One daughter in high school,
one daughter in middle school,
and two starting elementary school!
Dinner last night: wedge salad with blue cheese, baked salmon and halibut, and baby potatoes
Exactly three years ago:
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Do I Get Some Kind of Award?
School started today. I now have kids in each category:
Dinner last night: wedge salad with blue cheese, baked salmon and halibut, and baby potatoes
Dinner last night: wedge salad with blue cheese, baked salmon and halibut, and baby potatoes
Monday, August 27, 2012
End of Summer
Per our family's annual tradition, we attended the Alaska State Fair over the weekend. I didn't take my good camera because it was raining, so pardon the blurry shots from my phone.
Our eldest daughter is proving herself to be a gaming genius. Or as George Costanzo would pronounce, jeen-ee-us.You know those carnival games that are impossible to win? She wins them. We thought it was a freak instance of luck when at age 6 she beat all the adults who were shooting at moving ducks, but she's continued to dominate as she's grown.
The rest of us plop down our money, miss the target, and walk away empty-handed. My daughter plops down her money, flings darts at balloons, and walks away with a huge yellow monkey.
The twins were obsessed with the farm animals, particularly the baby chicks.
I finally had to drag them away from the tub, so some of the other kids could have a chance to ooh and aah over the little cheepers.
As our husband led us over to look at the four-wheelers and R/V campers, we happened upon a booth containing a small group of face painting jeen-ee-us-es. The twins asked for the Jewel Princess look . . .
What an awesome job the make-up artists did (in about half the time and price as the other place we've used in the past). We'll be back to this booth next year!
Dinner last night: corn dogs, gyro sandwiches, cotton candy, kettle corn
Our eldest daughter is proving herself to be a gaming genius. Or as George Costanzo would pronounce, jeen-ee-us.You know those carnival games that are impossible to win? She wins them. We thought it was a freak instance of luck when at age 6 she beat all the adults who were shooting at moving ducks, but she's continued to dominate as she's grown.
The rest of us plop down our money, miss the target, and walk away empty-handed. My daughter plops down her money, flings darts at balloons, and walks away with a huge yellow monkey.
The twins were obsessed with the farm animals, particularly the baby chicks.
I finally had to drag them away from the tub, so some of the other kids could have a chance to ooh and aah over the little cheepers.
As our husband led us over to look at the four-wheelers and R/V campers, we happened upon a booth containing a small group of face painting jeen-ee-us-es. The twins asked for the Jewel Princess look . . .
Dinner last night: corn dogs, gyro sandwiches, cotton candy, kettle corn
Exactly two years ago:
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Oh, Look! A 500-Pound Grizzly. Can I Pet Him?
A lot of men with guns in their holsters were fishing this area, so don't freak out as you watch. Had this bear started charging, which would have been VERY UNLIKELY, he'd have been taken down before he could reach the shore.
Grizzlies are a fairly common sight at the Russian River. Our friends camp here regularly throughout the summer and have lost count of how many bears they've seen. Basically, if you leave a bear alone, he'll leave you alone . . .
unless you keep your bag of Doritoes in the tent with you. Then you might as well kiss your tushy good-bye.
Dinner last night: taco lasagna
Grizzlies are a fairly common sight at the Russian River. Our friends camp here regularly throughout the summer and have lost count of how many bears they've seen. Basically, if you leave a bear alone, he'll leave you alone . . .
unless you keep your bag of Doritoes in the tent with you. Then you might as well kiss your tushy good-bye.
(click arrow to play)
Dinner last night: taco lasagna
Exactly three years ago:
Exactly four years ago:
Monday, August 20, 2012
A New Era
Although my eldest daughter won't be starting high school for another week (*gulp* SHE'S GOING TO BE A FRESHMAN *gulp*), volleyball tryouts have already been held. The girls have been practicing for a couple weeks now, and the team participated in its first tournament of the season over the weekend.
You know me. I snapped a bunch of pictures of my child as well as of her teammates, thinking my daughter could post a couple on her Facebook page. Isn't that what kids do these days? Post pictures of themselves and their friends, and tag them, and whatnot?
My teenager told me in no uncertain terms that she absolutely would not display them. When I asked why not?, she simply said, "Because I don't want to."
Welcome to the high school years.
Dinner last night: teriyaki turkey burger
You know me. I snapped a bunch of pictures of my child as well as of her teammates, thinking my daughter could post a couple on her Facebook page. Isn't that what kids do these days? Post pictures of themselves and their friends, and tag them, and whatnot?
My teenager told me in no uncertain terms that she absolutely would not display them. When I asked why not?, she simply said, "Because I don't want to."
Welcome to the high school years.
Dinner last night: teriyaki turkey burger
Exactly two years ago:
Exactly three years ago:
Exactly four years ago:
Friday, August 10, 2012
Inspired by the Olympics
Mary Carillo recently presented a feature on Olga Korbut, and boy, did the memories flood back. The '72 Olympics were the first Olympics I can remember watching as a little girl, and I clearly remember Olga, her cute little pigtails, her big smile, and her amazing gymnastics. Her incredible performances prompted both my sister and me to beg our mom for gymnastic lessons, and she enrolled us in a class where we learned how to cartwheel and backbend and do the splits.
This summer is the first time that any of our kids have watched the Olympics. I don't know where we were or what we were doing four years ago, but it didn't include watching sports. This year is different. We've all been pulled into the fascinating world of elite athletes and their respective areas of expertise. I keep the TV on during the day, and we stop and watch depending on which events are being broadcast. My eldest daughter is hooked on women's volleyball and the twins love the swimming and the bicycling. (My middle daughter occasionally plops down to watch a gymnastics routine or a running race, but she's more interested in the Winter Olympics and will wait for the skaters.)
I've noticed that after she watches a volleyball match, my 14-year-old heads outsides and practices. She sees how long she can bump the ball without losing control and she works on her serves by batting the ball against the garage door (which drives me crazy, it's so loud, but I don't say a word).
Meanwhile, the twins have been working extra hard at their swim lessons. Just yesterday, the teacher remarked to me how much better they've gotten. Can a little girl really be inspired to improve her own athletic endeavors by watching Olympians compete? I think so.
Dinner last night: (turkey) lasagna, garlic bread
This summer is the first time that any of our kids have watched the Olympics. I don't know where we were or what we were doing four years ago, but it didn't include watching sports. This year is different. We've all been pulled into the fascinating world of elite athletes and their respective areas of expertise. I keep the TV on during the day, and we stop and watch depending on which events are being broadcast. My eldest daughter is hooked on women's volleyball and the twins love the swimming and the bicycling. (My middle daughter occasionally plops down to watch a gymnastics routine or a running race, but she's more interested in the Winter Olympics and will wait for the skaters.)
I've noticed that after she watches a volleyball match, my 14-year-old heads outsides and practices. She sees how long she can bump the ball without losing control and she works on her serves by batting the ball against the garage door (which drives me crazy, it's so loud, but I don't say a word).
Meanwhile, the twins have been working extra hard at their swim lessons. Just yesterday, the teacher remarked to me how much better they've gotten. Can a little girl really be inspired to improve her own athletic endeavors by watching Olympians compete? I think so.
Dinner last night: (turkey) lasagna, garlic bread
Exactly three years ago:
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
I'm Not Kidding About the Wild-Haired Children
A couple months ago, a bear ambled past our family room window. Yesterday, a moose and her calf walked by. The baby was too quick for me to catch on camera, but I was able to snap a picture of the mama.
Dinner last night: teriyaki beef, rice, corn
Please stop focusing on my dirty windows.
Much better.
Kid! Get out of the way! I'm trying to take a picture of the moose.
On second thought, forget about the moose. Ignore the dirty windows.
Let's go comb out that rat's nest.
Let's go comb out that rat's nest.
Dinner last night: teriyaki beef, rice, corn
Exactly one year ago:
Exactly four years ago:
Monday, August 6, 2012
What to Do With an Old Wedding Dress
I've been wanting to take a picture of each of my twin girls sitting in my wedding dress while they're still small enough that it looks cute and not weird.
I pulled out my dress box which had been heirloomed and sealed shortly after my wedding—I literally had not laid eyes on my dress since I got it cleaned and packed. I was afraid of what I might find . . . moths? water stains? dingy lace? But the dress was in pristine condition. Heirlooming is worth every penny! I can't remember exactly how much it cost way back then, but I do know it was over $100 and seemed like an absolute fortune to my poor, newlywed self.
I was married during the month of August, and since this past weekend not only ushered in August but some nice weather as well, I thought it would be a good time to go outside and snap some pictures.
My 12-year-old daughter felt left out and wanted me to take her picture in the dress. I told her that she was too big, that she would look more like a hillbilly teenage bride in an ill-fitting frock than a cute kid dressing up in her mother's gown, but she insisted.
Then the bee showed up . . .
Dinner last night: pork loin roast, roasted veggies and gravy
I pulled out my dress box which had been heirloomed and sealed shortly after my wedding—I literally had not laid eyes on my dress since I got it cleaned and packed. I was afraid of what I might find . . . moths? water stains? dingy lace? But the dress was in pristine condition. Heirlooming is worth every penny! I can't remember exactly how much it cost way back then, but I do know it was over $100 and seemed like an absolute fortune to my poor, newlywed self.
I was married during the month of August, and since this past weekend not only ushered in August but some nice weather as well, I thought it would be a good time to go outside and snap some pictures.
My 12-year-old daughter felt left out and wanted me to take her picture in the dress. I told her that she was too big, that she would look more like a hillbilly teenage bride in an ill-fitting frock than a cute kid dressing up in her mother's gown, but she insisted.
Kind of weird, I admit, but posing in my old dress made her happy.
Then the bee showed up . . .
Now that's weird.
Dinner last night: pork loin roast, roasted veggies and gravy
Exactly two years ago:
Exactly three years ago:
Exactly four years ago:
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Medals I Could Win If These Were Olympic Sports:
BRONZE: Pinning an absurd amount of organization ideas, while sitting in the chair next to my "junk closet" that I haven't cleaned out in two years.
SILVER: Simultaneously complaining about drivers who go too fast, drivers who go too slow, drivers who pass, drivers who tailgate, drivers who look too old to be driving, drivers who look too young to be driving, drivers who cut me off when they merge onto the road, drivers who slow down and crawl along the shoulder of the road rather than merge in front of me, drivers who don't know their signal light is still blinking, and drivers/pedestrians who flip me off.
SILVER: 50-yard dash through the rain while holding child in one arm, cake platter in the other, purse over right shoulder, diaper bag over left shoulder, and pushing stroller by pressing my stomach into the handle and directing it with my hip bones.
GOLD: Avoiding commitment without ever once uttering the actual word, no, when someone corners me at church and asks if I can help out in the nursery
GOLD: Eating chips and salsa faster than anyone at the table. (I believe I could also set the World Record in this event.)
Dinner last night: homemade chicken & veggie soup
Exactly one year ago:
Exactly four years ago:
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