Birthday Bash- Homemade Style

Eight little girls joined Rynn and Eleanor to celebrate their birthdays (E's is tomorrow) this morning. It was a birthday bash- homemade style- this year, and surprisingly very mellow and laid back. Above, Eleanor and Rynn work on coloring in a horse for "Pin the Tail on the Horse," as they sport outfits designed and put together by themselves.
The girls wait for their friends to arrive to their "Horse Party."

Party time in the basement! Tricia Cordell was our friend/helper extraordinaire today at the party. Here she blindfolds Meg while Eleanor watches in a cutthroat game of "Pin the Tail on the Horse."


Let the sugar begin!

Jason's cupcake cones which all took a flying leap toward the floor last night at 10pm. I signed out and went to bed, but he managed to salvage them and topped them with a marshmallow to boot. Here they are standing pretty in our church's communion cup tray (also made by Jason out of an Ikea cutting board).

Tricia keeps some princesses in rapt attention for the story of Snow White.

Ahhhh...the crowd is gone. Time for some serious get down to play time.

Happy Birthday Rynn!

2009

Rynn turns SIX today! Per her request we got sushi for dinner, and she donned her birthday hat which she received at school (it says "Happy Birthday" in Japanese). As someone recently said to me, "The days can be long, but the years are just so fast." Amen.

2008 (5 years)- Rockin' out with Professor Banjo at Mississippi Pizza

Portland, OR

2007 (4 years)- at home in Chattanooga...thinking about putting our house on the market to move to Oregon.

2006 (3 years)- Grammy, Pops, & Nana were able to be in town for the girls' b-day party at the Coolidge Park Carousel

Chattanooga, TN

2005 (2 years)- I was three days away from giving birth to Eleanor. Rynn's birthday celebration involved Jason and I buying her a piece of carrot cake from the Greenlife deli and eating together by the fountain in Coolidge Park.

Chattanooga, TN

2004 (1 Year!)- Rynn celebrated her birthday by eating cake and being put to bed. We celebrated with an adult wine & cheese. Yahoo for making it through the first year.

February 26, 2003- Our precious gift is given to us.

Free Stuff

It seems that the economy is on every one's mind- budget cuts, layoffs, housing slump, stimulus package, blah, blah, blah. So, I got to thinking about free stuff. When you get to thinking about it, there really is a lot of free stuff floating about life. Here are a few of my favorite things:
1. The thimble size cup of coffee at Trader Joes.
2. My yoga classes- I have a steal of a deal where I clean the studio once/week in exchange for unlimited free yoga at a really great yoga studio. It leaves me sweaty, happy, and relaxed...and I can do a headstand now!
3. Library books, CDs, movies- when I remember to return them by their due date.
4. Cuddles from my children.
5. My doggie's waggy tail.
6. My recent discovery of http://www.pandora.com/ if you haven't visited this site, get off my blog and do it RIGHT NOW. It is totally free radio that you design for your tastes. Plug in an artist you like and automatically they create a play list of artists you might like. If you don't like one, let 'em know, and your station is adjusted. Right now I'm listening to Gillian Welch, Allison Krauss, Patti Griffin, and my new favorite- the Wailin' Jennys.
7. Walks on my sidewalk.
8. the sunrise over mt. hood on a clear day.
9. a run by the river
10. Grocery store samples

What is your favorite free stuff???

a day at the beach

February Sun Song

Original Songs by my sunstarved Pacific Northwestern children.

Things I've Learned from my dog, Jake

1. Don't hold a grudge... even if you've been in your kennel for three hours, always greet your family with a wag and a smile.
2. Treats are good.
3. Walks are even better.
4. Pooping is one of life's small pleasures.
5. Give and receive lots of loves.
6. Greet people with enthusiasm when they walk in the door.
7.If a salesman knocks on the door at dinnertime, it's OK to bark.
8. If you look really pathetic, you can usually get what you want.
9.Naps are nice.
10. My family is my pack, they are where I belong, and I'll come running when they call.

Mt Hood Snow Fun

While I was away this weekend at a getaway for Oregon pastors' wives, Jason, the girls, and some church folks hit Mt. Hood for some igloo building and sledding. Meanwhile, I ate my weight in chocolate, chips, and red wine while hangin' with some really great women (one of whom was my sister in law Gretchen). Lots of fun. Oh! And Jason figured out how to post videos!

Yeah baby, the sun is shining in Portland, OR.

Curly Girl

It's official. Today is my coming out day. It is time to stop pretending and announce to the world. I DON'T HAVE STRAIGHT HAIR. For the last six years I have sought a haircut every six weeks, I have spent countless hours rubbing serum through my hair and tackling it with the flat iron, and I have vigorously washed it in hopes that it might suddenly come under control. In my mind I was Caroline of the straight and sleek stacked bob- the haircut my five year old adorns so effortlessly. Even Jason would say to me as I awoke with a mop of curls after a night of going to bed with wet hair, "Caroline, you should try brushing your hair." IF ONLY A BRUSH WOULD DO THE TRICK!!!. A brush only sent my hair into a poof ball of Methuselah's frizz making it appear that I had set some over fluffed rodent on my head. Thanks to the cumulative advice of a few friends and to Portland's unrelenting moist environment, I have come to realize that curls need to be embraced. A visiting friend from Chattanooga recommended a book she found enlightening called Curly Girl. As I always do, I went to my online library to get in line for this hair Bible, only to find I was number 54 in line. Apparently, I'm not the only one who needs advice. So, today, I realize the freedom of being true to oneself (let's not bring up color...entirely different subject), the freedom of only washing my hair once/week, and the freedom of confidently going out of the house with a bed head.

Leasons Learned from trying to take a self portrait of oneself while husband is at the gym and self has been awake since 5:30am: Don't try this at home. May result in unattractive photos.