interview with my six year old

Mom - What's your favorite food?
Audrey - lasagna

Favorite restaurant?
IHOP

Favorite activity?
crafts and drawing

Best places to play?
friends' houses, parks and home

Favorite thing about Liam?
he's so nice

Favorite thing about Ethan?
he's so cute

Favorite movie?
Sound of Music

Favorite toys?
my treasures, doll clothes, and accessories

Favorite colors?
pink and purple

What do you want to be when you grow up?
cheerleader and ballet teacher - cuz they kind of go together

What's your favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (she recited it to me)

What's your favorite song?
Sound of Music CD #8

What was your favorite thing that happened while you were five?
staying with Nana for 9 days

What's the best thing about being six?
kindergarten

What do you like most about yourself?
that I make everything shine

more snow!

And the kids are loving it, of course!

why rush it?

Those of you who know me well know that my parenting style can pretty well be summed up with "why rush it?" My kids are the last ones to eat solid foods, move out of their cribs, switch to the big tub, eat sugar, watch Disney movies, etc., etc. In a way it's my own personal rebellion against our society. I think we push kids way too fast - to do way too much - way too soon. So I intentionally SLOW things down for my kids. But perhaps the fact that my 7 month old just switched to the big tub might be a bit much??!! This poor guy is not only afflicted with a mother who says "why rush it?" but one who also routinely moans, "but this is my last one..." - and wants to hold on to the baby-stage for as long as possible! Hopefully he won't suffer too badly for it!

Oh - and he loves the big bath, by the way.

audrey is six!

Our little girl turned six today. Hard to believe. We had a wonderful family day to celebrate her! She started her day with the cereal of her choice (a once-a-year treat tradition). Patrick was able to get the day off so we surprised the kids with a trip to Jump Around Fun Zone. It's an indoor play area filled with inflatable toys. Huge slides and climbing areas. It was their first time there and they had a ball! (This was big for me - considering the germ factor! Straight to bath when we got home!) Then she and I made her favorite dessert - lemon meringue pie. Family game of Monopoly. Presents opened throughout the day. Fun dinner of her choice - chicken strips and french fries. Just a great day overall.

My question is - why is it that with each passing year I want to hold on just a little bit tighter??

hillbilly in the makin'

weekend highlights

What a fun, busy weekend we had! Started early Saturday when Patrick and Liam left for Wintergrass - a bluegrass festival down in Tacoma that Patrick and I used to enjoy each year (before kids!!). They met Grandma and Grandpa Oscarson there and enjoyed the day.

Audrey, Ethan and I had a great day at home. Audrey made a list of all the things she wanted to do. We played lots of Monopoly, made cupcakes to take to Sunday School for a little early birthday celebration, read more Anne of Green Gables, walked to Haggen and back (took 2 hours! Audrey did great!), and just enjoyed our time together. Sure love that daughter of mine!

Then on Sunday G'ma and G'pa came up in the afternoon. We had fun together. Liam was thrilled to play checkers with them both. Then we went to Red Robin (Audrey's pick!) for her birthday dinner.

Great, fun weekend. But I must say, I really like Mondays. Maybe it's my age - or just this season of my life. But Mondays are great. Back to routine. Back to homeschooling. Back to just enjoying my kids in the comfort of our home. Ethan's still sleeping. The big kids are at their desks beside me working on a project together. Monday. It's good.

craft club

My friend Kim invited Audrey to join their craft club. We went to our first one yesterday and had a ball! They made butterflies with melted crayons and wax paper, broke a pinata (a pink spider made by Kim's daughter Ari), and ran around and played. What a fun girlie afternoon! Audrey loved it!