Cheesetown, USA

cheesetown is moving….

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:00 +0000

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Candy Monster

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:02:00 +0000

I was nursing Penelope in the back bedroom the other morning and I could hear Max and Zoey talking. I knew from what they were saying that they were most likely in the kitchen getting into the candy.

When I came in, I came quietly so I could watch them.

While I was watching them, Zoey came up to me right away, but Max was so into the bowl of candy he didn't notice me. He was too busy trying to pick out what he wanted and fit it into his greedy little hands. He put his candy on the ground, put the bowl back on the counter, put all the candy back into his hands and started to walk out before he noticed me.

He says....”oh hi, can I have some candy?”
I said "no, you can have some after lunch."
He looked at the one piece he had already unwrapped and said. "Please, can I eat this one?"
I said "No, you can have it after lunch."
He then quickly shoves the piece into his mouth and chomps it down...

I said “You get no more candy today. You just ate yours.”

Support Kids with Special Needs!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Here's a fun event to start the holiday season! Great crafters, festive atmosphere, & the annual (and only) fundraiser for SEPAC.

Hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars for the 2009

Woodinville Holiday Craft Fair!

Saturday, November 7th

9 am - 4 pm

Woodmoor Elementary School

12225 NE 160th Street Bothell

SEPAC's 29th annual craft fair proceeds directly support students with special needs and their families in the Northshore School District.

Beverages are available for purchase while you shop.

Look for Coffees a la Cart at the entrance to the Craft Fair.

No need to stop for coffee on the way!

Questions? Need a Crafter application? Email us at: nsdsepac@yahoo.com

I should be rich!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:37:00 +0000

If I had a dime for everytime I hear the word "why?"

and, I've only started with Max. I still have to get through Zoey and Penelope.

I guess this is when I'm thankful that Quinlin doesn't talk like they do.

Daddy should have milk too!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:48:00 +0000

After Max had seen me nurse Penelope a few times he asked me what I was doing. I said I was feeding her. He asked what I was feeding her. I responded with mommy's special milk. This is the conversation that followed....

"Why do you have Milk" asked Max.
I replied "God gave Mommies milk to feed babies"
He thought and had a serious look on his face and then said "I think God should give Daddies milk too!"
"I agree!" I chuckled.

Share the duty. That would be wonderful!

He's so Awsome.....

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:38:00 +0000

I've mentioned before about how great Erik is.Check out... what a mighty good man.

Erik is a great Dad and Husband. It is hard to explain sometimes what it is that makes him so wonderful. He is fun, loving and charming. But here is more to him than those things. I guess you could say he's just... comfort! Like mashed potatoes, hot cheesy lasagna, you know those yummy hot foods that just make you feel good and comforted... just being around him makes you feel like home. He is so easy to be with. He is simple, relaxing. Like curling up with a blanket by a hot fire and cup of yummy coffee... that is Erik. And...he's all mine.

Pa-Scusting!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Max and Zoey were bathing together today....and... like little kids sometimes do, Zoey pooped in the bath tub. I hear "Mom! come here!....Zoey just poo pooed in the bath!" As I'm cleaning everything up Max turns to Zoey and says "Zoey, that's Pa-Scusting! Don't poopie in the bath EVER again!" She grins at him. He yells to her "it's not funny Zoey, it's Pa-Scusting!"

He's right, it is Pa Scusting. But As he was so upset with her, I was trying hard not to laugh at him too!

running away with me.....

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:59:00 +0000

So I started making Halloween costumes for Quinlin many moons ago because I enjoy being creative, seeing what I can make from my imagination, and I'm super CHEAP! I didn't want to spend the $20- $30 for a costume and I thought I could have fun making her one and also save a bunch of money. Every year since Quinlin was about 3, I have made her Halloween costume. Then Max came and of course I made his too.

All Images in this Post

courtesy of Scott Laird

This is Shelby, Justice, and Max (they are all born within one week of each other)

Three years ago, Erik and I both thought we'd love to do a Family costume and show it off at our annual church party "Trunk or Treat." The first year we were all frogs, then last year with the addition of Zoey, we did Wizard of Oz.

I try to settle on an idea many months in advance, because I'm cheap, and I can get the basics of our costume when things are on sale. We decided quite some time ago that this year we could be Pirates. My friend Laura has also been on board scouting out things that would work for some of the different kiddos. Little here and a little there and now I feel like this Pirate idea is running away with me. Between the million trips to Value Village on .99 day and taking trips to Michaels and JoAnns to use the 40% off coupon, I'm still missing some items. I just spent an hour in traffic to rush to the craft store to buy MORE feathers for Penelope's Parrot costume. Jeez! Who would have thought something that was supposed to be fun and cheap has turned into an expensive chore. Oh well. The kids will have fun. I'll post pictures after we get them.
Tomorrow, Trunk or Treat (our Halloween Party at church) will be here. I can't wait. I love Halloween.

More Conversation with Max...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:12:00 +0000

"Where does Penelope's mother live?" asked Max. "I'm Penelope's mother, I live here with you," I replied. Again Max asked "Are you Penelope's pretend Mother?"

Mustard anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:48:00 +0000

Zoey decided mustard taste better licked off her finger than on the hotdog. Yum Yum...

Conversation with a three year old...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:49:00 +0000

I said "Max, don't climb on the chair any more....its breaking"
Max replies..." but I want to climb up there"
I go get the blue crate and say "use this to climb up there"
"But I want to climb up the chair" he says
I say "you can't anymore, its breaking"
"But I want to"
"I don't care, you're breaking it.... use the blue crate"
"I don't want to climb up there that way; I want to use the chair"
"You can't", "but why", "it's breaking", "but I want to"...
I'm going round in circles with a three year old... I think I’m going cookoo

Coming To Cali...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:21:00 +0000

We're coming to CA for Christmas so I thought while we were there, I'd take the opportunity to do some sessions with folks there. Here are the details....

Shutterpated, Photography by Marci Cheesebrough

Available sessions: Sunday, December 27^th-Afternoon/evening

Monday, December 28^th- Morning

Location: To Be Determined (El Dorado Hills/Placerville area)

Sessions include:

* 60 minute session with Photographer

30-60 images with post processing and retouch to choose from.

Black & White/Sepia options for every image.

On-line presentation of images in a password-protected gallery.

* Custom made brag book to share with friends and family that includes up to 20 of my favorite images.

Session cost $85

Special Discount Session for the first 3 paid sessions- only $65. SAVE $20

***Note: Sessions will take place outdoors in natural light. Therefore, session dates are subject to rain. Dates could be rescheduled due to weather.***

For more information, book your session, or to contact Marci go to www.shutterpated.com

The Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:38:00 +0000

Sunday we went to our annual Pumpkin Path... the Farm. The kids are getting old enough they are starting to enjoy annual traditions and fun things that come with different times of the year. They had fun with the Hay Maze, petting zoo, Kettle Corn and of course... picking pumpkins.

Arrrrr

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:36:00 +0000

"I'm a bad Pirate!" says Max

Gramps

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 22:22:00 +0000

My mom and dad came to visit a few weeks ago. This is Gramps holding Penelope....

and more...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:35:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:10:00 +0000

More Penelope....

Welcome Penelope

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:12:00 +0000

Penelope was born on Monday. She was 6 lbs. 11 oz and 19 1/4 inches. We are all home and healthy and happy to have her as part of our family. Of course... more pictures to come.

Forks, WA

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:11:00 +0000

If any of you are Twilight fans, then you know that Forks, WA is the mecca for all things vampire/twilight. Some great friends of mine, who are HUGE twilight fans, invited me along for a weekend at Forks to check out all the sites. Of course I brought my camera.... and at one of the stops, La Push Beach, I took the opportunity to feed my need to take some photos that Erik and I could have a lot of fun with. I posed the girls in vampire fashion, then when I got home, Erik and I played around with different looks on photo shop to see what we could come up with. Now, those of you twilight fans know, that the vampires in twilight are depicted as very appealing and beautiful, unlike other representations of ghoulish vampires. So that is why here, you won't find them all gory and ghostly, but more like Stephanie Meyers describes in her books.

This is Laura....

and Alex....

Lily Isis

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Meet Lily, our newest niece. She was born while we were visiting Erik's family a few weeks ago so I was able to do some newborn pics....

Trip to Cali...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Erik's mom Jill, flew up and spent a few days with us before driving with me and the kids to Sacramento while Erik stayed home and worked. Erik was able to fly down and meet us later in the week. We had a great time visiting with Erik's family with lots of lazy days by the pool.

Every day we enjoyed swimming in the pool. The kids were pretty worn out each day, but they had a blast! All three kids did great in water wings and Zoey was instantly loving being independent. Max took many days before he would venture out by himself. But as soon as he did, he was so proud of himself.

Every day the kids enjoyed ice cream cones. They dripped everywhere in the hot sun an d made a big mess, but they were in their suits and easy to wash off.

Another favorite thing was the trampoline. All the kids had fun but Max especially enjoyed himself...

Here are some other various pictures while we were there.

Eriks brother Justin and his oldest daughter Anika

Max says Grrrr...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:40:00 +0000

Potty Training Update

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:02:00 +0000

So it's been about 10 days since we started the dreaded potty training. Max is doing well with few accidents. He does need some persuasion at times since he doesn't want to stop what he is doing to do something as un-fun and going to the bathroom. Although, he is very proud of himself that he is a big boy an no longer uses diapers.

I have to say, on day 3, I thought I was going to have to wait and try again. He hated going, had accidents constantly and I had a hard time keeping him motivated. By day 3, the newness had warn off, the stickers and prizes for doing a good job were old and he didn't seem to care that he was wet. BUT, my good friend Jalaine came to my rescue. Her daughter Justice is just 6 days younger than Max. On day three, they so nicely invited us over to a birthday lunch for the next day. The condition... Max had to stay dry between days. AND HE DID!!! He wanted to go to Justices Birthday Lunch and we was motivated! We even stoped at the store on the way and had a quick stop at the gas station...he made it! After that, he has been much better about going and has been able to go longer in between trips to the potty so I think going isn't as much an effort as it was in the beginning when we were going constantly.

So all in all, I would say we made it through. He still need a lot of reminding but my baby is now wearing big boy underwear!

Oooh... new hats!

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:10:00 +0000

This is what Zoey thinks of Max and his new adventures in wearing "underwears" (as Max would say)...and no, I didn't set this up. She came into the kitchen just like this!

Potty Training...

noreply@blogger.com (Cheesetown) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:45:00 +0000

Ok, so today is the day. I'm potty training Max. So far, not so good. It's only been a few hours but getting a rhythm going is not happening yet. I'm about to have my fourth baby and have yet to have a child who is independently using the toilet. I'm a bit skeptical that it can be done. I know other moms have done it....
Any suggestions?