Gretchen rides again.
Going to try to add a link to a video: Six Furlongs To Happiness
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Water, Water Everywhere
When it comes to Gretchen's language, we are thankful for the small things, and she surprised me last night by saying that her cup was full of "watah"! This is a first for her in that she has never before said a word with two differing consonants--up to now it has been nana, Dada, Mama, Wauwa (Laura), moo, no, yeah, baby, so water is a more complex word than she has used before. I made her say it about 20 times because I was so excited, then she took it further by also saying "up" and "open" (although the n was mostly silent, but effort counts.)
This summer I have been asking her for the second sound in a word, because she has learned that we mostly do understand her if she can at least make the first sound. She can count to ten and say the entire alphabet, but only the first sound of the word or letter, for example, D is pronounced as "duh" rather than "dee"; when Laura went to Montessori school, that is actually how they taught the alphabet since the sounds of the letters translate more readily into reading skills, but that is not why Gretchen is doing it, of course. So when she is counting and says "fffff" for "five", I ask her, "What sound comes next?" and she will slowly say, "I". Speaking of I, that is another new word for her in that she could make the sound and say it for her eye, but her usage of the word as "I", in reference to her self, just started a couple of weeks ago. Now she says, "I", with excitement in the same way that most toddlers would say, "me, me, me!" . . . but she can't say "me" yet, so she just sounds very proper.
I can't wait to hear what sounds and words will happen next!
This summer I have been asking her for the second sound in a word, because she has learned that we mostly do understand her if she can at least make the first sound. She can count to ten and say the entire alphabet, but only the first sound of the word or letter, for example, D is pronounced as "duh" rather than "dee"; when Laura went to Montessori school, that is actually how they taught the alphabet since the sounds of the letters translate more readily into reading skills, but that is not why Gretchen is doing it, of course. So when she is counting and says "fffff" for "five", I ask her, "What sound comes next?" and she will slowly say, "I". Speaking of I, that is another new word for her in that she could make the sound and say it for her eye, but her usage of the word as "I", in reference to her self, just started a couple of weeks ago. Now she says, "I", with excitement in the same way that most toddlers would say, "me, me, me!" . . . but she can't say "me" yet, so she just sounds very proper.
I can't wait to hear what sounds and words will happen next!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tonight, Laura Isabel's friend, Laura Steeds, came with us to the barn. A couple of weeks ago, I bought a western saddle, and Sassy and I have been riding with that. When we first got there, the kids and I gave Sassy some oats, and then I saddled her up. Steeds got on first, and I led her and the horse around the arena on a rope. Then I went for a ride in the arena and out of the trails. In the meantime, Gretchen had gone to the tack locker and gotten her helmet and indicated to Mary that she wanted to ride too. So when I got back from the trails, Gretchen got up in the saddle with me, and we went for a ride together in the arena, and Mary took a couple of pictures. In the first one, Sassy is flexing her shoulder and chest muscles like a bodybuilder.
Then we started out...
Then we got that big red horse moving...
and then a little more...
Everyone had a great time, and Gretchen chattered about it the entire way home.
Here is another cute video I made. It includes footage of the race Sassy won which got her where she is today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBYqQPJ9m2g
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Big boy toys
Here is what Steve and Chris have been having fun with in the yard lately...when it's not raining! Leveling the yard, pulling stumps and getting rid of blackberries and ivy.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Victory Baptist Church 2.0
You probably already know that the people who currently attend Sequoia who also attended Victory when I was a kid are Mom, Liz, Tina (Vessey) Duffer, Denise Vessey, Stuart Vessey, and Pat McNeil. Tina is married to Pastor Brian, who was music pastor at Victory when I lived in Kansas, I think Mom said. Last Sunday shortly after church started, I got up to find Laura, and as I walked out of the sanctuary, an older couple walked in, and the woman took one look at me and said, "You're a Hartley, aren't you?" My mind is not as sharp as hers, because I had to say, "Oh, you're . . . Mrs. Ekern!" Then I remembered, "Joan! And Mr. Ekern!" They had come to check it out, and sat beside Mom, telling her afterward that they may be back. After church, Mr. Ekern patted my shoulder for about 5 minutes, saying, "You look familiar, and I know you, but my memory is gone so I just can't remember." He also looked at Denise walking past and said, "Her, too--I know that I know her but can't recall where from either." He did remember Dad. It was very touching and sweet, he was wistful and gentle. I was impressed that Joan knew me right off, because I last saw her almost five years ago at Harold's 80th birthday party, when Gretchen was just six weeks old.
On Saturday at the Covington Fred Meyer, Laura and I saw first Mrs. Yamada, then spotted Mr. Yamada a couple of minutes later, and each of them greeted me with, "You look like a Hartley!", which I thought was funny for them to each say separately. Mrs. Yamada had an infection that swelled and reddened her finger, then streaked up her arm, so Takashi had told her to see a doctor.
They asked about Sequoia, and when I explained what a good job Betty does with the music and that any modern songs she selects are NOT sung 20 times over, their interest was piqued. Mrs. Yamada said their church is not *Southern* Baptist, so it doesn't feel quite like home. The McCluskeys go there too, and since I see them every week at the Maple Valley Safeway, I've already put the bug in their ears about Sequoia. I told the Yamadas about the Ekerns' visit, and when I said how I could only blurt out, "Mrs. Ekern!", Mrs. Yamada said, "Oh, to me that means LynnWillow," and I answered, "Same here, but I didn't remember Joan's first name in time!" (And of course, there is no question that Joan is indeed Mrs. Ekern in the eyes of the Lord *and* the State, so no worries anyway.) They said they last saw the Ekerns at Mrs. Lombardo's 90th birthday, and apparently Harold remember Lily but not Frank; I wonder why. Anyway, if I get my way, then eventually Sequoia will be peopled with everyone who attended Victory before the big split in the late 70s. It's funny how life can go in a circle like that sometimes.
On Saturday at the Covington Fred Meyer, Laura and I saw first Mrs. Yamada, then spotted Mr. Yamada a couple of minutes later, and each of them greeted me with, "You look like a Hartley!", which I thought was funny for them to each say separately. Mrs. Yamada had an infection that swelled and reddened her finger, then streaked up her arm, so Takashi had told her to see a doctor.
They asked about Sequoia, and when I explained what a good job Betty does with the music and that any modern songs she selects are NOT sung 20 times over, their interest was piqued. Mrs. Yamada said their church is not *Southern* Baptist, so it doesn't feel quite like home. The McCluskeys go there too, and since I see them every week at the Maple Valley Safeway, I've already put the bug in their ears about Sequoia. I told the Yamadas about the Ekerns' visit, and when I said how I could only blurt out, "Mrs. Ekern!", Mrs. Yamada said, "Oh, to me that means LynnWillow," and I answered, "Same here, but I didn't remember Joan's first name in time!" (And of course, there is no question that Joan is indeed Mrs. Ekern in the eyes of the Lord *and* the State, so no worries anyway.) They said they last saw the Ekerns at Mrs. Lombardo's 90th birthday, and apparently Harold remember Lily but not Frank; I wonder why. Anyway, if I get my way, then eventually Sequoia will be peopled with everyone who attended Victory before the big split in the late 70s. It's funny how life can go in a circle like that sometimes.
Berries and birthdays
On Saturday I actually had the day off, so we picked up Laura's friend Laura S. and headed off in search of berries. First we stopped for lunch in Sumner, then on to Spooner Farms in Orting, where we got two flats of raspberries and one of strawberries--all picked that morning, the sweetest, most juicy berries! Of course we had to continue on to show the Lauras where our Laura lived when she was a baby; the house looks beautifully kept and a million times nicer than when we lived there. We also drove through town, amazed at how much it has changed while remaining exactly the same.
That evening I made 16 pints of freezer jam, although it felt somehow like cheating to me because the Ball pectin I was using said not to cook the fruit, so I was just mashing fruit, adding the pectin and sugar, stirring for three minutes, then ladeling into jars. However, it tastes amazing so perhaps cooking would have dimished that just-picked flavor.
Sunday was Mr. Vessey's birthday, and he was the recipient of jam and two Texas-sized banana-walnut muffins I had also made. After church I had to work at Kent Cornucopia Days, at which I arrived in a most foul humor due to them blocking off so many streets that parking was impossible to find and I was a little late. Doug and the girls went off the enjoy the festival, but oddly enough they were not very impressed, especially when they got stuck watching the parade which apparently mostly featured a lot of hostile drum beating.
We missed seeing Lizzie at church, but that just gives us an excuse to visit her this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIZ!!!
That evening I made 16 pints of freezer jam, although it felt somehow like cheating to me because the Ball pectin I was using said not to cook the fruit, so I was just mashing fruit, adding the pectin and sugar, stirring for three minutes, then ladeling into jars. However, it tastes amazing so perhaps cooking would have dimished that just-picked flavor.
Sunday was Mr. Vessey's birthday, and he was the recipient of jam and two Texas-sized banana-walnut muffins I had also made. After church I had to work at Kent Cornucopia Days, at which I arrived in a most foul humor due to them blocking off so many streets that parking was impossible to find and I was a little late. Doug and the girls went off the enjoy the festival, but oddly enough they were not very impressed, especially when they got stuck watching the parade which apparently mostly featured a lot of hostile drum beating.
We missed seeing Lizzie at church, but that just gives us an excuse to visit her this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIZ!!!
And checking in from Virginia
We are going to Iowa soon and then to Seattle after that. We are looking forward to it!
You are missing some hot n' humid wx here. Supposed to have a 110 degree heat index tomorrow.
You are missing some hot n' humid wx here. Supposed to have a 110 degree heat index tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
What will I be doing this summer...?
As Mary Alice indicated below, my eldest child Ashley is getting married. So, we are in the final push of getting things done.
Had a nice 4th of July and the weather was very un-Seattle...it was actually warm and sunny. Our annual gathering had twenty-some people who enjoyed lots of tasty food and fabulous fireworks. Even Tony was home from Yakima for a few days, which was really nice. We enjoy it when all of our kids are home. I forgot to take pictures, but our thanks to all who came. We enjoyed having everyone.
The guys are doing some big work in the yard. I did take pictures of that and will post them hopefully tonight.
Liz
Had a nice 4th of July and the weather was very un-Seattle...it was actually warm and sunny. Our annual gathering had twenty-some people who enjoyed lots of tasty food and fabulous fireworks. Even Tony was home from Yakima for a few days, which was really nice. We enjoy it when all of our kids are home. I forgot to take pictures, but our thanks to all who came. We enjoyed having everyone.
The guys are doing some big work in the yard. I did take pictures of that and will post them hopefully tonight.
Liz
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
If you are wanting to see comments . . .
Without having to click on the annoying "Comments" link under each post, you can just click on the post itself (as in "Mom/Grandma checking in") and all comments will be displayed underneath it. Apparently blogger.com does not make it possible to view all the comments and posts on the blog's main page, but viewing each post separately is less a hassle than having to view the comments each time.
Only one taker so far today! Thanks, Mom! Have invited Liz, Tony, and Doug and am waiting to get email addresses for the rest of the clan.
Only one taker so far today! Thanks, Mom! Have invited Liz, Tony, and Doug and am waiting to get email addresses for the rest of the clan.
Mom/Grandma checks in
wow, what a great job Mary Alice has done - and in such short time! We just talked about a family blog at Liz's last night, and now we have one. Hope everyone will participate.
I'll start the ball rolling by telling you that I'll be driving up to Arlington on Sat. for the fly-in. Marilyn, Andrea & a new mbr named Theresa & I will be working in the 99s both for a few hrs. mid-day. Our mbr Marty is one of the fly-in organizers & promised to come to the gate & pick me up in a golf cart to make it easy on me - isn't that nice?
What a great Independence Day Liz & Steve hosted - as always - and great chefs Tony & James & Joe made some great food. A plentiful supply of fireworks from the Muckleshoot capped on the evening - and at least 2 other groups on the street added to the show.
I'll start the ball rolling by telling you that I'll be driving up to Arlington on Sat. for the fly-in. Marilyn, Andrea & a new mbr named Theresa & I will be working in the 99s both for a few hrs. mid-day. Our mbr Marty is one of the fly-in organizers & promised to come to the gate & pick me up in a golf cart to make it easy on me - isn't that nice?
What a great Independence Day Liz & Steve hosted - as always - and great chefs Tony & James & Joe made some great food. A plentiful supply of fireworks from the Muckleshoot capped on the evening - and at least 2 other groups on the street added to the show.
Dan and Marian begat . . .
Mark, Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary Alice, who begat . . . Marie, Melissa, Ashley, Joseph, Anthony, Erin, Laura and Gretchen, who begat . . . well, OK, Melissa's adorable Guy is leading the next generation, and most likely there will be more great-grandchildren of Dan and Marian being begat over the next 20-30 years! Since Dan and Marian also begat hardworking and busy descendants, some of us thought it might be easier for us all to keep track of each other in one central location on the Interweb. Please post a lot, including pictures!
Now my first question is, what are you and yours up to this summer? We are all excited about Ashley and Chris's wedding coming one month from today.
--Mary
Now my first question is, what are you and yours up to this summer? We are all excited about Ashley and Chris's wedding coming one month from today.
--Mary
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