Sam's Butterflies

Sam got a butterfly kit for his birthday. Right away we ordered the caterpillars and waited for our bug delivery.

They finally arrived in the mail and Sammy was ecstatic. He was pretty put out when I told him that we couldn't handle the little bugs.

We started with 5 caterpillars. They grew at a rapid pace and then 2 managed to make themselves into perfect little cocoons.

Another caterpillar became a lovely little chrysalis but it fell from the top and I assumed it was dead. The other two caterpillars didn't live to finish their metamorphosis.

Last week 3 butterflies appeared in the kit. It was so exciting! The two that made it to the roof were perfectly formed and beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies.

The one that managed a cocoon but was on the bottom came out looking pretty weak and deformed. We hoped that its wings would straighten out, but it never happened.

Yesterday we released our butterfly friends. The first one took a few crash landings into the grass but soon figured out the ways of flight and took off.

 The second one flew around Sam and I for a few minutes before landing on a bush and taking a little rest. But soon enough, she too disapeared into the woods.

The third, our "special" butterfly, tried her hardest to fly with bent wings, but never made it off the ground. I didn't have the heart to leave her out in wild world, so she is living out her life protected in my enclosed strawberry patch.

We had so much fun we are going to order some more. What a fun way to teach Sammy about metamorphosis!

Embrace the Camera - 5.24.12

Obviously Matt's genes are very dominant in Sam's handsome looks and calm demeanor. But, believe it or not, Sam is a lot like his Mommy too.

He has my sleep habits (we both thrive on 10 hours a night), my outgoing, love to be the center of attention personality, my appetite, my obsession with animals and apparently, my tongue.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Sam, the 3 year old.

Sammy has changed a lot in the last month.

For example, our calm, relaxed, quiet child has become very excitable, crazy and loud.

Oh. So. Loud.

He has become a true boy overnight. He's jumping off of couches, running around the house and getting into trouble. Sam's into wrestling, swords, superheros and speed. Wounds and scars are collecting on his extremities as I type.

I'm not going to complain too much since we have had it pretty easy for 3 great years. But what a change it has been for us!

I look at all the challenges we have on a daily basis and say to myself, "wow, he's growing up."

I try my hardest to stay away from yelling, "Who are you and what have you done to my boy!", but I'll admit, those words are uttered occasionally.

And, although they are now amidst tackling and pointy elbows to the boob, I still get lots of hugs and kisses. I think I can make it through any crazy changes as long as they are around.

Week in Instagram - 3

1. S'mores for Mother's Day. 2. My sleepy boy still cuddles. 3. My cross-eyed dog, Briz. 4. Photobooth with the hubby. 5. Breakfast in bed. 6. Rocky beach. 7. Mukilteo Ferry. 8. I rock at arcade basketball. 9. Red Robin. 10. Sleeping Sam. 11. Matt and Shauna making funny faces. 12. Sam and Mommy camping out in the backyard. 13. Flying! 14. Mornings. 15. Crab. 16. Having a blast with the watergun in the back.

From the heart

Last week my gynecologist noticed an "irregular heartbeat" and recommended I see my general practitioner about it. (Good news from the apt - my pap's normal. 5th on in a row. Yea-yer!)

So yesterday I went in to see the Doctor (after having a few ugly moles removed-hence the band-aid) and she also heard the "weird" heartbeat. 

So they hooked me up to some machines and then glued this heart monitor onto my chest. I get to sport this VERY noticeable contraption for 2 weeks. It's pretty fancy stuff. It sends my beats to a satellite that records all of my data onto a computer that is then monitored by a specialist. It will hopefully give them a better idea of what is going on.

Futuristic, no?

My Mom says I'm a robot. :)

Embrace the Camera - 5.17.12

Front porch sittin' with the boy.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Mother's Day

The day started out with a delicious breakfast in bed and Allison Krauss tickets. What a great way to wake up, right?!

After soaking up every bit of guilt free stay-in-bed-and-read-a-book time, we all went out into the back yard and relaxed in the sunshine.

While the chickens pecked away at the lawn, we had some quality family time sun bathing, playing in the pool and wrestling in the grass. It was perfect.



When dinner time came we drove to my parents' house with Matt's dad, Ben, and had an outdoor barbecue and s'more roasting.

Dad and our friend Karl played guitars around the fire while the rest of us sang along. (Got a pic of my Dad, but didn't get a single shot of my Mom....on MOTHER'S day. Oops.)

Sam got in on the action and we set up the scene to make it look like a vagabond band playing for dough.

Although it was a great day, we sure missed Jan. Not only was this week Mother's day, it would have been her 50th birthday. We miss her a lot.

The Zoo with Uncle Cory

My little brother Cory is pretty much non-existent during the winter months. He works and lives up at Snoqualmie Pass while the snow is falling and doesn't come down the mountain until its closed.

So when we do get together, it's a lot of fun.

I had some work in Tacoma this week so we made a trip out of it and hung out at the Zoo together

The sun was shining and it felt so good!

 Sam as a "kermit bab."

 Feeding the goats.

 Sam thinks Cory is pretty cool. :)

 Pretty Peacock.

 Sam and the Walrus. "He says, Coo coo ca choo!"

 Sam loved "mapping" out our trip. He would say "Okay, next is the penguins!"

 Trick stroller.

Week in Instagram - 2

1. Bath boy. 2. Greyfalcon. 3. Peacock. 4. My sleepy guys. 5. Sam's room after having friends over. 6. Sam checking out the walrus. 7. Making moves on Katelyn. 8. Wrapped like a baby. 9. Brisbane in my bed. 10. Spidersam. 11. Minimalist ducks. 12. Giving Bailey dog some love. 13. Hens on a walk. 14. Swinging on a sunny day. 15. Bug hunt leftover. 16. Burgers....mmmm.

Embrace the Camera - 5.10.12

Sam and I at our favorite spot in the Point Defiance Zoo.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.

Week in Instagram - 1

1. My smiling boy. 2. Sam's giraffe with pom poms from his party. 3. The kitty, Princess. She's a lazy one. 4. Sam sleeping in our room. Lately he has been waking up early (ever since we took away the binkies) but he crawls into bed with me and sleeps a couple more hours. I love it. 5. The "gold" painted Space Needle. 6. Thai food. I never get tired of it. 7. Sam and Mommy on a date. 8. Jan's maple. (more to blog on this) 9. Broody hen, Dotty. 10. Our new room design. 11. The ladies waiting for corn. 12. Sam and his new football. 13. Watching 3D movies. 14. Brimley, the greatest pup! 15. Somersault Superman. 16. Tub toys.

Embrace the Camera - 5.3.12

All I have for this week is an Instagram shot of me, Sam and Courtney. It's a lot of fun hanging out with these two. Sam loves waking her up in the morning and signing with her. Court loves to show Sam new signs like "tiger" and "snake". They love to watch movies together and play with stickers.

I'm very lucky know them both.

To see what this Embrace the Camera thing is all about, click HERE.