My Christmas Present

You and your brother gave me a Christmas present this year...a mug and homemade hot cocoa with this adorable card.  Just loved it!

A Christmas Wish...

Religion is a hard subject.  Some people are very dogmatic in their beliefs, others are more flexible.  You are already starting to question and wonder - you are open to the possibilities.

Grandma Bonnie has certain beliefs and feels compelled to share them with you.  I respect that.  Mama Laura has other beliefs and wants to share them with you but is still unsure of how to best approach that.  I respect that as well.  I don't necessarily share the same beliefs as either one.  That's okay too.  I expect your dad doesn't either.

The world is full of different beliefs.  I don't care if you are Christian, Buddhist, Agnostic, or Atheist, or anything else.  I just wish for you and Riley to grow up to be kind, loving people who are open to the world around you.  People who are grateful and realize that not everyone has what you have.  People who help those around you.  Inclusive of others, not closed off.  People who value community and the natural world.  This is my wish for you. 

I and others around you are going to stumble as we navigate this process.  Please be forgiving people too.  I love you and your brother so very, very much.  You two are absolutely amazing spirits.  Thank you for sharing this journey.

Chalk machine

Hanging with Your Buddy

You and Mike appear to like each other just fine!

Halloween

You wanted to be a witch this year...with a hat and a "sweeper."  Jawea hooked you up with one of her hats and apparently her sister had or found a kid's size sweeper.  You loved it. 

You were really sick today at school though.  Laura and I ended up having to come early to pick you up.  Your brother wasn't feeling very well either.  We were going to have Eames' family over for soup but with you throwing up we decided that wasn't a good idea.  But, because it was your last opportunity to trick or treat with Eames, your Dad went ahead and came into town and took you around the block for a little trick or treating.  Your brother wore your old skunk costume and the two of you were adorable!!!  I even joined in this year and went to work dressed as a witch as well.  You told me this morning I looked fabulous!  So, I'm thinking it was a win overall.

Riley's Birthday Party

Today was Riley's birthday party.  The weather decided to cooperate and it turned out to be beautiful!  We all had a great time.  We had to help you refrain from being too helpful...you wanted to open Riley's presents for him.  But, your Dad was kind, and made sure you had at least one present there that was just for you.

Jawea shared this picture with me of you enjoying a cupcake!

You Make Me Smile

This morning you and Riley were squealing at the breakfast table and I told you that you both were full of it.  You informed me that you weren't "full of it," but that "we are passionate"!!!

Well okay then.  You are passionate and you make me smile!

Generosity

I received a very kind and generous note in the mail today from Grandma Bonnie.  Her note to me said:

Dear Sunny,
I thought you would enjoy this so I made you a copy.
He did this all on his own with no prompting from me.

Then she included a letter she had written about you and a drawing you had made.  I sincerely appreciate both your generosity and Bonnie's generosity in sharing the letter so I could save it here for you! 

Thank you for loving and thinking of others.  Keep it up and the world will be a better place.

Playing with Your Tools

You are pretty excited about your birthday tools.  And, now you get to use the tool bench Gil gave you and Riley!!!

4th Birthday Party

How in the world did you already get to 4?  I love you so very, very much and you amaze me on a regular basis. 

This year's "theme" was tools/construction.  I and others got you a bunch of your own, real tools.  You loved it!  And, somehow you even ended up with two birthday cakes! 

Monica got you the coolest pinata this year as well.  I think we all really enjoyed ourselves.

Tio and Dori's Engagement

Today, Tio held a surprise engagement party for Dori and him.  Dori didn't know anything about it and her daughter's even flew in.  Boy was it crazy.  We all were asked to wear purple so I found this adorable tie-dye t-shirt for you and somehow you ended up with the purple ribbon around your head by the end of the party!

Later we received this nice note on Facebook!

Young at Art

We went to Young at Art with Eames today.  Not only do they have a ton of fun art/craft things but they have a box filled with sand and dinosaurs that you and Eames were in love with!

More Naked Chef

Sigh...naked chef with his tongue sticking out.  I keep telling myself this is just a phase!  Please let it be a phase.

Hawaiian Festival with Jawea

OMG it is hot.  Thank goodness Jawea offered to drive in her car!  We all tooled up the freeway to Vancouver and went to the Hawaiian Festival today.  We had a great lunch on the grass under some trees and got to see dancers.  You were Mr. Social as always and had no problem playing with a bunch of kids on the playground that you had never met before!

Lazy Saturday

I love hanging out with you and your brother.  Sometimes we are just lazy.  Today we wandered over to the library...note your snazy outfit.  Why, yes, you did pick it out yourself!  And then later, we went for walk around the neighborhood after your bath in your pjs.  We even saw Jawea and got to see her dance in the street ;)

At the Carousel with Laura

Our visit with Laura is almost done, she has to go back to Wyoming on Tuesday.  So, we took her to the carousel today.  What a blast.  You may have had a little meltdown later when we went to the dog park but boy was it fun to ride before then.

Laura's First Visit

Laura came to visit for a couple of weeks.  We went to Bandon to stay with Papa Bud and Grandma Colleen for a couple of days and then up to Grandma Abbie and Grandpa Keith's with some other folks to camp for the weekend.  You got to show Laura the beach and then when we were camping we went for a drive in the woods and saw frogs in a giant mud puddle.

Family Get Together

We got to meet Cole this weekend.  All of the Shaffar extended family was together...that hasn't happened in years!  You also go to try the swing-set out at Papa Bud's!

Goofing Around in Mommy's Kayak

Easter 2014

Last night you and your brother dyed Easter eggs.  Irmgard came over and watched.  It was pretty darn cute.  Then, today we went to church and then over to Eames' house for lunch and an egg hunt.  The three of you were so handsome and adorable looking for eggs!  It was extremely great of Crystal and Aaron to plan such a fun activity for all of you!!!

Easter Card from Great-gma and gpa Shaffar

Hanging with Jawea

Jawea joined us today and we wandered around the Saturday Market and then had lunch at the taqueria on Union St.  You and your brother devoured a burrito.  After that, we took the two of you to the Carousel...fun was had by all!

Pictures from Jawea

Not Sure

I think you might have been talking about machines...not sure how it turned into this :)

Morning Playing with Ethan and Aunt Mandy

Uncle Matt and Ethan and Aunt Mandy stayed the night with us.  While I was making breakfast, she read to you, Ethan and your brother.  Then, you all made a fort with the kitchen chairs and a big blanket.  Not too bad a day.  Plus, we got our car back today!

Tulip Hand

You and the high schoolers made this...it might be framed currently at my office and receiving critical acclaim from a number of co-workers!

A Walk to the Park

Tonight, your brother and I walked to Englewood Park with Morgan.  It was so nice and there were other little boys there that you two ran around with!

Two Little Monkeys Not Jumping on the Bed

Somehow the two of you ended up in bed with me last night.  When I got up to take a shower, you both were completely happy to just stay in bed as long as you could!

Another Superb Day

Today was magical.  We all ran around the house this morning in our superhero capes and killed monsters.  Then, still in our superhero capes, we went for a walk to what I like to call the secret bridge.  Eames and Ella came over in the afternoon and we eventually moved the party back outside after baking some chocolate chip cookies.  Marnie did a watercolor of one of our tulips...after dumping the treasures you or your brother stored there.  You had such a good day you feel asleep at the table right after I picked up your dinner.  It was all I could do to get you through the bath and into bed!

First Saturday of Spring

We lucked out today.  It's the first Saturday of Spring and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom at the Capitol.  The three of us walked down to take a look.  Everything is just beautiful right now!  Afterwards we stopped at Safeway so you and Riley could each get a cookie.  Then, you and I got something to drink.  You loved your hot chocolate and told me it was very tasty!

We also stopped at the softball field and checked out the Canada geese that have been hanging out there.  Later in the day, after Riley got up from his nap, it was still nice and we played out in the yard.

Make the Ordinary Come Alive

This has honestly been my goal for both of you boys from day one!  I just was never able to put it into such eloquent words.

from 'The Parent’s Tao Te Ching' by William Martin

Excited About a Package From Australia!

Adventures in Boyland

Tio took this picture after dinner tonight...having fun again with your play dough!

Snowmageddon

We got the most snow I've ever seen in Salem this weekend.  It was a weekend you were supposed to go out to your Dad's but the roads were really terrible so you stayed with me.  I ended up getting sent home early on Friday because they actually closed state offices in Salem...that never happens.  Might have only been the 2nd time in the 8 years I've worked there!

We made the most of it - cookies, play dough, lots of Spiderman, and some playing in the snow!