Terrariums R Us

It was a lovely Saturday afternoon when Mom and I hauled ourselves to Tacoma to learn how to make a terrarium (aka a way to kill plants more slowly). She looked happy at first.

And yet, when they started handing out the plants, she seemed less confident. The instructor was helpful and entertaining so we began making our terrariums with confidence, warranted or not. 

The finished product!

Well, products!

The instructor informed us that plants want to live. Which seems to imply that all the plants I have had either were suicidal or trying to live Irene-adjacent was enough to drain them of their will to live. We'll have to see how this terrarium survives...or not.

Dad | Year Two

Due to illness and scheduling and relocation of the older children, our celebration of Dad was smaller than usual. But Ben and I celebrated with mint Oreo milkshakes and Rachel represented with some thing in a cup in Germany. Miss you, Dad. 

Getting our Pi(e) On!

 With the musical in the evening, we gathered earlier in the day to celebrate what today is all about: pi!

Well, most of us celebrated. Some us are anti-pie. 

Family Fun with Jon!

Jon stopped by on his way to a cruise in Alaska. We had a lovely dinner and I grabbed a few pics since this is an uncommon occurrence. 

Family Picture Outtakes

As part of the whirlwind adventure that was graduation/Rachel's visit, we took family pictures. Our photographer recommended Nisqually so we showed up bright and early (ok, not really, it was 10am). I recommended to Mom that she bring the electric scooter as we would be doing some walking and it would be a place to sit while waiting. Getting it assembled turned out to be more difficult than expected (too many cooks in the kitchen?) and once it was ready we discovered it wasn't charged. 

Sigh.

So the kids had fun pushing her and each other around in it. And I can't wait to see the actual photos.

Michael Graduation

The big day! A looooong day! An exciting day! We had to wait awhile in line to ensure good seats, but it was shady and we got to chat with friends and family.

Ben was part of a special group and was in the events center first. This is his 2nd year playing at graduation - only 1 more time to go!

Graduation is always a mixed bag. It's great to see your kids and their friends cross the stage. It's less great to sit through the talks and the other kids crossing the stage. We may have leaned heavily on electronic devices this time. 

Awww...here he comes!

Class of 2025!

Josh/Michael Family Birthday Party

This year the birthday/end of school insanity is especially epic. Today was the best day to celebrate Michael and Josh's birthday with family. For dinner we had brisket, ribs, and stuffed shells with cheesecake and brownies for dessert - an ideal mash-up of the boys' food preferences. Then gifts!

Dad 1 Year

It's been one year since Dad passed and I was trying to think about how to commemorate the day. I remembered that Uncle Craig said that one of the last things he did with Dad was get a milkshake. That was the last time he left the house. Uncle Craig ordered one while we were there in memory of Dad. I have decided to borrow that idea and invited family to have a milkshake on Monday, April 7th to celebrate Dad. Here are some of the pictures.