BREEZY FIELDS

Last Friday I was able to go with Ellyn's class to the Seattle Aquarium. I think that perhaps Disneyland is the only place on Earth that makes Ellyn happier than an aquarium. In my dream house I would have one whole wall of Ellyn's room a real, salt water tank. That sounds doable and low maintenance, right? It was as if all of Western Washington was celebrating that Mrs. A.... received a grant and was able to take two classes to the Seattle Aquarium. The sky was blue for the first time in ages. Children and adults were happy and buoyed by a fabulous outing with amazing weather. Ellie Boo loved the entire day. What could be better than a long bus ride, a walk along the water, and an aquarium? As much as possible, I let her hang out near the huge tank at the entrance. She was also quite taken with the seals. I was taken with the view of the Sound while sitting near the seals. I am so happy when this girl is happy:-) - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

There is part of me that aches for the days of snuggling little babies.  Chubby cheeks, chubby buns, the way my Jane called all meat "Hoggie."  Sadie called herself  "Deedee," Ellyn would nuzzle into my neck, Sawyer could pronounce no consonants.  Toddling little bodies, with bright smiles, and wispy curls.  I loved it.  I couldn't do it again, but I love it and miss it. We were looking through videos and pictures one rainy Saturday afternoon and we (Mike, Sadie, Sawyer, and I) were laughing... and I was crying.  We have so many years of amazing memories. But...  I love this stage as well.  I enjoy being able to have real conversations with my kids, I appreciate their humor, I love doing things that we all love to do as their ideas of fun grow up. I was thinking all of this the other night, in Mike's den.  Mike was changing his photos out on his Facebook profile.  He decided the background photo for his page should be a pictur...

Anyone that knows Sadie will not be surprised when I tell you the girl rocked the ... Middle School production of "Snow White Goes West."  No, she wasn't Snow or Queenie or a dwarf.  Nope, she was a 6th grader, talent yet to be determined when she auditioned, nobody.  Sadie was a dwarf cousin, an extra, if you will.  EXTRA amazing!  Seriously, I will be humble when I need to be.  But...  I'm so proud of Sadie.  By the time the play was ready to perform Sadie had two speaking lines, a solo line in one of the songs, and was part of two featured dancing groups.  Her facial expressions were... incredibly expressive, comical, appropriate, completely enjoyable to watch.  She has a gift, she's a natural, a joy to watch.  Her teacher thought so too.  She told me that she can't wait to have Sadie for two more years, that she has high hopes for what our girl can do.  Okay, the rest of the performers also did well.  The play wa...