"How'd they shoot him dead?"

I remember when we talked about colors and numbers. Now, as my beautiful daughter continues to grow, our conversations continue to grown more interesting. She asked last week "Mama, how'd they shoot him dead?". After a long series of questions I figured out that she was referring to Dr Martlin Luther King Jr.

The interesting thing about a five year old, is that she wasn't curious about "why" they shot him, she wanted to know how shooting him resulted in his death.

It was a strong reminder of how important it is to pay attention to the media and the toys that you expose your child to. Also, the importance of taking the time to talk about what they see and hear in that exposure. Because Maddie isn't aloud to play with toy guns or watch movies that depict violence, it had never occured to her that shooting someone with a gun kills that person. On one hand, it is comforting that a person can live with that feeling of safety. On the other hand, it scared me. Because we don't have guns in our house it had never dawned on me to talk to her about gun safety. As she grows older though, we do not have the luxury of being with her at all times and she could easily find herself at a play date where there are guns kept in the house. Suffice to say, we sat down that evening and had a long talk about guns. We spoke of their purpose, their mechanics, and the importance of not touching one.

Maybe I was affected differently because I just finished a novel about a school shooting... either way, I am so grateful that the opportunity presented itself since I hadn't thought of it on my own.

"How did all the people get here?"

Two weeks ago Maddie and I were driving home from school when she asked me "Mama, how did all the people get here?" Beleiving in religious science as I do, and being a firm believer that everyone should partake in a faith (or lack of faith) that makes sense to them, I was careful not to say "this IS what happened...". I instead took the approach of explaining that there are lots of different beliefs, but that Mama believes is that... (btw explaining evolution to a 5 year old puts a lot of strain on the brain).

I can't help but wonder though, is it better to teach children a truth at this young age and then encourage them to explore different faiths later in life? Or is it best to keep the road maps of faith open from day one? As an adult I still struggle with wanting to have one firm belief, one which I have yet to nail down, craving a "known truth" which for me does not yet exist.

Parents, what do you chose to teach your children? And non-parents, what do you think you will chose to teach when your time comes? I would love to hear from you.

She is so very beautiful

and Fridays attempt at a Creamy Pesto Sauce. Needs some tweaking but it was a good first shot...

Monkey Maddie

Mother's Day Weekend

I am very much looking forward to this weekend.

Saturday - Lunch with my loving StepMother Vicki at the Nordstrom Cafe
Saturday Night - Watching Kevin play Trumpet with a cajun blues band
Sunday - Service followed by pottery painting with my Maddie, Mom, and sister Meghan

Doesn't that sound wonderful!!!!!!

Zoo!

We took our favorite children to the zoo the past Saturday (Maddie, Kieran, and Connor). It was an absolute blast! I admit though, its much harder when the kids out number the adults. Lucky for us we don't plan on ever being out numbered (at least not for a few years and by then Maddie will be older and it won't be so difficult). I wanted to share some pictures from our zoo visit. You know which one Maddie is of course (the beautiful one), Kieran is the 4 year old boy and Connor is the 2 year old boy.

A Wonderful Sunday

Talk about starting March off with a bang. Today has been a truly wonderful Sunday.

This morning I woke up before my family (a rarity considering Maddie is usually up by 7 on Sundays. She must have been tired...). After a quick shower I headed off to a meditation circle at my church. CSL offers a guided meditation before first service on Sundays. I have been wanting to give it a try for months now and finally did. It was truly wonderful. I was able to completely let go of myself and give in to the guided shakrah cleansing (not sure if that is what they call it but it's close enough). Afterwards I felt so alive!!!

After meditation I went to first service. The message of course was uplifting as always. Kathianne has this way of speaking that always makes me feel as though she is speaking directly to me. I will admit though, I do not like the 9:00 service as much as the 11:00 service. The dynamic amongst members isn't as alive and peppy. Suffice to say I will be going back to second service next week.

After service I had brunch with Sody at Cafe Presse and enjoyed a DELICIOUS Croque Monsieur (Baked ham, gruyere and béchamel sandwich). If you haven't already, I highly recommend dining there.

I made it home around 11:30 and picked up Maddie & Kevin for a trip to Wallingford Playground (or "Museum Park" as Maddie named it almost 2 years ago). We played outside for about an hour before our friends the rain clouds decided to join us. At that time we walked over to Tophy Cupcakes to pick up two cupcakes for us to snack on later.

Lunch time! Maddie and Kevin were hungry for lunch and we were all feeling lazy. So, we went to Kidd Valley for grilled cheese sandwiches. That's when it happened. "He" sat down in the booth directly behind ours. Facing none other than ME. I was staring at this beautiful man thinking to myself "Do I know him?". Kevin says to me "What?" knowing that I am distracted. I quietly whisper to him but he can't hear me (man that place is packed on Sundays!). This time, a little bit louder and more clearly, he hears me. Kevin then proceeds to turn to verify and confirms that I am correct. The man I am staring at is the beautiful, handsome, extremely sexy Dave Matthews (don't worry, Kevin is very aware how attracted to him I was. I told him all about it while I tried not to stare). At one point I said to Kevin "it's too bad he not on my "list". My darling husband's response (as if I would have even had a chance) was "sorry, the list is not changeable in the presence of a the new addition". It was a good lunch.

Off to the grocery store after lunch and now we are home. Tonight's dinner: flat iron steak tacos with red cabbage and spanish rice. YUM!!!!!!

Final thought of the day

Being a mother is very enjoyable. The most enjoyable thing I can imagine. Being a mother to a sick child however is extremely exhausting. Luckily my little angel is finally starting to get healthy again. Yay for us!

May all of you be blessed with healthy children :)

Cute photo of the day:

(note: she made the hat herself)

There is something about bubbles

Bumbershoot and such...

Kevin was chosen to be an assistant in a circus act that was performing...



Maddie worked on her first ClayMation movie...


Maddie rode a snail and got a foot massage...


We watched a VERY cool dance group perform in the fountain...



And Maddie danced her socks of to The Offspring...

but then she got sleepy...

I don't have any pictures from Death Cab but I can tell you they were AMAZING!!!!!! (Maddie unforutnately missed seeing Ben Gibbard)

It's official, she's 4

Saturday was Madeline's 4th birthday. I am still having trouble comprehending how quickly she's growing up. The morning began with her saying "Mama, I am SO OLD!!!". The idea that she starts kindergarten in one year is troubling to me. When I think back to August 30, 2004 I can still remember the ditinct feelings of holding her for the first time and looking in to those beautiful eyes. It sounds corny but they do grow up so fast...

Pictures from the party:

Maddie's Dora cake (a lot more work than last years Elmo by the way)


Kieran telling Maddie "See Maddie, I'll be as big as you when I am 4!"


Cake time!


These three look related though I am not sure why...


PRESENTS!!!!

A weekend away

This past weekend we were lucky enough to enjoy a weekend in the town of Greenwater on Mt. Rainier. It was absolutely gorgeous and we had a truly relaxing time. We hadn't been camping in a long time so it made for a nice end to the summer.

We found some horses... Kevin and Maddie discovered the joy of throwing things in a fast moving river...



Maddie played with mud...

We roasted marshmallows...

And we sat around doing absolutely nothing...

It made for a very relaxing weekend.