Blue sky, mountains, and butterflies

Okay, you guys, you know when there is so much shit going on that all you want to do is hug your kid and give him everything he wants?   That's how the last few weeks have been.  I'm sitting here on a sunny, albeit cold, Sunday looking out my window with my boy sitting in his "thinking chair" (thanks Blue's Clues) using the iPad, and gazing at the bright blue sky and Mt. Hood in the distance. 

What you can't tell from this picture is how blue the sky is or the mountain in the distance...it's right between that break in trees.  This stained glass is from my mom's friend Kaye and is in memory of her.  It's one of my most cherished possessions.  

We have Christmas music on the tv and I'm extra happy thanks to the spiked cider I am drinking.  I really need to go to the grocery store, but all I want to do is cuddle with my boy, enjoy the solitude, and relish the moment.  

I came home last week to this.  My boy all dressed up for winter not to mention his Doc McStuffins stethoscope and his Elmo backpack...and his furry hat that he picked out at REI.  It looks funny, but it's cute as hell.

Here's a moment where I held on to my boy and never wanted to let go.  Why, you ask?  These past few weeks have reminded me of how precious life is and how one needs to let go of the little things and cherish the big ones.  My best friend, Nyree, has learned that her ten year old daughter, Madi, has two brain tumors and will start undergoing treatment this next week.  You can follow her journey here if you want.  I'm still in shock and it just doesn't feel real.  The prognosis is good and the doctors have said this is the best kind of brain tumor to get if you get a brain tumor.  I suppose that is all good news, but it doesn't change the fact that Madi has cancer.  I have missed my mom so much these past few weeks and wished that she was here to support Nyree (and me) through this difficult time.

Trey used to love Yo Gabba Gabba, so when Groupon had tickets on sale, I picked up a few for the two of us to go see Yo Gabba Live.  We had a fun night out downtown, but the show was pretty disappointing compared to last time.  Of course, from my four year old's perspective, it was "awesome" but I'm here to tell you that it was terrible.

Nighttime in the Park Blocks 

Dinner at Elephants' 

Mommy and Trey time at the Schnitz 

Yo Gabba Live!

Trey on his "stage" during intermission

Zander had his birthday party at a trampoline place, and I wasn't sure how adventurous Trey would be.  Needless to say, his brave spirit amazed me, and I was so proud of him.  Not only did he have fun on the trampolines, but he LOVED the foam pit.  I think he spent the entire time jumping into and climbing out of the foam pits.  It was awesome.

Those are his feet, if you can't tell.

Celebrating Zander

10 years old 

Sunday, November 23rd, would have been my mom's 70th birthday.  I have been formulating a post about my mom and her birthday, but I don't have it in me right now.  We had a family breakfast at our house with my dad and Sandy, and then Julie, Sandy, and I went wine tasting.  It was a good day, and I'll keep thinking about that post about my mom.  She deserves it.

 And wrapping up with a picture of the dog...

I could do without Bailey, but he sure loves his father.  And loves attention.  I guess I should cherish that when I have it.