Crabaholic?

Oooh, just looking at the above photo makes me want another!! So, it doesn't help that Central Market has fresh cooked (every hour) local dungeness crab on sale for 4.99 a lb!

I know you know by now that crab is my all time favorite food, but did you know that I have a ritual when I eat it? First, no one can be around me (except Shane, he doesn't care for it), second, I have to have the perfect butter (Land O Lakes) with just the right amount of freshly squeezed lemon, and lastly....I have a whole bento boxish thing going on.

I have a big white casserole dish that neatly holds my crab, butter and room for the shells.

I first had crab at 5 years old. This is when we still lived down in Sun Valley, Idaho and mom and dad took me with them to a fancy restaurant. That night changed my life. Every birthday, special event, etc. had to involve crab. It did help that we lived in Alaska for 6 years growing up, but i'll never forget my first bite of crab. If it isn't fresh, I wont eat it. Shane said to me tonight, "either we are going to litter your headstones with crab shells, or we'll throw you into the sea and let the crab have their revenge". :) Nevertheless....I adore the creatures and will continue to eat em up at every chance available.

Just another flower picker

So, I have been an avid sunflower over eater since I was knee high. I can eat em faster than most baseball players and still do other tasks at the same time. Yah...I'm that good.

When my children were little, I had to crack every shell for them. It took so much time and self control. I really wanted that hard earned nut inside! They adored them and all 5 never would never settle for the pre-shelled variety. It was so sweet tonight, as I began shelling my sunflower seeds, Mae crawled up on my lap, eager for a tutorial to "do it herself". For a straight hour, she shelled her own seeds. This may seem silly to you, but I look for every little sign that yes, indeed, she is her mamas daughter.

Guess what....she is in every way.

Ps- I love ALL my other children as well, just in case you were wondering.

2 Christmas parties in one night!

We spent the night at mama Sandras last night. We woke up late and headed home just in time to get ready and leave for our Wards Christmas party. I was a little hesitant to bring Mae because the story tonight was The GRINCH! If I haven't mentioned it before, Mae happens to be very frightened of the Grinch. She watched about 3 minutes of the Jim Carrey version, months ago and can't seem to shake the image (it was the onion biting scene). When she needs to go potty or to bed, she will ask us to come in with her because "MR. GRINCH is in there"!!
She was actually enthralled once she saw him. It was so fun for her to see all the fun costumes and hairdo's . (see above Cindy Lou Who)
Still.....when it came down to it... she just wouldn't go to him. She even had me walk all the way up to him with her and then turned away at the last minute.
I love this last photo. Just look at her face. This is as close as she got. And now as I write this, she is next to me, jib jabbering away about how scary the Grinch was, but how she knows he is nice deep down.
Next, we had to rush to our friends Christmas party. I had no idea there would be 50+ people there. Mostly baseball and football parents, so it was great to reconnect. We were seriously, the ONLY people not drinking. This I know, because to keep busy, I kept picking up after everyone.

We ended up being the last to leave. Andrea is a dear friend of mine and her and her husband will be long time friends I know. I love that she is also a dr. and supports naturopathy as well as modern medicine.
We are such great friends. It's so neat when you meet someone and it just clicks. We are fortunate to get to see each other often.
Upstairs in the "game room" we were impressed by Toms life size Star Wars action figure. Tom....you truly are a Star Wars nerd but we still love you.
After a long night, we are home and resting up for all the events next week! This has been the busiest December I can ever remember. Merry Christmas!

Seattle Date night!

It started out at a friends sons swim meet. He was incredible! Go Spartans!

Then we caught the 5:30 ferry into Seattle. We were so excited to have a whole night together with our good friends.

We walked up to McCormick & Shmicks for dinner. Shane had the seafood fettuccini and I had stuffed shrimp and sirloin steak. YUM. For dessert...the most beautiful creme brulee.

As you can see....we finished everything on our plates....and each others.
It was so beautiful tonight. All the trees were lit with Christmas lights and even one store had a snow machine blowing snow down on everyone!
5th Avenue theater is AMAZING. I remember going as I child and I definitely want to go back as often as possible.
I had never seen the film, and, after the play, I still am not sure if I want to. The play was BRILLIANT. We had great seats and I felt like a kid in a candy store. The sets were so beautifully made.
Lovebirds.....
She ASKED to be photographed with the bunny. Definitely a hilarious part of the play.

Yay! I can't wait to go again! Anyone else up for a date night with the Butlers?

Date night!

You know......I have NEVER seen this film. My husband quotes from it often, and has been in shock that I haven't watched it. I feel out of place during "shoot your eye out" moments in a conversation.

As luck would have it, a couple that we are close with invited us to dinner and THIS play in Seattle tomorrow night. We are SO excited. Now I will never (well, maybe never) feel left out of these conversations. ( Even if want to shoot MY eyes out). Stay tuned!

My favorite part of the day

Besides bedtime that is... I just love either meeting Rylan at the bottom of our driveway or (most often) at the top. He runs all the way up with a smile so huge. He noticed the camera so wasn't as smiley as usual but, normally he is so giddy to get up to me. He hugs and kisses me and never wants to let go. This has been a tough year for him. I home taught(played) with him last year and this year his anxiety has been high. He wont let us drive him to school. He HAS to take the bus. When I asked him why, he explained that it is too hard for him to watch us go away from him. Aw. He doesn't eat breakfast in the mornings because he is so nervous, but has a wonderful time when he is at school. Next week is his student of the week/ week. We worked for hours on his timeline. Photos and events from each year of his life. The day that he presents his timeline, parents get to come in and have lunch with their child. Guess what....he wont let me come! I am art docent (luckily with 2 other women) and he wont let me come! His explanation? It will be too hard for him unless he can leave with me right afterwards. Or he'll want to sit with me. It's sweet but....sad for this mama who has separation issues as well!

Heres a little video of my sweet boy. Enjoy.

Melatonin- WONDER pill!!

Thank you Erika! The older kids don't really need it, but nevertheless, they have enjoyed the benefits of falling right to sleep. There is something to be said for a quiet house by 9:30 and ALL the kids in their own beds. Yup.....FINALLY! Everyone is in their own bed. Woohoo!!

I don't intend on a long term dosage. The older boys took one tablet of 3mg and Rylan 1/2. Mae took a 1/4 of one. They were all asleep within a half an hour. Incredible! Amazingly, I kept Mae with me on the couch as we watched our tele shows and she asked to be taken to her bed.

YESSSS!! In any case, I hope this will regulate their sleeping patterns.

Melatonin is a natural sleep aid.

Goodnight. I will enjoy snuggling with my husband tonight, with no children in between us.