Valentines Day

Valentines Day ... Otherwise known as Seating Sunday in our House. 

In preparation of Managing the Girls High School State Wrestling tournament Stark spent his day away at meetings to coordinate and seat the tournament. 

Home alone, with a bad cold, and rain in the forecast, we did manage to survive the day with lots of LOVE  

For the record, here's the step by step.

we cut out hearts to practice our scissor skills. 

for Huck it was more of a 'hold the paper with the scissors and tear' session

 The point at which Della realized we should be making crowns. 

 My first attempt at making paper crowns -- Della is pretty good with a glue stick.

 Rain Snow or Sun Huck will go outside! Even if his sister won't.

 Our dining room chairs are very good at migrating into the living room. 

I'm sure it was supposed to be a Fort but it ended up more of an obstacle course.  

 Huck has renewed his interest in puzzles lately

Yet his love for Helicopters and Olives remains steadfast. 

 That evening as I borrowed into bed with sniffles and a fever Della brought the funny farm to me.

There was also lunch, naps, and some epic tantrums but it was memorable enough for Della to still be talking about our Valentines Day. 

Let's not tell her that I completely forgot to hand out the valentines day candy we'd bought late the night before! I don't think she missed it.   

Military Man

For a recent outing Stark dressed Huck in this kid sized military jumper otherwise known as a Halloween Costume. Every October I raid the local Goodwill's for costume gear as dress-up is is the best sort of childhood play. 

This last Fall I'd purchased this green jumpsuit at Goodwill located near a large military base. I was obviously a popular costume as there were many in all sizes. It fits Huck perfectly and gives us visions of a future for Huck in the military, especially when paired with a new hair cut. 

As recounted by Stark, while wandering in a store he noticed two young men paying attention to Huck. After awhile they approached Stark and asked about Huck's jumpsuit, "Is it real"? I'm not sure what Stark replied but the fellows left and returned shortly with the patches you see on Huck's chest. Although a miniature jumpsuit it is indeed fully functioning and has accommodations for patches.  The young men were proud to provide Huck with some color and Huck is proud to be a military man.

In hindsight both Stark and I wish we could reach out to those young men, obviously military themselves, and thank them better not only for their service but for taking the time, showing pride and making us proud. 

Thank You. 

 

 At some point I'll manage better pictures but man-oh-man this boy is always on the move, and dirty. 

Rain -- Sprinklers -- Umbrellas

January 2016 has been WET but WARM.

When the kids need to get out of the house but you don't feel like driving to the park, the woods, the beach, or the mall (where we would spend money on junk), 

we layer the kids in rain gear and head outside. 

On this particular day Della offered up some wonderful play suggestions

1. A sprinkler

2. Umbrellas

3. Muddy Puddles

4. Swinging

Huck's Suggestions included

1. Mowing the Lawn (pretend)

2. Digging up the sand in the (unfinished) walkway

3. Raking up leaves

Just another classic rainy winter day in the pacific northwest.

   Expert muddy puddle engineers

Huck's very first time in a big boy swing! 

Busy kiddos 

Della and I had headed inside to start Lunch when I heard Huck knocking on the door and turned around to see this .. 

His face was plastered against the door and he'd brought over the rake. 

Rather spooky at the time. 

This boy love the outdoors and played outside for another 30 minutes before I bribed him indoors. 

Fire Truck Bed

 I'm a sucker for Craigslist. 

A while back we brought home this Fire Station loft bed for Huck because it was Awesome AND a Screaming deal. Let's not focus on the fact that we had to modify it with a table saw in order to fit in Huck's room nor the fact that Huck isn't yet old enough to sleep up in the loft bed! 

Someday he'll love it!

For the past 12 months or so, Huck has been sleeping in a trampoline. 

Yep, a trampoline. He LOVED it. 

Cozy. Ventilated. Secure. 

Plus he really wasn't into the mattress on the floor maneuver. 

But this boy is HUGE and he'd grown to the point where his head and toes would touch either side. 

It was time to find a transition bed. 

Craigslist to the rescue!

A fire truck for the fire station. 

A match made for a little boy. 

Needless to say but Huck now sleeps soundly in his little boy bed. 

And it's adorably cute. 

Remember the rubber hoses from a few post's ago? 

Fire Hoses!

 

 We brought the bed home one morning and Huck refused to sleep in it for his nap. But by that evening he'd warmed up to the idea and personally transferred all his bedding and stuffed animals into the truck. He's slept in the truck ever since. 

Rainy Winter Saturday's at the Beach

Rainy Gray Pacific North West Winter Saturday

The rain may keep everyone else away but it doesn't slow down these two!

We're still loving our OakiWear waders. 

Huck loves to point out the obvious

-- water --

You are absolutely correct that I am not able to narrow down the multitude of pictures! Anytime these kiddos play 'together' in picturesque settings I must document it. 

 Oh Yeah ... the dogs were there also. 

Dutchess nearly went insane so we're guessing it was her very first visit to the beach!

Rubber Hoses

Some forgotten toy left us with a length of rubber hose which was rediscovered one evening and caused big sibling drama

 -- one hose -- two kids --

mama had a brilliant moment and cut the hose into two pieces

Then both kids were happy and busy for hours and mama was thrilled she'd reduced the safety risk that the previously 3ft of rubber hose presented!

Weeks later and those hoses still spark so much imaginative play! Everything from walruses tusks and cats whiskers to firefighters with their hoses!

 This boy has some STRONG teeth!

Test your courage and pull the opposite end!