HOME WORK and PLAY

We've been home for 10? days now, and the sunshine is here! Grass has been mowed twice & the new garden bed is now ready for planting. As a part of our schooling, the kids picked out fruits and vegetables (cucumbers, squash, zucchini, melon, and other things I cannot remember in my current Mom brain zone.) Tomorrow we will jump in the garden bed to settle the soil and then we will plant!

And yes, the rig still sits out front. All packed up. Hilarious I say. And, we seem to be avoiding unloading and loading the dishwasher. I am seriously considering putting all dishes away and giving each person a plate, bowl, utensils, and a cup to use. On our trip we never had a dishwasher and were perfectly happy. Now, we seem to run the dishwasher once or twice a day. Crazy isn't it?

I think my favorite part about being back home is being outside here. Titus and Willow love love love being outside and free. Yesterday, I cleaned the front porch and found both dogs lounging in the sunshine there. Now we just need to repair the screen/storm door that broke during a major wind storm this winter. I love to leave the front door open and to just look out. Thank you Steve for replacing the Lemon Cypress trees in the pots out front. I think the ice storms this year were too much for some of the trees and plants, as some of them have died. One fir tree is totally bending sideways from the ice. Another job tomorrow will be to carefully attach it to a stake to help it reshape and grow up versus down.

It's fun to think about what I will do with my time in the fall when both kids are in school full time. I can't believe that time is approaching! My babies are no longer little ones, needing me 24/7. They are gradually being released into the world. Oh my loves!

Today, for art, they had fun with face painting. We finally discovered an awesome brand that washes off easily. Score!

And we played Sequence for kids... Sierra was the champion, Alex took 2nd place, and I came in 3rd.

 Hmmmm... which card to choose?

And while Alex has a fun sleepover tonight, Sierra asked if she could go 'clothes shopping' with her vacation money. She saved her cash and was thrilled to go spend it at Target. After she tried on outfits, she went out to show Steve. As I've said before, she knows what she likes and has a passionate personality and in my book, is super smart and sweet!

 We ended up buying her a couple new suits (she has grown so much!) and a sundress and outfit for summer. She couldn't decide on which suit, so decided to buy herself two more swim suits and wants to donate the ones at home. This little lady loves clothes, and I love that she wants to give her other swimsuits away to someone in need ♡

Loving her new pajamas and flamingo slippers!

And the drive from town back to home was beautiful.

Mt Hood and the Columbia River... we love you... and, 

I am beginning to count down the days to ski season again!

If you see Alex, please tell him to let me take his picture. Today, he was anti-picture taking by Mom

 But he was all for me taking a picture of his new shoes... Bobs' Skechers slip on doggie shoes that benefit 

Best Friends Animal Society! ♡

And, if you love pets, consider partcipating in 

Strut Your Mutt

Last year, Alex, Willow and I attended the event and will do so again this fall... check out their website to learn more and to participate in your city... 

or join us in Portland, Oregon in September!