Sock Puppets

I was actually quite impressed with myself for remembering I had gobs of leftover felt for some project I never did, as well as other buttons and trinkets to make SOCK PUPPETS! I was also impressed that I used the hot glue gun so well.

After reading "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" (months ago), in which a sweater reminds Moose of his grandmother, who used to make sock puppets, Noella was extremely interested in sock puppets. So..... (months later), I drag my ridiculously huge craft box (that I NEVER use) from off of a very high shelf and actually use some of the stuff. I was a fun day!

Noella had the most participation in making this particular one, Jerry.

The "Gang": Jerry, Rikki, Constance and Ally (last one named by Noella).

Oregon Ballet Theater

Noella has recently begun her introductions like this:

"My name is Noella" {begins to pose with ballerina arms and attempts to do spins}. As if to say to these new acquaintances "are you impressed with my super-awesome ballet moves?".

She is obsessed. I must hear at least 38 times a day "I'm dancin' like a ballerina, mom" (oh yeah, did I also tell all of you that she ends 99.9% of all of her statements with 'mom' - but with a weird twang that she loves to draw out... e.g., "maowwm").

So, like everything else, we ignite this ballerina obsession constantly. Relatives give tutus, I buy her used ballet shoes and we get her tickets to the Oregon Ballet Theater. This obsession is now at a whole different level.

We went to see The Carnival of the Animals. We went with another little friend, Emilia, and her mother, Lisa. We wore pretty dresses, bought new "fancy shoes" beforehand and ice cream afterwards. It was her ultimate dream. She kept saying the car ride down to Portland "I'm happy, MAOWWWM".

Who knew that a 2 year old could sit through and actually enjoy a 2 hour ballet performance? I just don't give the kid enough credit sometimes.

Right before we left 

Starting to show one of her killer moves

Just smile and take a decent picture - OKAY?!

"THE" new shoes. They have not left her feet since she picked them out.

Just before showtime

Emilia and Noella. Notice how dainty and sweet Emilia is eating her ice cream. Or maybe it just appears that way sitting next to Noella.

Did I get it all?

She truly, truly loved this field trip. I'm so happy we did it. Worth every penny. She still talks about it!

And the Seasons, They Go 'Round and 'Round

 "We're captive on a carousel of time" - Joni Mitchell

That was for you Aunt Marti. Everytime I think of / hear that song I think of you. It becomes so much clearer the older I get. We seem to go 'round and 'round in the Circle Game a little faster each year. 

Four years ago. Adam and I on top of Yosemite Falls. Not a care in the world. 

Two years ago. Caring way too much. 

Real life - right now. 

 

My how times have changed and keep changing.... 

Getting Closer...

One of the main reasons we went to Bend last friday was to check up on our HOUSE! It's getting closer and closer which is really exciting. We get weekly updates from our builder with pictures, but it is just not the same and seeing for ourselves. Plus, we needed to see it to make some decisions (like paint colors, etc...). 

In one of the bedrooms. 

Looking into the kitchen. The particle board on the sawhorses is supposed to represent the island. 

Looking from the kitchen into the living area. I LOVE this part about our house - the openness between the two and the huge windows looking onto the pine trees. 

From the living/dining area looking towards the kitchen/nook and the doorway to the hall that goes to two of the bedrooms. 

Our HUGE garage! Adam will be finishing off an office in the back there sometime this..... fall?!?

Our humble abode. 

Easter with Emma

Easter with Emma (or "Imma", as we should say) was so nice. She's such a delightful guest, and it's always nice to have family around on the holidays, since it's such a rarity these days.

We'll start things off at the beginning: Easter morning.

Wow, we're looking more alike these days.  Bed heads and all...

Assessing the loot. 

Didn't waste any time trying on Mimi's ballet dress that she sent.

 

The Easter Bunny also brought "purple" (or just blistex)

"this is boring" -Zeb

Scones, fruit, mimosas and coffee

Noella had a chocolate carrot for breakfast.

Bam! I found one!

Aligning the pink and purple colors together, where they belong.

Even Billy Idol goes on Easter egg hunts.

Walking off some of the sugar post brunch and egg hunt #1

Egg Hunt Round #2! Liam's house.

Emma's happy, Noella is all business emptying that Easter egg.

Noella and one of her best buds, Davina.

This is what the Dad's do while the hunt goes on....

A niece and her aunt.

A family half way put together. 

Smith Rock

Emma, the eldest cousin on my side - my first niece, is visiting us over Easter break. We couldn't be happier. Noella and Zeb are going to go through withdrawal when she leaves.

We needed to view our home in Bend, and originally she was going to tour Central Oregon Community College (COCC) - so a trip to Smith Rock was a must. We were so stoked about it, we even decided to ditch the college tour and push back our home walk-through appointment.

"I'm a mountain climber, mom" - Noella. 

That was Noella's chant the entire hike up and over Misery Ridge Trail. It's slightly ironic because, while she did climb up quite a bit of the steep hill, she was mostly on my back. As I was sweating and panting, pausing to take in the valley floor view, Noella would exclaim "I did it Mom!". No, Noella, I did it - thank you very much. We tricked Emma into doing this hike on Friday. I guess I should say "I". I tricked all of them. It started out as "let's just walk around a little bit", to "want to get a good view from the top?", to "well, we're already up here, let's just finish the trail". Now, I should also say that I had a humongous monkey on my back almost the entire time, so I did it to myself as well.

But, who are we kidding? I don't think we regretted it too much. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Future Pacific Northwester -Perhaps?

Noella stops for no one. 

"I'm climbin' that mountain, mom"

People would stop and make charming comments, like "someone's got a free ride". No, man, someone is paying for this for SURE!

Valley view

At the top!

Monkey Face Rock

It snowed later in the afternoon in Bend. Crazy weather! It was a fun trip. More pics and posts to come!