All is Calm

December 27th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (21 Comments)

Remember me??

Christmas at Grandfather's House

It’s hard to believe that 48 hours ago we were opening presents

Opening Presents

Playing with new Slinky’s on the stairs at Grandfather’s house

Playing with New Slinky's

Eating too many Christmas treats and not nearly enough fruits or vegetables

Too Many

Trying to take pictures of Christmas spiders

Spider

I said trying to take pictures of Christmas spiders

Christmas Spider

Chillaxing by a faux fire watching A Christmas Story at Great Granny’s house

A Christmas Story

All while there was serious work to do at home.

Packing Insanity

Catch Up

December 13th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (6 Comments)

It feels like a week has gone by in the span of about 48 hours. The last couple of days have been filled the disassembly of our current household to be packed and driven to our the new house about 20 minutes away. It’s felt a lot like putting together a puzzle that’s missing all sorts of pieces, including crucial corner and edge pieces like couches, beds, tables, dressers and bookcases.

We have made countless (ok, maybe 5) trips to the new house in the last two days. Anything non-essential (read: anything that is not mine) is subject to being packed up and shipped off to the new Weeds Family Urban Compound.

Closing Time

December 9th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (33 Comments)

It’s done! We officially bought our new house today!

We're Home!

Yes I’m wearing my favorite pink hat inside – the thermostat is set to 58 until we move in YO!

Zak worked from home this morning and we left for the bank while Aunt Ellen graciously agreed to take our children off our hands for the day. We left early to sign on the dotted line about 30 times each and then went straight from the bank to the new house to drop off boxes and soak in that new old house smell.

Say What You Mean To Say

December 5th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (12 Comments)

I was scheduled to work at the fundraiser today and my shift at our homeschooling table began at 9:30 AM. I was off on my run as soon as it was light out because I didn’t have much time to spare.

I was back about 45 minutes later with what I believed would be enough time to shower and have a quick breakfast.

Except when I say “quick breakfast”, I apparently mean throw in my bag and eat there because I am fairly consistent at underestimating how long it takes me to do something.

Did You Know?

November 22nd, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (14 Comments)

Did you know that if you let your 5 year old play with an alarm clock that you found in a box of hand me down toys, said 5 year old will inadvertently set the alarm to go off at 5:13? And did you know that this certain 5 year old will completely sleep through that alarm when it goes off at 5:13 on a Sunday morning?

Rise and Shine

Halloween in Pictures

October 31st, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (14 Comments)

Here we go!

Ready to Go

The Ballerina, The Bride, The Dog Father, The Meter Reader and The Photographer.

The Crew

Time to Go

Waiting

Decorations More Decorations

Trick or Treat

More Waiting

Pumpkin Row

Knock Knock!

Lights Window

Ghost RIP

The walk home.

The Walk Home

The classic post-trick or treat pumpkin dump!

Classic Post Trick or Treat Pumpkin Shake

The Reasons I Had Kids

October 11th, 2009 | Posted by Alison Spath in Life - (20 Comments)

Today the girls spent some time with Zak’s mom Kath while he and I ventured off to a couple of open houses to peruse homes for sale. It’s likely that we’re going to blow our suburban pop stand and move closer to the crunchy granola homeschooling action in the city – closer to Zak’s office too.

When we were reunited this afternoon we took a big family walk through the fields and woods behind Kath’s house. Miss Maxine rode in the Baby Hawk Mai Tei and I almost forgot that she always falls asleep in this carrier. Today was no exception.

She Missed the Bus

September 8th, 2009 | Posted by Alison in Life - (12 Comments)

Today would have been Ava’s first day at school. Kindergarten, to be more precise. But as the saying goes, she missed the bus.

She Missed the Bus

I’m very grateful that the homeschooling seed was planted in our minds early on because it took me a while to get comfortable with the idea. I use to resist the instinct to hyperventilate at the idea of NOT schooling our kids in the traditional sense. But fortunately we have a large homeschooling community in our area and we’ve gotten to know a lot of homeschooling families and kids, including a couple of incredibly amazing grown up homeschoolers.  I know that homeschooling DOES indeed work and the pros easily out weight any cons. This confidence enables me to take a picture of a school bus driving by the house this morning and I can continue breathing in a normal fashion.

And We’re Back!

September 6th, 2009 | Posted by Alison in Life - (15 Comments)

I didn’t know if I was going to blog tonight but after a weekend away at the family cottage, completely removed from all forms of technology, the girls are making up for lost time and reacquainting themselves with their forgotten friends, Computer and Television. I like to call those friends Peace and Quiet, respectively.

A little photo journal from our weekend away. We had picture perfect weather and lots of uninterrupted family time.

Nature Pics

Pretty

The exact same picture, but behind my sunglasses. Because I’m cool like that.

Same picture, behind sunglasses

Randomness.

Blue Flowers Fire!

It Was Ladies Day

September 1st, 2009 | Posted by Alison in Life - (22 Comments)

So if Saturday was Ladies Night, that must make today Ladies Day! My same group of girls from Saturday went to the zoo together today – except we had the little ones with us and were therefore double the number. 4 adults and 4 kids. 1 : 1 – always a good kid : adult ratio in my book.

Although our nasal passages weren’t pleased with us, we visited the birds upon our arrival this morning. I was a little shocked to find these guys RIGHT THERE, feathers and all, not held back by any cage or fence, just a couple of free birds.