Merry Men (& Maiden)

 The Merry Men of Sherwood Forest made Halloween a merry affair this year (well, except for the tantrum when the allowed candy-eating limit had been exceeded, but we'll write that off to holiday exhaustion).

Robin Hood and Little John were fierce warriors for justice. In Soren's words, "We steal from the rich and give to the poor." Yes, he's watched the Disney movie many a-time.

Yes, Soren was Robin Hood, in a costume we picked up our travels in Oregon, and Jeff was "Little" John. Mommy got to be Maid Marian, Robin Hood's lady love. Well, aren't mothers the inspiration for all sons' good works?

Aw, let me in for a kiss!

Soren lost his first tooth last week, and the gap is almost visible in this smile. It was a lower front tooth, and it gives him a disarmingly devilish grin.

And in case you didn't feel safe enough with Robin Hood patrolling our neighborhood, his friend was a ninja, so there were TWO swordsmen on the prowl.

No need to worry. Unless, of course, you're filthy rich...!

Halloween on the frontier

We dressed up as a "frontierspeople" this year. It was Soren's idea.

Our costumes were based around the wooden rifle Soren recently acquired from his grandparents. It was his daddy's toy gun when he was a kid.

I borrowed vest, hat and pistols from a friend to make my "Calamity Shel" persona.

Soren wore a sheepskin hat -- good thing, since the wind was chill.

On the walk downtown, the men spotted an urban deer. We were thinking venison. But, darn, they both missed! (This is the longbow Jeff built this summer in a class at the new CedarRoot Folk School.)

At the downtown Trick or Treat Parade, we ran into friend Evelyn, a zombie princess.

We met up with this family (and took them home to dinner). A.J. was the coolest robot, and I appreciated that his mom held onto the remote!

And the boys had fun collecting candy from the downtown merchants. Soren got to eat four pieces today, because he's four.

This rule should work for a few more years, right?

Happy Halloween!

Soren turns four -- Grrr!

Can you believe it? Soren is 4!

Today (Sunday) was his birthday party, a memorable event shared with his best friend (and agemate) Tayla. Here they are blowing out the candles on their cupcakes. We hand-cranked ice cream, too, in what is becoming Soren's birthday tradition.

"Carnival of the Animals" was the party theme, so there was face-painting (Soren wanted to be a puppy)...

...and a pinata shaped like a monkey.

As always, the tire swing at our neighborhood park was a hit. Someone called this bunch "Soren and his girls." Much fun was had by all.

Then home for a good scrub in the bath.

We were lucky to have Grandpa and Grandma make the trip from E. Wash. to be with us today. A new puzzle and a new coloring book were among Soren's many gifts from the people who love him most.

"Now I can fight dragons more better," he said matter-of-factly, upon opening this present from his parents -- a knight's breastplate to go with his armor collection.

So now that he's 4, what's in store?

Dressing up & treehouse update

Sorry for the gap in blog posts. I (Shelly) have been more than a little busy in the last two months organizing an Earth Day celebration with Local 20/20 and volunteering for the 2nd annual PT Wearable Art Show, which is a fundraiser for Jefferson County's Fund for Women and Girls.

This is the second year I wrote a script for and emceed this amazing runway fashion show. Here I am after the show with the "Best in Show" winning wearable art (a Dacron wedding dress detailed with sailcloth "feathers") modeled by the artist's mother. The artist, Riel, is second from right. Debbi, at far right, is the event chair. Kudos to ALL who were involved in this incredible effort. See more pix of the winning entries here.

Meanwhile, Soren hasn't stopped growing up. He is officially 3-3/4 today, and already answers "almost 4" when asked how old he is. Here he is on our Easter Sunday beach walk.

Most mornings, he straps on his sword and scabbard before he even eats breakfast. Here he is, fully armed, for whatever dragons or evildoers he may encounter in The Roost. (Note: it's a cap gun, and it fits in the chest pocket of his overalls.)

Another kind of dress-up has intrigued him lately: the fluffy princess and fairy costumes worn by his little girl friends. He borrowed this get-up from his friend Tayla (pictured below). Note the RC car at his feet.

 

When I promised to stock a dress-up box of his very own, we hit Goodwill and found a set of six costume noses. What a find!

Tayla is still Soren's best friend, and their shenanigans give both of our families lots of laughs and cute photo opps. I don't think I need to say more!

I'll close with an update on the backyard treehouse, which has been joined by a firepit -- meaning s'mores at least once a week. Since this photo has been taken, Jeff has added railings between all the treehouse posts.

Glad to have some time this weekend to catch up on photos -- and with you! Happy Memorial Day.

Winter at the beach

Can't say I'm a born Northwesterner (being birthed in Tennessee), but I'm certainly a bred Northwesterner. I love our mild winters and am secretly hoping we won't get any snow this year.

Soren, of course, is a born-and-bred Port Townsendite, so he doesn't know any differently. For him, Christmas means not snowballs and icicles, but 50-degree days at the beach. Wearing a scarf, yes, but not his mittens or hat.

I had to keep pulling out my camera while we played with a buddy on Dec. 16 at Fort Worden State Park. (That's the Point Wilson Lighthouse.) We stayed out till the sun went down.

Soren's good friend Django.

I'll close with a Soren-ism. In reply to my off-hand comment that we haven't had any snow yet, Soren says, "No, but we've had lots of frosting!"

Wherever you are in the world and however chilly or mild your Christmas will be, we wish you happy holiday greetings!

P.S. Check out Soren Talks for his version of "Merry Christmas."

Photo series: Soren in the chair

I call this series "Soren in the Chair."

Soren and his friend Tayla -- and stuffed animal friends, too.

Soren reading to Papaw -- wearing Papaw's glasses!

Nice new striped shirt (size 4!) is from Grandma Gloria...

...As is this cozy new bathrobe, which Soren donned this evening after his bath. Jeff pressed him into service licking the whipped cream beaters. Then he and I snuggled up in "The Chair" and read too many stories to count.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and relations! May you have whipped cream, stories and snuggles, too.

Two knights and a queen this Halloween

Introducing Sir Dance-alot and his family!

There was swashbuckling, capture, enslavement, and escape in the Randall clan this Halloween! We took the drama to our downtown parade, and acted out the fight that freed the queen and enslaved the bad Viking-knight. Soren, of course, was the hero!

The sword and helmet were a birthday gift from Grandpa Jim and Grandma Gloria. There was a scabbard on a sash, but it restricted his movement and wasn't worn long. Someone commented that Soren looked like a chess piece -- hee hee!

Soren chose his own costume this year and he wanted to be a knight, but one inspired by his current favorite movie, How to Train Your Dragon. If you've seen it, you'll notice that Jeff resembles Hiccup's dad...which translated to "Viking knight." He took along his boffer sword.

It was an unseasonably warm October 31st, with warm sunshine and no breeze blowing off the bay.

Soren peeks in his friend Tayla-cat's candy bag to see what's inside. He called the few pieces of candy we allowed into his possession "trick-or-treats." He graciously shared what he had with us. Such a chivalrous action!

We wrapped up the evening with a lighted jack-o-lantern walk in a friend's woodlot. Very magical for a boy who is developing his first traditions around this rather bizarre holiday. Well, see ya stormin' the castle!