Talkin' the lingo...

Quote of the DAY...
Cade says, "Hey Mom. Dad and I are off to flip some vids. See ya."

huh?
Cass

Chewbacca...

Quote of the DAY:

Daddy says, "Wow! Your Chewbacca Outfit is cool Morgan."
Morgan says, "I know Daddy, that's why I am wearing it!"

This comes the morning after he wakes up in the middle of the night sweating profusely because he fell asleep in the hairy costume that does not breathe...

Love this creative soul...
Cass

Thanksgiving Day...

Well, for the second time in my life I prepared Thanksgiving in my home. And this time- I went for simple. I started out at 6:30 with a trip to my fabulous barista - Had to get a Grande today for Cass vs. Turkey.

It went so smoothly I was shocked, granted we all ate lunch in our pajamas...

Turkey...sweet potato souffle...my grandma's hot rolls (which I am proudest of)...apple pie...green bean bundles...corn...and cranberry sauce. Below is the pictures of the table.

The boys were good sports and ate. I am still waiting for the day when they become bottomless pits.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Cass

Quick Action Story of the Day...

I am pounding away on my laptop preparing my Thansgiving blog entry(it will be out shortly) and listen to my ipod, while Bob is on the phone talking with his sis. I walk down the hall and see that Morgan's door is open, lights on, costumes everywhere, but no Mojo in sight.

I am not panicked, just curious- Where is he?

I begin to call his name, and I hear this, "I am in here Mommy!"

No way surely he isn't. I walk into the guest bathroom where the little voice called.

He pulls back the shower curtain with a smile- because it is logical that instead of being in bed fast asleep, he is sitting in the bathtub.

'Hi Mommy, I am just meditating'.

Got to love them for all their quirks...

We have been waiting 6 years for this day...

I am amazed...I knew one day this would come...but it always felt so far away and out of our grasp. It is very small, so don't get too excited... We were just able to sit down as a family in a restaurant with no crying, no complaining, no arguing...It was happy, fun and ENJOYABLE. Thank you my sweet little boys, it was a welcome treat to a very, very long day.

Fun things I don't want to forget:

• Morgan Calls soggy bread from a bread bowl 'gum', and he loves it.
• Cade loves to eat the crusty part of french bread, but he refuses to eat the crust of his sandwiches. Why?

Work Celebration:
Lastly... THIS IS ME JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND DOING CARTWHEELS. AFTER 6 VERY LONG MONTHS OUR TEAM SUCCESSFUL OPENED BOTH THE MADISON AVE-NY AND THE HIGHLAND VILLAGE-HOUSTON COLE HAAN STORES BEFORE BLACK FRIDAY! If you are ever in either cities please check them out. Alot of blood, sweat and tears went into these stores.

Good Night...Cass

O H I O...

This is for you Matt and Bethany.

Thank you for all the game day spoils!

Cass

Officially a crazy 35 year old...

So - like so many females out there I am one of the crazy ones that has fallen in love with Stephenie Meyers' Twilight Saga. So I will be braving the crouds of crazed teenage girls tonight (or shall I say this morning) to watch the story come to life on film. Noone needs to tell me I am nuts, I already know this. Noone needs to tell me I am 35 either, my aching body tells me THAT every day! I have never been known for my patience in waiting for something...and this item is no different.

At least I will get to hang out in Starbucks with my tall Chai, reading my book (from my 'List of Books' of course) prior to the movie. I might even need to go for a Venti so I can stay awake...

Off to be dazzled...(only a twilighter will know what that means!)
Cass

The Beach...

We had a wonderful time at the beach today. Like I have said before, Edmonds Beach is one of my favorite places. The sun was shining brightly, but the Olympic Penninsula was shrouded in thick fog. The ferries were passing by, popping in and out of the fog- it was quite an impressive sheet of fog.

Our resident seal was floating in the water that was currently at high tide. Bob and I agree that high tide is the BEST for discovering our jewels. Below is a picture of one that Cade found. He is my little scavenger and loves finding these for our 'jewel jar'.

Then, my wonderful hubby- playing lasso with the seagrass. You never know what wildlife is going to wash up and this one was entertaining.

I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday that kicks your week off right...

Cass

A one-sided conversation with Morgan...

As I am laying in bed sound asleep this morning I get a visit from Morgan, bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:50. He then proceeds to have a one-sided conversation with me. It is amazing the thoughts he has, but mostly how they are expressed.

Says Morgan:
'Gorillas...What turns into Gorillas?' (Me thinking, huhhh?)
'Gorillas are not our friends. Until they turn into Giraffes.'
'Giraffes are our friends. And Dolphins are our friends.'

Then in a low whisper, barely audible. 'Sharks...sharks are bad.'

I guess it is time for a trip to the aquarium to feed the sharks, and then to the zoo to see the baby gorilla. Below is a picture of Morgan yesterday playing a gorilla.

Hope you are surrounded by 'your friends' today...
Cass

We grow them big in Washington...

For those of you who have been to our home this will come as no surprise. Our home backs a green belt that is a protected wetland with trees over 80 feet high surrounding three sides of our property. We can grow moss ANYWHERE, our roof, our patio, the sides of our trees, and even our fire pit. Our yard is so well shaded that it is ideal for growing mushrooms of all types and sizes too. Below is a picture of the one we have been watching grow since Monday. To put it in context- it is almost the size of Cade's head...

Enjoy, but don't eat...leave that to the squirrels.
Cass

Random Thoughts & Quotes by Morgan...

Normally I would say that you should never quote someone out of context, but these quotes are okay because there IS NO CONTEXT! These are just some of the random thoughts that sprout from his mouth, and they were all said tonight during our errand runs...

'The Moon is made of chicken.'

'Mommy, it's called GREEN grass, not EMERALD grass'

'Mommy, we don't eat farm pigs...we eat the pigs made out of hot dogs.'

'Mommy, it's Christmas at Target!'

I love the complex mind of my 3 year old...
Cass

Gazing at the Moon...

I just had the most beautiful drive home from the Park-n-Ride this evening. With daylight savings time kicking in it is now pitch black by the time I get home to my boys. The one advantage to that this evening is I enjoy the gorgeous full moon all the way home. Below is a picture taken from our front yard. It's not the best quality because...well, its dark!

Night to you all...I hope your view was as clear as mine.
Cass

Sadness...

Today was one of those days that changes us all. One of those days we don't want to think about or experience too many time in our lives. Today was one of those days that makes you re-center yourself, and remind yourself what is important in life and what is just water under the bridge.

Thank you Mom and Rod for knowing when I can talk and when I need to hang up the phone. Thank you for understanding that after 35 years I still get all awkward when placed in emotional situations. Thank you for being the best parents anyone could ask for, and for being parents that I can only hope to deserve someday.

My Grandmother Jackie passed away today...and I just feel numb with sadness. I am so thankful that I got to see her less than 1 month ago, and that it was a good day for her. I am thankful that she got to see Morgan one last time and experience his never ending energy. I am thankful I got to say goodbye and kiss her on the cheek. I am thankful that her family came together and was at her side everyday for the past 6 months. And finally, I am thankful that she had such a full life and she was ready.

Most of all though, I am thankful that I have a StepDad that was more of a Father to me than my Dad ever was to me. That he is such a strong Man and so kind and loving. I am thankful that he was with Grandma Jackie, holding her hand when she closed her eyes. I love you Rod.

Cass

Don't Cross the Line...

Okay. I have to laugh. today was the first time I DREW THE LINE. Any mother with more than one child knows what the 'line' is. Thank goodness our sofa has two cushions. One for Cade...One for Morgan, and....the....line....between....them....is....equal.... No crossy the line... no toes, no blankets, no doggies. No touchy the LINE! whew.

Thank you Lord for giving me two sweet, active boys. That love to- give hugs, talk back, snuggle up tight to their mama, eat yogurt, drink water more than sugery drinks, keep me on my toes, drag all their toys out at once, build forts, play video games, walk on the beach...and finally to absolutely terrorize each other until I lose my mind. Wait a second...that happened long ago.

brainless mother signing off...
Cass

4th Picture Tag...

Okay my sweet friend who I haven't seen in (gasp!) thirteen years- this is for you Dallas. this is the 4th picture in the only picture file I have on my laptop...

Great! My house is a mess (don't look under the sofa). This picture was taken November 5, 2005 around the time Morgan turned 6 months. What I remember most about this picture...

1. How much I loved dressing Morgan in white, only white. It complemented his alabaster skin even more .
2. His eyes were always so BIG and ALERT. He was such an easy happy baby (What happened?!@#?)
3. He had already been crawling for one month and was into EVERYTHING.
4. I had been back at work for 1 week and I missed my boys terribly.
5. I remember wondering if his hair was ever going to grow???

Thanks for helping me remember this time Dallas.

Cass

It has Happened - We have a snaggle-tooth in our family...

My little boy is growing too fast. Cade lost his first tooth today at school. Below is the proof, not to mention that a straw fits perfectly through the hole left behind. He is soo proud and so are Bob and I.

Cade's quote: "It makes sucking my thumb kind of difficult."

nighty night...

Cass

Sweet Moments...and Morning Giggles

Too many good things have happened this morning. I have to tell you all before I forget.

I wake up with Cade crawling into bed with me, snuggling up close and falling back asleep. He loves to snuggle, but here is what makes me melt...His sweet little hand reaches up to face and he runs his finger down my cheek...He whispers, "I love you Mommy".

My morning tea - It is my guilty pleasure (Like your Sonic run Dallas!). I am once again at my favorite little street side espresso stand. The barista looks at me and says, "You are here quite often - every Saturday and Sunday. Do you have a punch card?" She then proceeds to hand me a card that has all but two areas punched. They have a customer FOR LIFE now.

Cade asked me to play with him this morning while I was starting breakfast. I stated, "I had to get the bacon started". I hear this far far away, little voice (Mojo) get really excited and say, "Bacon? Did someone say Bacon?"

Giggles to you all...
Cass