Weatherballoon

We are really happy to have Shane home. I'm not sure why but just three days and it sometimes seemed harder than his 2 week trips. He had a lot of fun and liked trying new terrain- like going down paths and dodging trees, sounds fun doesn't it. He liked the longer runs and the village, or whatever they call it. He just tried Whistler which means he can try Blackcombe another time. I missed him most at night. I had no one to say," I heard something " to and then send on a wild goose chase until I remember I had turned on the dishwasher or whatever. The new bed time routine had been going well and we had even moved the little kids out of our bed, which is nice. Although if we get lonely we just have to sit up and there they are sleeping on the floor. We've still got some work to do. Shane bought 2 weather balloons and let the kids play with one last night. IT was really neat and would go soaring up to the ceiling with just a slight tap.
The kids had a hard time catching it when it was time to put it away.
It did wonders for Kateri's hair. It lasted until just after dinner. Shane is going to get some helium and plan some fun times for the kids later.
"Feel My Tummy"

Kateri ate a ton of lunch and then wanted everyone to feel how full her tummy was. She said she ate all her lunch so now she can grow big like mamma and drive the car and go to the store to get gum.

Our Week-end

Shane and Aaron were goe to Whistler this week-end so Tirzah and I had the bright idea of getting together, thinking it would make things easier. Actually, I think she thought of it. It did make the time interesting- like when no one would settle down to sleep.
Kateri offered to read Jack Are You My Mother to hepl him get to sleep- and stay in the bed- neither of which worked.
We were pretty hard up for entertainment. Pippin did his best by putting on a baby seat and chasing the big kids. It looked best when he crawled, like a turtle with a shell.
We were silly enought to attempt a Scrabble game. After we heard a few thunks upstairs I went to check on the kids. I think they called this paraticular rendition "Katrina" I think they were just trying to give us something to do . To make the time past.
Well' after that they further felt inspired- as least Kateri did- to urinate on her rug- and Auntie Tirzah's body pillow. Tirzah really appreciated the gift and felt such gratitude she decided to have Damien come stay with her and went home the second night. We parated on friendly terms. She made the bed and I washed her bedding and I think all the kids went to bed earlier.

Thank good-ness the guys come home tonight.

Boys Will Be Boys

No, I"m not talking about Shane. In particular.

Shane installed a keyed lock on his library door, as the little twisty locks the kids quickly learned how to unlock from the outside. they were pretty creative and I would find Kateri using various implements on locked doors: her toy dishes, a coin and any other skinny object. And she'd do it too.

I put the push button kind on our bedroom door so now there is a warning sound of attempted jabs with any stick like object and I can get to them before they get in. so far it works, as long as I remember to lock the door when I come out. I keep a little straightened paper clip above the door so I can get in easily.

Well, Pippin has fun trying anything on any lock. I don't let him play with keys so he invents things to unlock Shane's office. The other day I caught him carefully inserting a very small stick into the key hole. I rushed to stop him but just as I did He gave it a little turn and the stick snapped- with a peice inside the lock. Its small enough that I can't retreive it. But big enough that you can't get a key in all the way. I tried. Shane cringed when I told him that part, as I probably lodged it in there permanently. But its not like it could have been fixed anyway. I had even tried the vacuum hose on it. So now we just don't lock the library door.

Then yesterday the kids came down to tell me Pippin had stuck a small thing in the outlet. I ran up to cyril's room to see a tiny plastic thing just inside the socket. I'm just waiting for the day he finds a paper clip and tries to "un-lock" an outlet.

Luckily, the circuits trip very easily in this house. I discovered that when Kateri pried her nightlight out with a metal Curious George plate. She was fine and I only discovered it because her light wouldn't turn on and there were black spots on the outlet cover. And then she showed me the plate with two lines where the metal was marred.

When I was recounting Pip's escapades to Shane, he shook his head and queried what would possess him to do such things. I told him,

"He's a boy. His mission in life is to find a hole, and stick something in it."

That's What Brothers Are For

It rained yesterday and the yard was pretty wet but the little kids still wanted to play outside. So I got them dressed, reminded them they were not to play with the hose, and turned them loose.
Not too much later I hear the hose running. So I sit Kateri down on the steps for a timeout. Pippin not knowing what to do by himself decides he'll share her fate and sits next to her. THe door was shut but I can only imagine the things they were conspiring about. Kateri didn't sit still so I had to bring her inside so I could watch her. Once she was done I told them they could go out but no hose.

"Why don't you guys find sticks and you can poke them through the fence. Maybe you'll find bugs or even birdies.'

"Maybe we can poke the birdies" Kateri says and starts laughing hysterically. "Come on Pippin. Let's get sticks."

Hopefully there weren't any birdies.

The play set comes a week from tomorrow. Then there is the set up but at least it is imminent. It would have been nice to have this week-end as Shane will be gone to Whistler and some major distraction for the kids would make it more pleasant.

I'm hoping it will help withe extra energy and thus bedtime too. Yesterday we decided we needed to start our morning workout earlier so the kids could sleep through some of it. We got up at 6:45 and 5 min in Kateri and Pippin got up. I was sure we'd have a nice early bedtime as I was able to keep Pippin from napping. But no. 8:00 and Pippin wanted to wrestle while I read 'Are You My Mother" for the third time. I really want to throw up when I hear about other kids older than he is taking two hour naps. And then going to bed. Ever. I try to console myslelf with thinking there must be something wrong with those kids. Because my bird-stabbing-butter-knife-weilding-kids are so perfectly normal.

If I Only Had a Brain....

But before I get to that....Kateri was combing her hair and decided it would be fun to comb it all forward. Can you tell which is which?

Ta da!
And here is what you get when one kid is cubing turkey and another is doing farm stamps.


So I decided I finally am ready to work on some window treatments for our bedroom. I felt overwhelmed when I thought of doing the whole house at once so I decided we'll just start with our room. It faces the woods so its not so much of a privacy issue but I'd like it to be darker and cozier. I figured I'd have Costco come out and give me some quotes first and then go from there. I'm leaning toward the wooden plantation shutters or something similar.

I called and answered a few questions and was doing pretty well for also being in the midst of having the painters here and trying to keep the Israelis and Palestinians at a ceasefire long enough for me to hear the very patient man on the other end. But then he asked for my phone number and I immediately said, as if I really knew what I was talking about ( for privacy purposes the following numbers are completely made up-whether or not I intended to)

"425-713-2738"

He asked about the windows and then said he'd have someone call me at 425-713-2738.

Hearing it back, I realized I'd given him Shane's work number so I said,

"Ummm actually, let me give you a better number."

"OK' he said.

"Its 391-1908" I said, feeling still not quite convinced myself.

"Not a problem" he continued typing the wrong number in again.

"Actually, that's not it either. Ummm its ...39....."

"8?" he finally volunteered.

"Yes. It's 398...." I choked up again and blanked.

"Is it the number you are calling from now?" he offered, "The one I see on my screen? 398-8109?"


"Yes, that's it exactly. thank you."

"No problem" he said.

I was really worried he would write me off as a nut case and I'd never hear back. But luckily I got another chance to prove myself when he asked for my address and I was able to quickly and accurately give it to him.

I'm not sure what it is with numbers. A couple years ago I left a message with my midwife and gave her someone else's number. When she finally called my cel phone she said she had called the number I left and it was someone else. but amazingly it was someone who knew us. So if yoru number starts with 425-39.... and you got a call from Heike, sorry. And I can't promise it won't happen again. But I'll try. And if a guy named Erik shows up to measure your windows, just commit me.

Oh, Papa, please can we get a swing set?

Actually, that was me yesterday after dragging Pippin home from the nearby school playground. His arguments were pretty convincing because Shane promptly decided "absolutely". Just some cute Pippin pictures. He found Audrey's little snow hat from 9 years ago. Kind of blurry but cute.

So here is the kids new play structure. I am really looking forward to just letting them out the door for hours of fun this summer. Of course there is still the assembly and all that but they are pretty excited. And by the time it is up and ready we should be out of the constant rainy season and into the mostly rainy season. But it has a roof so they can still play hideout and other quiet outdoor games. I can't wait. I thought the shingled roof and chimney were cute.

Boys' Montana Trip

Once again, Shane headed out to Georgetown Lake, MT for some great snowkiting. They have a rodeo there every February when the lake is really solid and everybody comes and kites. I guess. I've never gone but this was Shane's third trip out there. This was also the only year he was there for the rodeo. Lodgings were filled up quickly but he was able to get this cozy little cabin not too far from the lake. It was cute enough that I might consider going some year. His dad went with him and they picked up his brother Cameron and roommate in Spokane.
Da boys- Shane,Ron, Cameron

Shane kept forgetting to take off his sunglasses so he rode around with glasses and goggles. Just in case.
He says it was freezing and he'd have to stop to get his hands a little warmer so he could feel them. I think I'd be back at the cabin building up the fire and making hot chocolate. I can't stand the cold, but to each his own.

Can you tell it was a boys only trip?

We were very happy to have Shane home again yesterday. He was so eager he got everyone up and running and out the door some time after 4am. It worked and arrived before 2pm. He was pretty tired and sore- the wind did pick up and sometimes was a little too strong for the bigger kites. But he got some good runs in and when the wind died they'd head up to the slopes and snowboard. Its always good to have backup options.

I don't have any pictures from our week-end. We went to my brother's birthday- its amazing my baby brother is 14 now. The kids were delightes when we walked in the gate and found a "bun rabbit" in a cage . They had great fun petting, feeding, taking it for walks, and who even know what else. But it was alive when we left so it must have been ok.

It was cute when Sandor (14) picked up Pippin. Cyprian took Sandor's face between his hands and said "You're just so cute". I guess that was his birthday gift.

Then after we got in the car the kids were recounting how much fun they had had. Kateri grins and says, "I like Kevin. He's my friend."

Uncle Kevin is pretty fun. The weather was absolutely amazing and the kids were able to play outside all day. It felt warm in the sun. Yesterday was just as nice. But today we are back to misty, damp, gray Seattle weather.