Florence, Oregon

Here are some pics from our Athay family trip to florence, Oregon last week. We had a great time at the beach. We totally recommend the adventure sand dune tours in the bus size dune buggy. Aweome! We stopped by the Newport Aquarium on the way down and all the kids loved seeing the fish. Kate couldn't stop pointing at them!

Playground Rant . . .

Ok, I just need to get this off my chest.
There are certain rules for the playground. Obviously, SOME PEOPLE just don't know them, or they choose to ignore them. If you have your 3 year old in the baby swings, and there are regular swings open, it would be kind to move your 3 YEAR OLD to the big swing so the lady with 2 babies could use one of the baby swings. I mean, for cryin' out loud--I put BOTH girls in one swing, so really I don't take up more than my share of play equipment.

If for some reason your 3 YEAR OLD (who was physically capable of riding their trike to the playground) can't go in the big swing, then take your 5 minute turn in the baby swing and then let someone else go--you know, someone like the lady with twins giving you the evil eye as she tries to take both babies down the slide because she can't send one down ahead and she can't leave one behind.
I mean really. Don't people know what playground etiquette is?

OMSI . . .A.K.A. . . .The Germ Factory

Well, 2 weeks ago we met my cousins Kristy (+kiddos), Natalie, Aunt Karen, & Grandma Athay at Omsi. I was pondering getting a membership thinking it would be a fun excape in a few months when the winter doldrums hit. After 3 kids w/ 3 colds= OMSI membership not happening this year. Maybe when my girls are old enough to not put EVERY LAST THING in their mouths. Ah, well. It was fun while it lasted. Until I caught an 8 year old pushing Clara over--HARD. What's the most dangerous animal in the wild???? A mad momma bear. Let's just saying I did some yelling at that kid and then made him take me to his mom. It took me awhile to calm down. NOBODY PUSHES MY BABY AROUND! ;) We all survived.

I became one of "those" moms

Ok, so this is just a little note I had to record for myself. Today I realized that I had become one of "those" moms. You know, the kind that only allow their kids to play with one toy at a time, and must put it back before they can get another one out; the kind who's kids wear bibs until they're 5 (kate gosselyn--How do you get a 5 year old to wear a bib? my 14 month old won't); the kind that have white furniture--and it's still white . . . You know a "clean house mom". Having grown up in a family that revered creative messiness . . .to the EXTREME. Only those of you who remember my mother's car as the "jelly mobile"--the texture of the seats when you sat down--will really understand what I mean by extreme. But, in my adulthood, I have come to realize that I am much more at home in order. I understand the idea of putting away toys as you play, having concrete curbing, and white couches (as long as they're slip covers that can be bleached!) But still, I inadvertently put myself in the creative-messy category out of habit.

But today, I realized I had become a "clean house" mom. I hadn't allowed my kids to play downstairs in weeks simply because I couldn't STAND the thought of having to pick up the toys. Understand, downstairs is the place where the IKEA bins filled with itsy-bitsy toys are kept--AND, James' favorite activity it to sit in the middle and dump EVERY SINGLE BIN OUT. So, without realizing it, I had moved the kids upstairs to play everyday. Now, I'm not really a clean house mom. I barely do enough to keep the status quo. But I aspire to be a clean house mom. Maybe we should just call this whole avoidance of mess a survival mechanism by a desperate mom.

Our little family get-away

So, once again I loaded the photos in reverse order. Oops!

Here's a little synopsis of our family get-away to the cabin. Although it was a bit hot when we first got there, it weather turned out beautifully, and we enjoyed hiking, swimming, playing games, and all sorts of outdoor fun.

Kate--For the Love of Oreos!

At our secret spot on the Lewis River. We should have know that if you take a 3 year old near water, they WILL get in. Shoulda' just put him in a swimsuit at the beginning!
Clara is testing out the rocks. So far they all taste like . . .rocks.

Kate finds the perfect perch.

The Ape Caves. So how do you do a 42 degree hike in the dark with 3 kids under three? Simple, you drive 20 minutes, take 20 minutes to prep up, walk in for 10 minutes and walk back out. The rule is simple, if 2 out of 3 are crying it's time to go. ;) Or, if your feet are on fire.

James and mommy checking out the trail of 2 forests--or the lava tubes. James was very upset we couldn't go hide in the tube. Justin was back at the car with a sleeping Kate, so it just wasn't going to work. I don't think Clara would have liked me crawling down a dark lava tube while she was on my back. ;)

Sunday morning chocolate milks with Daddy

Swimming at the lake with mommy. Thanks to whoever left the cute floaties at the cabin for us to use!

Hiking Big Creek Falls trail with daddy.

Um, where did my babies go?

So, I was just doing dishes and turned my back for a moment and the girls were gone. The mystery deepens . . .

Some Random Stuff for the record

Ok, so what do you do with a biter?? This afternoon Kate and Clara were playing NICELY in the living room. Suddenly I hear Clara screaming like she fell off the couch. I check on her, and she is just standing in front of her toy. Not on her head. No blood. What was the problem? I surmised it was the vampire child I spawned-i.e. Kate-- had struck again, but I didn't find the four little bite marks on Clara's thigh until later. Poor Clara. . . . Don't worry too much, Clara's sharpening her fangs for revenge.

Ok, this is just for bribery when he's 16. Just for the record HE insisted on wearing the pink bib and using the pink pacifier.
Here are some pics from our trip to Seaside last Saturday with my side of the fam. Has somebody already patented a diet detox involved sand?? Because Kate has demonstrated quite aptly that eating significant amounts of sand does wonders cleaning out the bowels. Mixed with blueberries . . . I"ll let your imagination take over here.

Ok, so anyone taking babies to the beach, here's a tip: Keep at least one sippy cup or bottle in the car so you have something not covered with sand for the drive home!

And what is it with people who want to have conversation you while you're pushing a twin stroller with two lawn chairs and a cooler balanced on top, with two beach bags over your shoulders, and a toddler who insisted on holding your hand? "Yes, mam, I can see that I have a flat tire, in fact two flat tires, can't do much about it now can I? OH, thank you for pointing out how far we parked from the beach. I wasn't quite sure. Let me run back to my car and drive around in a few more circles to end up in the same spot. No, no, PLEASE go around us, Honestly. I INSIST. Yes, they are twins. Thank you, they are cute. That's my son there, he's cute as well. Yes, my hands are full. Yep, I'm a busy mom. Please, I INSIST, you can pass us. Please?!"

Here's the kiddos first carousel ride. As you can see we had mixed results. Kate did pretty well, James liked it for awhile but then started to freak out once he realized that we moved. Clara didn't even want to give it a try.

Mt. St. Helens Climb 2009

My Uncle Stan put together a climb up Mt. St. Helens. As a native of S.W. Washington, and someone who remembers the blast, I thought it was a crime that I had never made it to the top! So I joined the group, and man did that climb kick my patootie. We hiked 2 miles up to the tree line and slept there. Stan had us up at 5:30 am and we were on the road by 6:00. It's 3 miles to the summit. A very hard, rocky, dusty, rocky, hot, rocky 3 miles. But the view from the top is AMAZING. I'm so glad I did it, and have no plans to do it again for a long time! I was definitely out of my comfort zone sitting on the rim with an 800 foot drop to the bottom!

Nephews Jacob & Alex

Me at the summit. This photo has Mt. Adams in the background. From the top we could see Mt. Rainer, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, & Mt. Jefferson.
Here's the climbing group. Alex (#63), Gracie (green shirt), Laurie? (white cap), Stan (red shirt), Casey(kid in front), Me, Jacob (eating), Joanie (in pink)

Posing in the first light of the day.

Bright and early on the day of the hike.

12:34:56 07/08/09

Here is a little documentary of what I was doing at 12:34:56 on 07/08/09. Thanks to Aunt Debbie--James, Kate, and I remembered to capture the moment (Clara was napping--yes it was one of those dreaded days when the twins wouldn't nap at the same time. No break for mommy. I spent the day making 8 pizzas, 3 lasagnas, 5 freezer jams, & 2 chicken & wild rice casseroles. I still have to clean ;(

Using spoons . . .or your face.

Here is what happens when you decide to give your twins "using a spoon" lesson and they don't play along.

California

Justin and I were crazy enough to take all the kiddos down to California to visit his family. It was serious chaos, but we're sooo glad we went. Here is a brief synopsis of our trip to SoCal--in no particular order. Disclaimer: I got up at 4:30 to go to the airport this morning. Please excuse all miss-spellings, grammar errors, and non-sensical sentences.

Newport Beach/Balboa Island

We had a blast in Orange county going to the swap meet, Newport beach, and Balboa Island. We didn't find much at the swap meet--but I did get a Bob's hand dipped ice cream bar--might be familiar to a few of you old time vancouverites. In Newport we rode the ferris wheel--James' first, and got Balboa bars. The girls dove right into the bars, but James had a melt down because he only wanted the sprinkles. Daddy, our hero, saved the day by going back and getting a cup of just sprinkles.

Hollywood/Beverly Hills

Our first day in California we joined up with Justin's parents and sisters, and toured Hollywod and Beverly Hills. Justin's sister, Tawny saw one of the male stars from the reality show "the Hills", and Justin saved the day again by getting him to take a photo with Tawny. We got sprinkles cupcakes--our favorite, and pink's hotdogs. James was just overjoyed to be off the plane. The real highlight of the day was just as we were leaving. A theater had the real Optimus Prime car out front. They also had the corvette and mustang from the show.

Oceanside Beach

Our second day there we had a great day at the beach. All the kiddos loved it! I even got wet up to my knees. Justin body boarded. All in all a fun day with family. Mommy ended up with a serious sunburn. Ouch.

Hanging out with family at Larry & Susie's, Grandma & Grandpa's, and Tracy & Christine's

Here is just a compliation of random photos from different days of us hanging out with family. Grandma Hughes and Kate, The kiddos snacking, Morgan playing "baby" with baby Clara, Kate checking out Ben's entertainment center, James checking out his new cousin Eli, James jumping off the diving board and Uncle Larry's, Kate & Clara found this basket on their own and decided it was made just for them.

Mommy Juice

OK, so many of you know about my on going saga trying to give up caffeine--more specifically--Diet Mt. Dew--better known as "mommy juice" in our house. Problem is--I LOVE MY MOMMY JUICE. I know I SHOULD give it up, but man is it hard to give up something you love. I figure now that I am not getting up and nursing twins 4+ times a night, I really have no excuses left. Well, no excuses as good as that one. So, I was browsing online about how to cut caffeine and I found this little list of things to do. It took all my effort not to laugh too hard. I'll add my own thoughts in purple.

Be patient and use the following ten tips to rediscover and to reconnect with life and living.

1. Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation. Make time to fulfill emotional, physical and mental needs. Perfect! Who's coming to watch the kids. Last time I left James unattended to take a shower he hosed the kitchen cabinets down with the sprayer.
2. Enjoy wake up time and change morning routines even in small ways. Breathe fresh air, walk, and drink room temperature water adding a twist of lemon. Tense and stretch each part of your body slowly. Ha! Ha! Ha! Nice illusion. Real wake up routine: two girls crying in the other room-hungry & with pee up to their armpits, and James bouncing on my head "wake UP mommy!" You must admire my tenacity because I still try to sleep through all this.
3. Use positive affirmations to kick start your day, your mind and your life. "I am a free and powerful being, ""I love myself completely without condition," "My body clears, heals, and balances itself," "I always have enough time." " I will not lose it today." "I will not lose it today." I will not lose it today."
4. Switch to decaffeinated beverages. Say "no" to colas and other carbonated drinks. Well, I don't drink coffee or tea, so carbonated drinks are the real problem here.
5. Upon waking, ask yourself: "How am I right now?" Accept how you feel. Deal with what you can in those moments and put the rest firmly aside until later. Refuse to be overwhelmed. Remember depressed actually means suppressed. Oh, I do this everyday. I am really, really good at accepting how I feel. Doesn't mean I want to continue feeling that way. I deal with how I feel by getting myself a Mt. Dew and snack on my kids left over breakfast or last nights cookies.
6. When that voice inside you demands caffeine, simply break the habit of responding. Drink or do something entirely different instead. Say "no" to the myth that you need caffeine to get you going. Um, does that go for chocolate too? We might have serious trouble.
7. If you feel tired, stressed or need a lift, tense your body, breathe deeply and clap your hands above your head four times. Ask yourself what you need right now and fulfill your needs.
Make time to relax and enjoy simple natural highs. Get comfortable with feeling good and stress free. Does clapping your hands at your kids count? Honestly, I'm pretty sure who ever wrote this has never had 3 kids crying at them, all trying to sit in THEIR lap at the SAME TIME while they were trying to give up caffeine. The nature high of the day is going to bed-- and well, caffeine's not really a problem then, is it?
8. To stop the craving for caffeine or unhealthy comfort foods, repeat firmly in your mind: "I am letting go easily of everything I no longer need." Place your open hand firmly on your chest and rub backwards and forwards then around and around in slow circles. Rock your body backwards and forwards. Keep breathing deeply with the mouth open. You will feel comforted, calmed, and soothed, and will have bypassed the craving. Um, I've been living with my parents for over a year now. I got rid of everything I don't need a long time ago. I'd actually like to get back some of those superfluous things "I no longer need"-- like my own bedroom.
9. Be a leader and not a follower. Make healthy choices while alone, with family, friends, and colleagues. Don't over-consume caffeine because everyone else does. Make conscious and healthy choices. Well, not really a problem here. I think I'm the problem for others. ;)


So, I'm just going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it's my attitude that's in the way---that and the pounding headaches I've had for the last 17 years since a few car accidents--eh-hem, not ALL my fault--I had when I was in high school. Excuses aside--the point of my little mini-confessional is to ask those of you who have given up caffeine for tips on how you did it. I'll do really good for a few days--and then I'll have kids up till 3:30 am and . . . So what it you do to cut caffeine out of you life? I'd love suggestions--or if you have none of those--just encouragment!!

Just call me Penny . . . pincher

I thought that garage saleing was a thing of yester-year, but OOOOH NO! I made the biggest find last Saturday. I got these 2 girlie chairs for $2.00 a piece. They're knocked over in the picture below. The girls just love them. Kate especially. She's always just kickin' back, lounging in her princess chair. Keeping James out is another problem--actually he doesn't want to sit in them, but use them for his forts.

Ok, so ever since I saw on the TV show "18 Kids and Counting" the Duggars making their own laundry detergent the idea has been hatching in my little o' noggin. I figure if they can find the time to make their own, so can I. So today I gave it my first go. The first round, I had the wrong stuff--baking soda not washing soda. They're actually different things. I used Ivory soap. And well--it didn't really work out. It was sort of white, watery, sludge. Not the slimey goo I was supposed to have according to the website--don't remember the name-something about tips. Then, since I had to go to Winco anyway, I decided to see if they had the right stuff, which they did. So I gave it another go--this time using the right stuff--washing soda, and I used Fels Naptha soap as well. I must say, the first round of laundry turned out just fine. I purposefully put in a dress with red jello stains (fresh-not set it) and some dirty towels. Everything came out clean and smelled sorta like nothing--which is the goal for doing laundry--I guess. I made a 60-80 load batch of detergent for $1.36. Pretty good deal I'd say.

OK, so to be honest I'm not sure if this is something to be proud of, or if I should start seeing a therapist. But . . . Wal-mart on Mill Plain is closing their fabric department and everything was 1/2 off!!!! I'm pretty sure I have enough pink and purple fancy fabrics to make fairy princess costumes for the next six years--but at $1.00 a yard how could I resist??? I got stuff for 8 sets of pj's, 4 dresses, MULTIPLE Halloween costumes/dress-up boxes, 2 fleece blankets, 2 sets of faux silk curtains, and 1/2 the fabric needed to recover the couch my sister Jeny gave me. I got the rest later for $1.24 a yard!

NOW--HERE'S THE RUB. I HAVE TO DO THE SEWING! I guess that'll be another post--but for the record I have 2 sets of pj's done for James and we'll definitely be getting our money's worth--they should fit until he's 8. ;) Here he is posing in his new choo-choo pj's--complete with milk spilled down the front. He looks distressed because I asked him to look at the camera. Apparently James is still under the delusion that camera's steal your soul, and therefore should not be looked at EVER, especially when mom wants your photo.

If the hat fits . . .

Just some cute pics of Kate and her daddy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARA & KATE!!

Wow! My babies turned 1 year old yesterday. There are many things to be said about how I made it through the past year, but that's another post. Right now I just have to say to Kate and Clara that you are my two little angels. You make me so happy I feel so blessed to be your mother. Thank you for bringing joy and sunshine into my every day . . . even on days you keep me up all night.

Run cake! Run for your life.

Kate and Clara are after you.

Here are the birthday cakes. Since I figure we'll be doing princesses for the next 6 years, we went with bugs this year. A bumble bee for James (who actually slept through the party, so he'll get his cake later) a butterfly for Kate and a ladybug--yes, that's a ladybug, sorta a princess leia ladybug--for Clara. And a flower cake with ants for everyone. The flowers are for the girls and the ants for James.

I just couldn't be prouder of you son

The scene: Mom is talking to grown ups up stairs. James is playing downstairs . . . quietly. Be suspicious. Very suspicious.

Mom: James? How are you doing?

James: I did it! I did it! I did it! . . .

I made a mess!

What can I say? Who wouldn't be proud of an accomplishment such as this?

Lazy summer days

The kids and I have enjoyed a beautiful week in my mothers gorgeous back yard. Luckily I haven't had to fish any kids out of the pond this week ;) I've gotten into serving lunch outside on a blanket. Which might explain the second half of this post . . . But as for these pics--here are a few cute ones of Clara & Kate. James is 2 going on 14 and refuses to look at a camera, so he is mostly absent from all my latest pics. You might catch him in the background. Here's Clara climbing on Mt. Mommy. Notice the dirt on her chin--leftovers from the snack that ended the photo op with her sister below.

Here's my little sick girl Kate. She lost about a pound with some kind of stomach bug this past week. Doesn't she look stressed? You should see the tantrums this girl can throw. I'll get one on tape soon and post it. Really, they're Oscar worthy.

Here is the only pic I got of the girls posing together. Clara promptly picked up a chunk of dirt and started munching away just after this was taken.

Picnic Table

Last Saturday as I was getting ready I had a sudden "Sarah Athay" moment. For those of you who don't know my mom, a "Sarah Athay" moment usually involves sudden whims to start large and random projects at any given time. I once woke up to the sound of a sledge hammer going through a wall. My mom decided she just didn't want a wall between the dining room and kitchen anymore. Luckily it wasn't a baring wall.

So, as I was getting ready last Saturday I decided that the kids needed a picnic table so I could serve snacks and lunches outside. Justin--always up for a project that includes drills and saws, was game. He found some instructions online and I headed off to home depot with James. The kids are now the proud owners of a picnic table. They love it! We eat snacks there every afternoon. In fact, sometimes the only place we can get James to eat at all is at the picnic table! FYI--you can down load the instructions from www.buildeazy.com We built it from 2x4's instead of 1x6's to make it sturdier. It took just an afternoon to build. Definitely worth it.