She Is Our Sunshine

Pumpkin Picking 2010

We headed out to a different farm this year to get some pumpkins. Goodness knows I can't just pick a few up at the store. So, we headed east of the city out where Mount Hood and Mount Adams (shown behind Campers) can be seen in all their glory:

Suz was bound and determined, BOUND AND DETERMINED I TELL YOU, to pick out and carry her own pumpkin for as long as she could. You may not have picked up on this yet, but she is Independent With A Capital I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T.

And then there's the Zig, who took six times as long to pick out his pumpkin, because as Pa duly noted, "He had to find just the right one to love." Yes. That's our Zig.

And here are the three pumpkins with their proud new owners:

And that's the exciting pumpkin picking tale I have to tell.

Campers Turns Nine

My baby boy is now nine. Which is odd, because in the nine years he's aged, I've gotten older by just two. Huh! Mom Math!

He wanted his personal logo on his birthday cake this year. Why does he have a logo? Well, because his daddy is a graphic designer and therefore, Campers knows how to design graphics. He created the logo himself and uses it on his notes and artwork. Pa's boy.

I, on the other hand, have massive arm-bending skills that cannot be surpassed. Try that, Campers!

But guess who's excited to turn nine?

And guess who was hogging the ice cream while said nine-year-old was hogging the attention?

Happy ninth birthday, Campers!

Simple Woman: October 10, 2010

For today... October 10, 2010 

Outside my window... is a lawn full of green grass again. The grass stays green and full from September - June but (unless it's watered) goes brown in the summer. ("Summer.") 

I am thinking... about the eight pieces of bacon Pa had for one meal this weekend. It was his (belated) birthday breakfast and his request was for a "pot of bacon" at the end of the rainbow. I live to serve, and to sing "Happy Coronary Day to you..."

I am thankful for... a few smart friends who convinced me to overlap as much of my kids' schoolwork as possible. I was attempting to teach the boys two separate eras of history, and it was driving me to the loony bin. So now--we're all doing American History (and science, and writing, and and and) together and I feel a little less manic. Always a plus.

From the learning rooms... I'm having the boys learn to hand-draw the world map. I know! Exciting!

From the kitchen... Comes a big batch of lemon blueberry muffins that we ate in one day. "We" being, "I had four."

I am wearing... my fat jeans (see: "muffins") and the same fleece I've been wearing daily for the past two years. Campers has informed me that he doesn't recognize me if I'm not dressed in burgundy fleece. It's the little things.

I am creating... a ten-year plan that includes working in the library at the local community college. I'm thinking that might be the best way to help my kids afford a higher education. And no doubt they'll go right along with my plan. As you do, you know.

I am going... to finish season three of The West Wing this week. Oh that show! Is so great! I love, love, love the characters, and the writing, and how it teaches me about government in a relatively painless way. TV shows, for the win!

I am reading... a book called The Core. It's good, solid information for how to give kids a classical education.

I am hoping... to get a Plan Written Down On Paper for how to handle my other blog (Stretch Mark Mama). I've had several people tell me I need to get that gig back up again. I do. I really do.

I am hearing... the sound of all three kids playing Pass the Pigs. Love that silly game.

Around the house... is a brand-new crock pot that will likely last about 2.3 months. I've got some issues with the quality of the previous four crock pots I've owned. Issues!

One of my favorite things... is our library's online site where I can put books on hold from the comfort of my badonkadonk sitting in a chair at home. Seriously! Long live the internet!

My plans for the week... include prepping for my baby's ninth birthday next week. The Campers will be nine. years. old. *shaking head*

Here is picture I am sharing... of the kids on a recent field trip where they had just hiked to the top of a butte. They had chosen to sit beside each other, which just warmed my Mama Bear heart.

Midwest Tour 2010: County Fair

The kids got to take in the county fair while we were "back home," which was a real treat seeing as all three of them are reaaaaaaaally into All Things Cute And Fluffy.

Like Archie the Cat, for instance:

And bunnies:

And ponies, after Little Miss Suz got over her fear of the beasts:

And thanks to Grandma, the kids even got to ride a couple of rides, which is a lot more fun than simply looking at them, which is all they get to do when Ma and Pa Cheapskate are in charge of the fun ("fun"):

The other nice thing about going to the county fair is that we got to see Everyone We've Ever Known, all the while smelling a mixture of pig poo and funnel cakes. Win with a side of win!