Playing with Felipe

Felipe was able to come up to Vancouver because of Hurricane Ike which took out all the power in Houston. The Houston Harker family was without power for about a week. Raquel and Julia went to Brazil and Paul and Felipe came to Vancouver. Felipe was lonely when the other kids were in school so he came to play with Andrew and Marin one day after school. We went to the park and let them get out all their energy. They had fun playing with cousin Felipe.

Marin's First Full Day of Kindergarten

Today was Marin's first official day of kindergarten. When I woke her up, the first thing she said was, "Yay, it's my first day of school." Let's hope she keeps that enthusiasm for school. Last night, when I was getting things ready for lunch, I asked her what she wanted. She said she wanted to take garbanzo beans instead of a sandwich, a fruit roll-up, some fruit, and a 100-calorie granola bar. She is so cute. Anyway, this morning I took her to school and brought her down to the classroom. She was very excited and didn't seem nervous in the least. She sat down and got right to work on her first worksheet. She then got a couple of books to look at. She didn't want me taking pictures of her. I had to sneak a couple. When Genevieve got there, she was very excited. Genevieve is at Marin's table, as is Miles so that makes it nice to have two kids that she already knows sitting by her. She then told me that I could leave. I wasn't quite ready to let go, but she politely shooed me out the door. I got a quick kiss and hug and that was the end of it. I didn't need the "Crying Room" that the school had set up for parents in the library who were bringing kindergarteners, but I did busy myself with chores and projects all day so I didn't have to think about how sad it is that she will be gone as well Andrew. She looked awfully cute sitting in the classroom. I will sure miss her.

Boys Weekend/Girls Weekend

Kevin took Andrew out of school early on Friday to go to the Mariners vs. Yankees game. As Andrew was leaving his class, Mrs. G. had the class sing "Take me out to the ballgame". They hung out and swam at the hotel prior to the game. Andrew was a true Yankees fan and didn't convert to being a Mariner's fan, even though the Yankees lost 3-1. They ate good food and then came home the following morning for soccer. Then Saturday afternoon, they went to the Star Wars: Clone Wars movie and to dinner. They had a fun father/son weekend.

Marin and I hung out with Lisa, Kyle, Keri, Marilyn and Norm. The girls got pedicures. Marin chose a sparkly ruby red color that looks very grown up on her. Then, we went out to eat at Applebees for half price appetizers. We followed that with Cold Stone Ice Cream. Marin loves getting pedicures. She was so cute sitting in the chair. On Saturday, we went to a baby shower together. Then we went to the zoo and just enjoyed each other's company. She is growing up so fast. We had a great time.

First Soccer Games of the Season

Andrew has been on the Chasers for three years now. Most of the kids have remained consistent for the entire time. His friend's father is the coach. He has a fun time. I think he likes the social aspects more than anything else. He is pretty good when he's paying attention though. Marin had her first practice of the season. The whole first year of soccer they just scrimmage other teams without having any official games. They call it skills and drills. Although there are 3 teams for her age, they all will practice together every Saturday. It is kind of like controlled chaos. Marin had a blast. She loved it although she was worn out after an hour and a quarter of running. There are several other kids that she knows so that makes it nice. They is a little go getter. I am hoping we have a good soccer season and that the weather cooperates.

First Day of School

As is tradition, I got pictures of my kids before they went to school on the first day. It is hard to believe that Andrew will be in second grade and that Marin is starting full-day kindergarten. Andrew has Mrs. G. and Marin has Mrs. T. They are both pleased with their teachers. Each of them has friends in their class so it will be a good transition. Marin is super excited to ride the bus and was a little disappointed that she would not ride it today. She only had orientation and then an interview with her teacher. She won't officially start school till Monday. I saw Andrew at lunch and he seemed pleased with how the first day was going. When I passed his teacher, she said what a nice son I have and that he seems very smart. She is a perceptive lady. I am excited for all that they are going to learn this year and the progress that they will make. They are both such talented kids.

Last Day of Summer Vacation

So I wanted to do something special for the kids on the last day of summer vacation. Unfortunately, they had dentist appointments scheduled for right in the middle of the day. Better to start school with clean teeth, right. So says the daughter of a dentist. Anyway, the kids got glowing reviews from the dentist who said, "You can tell that there is good hygiene going on in this family." There were no cavities and everything is progressing as it should with regards to losing and gaining teeth. We did go out to eat for lunch and went to the mall and Target, two of my kids' favorite places. Andrew also had soccer practice. He found out that many of his friends from previous years of school are going to be in his class this year. It seems like there will be a good group of kids in his class this year.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a fun-filled Labor Day weekend, the last hurrah before school starts on the third. The weather was not that great but we did what we could. On Saturday, we went to Mt. Hood with Eric, Keri, Norm, and Marilyn. We bought action passes at Skibowl for their summer activities. We rode go-karts, went to the batting cages, went tubing down the mountain, went down the alpine slide, and other activities. Keri even bungee jumped. It was freezing up there-it was in the forties. Forties in August--wow!! The kids had a blast on the go-karts and the alpine slide. I was very nervous taking them up on the chair lift, especially when Andrew insisted on leaning forward the whole ride up. Sunday we just did our thing at church. Monday, Kevin and I ran our first trail race. We ran the Wildwood Trail Trial 10k. It was in Forest Park. It was pretty crazy. They start 4-5 people out every two minutes so you don't know how you did until you compare your times on the website when they all get posted. The last half mile climbs about 200 feet on switchbacks filled with rocks. It was brutal on my legs. I felt like they were jelly at the end of the race. It was an adventure, though. We ended up both medaling. I got third place in my age group. After that we headed to the Harkers' house. We went to the park and played for a while, picked blackberries, then while some of us went to the driving range, the kids stayed and played croquet with Grandma and Grandpa and Lisa and Kyle. We enjoyed a delicious blackberry crisp that Marilyn made with our fresh-picked berries. It was a great day and the kids fell right in to bed. Kevin and I did the same. What a fun weekend!!