CONGRATULATIONS RYANNE!! YOU CAN USE THE POTTY ALL BY YOURSELF!!!!


That is right, Ryanne is officially potty trained! We are so proud of you!! It so funny when she asks for "privacy now".....Only diapers during naps and bedtime.

The reason the Schlog has been so quiet is because my time has been once again cut in half. Finley is mobile and wants to crawl, cruise and pull herself upon everything she sees. She sees it, she wants it, she goes for it. Ryanne is helpful in keeping the 'bad' toys away from her sister.

We had a wonderful fourth of July weekend here. We attended the annual Snoqualmie Valley Fourth of July neighborhood celebration. We allowed Finley to take her good morning nap at home, and when she awoke, rushed out to go eat carnival food, pet animals, celebrate America's birthday and play...I have been trying to incorporate crafts into momentous occasions and holidays that happen through out the year. With that, I'm trying to teach her about months, seasons and all of the things we can look forward to. We made this paper flag for Daddy, and I'm pretty sure he wants to frame it. I think the act of patriotism alone made him verclempt.

Ryanne knows her mom's favorite farm animal is....the goat. I think she shares the love.

You would think a little girl with cotton candy bigger than her head would be happier....she was so tired, she didn't even eat her treat. The nap was calling.

That's right Finley, stick the dangerous end in your mouth.....

Forth of July evening was shared with another couple we know (who are expecting their first baby) Lots of talk of babies, and of course the boys played video games. Ryanne and Finley were amazed at the games, and Ryanne was particularly drawn to guitar hero. I think my grandmother Sunshine had a photo of me playing Atari. I remember taking the game very seriously..I'd love to compare the photos.




It was a special night for Ryanne. She was scarred of the fireworks at first, but then was entranced by them. She is still talking about them. Luckily with our view, we can see lots of displays from our balcony. She was even willing to sit in the rain to watch them. Ryanne understands that 'America's birthday'=fireworks




These were the two finalist photos I had picked out for my recipe of the month newsletter. I have been asked to provide a recipe for a local newsletter that spans approximately 1400 people, mostly parents, in the Snoqualmie Valley. Its been fun and has kept me doing what I love; playing in the kitchen, creating and writing new recipes. You probably think this should be an entry for my poor neglected food blog heirloomchef.blogspot.com, but this particular recipe was for a healthy and really delicious treat that kids would like to help make and eat. I went with the second photo for the newsletter because the shot was more unique, and less staged, however, that chocolate smeared smile was a close second. I did go ahead and post the recipe on the food blog...Finally it got some action.

Often times I feel like I go through the day not making much one on one eye contact with Finley. It saddens me that so often I try to keep her occupied with something so I can: make meals, attend to Ryanne, answer phones, clean up and even go to the bathroom (sorry, I had to say it). There is just not enough time to do it all some days. I try to stay current on her developmental stages and keep offering her new things to explore. I just recently put away all of her "infant toys" which made me so sad. She is growing up so fast and all she really wants to do is play with the same stuff her big sister is playing with. Basically I'm a referee all day long. But Finley and I do get our one on time time when she wakes up at 5am (grrr), and also during her sister's afternoon nap. This tub of tupperware is a big winner.



This is our neighbor Carol. She is almost two and is such a sweet thing. She really loves to watch Ryanne, Finley and especially Shush. Its really fun to watch them play together.

This was Ryanne holding her "baby"...She swaddled it, and then had her hovering over the ground to teach her how to walk.
The other day at the library Ryanne met a little 4 year old girl. That little girl pointed to Finley and asked Ryanne if that was her little sister. Ryanne replied yes, and the girl asked what her name was. Ryanne said "Finley"....and then she pointed to me and said..."and that is my mom Kristen"....quite endearing and amusing for me.




Finley is so long and narrow she has grown out of a lot of the vintage clothes we had waiting for her....I guess if it were warmer earlier, we would have gotten more use out of it. So you better believe when I squeeze her into an outfit that i know she will only wear once, I'm going to document it!


Ryanne has a nickname for Finley at the breakfast table. "Banana Lady". However it often turns into blueberry lady, cheerio lady and in this case, yogurt lady. Finley is doing great with eating..she is our little trash compactor. Its a joy to feed a baby that eats, and its also a perfect time of year. We buy her local organic fruits and veggies at the farmers markets...she loves it all.

I LOVE this picture of Finley....

We see the most beautiful rainbows here because of the open sky. I still couldn't get far enough away to photograph the whole thing...