Happy 15th Jake!!

My baby brother turned 15....where does the time go? Not such a baby anymore! Huh, Jake? We hope your birthday was fabulous and we feel so lucky to have had the chance to play with you in Seattle recently! You're such an awesome uncle and brother! Thanks, bud!

We love you!

Strawberry Pop

Behold...the first fruit of our efforts! Koen and I have taken up gardening in several forms. We have five tomato plants in pots, we have a hanging Topsy Turvy of strawberry plants, and a small plot at the community garden down the street.

After weeks of tender loving care and patience, we have a strawberry! Woo-hoo! Yes, it is white as a ghost, but will hopefully turn red before Koen loses interest. I'm excited for him to see this growing process and to learn where his food comes from. I also hope he learns to love tomatoes and strawberries (two fruits that he currently doesn't care for).

And another benefit...Koen is learning to appreciate bugs...yes, BUGS! His all time nemesis! I'm trying to show him all the bugs, worms, spiders, and bees in the garden, explaining how they are beneficial for the plants. So far, he's been very receptive and curious. He still won't hold a bug, but he's getting closer. :)

Exhibit A: a ladybug on our strawberry plant yesterday.

Koen named him 'Pop'. I told him that the ladybug was so happy, sitting on a leaf, feeling the warm sun on his back while he waited for his lunch to come crawling by. Koen got up close to look at 'Pop'. Then, in all earnest he said, "Mom, I want to see his smile."

Here is Koen, gardener and painter, hard at work on his latest masterpiece (a watercolor for a certain someone with a birthday coming up!)

New Do!

Caution: If you are in any way attached to Koen's curly blond locks,



continue




reading




at your




own




risk!



(And be warned you may shed a tear)




On a wild hair (pun intended), Clay decided during dinner last night that it was time for change. He somehow convinced Koen of this and before we knew it there was a new kid and a small furry animal on the floor of the bathroom where our son sat just moments before.

Before

During

(We were tempted to stop here, but that idea quickly passed)

Our new dog

Our new kid!

He's still trying to get used to it, as are we.

I've witnessed him rubbing his head several times today.

So....very...strange. A little sad, but also exciting! It seems he aged two whole years over night! :( But doesn't he look handsome? Bring on the heat of summer! Koen is ready!

Clouds

Koen and I were driving home today. The sky was deep blue with huge, puffy cumulus clouds scattered about, the kind that are so white they are nearly blinding to the eye. He thoughtfully gazed out the window at them for a time. Then he said, "Mommy?

(Me) "Yes, Koen?"

(Koen) "Maybe some day I can hold a cloud for a minute."

Smiling at the sweetness of his idea, I replied, "Don't they look soft and puffy? Like big pillows!"

He said, "Yes! And maybe I'll get one with an airplane in it!"

Pure sincerity. I live for these simple conversations with him. They remind me to take notice of the little things, the beautiful sights, that are right in front of us all the time, yet hardly noticed. I'm reminded to "be-here-now", in the present moment. Thank you, Koen.

One Year of Finnegan!

Just one year ago, on a sunny, warm and beautiful May Day, my water broke. After an amazingly perfect labor and delivery, Finnegan joined and completed our little family. This year has flown by, as they all do. And today, we can scarcely remember life without this precious child.

Finnegan Brady Greenleaf

Then...

...and Now!

We celebrated his very first birthday last Saturday. It was a fabulous party, if I do say so myself. The day was filled with family, friends, food and fun...all for Finn (I love alliteration). Nana came to town for the event, and she was instrumental in helping us put it all together. The house was decorated with balloons and photos of Finn throughout the past 12 months.

The spread included delicious Greek Turkey pita sandwiches

with tzatziki sauce and a Greek Rice Salad.

Finn got his very own 'healthy' cake (shown above), made with bananas, tofu, almond butter, millet and such (tasted better than it sounds). The rest of us enjoyed Peanut Butter and Chocolate cupcakes. Check out these tasty little goodies I made. The recipe is definitely a keeper! Sooo good!

The following shot was taken just after we sang 'Happy Birthday' to Finn.

Notice that he was not crying or in any way traumatized.

(If you attended Koen's first birthday party, you might recall the terror.)

Finn was nice enough to share with me. Yum!

Oh yeah...this boy was headed straight for the bathtub, no doubt about it.

Even his shoes were caked!

Happy Birthday, Finnie!

You are such a happy little boy

and we love you so much!

Love,

Mom, Dad and Koen