Tackling the Dunes

Lately, more than ever, I felt like I have been climbing sand dunes. You know, one step forward, three back. Just enough time to tend to the basics while a long list of unfinished chores piles up. I'm not even talking about that scrap booking project that's been sitting in a corner for the past year. These are tasks that needed tending yesterday. Last week when I looked at the calender and realized that Christian had a Spring Break from ZLO and saxophone coming up; it hit me. I declared a break from all the rest as well. I said no to any activities that would take us out of the house. The boys were a little disappointed that it did not include their school work, even thought they tried to convince me I was not persuaded. I'm happy to report that I was able to scratch a few things off my list already. That's not to say that I'm now zooming down the dunes, but I'm a little closer to the top.

Night Call

Every parent knows the drill. You are awaken during the night with a child complaining of a tummy ache. I have been through this scenario many times, but for some reason I offered him some water to drink, gave him some TLC and then crawled back into my bed. My mind must have been quite foggy, it was 2am after all. What I really should have gotten from the kitchen was a bucket, and not a glass a water. It didn't take long before I was awoken again, and this time with a different sounding call coming from my child's room. My mind cleared immediately, but by then it was to late for any kind of prophylactic measures. Damage control was the best I could hope for. As I was cleaning up the bed and surroundings areas, Shawn ushered Ethan to our bed and this is what sweet E told him: "I'm sorry for making all this extra work for you". Oh my dear child, to sacrifice a few hours of sleep is such a small price to pay for the enormous joy that mothering you gives me. I would do it all over tonight.

However, I'm happy to report that he has not rejected any meals today, I think we are on the mend.

By the Pacific

Many years ago, seven to be exact, we packed our belongings, gathered our boys, and moved out west. For an adult, it might not seem like a long time, but then you look at the kids, and you see that in seven years a lot can happen and a lot can change. This is a picture taken during our fist spring here. Ethan wasn't even crawling, Christian was in Kindergarten and Nolan still had a those chubby cheeks. What a difference can seven years make! It also occurred to me, that this is the longest we have lived in the same house since we got married. To remember our migration to the west, every March we celebrate Bellingham Day. This year we headed to Deception Pass to do something we could not have done in the Midwest:

Have a fire and roast marshmallows on the beach!

Turns out that we could not do it in the Midwest, or out here in the West. Before we actually started the fire, I saw the park ranger and asked about it, since we had not seen any signs that would allow us or not, to have a fire on the beach. Not surprisingly, we had to use a fire ring. The cute hand made one with beach rocks did not count. Not being deterred by a minor curve ball, we moved up to another area and had our celebratory wiener/marshmallow roast.

It tasted delicious as we enjoyed the sunset over the Pacific.

Foot Tapping Music

About a week ago, Shawn asked me what I was doing on the 16th. "Well, that happens to be a Tuesday, always a crazy day!! While you are at work for more than 12 hours, I'm cramming an intense schooling session in the morning so that by noon I can carpool Christian and his friends to classes, Nolan & Ethan to soccer, back to Christian, dinner, and scouts in the evening. Oh, on the 16th we also have a dentist appt and Nolan begins his outdoor soccer practice". His reply was a simple "clear your evening because we have a date". I love dates and I love surprises, so he didn't have to ask me twice. After a busy day for both of us, we rendezvoused at Mt Baker Theater for an evening of foot tapping music. I had not heard of this group before, they have touring since the 80's, where have I been?? I'm glad I finally did hear and see them, they were amazing! The first thing we did this morning was to play their DVD (autographed by them) and relive the evening with the boys; who asked to watch it again this evening. Their music is truly contagious and addicting, but that's just the beginning. My time is a little limited today, so I found this review on another blog and although it's a few years old, it still holds true today. I went the easy route and pasted it here. Take a minute to read it.

This wonderful DVD of the Leahy Public Television Special on WLIW New York is outstanding! Leahy is a Canadian Irish family of 8 musical brothers and sisters who have been playing music their entire lives. Now adults, the Leahy family is absolutely energizing and will amaze you with their talent. They seem to be able to do it all! Fiddle, step dancing, vocals, percussion, and piano. They definitely have some very talented genetics coursing through their veins!

Their father was a fiddle player in the original Leahy band while their mother was a step dancing champion. They grew up working together on their farm by day and singing and dancing at night. Their joy, energy, and confidence makes for an outstandingly enjoyable video. With a style which includes just about every musical genre – pop, Celtic, classical,jazz, and country, Leahy will set your feet to tapping and hands to clapping.

Through their performances, they exude a love for not only music, but for their family as well. What a wonderful way to see the difference that parents can make in their children's lives, and how their family has been able to take their love of music and performing and create something that will bless and inspire delighted audiences worldwide. I am so thankful that I was introduced to this group. They are an absolutely heartwarming breath of fresh air.

Watch their website www.LeahyMusic.com for information on upcoming performances and shop for their merchandise at their online store.

-Product Review by Nancy Carter, HomesteadBlogger Senior Editor, November 2006

A Boy's Mind

How can one concentrate and work on math

if all you want to do is put your camo on and defend your territory.

It was a monumental task to finish their schoolwork today. Once that got done though, the boys were able to focus on what is really important (in a boy world) : Camo, guns and woods to roam.

A Little Getaway

I had been dreaming about this for quite a while now. To spend the week at a nice cozy chalet, nestled in the middle of beautiful mountains. To be sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace while watching the snow fall and listening to the kid's shrieks of delight as they take on the "Dead Man's Hill" with their sleds. To ski on fresh snow and come back to a home cooked meal made by someone other than me. Well, the time finally came. We arrived under clear skies with views of the majestic Shuksan right from the chalet's window.

The next morning greeted us with fresh snow and after digging the cars out of the snow,

it was time to hit the slopes.

Christian asked why he wasn't in the picture. Well, he was off hitting the black diamonds with his dad. I was not about to venture out there. If you want a picture, you got to stick close to mom. He said he would continue to stay far from the camera.

During our 4 days at the chalet, a total of 22 new inches of snow fell.

It was a winter paradise for the kids. Sledding down the hill also meant climbing it back up again, but the kids did not tire! They skied all day, came back to play in the game room, ate, played family games with the whole group and then went out for night sledding! Sleep. Repeat all over again. Do I have to say we had a great time?

We are now resting form our exausting, but oh, so refreshing little vacation.

Contrast

These pictures were taken less than a week apart, in locations less than 100 miles apart in, but about 3000 feet in elevation apart. What a difference these details can make!!