Attempts at Creativity

Here are the girls enjoying their after Church snack outside.

Highlights of this week included an afternoon at the Golden Gardens beach, visiting the Ballard Seafood Fest with our friends the Otterstroms and a girls night out with Hillary on Capitol Hill. As the latter was rather eventful, let me indulge you. The plan was to drop hubby and kids at Hillary's so the kids could play and the hubbys could hang out. We decided to walk from her house as traffic was heavy because of the Capitol Hill block party. This was a huge event full of bands and food- you needed a ticket to get in. We walked up to Broadway to eat at a little Mexican place- it has been replaced by a too-stylish-for-our-taste Thai restaurant. We decided to head down towards the thrift store (our ultimate destination) and found a grab and go Mexican eatery just a few blocks past it. There were hordes of people milling around the entrance of the block party. Imagine all the funky and "goth" Seattle has to offer and we saw it. At the restaurant I ordered a taco salad, not in the mood for beans and rice. I was shocked when a plate of shredded iceberg lettuce with a little carne on top and queso fresco was what they brought out to me. I thought we had left the iceberg territory far behind in South Dakota!! It seemed so crazy that people are still serving iceberg lettuce main dish salads in a town that prides itself on it's holier-than-thou wholesomeness! However, as Hillary pointed out, this was a Mexican place, not typically known for their excellent greens. (yes, I am extremely opinionated about the appropriate use of iceberg lettuce- there is a time and place for it, just not usually on my plate for $7.50!)
After that extreme disappointment, we headed up to the thrift store. Compliments of the block party, the thrift store had closed 2 hrs early- so no thrifting for us! Another disappointment. After a drop in at a tea house for just chatting (as this was all our girls night out was going to afford us) we headed home. On the way, we were privy to an undercover cop drug bust. As in, the cop cars sped by us, diagonal through the intersection and up onto the sidewalk across from us, jumped out of the cars and grabbed the suspect at hand. The undercover agent ran back to get the "goods" which had been dropped and some yelling ensued. It was all rather thrilling, but not something I want to repeat every day. I'm hoping Hill and I's next girls night out is less disappointing and a little less thrilling even.
As for the post title. That is all about a toothpaste holder I made yesterday out of that make and bake clay you get at the craft store. Stephen has extremely specific ideas about the toothpaste holder, and we both agreed we would have to make one as there are none at the stores that seemed to fit the bill. We wanted something that was open on the bottom, so no scum would develop. This is a design stolen from an Art-in-the-Park holder my mom was lucky enough to find. Mine is a 4 yr old's version of hers. ha ha! I am just glad my neighbor Jen won't get wind of this- she is an art teacher, specializing in pottery

Here's some history about me

I thought this was a great tag, especially since most of my blogging friends have known me less than 5 years.

20 years ago I . . .
1. Was looking forward to being in Mrs. Compton's class where I worked harder at being the class clown than on my grades.
2. Swam in the National Guard swimming pool most afternoons as long as I picked my rows of raspberries first and weeded a row in the garden.
3. Spent some of my best summer moments snapping beans, shucking corn or podding peas sitting in a circle with my sisters and mom. (once we quoted nearly the entire movie "Princess Bride")

10 years ago I . . .
1. Worked at a bakery decorating cakes.
2. Had my first real boyfriend (ew, sad, huh?)
3. Detached myself from my biggest crush (my now hubby, Stephen) so he could go serve a church mission in Italy.

5 years ago I . . .
1. Was in the Philippines on my church mission with a Filipina as my constant companion.
2. Started eating the "forbidden" street food that would supposedly make us sick.
3. Saw a lot of sad situations and relationships that made me grateful for my prosperity and my freedom to choose my future husband with no big societal, family or economic pressures.

1 year ago I . . .
1. Was in Chicago, trying to wear newborn Ada in the sling I sewed. (mostly a failure)
2. Trying to stay as close to the one air con unit we had in our apartment.
3. Avoiding the 17 yr siege of the cicadas (locusts like insects) which were so thick, they ran into you when you walked outside and covered the trees and sidewalks.

This year I will . . .
1. Finally lose the baby weight!
2. Consider moving into a house.
3. Go camping at least one more time this summer.

Yesterday I . . .
1. Spent the afternoon at Golden Gardens beach
2. Didn't eat any ice cream even though Stephen did (this is big for me)!
3. Got suckered into a Mystery Masterpiece Theater program that went past 11pm (but it was worth it)

Today I . . .
1. Worked out for the first time at the gym I just joined!
2. Will try and do everything in my willpower to get Odessa to take a nap
3. Will go on a girls night out with my friend Hil, which includes thrift store shopping!

Tomorrow I will . . .
1. Participate in a Church Pioneer Day celebration.
2. Hopefully visit either Ballard's Seafood Fest or Bellevue's Art Festival.
3. Make Creamy Parsley Pistachio Pesto Fettuccine for dinner (say that 10 times fast).

Ok, if you are among the 5 people who read this, tag you are it- now you have to do this!

I told you so

Here we are, the next time we painted and the minute I turned my back, here is what Odessa does. Then I clean her up and give her a stern talking to about how we don't face paint anymore and then turn my back again, and then she does it again! Apparently, it doesn't help that I took photos, that reinforces the behavior I guess. So don't expect to see any more pictures of my kids doing naughty things. According to an article Stephen read in Parents magazine, we have to only make a big deal of GOOD things they do. So expect to see lots of photos of my children being angelic. Ok, maybe there won't be any more photos of them.

Seattle Draught?

Yesterday was so nuts. After 2 hrs of cajoling and persuading, Odessa finally took her nap on the basis that if she didn't, we wouldn't go swimming when she got up. The Seattle Center has a great big wading pool with rocks and fountains and also a HUGE pulsing fountain, but it's a little scary for the kids. It's quite the job to get both girls into their swim diapers, suits and clothes on top, swim shoes, then pack all the necessary gear, get them in the stroller and down the elevator while chasing one or both of them half the time. Finally we were on our way! Bite of Seattle was this weekend and they were doing a lot of take-down and clean up. The wading pool was- empty. Completely. Must have drained it for the event. We headed over to the big fountain- also dry and not a dribble coming out. We headed for home very disgusted. Odessa heard water and saw a fountain inside a gated courtyard. She threw a tantrum- she could see water, hear it, now she just needed to get out of the stroller so she could PLAY in it. It belonged to a snooty cafe you go to after the ballet. No way we were getting access to it. I convinced her we would go home and go swimming with dad after he got home. There is a splash pool at the top of Queen Anne, but no way was I pushing the stroller home and then proceed to go all the way up to the top.
So after dinner, we did the whole routine again- swim diaper, suits, etc, etc. Off we go, thankfully with Stephen pushing the stroller. Unfortunately, I got confused about exactly where the park was, and we took a few wrong turns and went a ways out of our way. Finally we found it. No water in the pool! Apparently, they turn it off about 7. We got there at 7:30. So, no swimming for this clan. I just thought it was so unfair! Here is what the Seattle Center fountain is supposed to look like.

Odessa has continued with the funniest sayings. One of my favorites is "are you tinking what I'm tinking?". We have no idea where she learned this. Often when I call her "Sweet Pea" or "sweetheart" she says "I not Sweet Pea, I Odessa!" This morning we were discussing (again) movies and I was explaining that she just can't pick out a new movie everyday and expect to watch it (especially at 7:30 am). I was not in the least upset at her this morning, but Odessa is very into feelings and sometimes overstates things (impossible for a toddler, I know). She started into this ramble about something, then says "I make you sad, then I make you mad, listen to me, I need to watch a movie, ok? Why I not watch a movie?" I had to smile and say "because I'm the mom" and she said "but I'm Odessa". I was surprised this was all so sincere and not in a sassy or tantrum mode. So I told her to get down and come over to me and she asks "so you can whisper some-ting in my ear?" (yes Beth- we got that from you). And I just hugged her for awhile. They ARE growing up so fast!

Dad in charge

Well, a pretty slow week/weekend here in Seattle. The weather has been PERFECT. I want to remember this moment come winter, so bear with me as I blog about it. I love the weather here. It has been sunny and warm with a constant cool breeze. At night it always gets nice and cool, a requisite for me sleeping well. I love it.
Saturday morning I left the girls with Stephen to throw a baby shower for a friend. I came home and Stephen showed me pictures of what their morning had been like. Needless to say, my first concern was that the paint they used was non-toxic, my second concern was that every time Odessa paints now, she will want to face paint. Paint her own, or mine- either one is not an option! What was this anyway, some kind of sick nod to Heather Ledger in "Dark Knight"?
Why do dad's always do things like that when they're home? They always let them do something that you are going to have to work at keeping them from doing for the next 6 months! ha ha
Saturday afternoon we walked down to the Seattle Center for Bite of Seattle. The crowds were crazy, so we didn't stay long. We registered to vote and I saw someone drinking straight out of a young coconut, so I asked where they got it and we tracked the booth down. In the Philippines, that was a special treat that people would share with us. Stephen asked if it tasted the same- it did except in the Phils they weren't refrigerated and we usually didn't have nice spoons to scoop out the flesh. We had to use part of the husk for that. Again, like last week's post, I forgot our camera and am stealing photos from the web.
Saturday night Stephen wanted to watch "Spirit" as a family while we ate dinner. Again, another moment that I had to remind Odessa that this was a special Daddy/weekend activity and not something we would be doing regularly. Odessa found the movies this week and she loves Spirit. She has loved the sound track for over a year now, and it's only fitting that it was one of the first movies she wanted to see and loved it. We had a good time, gathered around the coffee table. Odessa and Stephen neglected to eat as they were glued to the screen (Stephen has never seen it before!). Ada plowed through her dinner and ate about 2 cups of berries before anyone else could blink an eye. I have to cut her off from them, she can eat a whole flat if I let her.
This morning, Odessa got herself ready for church and I had to include a picture of that. This week she said some of the funniest things. This morning she kept asking to watch a movie and we kept explaining that we don't watch movies on Sunday and finally I said unless she wanted to go to her room to her bed, she needed to stop. She said very matter-of-fact "I don't have to stop, I just talking to you." It was so funny and a good example of what a handful she can be. At least she didn't say it in her sassy voice, or that would have been TROU-BLE.

Seattle sights

Well, we had a great time Saturday. In the morning we went down to Pike Place, it's always a great time. Although we needed to bring the double wide jogging stroller b/c it was Ada's nap time and those seats recline ALL the way back. She slept about half the time we were there, so kudos to the stroller. However, getting your own body through the crowds at Pike Place is hard enough, let alone a double wide. Most people were pretty nice about it though, and lots made comments like "oh, you've got your hands full". I think it's so funny because if you are pushing a double stroller, you always get people peering inside at your kids to determine if you are hauling around twins. My kids are pretty close in weight, but 18 months in age and I still get the question "twins?". I think it's funny. We had some delicious seared scallop chowder for lunch- pure cream and it was SO GOOD. We also bought some of the best peaches at Pike Place I HAVE EVER EATEN. Some of you will know how much this means to me- a large, plump RIPE peach. And thankfully they don't cost any more than at the grocery stores around here. In the last week I have eaten some of the best cherries, blueberries, raspberries and peaches and it all reminds me of why I love the Northwest.
After we took the kids home and napped, we decided last minute to take a picnic dinner to Golden Gardens which is a nearby beach and park. It was filled with people, but we still had fun. Odessa will stay in that water until she is blue in the face and the current threatens to sweep her away. That kid is NUTS. The sand there is like grey volcanic mix or something, so everyone came home pretty dirty. I know now to be better prepared next time and to make sure to bring our shovels and pails. Odessa threw our beach ball too far into the water and Stephen had to leave his sandwich and come down to swim after it, shirt on and all (since I wasn't wearing my suit and at least he had his trunks on). A nearby father said he deserved father of the year award for being called down to the water and actually going in after the ball (it was pretty cold). Stephen was glad for the excuse to get in the water and swim.

If you read my last post, you will really laugh at what I did this week. Odessa has moved on past the Baby Einstein movies we have and so I have been looking around for cheap Disney VHS since everyone is getting rid of them and we have a VCR/DVD player. I saw a Craigslist ad for 200-300 Disney and family movies for FREE to anyone who would take all 3 boxes away. I thought that I could handle 3 boxes and the guy must be exaggerating the total number of movies. Considering that most people were selling Disney movies for $2-4 a piece, I thought at least I could pick through and get some good free ones. Well, he was not exaggerating. What I didn't know until I called was that this was a VIDEO STORE getting rid of their entire family section of VHS. The 3 boxes were HUGE- so huge that I had to put them in as passengers and take the remaining videos out of the third box and just stack them in the trunk. I laughed to myself for a hour after. What a nut head! Who goes and picks up 300 videos? Just for a few free ones? Well, we picked through them of course and there are quite a few good ones. Stephen was not thrilled at my attempts to thwart his "sizing down" efforts with my accumulating more junk efforts. The rest of the movies will go to a lucky thrift store somewhere. We have the boxes covered with a table cloth in our bedroom and Odessa hasn't found them yet, thank goodness. If she knew how many movies we have now, I'd never hear the end of it.

Breaking Out- sort of

Many of you have gone through this- a phase where you shift from buying or receiving for free other people's "stuff" (I'll refrain from saying junk). Their stuff is still good, it's still serviceable, functional, it's just always used and maybe it falls apart a little or maybe it doesn't have all the features you would like or is not what you really wanted, but when you are buying or taking for free second hand, you just can't be too picky. I like a lot of things about this "getting used stuff" phase. I like finding "deals", I like the hunt, the chase, the find. I like feeling that there are people out there who are nice enough to give away their old stuff, it renews my faith in people. But you get to a point where you want something new that works well- and not Walmart new, I mean quality new. I have had this discussion with friends before. Do you buy the $20 phone at Walmart 4 times because it keeps breaking or spend $75 on a better quality phone that will last?
Yesterday I had a "breakout" moment. I finally got something I wanted, that was NEW and QUALITY. I got the jogger stroller I really wanted. Ok, it's not the $600 "jaguar" jogger stroller that maybe I would really want, but I don't even look at the specifications on those strollers, so I couldn't say. I just won't even consider it, so it doesn't count. So, of the "affordable" jogging strollers, this is the one I really wanted! And I wanted it new because frankly, we tried buying a used stroller off craigslist and it fell apart within 2 weeks. JUNK! So Stephen convinced me to just search out this brand on Craigslist anyway(even though I told him that I had checked every day and no one sells this brand second hand), and lo and behold, a media company was selling a brand new one for less than 2/3 the actual price. Turns out they take pictures of stuff and then don't need it afterward. What luck, what kismet, what fate. It was still in the box, the company didn't even end up using it, we had to put it together! So now I have something new and real and what I wanted in the first place, not something I settled for because it was what was being sold. Small step, I know. Not sure I will ever pay retail for something new, but that is ok. I just get warm all over when I push that stroller around. Breaking out of the getting junk phase- one baby step at a time. Hmmm, I just took an old high chair off someone's hands today because we needed one short term. Oh well, it's a slow transition.

Tacoma, Ahoy!

I left the 102 degree weather in Boise on Thursday and came home to 65 degrees and cloudy. ahhhhhh. We had a great time, the girls got to play with all their Aunts and Hambelton side cousins as my sister and her family were visiting from New Jersey. The funeral was really nice, it was great to remember all the wonderful things about my Grandma. Here is a family photo taken at the family dinner before the viewing for my Grandma. Here is Odessa with some cousins

The first thing I noticed when I got home was how nice and organized the place was and how within 30 minutes, the girls had gotten toys and stuff all over. I felt sorry for Stephen, living the bachelor's life for a week with few messes to clean up and then coming home to chaos Thursday night. Thank goodness I made some good dinners those nights I got back or maybe he would have been sorry we came home! ha ha
Friday we celebrated the 4th of July with our friends Krishna and Hillary and their friends at a BBQ at their house. Here is a picture of Krishna and their 2 month old, Keiran

After the BBQ we headed over to a member of our Church's house who has an incredible view of Elliot Bay and Queen Anne hill. So we were able to watch both the Elliott Bay fireworks and the Lake Union fireworks over the hill. Fireworks on the water are always dramatic, it was fun. Ada bit it on the asphalt as the kids were playing and has some good lip scabs and a couple tiny chips in her teeth to show for it. What is it with my kids? Good thing the dentist was there to consult with.
Saturday we drove south to Tacoma where we attended the Tall Ships of Tacoma Festival. Stephen really likes boats. Here is a definiton from Wikipedia for those of us who don't know anything about it. "A tall ship is a large traditionally rigged sailing vessel. Popular modern tall ship rigs include topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques." Basically we went to go see a lot of big ships with lots of sails. When they did put up their sails and sail around, it was really beautiful. We got to tour the U.S.C.G Barque EAGLE.

The first picture is of the boat from where we were in line to tour it, the second is the girls doing a pirate "arghhh" with a shot of the rigging, the third is a picture of a picture of what it looks like with all it's sails- pretty, no?

The US took this boat from Germany after WW II as a war prize and supposedly Hitler himself used the boat during the war. All the US Coast Guard cadets at the academy take training tours on the sailing boat because it teaches them the importance of wind and currents that will help them when they are in smaller, engine operated boats. We had a lot of fun looking at boats, booths and the pirate inspired Renaissance type entertainment.
I'm excited to start another new chapter here as the girls and I explore more and I find more grocery bargains! Now that I am an official card carrying Costco member, things are really going to heat up!! ha ha