tunnels

Science in the spring is so much fun! We planted bean seeds in these cool planters (half-gallon milk containers!) so we can watch the roots grow as well. The kids have had fun learning the parts of plants and what they need in order to grow.


I pulled out our tunnel this week and Ethan loves going through it. He'll chase the kids around and around.

our little reader

Audrey finished her first chapter book last night!! She has started reading the Boxcar Children series and loves them. (Thanks for the books Jonah!)

I have been amazed by her progress this year. At the beginning of the year she was still slowly sounding out words in the Bob Book series - and not all that excited about reading. And now, she's reading all the time. Can't seem to get enough. So cool!

happy mother's day!

What a wonderful Mother's Day! Patrick and the kids got up early and made a great breakfast. I had some amazing gifts specially made by the kids and a new hanging basket for my porch. Then we headed off to church on a beautiful sunny day. In the afternoon all three kids we sleeping or resting at the same time so Patrick and I cleaned out the garage - which may not sound like a treat - but heck, we were alone together and we now have a ping-pong table we can actually use and enjoy! Then Patrick BBQ'd dinner - and I got to enjoy an evening walk with a friend. Wonderful, wonderful day.

I am just feeling overwhelmed lately by the blessings in my life. There are tons of them - and I'm finally at an age where I can actually SEE them and BE thankful. Yesterday I was not only in awe of the blessings of my husband and children, but also my mother. She's an amazing woman who has sacrificed so much to care for others. Her legacy will touch generations to come. Thank you Mom! I love you!

My siblings and I grew up hearing this song by Steve and Annie Chapman in our home. My Dad even sang it at church a few times. It was running through my head yesterday and reminds me to cherish these precious days with my kids.

I count it as a privilege, I count it cause for praise,
To kiss my children goodnight at the close of every day,
For I know too soon they're up and gone,
And walking out that door,
And I'll never have that child to kiss, goodnight anymore.

slowly

I am slowly accepting that my life is transitioning. I do not like change. Let me say that again - I do not like change. So the process of accepting the fact that my days of pregnancy and newborns is over is a tough one for me. But as evidence that this change is in fact happening, the following items no longer reside in our home: a Boppy, a Bumbo, A Baby Bjorn, a Snugli, a baby swing, a bouncy seat and as of this past Sunday - maternity clothes.

And only a few tears have been shed - I think I'm doing pretty well. I'm focusing on the list of things that await us in a life filled w/ only "big kids" - Disneyland, quick weekend trips to Chelan, regular date nights with my hubby, family devotions, family movie nights, and lots of lots of sporting events. These are all good things.

I'm learning that it's okay to cherish the past...as long as I keep looking ahead. God has been so faithful - I know He has great things in store.

first haircut

Ethan had his first haircut this weekend - Aunt Stefani did the honors. It started out great but by the end required three of us to get the job done. Why do they look so much older once they've had a haircut???

SO much fun!

Cousins Camp 2009. What a blast. Let's see - beautiful weather, yummy food, Lynden Park, Audrey's soccer game, Mallard's ice cream, soccer/football/broom hockey in the back yard, Old Maid, Checkers, late nights, early mornings!, healthy kids, safe travels, and wonderful, wonderful family time. Simply priceless.