On Local Safari

(Note to Grandpa: There was also animality in the car, hence the lack of children pictures.)
We succumbed to the local attraction that is the Olympic Game Farm. It's a better adventure when you fill up the minivan with people you don't mind getting silly with, and you bring your own bread. I have a wild side. Bryn and Bent came too.

What you see is not for the faint of heart. Lots of close-ups. Sorry, what can I say?
They wait for you to cross the cattle guard. These yaks are acting like they don't notice us, but we are being eyed. That's how they do it in Tibet. 

They fog up your windows. Pull in your side mirrors before it's too late.

Then, off to your right, you'll see that the animals are quite used to the fact that people only roll down their windows three-quarters of an inch. The sign says, "Zebras Bite." I was squealing as I listened to them scrape their teeth on the window.

It's like, "Hurry! Pay them! Pay them!" A total stick-up.

But I understand it is their instinct... It's my instinct to squeal back at a zebra if I think he's going to nip me for a stupid piece of bread! (Roar.)

Oldest Rhino Ever. Maybe they all look like that...?
Next stop: Kodiak Bears

...Why yes, there is only a tiny and short electric fence between you and him. Luckily the seagulls were there to hold him back.
I thought this momma Black Bear had a peopley looking face.

But she's still a bear.

And yes, I felt sorry for them.

There was a sign at this point that said "Do Not Stop." Or the towering grazers would be fencing your car indefinitely. So of course the car in front of us stopped for long periods and frequently. Which is a natural consequence when you are trying to see how many native Roosevelt Elk heads you can get in your Saturn.

"Are You My Mother?"
European White Fallow Deer

Please enjoy this American Bison and his majestic, rotund eye... Ohhh. Ahhh. They were quite pushy and slobbery for bread, of course.

...Now I think if they threw in a car wash, we'd be set!

--Oh ya. And do I get ten points for tossing this? I'm a wild woman, I tell you.

Allison's Purple Birthday with a Side of Cookies and Milk Cake a la Mode

Allison has been waiting to turn four-years-old. And waiting. And waiting. In only the way a 3.9-year-old can wait. We had to get out a calendar and mark off the days. Tediously practicing the letter "x," slowly hashing  closer to her birthday. Calling up and singing "Happy Birthday" to six other immediate relatives over that time  really rubs it in and drags it out, too. Her birthday was on the last Sunday of the month. Her party was a family one.

"Allie, it's time to wake up..."
She stretches. "Close dthe curtains, Mom, it's too brigh."
I sit by her on the bed.
"Allison, it's your birthday today. Happy Birthday, Allison!" She gasps and sits straight up and puts her hands over her mouth. Her numbers have finally been announced. Says I, "We need to go to church because all of our friends there want to say Happy Birthday to you this morning. Then everybody's coming over for your birthday after that."

"It's my Birtsday? It's my Birtsday, today? Oh, I've been waiting and waiting! And now I can be FOUR? And now I can go to school? I can be four! I'm so exciting!"
"Yes! You did it, Allison, you are four! I am so happy for you." I really am happy and relieved for her. And I'm proud. Whatta Gal.
We hug.
She had a very special and generous day.

I'm still working on how she will go to school at four. Maybe I'll start a pre-preschool in the coming months...she does attend an infant-toddler group in the school district. And practices getting on the bus.  But, how can I say no to her? Grant the wish...

...it's easy to see that the world is her Milk & Cookies.

(Recipe Here)

Are You Sure?

Did you miss us? Are you sure?
Because, really, as the purveyor of this household during the doldrums of winter, here's what you've missed:
All That Bird Watching

Severe Banana Consumption

More Bird Watching

Snow Days

Stinting Off-Broadway

Flexing Craft Muscles

Sugar Plumm-ing

Very Light Reading

Crash Napping (results of only seeing sunlight for a few hours.)

Kinda Organizing

Making Messes, Whilst Cleaning (helps the time pass)

Beiber-ing 

More Crafting

Salivating-ing-ing

Keeping the Slugs Off

...You're All Caught Up.

January 7th

Hi You. It's me.
I'm letting you know that my purposeful screen-free sabbatical is almost through (but not quite). Not trying to take pictures. Hobby-shifting. Being more private. Disconnecting, literally! I've rediscovered my rhythm. I've been taking naps. I have be working on other projects. Enjoying the moment and paying a little more attention.
I just thought I'd pop on here and say so
after I realized that even though my house has been
de-holidayed,
my blog was still "so last year!" (and I hate that)
With Love, Warmth, and Good Wishes,
I promise to post Allie's birthday- and from then on,
Nicole