He has teeth!

After what I still believe was the worst week of my life, these two little toofers popped through! It's taken me weeks to get him to allow me a photo. So here we are, his first two teeth.

Mother's Day Tea

It's been a busy week with the Mr. out to sea, but yesterday I enjoyed a Mother's Day tea at Cass' preschool. Since this is her first year in school, it was our first Mother's Day tea.

Kaleb, Cass and I at our first tea!

We brought our own tea cups, so it was kinda fun to finally use the tea cups with our china set! We've only had it set since the Mr. and I got married...so, 6 years! As all the parents showed up, each child came to get their parent and escort them in, cute! I was so excited to see Cass so lit up with excitement.

As I sat down I saw this beautiful drawing, a flower pin, a plate of cookies, and a wrapped gift.

I'm the one standing by the rainbow! :)

They had water for the kids, but I was shocked to see so many kids drinking tea - including mine! However, she admits she doesn't like tea at all! haha.


Hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

The squirrel incident(s)...

This afternoon I noticed one of the squirrels who attacks the house was back and at it full swing. I could hear him scratching in the living room wall. As I got into the room, I was able to pin point his location - right next to the fireplace. I ran outside looking to see if he was just outside, or really in the wall. When I was outside, I could hear him, but not see him.

It was awhile later when I was on the phone with my Mom and I heard what sounded like a nut falling, then a loud thump on what seemed like metal from the fireplace. I paused, remained very still, gasped, completely in fear...freaking out. (I have these images of one popping out of the fireplace, or chewing a hole through the wall.)

Now, in the past I've contacted our landlord about previous squirrel issues, but they didn't take me seriously. This time, I wanted some sort of proof so they would quickly send help! With my fear of squirrels, and the Mr. out to sea...there is nothing I can/am willing to do.

Let me fill you in on how I investigate...white curtain rod in one hand, and camera in the other! I'm no fool, I believe these crazy wild creatures want revenge for the two deaths of their fellow squirrel friends - more about that later. The first several times I went outside, I used the front door and walked around to the back of the house. However, while on the phone with my Mom, I noticed the clawing much louder - I could hear him from the kitchen. I grabbed the curtain with my shoes, and scooted out the door to the deck. I could hear him, but it took a bit to locate him (I wasn't wearing my glasses). Once I pin pointed the sound, I noticed a small hole under the gutter, then...a foot with claws popped out! I freaked out...OMG...I was totally right in where I believed he was! Creepy, Ewww...it was official. There's a trapped squirrel. Now, to run back inside and grab the camera! I snapped a couple shots, and video then time to run back inside.

I'll back track a little here.... Years ago I told my husband I thought we may have a rat in the wall! I was terrified of the digging/scratching sound I could hear at the top of the wall/roof area in the living room. Since I'm the kind of person who needs answers, and answers now...I did the first thing that came to mind. I got out the tripod and video camera, then took it outside and set it up. I aimed it toward the holes at the roof line where I could hear the scratching.  Here's a photo from today, since it will take me too long to locate the original photo and video clip. But, the holes I'm talking about are the three round holes which are covered by what I think is chicken wire. So, I let the video run for some time, waiting and hoping he would show himself - which he did! I was so proud, I captured my first culprit on video!

Some days I would listen to him running across the living room. This went on for weeks before I noticed him over towards the front door - at the drainage pipe from the gutter. Apparently one fell into the pipe, and you could hear him trying to run up it. Ah...I can still hear it in my head years later!! When I contacted the landlord about all this, they told us to just do what we need to get them out. They weren't going to send anyone. I was pissed, but what can you do. It's not our house... Charlie unhooked the elbow to the drainage pipe, and waited until he left the roof crawl space area, and closed up the remaining holes at the roof line. Then, for a few days we had to listen to him screaming outside! No joke, an awful loud squealing as he tried chewing at the chicken wire over the closed holes. He wasn't afraid of me either. I would run out there banging things, hollering to shoo him away - all I got in return was an evil eyed look from him! When the screaming stopped, we noticed he managed to loosen the staples from the chicken wire, and get back in! At this point, I'm so angry I could shoot him! Once again, my poor husband had to wait until he left, and close up the hole again. This went on one more time, on this time once he got in he started working at another hole from the inside out!

Finally, all holes were closed and we headed out of town on a camping trip, only to come home and discover our unwanted house guest had returned! This time we had no idea how he got in, each hole was still secured, but he was working pretty hard getting the wire loose. Any other hole, and he might have lived...but he picked the hole with the longest wire. After some intense squirrel screeching, I ventured outside to check things out. I noticed his nose and teeth were stuck in the wire, he was bleeding. It was a tragic experience, on I wish I could block out! Perhaps I did not like Mr. squirrel, and at one point I threatened to shoot him, I really wouldn't have though...he's just a poor little creature who drove me insane some days. Sadly, there was nothing we could do. By time Charlie was able to get to him he had died...


Then, last summer I left an old kitchen trash can on the back deck. It rained a lot, so there was quite a bit inside...one afternoon when Charlie was cleaning up he noticed inside was a dead squirrel.

So, now perhaps you see why I am completely terrified of squirrels and believe they are trying to get revenge on the loss of their friends!

RIP my unwanted squirrel guests, I hope help arrives soon to successfully release your friend!
-Sincerely, the angry tenant lady whom you drove inane


Before I leave you, I want to share a piece of artwork my daughter made! Love artwork from the mind of a 5 year old... Do you see how round I am? What am I trying to do, smoke him out?? - notice the smoke in chimney! The small round circles at my feet are the previous nuts she left out for the squirrel - he must be hungry, and they love nuts she said.

Mommy taking a photo of the trapped squirrel in the wall!

29 Things to do before I turn 30

Birthdays are nature's way of telling us to eat more cake.

My cake - decorated by Cass

1. Weekend getaway with the Mr.
2. Go on a picnic
3. Make a fondant cake
4. Pay for a strangers meal
5. Read 5 books - in progress
6. Get into shape and start running
7. Start a 365 photo project
8. Make kitchen curtains
9. DIY wood-working project
10. Grow an indoor herb garden
11. Go on 8 dates with the Mr. - in progress
12. Take an overnight trip by myself
13. Stay at a bed & breakfast
14. Buy a large (living) indoor plant
15. Visit family & friends in Texas
16. Take the kids to the beach
17. Make both kids a quilt
18. Go to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
19. Build a snowman with my family
20. Visit Portland and eat at Fuddruckers - Fuddruckers
21. Make 10 new alcoholic drinks - in progress
22. Go to a Seahawks game
23. Clean out & organize the garage
24. Send someone a surprise
25. Start a family tradition
26. Make my own Christmas cards
27. Take a road trip - Road trip to Spokane
28. Golf with the Mr.
29. Watch the sunrise

My 29 things blog was inspired by Charisse, at Oh Me, Oh My.



As the Mr. headed out to sea - the day before my birthday, he wished me a happy birthday and said, "You're a young 29". Thanks hun! He knows how difficult this year is for me, it's the last year I'll say I'm in my 20's!

Yesterday I celebrated my 29th birthday, it was a fabulous day!

I arranged to take the kids to Seattle and meet up with family, but after such a long week I decided to reschedule. I needed a day of just relaxing, so relaxing is what I did. Cass woke me up with lots of Happy Birthday love, then we had breakfast and started our day - which I let her plan. We made cake, played, drew pictures, painted crafts, took photos, and ordered Chinese take-out! She even washed the dishes!!

The crafts we made. 

The plaques are: Papa, Cass, Kaleb, Mommy! We plan to embellish the birdhouse and the barn soon. We were just too exhausted.

Chinese take-out.

Ordering take-out is a terrible weakness of mine while he's out to sea! Usually I order much more, but with the whole "eating better" thing I'm working on, I figured less food = less left overs = less bad food for me to eat. ha!

Note: Photo taken after we dug in - we were too hungry to plate up and photograph!

After dinner, it was time for cake! As I was out of the room, Cass decided to surprise me with cutting the cake herself! HA. I walked into the kitchen to see this proud 5 year old kneeling on a chair at the table with a butter knife, pie spatula with a huge hole in the middle of the cake! I hear, "look Mom! I cut the cake and I added hearts"! At this point I'm smiling from ear to ear and laughing hysterically at my sweet child! How do you continue to hide the fact that you hate those nasty little valentine hearts with such a passion??

Cake after a 5 year old digs in!

My first photo at 29! Do I look younger yet?

This sweet boy of mine decided as a birthday gift to Mommy, he would start crawling around. Maybe not full on crawling, but it's a good army crawl across a room!

He's 8 months old!

Morning fun in pajamas at 8 months old! Brother & sissy starting their own band.

At 8 months old he may not be interested in crawling, but he's very interested in standing! I'm amazed at his leg strength. Baby boy, as much as I know you want to run and play as you watch the other children, I hope you take your time! Mommy is not ready for a little walker anytime soon...

The Eyebrow!

For the longest time I've been able to raise just my right eyebrow. I tend to do it if I'm trying to keep from crying, or even showing emotion. It's also one expression the husband does not like - I believe this is due to pure jealously! He's in the "other" population of people, you know.. the "uncool" crowd. At our wedding, during the ceremony, I remember doing this during the part when we listened to a song we picked. For that moment, it helped a little to cool the mood as I was about to cry - with happiness of course!  

Over the years it just sort of developed into a thing of mine. If I really want to annoy him, or sometimes get a smile out of him, I'll raise my eyebrow with a sweet smile. It works like a charm, I always get a response!

my right brow raised - the look that drives him crazy.

Cassandra must take after her Papa, because this girl can not raise one eyebrow! She tries quite often too.

This week the Mr. is working the dreaded night shift. I find it so difficult to be starting my day as he's ending his...it always reminds me of when I use to work the night shift as a CNA! Oh how our lives were so different then.... 

I try to keep the house as quiet as possible - considering there's a teether under 1 and a 5 year old, I need all the luck I can get! This morning as I was getting ready, I decided to use Cass' bathroom so I wouldn't disturb him as he slept. As I was almost done straightening my hair, in walks Miss. Cass. I'm trying to keep her voice down - as she's unhappy to see me using her bathroom. After a bit of whispered arguing, she agrees to share. She brushed her hair, and gets out the lip gloss. I can't even explain how adorable she is when putting on lip gloss. But I have photos to share!

the lip gloss!

checking out her smile with lip gloss.

Okay, now I'm finishing up my make up. We're all giggles at this point - quite giggles. She now transforms into the Cass I know and love, the silly side! Making faces, dancing around, and testing to see if she can finally raise just one eyebrow! Behold, I give you the video of Miss. Cass and her eyebrow raising!!

 

Notice how towards the end she covers one eyebrow. This is her newest trick - I freakin' love it!! Usually to achieve the one eyebrow raise, she'll use her hand and hold one eyebrow in place, then scream, "look, I can do it!". It makes me laugh every time.


Here are some added photos of my quiet, yet entertaining morning with Cassandra. -Note: You can click on these to enlarge them.

cheese!

sweet girl.

as I tell her don't move - she froze! 

ninja girl.

the fish.

I kept snapping photos as she made faces, and as she was silly...these are my favorite. After this last one she says, "I'm hungry now".