Ruby and Wade's House

Ruby the Clown

2012-02-06T09:08:00.001-08:00

In Portland, they teach clowning in the second grade. They photographed the children in their clown outfits, and then they had them draw the picture.

First day of basketball

2012-01-21T21:48:00.000-08:00

I took Wade to his first organized sports team practice today. It was so cute it was rather painful. That's his coach giving him some pointers.

Wade was a bit new to dribbling, but he did score one of his team's two baskets in their scrimmage.

Spooky Scene

2012-01-14T12:05:00.001-08:00

Dear Winter Break,

2012-01-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am really going to miss you.

Happy New Year!

Once upon a time

2011-12-30T16:08:00.000-08:00

today

2011-12-28T22:47:00.000-08:00

At the Aquarium on the coast in the pouring down rain.

Hello new camera...I think I love you.

hookin'

2011-12-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

Ruby got her first latch hook for xmas,

worn with xmas sushi jammies :)

Merry Xmas

2011-12-24T23:17:00.001-08:00

2011-12-22T14:20:00.000-08:00

how to meditate by Wade

2011-12-22T14:07:00.000-08:00

Here is Wade teaching me how to meditate the other day.

He says the reason why I suck at Bey Blades is

because I don't meditate while I play.

He wins almost everytime- He says this is why.

King and Queen of the Castle

2011-12-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Angel Fashion

2011-12-16T20:59:00.000-08:00

By Ruby

Free!

2011-12-01T22:25:00.001-08:00

Here it is, before the tooth fairy took it.

Missing

2011-12-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

Observe the newest missing occupant from Wades mouth. He loosened it eating a carrot one night and it broke free at lunch the next day.

Vampire

2011-12-01T22:20:00.001-08:00

"I vant to suck your blood."

Zombie

2011-12-01T22:19:00.001-08:00

This is on the wall of Ruby's classroom. It says, "I am a zombie and I am going to zombify you."

Angel, by Ruby

2011-11-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

Burrito Place

2011-11-20T12:17:00.001-08:00

La Bonita at La Bonita.

Snowman House

2011-11-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Pinkalicious

2011-11-09T22:56:00.000-08:00

Ruby was home sick today, and I stayed with her and worked. We got out for some coffee and cookies, and bought some books. One of the titles was Pinkalicious ... like our Ruby in her winter coat.

Wade at the Pumpkin Patch

2011-11-05T13:38:00.001-07:00

Here is our handsome devil with his pal Ethan. This was on a class trip to Kruger's Farm on Sauvie Island.

Ruby's first full-length book

2011-11-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

This week she completed reading this book on her own. All 433 pages of it, the last 60 all in one sitting. To commemorate I let them watch some of the movie.

Starry Night

2011-11-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

Ruby made this in her art class at school. They hung it up in the front lobby.

Hamster Disco

2011-10-30T21:10:00.001-07:00

By Ruby, of course.

2011-10-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

What?

Ruby is 8 today

2011-10-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here she is about to build her own stuffed animals, at one of those stores. She made a tabby cat named Chester.

Ruby's Locker Art

2011-09-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Ruby's class made sunflower name tags for their lockers. I think it would make a lovely print.

Artist at work

2011-09-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

At Por Que No? Taqueria they have a lovely outdoor patio where Ruby and Wade can make chalk drawings, while Monica and I get a rare chance to chat.

Last weekend they made friends with a couple of kids and completed this mural.

A photo series by Wade

2011-07-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

Wade took these while we were taking an eating dinner

in a restaurant break from camping.

2011-07-15T07:52:00.001-07:00

Newt Fever

2011-07-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

she has one in each hand

I never knew a newt...

not until this weekend anyway.

We just got back from a couple

of days at Lost Lake.

Ruby was obsessed with catching newts.

Wade was obsessed with holding them.

They both declared the newts the

best part of the trip.

For me it was the canoe rides-

I have this friend...

2011-06-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

She came over the other day with her two super cute littles

and her camera. Oh the things that this lady can do with her

camera. She is one talented mama. And I am quite lucky to

know her.

And I really enjoyed sharing my shoes with her eldest.

You can find her here.

Scenes from a wedding weekend

2011-06-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

We had such a nice time in Ohio last weekend.

It was really great to see everyone.

Mazel Tov Bobby and Emily!

Wade and the ship

2011-06-20T22:20:00.000-07:00

Our hotel room in Toledo commanded this view of the Maumee River. We got to see some pretty cool shipping activity, which Wade enjoyed.

Picachu in Denver

2011-06-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ruby and Wade got free Picachu toys from a nice lady at McDonalds at the Denver airport. Then Picachu got to ride on the handrail of the moving walkway. Next stop, Detroit!

Cookie

2011-06-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday

2011-06-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

Scary Villain

2011-05-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

Wadey requested the scariest villain Ruby could make. A bit creepy, but cute at the same time . . . It is Ruby, after all.

Jewel Beetle

2011-05-29T20:05:00.001-07:00

Ruby made this at school. It's made out of that lightweight white modeling compound. The head, thorax, and abdomen are all made out of separate pieces stuck together, she told me, they're not just lines.

Dancing Girl

2011-05-29T20:01:00.001-07:00

Ruby made this yesterday morning. I love the new use of shadow on the legs, arms, and of course the ground. She says she didn't learn that at school.

Wedding Couple

2011-05-29T19:59:00.001-07:00

Ruby made this in honor of my Cousin Bob's wedding.

Tootie Monster, by Wade

2011-05-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Wade's drawing skills transformed this week, and at first we thought Ruby had made the things he showed us. The two have been working together lately, master and apprentice, Ruby doing the line drawings, and Wadey coloring them in.

Maybe it has to do with his turning 5 last week, or perhaps it's the hours he spends looking over Ruby's shoulder while she draws.

Whatever the reason, this week he conceived, drew and colored this Tootie Monster, walking his cat on a leash while the stars shine overhead.

Superheros

2011-05-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ruby drew these tonight. This one she colored.

This one she drew for Wade to color.

I love the weapons. They both needed to know

which weapon I liked most :)

Sushi, by Ruby

2011-05-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Check out the shading technique on the roll. She did this from memory at school with pastels. Those are chopsticks laid on the plate.

Kitty with a long tail

2011-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Ruby made this at dinner tonight!

me and the babies

2011-04-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I had the pleasure of spending

some time with 2 very special little girls.

I had lunch with Missy and my niece Ellie.

and coffee with the beautiful new addition

to my friend Autumn's family.

Can you stand how cute they are??

And the cheeks??

Thanks ladies for sharing your cuties with me.

The Decision

2011-04-28T20:37:00.001-07:00

Tonight I offered Ruby a choice of stories. Did she want another chapter of Charlotte's Web, or maybe from the Rebecca book?

She said, "No, I'd just like the gift of creation from your mind."

Then she said, "Why are you laughing?"

The Seder Plate

2011-04-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

This morning I asked Ruby to make some paper circles with Hebrew letters to convert our regular plate into a Seder plate, and gave her the below picture. Ruby decided they should be pop-outs instead. A pretty professional job on the Hebrew, too!

We saw the sun..

2011-04-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

so we went to the beach.

Another Mermaid

2011-03-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have the little mermaid picture I posted a while back up in my closet. Ruby noticed it yesterday and noted that she doesn't draw that way anymore. I said she should make an updated version. After I explained what an update was, she went off and made one (left), making sure to carry over distinctive features, like the elongated neck:

Rebel without a cause

2011-03-13T19:17:00.001-07:00

He's been testing us a lot lately, but with looks like this . . . we forgive him.

Water Glass

2011-03-06T18:54:00.001-08:00

At Auntie Missy, Uncle Kenny and new Cousin Ellie's, Wade had to make extra sure the glass was empty.

The Extraction

2011-02-25T21:52:00.000-08:00

A week ago, Wade fell down and knocked two of his teeth loose. Yesterday we had to have an oral surgeon extract them. The nurses couldn't believe how amazing he was. He never cried, and barely complained. As you can see, it has only enhanced his cuteness. Keep smiling, Wadey!

Presents for Baby Ellie

2011-02-16T18:51:00.001-08:00

I knitted her up this little hoodie.

Every girl needs one.

This is my go to baby sweater.

I really wanted to make sure that the kids got

to make her something too. Rather than just being

ignored by me while I made her something :)

Here is what we came up with.

We used fabric crayons. You just iron them

on when you are done.

I let the kids come up with the whole idea of

what they would draw.

As you can see above it is complete with "a bird

pooping on a car"...

as well as "a crazy clown with a gun".

I guess that is what cousins are for right?

Introducing the small ones to poop and violence?

That dress

2011-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

Ruby fell in love with this dress from here.

I decided that $200 was way too much to spend

on a dress up for her.

We looked around for patterns and came

up with this one by McCalls as the closest match.

It was very confusing to her because on the pattern

envelope the dress is not all white.

Here it is! She loves it so much.

I had such a hard time trying to figure out

what to make it out of. It requires a lot

of yardage which would make it very expensive.

I settled on IKEA sheets! $2.00 each and

completely machine washable which is

very important for a dress up, esp.

one that is white!

The trim has been hanging around in my trim

box for years. I think it came from an estate sale.

Total cost including pattern $14!

And now a story by Ruby...

2011-02-09T19:12:00.000-08:00

I think that the use of Greg' s foot is quite brilliant.

it got cut off but it is at last.

Introducing...

2011-02-09T15:54:00.000-08:00

Our little niece Ellie!
She is sooo crazy cute and
Greg and I are so excited to
be Auntie and Uncle!!

2011-02-05T08:19:00.001-08:00

Auntie Missy's beach ball...

2011-02-04T16:34:00.000-08:00

Auntie Missy and Uncle Kenny came over for

dinner last weekend.

Here are some pics of Ruby reading to them.

How cute is Missy's belly?!

Good Fish vs. Evil

2011-01-01T14:33:00.001-08:00

The pink fish is waving a peace sign at the menacing electric fish.

goodbyes are hard

2010-12-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

Sometimes people pass away.

It happens all the time.

Christmas eve a friend lost her

husband to a long hard battle with cancer.

We spent part of yesterday at his memorial service.

It was really beautiful.

But also really sad.

Today everything looks different.

Rest in Peace SB.

winter sports begin

2010-12-30T21:12:00.000-08:00

Today we skied. All of us. It was a little tricky but

a good start. I have decided that it is time to embrace the

winter snow activities. I mean we have been here nearly

4 years! I also know that with Christmas behind

us it is a very long time between now and summer.

This, if we can continue to afford it, will hopefully

give us a fun winter activity to look forward to.

I sadly did not get any pics of Ruby skiing but I must say

that both kids did amazing for their first try.

And, while I was talking to the boy renting me my skis,

I realized that it has been about 10 years since I was on

skis! I think I did okay too :)

And sweet Greg-Mr. double black diamond-

stayed on the bunny hill with us the whole time.

Krathong

2010-12-24T15:22:00.000-08:00

Leaf boats are sent in the Krathong winter solstice ceremony in Thailand. Ruby learned about this at school, and wanted to make one at home. This is her interpretation.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong

Holly (Holee): The Book Cover

2010-12-24T15:14:00.001-08:00

Goggles

2010-12-24T15:12:00.000-08:00

Snow Park

2010-11-26T21:16:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to get snow this week but

since it didn't really stick we decided to head

up to Timberline to sled a little.

It was SO much fun.

On the way back Wade kept asking if we

could go again tomorrow.

I think it is time to get him some skis

or maybe a tiny snowboard.

Oh and for us to get a car with 4 wheel drive.

The Turkey and the Turtle

2010-11-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

For the holiday, a touching story of inter-species friendship. Ruby made the Turkey Goggles/KKK mask at school, and they collaborated on the Turtle this morning.

Thanks to a nifty app called Splice, I was able to shoot and edit this entirely on my iPhone. Thanks also to my friend Jack, for creative inspiration.

Special Visitors

2010-11-18T18:41:00.000-08:00

Me and Greg's Grandma Roz and Auntie Donna.

Roz celebrated her 93rd! birthday recently.

We all think that she is pretty amazing!

I love this one.

The first of the Great Grand Children.

This one makes me laugh.

It looks like Wade and Roz are at the bar!

Cute pregnant Auntie Missy.

It was so nice to have Roz and Donna

in Portland for a visit! We wish we

all lived in the same city.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

They sure know how to pose don't they?

(In case you were wondering... ninja,

Japanese princess/geisha and Batman)

Farm School

2010-10-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ruby's class put on a little show at school

today. Ruby was supposed to dress like

a farmer. Her class has been doing a lot

of research on growing things.

Wade got to skip school to see the show.

I think that Ruby was really happy

to have us there.

sneak peek

2010-10-21T16:18:00.000-07:00

This is what it is looking like as of now.

It has changed 2 times so far.

7!

2010-10-17T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ruby turned 7 on Friday.

We spent the whole weekend celebrating.

On Friday she went on a field trip with

her class and her Dad.

Saturday she had a bouncy house party.

She did her hair herself.

I made her this very special cake from this

recipe. It took a really long time but I think it

was so worth it! The kids (and adults) loved it!

Happy 7 Ruby!

Menashe and Rachel

2010-10-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

This is Ruby's depiction of two blind children who live in an orphanage, but have a deep love for each other. They can see from the inside. It's from a short story for children by Isaac Bashevis Singer that she loves. And really a fitting, beautiful thing to draw on her seventh birthday.

Ruby's class bulletin board

2010-10-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Sleepover Characters

2010-10-02T19:01:00.001-07:00

It's on tonight, featuring Princess India, Kiran Lightyear, and Ninja Wade, who looks a little more like Taliban Wade. Either way he is In Character!

A little Peter Pan....

2010-10-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

Peter Pan from Big Show PDX on Vimeo.

Ruby

2010-09-20T09:32:00.001-07:00

Friday Ruby fashioned this head band to wear
to school out of Holly's catnip Christmas tree
cat toy. She wore it well don't you think?

2010-09-06T21:29:00.000-07:00

Birthday present #2

2010-08-17T22:51:00.001-07:00

Ruby also made me this, on the back of a shoebox top.

Birthday present #1

2010-08-17T22:48:00.001-07:00

Ruby made this Greg action figure for my birthday. Complete with monkey cape.

2010-08-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Lucky in exile

2010-08-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

Lucky is the name of the female Stitch character that the Tooth Fairy (or fairies) brought in exchange for Ruby's latest missing tooth. It took them several days to bring it from China, where all toys come from, because they had to fly it across the Pacific Ocean to Portland.

Ruby broke my only set of cufflinks the other day, and as punishment, her beloved Lucky had to come to work for the day with me in my gym bag. Ruby wrapped her in a blanket and kissed her goodbye. Here she is peeking out of my bag at work:

Camping fun

2010-08-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Perfect weather, lovely friends, a river,
and lots of fun.

Camping road trip nap

2010-08-08T16:27:00.001-07:00

Wadey had a sleepover last night. Perhaps he's making up for some lost z's.

The Meat God

2010-07-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ruby and Wade and I were driving in the car the other day.
Ruby said to Wade "I just say God fly by right outside
my window Wade. She (notice the she) was flying really fast
and she kind of smelled like hot dogs or something.
I think she was the Meat God".

Summer...

2010-07-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

Naughty Kitten

2010-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Life with a kitten can be trying. The kids have taken to shutting their doors to keep Holly from messing up their stuff. Ruby has even posted these regulations on her door: adult cats are still welcome, but kittens are verboten!

Sunbrella Girl

2010-07-15T13:00:00.001-07:00

Summer time off is the best, especially when you can spend it with your family in 80 degree weather, leisurely eating Por que no? for lunch. Ruby, of course, is the one who first noticed the reflection of the sunbrellas off Monica's glasses.

Our 4th

2010-07-11T07:53:00.001-07:00

*Note, this is starting in the opposite order it occured.
S'mores at Auntie Missy and Uncle Kenny's.

Bicycle parade with some friends.
We nearly lost Wade to a large hill at the end.
We are so grateful that he is okay.

A hike with our neighbors in the Gorge.

This is a great hike to do with kids.
Exit 40 off the 26 at Bonneville dam.

Sometimes...

2010-06-28T22:29:00.000-07:00

I want to eat him.

Me and my cute sister

2010-06-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

My sis was here awhile back darn it I wish
she and I lived in the same town!
Dress by me. The first one of the summer.

duck costume by ruby

2010-06-28T22:22:00.000-07:00

Tillamook Ice Cream Commercial

2010-06-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Art that scares you

2010-06-12T08:57:00.001-07:00

Ruby drew this and cut it out the other day.
She said it is a scary witch.
The other night after we tucked her into bed
she came out crying.
She said that " that witch is too
scary and I don't want it in our house".
I told her that I would throw it away in the
trash outside. Then she went back to sleep.

Ruby hoop

2010-06-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

This school year Ruby has mastered the
fine art of hula hooping.

I was only introduced to this new talent
a couple of weeks ago when a neighbor won
a hula hoop at a school auction.
Notice the air? She jumps, runs,
does crazy arm moves, head nods and all kinds of
other things. It is really excellent.

Oh and can also do double hoops!
Who knew?

Roller Fever

2010-06-07T13:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went roller skating at Oaks Park.
Ruby and Wade are both very determined to
master this skill.
We did not know that they have a live organ
player there on Saturdays!!
Really my new favorite rainy day activity.

Even though I am 4...

2010-06-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

I still fall asleep sometimes when
I am eating.

Prince Holly

2010-06-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Ruby made this throne for Holly, complete
with his tiny paper crown.
Holly will do anything Ruby wants.
He is a really good kitty.

2010-05-15T20:08:00.001-07:00

A Few of My Favorite Things

2010-05-04T21:14:00.001-07:00

• Felt Mouse: sewn by Wadey today at school
• Jewel Princess: by Ruby
• Jesus Action Figure: more difficult to explain. Suffice it to say
it was there on the shelf
• Moustache Flask: a gift to Greg from Monica