daydreaming

We played Pandemic with some awesome friends of ours, who we adore because they'll come over on short notice to play games with us. As our game wrapped up, we began talking about one particular couple in the ward who had racked up enough airmiles to fly anywhere they wanted to, and they were just trying to decide where to go! Looking at the Pandemic board, and seeing all the different places in the world, we began daydreaming about which location we would choose. My friend wanted beaches, sun, and islands.

I wanted Russia, Denmark, and Sweden which is funny because I've been to all three before. On top of that, I wanted something so culturally different and out-there; Kolkata, Chennai, or what about Kinshasa? I'd never heard of these places before Pandemic, that's for sure.

But, beaches would be nice, too. I keep thinking back to far-too-long-ago when we went to CA. I want another vacation like that, with people I adore, no rush to come home and some sunshine.

This is a picture I took of Lake Sammamish during a sunny lunch break I enjoyed. I love gorgeous views.

I got a job about 8 weeks ago. I am a vision therapist at an optometry office. I have been so fortunate to have this job. I love it and I'm learning so much. This is my little office. There are 3 other VTs in adjoining offices. Most of my patients are elementary-age children. I like them a lot!

Here's the funniest looking dog chillin' outside the library. Michael and I were quite amused.

I think we figured out what Michael will be for Halloween this year. A roll of toilet paper!

We have had a party week! I just got my chocolate fondue warmer from Scentsy, and I have loved having so many opportunities to share it this week. I broke it out at a girls night that someone in the ward put together. We played PIT which I haven't played in forever. So fun!

Two nights later, we had Kim and Jeff Olson, and Uncle Michael Anderson over for dinner. They just moved up here to Bellevue and we are so excited to have them around! I have determined that this will be a good opportunity to put Douglas Michael's first name to good use, because it sure gets confusing when Uncle Michael is around. We definitely don't want Uncle Michael to think I'm bossy by telling him to go potty all the time, and to finish his dinner!

 

 The next day, the Fitch family from our Greenwood ward dropped off their boys while they went to the temple. We sure love this family a lot. While they were gone, the boys wanted to snack on carrots. And then I got the urge to bake a carrot cake. I've never made one before, and when I read this recipe on a friend's blog, I knew I wanted to try it.

As I was making the batter, little 4-yr-old O came over to me and asked me what I was making.

"I'm making a cake," I responded.

"Oh. Why?"

"For your birthday!"

"But, it's not my birthday." He then proceeded to tell me all about his pirate birthday that he had in February, that unfortunately we were unable to attend.

"Well," I started, "I wasn't able to come to your birthday party so I thought I'd bake a cake to celebrate again."

O was so excited, and couldn't tell I was just teasing. So, we just went with the flow and put 4 candles in the cake and sang to him. No cake should be without candles, right?

Our good friends had their baby's blessing at church, and then we joined them as they took some family pictures. We let Michael go sit in on one of their "cousin pictures." The blonde boy sure looks different from all these Hawaiian dark-haired boys.

And, then we got our own picture too. Michael sure looks chill.

Our Backyard

We technically don't have a backyard, like a piece of land that we own. But, we do have this trail just right outside of our apartment buildings.

When we first moved into this neighborhood, I began to think we made a mistake. It just seemed to be a bunch of home developments squished on a 25-MPH street with just one or two parks within walking distance to us.

But then we had a sunny day.

Instead of walking through our long parking lot to get to the street, we walked the opposite direction, up a little dirt slant, and then we discovered a paved trail that connects virtually one end of the neighborhood to the other. Off the paved trail, are multiple dirt trails, and just to the left behind all those trees is a large lake. And a baseball field. Who knew?

Oh, and we have 2 swimming pools that are free to us because we live in this neighborhood. I haven't taken advantage of either. We also have free access to a hot tub in our apartment complex, but I haven't used that either. Maybe because it's a large complex, and the hot tub is like a mile-walk away. Too bad that's not in my backyard.

Mmm, chocolate

Preschool Easter

Parents were invited to the last ten minutes of preschool on Thursday to watch the kids do their "easter egg hunt" or rather, "a scattered candy on the floor hunt." It's always fun to be there, and to meet some of the friends he always talks about. We love preschool!

status

My son just yelled at me in anger, "You're a punk!"

How to get Free Glasses

Have you ever found a sweet deal and thought, Hey I should tell people about this? Well I had one of those moments about a month ago when I got new glasses. I decided to go bolder, and different with these glasses. I also thought they were black, but really they are a dark blue. What do you think?

I'm finally blogging to tell you how you can score some free glasses + an additional rebate from your purchase:

First, sign up with shopathome.com Please click directly on the link here, or on the side of my blog, because then you'll get an extra $5 credit on your rebate.

I always check Shopathome.com before I do online shopping to see if they will give me an additional rebate on my purchase. They mail you a check after your rebate amount gets to $20 or above. On average I tend to get 3%-6% back on purchases, but for Coastal.com they are offering 11% cashback!

After you sign up with shopathome.com search for Coastal.com and click on the link to get to their page. Now shop for the glasses you want, and when you are ready to check out, use the code: firstpairfree 

Make sure you have your current prescription! And, not all glasses are included in the free, but most are. The site is pretty clear about which ones qualify.

Of course, the deal was just a little sweeter when I got them because I also received free shipping...sorry to have waited a month to blog this. Please post pictures of yourselves in new glasses when you get them! I would love to see your picks. 

Tide Pools and Burgers

Our first California adventure was a visit to the beach. Jessie told us there were some pretty cool tide pools but we had to time our visit just right. We spent about an hour exploring hermit crabs, mussels stuck to the rocks, crabs and buried starfish. Richard had to go buy some shorts for this adventure because he had forgotten how glorious it is to feel the sun.

  

Richard said multiple times, "we're moving here."

 Have you watched Jamie Oliver Food Revolution? It was on ABC for two seasons. During part of last season, Jamie spent time at a local burger joint convincing the owner to upgrade his meat selection to grass-fed cows, as well as add some different, healthier alternatives to his menu. Richard and Ryan were pleased with their burgers. I really liked the fries. Haha. Anyway, it was fun to go there and see what this place was all about.

One Fine Sunday

(Still talking California vacation here:) After church and naptime, we decided to go to the beach for a couple of hours before the sunset. I must say I was glad we were there during sunset, because it was breathtaking. The sun seemed to be sucking all the clouds in with it as it set behind the ocean.

Yes, that is Richard. I don't know why I didn't wait until he was back in a normal posture before I took this picture. Just so you know, he is picking up some rocks to skip into the water.

As soon as that sun set though, it got cold very quickly on the beach, so we walked a couple of blocks away to a warmer place to wait for cousin Ryan to come and pick us up (he had church meetings). That's when Eliza and Michael got crazy! 

Michael & E

 We had the opportunity to make a 5 day trip to Southern California and visit with my cousin, and play with her little girl. E and Michael are 2nd cousins.  Aren't they so cute? 

Winter Photos

Many weeks ago we had a cold, snowy storm. Our backyard is filled with tall trees, and it looked beautiful with the snow. On one particular morning, a small bush by our front door was covered in little icicles. It was really neat. All this said, I am so grateful for a warm, comfortable apartment.

a birthday story

Michael was bouncing around the room excitedly, "It's my birthday tomorrow! Yay! Mom, I'm so excited for my party!"

This is what excitement looks like at our house

Unfortunately, Michael has parents who dream about awesome parties but procrastinate too much to ever execute them. In fact I was sort of hoping to wrap a present for Michael, take him out for ice cream and call it good this year. But after his cute exclamation about his (inexistent) birthday party, the wheels in my head started turning. How could I let this cute boy down?

We live in a new area. A month ago I thought maybe we'd invite a bunch of our Seattle friends to come hang out for an afternoon at our new place. But now with only a day's notice, I changed my mind. Instead I called up a new friend from church. She has two boys about Michael's age, and an adorable daughter too.

I said, "Hey friend! Do you and your kids want to join us in singing happy birthday to Michael, and help us eat some cake and ice cream?" She was more than delighted, and Michael was thrilled. Rachel told me her son, J, had sung Happy Birthday to Michael in primary that previous Sunday and had already asked to go to Michael's party (because he assumed there was a party, right)?

Michael was also very excited for his Star Wars cake. After Richard planted this cake idea in his mind, I went on the search for the most simple Star Wars cake I could find. Michael helped me out in the kitchen, wearing his birthday crown he got at preschool. He shares his birthday with one other girl in his class, and his teacher--so it was a big preschool party.

We baked a light saber cake made from scratch, chocolate cake with basic buttercream icing. (It's very easy. Just cut a 13x9 cake into thirds, shape it correctly and wal-ah)!

Using the force

We actually went to our friend's home for the party, cake and ice cream in hand. They have more room than us, and parking is a pain at our complex. We also brought balloons as a source of easy entertainment.

Come on, birthday boy...

His cheeks look puffier than the balloon

Rambunctious children!

If you watch last year's birthday video, Michael was absolutely scared of the candles. This year, he told me he was going to blow them out. I wish I had someone video recording him again this year. Holy smokes...this kid is hilarious. He started off standing on the chair, and with each blow he backed up just a little bit, until eventually he climbed down and stood by me. But he continued to blow from a distance, and finally hit that 4th birthday candle. Phew!

Michael is very good at puzzles, so we decided to skip 100 piece puzzles and jump straight to a 300 piece puzzle. That was obviously too complex, but not with daddy's help!

And then we all lived happily ever after. Already counting how many sleeps until his next birthday.