Kooky Me

I have been brainstorming a list of kooky things about me for a long time now. It's not that it is hard to come up with kooky things about me, don't get me wrong, it's more a matter of what to choose. My friends, Michelle and Kelli, tagged for a "meme" back in January and here is the (long awaited) list:

1. I always use my host's shampoo when I shower at a some else's house. I bring my own hair products into the shower, but don't ever use them. (There go our overnight invites.)

2. I am squirrel when it comes to nuts, especially pistachios. I cannot shell pistachios fast enough and I can eat them only at a frenetic pace.

3. I have a very specific temperature that I like my hot drinks. (Tyler says it is lukewarm, but he is not appreciating the subtleties.) Tyler is often my cup bearer and tests my drink to see if is "my temperature" yet.

4. I don't know if it counts to put in something I use to do, but I use to alternate each day whether I put my right sock and shoe on first or my left sock and shoe on because I didn't want either foot to feel left out. I am not anywhere near that fair with my children, in case you're curious.

5. Like Kelli, I have been known to root for the "bad guy", too, feeling he or she is perhaps misunderstood. I first remember feeling that way with Captain Hook in Peter Pan.

6. I have an elaborate arranging of the sheets, pillows, and blankets that I do every night so they are just right and comfy. My obliging husband often has to put up with my ceremony since he can fall into bed and be asleep in five minutes. I don't mind a cuddle while I sleep but I either have to be in bed first (to ensure I am properly arranged) or given the time (Tyler has it down to a science) to be in said state of comfyness. I shocked Tyler once in our first years of marriage when several hours into sleep I yanked my pillow off the bed, shouting, "I hate this pillow!"

That's enough. I am feeling kookier and kookier as the list grows.

I tag Ashley, Marcy, Rachel, Andrea, Davina, Connie, Barb and Kristina.

Don't Pack the Hats!

Burr. I have been cold the last several days. It is probably 55 degrees out, but after a couple weeks of high 60s and even some low 70s, I feel chilly. You know you live in Northern California when you need a sweater and a hat for 55 degree weather.

Easter 2008

We did a mini egg hunt at home after church on Easter.

The day before we went to the plaza where it seemed every kid in town had turned out for the egg hunt. They had it divided by age group, thankfully. Tyler was trying to coach Moose that he should head straight to the middle because most of the kids would go for the first eggs in front of them. When the hunt started Moose went with 3-year-old natural instincts over his father's advice and grabbed the first egg he came upon. You can't tell from these pictures, but there were hundreds of people downtown and the boys really did have a good time.

Unpalatable Costs

"I think the that surest sign that a worldview is false, the surest confirmation that it is simple wish fullfillment is if you happily claim each of your beliefs. The most certain sign of a worthy ally or interlocutor is a disciplined acceptance of the unpalatable costs of their intellectual commitments." - Stanford Gibson

This statement really resonants with me and I wanted to put it out there to see what you think...

Bee Allergy Free

Like many people I get mild seasonal allergies. I didn't have any in Colorado, but here in California with hundreds of varieties of plants in bloom it can be brutal for me. I always put off taking medication until it is unbearable, but I never really feel good about the medication because my allergies are really not that bad.

Then I heard that eating local honey can help with seasonal allergies. Now there's a treatment I can get excited about. I looked into to it and as with most natural remedies there is not a ton of research, but the scientific research conducted does seem to indicate the positive effect of local honey on allergies for many people. The honey needs to be as local as possible so that the bees will be feeding from the plants around you that are causing your particular allergies. Honey from the Sonoma coast will not do you much good if you are allergic to the pine tree pollen up in Tahoe.

Fortunately, we have a local honey guy who sells his "wildflower" honey at the farmer's market so I picked up a bottle. Supposedly, it is best to ingest 2 teaspoons a day for a couple months before the pollen season. Missed that this year, but I figure I should get into the habit now (wink, wink). If nothing else, I'm getting extra antioxidants, vitamins and a sweet, delicious taste. Great way to treat the kids, as well.

Happy Anniversary, Peter and Kim!

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Originally uploaded by tybythomas

My wonderful brother, Peter, and his lovely wife, Kim, are celebrating their first anniversary! We love you both and look forward to watching you grow in love.

Smooth Cheeks

The boys often update Tyler on whether his cheeks are scratchy or smooth. Sometimes they'll run from his kisses if he is scratchy. Last night Tyler was working on making his face kissable and Moose decided he'd better do the same (using a bit of his Papa's shaving cream and a bristle block). I accidentally took this video because I didn't check the camera setting before the shot, but it caught a cute moment nonetheless.

Sweet Friends

The boys have been so sweet together recently. The other day when BiggiE woke up from his nap Moose ran into the room and said, "Hello, Love, are you ready to get up and have some snack?"

This morning as Tyler and I lay in bed trying to snatch the last bits of sleep we heard the boys in their room start to wake up. The exchange went like this:

Moose: BiggiE, what time is it?

(BiggiE muttered a response we didn't catch, but seemed to satisfy Moose.)

BiggiE: Dark.

Moose: Yes, it's still dark outside. It's still nighttime.

BiggiE: Nighttime.

Moose: Do you want to come over here and I'll rub your back?

I lay in bed savoring the sweetness. I need to store it up for a day of refereeing and reminding them to think of their brother and not just themselves.

"Bunkies" Jumping on the Bed

Gotta love it when the kids start doing their own bedtime stories. BiggiE is a bit distracted in this reading of Eight Silly Monkeys. This book is a really cute version of the story because it ends with "but nobody said anything about jumping on the couch." That pretty much sums up our household. (I think Moose was trying for a cameo that didn't work out.)

A Trip to the Mountains

We had a wonderful trip to the mountains last weekend with the Hughes and the Mathisons. The kids had a blast playing together (and the adults did, too.)




Moose had been talking about the trip for weeks before we went and was beside himself with joy in helping to make crepes for all his friends.


We were able to find some snow despite the 50 degree weather. Moose and BiggiE went sledding for the first time and were all smiles. They kept asking to go again and again so we got our workout trekking up the hill carrying sleds and kids.




I loved spending time with my friends' kids. It is so fun to watch their different personalities and see them enjoy playing together.

We had six kids 4 and under in the house (4 1/2, 3 1/2, 2 1/2, 2 1/2, 22 mths and 10 mths), so it was busy and noisy, but great fun. Here is a quiet moment with a DVD.


Oh, that is hilarious!


Tired, but happy mamas.









All the boys out for a walk.

Bed Time

It won't be long before the boys get to share a bunk bed, but for now they are super excited with their sleeping set-up. Moose got a new mattress for Christmas and some new truck sheets to match his comforter.

BiggiE has been in his "toddler bed" for two months now. He likes to be a big guy and climb in and out of bed by himself. When I first showed him his adapted crib he smiled and said, "My...new...bed!"

Paint Job?

No, we're not getting ready to paint the living room. This is just our super-mega-fort!