Blogger Mama

Over the last few months I have found so many phenomenal moms who blog. They post their creative ideas, their tricks and trips, and the DIY decor they come up with. I, then, steal all of their ideas.

I often find myself without a clue what to do with Clementine on rainy days. She's not really a "toy" girl (although she loves her kitchen). She needs to do and construct and figure things out. I found this genius idea several months ago but can't remember the blog I got it from.

It's one of those .99 cent blocks of styrofoam from Michael's, a bunch of golf tees and a shellfish mallet we've never used. I set it all on the tray for her (we learned the first time that eventually the styrofoam crumbles; the tray helps to contain those crumbles) and she goes to work!

She always makes this face when she's trying to ignore me and concentrate on her task. It cracks me up! (video at the bottom of this post)
My friend Erin has a blog where she posts about interior design (http://roombyroombyroom.blogspot.com/)

She posted this idea the other day. It was exactly what I was looking for, but just didn't know it. I made my EAT sign yellow to match all the counter accessories we have.
(we had spaghetti casserole for dinner tonight--see it?).

I love the color and the space it fills. Cam loves that it reminds us what we're supposed to do in the kitchen.
I also found this idea several weeks ago on another blog (once again I can't remember which, sorry!). I'd never made a wreath before but gave it the old college-try. I am happy with the way it turned out and even happier that the burns on my fingers are finally healing.
They're supposed to be like calla lillies, get it?

I am having a hard time finding my way back to crafting (I haven't scrapbooked in over two years!!) but have been trying to do something creative while Clem naps on the weekends. Both the wreath and the eat signs I was able to complete while she was sleeping. I am so thankful for these inspiring mama bloggers!

To the Beach!

Oh, Seabrook, I wish everyday was Seabrook vacation day! It was so peaceful and communal and laid back. We will definitely be back.

This is a planned community and this planner is a genius. They thought of everything! There are big houses, little tiny cabins (with lofts!) and little homes like this one where we stayed for 4th of July weekend.
There are bikes to borrow in a lot behind the general store. You just ride 'em until you're done then leave the bike outside your house and someone will borrow it from there! Meg and I rode bikes for the first time in many years.

Clem and Nolan on the last day at Seabrook. Do you see the resemblance I see?

We had great weather the first two days we were there. It was sunny and warm with a nice breeze off of the Pacific. This was the first time Clem had ever been to the ocean before (we live on the bay). We brought all kinds of toys to the beach: pails, shovels, a kite, dump trucks.

And what does my daughter do?

She sprints full-speed into the ocean. She paid no mind that the waves were knocking her down and the tide was sucking her out. I would help her to her feet only to see her run in again and again and again. She was soaking and miserable by the end of it so we went back to our cabin to soak in the hot tub.


Our little house was in between two parks. One had a major playground built just for Clementine sized adventurers. She loved it!

We had such a great time at Seabrook. It was the perfect place for a family. I can tell Clementine enjoyed it too. She radiated the entire time. I think she's got the idea of vacation now.

The Very Short Stay of Miss Daisy May

I wish things had gone differently with Daisy. We were all optimistic. We don't take pet ownership lightly.

Daisy is a hound dog. She is a slave to her nose. She has hunter's instincts. She wanted to be alpha. Jack's face was wounded. Penny was chased across our bed at 2:30 AM (which was the last straw for Cam). A dirty diaper was shredded and partially eaten, our garbage gone through (yes, it was tied in plastic and locked under the cabinet as recommended). Our blinds will never look the same and our carpet was destroyed.

Last week I drove Daisy back to Spokane and gave her back to the shelter. The whole six hour drive there I second guessed our decision. I almost turned back in Ellensburg.

Thankfully, the owner of the shelter was very understanding.

We are done looking for a second dog. Daisy gave us new appreciation for Jack (even CAM appreciates Jack a little more!!!!).

Two positive things have come from this: on the way there and back (in one day!) I listened to the book The Help on CD. Hands down my new favorite. Seriously, everyone should read this book. So well written I've had dreams about the characters as if they are my personal friends. Secondly, because the carpet was destroyed in the dining room, we were pushed into starting a project we'd been putting off: tearing out carpet and laying down laminate. Our laminate has been "acclimating" and is ready when we are.

Our summer will be focused on a very different project than we had planned. I'm really looking forward to having new floors. Pictures to come soon!

Daddy Montage

He wrestles

He loudly sings Jingle Bells on Santa Trains
He even goes to Elmo Extravaganza!
He cracks up at her jokes
He encourages Clementine to try new things
He is theatrical
He teaches her to explore her world
He is the best Daddy I could have dreamed up. Clementine is one lucky little girl.
Happy Father's Day Cam!

Cuppy

Whenever we drive past a Starbucks, Clementine asks me "Cuppy mama?" (She's combining "cup" and "coffee" adorably). And really, who am I to say no. I don't want to crush her little spirit. So I stop and get my daily cuppy.

Now she has started playing Barista. In the backyard she picks up a rock, pretends to pour into from my tea kettle potted plant then brings the rock to me. "Cuppy!" she tells me.
"Is hot," she warns.

Daisy May

Last summer we met an eight week old Basset Hound puppy while on a family adventure down in Mt. Vernon. We were instantly smitten and Cameron has been talking of getting another dog ever since then.

We have been looking and looking for the perfect dog to fit our little family. I think we finally found her.

Cam found the Basset Hound Rescue group in Spokane about a week ago. About the same time, they took in 17 Basset Hounds. Cam called (see the dramatic reenactment Clementine is showing you?) and said we'd take one.
We decided to make a little family vacation out of it. We left early Saturday morning, stopped for lunch in the mountains and got to Spokane Saturday evening (it's a 5 hour drive!!!). Clementine did amazingly well on the drive. I was truly stunned she could entertain herself (and nap) that long. She is such an amazing girl.

We went straight to the rescue and met Daisy. Daisy was immediately drawn to Clementine and gave her big Basset kisses.

The rescue kept Daisy for us overnight since we were in a hotel room. We went swimming and shopping and jumped on the hotel beds. It was a super fun mini-vacation.
We got up early the next morning, picked up Daisy and drove on home.

Here are Clementine and Daisy discussing what they have in common:

"I like to pretend not to hear directions."

"Really? Me, too! Do you have huge feet, too?"

"YES! Wow! What's your stance on cuddling?"

"Love it!"

Then they kissed the whole way home.
We made a quick stop in Kirkland for fresh bagels and headed on home to introduce Jack to Daisy.
So far everyone is doing really well. Daisy knows how to use the dog door and we're hoping that rubs off on Jack. They get along really well, although Daisy likes to be the star of the show and gets a little jealous. We're working that out.

Las Vegas

Last week I had a business trip to Las Vegas.

Having been there before with my partner in crime, Emma, I can say this was a VERY different experience. Traveling to Las Vegas with my teaching partners and principal wasn't even close to my first time there.

And furthermore, it was much much hotter. When we landed Sunday evening, it was 112. When we walked down the strip at 10:00pm looking for a place to eat, it was 105. We did a lot of walking, learning and sweating. That pretty much sums up my trip!

This was my second business trip away from Cam and Clementine and much, much harder. This was a business trip that took me several states away from them. I cried. A whole bunch. It was really difficult to be away.

But I realized that Cameron and Clementine need me a whole lot less than I think they do. Dinner (with vegetables!), bath time and school drop off were all just fine without me orchestrating anything (ok, I did pick out all of Clem's outfits for while I was away, but that's only because I'm pretty sure Cam is a little color blind). I'm learning to let go (a little). And Cam did a great job playing Dad & Mom for a few days.

I thought about them the entire time I was there. Especially while I walked around the flower gardens in the Bellagio. I think Clem would have gotten such a kick out of the oversized flower bed made of fresh flowers. It was really amazing!