Wednesday, July 28, 2010

D Pass

Two years in a row. Is that the start of a tradition? Last year we went camping at Deception Pass with a group of friends from work. We had such a great time, we found the perfect site, we realized we all really like sleeping together, so, we made plans to do it again this year…to up the ante, we added a few more friends to the group. There were 22 of us in all (not including canines)!

Speaking of tradition, two years in a row, I almost lost Finn. I don’t know if I can tell the whole story without starting to shake. I’m having him micro chipped before next summer. If you find him, please bring him to the nearest vet to be scanned.

Which reminds me of the other almost tragedy with the kids running wild. This one doesn’t involve either of my kids. We were sitting at dinner, an adult looked towards the tents to see one of the young 3 year olds wielding a hatchet. In front of that child was another 3 year old with a Leatherman tool. It was like an alley scene from some bad NY neighborhood being played out by our Patagonia clad Pacific Northwestern young ones. We intervened. It all turned out ok. 

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No, I did not pack for all 22 of us. Leave no space unfilled. You never know what you might need. That might come in handy. What if I don’t like the mineral content of the water and wish I had a different line of shampoo?Those are all thoughts running through my mind as I pack. You should see me pack for 2 months in the Amazon when I know I won’t be able to buy disposable razors or sunscreen or peanut butter or Aveda.

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I like that we have repurposed this box instead of throwing it away with all the maternity clothes and books about raising our children that used to be inside of it. The maternity clothes have no future use in our home (please please I hope I didn’t just jinx myself) and we gave up on reading about how to raise our children. We’re winging it. 

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I don’t know what is wrong with my children’s faces. I’d reference some books about child development to see if my kids are normal, but I tossed those in the trash as well. They eat well, gain weight, poop normally, and can walk. Those were all the boxes I wanted to check to feel like I had successfully raised my children. Maybe I should have aimed higher?

The volume of photos to follow should make you feel like you were there with us.

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We accomplished something huge for this family while at D Pass. We settled an argument they were having about what to name their future child. For the life of me, I can’t remember now what we decided. Its good though, the whole campfire clan voted. And no Aleah is not pregnant….yet…..unless she hasn’t told me….in which case she drank way too many brews.

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Jo Jo and Niamh. They look good together.             Simone Vivien. She did it. Her Mama did it. They camped.

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Finn getting tattooed by 3 lovely ladies.

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Even cooler than Kasey’s Tattoo.

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Oh, Geez. I’m reminded of more bad parenting with this photo. I didn’t apply sunscreen to my child.                I DID NOT APPLY SUNSCREEN TO MY CHILD. Her name is NIAMH. She is VERY IRISH.

She lived. Her skin did not crisp like turkey bacon. She did not break out in freckles. She did not get a rash or blisters. She actually has a nice little tan. I’m thinking of bleaching her hair.

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Kaz is plainly and simply a cool kid. He just is. Everyone is drawn to him. It could be his dimples, or his hair, or his eyes, or his smile, or his snuggles. I can’t decide.

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Remember these girls?

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Magic trick:                                                                                                                                                    Messy Baby, Clean Mama                Messy Baby Hugs Clean Mama       Messy Mama, Clean Baby.

 

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Julie,Mason, Erin, Finn, Kaz, Therese, Therese’s Friend, Joanna, Chappie, Simone, Katie, Hadley, Megan, Niamh, Finn, Me, Piper, Sydney, Maddie, Fynn, Aleah, Ira

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

My Trophy Room???

I few days ago I woke up to this text from my friend, Katie.

Had a weird dream last night. You knocked out your living room wall and made it French doors, then made the room your trophy room. All your high school awards everywhere... Tons and tons. You also had a cut out of yourself.

That was a good way to wake up. As if my trophy collection needs any less space than my entire living room. Pffffff.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Just Because…

Just because he is still the cutest thing, even during the most mundane activities.

**Those 4 front teeth shine**

I’m Sorry, I’ve Been Busy

I know, it has been ages since anything new has surfaced around NiamhAndFinn.BlogSpot.com. I still have to write about Niamh’s last day of Kindergarten way back in June. Lots has gone on this summer. Niamh is enjoying Camp Rachel while she is on Summer Break; we’ve seen the sun 4 times; Niamh can ride a bike and put her face in the water at swim class; Finn says mean words like “stupid” and then hangs his head in shame when you tell him he’s being mean; we’ve gone camping, I have backed my car in to both a pole and another car; our back yard project has been started; we’ve gone to concerts, fairs, and parades; oh, and we got puppies!

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Now that the house smells like poop, I feel whole again.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

We’re Adopting…..TWINS

We have made the big decision to adopt two boys. Well, I made the decision, got the kids on my side, then Steve caved to my body convulsing sobs after he told me that we should wait a year before bringing the boys home. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

We went to Renton this evening to introduce Steve and the kids to Fred and Gus. Nope, they aren’t the same Fred and Gus introduced earlier. Those boys were sold and really I think that it was all for good reason that I didn’t bring the tears out until I found this litter. Wait until you see our boys.

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We didn’t choose that one. She seemed to have a chip on her shoulder. Check out the look she is giving Steve as he pets the rest of the group. We already have some moody females in our house.

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HERE IS GUS

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I think Steve is getting used to the idea of having babies in the house again. He just admitted to me that he feels like he already favors Freddy. I think they look a bit alike.

 

Wanna see them again?

Ok. They are heart achingly cute, aren’t they?

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I think they are going to help heal my heartache. Mr. Ed (Eddy2) left a huge gaping hole in my thumper that I think both these guys might fill.

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Don’t let Fred fool you. He may be the runt but he’s scrappy.

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Go on, Fred, give Gus a noogie.