Last Day of Preschool

Maggie finished up her first year of preschool on Friday and is officially on summer break. River and I went early to pick her up, and joined the other families for the end of year party.

Sprinkler Happy

I'm quite enjoying the convenience of my new blogger app! I get to share all these quick glimpses of Miss Moo's day!

New Spaces

Here's a peek at our new living space as we start to transition. Maggie and I snapped some quick pics on the trip over with most of her very important play things...

Day of Dancing, Daddy and Sunshine

On this beautiful weekend Mommy suffered indoors doing an obscene amount of schoolwork while Daddy, Magnolia and River danced away to the Grateful Dead cover band at Hemp Fest, laid in the hammock in the backyard, and made multiple trips to the park. We also managed to move about 4 carloads of stuff to the new house. Moving apparently will consist of wearing a squirming River on our back and tripping over Maggie who won't leave our side.
So this is life for the next few weeks, total chaos! I'll apologize in advance for any emotional mommy ranting. Such as how happy I am about the swing-set which is now missing from the new house! Okay, enough! This very tied mama is off to bed...

Wordless Wednesday

First Hike of Spring

 A little concerned about seeing animals of the forest this year...

A little excited about finding some animals of the forest this year...

Especially chipmunks!

 Our extreme hiker!

Maggie was so worried she was going to run off. She kept telling Boston to stay right by her...Boston didn't listen, that dog runs circles around us on the trail...it's her element.

 Snack time!

 Brother had just "pushed her" off the log.

Yes, they are already scrappin,' somehow.

 Don't like the animals, but love looking at their poop!

 Meet Gold, the woodland fairy. 

I can't imagine where she got the name considering she read about Isabelle and her fairy named Silver;)

Lunch at The Filling Station in Troy.

Not too bad for the first hike of Spring...note to Mommy and Daddy: Go ahead and put the snowshoes in the car for next time, and don't forget Maggie's boots!

Mommy Reality Check: Embarrassment

Mothers should expect to be embarrassed, on multiple occasions.

Such as yesterday when Magnolia, River and I were just about done with our way too long grocery shopping adventure and I could see Magnolia winding up into meltdown mode...she was tired and hungry. She asked to help me get my bulk coffee, and when I chose a coffee that was too high for her to reach, she lost it...screaming, crying, I believe she even tried to hit me once, right in the middle of the co-op. Finally I just had to walk away from her, because attempts to calm her were just making it worse. She did eventually calm down...as we were leaving. When we arrived home she calmly walked in and said, "Mommy, I just got really mad. I really wanted to help you get coffee." Oh, I know Ms. Magnolia, boy do I know.

Sorry to those who either heard or saw the hungry/tired/been shopping way too long show!

Then, today...we are at the drug store picking up a few items (maybe I should never, ever plan on shopping with my children alone), we are leaving the store, babies in buggy, when a gigantic bee flies into the buggy. There I am in the parking lot, I'm on the phone with Zac, leaving one hand to swat this giant beast off my children. It was a persistent little bastard so both of my feet were required as well. Only after it finally gave up did I stop and realize I was in the middle of a parking lot, blocking cars, swinging at a bee (that other's probably couldn't see) with my one available hand and kicking at it with both feet.

I tried to just stroll away as if nothing had ever happened.

Right after above mentioned bee incident.

Wordless Wednesday

Spring in Sandpoint

Maggie had been highly anticipating this last weekend. After a visit, mixed with simultaneous fear and joy, to see that giant bunny earlier in the week, along with an $18 take-home glimpse (I didn't check the cost until after he took the ridiculous photo) of what I assume will be one of my most memorable mothering moments, we were off to a great start.

We headed to Sandpoint on Saturday morning with the Shasta in tow. The cousins were ecstatic to see each other, as always. After an afternoon full of play we decided to let the girls have their first "sleepover," meaning, we actually allowed them to sleep in the same room. Well...after a few hours they did finally fall asleep. 

They woke up to some pretty fantastic offerings of Spring from that crazy giant bunny, and we even managed to get everyone to the table for a delicious brunch. A morning trip to the beach proved to be way too windy and cold, even for Moo, but our afternoon visit was just perfect. 

That crazy bunny just couldn't help himself and splurged a bit on some baskets full of spring for Maggie, River and Sagey. Thank you bunny for the thoughtful and functional gifts of spring, and for including healthier "treat" options. 

Recently Zac and I have observed our little girl taking more risk than is normal for her when it comes to movement activities. Maybe it's all her dance practice, but she just seems much more coordinated and balanced. This has always been a sensitive topic for Mags. She wants so badly to do the active things she sees others do, but we often see her hold back. It's hard to say if it's because she fears she may fall or get hurt, or because she might be feeling too shy to participate that day...regardless, things have been changing.

We are a walking family. Soon we are going to be a biking family. Moo loves to ride her big-wheel bike from Omah around the block, which has gotten her really excited about being a "bike-rider" but we knew if she was going to make it longer distances a faster option would be needed.

So...

We had a little surprise for Goose.

After literally stopping 5 different families with a child on a Strider balance bike to ask for details, and a day at Paradise Creek Bicycles pondering choices, we decided to give it a shot. 

We are so, so, so pleased with how confident (and FAST) Maggie is with her new bike. Lots and lots of bike commuting in store for our little Goose!

Cold but cute.

Fun times in Sandpoint.

Wordless Wednesday