Summer's New Best Friend

Along with the pandemic came the cancellation of pretty much every extracurricular activity.  So as things begin to reopen, we have had a chance to "re"decide what to sign up for.  When I asked Summer what she wanted to do, she surprised me and said "piano".  I thought I better jump on that (since she usually says "nothing") and luckily, I know the absolute best piano teacher around.  After the first day, Miss Amie was Summer's new best friend:)  

Someone who gives you their undivided attention, sits on the floor and plays new games with you, has a room filled with games and toys!!  What's not to love??  Summer is in heaven:) Amie is the best!

Stormi Dash Poop-foot Emonts

 I'm not quite sure how it all happened, but somehow the kids ran with the whole "getting a kitten" idea.  Before I knew it, we were driving to Kent to meet a Frenchman about a kitten.  All he really told us about her was "she's a fast one" and then handed the box over!!  

About Stormi

We named Stormi in the car on the way home because she looked like a storm cloud (sometimes we call her "storm cloud").  The middle names came later...Dash, because she is the fastest kitten EVER, and Poop Foot because, well, she had poop on her foot...twice.

She didn't meow for at least a day when we got her.  I thought there was something wrong.  She was also scared of everything and everyone.  

She was so tiny and skinny.  She didn't seem to be eating anything so I tried some canned food on day 2 and she gobbled it down!!  I felt so bad for not trying it earlier.  She is absolutely obsessed with all food!!

She is super fast, playful and jumps like a flying squirrel.  She climbs the curtains and our legs.  She jumps up onto the counter and then on our backs.  She jumps on Callie constantly.  She steels Callie's bed.  She purrs so loud all the time.  She snuggles on our necks.

She is obsessed with food, Callie, danger noodle (or any toy) and trying to get outside.

We love our new little addition.

Missing it all

The US/Canada border has been closed for over a year now.  

I've missed so much time with my family...including precious time with my dad before we lost him.  

This past weekend I missed my niece Amanda's wedding.

It's hard to put into words how I feel about the whole thing.  We moved to Washington 8 years ago to be closer to family.  Never did I think a pandemic would keep me from spending time with them...and never did I think I would lose my dad only 7 years later.  

I have not been able to mourn alongside my family.  

I have not been able to visit my dad's grave.  

It's all been so hard for me.  

"I wonder what Piglet is doing, thought Pooh.  I wish I were there to be doing it too"

May {Birth} Days

I remember growing up, my dad telling me about how in Finland they celebrated "May Day" on May 1st.  It was a celebration to welcome the warmer weather and finally say goodbye to all the snow and cold.  Since moving from California (where "seasons" just means slightly warmer and slightly cooler) I feel like celebrating every May 1st just like they do in Finland.  The flowers are starting to bloom, the grass is lush and green, the weather is warming up and summer feels like it's just around the corner...not to mention, we get to celebrate Mother's Day, my birthday and Mike's birthday all in one month.

So here are our "May Day" celebrations:

The Flowers

I wish all flowers would bloom early spring and stay in bloom until the end of the summer!  But some of my favorites bloom right around Mother's Day...and just a week or two later, I planted my bedding plants.  I just love this time of year!

My lilacs

Mother's Day

This is the second year in a row that the border has been closed, so I wasn't able to spend Mother's Day with my mom.  It left me feeling a little grumpy, which meant I wasn't the greatest company.  But at least I got to talk to my mom and I didn't have to make dinner.  What more can I ask for??  Being a mom is hard sometimes...but I am so grateful for the beautiful souls I get to "mother" and the amazing mother I was blessed with.

For some reason taking a picture with me and the kids is the most difficult task of the year!

My Birthday

Ever since turning 40, I really haven't "enjoyed" my birthday.  I am grateful for friends and family who call, text and send gifts...it all helps me feel special and less sad to be getting another year older.  We didn't get to do anything too exciting this year.  The weather was crummy and everyone had to work.  So we just did dinner at Olive Garden and Costco cake. 

Mike's Birthday

Mike's birthday was on a Sunday this year, so we celebrated the day before.  We checked out a new burger place (Stack 571) and got poutine burgers!!  Then we headed to an escape room with the big kids(my first one ever), and came home for cake.  It was a great day. 

Hobby or Addiction?

 I have always loved to shop, but in more recent years it has become somewhat of a therapy (which I'm not sure is helpful), but in even more recent months (since covid) I'm somewhat concerned it has turned from a therapy, into an addiction.  

When I'm feeling down or frustrated or just need to get out of the house, I head to the store.  It is typical for me to pass some free time at TJMaxx or HomeGoods.  I'll squeeze in a quick trip to Target on the way to pick up the kids or I'll take a detour through Michael's on the way home.  At Christmas time I tend to go a little bonkers and have to give myself limits on spending and the number of gifts I buy.  But, it's all fun and harmless right?  

When covid hit and everything shut down, one of the ONLY things that I could still do was shop.  I couldn't see my friends, I couldn't visit my family, I couldn't go out for dinner, I couldn't host or attend any parties, I couldn't go to book club or bunco...heck, I couldn't even go to church!  BUT, I could still go shopping (and even when the stores were closed, I could shop online).  My weekly outing to the grocery store became my excitement for the week.  The amazon packages coming to the door were like a bright light in a pretty dark reality.  

That brings me to today, fourteen months after covid shut everything down.  I came home with 3 bags...one filled with 4th of July decorations, one filled with towels and mats for my bathroom, and one filled with another swimsuit for Summer (and a puzzle).  I think it was mostly the 4th of July decor that made me begin to question my shopping habits--haha, I'm Canadian for goodness sake...and honestly, how many swimsuits does a 6-year-old need?  

Oh dear.

Maybe I need an intervention.

Spring Tease

 I feel like early every spring, we get a week of gorgeous warm weather that tricks us into thinking summer has arrived.  This year was no exception, only I feel like it was longer and warmer than usual!

We set up the pool...

...had our first fire of the season...

...jumped on the trampoline with the sprinkler under...

...and even bought new cushions for our outdoor furniture!

We are definitely ready for SUMMER.

Rattlesnake Ledge--check

 I finally hiked Rattlesnake Ledge!  

It was more beautiful than everyone said it was...and not as difficult as I was expecting.

It made me feel grateful.  Grateful for this world and those I get to share it with. 

Back to School in April

My kids have not been to school since March 1st, 2020!  Needless to say, we were excited for them to be back on campus...even if it is only two days a week...and Kya gets home at like 11am.  We'll take it.

Sophmore & Senoir

Unfortunately, Summer's change came with a teacher change as well.  We were so sad to lose Mrs. Hanson.  Honestly, I think she may be the best teacher any of my kids have ever had.   She chose to keep teaching the online kids since she has two kids at home who need her on the asynchronous days.  Summer will still get to see her at school some days, but we were super disappointed to lose her as a teacher.  The good news is though, that Summer is loving in-person school so far and her new teacher.

1st Grade