The Weirdest Thing

I don't enter contests...I figure I won't win, because I never win contests. I saw on Facebook a contest. Plywerk, a quirky company based out of Portland, who is revolutionizing how we display photos wrote, "What is the weirdest thing you have seen?" I could have sent him this photo from the Alberta Street Fair...but I thought, no, if you live in Portland you see crazies all the time. (I mean that in the nicest way...I'm a crazy on a good day.)

It didn't take me long to remember the photos of the mating slugs I took a couple of years ago. Now, you don't see that everyday. It actually came to me really fast...it WAS really weird. Did you know slugs are hermaphrodites? I didn't, but I could have guessed by looking at the photos. I won't discuss the details of the slugs mating habits...like the fact that one chews off the other's penis when they are done...sorry, I said I won't discuss it. I'll just bring to you the winning photo...

That's right, thanks to slug sex caught on film...I won a prize. Thank you Plywerk.

First Fishing

We went fishing today for the first time. We gained one child for the first part of our trip. A little girl who ran to me and hugged me in fear of a bug. I had to add this photo and the story...it was funny. We never saw her parents...is that weird? She kept asking us to fish, but we were just trying to figure it all out ourselves...funny.

The first cast.
No, we didn't catch any fish. Rhett didn't even mind.

We tried to entertain ourselves on the other side of the lake...far away from flying hooks.

They even had paddle boats.

Here was Rhett at the end of our trip at the lake...I LOVE THIS PHOTO!

Dan is taking the fishing failure as a challenge. He and Rhett already went to the fishing store for some gear for the next trip.

Getting Ready For Mezmur's Birthday

I know...this is our weed trashed yard...what does this have to do with Mezmur, you ask? Well, we are fixing this half of our house, that has been neglected since we moved in, so we can have a lovely little party for our birthday girl in her own backyard. Remember this photo. This is the before photo. Wait until you see the after photo!

I finally ordered Mezmur's book for her birthday. I started working on a book for her at Snapfish when we first started the adoption process. I wrote letters to her, explained the process, included photos, reference letters, photos of when we first met her, photos of our homecoming, and some other photos and stories of our first few months home.
I also included photos of the many projects I worked on for Mezmur as we waited for her to come home.

I made a little something special for Mezmur. I'll share more about this project on another post...with more photos, so you actually know what it is.

I found this little ironing board at a resale shop for $10...score! I found the iron at one of my favorite toy stores in town...made locally.

Here is a little sneak peak at Mezmur's special birthday banner made by Mama. It says "happy birthday mezmur." We will hang it up on Mezmur's birthday month every year.

Mezmur also gets a couple of new books...Oh What a Busy Day by my favorite and I Love My Hair. I think she will be a happy birthday girl.

A Couple Highlights From the Farm this Week and the Only Photo I Took

As soon as we made it over the bridge, around the bend, and onto the island, Mezmur said, "Hi berry, hi berry, hi berry!"

While picking raspberries Dan said, "Hey, Rhett. I'm picking berries for the fun of it." Rhett said, "I'm picking berries for the yum of it."

Rhett This Week

Along with Slip 'n' Slide, woodworking camp at his preschool, and play time with friends, Rhett played a lot of piano this week. He has been composing many new songs. He takes his piano playing very serious.

What Did You Do When it Was Almost 100 Degrees?

We indulge in icy drinks in the form of Limonata and iced Americano.

I just love how Mezmur is standing here.

Swim lessons.
Why is Rhett so happy? Oh, Mezmur had just thrown his shoes into the pool.

Picnic dinner on the farm.

Fresh raspberries.

My berry Queen.

Huge sprinkler fun on the farm.

We stayed really cool and we might be farmers one day.

Our Patriotic Fourth of July Weekend

Fort Stevens for the Fourth...very patriotic of us.

A small beach town Fourth of July parade.

A boy and his first sparkler.

U.S.A...do you see it?

Astoria Column.

A great time with some great friends.

Mezmur's Best Friend

We had a great night last night...despite the return of the rain. Mezmur's best friend is back in town! Zora Kalkidan and her family! There were a lot of "nos" and "mines" between the two of them, but if the Mamas have anything to do with it...they will be best friends. We just need to find a way for them to move to the NW!

Thanks for hosting again B and T! It was a great time.