Victory is Ours

You can go ahead and start officially calling me a seamstress. I'm right on the verge of being able to make something like this or this or this.

What gives me so much confidence all of the sudden, you wonder? Well that's simple. My first ever (minus the lovely hooded bath towels from Christmas) sewing project was successfully completed this past week. And it is just screaming with my skill and natural ability. I mean, if I can make a child's messenger bag for carrying library books, surely I can someday tackle a french lace wedding gown, right?

Even better than this exciting new prospect is that I don't have to walk this path (of talent, fame and fortune) alone. I have two good friends who are also rising in the ranks toward seamstress right along with me (their bags are shown above).

Okay. In all seriousness, these bags took us three nights to complete. And mine may look good from afar, but there are quite a few "special features" that make it unique (ie: the fact that I accidentally cut my strap and so it's sewn together in two pieces). Regardless, I have a little girl who is loving it and that's all that matters, right??

I'm not so sure about my sewing New Year's resolution. It has certainly shown me that I am not a very detail-oriented, patient, direction-following person. And maybe that's a good (albeit painful) thing to discover/be reminded about oneself. I feel like I'm right on the verge....of either loving it and diving in or giving up entirely and paying someone else to make things for me until the end of time.

For now I'm soaking in the joy and fulfillment in creating something that at least partially resembles what I set out to make. And I suppose I'll decide about the future of my seamstressing ways at a future date in time ;).

Music Finale

Clara had her last Kindermusik class on Wednesday. She is obsessed with "music class". Even when she has her moments of dazed gawking in class (instead of participating), she sings every song at home. Literally. None more than Go Round the Mountain, of course. The song is lyrically stimulating, let me tell you. Something like "Go round the mountain. To-te-diddle-um-dee" over and over again.

Anyways, I've already written about that obsession. I wanted to post a few pictures of her last day because (of course) it was the only day all semester that I remembered my camera. I was able to find this gem from last year, however. I took this picture in March a year ago of Clara with Miss Maddie.

Here they are together this year (it took more effort to hold them in place - thus, mamas are in the picture this year)

Just another moment of mommy nostalgia. The final day involved all of the favorites: jumping the hello song, the parachute, hiding scarves, laundry basket rides, story time, and bubbles.

Add to it some goodies at the end and the opportunity to sing into the microphone, and we're talking the best 45 minute chunk of time this little two year old has ever experienced ;).

Two Year Check-Up

Even though Clara turned two earlier in May, she had her two year appointment today. Actually they called it the 24 month appointment. I like that even better; counting in months makes her seem younger.

Anyway, the appointment went well. She is healthy and doing great. We were a little bit surprised when it came to her statistics, however. First of all, they took her height measurement this time by having her stand next to a wall. And she stepped on the scale to measure her weight. Such a big girl!

She was 34 1/4 inches tall. That, doubled, is 68 1/2 inches, making her projected adult height 5'8"1/2, which is just about right, I think (I'm just shy of 5'9"). She's in the 75th percentile for height.

And her weight? Thirty-two pounds. Yes, our little lady packs quite the punch. She may not look it, but that puts her in the 90th percentile for weight. Meaning her height & weight basically did a reversal for this appointment. Sheesh.

The good (or not so good, depending) news about that is that she's almost the exact build I was as a two year old. I just think my belly may have been a little bigger. I'll have to compare pictures one of these days. Final conclusion: the monster days continue.

Gateway to the San Juans

Last year in May we made a weekend trip to visit our friends Janie & Chris in Anacortes, WA. We had a wonderful time. So of course we decided to make it a yearly event. This year was every bit as great. Maybe the weather wasn't quite as fantastic (it was ridiculously gorgeous last year). But the company was wonderful. And the house Janie & Chris have literally built from the ground up in one year was amazing! Even though it was a quick weekend getaway, it was definitely worth the trek across the state.

Since we can't break Hook tradition and take the same route twice, we drove Highway 2 through Leavenworth on the way there. Even though it added an hour or two, the drive was beautiful. And the stop for dinner brats was every bit as lovely.

We couldn't help taking yet another picture in the same spot. Don't worry. We won't do it when she's ten.

On Saturday we all participated in a Young Life bike race. Jono and Chris rode the 25 mile race (plus a few random miles, stopping at some small town pub for a mid-ride brew). Janie and her mom rode 15 miles. Clara and I participated in the 5 mile "family ride" in our stroller, stopping along the route for games and prizes. Despite the freezing drizzle at the start of the race, the weather warmed up slightly and made the race actually pleasant at the end ;).

Somehow I forgot to capture any pictures of the Crane's new house. Instead, I got a few at their neighborhood park. If only we had these fantastic swings near us. They're rad.

We only wish we could've come back via Highway 20 like last year. Sadly the pass wasn't open. So we took the I90 route, stopping for some Trader Joes on the way home. And now we will be eating gorgonzola crackers, white bean hummus, and dark chocolate almonds for the next few days (+ a couple dozen other tasty treats). Yum.

Last Day of Co-op

On Friday we celebrated Clara's last day of toddler co-op. I can't believe it's been an entire school year. I get emotional just thinking about how much she's changed from the first day of school to the last. And then I think about all the years ahead of us and realize I really shouldn't be this much of a mess. She hasn't even started preschool yet. Sheesh.

It's been such a fun year of watching her learn and grow. She could barely hold a paintbrush at the beginning of the year. At the end she was maneuvering with ease through the tunnels and slides, knowing every song by heart (even when she didn't sing in class - she belted them at home) and approaching all art projects with gusto. What a year! I spent way too many hours putting together an end of the year photo book online and here are just a few from the past nine months...

I'm excited to continue our park play dates with co-op friends throughout the summer. Now if only our weather will cooperate!

Jono's Race

A year ago today I ran my first half marathon. It was thrilling and new, exciting and quite the accomplishment for me (the running-hater of yesteryear). This year I passed the baton. And my husband outdid me (surprise, surprise). It was his first half marathon too. He creamed me even though he was feeling quite sick the night before. Even though we thought the race started an hour later and literally flew out the door to barely make it on time. Even though he "died" on Mile 10 and substantially slowed his pace. He outdid me by a whopping 40ish minutes. He ran a 1:36 something. And I am proud of him. Clara is too, as you can see.

I'd prepped her to cheer him on. She was ready with her loud and confident, "go daddy go". What she didn't understand was that daddy would run past her as we stood along the course. "Daddy! Daddy? Daddy?" she yelled after him, raising her voice in confusion. By the time we loaded the car again and headed to the finish line, I think she understood. She even gave an unprompted, "run faster, daddy" and at the finish line, "nice work, Daddy". She steals phrases and applies them as her own often these days. I love it.

Next year? A husband/wife duo. Will we finish in 2:16 or 1:36? Stay tuned. I'm sure you're dying to know. I am too.

First Haircut

I broke down this weekend. It was about time, really. The first haircut has been needing to happen for a long time now. Her hair has been looking like a rat tail for the last month at least. But I kept holding on, postponing the inevitable.

I finally took action on Sunday. It wasn't much. A few little wispy ends in a plastic bag, to forever grace the pages of her baby book. Still, it made a difference. She now sports a lovely little bob. I can't promise you it's even (maybe for her next haircut I'll take her to a salon), but it's still pretty darn cute.

As you can see, she approached the whole process quite seriously. Sitting up straight. Holding still. I was actually quite amazed.

My Mama

Isn't my mother beautiful? I know, people have told me my whole life that she is. And I have always agreed with them.

There are about 28.6 million reasons I am thankful for my mom, but I will narrow it down to just three on this day in honor of mamas.

#1. She is one of the healthiest people I know. She is an amazing cook (like really amazing). I'm not just saying that because she's my mom. She makes a huge variety of great tasting (and great for you) food - and I often think if I can become half the cook she is, I will have arrived! And she is so fit. I used to be kind of freaked out that I outgrew my mom's pant size in the tenth grade. But I'm okay with it now ;). In all seriousness, I love how she has always been so active, in a really healthy (never over the top) kind of way. So yes, I basically want to be my mom when it comes to food and fitness.

#2. She loves my dad (and everyone else in her life) well. I often say that the best gift we can give Clara is a great marriage. This was modeled to me and I am so thankful. I can't even begin to count the ways their obvious love was a security for me growing up. And now it's just a great example to follow. Thank you, mom (and dad)!

#3. She lives her love for God and faith daily, in everything she does. All her love and passions flow from her love for Jesus. Her work, her relationships, her commitments. I'm inspired by the way she loves to learn and grow too.

She's a pretty great mom, I would say. If I said she's the best mom in the world, I'd likely offend you, huh? So I'll say she's the best for me. I love you, mom!