Green smoothie

This babe doesn't dig the pears and banana baby food I'm trying to get in his diet these days. But he does love my afternoon green smoothie. It must be the Greek yogurt and spinach that he's tasting and loves. No wait, it's probably the peanut butter and vanilla protein powder. Love the stache!

 

Joy

A day spent at the capitol building and going on a hike is a good day. 

Entrepreneurs

Let me first explain that currently, my kids and their cousin are way into money. They collect coins, count their coins, draw their coins, make magnets out of coins, fold their dollars and put them in extra special boxes, sort their money, tabulate their money, study the pictures on money, ask how they can earn money. It is endless!  In fact the other day, said cousin was brushing sand off of our picnic table and said, "Ash, how much can I earn by doing this?" The answer was, nothing. But be assured, I am happy to give payment when it is due. Yesterday afternoon was just a time. 

Little cousin loves to earn money and so he suggested to my boys that they all set up a table outside and sell some art. They were game. They got busy creating drawings, taking time to make art that people "would want to buy." This was very important to them and lots of effort was put into their work. After some time, they were ready to set up shop. 25 cents per picture. 

Let it be known that I never would have done anything like this as a kid. It scared me. I didn't want to fail, and never tried. I'd like to say I've grown out of this tendency, but I have not, and nearly every bone in my mother body wanted to tell them to forget the enterprise and heck, I'll pay you for cleaning off the picnic table! But I didn't. I sat back and watched their teamwork and organization. They walked boldly to the end of the driveway and for 45 minutes they sold their wares.  They made $2.50. I was impressed and so very proud of what they accomplished!

It was magic. And it made me want to make sure I stop at every stand I see this spring and summer. 

Teacher

While Oliver is at school, Ansel has a lot of time to show Ian how things are done. 

How to hang out in your "pajammies" in the morning. 

How to watch PBS kids, currently the Super Why show. 

How to use the iPad. 

How to sing patty cake. 

And how to wear a sun hat at the park. By the way, he chose the hat. Ansel loves that hat. 

On clearance

At carpool the other day I was wearing these glasses for the first time when I picked up the kids. I got some varied responses. 

"Mom you look different," said Ansel.

"You look like a famous person," said Ollie.

"You look like a boy! Boys can have ponytails you know," said Oliver's friend.

"I got these glasses for $3 at Nordstrom rack so I say these look like a steal!" I replied. 

And with all that honesty, we drove home.