Happy fifth birthday!

 Olivia is five! This is both very exciting and very depressing to Miss O. I am not sure the psychology behind her desire to always be a little kid but she does. She tells us this everyday. It could be the Sammy-factor: he gets to take toys, break rules and otherwise act like a monkey and with no consequences, other than a stern look or a "no!" Olivia has to follow rules and deals with the aftermath if she breaks them. Dealing with frustration seems to be the hardest thing for her. She hits and kicks when she is most frustrated, especially me and Sam but but not her dad. This is hard to figure out. When I ask her why she hits, she will try to change the subject and then start crying and says something like "I don't want to die like Noni." Very dramatic. But I think a breakthrough will come, she is a very smart cookie.

Speaking of drama, Olivia will spend 20 or 30 minutes daily talking through an elaborate tale featuring one or more of her toys. The plot is known only to her and she does not like to be interrupted. This morning she tried to make all of the Grinch's facial expressions and she was doing pretty well. 

So, overall, five is pretty cool. It is great to watch her grow more independent and confident even as her little girl fears pop up. This will be quite a year. :)

Our new house: the good, the bad and the blackberries

We closed! Yay! Now the work on getting this house in shape really begins. Our first project will be the kitchen. As one can see: 

It really needs help getting out of the 80s. We are thinking radiant heated floors, a new island and painted cabinets. Not a total overhaul because the basics are solid. 

Next week I will paint the living room because it is horrid: 

But I love the fixture. I wanted to get some more like this so I looked and Rejuvenation and found the same one for $595. Wha? 

Then there is the issue with brambles:

A project, indeed.

Sammy is 16 months!

Sammy is coming into a super-aware phase. He understands most of what we are saying and if you ask him to bring you something, he knows what you are talking about and will bring that thing. He likes games where we chase him or give him raspberries and kisses. He enjoys growling like a lion and saying "baaa" when asked to make any other animal sound. 

We are also very gently introducing the potty (as illustrated, pants up or down hasn't been discussed). I am preparing myself for a protracted potty training period with him because he is a boy, but I am sure he will catch on. 

Here he is with his favorite book, "Goodnight, Gorilla."

Olivia continues to be a source of much amusement to Sammy: 

Love this kid!

Moving In

We did it! We moved into our new house without too much trauma. It took us five days to pack and the movers took less than five hours to put all of our stuff on a truck and deliver it to our new place.

Here are the 75 boxes we rented instead of cardboard. 

Sammy helping me pack. 

We sold our couch to Nicole so that we could get a new sectional. It turns out putting bunch of blankets and pillows on the floor makes a cozy place for all us us to cuddle.

Here is the beginning of the move in. Chris and I have dubbed our room (which used to be the living room) the "apartment" because it feels like a studio. 

Turns out it is really hard to get a photo of the view.

I think we will be happy here.

Selfies with Sammy

This is what happens when Sam and I are by ourselves for the morning. 

Tea party!

One of those precious moments that ended almost as soon as it began ...

Olivia's favorite book

Olivia can't quite comprehend how libraries work, like why we can't keep the books or why the people working in the library don't want the books anymore... Anyway, the only way I could get her to put the books in the slot was to take her picture with her favorites. 

And her very favorite book, "The Gingerbread Cowboy."

Halloween decor

The morning light just happened to shine on our spooky window display. 

Sweet Olivia

A goodnight conversation:

Olivia: Mommy, will you love me forever?

Me: Yes, I will always love you.

Olivia: I will always love...(long pause) Daddy. And I will always love you, and I will always love Sammy and I will always love myself.

Me: That is really wonderful.

Olivia: I am giving myself a hug.

Funny Chris-ism

"No one ever thinks, who should we get for this part and then thinks Keanu Reeves."

Sammy loves the park

This boy loves the park!

Pumpkin Patch!

Olivia's class of freaking adorable friends went to the Pumpkin Patch at Sauvie Island. Here are some highlights:

So much fun. I love these kids so much and I already know that the end of the school year will be tear-filled.