Just some thoughts

I'm kind of exhausted today. Dealing with my son's encopresis is hard. I don't want to go into details because its all about the poop. We have to back off of any potty training at this time - doctor's orders. That means a lot of diaper changes and messy ones at that. I *so* want this to be over.

I found this quote today and I like it:

"Remember that children, marriages, and flower gardens reflect the kind of care they get."
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.Pin It

Winner of my giveaway

Jenn at Full of Boys is the winner. Please e mail me so I can mail the magazine to you!Pin It

I found another trading website.

I've been using SwapaCD and BookMooch happily for a while. Today I decided I have a couple of DVDs that I'd like to trade. I searched around for a free trading site and found Switch Planet. It is for more than DVDs but that's what I'll be using it for.

All of these sites work basically the same way. You list the books/CDs/DVDs that you want to give away and then you make a list of what you'd like - a wish list. Someone requests from you and then you mail something to them.

I sent a CD last week and I received a CD this week. Fun, fun, fun!Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

Purple Haze Lavender Farm - Sequim, WashingtonPin It

Dog days of summer giveaway - WINNER!!!

WE HAVE A WINNER!! I printed out the names and put them in a hat. My son drew a name. Jenn at Full of Boys is our winner! Congratulations! Jenn, please e mail me with your address.


I've decided to join in on the fun. Shannon is hosting the Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway at Rocks In My Dryer. I'm giving away a copy of the brand-new issue of Scrapbooks etc. (magazine). You can see it here.

If you want to win, just leave a comment, no duplicate entries! I will only ship within the U.S. Just make sure I can find you via your email or blog in case you win and you don't have to be a blogger to win. I'll do the drawing from the comments on Friday, July 27th! So check back sometime then. You can find more awesome blogs that are participating in Rocks In My Dryer's giveaway!Pin It

Ladies who love lavender

I had a mini getaway on the weekend to visit the Sequim Lavender Festival with my friend Colette. We left the kids and hubbies at home.

We enjoyed it very much. One fun thing was seeing how many edible things can be made with lavender. Here's a list:
- lavender ice cream
- lavender lemonade
- lavender margaritas
- lavender vanilla lattes (this is the Seattle area after all!)
- lavender chocolate bars
- lavender tea

There were MANY more but I can't remember them all!

We spent most of our time at Purple Haze Lavender Farm. We cut our own lavender, wandered through the craft booths and enjoyed some food. My hubby and I went 5 or 6 years ago and the crowds were much smaller. I think the word has gotten out! I bought a small lavender plant to add to my garden. It is called Royal Velvet. I had camera issues so I bought some gorgeous prints ready for framing.

It was great to get away for the day. We plan on going back next year and we'll stay longer.


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Music for kids that won't drive me crazy

I've been on the hunt for the last few months to find music to play in the car. We frequently go on outings plus the usual trips to Costco, the grocery store, "war-malt" and the post office. I used to be able to play my favourite - KPLU which plays great jazz during the day. Not for the last year or so!

So, here's a list of CDs we've taken out from the library and a thumbs up or thumbs down for each.

- Veggie Tales - Lullaby Veggie - not good car music! I get sleepy and sometimes the boys get sleepy too which isn't always at the right time! Note: We also have VT Junior's Bedtime Songs and that is A's current favourite bedtime music.
- Veggie Tales - On the Road Again - pretty funny.
- Veggie Tales - O Veggie Where Art Thou. We loved this one. I will admit that I once listened to it when I was in the car without the kids! We got this from the library and then bought our own copy. It has bluegrass gospel songs and the Psalm 23 song sung by Junior Asparagus is the sweetest of all.
- Raffi - Singable Songs for the Very Young - a perennial favourite. I think we'll have to buy this one. Did you know this album came out in 1976??
- Baby Loves Jazz - Go Baby Go! - pretty sophisticated kids music! I had this in the CD player when my parents were visiting and they weren't too fond of it. Jazz versions of Old Macdonald, Wheels on the Bus, etc. C really enjoys it.
- The Wiggles - Top of the Tots - The boys love this one. OK, this is embarrassing but I actually like the sound of Greg's voice. Of course, I do get tired of it fast!
- Ralph's World - Happy Lemons. This was OK. My hubby didn't like it but he doesn't have to listen to kid music as much as I do!
- Nancy Stewart - Oodles of Animals. Nancy is a local musician. We've seen her in small concerts three times! She has great learning songs. I skip "Thinking Cap" because I don't like the new-age-like message. We have her CD Little Songs for Little Me (available here) and it was played in our car all the time when C was a baby. If you are local (and have kids under 7) I highly recommend you go see her at a library near you.
- Dan Zanes - Hello Hello - this isn't your average kids music. It is folk style. A liked it, especially since it came with a book with the lyrics and fun pictures. I'd like to try some other DZ music.
- Hap Palmer - I was introduced to his music at story time at the library. We checked out So Big and Classic Nursery Rhymes. He has a very soothing voice. Best for toddlers and maybe a preschooler who isn't too sophisticated. Favourites are Five Little Monkeys and Teddy Bear Playtime.
- Peter, Paul and Mary "Peter, Paul and Mommy" - My boys didn't like this one. Again, a bit too sleepy for the car.
- Sharon, Lois and Bram - One Elephant Went Out to Play - we liked this one. It like that it is Canadian.

Other CDs we have in the car:
- Wee Sing Bible Songs
- Cedarmont Kids - we have about 6 of their CDs!
- Raffi - Baby Beluga - this is the CD that has been played the most of our collection.

What music do you listen to in the car?Pin It

I wish I had this tool when I was a kid.

Bible map - a site that allows you to see a map of each geographical location in the Bible indexed by the verse where it is referenced. I think I'll use this for my Bible study in the fall.

Parent Hacks is where I heard about this link.Pin It

Addicted to blogging?

Who me? :)

70%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

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Book Review - Cold Sassy Tree

Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns is the current selection for my book club. I enjoyed this southern novel for the following reasons:

- It made me laugh out loud and tell my husband "you have to hear this!"
- I fell in love with the characters even though some I wanted to shake and tell them to smarten up!
- Rucker Blakeslee(Grandpa)'s heartfelt and unorthodox theology on pg. 363. Here's an excerpt:

"...faith ain't no magic wand or money-back gar'ntee, either one. Hit's jest a way a-livin'. Hit means you don't worry th'ew the days. Hit means you go'n be holdin' on to God in good or bad times, and you accept whatever happens. Hit means you respect life like it is - like God made it - even when it ain't what you'd order from the wholesale house."

- I loved the southern dialect and interesting turns of phrase.
- It was hard to put down. I stayed up waaaaay too late finishing it.

Thanks, Elsa for recommending it to the group! I think I might buy a copy for my son to read when he's old enough - in about ten years!Pin It

Encouraging verse

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

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Love 80s music?

Here's a quiz to test your memory of lyrics:

http://www.yetanotherdot.com/asp/80s.html

Just a warning, a lot of those 80s songs weren't very wholesome. The quiz is also pretty long.

My score: 78. I think I could've done better if the heat wasn't messing with my brain. :)Pin It

I couldn't believe my eyes

I went to Costco tonight (by myself, yeah!) and noticed something that had me doing a double take. Winter coats for kids. Down with fur-trimmed hoods. Did you know that it was 97 degrees at the Seattle airport yesterday?? Today the high was in the high 80s. Bizarre. I remember a few years back in the middle of July I was trying to buy a simple plastic patio table. I was told that the season was over.

Oh, I also noticed that Costco has stopped selling pools, playground equipment, camping gear, etc. and is now focusing on furniture. A sure sign of "fall." (eyes rolling). I got suckered into this whole madness. They were selling blanket sleepers and I bought some for my boys because I *know* they'll be gone by the time they actually will need to wear them - some time in November.Pin It

Today's arts and crafts project

I found a book of stencils that boys would like at JoAnn's for $1. Race car, fire truck, train, dump truck, tractor, etc.

I set A up with cut up sponges, paint paper (from Target), washable paints and paper bowls for the paint. He says he loves painting.

Not what I'd like to be doing when it is 91 degrees but its keeping him occupied while his brother naps. Can you believe it? No, not that his brother naps but that it is 91 here. I hope it goes back to normal soon. I'm not a big fan of hot weather.

We also saw these guys today. They were hilarious. A and C liked them. It was a big long for C's attention span but that's OK. A lot of the jokes went over A's head. "What's so funny, Mommy?" If you get a chance to see them - go!Pin It

Raspberry picking

I decided to be brave today and take the boys raspberry picking on my own. Normally we would go as a family but it didn't work out for us to go on Sunday and next weekend looks pretty full. I'm happy to say that it was a success. We went fairly early in the morning to beat the heat. We're having record-breaking heat this week. We only stayed about 40 minutes but that was enough for A. I think if I had brought along a little chair for him to sit in he would've lasted longer. Next time! We picked 3 pounds. C was eating too many so I put him in lock down (the stroller) after a while. I was able to park the car right next to the row that we picked from. Very convenient. The price for the berries? $1.25 per pound! I enjoy raspberry picking because you don't need to bend over.

I don't have any photos to share because I decided that I had enough to concentrate on without worrying about getting great shots.

If you're interested the farm is called Broers and is located in Monroe, WA.Pin It

I'm so proud

My youngest son (age 2) was taking a nap on my bed today - without me. I usually take a short nap with him but today I was making a salad. I went to check on him. He wasn't sleeping. He was very much awake and happily wearing my *ra around his neck. I laughed so hard that I had to go downstairs so I wouldn't wake his brother up. Yes, I got a photo. No, I'm not sharing it.

:)Pin It

Reading challenge

I've joined a reading challenge. It has a great deadline. :) December 31, 2007. I think that will work for me. More details of the challenge can be found here.

Here are my choices:

1. Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
2. Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
3. Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
4. (children's book) An Egg is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
5. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
6. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Thanks, Semicolon, for giving me this challenge!Pin It