Waiting, Watching, Wondering, Working

 37 weeks and counting!

Kimmy is ready.
She's been having some contractions.

There is little room left for Ila to move.

Kimmy is going to have a Home Birth.

This takes a little bit of preparation and some planning.

I'm getting ready, also.

(Textbook used in my class)

I have re-read my text book from

the Doula class, which I took four years ago.

 I'm packing and preparing the items that I will need.

This is what I did when I prepared for Levi, #2 grandchild.

One of my "jobs" is to prepare a meal for everyone who will be

helping with the birth.

 Many of you know, that I don't claim to be a cook.

Judy, at Just A Little Something For You, has recipes that really appealed to me.

Most of them are quick, easy, delicious.  Just my style.

 This is the recipe that I will be making for this special meal.

The umbrella is packed in the back of my car.

This will help identify the home for the mid wife.

Just a little trick.

I started to carry my phone with me everywhere I go.

I'm ready!

I'm beginning to be pretty comfortable about this Doula job.

Easter 2011

Our family (missing is Tom, he's at home)

Our Easter was celebrated in downtown Seattle at Quest Field,

home of the Seattle Seahawks.

Mars Hill Church held it's Easter service here.

With over 17,500 people, it was the only place to hold everyone.

 The choir sang, the pastor preached and over 500 baptisms.

It was amazing to watch the big screen TVs as one after one,

each person was welcomed into the Family.

 Twenty hot tubs were set up down in front.

 People lined up to be baptised.

Thrilling!

 These pictures just don't do this celebration justice.

Kimmy has more on her blog, here

 After the service we (Todd and Stephanie had other plans) came back to our home for a brunch.

Tom couldn't be with us at the Easter service, because of work.

But he was home to hide the Easter eggs for Lulu and Levi.

 Lulu knew just what to do.

Levi stood back at first but learned very quickly.

I had to be quick to get these pictures.

They moved FAST!

 Levi opened the eggs to see the treasures.

Opening everyone!

 Lulu  just wanted to collect as many as she could.

But in true Lulu fashion,

 she wanted to make sure Levi got his share.

Love Easter pictures!



Prom Dress Time!!

 For several years now, I have been in charge of

this special event.

This year we have so many beautiful dresses donated to the high school.

Moms, graduated students, neighbors and even some teachers

 were eager to donate prom dresses.

It is exciting to see these dresses have one more chance to dance (and maybe more).

 For several months, I've collected and sorted Prom Dresses.

They hung in my office on anything that would hold them,

 until I could move them to the backroom.

We are fortunate enough to have a wide variety of sizes, colors, styles and lengths.

There is something for everyone!

 My mom  helpers.

Couldn't do it without them.

 Girls came into the Faculty Room right after school.

They "shopped" and tried on dresses.

You could hear their giggles from the bathroom.

Of course we had them model for us.

 This young lady had been to several dress stores and wasn't happy.

She tried on this dress.

Her words were," It's a miracle! It fits perfectly!"

She left a happy customer.

 These young ladies were talking over this next lovely selection.

 Store hours are limited.

One more afternoon of giggles and dreams.

Then we put the rest of the dresses away until next year.

A Princess Birthday

 Happy 4th Birthday Princess Lulu

Today, breakfast was Birthday Cake and Ice Cream.

Lulu's chair was even decorated with a huge, pink bow.

It's been our family tradition to have birthday cake and ice cream for breakfast.

So Kimmy and & Mark had

Lulu's party at 8:00 AM.

(the exact time Lulu was born)

Levi enjoyed his "pine" cones.

 Presents were opened...

A Ballerina outfit...

A Princess bike!

Lulu got on her new bike and rode away...

right into the kitchen and

 continued to ride all through the house.

Later on, she rode her new birthday bike at the park!

Guess who's birthday is next?

hint: look at Kimmy's belly!

Thanks :

Uncle Todd...

Papa...

Daddy...

and Mommy!

Check out Kimmy's blog here

Simple Pleasure - Princess Birthday

This weekend we will celebrate

our grand daughter's 4th birthday.

Last year Lulu wanted a "Chicken Birthday"

This year she wants a "Princess Birthday"

She is growing up!

It was my Simple Pleasure to help Kimmy

 make the flags for Lulu's castle cake.



Dayle, over at A Collection of This and That,

is hosting Simple Pleasures.

Please join us every Thursday.

Week in Review - Spring Break revisited

How do I cram in all that I did while on Spring Break?

Lots of pictures, that's how!

Day trip to Snoqualmie Falls

Spectacular and Powerful !

Dinner out at a The Ronanoke Inn

Built in 1914 and still a great hang out!

Play Dates!

Spent hours playing with all 3 1/2 of them!
We talked about Ila's birth.
Planning and getting ready for this special event.
I'll be Kimmy's Doula, again!

Coffee Date with Tom.

Carillon Point,  my favorite place to be! 

This is where we sat.

The body of  water is Lake Washington.

Bird watched.

We were introduced to Redbox.

I highly recommend the movie, Secretariat.

A movie for the whole family.

 I baked and cooked almost everyday.

Here is my newest baking experiment.

Peanut Butter Cookies with NO flour.

These cookies are sooooo easy!

Recipe:

•1 cup creamy peanut butter, not natural-style

•1 cup granulated sugar

•1 large egg

Preparation: Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until combined.
Roll the dough into approximately 1-tablespoon-size balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets, about 1 inch apart.
Use a fork to press down on the balls and make a cross hatch pattern on each.
Bake the cookies, rotating the racks halfway through, for 10-12 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let cool for a few minutes on the sheets, then remove with a spatula.

My Spring Break was like having a Saturday, all week.

Back to work tomorrow.

I'm rested and ready for the end of the school year.