Good Morning!

Grace delighted me one

morning this week. She got up early and was bored. I suggested she unload the dishwasher. I was amazed when she said "ok" happily. (She can have 5 whole cents for doing this chore which is usually not enough to produce a happy response like this)

I then went to take a shower.

When I got out she had:

Unloaded the dishwasher

Loaded the dishwasher

Taken out the trash (there was a lot- a can full and some piled by the sink - Emma helped)

Put a new bag in the trash can

Run some plants out to the garden from the kitchen counter

Collected hangers and hung some clean shirts of John's and put them in his closet.

The kitchen looked quite clean when I came out and I was so happy to start the day a little ahead of the routine. I was also amused because I didn't know she was even able to do some of these things.

We celebrated by making pancakes and messing up the kitchen. :)

STANDING for something!

I recently turned from the counter (right next to the table) and was amused to find this. I handn't even noticed and I was standing right there!

Same thing happened the other day as I was at the computer a few feet away from the couch.

This also seems to be a favorite activity (perhapse a preperation for rock climbing).

A couple months ago I was a bit worried by this!

Also, a few months ago, Clara surprised me by walking the dog!

"Coming soon: Jumping!"

Here's a sneak preview:

Project Stalled!

We hit a big snag in the project!

but not before we accoplished this!

Four walls, four holes for widows, one door hole!

f

The snag happens to be a garden.

John informed me about a month ago that this would be "the " weekend for planting a garden. So, we've been weeding, rototilling, raking, digging, rototilling, tractoring, ..... not nailing or anything like that for about a week. But that's ok because after month or 2 or 3 of digging, weeding and watering, we'll have some tasty, lovely, homegrown tomatoes,some delicious strawberries, raspberries for the picking, peppers for the pickling (for Sunday tacos), squash for frying, watermelon for dripping, cucumbers for popping into salads, and cantaloupes for chomping! Grapes and Apples too with any luck.

I feel like I live in the Garden of Eden!

Yes, I am aware of the fact that "this" is NOT A STEP.

I explained that thoroughly to Emma right after I took a few pictures of her. We found her right here acting just as if she were merely standing on a curb looking down the street. She was looking for her hoola hoop which she had carefully thrown up onto the roof of the house! No fear of heights here!

Next week we'll get back to

nailing

and watching

our little plants

grow!

Spring!

I love our Apple tree this year. It deserves to have it's name capitalized. We pruned it within inches of it's life. People stared and said things like "Wow, I think you are supposed to only prune out 1/3 of tree at most" and "You butchered it." John and I were so happy to have worked on it together one Saturday, much of the day and we loved it. It was one thing in our life that we felt was finally under control. Then spring thought about coming and it did this! I loved it even more!

It has been a crisp spring. Fresh. Cool. Delicate. Beautiful.

Emma celebrated her own way. The day was again crispy and springish but she thought it warm. I was sure she'd be back in right away. Instead I heard the water go on and went out to find expressions of spring joy.

While the Cat's Away, the Mice Will Work!

One evening, last week, I was pleased and excited to leave the house completely unassisted by shortish people. The husband character that lives at my house with me agreeable amicably to keep all three short people who also reside in our home with him, in the yard, whilst he worked.
I was gone for a blissful 3 hours. I was quite amazed and delighted to find the said husband had managed to put up a wall while supervising short people of the ages of 1, 4, and 6.

Happy Birthday Lydia!

We celebrated Lydia's birthday on Wed.

I had a heart swelling feeling of joy as we were making our way to Dad's for the gathering. Laura was coming from work from which she only had an hour or two break. Clara, Emma and I were coming from home bringing a cake crust, salad, and picking up the ice cream and pizza on the way. John was taking a break from work, picking up Grace from school and coming. Dad was coming home from working and walmarting. Lydia, the guest of celebration, was coming from Boise. Mom and Grandma Clark were holding down the fort, waiting. Annie was coming from Minnesota... in her heart, by email, and by phone.

Joining efforts with loved ones to celebrate someone you love... It's a sweet moment, an escape from everyday work to something fun and joyful.

After Laura left, Lydia found some running clothes and ran for an hour and 15 min. Grace, Emma, Jennie the Dog, and Tux the dog had to join in. Grace and Emma thought they were faster than Lydia, (even though they waited and hid and only ran for part of each lap). The cats were content to just watch, probably with disdain for the obviously ridiculous scampering about.

I think the run was the funnest part for the girls. Thanks Lydia!

Happy Birthday Lydia! You are so sweet. I am thankful for your efforts to help everyone. We appreciate the thoughtful things you do for us. The way you make each of us feel special on our days, always thinking about how people are feeling. You're an important part of the family...we just wouldn't be as happy without you.

I really wish we could see you every day.

We were pretty exhausted when we finally went home!

Feeling a Little Blue Lately....

We've been feeling a little blue lately....Missing those cousins. Kelli, Derek, Becca, David, and Sydney. It's time for a reunion.

Koko's Mishap

Koko had a tough lesson in life last week. After escaping from the back yard and taking a few excursions around the neighborhood, she got herself shot with a pellet gun. The pellet went 4 to 5 inches into her body. We thought we would lose her as it should have hit at the least one important organ in her little body.
Some how she cheated death and is now smiling again! No problems at all!

These are the get well cards Grace and Emma made for her! Graces above! Emma's below!