My M&M's: May 2008

5/30/08

Melania - At the ocean.

Melania had trouble keeping her pants up after the bottom got wet in the waves. Another one of those videos she will love as a teenager.

Memorial Day Weekend - Rialto Beach

Pictures from Memorial Day weekend spent on the Olympic Peninsula. Rialto Beach is one of my favorite places. The pictures are in no particular order, thanks to my inability to upload them is the order I would otherwise put them in!

Chloe loves Mishayla.

Melania plays with her new friend Chloe's toys.

June and Melania contemplate the waves.

Melania's not so sure about climbing over the big logs by herself.

Melania hikes the beach with her walking stick.

Woody Woodpecker - not afraid of us at all.

Swinging girls at the park in Forks.

Mishayla loves to swing. Higher is better!

At Rialto Beach

The rocks were a big hit.

Old trees at Rialto Beach.

5/26/08

Due to a recent a complaint from the quality assurance division of blogging , I will refrain from from more than one post per day. I understand there is a way to "bank" posts for later dates, but I have not yet learned how to exercise this option. So, here's today's update. There will be more to follow this week from our weekend in Forks, WA. We just had to visit the Pacific Ocean one more time before moving back to MT, land of no oceans within a days drive...

Melania pretends that she is actually "Baby Mishayla."

Quilted tablerunners are not typically skirts...

but, this one seems to do the trick AND makes quite a statement.

Melania helps transfer the eggs from the carton to the fridge container.

Maybe her true calling will be as a plumber.

"Mommy, please tell me you didn't just take a picture!"

5/19/08

Last visit with Caroline...at least for now.

Melania shows Caroline her new bike.

Sylvester has been under the weather, but is now nearly recovered. He will be 10 in July, and has started to eat a high fiber diet.

The girls snuggle and giggle before Melania's nap. June and Caroline finish up work on her memory scrapbook. Caroline is a sweet girl with a special place in my heart.

Caroline's social worker has agreed to allow ongoing contact through letters and pictures sent to her address in Everett. She will then deliver them to Caroline. Hopefully, once Caroline has adjusted more fully to living with her new family, we will be able to resume email, telephone conversations, and possible visits in the future. Caroline will graduate from the 5th grade on June 12, 2008. Congratulations, Caroline!

Here's the address if anyone would like to write to Caroline.

Carol Louquet - social worker for Caroline B.

840 N. Broadway Building A. Ste 340

Everett, WA 98201

1st Mother's Day with Mishayla!

Both girls had colds on Mother's Day, so I spent the day at home - being a mom!

Little did I know that I would also have the cold by the next day.

Melania was already napping when these pictures were taken.

Getting big for the swing as well. What will I do next with this "little" girl for entertainment?

Melania trades her "paficer" for a "Big Girl Bike."

Melania is growing up fast. She has only used her pacifier at night and nap time since she turned 1 year old. However, she was still very attached. On her first night without the pacifier there were plenty of tears and anxiety was running high. Once asleep, though, she slept the entire night. So, the next morning, she was promised a big girl bike in trade.

She was completely excited about the bike and her new helmet, which actually cost more than the bike. Cheap mom, I found it on Craigslist. For a couple of days, the helmet was always on.

Melania has not actually mastered the pedals yet, but I think she will catch on quick.

Melania reads about the big red dog, Clifford.

Melania outside reading to her doll on a sunny day.

I liked this picture becaue it shows her pretty "braids."

Mishayla has outgrown her infant seat,

or at least she is heavy enough that I don't like to carry both.

Blue water. Melania's been using her "fun times in the tub stuff"

from Aunt Wendy and Uncle Blaine.

5/4/08

just for kicks 1. Your rock star name (first pet, current car): Pepper Trailblazer 2. Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe): Chocolate Brooks 3. Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal): Pink Cat (??) 4. Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born): Lynn Chester 5. Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name): LamWa 6. Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink): Purple Irish Cream Mocha 7. NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers): Louis Forrest 8. Stripper name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy): Amarige Skittles (definitely sounds scandalous) 10. TV weather anchor name (your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter): Richter (Major city, anyone?) Rochester (Thanks, Carl.) 11. Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower): Summer Daisy 12. Cartoon name: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now): Grape T-shirt 13. Hippie name (What you ate for breakfast, your favourite tree): Pumpkin Pie Maple (Actually, I'm not sure I have a favorite tree...)

I have not been so good at taking pictures lately. I know that I will regret not doing it, if I don't get started again! Not much news on the house selling / move front. Some flickers of interest, but no offers.

Melania feeds her biggest fan, other than Mommy and Aunt June, of course!

Thank you, Trenton, Kadyn, & Spencer's "old" grandparents for Mishayla's hand-knit sweater! It's beautiful, perfect for walks, and goes on easily.

Melania tries to fit in the sink. The "new house" has no bathtubs, just showers, so I told her she'd have to get used to taking a bath in the laundry room sink. Guess she decided to practice.