Move-Up Day

Also known as the last day of school round these parts. Where we live you get to find out your teacher for that next year (in our case 1st grade!) on the last day of school. You get to meet him or her and meet those classmates you might soon be calling friends. It's all very exciting. AND nerve wracking. We made the decision to place Pea in looping should she get accepted. Looping is where you have the same teacher and class for 1st and 2nd grade. She takes a bit longer to warm up to new faces and so we thought it would be beneficial for her to have more time with the same people so as to develop her friendships etc. Ty did looping as a kid and his mom loved it. In case you haven't noticed Pea and her Daddy are just a little alike. I am putting my faith in it being the best for her and really excited to see what this will bring. I can't believe this kindergarten year is over. It's been quite the year with learning, new friends, field trips, watching chicks hatch, performances, and science experiments. I've loved watching her grow. For us, by far, the biggest challenge has been change and Pea's innate shyness, which I have a hard time understanding, let alone parenting! If you know me, you know I don't have a hard time talking with new people or walking into a room of strangers. In fact I enjoy it. My oldest love does NOT. And as I tell myself repeatedly: that's ok. That's her and we're different. I am just praying and asking for wisdom and trusting because that's really all we can do as moms. She's making strides every week and this summer will be time to relax! Here's Pea on the first day of Kindergarten and below the last! sidenote: she picked her own outfit, which I hated, but it was important to her so there you have it:) Such a growing girl...

Father's Day 2013

Today we celebrate the Dad's in our life! Love you Dad and Steve (sorry, Papa S we didn't get a picture with you today! BUT we LOVE you.)

We love you. Ty, you're just the best daddy ever. Your little gals adore you. Thank you for dancing with them. Thank you for loving them with an open heart and excitement...

The Emerald City

Last week we ventured up to our favorite City on one of the most gorgeous days I've seen there in forever. We stopped by Kerry Park to swoon over the view, then on to Chandler's fashion show at SPU where she displayed some of her work from her major, and then headed over dinner and ice cream at Molly Moon's. Delish. I was struck by how much I love Seattle. I had many a transcendent thought racing through my head that evening, which basically added up to a lyric from a Macklemore song. I love Seattle. Like really. And just like Dorothy dreaming of the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz, I used to dream of it too when I was young. But really unlike Dorothy my dreams were never dashed. The Emerald City of my hopes rose up to meet me and now on a sunny day; there's no place on earth to match it. However I do think any city where you fall in love, or find yourself, or grow up will always be a piece of your story. Like I said on my Instagram picture: Seattle was my diving board into a life I love and it will always be beautiful to me. I hope my girls feel its beauty too...

Maple Valley Days

A magical place where you blow 40 dollars in 20 mins, throw your 3 year old on a ride for teens, and win a goldfish you fear will die every morning. BUT at least you get some stellar smiles from these little ladies...

Dinner on the Farm

Joey & Taryn invited us to a farm dinner out on Dog Mountain Farm in Carnation for an amazing 5 course meal with a pairing of wine for each course. So naturally, Ty being a closet foodie or a flamboyant one; however you look at, we jumped at the opportunity. Before dinner there was a tour of Dog Mountain and an appetizer course. Joining us for the evening were J & T and the delightful Mayers! Each course was cooked by a Seattle chef and 80 percent of the whole meal was to come from the actual farm. It was all amazing! Here are the pictures. And HERE'S to doing it again (hopefully!) next summer...

(Pea)formance.

Kindergarten is rapidly coming to a close and today Pea had her music performance. She did so great:) Not the most enthusiastic performer, but she did all the motions and was not shy. I just love our sweet pea...

Instagram Catch up

I swear. Instagram has RUINED me for blogging. BUT. I will not totally succumb! I am working on a tell it like it is post for the end of the week. Sometimes a girl just needs time and space to sit down and write. I often compose beautiful pieces in my head only to have them rushed. A thousand starts and no follow-through. So, a promise to you dear reader: more meat, more real. Coming to a portal near you. Until then...real life.