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October Camping… err, “camping”

Posted by Carolyn on October 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

Last Christmas, Alma’s gift from my mom and step-dad was a camping trip with her cousin Liam and their dads. They decided to go to Silver Fall State Park. Of course, it turned out to be the first rainy weekend in months. They went anyway, and decided to play the camping part by ear.

When they got to the park, it was sunny and warm. They hiked around the waterfalls, in the woods, and had lots of fun. They had a picnic lunch in the lodge and hiked some more. Alma and Liam are just a few months apart in age, so it was fun for them to get to spend so much time together. One of the stories they came home with was from the caves. Alma said to Liam, “Will you protect me?” and Liam replied, “I AM SCARED.” Alma has been looking forward to her camping trip for months. She would tell me, “I’m going camping with Grams and Grandpa. You are not coming. Harriet is not coming. Daddy is coming.” She was very clear about this. There was no way I was going to sneak into the car. Of course, the rain showed up. They embraced the water and got soaked. At this point, it didn’t matter if the rain was falling, or the creek was splashing. It was warm enough that it was still fun. It was so wet, though, that everyone decided to head home. They realized they would have just spent the whole night in their tents as a fire would have been impossible and everything would be too wet to sit on. I don’t think Alma was too disappointed. They got to do all the fun things of camping without sleeping on the wet ground. I can’t wait for this to be an annual tradition. Maybe next year Grams and Grandpa will take Alma and Liam without their parents… maybe they’ll take Harriet, too!

The photos in this post were all taken by Jesse. He did a great job, didn’t he?

Friday Random Ramblings

Posted by Carolyn on October 16, 2015 1 Comment

The blog has kind of gotten away from me this week. I’ve had a few posts planned, but my camera has been held hostage in my parents’ car. If I take some of our homebrew, they say I can have it back. But until I can get around to doing that, I thought I would just write.

Right now, I’m sitting at a coffee shop. My back is to the fire and there is a distinct Autumny feel in the air. It’s colder, there’s a sharp breeze. I can smell wood smoke from fires in the neighborhood.

I’m sharing a long, wooden table with two older women and a sharply dressed boy. They each have a copy of the New York Times crossword puzzle. They are discussing all the answers, and it’s one of the most heartwarming things I’ve ever seen.

The boy is probably in middle school, but he acts much older. He has a dark plaid button up shirt, a charcoal vest, and a maroon necktie. He knows the answers for philosopher’s quotations, and other literature questions. He just asked one of the women for the definition of ‘iambic.’

I think a lot about what I can do for my kids that will help them turn out like this boy. There’s something that I do each time I substitute teach. I look at all the girls in the class and decide which ones I want Alma and Harriet to be like. It’s always the girls who are creative, funny, personable. The ones who are helpful and comfortable speaking with a grown-up. Not necessarily the most popular, or the ones with the best hair. One day I wrote down all the things that the good girls are like – they draw, they read, they participate, they volunteer, they have boy friends, but not boyfriends (although, a boyfriend like this crossword puzzle boy would be fine with me).

As Alma and Harriet grow up, I am learning more and more about their personalities. Alma is gregarious; she says hello to everyone and often invites them to come to our house. Harriet is more reserved, and very stubborn; she can throw an epic fit if she doesn’t get what she wants.

Another thing I do when I sub is try to find the girls who most remind me of my girls, and this isn’t always the same girl as the one I described above. For Alma, it’s usually the girl who is most like I was in middle school.

So far, I think that Alma is pretty much just like me – she looks like me, she acts like me. In middle school, I was a weirdo. I had lots of friends, but wasn’t the queen bee or anything. I liked musicals, dance, music, and boys. I danced around the hallways like a goofball. My locker was very ‘cultural’ – I had ticket stubs, postcards of Monet’s paintings – and I was very proud of this fact. I’m pretty sure Alma will be a lot like that.

I’m not as sure about Harriet yet. Granted, she isn’t talking much yet, so it’s a bit hard to guess what her personality will be. I imagine that her fits are a result of her inability to communicate. I also image that her stubborn streak will stay. That’s okay – there’s nothing wrong with a strong woman with strong opinions and convictions. Lean in, Harriet. I just need to make sure to encourage her to use her strength for good and noble causes.

Well, they just finished the puzzle. Them women congratulated the young man for his skillful participation. With that, I will bring this to a close. If you’re still reading, thank you for letting me ramble on. Have a great weekend!

Playgroup Pumpkins

Posted by Carolyn on October 5, 2015 6 Comments

Our Fourth Annual Pumpkin Patch Playgroup. I could write a lot about this, but I’d basically just say the same thing I’ve said before (here, and here, and here, and here, and here, and here). I won’t put you, the reader, through that again. I’ll just say that I love raising my kids with these people.

Before I post the photos from this year, let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we?

2012: So many Ergos, so few people. This was one of our first organized outings. We have grown in families and children. Most kids weren’t walking yet. Leia and I were almost pregnant, but this was it! Seven kids in this photo!

2013: Quite a bit bigger. A few pregnant moms, two new babies, eleven kids. andthenthey pumpkin 2013 2014: Even more! More families, more babies, more pregnant moms! Just more! Fifteen kids (I think!) andthenthey pumpkin 2014 2015: Wow! So many kids! So many people! No pregnant women (as far as I know!) Nineteen kids! Today was one for the books. We were planning on going to our usual, traditional farm. Someone (Jane I think) checked their website and saw that they didn’t open until noon. We were all on Facebook discussing what to do. My family was already in the car, ready to go, so I suggested a change of venue (after changes of time and other ideas had been thrown out there). Everyone agreed and spread the word. It might not sound impressive, but it was quite amazing to watch 10 moms discuss and agree and mobilize all within about three minutes. I told you this playgroup was special. I love these people.

Hayride, pumpkin picking, corn mazing, fun, fun, fun. It was an oddly beautiful day. I love these sunny, crisp days, but I have to admit, I’m getting anxious for the rain to come (and stay for a while). Call me crazy!

Seen In Eugene

Posted by Carolyn on October 2, 2015 Leave a Comment

Tonight I went to an art show where two of my photographs are displayed.

I think it’s pretty cool. I submitted a few photos with #seenineugene to be considered for a month long exhibit. Two of my photos were chosen to be displayed, as well as to be in a photo book. The proceeds of the sale of prints and books go to a local art nonprofit. We went do to the new Barn Light were they have the photos displayed with our friends. The kids ran around and played. andthenthey seen in eugene4 I especially like the photos they chose because both my daughters are involved. There’s the photo of Harriet and Elsa playing in Elsa’s playhouse: andthenthey seen in eugene5 And one of Alma sitting at Humble Bagel. When Alma saw this photo hanging on the wall, she was pretty excited. She recognized herself right away. I know this doesn’t make me a successful professional photographer, but it sure makes me feel like one. I never thought that I would have my photographs on display, with a real exhibit opening night.

If you want to see my photos, along with 98 other great photos, head down to the Barn Light East, grab a cup of coffee, check them out, and maybe even buy a print or one of the photo books. You can even say you know one of the artists!

A Calendar for Alma

Posted by Carolyn on September 29, 2015 Leave a Comment

I got this idea from my friend Jodie (wife of author Anthony St. Clair). Jodie is a beautiful artist of many things. She is always creating, and her Instagram account is totally inspiring. I mean, I never thought I’d want to take up cross-stitch again, but she has me thinking about it. You should totally follow her.

She is homeschooling her son who is Alma’s age. She posted this photo a few weeks back:

I thought this was a great idea, but that Alma didn’t really need it. Then I started listening to Alma. Ever since my parents told her they were taking her camping, she’s been packing and talking all about it. I have to constantly remind her, “No, Alma, not today. Not this weekend… in 7 weeks!” and so on.

Today, on the way home from my mom’s house, I ran through EVERYTHING we’re doing in the next three months… “Okay, on Thursday we’re going apple picking. Then on Saturday you’ll see cousin Liam. Then we’re having friends over…. (etc etc etc)… then it’s Christmas, then dad’s birthday, then new year’s, then your birthday.” I think it might have overwhelmed her a little. Ha!

Anyway, Jodie’s calendar popped into my mind and I asked Alma if she’d like me to make one for her. Of course she said yes. So I did. I’ll add things as they come up, and she can cross off the days. I hope this helps!

We’ll put it on the kitchen door where we have lots of other important lists and stuff. She said she wants it in her room, but her room is crazy town right now, so I know it will get lost or destroyed in there.

Apple Picking, Autumn 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 15, 2015 Leave a Comment

One of our play group’s annual traditions is to go apple picking in September. We go to my favorite orchards and spend the morning picking apples, playing with the farm stuff, tasting cider, feeding the goats, and welcoming Autumn.

As is evidenced by this gif, this year was fun. Thanks Hannah (from The Lighthearted Life of HMV) for being so lighthearted and fun!

This year was also warmer than it should have been if you ask me. Last year was sort of drizzly and that was much more Autumnal. I love this event because it assures us that Autumn is, in fact, coming. Even when it’s 80 degrees and the day before was over 90, the apples on the trees are a promise of cooler weather, and darker skies. And nothing beats biting into a crisp, juicy apple picked directly off a tree in a century old orchard. I can pretend that there’s a crisp breeze blowing down the rows of trees, if only for a moment.

My camera was doing strange things, and it turns out that the only photos that were in focus (or mostly in focus, anyway) were of Alma, Harriet, Rory, and Poppy. I swear that there were lots of other people there! In fact, I think it was one of the best turn outs we’ve had at a playgroup lately – nine out of the ten families! As I’ve said many times before, I love our little tribe of families in this group, and all our traditions. Next month is our 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch trip, a perennial favorite!

This last photo cracks me up. “Ummm… mom, why are you putting us in boxes?”

Forgive me, children, Autumn is coming. I can make no excuses for my silly ideas. You will just have to get used to it.

First Day of School, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 14, 2015 1 Comment

I just dropped both my kids off at school. Alma was ready to be back. Harriet was ready to begin. When we turned the corner and school came into view, Harriet shouted, “Schoooool!”

She’s ready.

We went in, both kids were nervous, but had no tears and no problems.

Alma didn’t want to let go of my leg, but I handed her off to her new, sweet teacher. As I left her room, I turned and snapped a photo of my big, brave girl.

Harriet didn’t want to let go of my leg, but I handed her off to Rachel, our wonderful friend who has helped us raise our girls from infancy. Harriet was excited to show Rachel her “coa” necklace. If you know Harriet, you know that “coa” means unicorn. If you know Rachel, you know that she shares a love of “coas” with all young children. I gave Harriet a hug and slipped out of the room.

The energy in the hallway was electric. Parents were smiling, looking nervous, asking each other how their kids did with the drop-off.

Leaving the school, I could see Alma already digging happily in the sandbox, her favorite place last year. A new friend was playing with her.

Leaving the school, I felt like I was forgetting something. I didn’t have a stroller with my baby in it. Instead, my baby was back in Alma’s old classroom, now her own. And my baby isn’t a baby anymore. She’s now a big preschooler who can talk about unicorns and dance and play.

I did the usual walk that Harriet and I did countless times last year. It was the same walk, but so, so different. I had a backpack carrying all my things instead of just stashing it all in the stroller. When I saw a squirrel scurry up a tree, I didn’t have anyone to point it out to. I could walk as fast as I wanted, and never had to stop to adjust a blanket or hand out snacks.

Even the destination of my walk is different. It’s still the college campus, but this year it’s so much more. This past year has been so hard. So, so hard. Jesse had a job that didn’t make him happy. Then he was laid off (more of a relief than a scare) and had a month of unemployment. Then he got a job that makes him happy. Now when I walk to campus, I walk towards Jesse. The whole campus has a different feel knowing that Jesse is here, doing a job that doesn’t feel like work, doing a job that helps people, doing a job that makes a difference.

Right now I’m sitting in a coffee shop across the street from Jesse’s building, all alone. It’s quiet and I have time to think and write and reflect.

I don’t have anyone to point out squirrels to, but that’s okay. I’m going to be fine. In fact, I think I’m going to really like this year.

Harriet’s Backpack

Posted by Carolyn on September 10, 2015 2 Comments

This girl is starting school next week. Like for real, three mornings a week, with teachers and friends, school. It’s the same class Alma was in last year, with the same teachers. I love the school and am so excited for Harriet to go along with Alma this year.

Of course, even though they said she won’t need one, I made Harriet her very own backpack.

I used the same Oliver + S pattern I used for Alma’s backpack and I loved it (I always love Oliver + S patterns). I made it even more simple and didn’t do any of the pockets or anything. I even machine sewed the lining to the zipper instead of doing a blind stitch, mostly because I’m lazy.

The backpack came together all in a day, after having the pieces cut out on my sewing table for over a week. That’s pretty much how I roll.

I gave it to Harriet when she woke up from her nap and she was smitten. She loves backpacks more than anything. She wore it around the whole afternoon. I am so happy that she gets to take a little mama-made backpack with her to school. I can’t wait until she starts filling it up with some Harriet-made creations.

Back to the Magical Island

Posted by Carolyn on August 28, 2015 1 Comment

We are so lucky to have great friends who let us come along on their summer vacation. This year was more fun than last, mostly because the kids are getting so much cooler, and we spent almost a whole week in Coronado.

Seriously, look at these cool kids.

Yes, I understand that not all of them are looking at the camera, but you can almost see all their faces, and they are all under six.

We get to stay at our friend’s dad’s house, and it’s an incredible house. So incredible that people tend to look into the yard as they pass by. My favorite part of this is that it’s an amazing house that looks like a daycare center when we’re there. We have a bounce house set up, a working Mini Cooper, a multitude of balls and toys, and six noisy and active children. It cracks me up to think about what people must think.

bIMG_8392 This year we had grand plans of going to the zoo, or a baseball game, or something. We did none of these things. We did meet some great friends from Peace Corps for lunch, and my cousin and his sweet family came down for a day at the beach. Other than that we just stuck close to home.

When Michael, Michelle and Avalon were here, we got to take all the girls to the beach. Michael took to older girls to build castles and play in the water when Michelle and I hung out on some chairs. Harriet did this amazing thing where she seriously conked out the second we got to the beach – she did this every time we went to the ocean. She never sleeps in my arms, so I enjoyed every second of holding her sweet sleepy self.

We also walked to a cafe for lunch while Harriet took another nap back at the house. I love seeing Alma and Avalon together. They are sweet friends and sweet cousins. My girls are also lucky that Avalon outgrows her princess dresses and hands them down! Kissing-Cousins-Small We spent a lot of time outdoors. The kids took turns jumping, driving, running, making mischief, and having mini meltdowns.

We ate all our meals on the front porch.

One night we had just finished dinner when I noticed that the sun was starting to go down. I said, “Let’s go take pictures with the sunset!” Oh my gosh, you won’t believe how fast we mobilized our 6 kids and got out the door and across the street. The light was perfect.

I love so much that we are building memories for our children where they get to play and interact with these other families. These friendships are important as they grow up. It gives them a sense of where they come from and a confidence in where they’re going.

And I love that we are building memories with these families. The kids are all fantastic and hilarious. Their parents are beautiful, wonderful people I’m happy to have as my co-parents.

Some memories I want to make sure to remember, but might not make sense to the average reader of my blog: forgetting that I was the saboteur, and “The slime’s de flickin!”

Summer To Do List, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on June 2, 2015 4 Comments

June is here. School’s almost over. Summer’s coming. I’m not the biggest fan of summer, I admit. I thinking having a list of things to do this summer might make me enjoy it more. A lot of these are also on my 35 Until 35 list, so that’s good.

Pick a summer theme song. Right now I’m thinking of something by Jenny Lewis or Rilo Kiley. We just saw Jenny last week, so I’m on a Jenny/Rilo kick. Or I might throw back to some of my favorite summers, and go with a Dave Matthews song. DMB songs always make me think of summer.
I decided on Budapest because it’s fun, it’s on the radio a lot, and Peter just did a cool version.
Take, and post to Instagram, a photo every day, starting June 21st and ending September 22nd – the first and last days of summer. Recently I’ve gotten into sharing my day to day stuff on Snapchat, and haven’t been posting as much on Instagram. I think I’ll look back and wish I’d taken more permanent documentation of these days. This summer, I will post (at least) one photo a day and I’ll use the hashtag #93summerdays if you want to play along!
Run through the sprinklers. I tend to be an observer in this activity. I vow to participate this summer.
Play outside everyday. This is a long-term goal to get my kids to play outside everyday, rain or shine or snow or fog or whatever. I think they’re getting to be old enough, and creative enough that I can start this. Best to start in the summer, I figure!
Have a dinner of corn on the cob. When corn is in season, there’s nothing better.
Go to a concert.
Stargaze with Alma. Ideally, I want to take her out into the country or wilderness where stars are brighter. I think it would be fun to let her stay up late (or get her up) and take her out, just the two of us.
KonMari Method everything. This will likely be an entire blog post, but I have read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and am in the process of getting rid of things that don’t spark joy. It’s already been incredible, I can’t wait to continue.
~~Go on a day date with Jesse.~~
~~Hike.~~
~~Camp.~~
~~Ride bikes.~~
Make lemonade from scratch.
Watch fireworks. Big ones this year, I think.
~~Build a sandcastle.~~
~~Make ice cream from scratch.~~
We made a cherry dark chocolate ice cream. I liked it, Alma didn’t, Jesse was indifferent, Harriet likes anything.
~~Redecorate the living room~~ – ~~specifically the mantel~~. It still is covered in Easter decorations. Come on. Jesus has already ascended into Heaven and we’re fully in a new church season. Seriously, Carolyn.
~~Go to the beach.~~ This should be easy. We have another vacation to Coronado planned.
~~Go to the mountains.~~
~~Bake a crisp, or other summery dessert.~~ Blueberry cobbler ftw.
~~Swim in nature – ocean, river,~~ lake, stream.
Eat wild berries.
~~Make s’mores.~~
Take each Harriet and Alma on an adventure, just us.
Plan our tenth anniversary celebration. Ten years! What?
Learn how to shop at thrift stores. They totally overwhelm me and I never buy anything. I love to idea of not wearing new clothes – better for earth, better for the workers who make clothes, cheaper – I just don’t know how to do it.
~~Go to the Country Fair.~~ Photos here!
~~Go to new parks.~~ Maybe try for all the parks in Eugene? Is that crazy? Anyone want to attempt this with us?
Shop at the farmer’s market as often as possible. Maybe make it a weekly activity.
Have a water balloon fight.
Buy some treats from the ice cream truck.
Go to the library. Another weekly activity?
~~Swim in a pool.~~
Tie dye something.
Go berry picking. Anyone want to play along? What’s on your list this summer?

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