Room Redo - Part 1

For month's (truthfully it's been more like a year and a half) I've been planning to redecorate Beeb's room.  It started with the quilt that my awesome neighbor made for her and then stalled after that point.  Last week I decided I needed to get the ball rolling so I moved much of Beeb's stuff out of her room and sorted through all her toys (several bags of stuff got thrown out - doubtful she'll notice) in preparation for painting the walls.  Today I taped off the walls/molding, patched where it needed it and AH did some minor wall repair. 

 

I love before & after photos but rarely remember to take "before" images of my own projects.  This time I caught myself a bit earlier than usualy and at least am showing her room before I actually started painting, though much of the general stuff is missing. (hey, it's better than nothing)

 

 

Tonight I painted about 3/4 of the room with the first coat.  Tomorrow I hope to complete it and have her sleeping back in her room by Sunday night.  I'd also like to get her bed and big dresser painted but I think that may have to wait until later next week, though I hate to lose momentum. 

Chickens Chickens Chickens. . . and a Rooster

We are immersed into life with chickens... oh, and a rooster (possibly two).  Our little babies are growing very quickly and stinking up our garage something fierce (due to all the ammonia that naturally occurs in their poop).  This odor has sparked a fire in AH and he is actively working on getting the chicken coop built and ready for occupancy by the end of this weekend. 

 

Here's one of our sweeties that Beeb loves to love on.  

This is Little Walker (Walker for short).  She has a deformed beak/jaw but so far it is not preventing her from eating and, because we love her so much, we haven't returned her.  She is the most adventurous of all the birds - eager to get out of the cage as soon as the door is open, and in general not at all afraid of people.  Guess who favors Little Walker the most?

Mr. B *loves* Little Walker the most.  They are two buddies.  Mr. B takes extra good care of Walker.

Obviously Walker has an affection for Mr. B too.  That bird will sit on his shoulder all day.  I can just imagine Walker full grown and still sitting on Mr. B's shoulder, like some sort of parrot wanna be.

Beeb is never missing from all the bird action.  She has several favorites amongst them.  I think this may be Lillian, but honestly I can't keep them straight (though to be sure the kids know each bird individually).

 

I told AH today that now that we own all these chickens we are officially hicks (apparently not such a bad thing).



Snow Camping: Ape Caves

This weekend we took our kids snow camping at the Mt. St. Helen's Ape Caves.  I feel cool just saying it. . . snow camping (I'm well aware that I am a dork).  What really happened is that AH was taking his boy scouts snow camping and we just tagged along (still very cool though). 

We arrived after dark so no pictures of setting up camp or preparing dinner.  Here are images from the rest of our trip.

Camp

Feeding the camp robbers.

 

Breakfast consisted of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, hot cocoa and orange juice.   

Cool little shelf cave in our camp.

 

Beeb and I.

 

 Everyone got into trying to get the camp robbers to land on their hand.

We took a short hike over to the Trail of Two Forest and the kids explored the lava made molds of trees and underground L-shaped shafts formed by two fallen trees. "While crawling on your hands and knees, you will notice that the tunnel walls are covered with ribs and cracks matching the bark of the trees that once filled this space. Luckily for your head, much of the ceiling has been glazed by the wood fire that burned in the tube. Thirty feet in, you will make a turn to the left and see the light. A ladder at the end of the crawl will bring you back up to the boardwalk." Website info.

One of the exits (the other was blocked by too much snow).

 

 The actual Ape Cave entrance was a snowy mess.  Thankfully some kind person left a rope to hold on to as you slide your way down.

 

Here's a video of some kids making their way down the entrance (note Beeb at the end):

Mr. B making his way down the entrance:

 

 Bright flashlights or headlamps are a must - it's pitch black in the caves.

 

We found a little shelf that needed exploring.

 

 

  AH took a photo from up top the shelf looking down on those waiting.

The famous "meatball".  We were able to boost Steve up onto it. 

When asking if any of the scouts wanted to join Steve nobody volunteered.  Beeb raised her voice up and said, "I'll do it!"

 

Coming out of the caves was just as tricky as going into them.

Our little family with Mt. St. Helen's peeking out behind us. 

It was a very bright day so Steve made some of the kids duck-tape sunglasses.

 

AH had this conversation with Beeb during our hike.  Here is what occupies the mind of an 8 year old (think Mindcraft) :

To complete the Upper Cave we decided to enter it a the exit.  This is me doing a basic repel down to the ladder (again and icy mess, though this time with no handrails to hold onto).

 

Beeb was the first kid down this shoot.  She was very very nervous and unfortunately the rope was tied around her waist but then there wasn't enough slack to get her all the way to the ladder so AH had to go retrieve her (only a few extra feet).  I am proud of her for not letting her fear prevent her from trying - this really built up her confidence.  Mr. B, being fearless, had no problem and probably would have tried skiing down it if we'd let him (crazy boy!).  

 

 

It was a fun adventure and I am still very sore from it.  The caves are amazing to see any time of the year, just be sure to bring extra batteries.



Pinewood Derby

This month Mr. B participated in the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.  The rules were very straight forward; all participants must use the kits provided to make their cars (no buying premade cars off the internet).  This is how we've always made our cars so it was no problem for us.

Each year AH wants Mr. B to have the fastest car on the track (because he is a typical dad), while the goal for Mr. B is to have a "cool" car.  This year his car finished 6th overall, however Mr. B ended up winning the award for "most awesome car" with his Humvee derby car (machine gun, cut from wood, included on top).  He was super happy!

 Mr. B's Bear Den was in charge of the flag ceremony at the event.

 

 

Mr. B's camouflaged Humvee waiting for its race.

 

Tool boxes for the winners.  Love it!

Race time!

  

 

Most Awesome Car. . .  I think most awesome smile too!

 

I love the Pinewood Derby.  AH and Mr. B have so much fun designing and making his car each year.  We also have really great scout leaders who make this event so much fun each year for the boys.  I hope Mr. B is able to squeeze in one more derby next year (his birthday is right around derby time) - maybe AH will finally get his "win" too.

Technology Challenged

Recently AH was trying to get our car GPS to show us the route to a US Forrest Service road.  The GPS could not locate the road and AH's frustration was growing exponentially by the second.  After a lot of grumbling on AH's part I finally asked him, "Why are you  even trying to get this on the GPS when I already know how to get there?"  AH's reply, "Rebs, we have technology and must use it."

Super Kids

I was up and out the door early this morning (brrrr) in order to have time to fit in some miles before the busy day took over.  I returned home fairly early which left me with plenty of time to get cleaned up and the kids off to school.  However, the kids had other plans and while I was dressing they took it upon themselves to make and pack their own lunches.  As I was on my way to the kitchen I overheard them talking about it and I asked, "Did you make your own lunches?"  "Yes." Beeb replied.  "We thought we'd give you a break today."

What a great way to start the week!  Now if I could only get them to do my running for me .

Sweet Sweet Man

AH loves it when I talk about him (feel the sarcasm) but I simply need to record this wonderful thing he did for me today for our kiddo's to read about when they get older.

Weeks ago I started back running after several months away from it. It feels so good to be building my muscle and endurance back up. As part of the training I often have my longest run of the week on Saturday mornings. I have a great group of people that I run with and it really helps make these longer mileage days bearable by enjoying conversations that deflect my focus from how tired I might be feeling or how I mentally want to quit.

Today was no exception to the regiment and it was a long 9 miles that were completed with some aches and pains that, unfortunately, have not relented all day.  After finishing my run I then spent most of today at a conference being spiritually fed while AH was on parental duty. When I finally sauntered home mid-afternoon I was still not feeling well and really not looking forward to taking on my share of parenting responsibilities. Thankfully the kids were fully engaged in an activity so after being home less than hour I took a moment to lie down and hoped it might give me some relief. My “brief” rest resulted in my waking up 3.5 hours later when I heard AH come and gently close our bedroom door to keep the kid noise out so my sleep would not be interrupted. How sweet is that man?!

AH's tender consideration really touched me. My poor husband had a hard week at work and then spent his entire Saturday on kid duty, actively building a chicken coop, preparing all meals and settling the usual kid disputes while I was checked out even when I was home. I really appreciate his thoughtfulness toward me and when I thanked him for letting me rest his sincere response was, "When I run 9 miles in a day I'll expect the same consideration." He could not have said anything more respectful to me if he tried because, if you don't know my husband, AH hates running (as a sport) so this is never going to happen. I have always appreciated his support in this area; I know it takes a toll on him having me gone each week for several hours in order to train properly.  What I didn’t expect was his esteem for how hard it is physically on my body to reach that next level of endurance.  Sure, in a few weeks 9 miles won’t floor me at all but right now, this very day, it did and AH didn’t put me on a guilt trip because of it; he just quietly allowed me to recover. 

I married a good honorable man.