I get like this occasionally. I haven't posted in too long and I am in a slightly manic mood so here's a whole bunch of happenings. It's absolutely beautiful outside but I am holed up here in my office getting.things.done during naptime. Don't feel sorry for me. The window opens really wide in here and the breeze is lovely. Telfer is outside doing a combination of napping, reading, sunning himself and spray-painting. And maybe drinking a beer. Good combination, no?

We spent 2.7 days in Seattle last week celebrating our anniversary. The girls stayed home with Sherry's sister Maresa who is a recent college graduate and has more sense than about anyone I know. So capable and only 22! Telfer and I like each other quite a bit even after eleven years so spending time together without kids is just about the most amazing thing. We stayed in a nice hotel downtown and ate good food and walked a whole lot. We bought this card (can you read it in the picture: we go together like seattle and rain. ahhh) at a shop that you must visit next time you are in Seattle. You can easily kill at least an hour browsing about.

Here's Telfer at the Library Bar. The nerds go on vacation! We are really into Seattle Magazine's Best Happy Hours at the moment. We like to eat but not too much so when you can combine small bites at good prices, we are so, so there. We managed to strike three restaurants off the list (Poppy, Capital Grille, and Bottlehouse) and as we are goal-orientated types, we plan to visit the rest of the restaurants on the list in the next six months. You can imagine the strategizing conversations that have already taken place.

And then there's been this week. All the girls in the family have had colds, especially me and Jane. I may have used the phrase "human snot factory" to describe us. Getting better now. I can't decide if Cate has been freakishly sweet or my sickness has taken my own agenda down a couple notches and I have been a better mother. Correlation? Causation? In short, it's been a good week. Telfer randomly suggested we go out to spaghetti the other night. It was by far, the most fun we have ever had out with our kids. They were charming. They said thank you. They ate by themselves (Jane too obviously). Telfer and I did not bolt our food down like starving persons. Success!

I just love this picture. Telfer and Cate went on a few errands and I played at home with Gryffindor's youngest seeker. Yes, I think I am so clever.

This little scene made me think that perhaps Cate and I are related after all! I do this exact thing. Line the books up, wrap myself in a blanket and read for a bit. 

And finally, I am in love with this new book, Dinner: A Love Story. Missy, I almost mailed this to you but I restrained myself as Henry is not old enough for this to be relevant but you would love it (for the record). I have written about our trials with family dinner before but this book is giving me the encouragement I need to keep at it and try new approaches.

Telfer says I dress our girls like upper-class bag ladies. At least in this picture. True? I am not so sure. This bright, bright green building is the Frog Pond, a little convenience store in our neighborhood. The girls awoke from naptime last week to find that we were fresh out of popsicles. Disaster almost occurred and then I remembered we could walk to popsicles…

I brought home a 3-pack of cracker jacks from the store on Saturday. This is snack time on the porch. Jane and I love cracker jacks while Cate is unsure. What’s not to like, kid? Caramel corn, peanuts, and a prize? Really?

I also love baker's twine and ordered a sample pack from this etsy shop. If I wrap a present for you during the next three years, you can almost certainly expect some baker's twine. It will be very pretty.

We spent Mother's Day in Richland with my family. It was a whirlwind 24-hour-trip where we fit in multiple meals and a family picture session with a photographer (until my girls, namely Cate, decided she was DONE taking pictures). Neither girl enjoyed the car ride so when we got home last night Telfer and I collapsed after putting the girls to bed. We managed to consume Thai and watch an episode of Mad Men first however.

This is Jane at Christmas. Elizabeth gave the girls chopsticks and Jane immediately puts the present up her nose. I think this picture represents the reality of motherhood for me this year: always a little behind the curve and always a little surprised. But! Motherhood keeps me flexible and on my toes and in need of God's continual and lovely and surprising grace. And I love these little girls so much.

It’s been one of those weeks that have just disappeared. Entirely. The girls and I have had such a good time together though. They love the bagels I brought back. And the black-and-white cookies. Remember this video of Cate stuffing a whole cookie in her mouth?

Jane may not get any more bagels though. This morning she rubbed at least a tablespoon of cream cheese in her sparse hair and it was bathtime at 7:45 AM. 

It’s been beautiful outside and we have played on our playset and weeded and I finally planted a terrarium (after seeing a beautiful one Sherry did). I also spray-painted an old plant stand I got at a yard sale in California. When Jane wakes up from a quick morning nap I am going to give them the choice of playing at home, taking a walk or maybe the bus downtown. I love that Cate has opinions now on what we do. 

And finally, we have been saddened by Maurice Sendak’s death around here. We have read Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen and the tiny books multiple, multiple times over the last couple of days. I love his imagination and his deep understanding of children.