Nine Months of Supersonic!

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

He just cut his top front teeth after weeks of crankiness. He's starting to sleep better again. He's getting ready to walk and climbing up everything. He is super motivated!


Weight: 17 lbs., 14 oz., 18th%
Height:  28.5", 52nd%
Head: 18.31", 87th%


Previous Stats:
Read More

Sunday Funday: Crystal Cove

Sunday, May 24, 2020

This fantastic state park reminds me of so many wonderful childhood memories at Devil's Lake


Bare foot walks, sandy legs, and quaint rentals that sell out almost as quickly as they're put on the market . . . limited parking . . . all things like Devil's Lake. This beautiful beach's crowd-size is limited.


There are tide pools and lots of sea-life. This one could stay at the beach for 10 hours at a time.


I am so incredibly grateful that God gave me 5 kids who love the sand.


I worked hard to make the most of mid-day light today. Sweet Pea worked on being fabulous.


Those sunglasses were a replacement order, which Amazon lost and then finally reordered and delivered. Meanwhile, I ordered a separate pair. They both were replacing a pair whose lens I knocked out while loading the minivan with one-thousand pounds of Costco goods.


We just discovered this one's love for sand. And I thought: Jesus loves me! The beach makes me so happy. And I'm grateful we live close enough to visit frequently with limited financial output.


This is a good summary of their relationship:



When he decides to move, it's at a breakneck pace. I'm thrilled when his photos are in focus. He always crouches down like this and moves his legs super fast like a roadrunner:


She is completely confident mothering her younger siblings.


But she is also a sister:


Read More

Testing My Camera

Saturday, May 23, 2020

My Project-365 has been easier this spring. There are interesting things everywhere. 


This one I shot from a considerable distance. And I was impressed with my camera's/lens's ability. (This un-cropped version does not show the full distance as the lens is 70mm.)


Read More

Homemade Bread

Friday, May 22, 2020

We ran out of bread this week. So I pulled out our trusty Test Kitchen cookbook for a sandwich loaf recipe. This did not disappoint! 


The Engineer told me wonderful, escalating, and untrue things like, "This is the best food you've ever made. You never make bad food anymore. ALL of the food you make is good."


Have I mentioned that food is his love language?


He liked this particularly well with bacon, egg, and cheese inside.


Read More

Morning Walk

Thursday, May 21, 2020

"Creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God." -Romans 8:19





Read More

Slugs Are Everywhere

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

*Blood curdling scream*

Engineer comes running inside.

Me: What happened, Bud?

*More blood curdling screams*

Me: Use your words. What happened?

E: There was a slug on me, crawling up my finger, leaving slime on my hand.




Read More

Spring Mornings

Friday, May 15, 2020

I love that waking up with the sun also means you're early now.



Read More

More Local Birds

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Ducks have taken over because humans have not entered this space in a couple of months. We finally started cleaning up after the ducks.



Not sure what this one is: 


Read More

Neapolitan Dad

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

DH's pizza has reach a level where I prefer it to most restaurant pizzas. This Neapolitan is a absolutely delicious.


The bottom is perfectly toasted.


Read More

Happy Mother's Day!

Sunday, May 10, 2020

The kids woke me up with song and about 15 handmade pictures. Thank you, Jesus, for these people! Happy Mother's Day to our moms! ❤



Read More

Beaches Reopen for "Active Use"

The parking lots are still closed, but we take what we can get. My PCP's office just email blasted everyone a depression screening survey. I can't tell you how over the lockdown I am. I already contacted our governor. I am trying to focus on the things within my control. This evening made me very grateful. God is good!












Read More

Mourning Dove

Saturday, May 9, 2020

She has returned. Same tree, different branch. No nest yet.


Mr. Serious did his best impression.


Read More

Twice-Exceptional: A Well-Trained Palate, Or Simply Gifted

Over a dinner of amazing chicken parmesan and homemade marinara, the Engineer says, "This sauce has a little too much rosemary." (Yes, we did suggest he just say "thank you," but also were impressed he could pick that out at younger than 7-years-old.)


Read More

Hummingbirds

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

There is a cool program called "Hummingbirds" on Amazon Prime. It uses special cameras to slow down the birds' speed fifty times. They are speedy!


The kids and I are fascinated, especially as these birds services our flowers more than half of the year. It's difficult to capture them clearly because they either move very fast while feeding on our flowers or are resting at a distance. But I took a stab at it. (Thank you, DH, for alerting me.)


This is just one type of many: 




Read More

Our Mourning Dove Nest

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

On Friday morning, I saw Mama Dove on her nest, but before noon everyone was gone. I hope this means she's flying around with her hatch-ling. (Only one egg survived.) No one has returned to this nest.




Read More