Amanda, my big helper

This video is short but cute. It really isn't about Darren but I couldn't help capturing Amanda while she was feeding him. Sorry for the shakiness but watch Amanda's tongue. All the kids love to feed him and she does a great job. I love how she mimics him with her mouth. Hopefully you will get a chuckle out of it.



P.S. Hayden, Darren loves his applesauce!

In all it's glory

When the sky is clear and the air is crisp, Mt. Baker really seems to come alive. Aaron and Justin went on a backpack trip a few weeks ago and came home with this shot. We love it and are going to frame it. I never get tired of this view.

Ditsy Mom of the week Award

I thought I was getting my brain back but yesterday I realized it was still gone. I had been running a few errands and was watching the time so I could pick up the papers for Justin's paper route, and pick up my kids from school. We were cutting it close. I was at the grocery store picking up a prescription and a few groceries. We hustled out to the car and I dutifully buckled my kids in their car seats. We got the papers and made it to the school with a few minutes to spare. While visiting with a friend, it suddenly dawned on me that I never put the prescription or groceries in the car! I gathered the kids and hurried back to the store. The cart was gone and guest services didn't have anything. When I mentioned the prescription, the gal said that someone did bring that in but no groceries were to be found. I told her that was fine, I was more worried about the prescription. She asked what groceries I had bought and then told me that they would replace them! "Really!?" I thought that was so nice especially since it was my own dumb fault! Thank you to Haggen to your great customer service and I gladly accept the ditsy mom award. (Although it doesn't top when I made lemon bars and forgot to put the lemon filling in. They turned out to be scrambled egg bars. Ewwww!)

Pickin' a Pumpkin

Amanda went to the pumpkin patch with her preschool class yesterday. I did not accompany her but a friend took some pictures. I need to take the kids to get pumpkins still. We usually get them from Grandpa and Grandma McCain but didn't get to see them this month. My kids are trying to convince me to just go there so we can get pumpkins but like I have said before, my favorite word is "No!" Oh well...maybe next year.

How do I fill my days?

My kids often ask me what Amanda and I do during school. Well, sometimes we go to lunch, and I often find reasons to buy treats. We also play with nature. One may not think that this picture of a snail is a big deal but out here in the pacific northwest, we don't have many snails. Slugs, yes. Snails, no. This is the 2nd snail I have seen since moving here 9 years ago.

Aaron found a little tree frog out at the soccer fields. We decided to take him home, found a few more at church the next day and kept them for pets. They didn't last too long because Alex decided it was time to let them go. But, 'hoppy' had a good home while we had him.

Amanda really loves animals so it was nice to have one she could play with. Emms runs away from her all the time.
More to come. It got late fast tonight and I really need a night in bed before midnight.

"This is the BEST day of my life..."

For some it may be Christmas, and others perhaps a birthday. Maybe something really cool happened like you won a new car or found a stash of money. Perhaps it is your wedding day or the day your children were born. Or, could it be the day you had homemade caramel apples with chocolate? Ah yes, if you are Alex and your awesome mom branched out of her chocolate chip cookie dessert to make caramel and chocolate apples (well, it wouldn't be dessert without chocolate involved) then yes, it must be the BEST day of your 6 year life.

If only life was always so simple. I will admit that they were pretty dang good apples and I might even have to make them again. Alex is already planning on having them when he is in charge of treats for Family Home Evening in a few weeks. Could life get any better?