Bike Rides

The rain has left us alone for a few days so the boys have been out and about riding their bikes. They even convinced me to join them on a ride to the park yesterday despite my concerns that it was just too cold! The ride home had all three boys moaning at how freezing they were. Inside I was able to give them all a "I told you so" jest as they sat next to the heaters warming their frozen little fingers.

All bundled up and ready for a bike ride.

A new road to explore. We are enjoying our new neighborhood and most especially the old logging road. It leads to a park as well as the river.

This guy has to do what his big brothers are doing. A stroller just won't work anymore. He wants to be on his bike too. So Brian takes his belt and wraps it around to give Darius an effortless ride.

Brian made the boys their own personal parking spots in the garage. They ride them right up to their special places.

Balloons and Blessings

Last night around bedtime, we borrowed our neighbors' keys. The five of us had a very strategic mission. We trucked across the street, half of us barefoot (that's how a family of mostly boys rolls) with two garbage bags full of helium balloons, thanks to a perfectly timed message with left over supplies. We're Oregonians so of course we love reusing left over supplies. Plus we had some special people to pick up from the airport. Andy and Alison were coming home from their honeymoon and we wanted to surprise them with a clean house, treats, balloons and cards.

The boys wrote sweet letters on their cards. They were pretty cute. Judah in one line said, "I hope you have a kid or two. I hope your kids play with you." And another part read, "I hope Alison likes your house." It was a card of hopes.

As we walked across the street, Judah and Owen each held onto a black, floating bag while Brian and I anxiously hurried them along so as not to loose all the balloons. Inside, we let out the balloons and spent an hour tying string onto balloons as the boys ran around screeching with joy as they carefully chose locations to settle their balloons. Down the hall, in the kitchen, in the bedroom, right next to the door. Everywhere. And it was the best hour of their day.

It was a special evening for our whole family. I was blessed as I watched the sheer joy in my boys' as they were doing something special and loving for someone else. I was blessed as I sat with my husband working together , enjoying our kids' laughter, and sharing words and smiles.

Jesus' words came to mind, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." It had a new meaning for me in that moment. It was so very true. Our family could not have done anything more fun with our evening. No amount of entertainment could have possibly outweighed the great blessings all of us received by doing something special for someone else. And we did it together. What a special bond. I'm going into the future looking for more opportunities for our family to give to others. And in so doing, receive blessings!

Living Among Artists

Today we painted. With real watercolor paints and real watercolor paper. The boys get giddy when they get to paint with the "adult kind!".

The process of allowing my two and four and six year olds to use real artist tools was really just that, a process. I had purchased the art supplies for myself originally, not with them in mind at all. They would find me working with the adult versions of their play things and stand there, drooling. One day I realized it was more work to keep them from the supplies than to just let them join in. And since then, I've never purchased another kid version of painting supplies.

In comparing the kid paints in the school aisle versus the real paints in the art aisle, it's a surprising normality we parents have taken on. Because it's the normal thing to buy your kids the 99 cent plastic box of dried out paint that comes with that little stick with a few black plastic hairs coming out. That's what kids are supposed to paint with. I'm glad I stumbled upon another way.

In all actuality, real paints are surprisingly inexpensive, work better, allow more control, last longer and look prettier. They don't dry out. They come in little tubes with varying colors that you squirt just the right amount you need into a little palette. And then the crazy part, your kids' paintings can really be framed and displayed in your home. And they can really turn out great.

One of my favorite quotes is by Pablo Picasso as he said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." As I watched the boys paint this morning, I find that so true. There are times when I look at Owen's concentration as he is painting. He doesn't over think it like I do. He just goes with it, is happy as he's creating and doesn't expect anything out of it. He is just being an artist. In his own little growing way.

Scrunched Nose Smile

The Dersh, as he's often referred to around here, has the best smile. I was happy to capture a few of his many different smiles. My favorite has to be his signature scrunched nose smile. Isn't it the cutest?

The Wonder in a Gift

Since kiddo number three, I've been a terrible photographer and even worse photo downloader. It's the middle of January and I'm just now downloading my Christmas photos, of which I didn't take many. At least I did break out the camera. That is an upgrade this year. Here's some shots of our Christmas. I love the look on their faces. Pure wonder in receiving surprises.

Christmas Elves

This year we had a few Christmas elves working away busily on gifts. All secretly working before Christmas to create one-of-a-kind, artistic, handmade gifts for family members. All without previous knowledge of the others at work. Here are a few of the unique items that now live in our home.

Brian created this very cool shelf for me. On a northwest Portland stroll earlier this year, we stumbled into a furniture store and I found a shelf that I adored. Brian secretly took note of the design and put his woodworking skills (plus picked up new ones) to work to create this bedroom piece. It will be stained dark later.

I love the corner wraps.

Judah painted this submarine painting on a canvas wrap for his dad. I think it actually turned out pretty fantastic. It's now gracing our home office.



And I did a painting as well, for Brian. It's of a well-loved conversation we had a long time ago. It's a watercolor painting that I put in a black frame where it sits in our bathroom.

Thankful

Thanksgiving dinner.



Busy little crafters.


Making ornaments.


Very blinged out snowflake ornaments.


The two buddies sitting together while the bigger cousins are busy crafting.


The camera is here, must karate chop.

Fall Fondue

Last night we kicked off November with a chilly walk in the dark, armed with flashlights, winter coats and hot chocolate. When we got home, we warmed up with a pot of chocolate fondue and loads of fresh fruit. Of course the boys had to try out everything several times to help figure out what their favorite was. Judah landed on the bananas and Owen chose the raspberries as his favorite. But just to be sure, they had to double check a few more times. We had such a fun family time that we're going to make this our newest fall tradition. The boys decided tradition meant every day and woke up this morning ready for more!


Banana cheers!


Giving this fondue thing a try.


So happy.


Going in for a chocolate-covered kiss.


Confirming that he's a eye-closing kisser.


Cuddles and chocolate, what could be better?


Yay! I heard a couple, "best day ever!"s by the boys. Chocolate fondue was most definitely a raging success in our home. And a new tradition to kick off the beginning of the holiday season.

In Search of Pumpkins...