What part do you want to play this time?

I love Molly's mischevious face in this photo.

This time around, we did the norse myths at drama camp again, and Molly auditioned to be Loki, the god of cleverness and trickery.  She was so excited to play the role, and worked hard at her lines.

She really did a great job, knew her lines, was funny and audible (always important).  I was so proud to have this budding actress in the family.

Jack tried to steal the show at the end by climbing onto the stage after I'd lost sight of him.  Guess he's trying to tread the boards himself.

Do you have leave to be gone Friday?

Allphotos, Credit: http://www.lauriemariephotography.com/

Magical words, that resulted in enjoying two marvelous nights away with some really terrific friends.  Although I couldn't leave until 8:15pm, (due to yet another drama camp performance) Jocelyn and Laurie waited for me Thursday night so I could get the full impact girls weekend at the beach.

Jocelyn's husband's grandma owns a beachfront cottage in Lincoln City and she opened the house to us last weekend.  We drove over with Laurie, who is a heck of a lot of fun, and we arrived to find the sea air salty, the beds springy, and the conversation stimulating.  I'm still recovering from two nights spent staying up so late!

The next day we walked on the beach, examined the point, shopped at the outlet malls, helped Jocelyn narrow down purchases for her impending baby boy.  (And very impending, she was at 37 weeks on this trip.), we were joined by Kari and Becca, and had terrific meals.  We went to Coldstone, to celebrate Becca's birthday, and stayed up even later that night gabbing.

After another windy walk on the beach, we took a bunch of group photos, laughing and laughing.

 We tried actually can-caning, but had trouble with the timer getting us at just the right moment, so we had to freeze instead.

Laurie is a professional photographer, and I always congratulate myself when she shoots at an activity I'm at.  So smart to have someone talented cover events!

He're my suggestion--fight scene--used to do these with friends back in the day.

I kept making dumb titanic jokes during this one:

After we said goodbye to Becca and Kari, I learned a new card game, Peanuts, which I already taught my brother.  I am so thankful to Jocelyn, and her husband Grant, for doing the work which made it possible for us to enjoy such a great setting, and such fun and funny friends.

Who's in that helmet?

Years ago, Roland was on a bike ride with his dad.  It was January, he had just turned 5, and had been riding without training wheels for more than a year.  While on the ride, he inexplicably fell, and landed on a rock being used as lawn edging.  His nose split in half, we spent some time a the emergency room, where the on call plastic surgeon restored him to good appearance.

Since then, our kids have always worn Motocross helmets with full face protection while bike riding.

Last night, while we were lounging in the backyard, avoiding the heat I'd created by making dinner, Lillian came out from the garage in Molly's helmet.

Jack entertained us by crawling after Lillian with his hands on the back of the trike.

Then he just got on himself.  It is amazing to me that this time last year I was still pregnant, and yet Jack is such a big and active little person.  He constantly engages other people on the street, in stores, it is such a pleasure to take this gregarious baby places.

Guess who's walking?

As of yesterday, he had taken four or five steps a few times.  He is waving his arms above his head after he falls on his rear, so proud of himself!  Lillian is so excited, she keeps racing toward him to meet him, really interfering with the process.  This is the same age Roland was when he started walking, my two boys have a lot in common (but Jack is a happy baby).

 

This morning, while I was sewing on a quilt top, Lillian asked to play with my buttons.  I love when the girls ask to do this, it seems so cute and Little House on the Prairie-ish.  I gave her the button tin and she started removing them.  She was giving them names:

Yellow....Hinky-Pinky....Dory (a large blue one). ..Greenie....and one named Lillian.

What time is it?

I was up a little bit late last night, as I was having a fun sewing session.  I've been working on my own projects, but even more fun than that I've been helping her make her very own:

quilt!

Last night she finished all her blocks, and we laid it out to see the effect and plan the borders.  It has been so fun helping her with this project and she has done such a great job.

I love to do so many things, but quilting really is the tops for me in terms of making things.  It's delicious and satisfying.

Did I tell you what Lillian said today?

When she wanted to touch something:  "Mom, I want to mess with that!"

When she wanted to pour her own cereal:  "Mom, let ME spill it!"

Did you miss us?

We've had some internet issues.  So I kept up with your blogs, but didn't post to my own!

I've been sewing up a storm.  Above are some dresses I was working on for the girls, better photos to come

I've been reading a lot (are you surprised?).

I've been baking a lot (I know, you are shocked).

We've been playing Wii Sports resort (I am the best in the family at power cruising (Jet-Skiing).)

I've been taking some photos and now that we are back online, I can share them with my faithful four readers!