Work & Play at the Fair

The Work: The current elective that my tutor student is taking is photography. I must admit that I selfishly wanted him to sign up for this after we finished culinary, because I wanted to learn more about it. Since he's on an independent program, I do all the teaching so I've been learning lots as I try to develop some curriculum. 

Anyway, after getting some free fair tickets from our neighbor, I thought it would be a great assignment {after learning about composition} to head to the fair for some shots. We borrowed my mom's Nikon and went to town for a good hour. Truly, a rough work life!

Here's a few shots he got that I thought were pretty darn good! 

I played with the camera as well. 

The Play: And what do you know, the whole family came along for the fun too. ;)

Ezra's 2nd year to the fair: SO much fun as a toddler! He went on his very first ride: the Carousel. He totally loved it and did not want to get off!

We also hung around the animals and petting zoo. A great chance to put all those animal noises and reading about animals to practice! 

And the fair experience is never complete without the funnel cake!

YES!

All Hands Day

I should have mentioned in my post about the hard week last week that we got another bit of good news. W's new firm has placed him in their local office which is potentially saving him a few hours a day on his commute. However, the very nature of his position as auditor will have him driving around on a daily basis so much of his work with be out of the office during the day. But we are so excited nonetheless!! 

Obligatory photos in front of the door before leaving.

On Friday, W got to meet much of the staff during a volunteer day at the YWCA in San Jose. 

It was a full day of a staff meeting, exercise and then manual labor. He got to meet three of the six other new associates. In fact, another one of them, Keith, has been placed here because he also lives in town. He and W drove down together that day.

After E's afternoon nap, W had us come and join them since he wasn't sure when he'd be home. E and I met up with W just as things were wrapping up. A large group headed over to a restaurant for beer and apps. 

It was great getting to meet some of the staff and who W will be working with. Everyone seemed super chill and down to earth. I had a great conversation with a new associate who's from Utah, we got to hear about another staffer's son who was born 4 days before E, and W found a few more gun enthusiasts to go to the range with. After we got home and E was down for the night, Keith came over for some more beer, a board game, and more getting-to-know-you.

It was a great evening and while talking in bed before falling asleep, shared how we both felt encouraged about our next stage in life!

50 Years In the Making

This weekend we got the privilege to celebrate Wes and Diane Wolford's 50th Wedding Anniversary. This couple has been pretty pivotal in my up bringing: they've known me since I was six and Diane has been an amazing mentor to my mom. In fact, the Wolfords are who God used to bring my mom and I to church way back when and as a result, to having a personal relationship with Jesus. Pretty cool, huh? So our current Swenson legacy-building is directly tied to the legacy that the Wolfords have created these past 50 years. 

It was our *very* first time we needed to get a 'real' babysitter for E because my parents also attended the celebration. We've have a friend come over a few times before but it was always after E was asleep for the night. So, it was the first time he got to play, be fed, and be put down for nap by someone other than family-- and thankfully, it all went off without a hitch.

It was such a joy to celebrate these two love birds with close friends and their family. Their two children, Eric and Allison, 'MC'd an amazing program that was hosted at Wente Vineyards {the place W proposed to me almost 4 years ago!}.

Some of our 'young and fun' table with my mom and Daniel {Allison's husband}. The others are Wes and Diane's niece, nephews and their families.

Throughout the afternoon, there was musical entertainment and the retelling of the last 50 years. That meant Wes and Diane's children and grandchildren retold their love story from the day they met until today. It was hilarious, tear-jerking, and beautiful. Threaded throughout the story, different people came up to share special stories about this special couple. Mom was one such person and she did wonderfully! Actually, phenomenally considering how much she loathes public speaking. ;)

Such a blessing to see how two people have been so faithful for 50 years.

Faithful to their marriage.

Faithful to each other.

Faithful to their God.

Faithful to their kids, grandkids and extended family.

Faithful to their friends.

It was truly beautiful and inspiring.

The union of two people becomes a union of many, many people. This one marriage has impacted and affected many others in a positive, life-giving way. They are fantastic role models that we are blessed to have!

The two love birds.

Reaching 50 years with W is most definitely on our 'bucket list'. Sometimes, I think we should just walk around in bubble wrap to ensure that it'll happen. I pray that God allows us both to be on this earth to celebrate our Golden Anniversary. Because death will be the only thing that separate us-- we may still be in our honeymoon phase, but I'm absolutely certain of that. Only 46.5 years left until we can celebrate...me with my orthopedic shoes and W with his unsightly nose and ear hair.

"Inspriring the Next Generation"

Happy Friday!!

Just One of Those Weeks...

Where I was 'done' by 9am.

Starting my own pity party.

Fussy, unhappy, and general 'pushing of the buttons.'

Teething.

Canceling fun plans because neither of us could hack it.

But then...

New life was born.

A sweet treat: Ezra's regular check-up showed he's moved from below the 5th % to over the 13% in weight {still above 75th % in height}.

And I got this delightful Nordie's package on my doorstep:

How could I still be a gloomy gussie while wearing these cheerful pair?!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

-Lamentation 3:22-23

Praying that I remember that His mercies never end and they are new EACH and EVERY morning whether that starts at the current 6:15 or the normal 7:15...and whether I've had a crappy night's sleep {how can I be uncomfortable already?!} or a well-rested one.

Welcome to the World!

Yesterday, the newest minted Swenson was added into the world at 11:19 pm. He was 7lbs, 6oz and 20 inches long! It took Wes & Carolyn a little while to name him, but we love him already!

Caedmon James Swenson

{with big sister Charis!}

 The home birth went super smoothly and sounded like everything progressed super fast as Carolyn was up, chopping up fruit, and getting things ready for everybody. In fact, she was up and around today when we video chatted with the whole family. Such an amazing woman, that sister-in-law!

{with big bro Siah}

We can't wait to meet this adorable little bundle. And makes us antsy to meet our little 2.0 too!

Evenings With The Can

Since discovering the beauty of spray paint with the knobs of dresser redo, I've been itching to get my hands on something else to re-paint. I bought a slew of colors in our master and E's room color schemes just so I could spray at a moment's notice. Here's what I've been up to lately...

The frames I got for free from the side of a local frame shop. Every once and awhile, when E & I make our weekly walks to the library or bank, I'll find some frames marked 'free' outside the shop. It's one of the perks of our morning walks. ;) The lantern we had already. We have two others that I plan to lighten up after seeing the success with this one.

I removed all glass parts from each item, got my tarps and protective mask on. Then got to work. I wiped down the lantern and frames with a damp cloth to get all the dust off. Next came a swift coat of primer for all pieces.

For the lantern, I picked light blue..."blue ocean breeze" to be exact.

Here it is after a few coats.

After a night of drying, I put back the yellow glass panels and put it on the dresser to have a look-see. Still working on those staging skills...

Two of the frames I painted with "sun yellow" and have an idea in the works that includes hanging them over our headboard!

My painting days have just begun. I still have at least four more frames to paint that weren't pictured as well as a few more fixtures that were in our room before, but just need to lighten up a bit to fit back in.

Happiness Is...

...getting out of the house early with my boys, grabbing donuts and hunting for treasures at yard sales.

...heading into one of my favorite cities and grabbing a yummy treat.

...waiting for our adventure to begin.

...getting the best seats on the boat.

...getting some great quality time with my hot hubby AND the added bonus of a beautiful view!

{thumbs up to groupon and SF sailing co.}

...eating the most delicious food at Wood Tavern, a place we've been to once before!

...accidentally falling asleep at 8:45 and having one of the best nights of sleep that I've had in a long time!

It was a good day. A really good day.

A Half Past One {18 months}

Dear Little Man,

Yes! You are quite the little man now, Buki. It just seems like with each day, comes more fun and joyful things you're doing, saying, learning, etc. We thoroughly enjoy watching you grow and take on the world more and more. Here are some things that we want to keep close to our hearts and not forget...

-First multi-syllable word: "opposites" from a Bert and Ernie book Mama picked up in the dollar section 

-So helpful!! Your current chores include: putting your shoes in the shoe basket, putting your dirty laundry in the hamper, helping Mama: set the table, feed the pups, take the pups out by 'walking' Pancho, put your toys away and make your bed.

-So agreeable! You respond with a hardy "Yeah!" to every.single.question you're asked. If only, you'd stay this way! ;)

 -Are currently getting the rest of your molars and now cuspids in; it's definitely toothy in there!

-Passion for books has grown a ton...we read quite often throughout the day: potty times, after waking up from naps, during playtime...but you still mostly read with us and only ever-so-often on your own

-Some well-read books include: Clifford's family, Curious George Rides a Bike, In a People's House, Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat, I Spy Little Wheels and Thomas the Train's Big Flap Book.

-Still taking two hardy naps each day...any time Mama thinks you're ready for one, it usually turns out to be teething that shortens them. Oi!

-Are definitely your parents' child: love being and doing things together and love cuddles! The best snuggler around!

-Starting to see more areas to learn and train in...handling the disappointment of 'no' to a request, asking without 'whining', and thinking of others when playing together

-Quite vocal with single words, lots of babbling and sound word. You love to point to and point out things as you see them.

-Have not been sick for the past 8 months or so! How that's happened, I'll never know since you still put lots in your mouth.

-Such a hardy breakfast and dinner eater...lunch, not so much... and are still very adventurous in your eating--you have never really gone through a 'picky' stage.

-Very outgoing and will interact with any and all that pass by you!

Love you to pieces, Buki!

Hey, Arnolds!

Some of our dear friends {who also sadly live up north} were in town visiting family and friends this week. On the day we scheduled to play, W got off early enough to come along! It's been exactly one year since we've seen the Arnolds-- when we went to visit them last year. So, it was so sweet to be able to hang out and enjoy each other in person!

It was hotter than Sheol {the kind where you have back knee sweat} so Stef's mom pulled out the kiddie pool and the kids had at it. E is by far the youngest of the bunch--in fact, he's known as 'baby Ezra' in the Arnold household. But he held his own with all the big kids. Of course, Papa was hanging close by, just in case.

 Loved Rach's girlie suit!!

We played, lunched, and caught up before heading back home. It's always so sad to leave and makes us wished we lived closer. Who knows, maybe the Swensons will end up in Seattle one of these days! ;)

Hanging Tent: The Saga

Unfortunately, this craft was an utter bit of an agony for me so I was happy to finally shake my hands of it. Every tutorial and the comments of whom made one said this was easy. Which was not true for the construction or gathering of materials! Or at least I made it difficult for myself.

Remember this picture? Well, I went from this...

to this...

The inside:

But the dang thing took almost TWO months to complete! Most supplies from this came from Walmart....which reminded me why I don't like shopping at Walmart. The only supplies I had to get were:

 -1 Twin flat sheet 

-Hula Hoop
 

Well, if you want to make one yourself, make sure not to get fitted sheets. Because then you'll have to go back, switch 'em out, and wait in the checkout line again. Also, try not to forget your wallet. Because they don't like to hold items for longer than 30 minutes. So, you go all the way back home, grab said wallet, and rush back. Not that I speak from experience. And last piece of advice, make sure to not buy the hula hoop filled water. Because then you'll have to make yet another trip to Walmart. Apparently, it's really hard to get just a plain ol' hula hoop these days.

So, back to the actual craft...I  used one flat sheet for the base of the tent. And scrap felt for the flags {an idea stolen from here}. The top of the tent is scraps from his bedding and fabric I got from Joann's. I just kind of meshed all the tutorials {here, here, and here} that I liked and then using some math {you know, like circumference, pi, division.. all that} to make my own. I learned I'm not quite emotionally ready to leave the safe haven of tutorials and venture on my own just yet. ;)

It started with three attempts of the top triangles before success. Math fail #1. Then I had my {then} sick hubby to help me put the top and bottom together to see how it would work. He's so sweet to indulge me.

See that big open space. Not suppose to be there. The sheet was suppose to wrap all the way around the hula hoop. Math fail #2. I had to go back to Joann's two separate times for more felt and fabric. Then one more time to get more thread {Thanks, Stef!}. Yeesh!

But it fits perfectly into his room and E loves it, thank goodness! He's still a bit young for pretend play, but loved sitting and reading with Papa. I still have to iron the thing out after all my crumpling and stashing from the months it patronized me. I also want to sew some pockets on.

 But for now, I'm just going to appreciate it hanging in his room until I can muster up some more motivation to touch the darn thing.

Break Down
Hula Hoop {$8}
Flat Sheet {$5}
Fabric and felt {$10}
Thread {$2}
Total Cost: $25