First Berry Berry

It's berry-berry time! We've been watching this big one pretty closely, hoping to get it before the birds do! It's perfectly ripe, just waiting to be picked by my gardening pal!

It's a big strawberry, and you can see R is pretty happy about picking it...

...but even happier to be eating it!
(Did you notice R's hair? It's her first back-of-the-head ponytail!)
The strawberry plants are loaded, as is my raspberry bramble!
It's going to be a great summer!

When the Cat's Away...

J & L are in Portland/Salem, OR, visiting JAM for a few days, so guess what? We have R!!!! It's always lots of fun! Yesterday, we read, played, cooked, and had Taco Time for dinner. Today, we started by going to the library. R has no problem with technology--she's checking out her books, like she told me she could last time!

Outside the library--she loves this place!

Now she's playing foozball with 'Pa!

She scores!!!!
More fun tomorrow!

Finchy Friends Feeding! (Select photos to zoom in!)

I haven't had a pet dog for a while now, so these finchy friends are about the closest I'll get--at least until Gingie comes to visit! The finchy friends are always fun to watch. K's dad got us the yellow finch feeder. Did you know that yellow finches are the only ones that feed upside down and eat thistle seed? The other finches have to go to the other feeder. We have several different species.

Not a finch, but I'm delighted that my lilac has bloomed for a second year. It didn't bloom for the longest time--the but would just shrivel up. I gave it another talking to this year, and it's done well!

Posted by Lorrie, photos by Kirt

Look Who's Crafty Now...

Last week, K told that he was getting ready to recognize his graduates in YM, but wanted to do something special for them. I offhandedly said he could make the little mortarboard hats out of peanut butter cups and chocolate covered graham crackers, figuring that he would roll his eyes because that's such a YW or RS thing to do! No response. So I added that ice cream bars would also be good. I looked over at him (I had been drying some dishes) and could tell by the look on his face he was thinking about something. Then he said, "I kind of like the idea of the hats. How could we make them?" I was stunned. This, from the man who poo-poos tablecloths, centerpieces, and all the effort the sisters take.

So he looked on the internet for ideas, and yesterday, he got to work. I have to say that I unwrapped cups, and cut the little tassles, but other than that, he did all the work. I took photos--there is no way I'll ever let this moment get away!

After putting a dot of peanut butter frosting (my idea, btw, but a bad one--it might of worked if we would of had creamy peanut butter!, sorry, K!) He's putting the tops on..

then adding the tassels and the m&m button...

He's so intent!

And here's the finished product!

Let me add that I have an extra tablecloth in my YW closet should he ever feel the need!, But, GOOD JOB, K!

We also had our crafty bracelet-making night in YW this week. Jake had brought back these cute little people for me from his mission in Argentina. I wore them on a necklace for a long time, then the chain broke, and I never got a new one. I had this bracelet that I made a while back with M&M when they were in high school, but it also broke, so I took the opportunity to repair it, and while I was restringing, I added my people as charms, and I love how it looks. Now I have the best of two things--a bracelet I made with my two daughters, and the charms from my son!
Happy Mother's Day to me!

Wanted: Cute 2 Year Old to Eat Lunch With

While at IKEA in Portland with JAM, I came across this adorable little table and chairs. They were unfinished wood, but I had big plans! I brought them home, and spend a day staining, then another day putting varathane on them so they would stand up to all some cute grandkids could dish out! I love how they turned out. Now I'm just looking forward to eating lunch with R, and eventually T and N, too! (the chairs are sturdy enough for a Ga!)

Last Day With R

Okay, we're a little late with this blog--it happened April 14! This was my last day with little R. We ran some errands, (R helped me pick out colors for a sewing project), then we went to the Pawwwrk. Here she is in the swing. Funny, last summer she wouldn't even consider swinging, now she loves it. But she's very particular about the swing she's in. Her mom mentioned that in her blog as well. She'll just point and say "That swing!" In our neighborhood park, it's the south swing. The north swing will NOT do!

In this picture, we're actually in the north swing, because someone was in the south swing. The minute that swing became vacant, she wanted to change.

Coming down the slide...

You think she's going to go down the slide, but she mostly just hung there, and swung a little, then would run over the walkway to the big slide, then run back and hang out some more!

R and A

When R wants to go down the slide, she also climbs up it to get to the top. Not a problem for me, as long as no one is trying to come down!

Almost to the top!

Here she is in the little crawly tunnel. You think Ga would have done a better job of getting the dead leaves out of there first!

She's pretty good at climbing, too.

After her nap, we went out to the back yard to play a little. She loves the shed. Come to think of it, most kids do.

She loves to run...

...and run...

...and run...

...and run! We had such a good time!

Ga Time!

I'm back from a fun, fast trip to Portland to spend time with JAM, but now I'm back in Boise, 'Pa is back at work, and it's Ga Time! Here's a few of the fun things we did today, starting with R's hair. It's so much longer, and has so much curl. It's fun to do, and R loves having it done!

Next we're off to the library, where we listened to stories about dogs today, then made a dog puppet. We also checked out books. On our way out, we ran into R's new friends Avery and Owen.

After the library, we visited R's third cousin, twice removed, aka Great-Aunt Kristie (according to a google search!) at DB. R was a little concerned at first, but GAK quickly won her heart with awintergreen lifesaver, a book, a little bag of candy, and a little balloon that amused her all afternoon.

When we got home, R wanted "2 minutes to drive"--a direct quote from her. She was begging for the keys--I don't think so. Interestingly enough, when I got back into my little Subaru tonight, every single button that could be pushed had been!

After driving, we got the mail, another of her favorite activities. She carefully opens our mailbox and checks, closes it, then looks in our neighbor's mailbox as well.

One thing that I wish I could have taken a picture of happened at Fred Meyer. We had just been to Albertson's, and when I was checking out, R insisted that "I do it myself!" I replied, "No, this is something Ga does." At Fred Meyer, she said the same thing, and while I was punching in my rewards number, she grabbed one of the things I was purchasing, and scanned it. When she heard the beep, she dropped it in the bag, so I let her do the rest. Amazing. I should have listened to her at Al's, AND the library, where 'Pa said she had checked out all her own books on Friday.

Tomorrow will be another fun day! Hopefully, we'll get to go to the Pawwwrk, but it's been raining on and off since Monday.

Pa's Report: Day Three, FINALE

Pa not only dressed her in coordinating clothes (laid out by her mother previously), but did her HAIR and BOW!! I did add a sweater for accent. Shocking!

The McBride family was a huge help at church since I was playing the organ today. They helped keep Reese pacified. She made it fine in Nursery, until the second hour, which is when they must have had singing time. Reese got really teary, and wanted her mama! (Lindsay does the music for their home ward, and that might have triggered it.) A mint lifesaver truly was a life saver, and Reese spent Priesthood hour with the Priest Quorum and had fun.

I have loved every minute of our time together. I must say that anyone who thinks "stay at home" moms just "stay at home" need to spend a day in their shoes. There is never a quiet moment. When the child naps, the care provider prepares all those things you can't do with small child running around.

We'll be glad when Ga comes home tonight!