Going Green

You may have heard of these ways to repurpose plastic bags...
--waste basket liner
--wet swimsuit holder for after the beach
--library book bag
--doggie doo-doo remover
--lunch carrier
But, have you ever WORN a plastic bag? Clayton tried it out today. Here's his invention:
"The plastic baggie onesie"--for those hot days when you need something to wear, but cotton is too heavy.
What's your favorite way to re-use plastic bags?

Rainy Day

We welcome the rain. It's been a long time since we've seen it. Yesterday our kids loved playing in it...running, dancing, sliding down the "water slide" at the playground, and sloshing through puddles. We ran home from the playground getting pelted with hail and looked like wet rats when we got back.

The thing I love about the rain is how it makes everything clean...and green again.

A weekend of celebrations

Clay's birthday wish was to go camping. On Friday, Jeff took Clay and Em and another dad and kids to Buckhorn to spend the night. They ate cupcakes, swung on a rope swing, and had a great time.
For Emma's birthday on Sunday, we went to the beach. Monday we had a princess tea party with Piper, Sophia, and their moms, Amy and Ingrid. We ate "castle cake" and then painted the girls' nails. So fun!

Three

Dear Emma Natalie,

Three years ago today, we heard, "It's a girl!" and I screamed for joy at the surprise.

You bring us delight with your bright eyes and tender heart (lots of hugs, smooches, butterfly and eskimo kisses), your drama ("Mama, I'm SUPER thirsty..." or "But, I'm FREEZIN' cold!"), and your joy in dress-up, singing, dancing, caring for your baby dolls, and smelling flowers.

I love you, Little Lulu.

Five

Dear Clayton Scott,

You've been looking forward to "5" for months and now it's here. You make me smile as you imitate your Daddy in your love of hiking, campfires, and all things outdoors. You care for your sister and protect her from bullies at the playground. ("Don't do that to my sister!")

Your prayers for the poor and hurting humble me. I love your sensitive heart.

Happy birthday, little buddy. I love you to the moon...and back.

Mama

Close-ups

I've had so much fun with my Canon camera lately. I love the digital macro focus. These pictures are from Huntington Gardens today. Don't the roses almost look like they're made of tissue paper?

I'm amazed at the huge variety of roses...all colors, sizes, and shapes. I'm drawn to the ones that are very full and look almost like a peony. Someday I hope to have a little rose garden in a yard of our own.

Mom

To be a mother...It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. --Author unknownSome of my favorite Mother/Daughter moments... Cruise 2007
Tea Party 2007
Happy Mother's Day! I love you.

A Chocolatey kind of Day

Yesterday I made Jeff's grandma's recipe "Brown Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies." On the back of the recipe, she wrote:

"When I married Gramps at 15 years old, Grandma Otto gave me this recipe, because it was one of my husband's favorites. I've baked these cookies forever and Jeff grew up eating them. Enjoy baking them for him, as I have enjoyed making them for Gramps."

Thanks, Grandma. Clayton's words after eating a cookie sum it up: "This just makes your heart race. It's like magic."

Nature

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope." -Lady Bird Johnson

This afternoon we went on a hike through Eaton Canyon. We walked past lots of pretty yellow flowers like these.
We crossed the creek many times. If you look close, you can see Clayton in his camoflage shirt. He likes to wear it hiking so he can "blend in" with the surroudings!

A rose is a rose

Today Huntington Gardens was at it's peak! The rose gardens and arbors were incredible. Jeff and Emma at the Japanese Gardens
Clay tricks the Venus Fly Trap

Happy May Day!