Evolving Sweetie

A Walk in the Zoo

My lovely nieces and I took in the Woodland Park Zoo a few weekends ago. Loved soaking up the Aunt time and sunshine. We had a blast. What a joy to see how their engagement with the animals and zoo paraphernalia morphs with their age. 

I treasure these years where I joyously play the part of the fun and adoring aunt in their lives. As time marches on this too will shift and evolve into a different view. Will I be the treasured confidant? An old fav that lost it's glitter? A spiritual guide? A trusted friend? Or someone who just doesn't understand? Likely, the answer is all of thee above.  So for now, I'll be present and cherish these moments. And enjoy my rockstar status in their lives.

 

Postcards from the Woodland Park Zoo

Mairead @ 7.5 

Emmie's creations

Mairead's bird house

Peacock strut

Giraffes strolling

Emmie @ 5.75

My monkeys tree climbing

Beautiful Jaguar

Last view of the day. Catch you later Penguins.

 

Sea-Gals

In honor of yesterday's exciting Seahawk win in NYC, thought I'd share some fun pics of my lovely nieces at this season opener.

Good job Seahawks!! Rest up during the bye week.

 

POSTCARDS from Century Link Stadium

Mairead all geared up. She's got to heart of a true blue fan!

Emmie's all about the swag & food. Sporting a Seahawk color tongue after an ice-cream treat.

I  heart these gals!

 

 

Upcoming Quilt Project ~ Advent Calendars

Oh, the last two weekends I've gotten into some serious trouble in the Fabric Depts. Earlier this summer I found this really sweet Advent Calendar quilt project from Sew Mama Sew that I've been dying to make my lovely nieces. As their God-Mother too, I always on the look out for little ways I can fulfill these duties. Hopefully it'll be a fun lead up to Christmas throughout the years for them.

Been scoping for cute Christmas fabrics and the past few weekends I've hit the mother load. Not only is the main fabric for the pockets sweet, whimsical and nostalgic (my favorite adjectives), but the color schemes fit in with the girls' current favorite colors pink & green. Perfect!

Thank you to Pacific Fabrics at Northgate and the wonderful woman who spent 30 minutes with me wandering the store looking for matching fabrics. I think we started a trend as a number of customers were going to scoop up the fabrics to make their own calendar. I'm not going to spoil all the fabric images at this time...but here is part of the main fabric panel from Sheri Berry's "Have a Sheri Berry Holiday" collection.

Aren't these so sweet! 

Each girl's calendar will be different in the backgrounds/color scheme. Supplemental fabrics (mostly purchased at The Quilting Loft) are from Michael Miller Fabrics (Dumb Dot - pink podka dots), other prints from Sheri Berry's holiday collections and solids from Robert Kaufman's Kona Cotton. I'll post some in progress and finished pics as the projects move along.

Mairead's color pallet (dk pink more watermellon colors)

Front / Back

Emily's color pallet

Front / Back

 

Weekend Bliss

Last weekend was perfect!

• Super fun gathering with the gang on Friday night enjoying our Park and a beautiful summer night. 
• Back to school shopping and a one-on-one date with my lovely niece Mairead. 
• New hair-do and visit with Joel. Always a pleasure.
• Greek food and dinner with my friend Preeti.
• Long catch up with Janie in Belgium.
• Coffee & pastries at my favorite bakery.
• Yummy berries from Spooner Farms.
• Baked a scrumptous blueberry pie.
• Check in with my parents
• Rounded out with wonderful dinner at my sisters. An evening enjoying family.

Relaxing and filled with the peeps I love. What could be better. 

This is a hectic, but short week for me. The gang is camping for Fri-Monday up at Deception Pass next weekend. Lots to do between now and then, car repairs, accupuncture, Mariner's Game, Baby party, Work, Work Picnic, shopping and packing out the car. Makes me equally tired and rejuvenated to think about it. Excited for a getaway and some quality outdoors time.

Happy Tuesday!

Back to School ~ Part 1

Starting a tradition this year of taking my lovely nieces on a one-on-one shopping trip for back to school. Our lives are so full that I rarely get to solo time with each girl. Love being let inside their own world for a while. And they revel in my undivided attention, snuggling in closer. 

Today was Emmie's turn. Oh the joys of being five.  Leaping over cracks in the pavement with abandon. Her laughter is infectious and bubbly. Inspiring quite a few smiles from onlookers.

The beauty of the aunt role is it's fluidity to switch from the responsible adult to co-conspirator to playmate and back again. And their charm isn't diluted with the sameness of the everyday. Truly I get to  enjoy the moment and be present. Although I must say kid time ticks by in a quarter the speed of adult time. 

Adore seeing what Emmie found beautiful and worth of buying. A few outfits, metallic pink loafers, lime green beaded necklace, flower with pink hair extension {had to let her have it for the look on my sister's face alone!}, some books and a glitter heart necklace. At lunch between the giggle fits and gentle coaxing to eat macroni & cheese, as frequently happens she asked me about Uncle Chuck, God and heaven. These are the moments I earn my strips as her Godmother.  We ended our time together at Golden Gardens running through the grass, eating bombpops and watching the turtles and ducks swim by. A glorious Sunday afternoon.

The details of today may pass into the halls of Emily's childhood. My prayer is that someday  Emily remembers her aunt as someone who showered her with love, that she had fun with and who would honestly answer any question she asked. Personally, I will treasure Emily's delight that I joined her in leaping over the cracks, our holding hands for the joy of connection and the tiny whispers in my ear. Love you little Em!

Whirlwind Sleep Over

Whirled through the past weekend sleep date with my lovely nieces. Great time was had by all. Busy bees! Point Defiance Zoo, shopping, pedicures, gardening, visiting friends and making dream catchers. Whew!

POSTCARDS from a weekend w/ my favorite girls

whale tail @ the children's garden

princess wand balloons

shadow play

Em @almost 5

dream catchers

Emmie & her favorite

solo camel rides

Mairead @ 6.75

riding a whale

open wide - this is my favorite one from the weekend

 

Sleep Over at Aunt Jeannette

Trying something new this weekend. My lovely nieces are staying at my condo. Attempting to not make too many plans as I tend to promise more than we can accomplish. Disappointment erupts. Kinda a rocky start. Both girls exhausted and a bit gun shy. Thought for a while there it was going to be a long weekend. All I have to say is reading is magical! Ross making an exploratory visit or two didn't hurt my cause either. 

All tucked in safe and sound around 8:15-ish. Then the impish Em wanders out asking if I'd sleep with them. What's an aunt to do? So we whispered, snuggled, threatened bunny sleeping on the dining room table, giggled, petted a kitty and snuggled some more until they completely wound down to sleep. Probably I'll pay for it tomorrow. Didn't have the heart to say no. Besides it's a few hours I'll treasure always of being invited to play in the world of my favorite little girls' imagination. 

LiveStrong Challenge - Seattle 2010

Up early for the Livestrong Challenge this fine Father's Day morning. It's the 2nd year for Seattle. Over $800K raised in the fight against cancer.  All funds raised go towards working for a cure or providing resources for survivors and families in the battle of their lives. Truly admirable in this economy, on this day.

Today was my 4th Livestrong event. Each one is touching and special. Our groomsmen and friend Mark joined the Peloton this year and rode the 45 mile route, mostly in the rain. My sister, brother-in-law and my lovely nieces walked in honor of our lost Chuck. I brought cowbells that the girls and I had a grand time ringing loud and proud, cheering on everyone. There can never be enough cowbell! And the rains held at bay on all us walkers. 

Livestrong for me is about celebrating the human spirit. Seeing all those survivors overcome and walk or ride. It's about community - knowing that many others walk this journey through cancer and in unity there is empathy, strength and support. It's giving a voice to the fight and taking a stand.

And most intimately, it's about Chuck. For honoring what he accomplished, how he faced life and most notably cancer, and how deep and profound his missing is in our lives. My husband, our friend, brother, uncle, son ... shoes that can not ever be filled. I opted this morning to celebrate, remember and cheer. It wasn't until I was waiting at the threshold for Mark to come rolling in that the tears of grief started to flow. For I alone carry the memory of how proud, overjoyed and grateful Chuck was went he crossed the finish line and collapsed into me in a tearful hug. Reminded of the knowledge that he will never ride again.

Thank you to all for your support!!!

Livestrong!

POSTCARDS from Livestrong Seattle 2010

 
Mark queued up for 45 mile ride.

Riders are OFF!

  
Aunt Jeannette & Mairead

Heather & Emmie

The Family!

 
Sisters

Finish line in sight

 

 

 
     Mark soaked at the end of a long ride. 

LIVESTRONG!!!  

 

First Ballgame

Saturday, the family headed to Safeco Field to take in the Mariners vs the Angels game. What a beautiful, sunny day. Perfect for spending at the ball park. An enjoyable game until the Angels destroyed us in the 6th. Unfortunately, that's par for the course this season.

The game was special to us as it was Mairead & Emmie's first major league baseball game. They did pretty well and definitely enjoyed the treats. Mairead put up with her Aunt trying to explain some of the rules of the game. Loved sharing my lap and love of the game with her. Fun way to spend quality time visiting and enjoying the afternoon.

There was 7 of us split into 2 sections of VERY GOOD seats. THANKS MIKE!!! Spent the first part of the game with Heather & the girls. And the other half visiting with Kevin & Sandy. 

Take me out to the ball-game.

A lovely afternoon.

POSTCARDS from Safeco Field

3rd baseline sets

Heather & the Girls.

First base seat views

Ichiro

The Moose

Mairead 

Girls with their Moose. Yes - I am the culprit 

Girls with Grandpa & Mimi

Mike & Emmie leaving the game

Bye-Bye Safeco Field - see you next time

    

           

Spring at the Woodland Park Zoo

 

Date time at the Woodland Park Zoo with my favorite little girls. My lovely nieces, of course! 

A beautiful morning to be out with the wild life. The bears were frisky and playful. Ice cream and carousel rides galore. And Aunt Nette spent the whole time running trying to keep up! Opted to not lug the SLR today. Photo and video documentation via the Iphone. 

SCENES from a sunny Sunday stroll through the zoo:

 

Mairead & Emmie riding the Monkey

  

Can't forget to ride the Lion 

 

 

 

A friend was made.

Unfortunately my videos of us feeding the birds didn't turn out due to technical difficulties - ie operator error. We had a BLAST in the birdhouse. One startled me and perched on my shoulder for a few minutes. The girls LOVED feeding it. Mairead caught 2 on her stick and immediately started shaking with excitement and chased them away. Our day ended with a romp through the Family Farm, where we witnessed a chicken laying 4 eggs.  A wonderful, sunny and fun filled day!