Going Downtown

Ever notice that when you live somewhere, you go somewhere else for fun? For vacation? For date night? Even for dining out? I guess it's the old, "grass is always greener on the other side" adage. Last night, we needed to do some 'secret mission' errands without the kids and who's going to pass up the opportunity to make it a date?

Not me.

I love downtown Nampa. The place is just loaded with history and old romantic charm. I love old train depots, and this one has even more character than most. They say that back in the day, men used to arrive in Nampa, deboard the train here and literally fall under conviction. This was due to the strong influence of the early Nazarene church in this area. The architecture is amazing!
Check out the columns and carvings on 'my' post office...

...and here we are in front of the depot. The poor lady driving by didn't notice the little camera on the wall and I think she thought we were a little nutty for posing in front of the building with no one else around. Hubby especially likes the luggage doors...they are the big green ones behind that little old lady on the bench there.

Can't you just see the old Wells Fargo stage arriving here with the lastest silver shipment from Silver City, Idaho? Or maybe a hold-up? (Hope they caught the bad guys!)

There are antique shops galore (with prices you WON'T adore) and the most awesome little coffee shop, which isn't little at all. Flying M Coffee Garage is an old firestone tire shop which I'm pretty sure my Grammies frequented years ago. The decor is beyond Shabby Chic...it's Shabby Hick. But they have the bestest coffee!

See the old FIRESTONE sign? This couple was so cute, that I asked if I could take their picture for my blog.

(Just kidding people!)Watch roasting in action here Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

This is where I recommend you end your downtown Nampa tour.

Their motto: Roast like a butterfly; sting like caffeine.

Lighting up my life...

...well my bedroom anyway. I had a little lamp in there that wasn't nearly tall enough to read by so when I saw this tall skinny thing (there's something I always dreamt of being) on sale at Kammy's favorite store (Walmart) I grabbed it up. She didn't come with a shade but I thought this one would work, especially after I added a bit of trim.

I was sick to death of the battenburg lace doilies that have been on our dresser and end table since the beginning of married time, so when hubby told me the other day that he has NEVER liked them...I decided it was time for something different. I'm bad about leaving things the same f.o.r.e.v.e.r. I never even re-arrange the furniture. Weird huh? Maybe it has something to do with my strong dislike for chocolate. I mean, I have had the same shower curtain in the guest bath for 10+ years now...it still looks brand new, so I find it hard to justify change. Come to think of it, I've had the same man for a long time now too...anyway, I digress. Placemats are great to use in place of doilies...the perfect size, and they don't slip around either.

I couldn't help but adding a bit of trim to the ends of them too.

Not much of a change, but it doesn't take much to 'brighten' up a spot...ya know.
Oh! I almost forgot to tell you about the best part of my shopping trip yesterday...nope, not the groceries...the NICE, REALLY NICE lady in the checkout line in front of me. You will not believe what she said. "Aww...it's so nice to see big sister take the young ones and do the shopping for mom!" I really could have hugged the lady...bless her heart!

She's all that!

So the 5 of us girls (grandma included) found it our duty (and challenge) to take Kaite for her 1 year well-baby checkup. As you know, she has a strong aversion to 'going out' or anyone strange 'coming in' for that matter. The last time we were at Thomas Hammer Pediatrics, she vomited 3 times before we could complete the examination. This simply because she did not take a liking to the enviroment. Her doctor (kidding of course) threatened to evacuate the building if we ever came again. Dr. Hammer is very slow and methodical...he will not skip even one tiny step or speed it up even a bit because of some feined discomfort on the part of his patient. By the time we had weighed, measured, thoroughly examined and immunized little babycakes we had been there about an hour and a half, but it felt like 4 or 5 hours! She recently took a spike in weight and length and is now in the 40th percentile...she has always been in the 10th before. Doc says she appears quite healthy and like most doctors threw around some big words that didn't mean much to us. There is one word however, that has come up quite frequently in our visits: PRECOCIOUS. We finally decided to look it up. On first try (unsure of the spelling) we got the word PROCACIOUS and thought the definition very fitting. "Pert; petulant; forward; saucy; demanding." Maybe not the nicest thing for someone to say about your child, but pretty acurate over all. On second search (correct spelling this time) we came up with, "especially early in development or occurance, especially mentally; exibiting mature qualities at an early age." I don't say much about it for fear folks will think I'm a lyin' but she talks a lot for a year and she did walk at 8 months and 2 days. So amid other early development skills I'd say this definition is right on as well. The above picture was taken in the exam room prior to the doctor's entrance. You're going to have to trust me when I say that you don't want to see an after picture! Actually...there wasn't an after picture. All hands were busy! Dr. Hammer was heard to say, "I'm still stronger than you young lady! Not much, and not for long...but for now." Her bandaids made her very angry and before the nurse could even make her exit from the room, they were vehemently removed and thrown to the floor. Doc says she will outgrow this...well yeah...if we can outlive it! Smile. So for the big words......she's all that and more...she's OURS and we love 'er!

Sisters...

Indulge me in a sappy mother's moment here this morning. I love watching my girls' relationship with one another. In my own opinion, I have been blessed with four of the sweetest little girls on earth. Oh sure...they are human and they have their days when they can't seem to get along no matter what, but I love the cameraderie they share. Kayla getting a bowl of cereal for Kammy or a bottle for Kaite, Kalli helping Kammy buckle her shoes or tying the bow on Kayla's dress. Even Kammy can 'zip Kalli up' or run and fetch a diaper for Kaite. Kayla and Kalli whispering secrets (perhaps about mom...) or sharing the latest happening from the book they are reading, Kalli reaching for Kammy's hand as they skip out to collect the mail for me, or Kammy planting a kiss on the top of Kaite's little head. They are teaching babycakes the value of close sister ties too...she is learning to show her love in sweet little ways like a sticky cheerios hug or slobbery kiss and a tiny voice that croons a soft "awwww". So maybe it's because I never had a sister, but I think sisters are one of God's nicest gifts!