Category: Scotland

  • Mothering philosophies in conflict

    Scotland loves to collect “stuff” from around the house and collect it into a common place. Sometimes the container is an emptied ziplock bag,  a backpack,  a cardboard box, or yesterday, a tent. He tends to continue to find things to add to his container until it is full. So you can imagine what sort…

  • The Christmas season

    We had a long Christmas season this year. Typically Christmas feels so rushed, and I don’t feel like I have enough time to do all the things I want to do. This year was different. We decorated for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, and we started daily Christmas advent activities soon after. Then we celebrated…

  • Christmas photo shoot

    I dragged out my “big camera” today. It’s been far too long since I used it and I was surprised at how comforting and rewarding it was. Dipping back into aperture and shutter speed was surprisingly fulfilling. Perhaps its time to pick up photography again! Because we’re waiting for Tom to be off work, we’re…

  • Christmas thoughts

    Be prepared for random, though hopefully not intelligible, spewing. We decided to do Christmas cards this year. It’s the first time we’ve actually sent them out traditional style. Last year we e-mailed an update. I’ve always gawked at the price and in my self-centeredness, figured that if people wanted an update on us they’d check…

  • Teaching giving to a 3-year-old

    Some recent conversations in our home: Me: “Today we’re going to make some cards to take to some lonely grandma’s and grandpa’s at the rest home on Friday.” Scotland: “Can I make one for me?” —- Me: After telling a bedtime story about how three characters pretend to be elfs and do secret service for…

  • Halloween 2014

    We had a delightful Halloween. This marked Anders’ first Halloween, and Scotland’s first year going trick or treating. How I love the novelty of child rearing. It’s so fun to see holidays through fresh eyes. Scotland decided to be a dragon again. (Despite my Mom and Dantzel putting together a super fun pirate costume for…

  • Kruckeberg Botanical Garden

    We’ve been wanting to explore Shoreline’s Kruckeberg Botanical Garden since we moved here. Finally a few months ago we took advantage of a gorgeous day and headed over there after Joy School. We packed a picnic and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Because of another appointment we didn’t have as much time as we would have…

  • Fall Staycation- September 2014

    So I’m WAY behind in my blogging. So in order to get these pictures down for memories sake, here goes. Picture overload. Tom got a week off in September. We considered going somewhere like the Oregon coast, but I was so vacationed out and Tom was thrilled at the idea of just being home so…

  • Scotland: Quotes and updates

    “The one with the long hair, who’s kind of funny looking. Is that our sister ancestor?” (We’ve been talking a lot about our ancestors lately. Scotland loves to sit on my lap and look at pictures, and I love telling him of his inspiring heritage. I’ve never heard him say “funny looking” before. And now…

  • Changing perspectives

    annoying-playful obnoxious- curious over-active- energetic, lively chatterbox- social poorly dressed- independent pompous- confident misbehavior- misunderstood I’ve been surprised at how changing my view of some of Scotland’s behaviors/characteristics can completely alter my feelings towards him. Words are powerful. When I see Scotland’s endless questions as innocent curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, a sign that I am raising a…