Is There a Full Moon?

Let me tell you about my evening. I know it's late but I feel the need to share what can happen in a matter of about 30 minutes.

Soo...Steve is off playing poker with a few guys from work. They do this once in a while, which usually means the host's family is banished for the evening. This time Jeff invited a couple of guys over so Amy, Max and Zoe decided to take in a movie. Being the good friends we are, the kids and I tagged along! We scarfed our popcorn as we enjoyed Madagascar 2. Not my top choice but appropriate and fun for the kids in the group.

Amy picked up Kendal to come along so we stopped by her house on the way home to meet her new puppy. The kids played with Hopper while the adults checked out the house, which is also new to Shawn and Kendal.

At about 9:00ish, we left. So did Kendal, who was going back to Amy's where Shawn was also playing poker. Now, mind you, Shawn and Kendal are the only human inhabitants of their home so when Amy left with Kendal, no one else was home. They pulled out of the driveway before we did. And yep, you probably guessed by now that I couldn't find my keys. My keys were not in my purse, nor in my pocket, nor in the ignition, nor on the ground, nor anywhere I looked. So, the kids and I were stranded in a driveway on a dark abandoned street on the edge of the city of Omak - lots of fields, not many houses. Mind you, I am not a brave soul and my kids have inherited their love of the scary darkness from me. As my cell phone was back home on the kitchen counter, I thought of no other solution except to walk 2 blocks to the hospital to use their phone. So that's what we did. I had a kid on each hand, both in tears, one in shorts and one with wet pants. I pretended it was no big deal but I kept glancing off into the dark fields watching for those monsters I knew were out there.

Fortunately, Amy and Kendal were back at Amy's so they came back and I found my keys inside Kendal's house, right where I'd left them!

By now, both kids are exhausted from their fears and ready for bed but not liking coming home to a dark house. I was still trying to play the brave mom, thinking of all the fun things I could. We pull into the driveway and the first thing we notice is the glow from the flames on the burn pile that was supposed to be out. Dylan has a fear of the house catching on fire so he started immediately wanting to call the fire department as Lyndsi starts in on her fatigued hysteria. Dylan was on the phone to Steve before I even made it into the house! When Dylan started out to wake the neighbors I eased his fears by saying I'd go take care of the fire. I have to admit, I hoped the flames were within the confines of the burn area but they had me a bit worried. I'm not fond of burning in the middle of dead brush, no matter how wet it's been.

For the second time that night, I found myself trudging through the dark. The burn pile is at the edge of our yard in the empty lot next door. Just beyond our backyard is a whole lot of emptiness that we lovingly call, "the desert". At night, it's a bit scary! I could hear the kids crying from inside the house. I dumped a bucket of water on the pile of burning leaves and walked back to the house.

In the meantime, Dylan had called Steve again. Being the good father he is, he said he'd come home to check it out. I don't know why my kids don't trust me in the eyes of danger!

Steve assured the kids that all was well as I tried to brush Lyndsi's teeth. Keep in mind that it's late and I just want the kids in bed so I can relax! Those of you who have seen Lyndsi in the past 6 weeks know that she has had several very loose teeth. I swear, she's going to keep them until they disintegrate! Well lo and behold, I must have brushed a little hard because I brushed one of those teeth right out of her mouth! Yee haw! She lost her first tooth!

So now we had to have the whole, "How does the tooth fairy get in?" discussion and I had to ease some fears once again! Steve had already returned to his poker game so I was on my own. Fortunately, these fears were short lived and both kids fell asleep quickly.

Just as I thought I might head downstairs and turn on the computer to check email I noticed a small, white animal peeking out from behind the ottoman. I was debating about whether to pick it up and put it in one of the kids' bedrooms when, suddenly, it ran across the floor to me! It took a second to register that the stuffed animal I was looking at was really French Fry, our white gerbil! This wasn't necessarily a scary ordeal to me but I sort of felt like falling to the floor in a fit of tears! French Fry doesn't go back to his cage easily and it usually takes to of us to trap him in a corner. By now I was completely exhausted myself!

I walked toward the gerbil and tried a couple of tricks, none of which worked. However, in this little adventure, I noticed that French Fry seemed to be following me. When I walked to his cage, he did too. When I walked back to the living room, he did too. When I stayed in a room, he did too. I even tested my theory by walking around the table and into the kitchen and then out the other door to the living room. I looked behind me and guess who was there? It was pretty fun! French Fry would run right up to me but wouldn't let me pick him up. So I walked back to the cage, sat down by it and waited. French Fry came with me, poked around his cage a bit, then walked into the door I had opened for him. Easy! Too bad I didn't learn that trick 2 years ago!

As I said early on, this may sound ho hum to some of you readers but it was far from ho hum for me. Several odd things happened tonight. I'm sure the moon must be full.

I'd share pictures of Lyndsi's cute smile but I'm too tired. Those pictures will just have to wait!

An Almost Sleepover!

Because I strive to be thoroughly exhausted all the time, I decided I could handle having a birthday party for six year old Lyndsi on a Friday night. Yep. I'm crazy.
Don't tell Lyndsi, though, because I think she had a really good time!

At 5:00 this evening, 9 girls and Dylan invaded our home. The girls all wore their pajamas as this was a "pretend" sleepover. All the fun of a sleepover but you get to sleep in your own bed. Perfect for kindergarteners! We danced, created picture frames, had photo shoots, ate dinner, watched a movie, had popcorn and M&Ms, opened gifts and had cake and bubble gum ice cream. All in just under 2 hours! I had planned for the party to take about 2 and a half hours but these girls cruised through everything! They were so excited about what was to come that they couldn't stay focused on any one thing for more than 10 minutes! For about an hour tonight it sounded like my classroom on party day, only with more high pitched screaming!

Lyndsi and her guests had a great time and they all looked so cute in their jammies! My favorite scene from the evening was watching them when they first sat down to watch their "Little Pony" movie. I set the popcorn out and 10 little hands reached into the bowl. You can see the mess in the picture.

Isn't she cute! I can't believe she's almost 6!

Check out the popcorn!

The pajams set the fun mood for this party!

Halloween seems like ages ago! Both kids raked in about 2 1/2 pounds of candy during trick or treating. Fortunately they still have most of it! If we allowed the candy to stay in the bedrooms, it would be gone by now! The party at the Cheesemans after trick or treating was relaxing and entertaining. The adults sat around the fire pit in the backyard while the kids took over the house.

Souther Belle Lyndsi and Pirate Dylan

Dylan and Lyndsi were able to spend the weekend after Halloween in Spokane with my parents. They went to a children's concert and Dylan went to a Gonzaga basketball game with Papa. We had 2 exhausted but happy kiddos on Sunday evening!

Soccer is over for Steve as of Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately his high school girls lost their State playoff game so will not advance. I'm loving having him home and available! Life may calm down a bit for the next few weeks.

Next weekend we are heading for Sun Mountain Lodge, our favorite weekend destination. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the family and our friends, the O'Connors. I might even get a pedicure with my birthday money!

Pumpkin Carving is Done!

Whew! Check one off our list. This list seems to grow instead of shrink! I'm not sure how life got ahead of me but this summer I was doing pretty well keeping up with all my duties and now they seem to be flying ahead of me in my own personal marathon! Aaack! Actually, it's only been 2 weeks of me feeling this way but I don't see any end in sight. I need 48 hours straight, without interruption, at home and then another 2 full days at school. Ugh!

Grandma Linda had a birthday on Friday so we went to Spokane for the night on Saturday. We had a yummy dinner at Prospectors Bar and Grill and then went to Nana and Papa's for dessert. It was a true party - Grandma and Rod, Grandma Margaret, Kim, Kellee, Nana and Papa and eventually Erin, joined us for part of the evening. Fun!

I promised the kids that if they kept the house picked up while I worked at school for a while this afternoon that we would carve our pumpkins tonight. A promise is a promise!

Once again, this year we carved our pumpkins and discovered a handful of change inside each one. This year was even more surprising as we grew these pumpkins in our own garden! We're saving seeds to plant again next year!

Where is the Time Going!

I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since my last post. My days are a blur and sometimes I wonder what I really did between waking and going to bed. Too much on my plate right now!

Last weekend was fun!

We played around with the timer for this shot.

My parents came over for Harvest Fest and to do the Autumn Leaf Run with us. Our hospital puts on a walk/run every year. The kids and I have done it for the last couple of years and have always enjoyed the fall weather and high spirits of the participants. This year Steve and my parents joined us as we walked the 5K. What troopers my children are! Lyndsi took off with Reily right in the beginning of the race and Dylan was off with a couple of his buddies. I didn't see either one of them until the end! We had a designated meeting area in case we were separated. We spent the rest of the afternoon cruising through Farmer's Market on Main street. That evening we went to the O'Connors for a fall bar-b-que.

Do you recognize this face?

If you are a Gonzaga basketball fan you might. David Pendergraft came to play a little ball with the locals in support of the Fall Leaf Run. My mom couldn't resist asking for this shot!

Lyndsi's going to be a Girl Scout!

Actually, the correct name is Girl Scout Daisy. And I am going to be her leader! Yep, this is one of those things on my plate right now! Lynell and I are going to co-lead a troop of kindergarten and first grade girls this year. We had an informational meeting on Wednesday night and it looks like about 12 or 14 girls want to join up. Sounds a bit intimidating to me - but that also means we may have 12 or 14 moms who want to help :) Little did they know they were commiting themselves when they signed up their daughters! Our first troop meeting will be November 6th so I have a little time to prepare (and to breath again!).

Beauty and the Beast

are in Omak! What a talented group of people live around me! Last night I took the kids to see the play, Beauty and the Beast, being performed at the Performing Arts Center. I'd heard rumors of the incredible costumery and set but was still amazed when the curtain was pulled back. Whenever I attend a show put on by our local talent I can't help but be proud to know the participants. IT was spectacular! If you live around here, you need to go see the show. "Chip" is one of my students this year and her mom is "Belle". I would like to brag when I tell you that at least 6 of the assorted napkins, spoons and villagers were also students of mine at one time! We hung around after the show to get some pictures with the cast.

The Beast and Belle with the kids.

Dylan, Chip, a cute napkin and Lyndsi

Dylan and Gaston - who do you think is the strongest?

The baby is here...My good and very pregnant friend delivered her first baby last night. Actually, at 3:30 am on Saturday! I think we're off to see her tomorrow. I have this thing for visiting babies in the hospital!

Ooops!

I know, I know. A week ago I promised pictures. I thought for sure I'd get them up before today but no such luck! Well, here they are.....

Cheer camp and the young cheerleaders

Discovery Beach in Seattle

Auntie Erin getting paybacks in Seattle

This week was pretty much like the last few. School, work, soccer, bed, repeat.... We may have had a few unique moments here and there but pretty much life in general.

Steve and Dylan did go on a Cub Scout hike today. I was pretty disappointed that I couldn't go but I needed to spend some time at school or I would have gone insane tomorrow trying to catch up! Anyway, they hiked to a memorial in a canyon of a young boy who was killed by a cougar some years ago. The boys found a couple of geocaches and then the whole group roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. It was a beautiful day for being outside and I spent it indoors!

September in Seattle

I love it! The kids and I spent the weekend in Seattle with Robyn, Kim, Erin, Melissa and my parents. My dad has an appointment tomorrow in Seattle to figure out a plan of attack to rid his body of those darn cancer cells that keep appearing so he and my mom were heading west anyway. When I found out that Erin was also going to be in town I figured I shouldn't be left out of the party so I invited myself along!

The weather was gorgeous, as it can be in the fall, and our days were filled, as they are when we travel. We spent yesterday Pike Street Market and at the new sculpture garden downtown. Then we took our lunch, purchased from the market, to Discovery Park where we hiked (and I mean hiked!) down to the beach to eat. It was quite a walk to the beach - I think I figured out it was a little over a mile and all downhill - but we were able to refresh before hiking back up. Dylan played in the seaweed and collected shells while Lyndsi cowered from the bees.

Robyn and Erin had a party to go to so I spent the evening with my parents and the kids. We shopped at Whole Foods downtown, which I had been wanting to do for a while, and then had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory, one of our old haunts from our younger years. Back at the hotel the kids swam while I watched and then we all hit the hay. Everyone was asleep within several minutes of their heads hitting their pillows!

This morning we got to spend some time at IKEA - I know, the market AND IKEA all in one trip!! That doesn't happen for me very often! After lunch , the kids and I started our trek home while everyone else went back to Robyn's to spend the rest of the day.

The drive was long but the trip was fun and very worth the effort. Once school starts for the year, we don't do the quick weekend trips as often as we'd like so I'm glad I jumped on this opportunity.

Lyndsi went to cheer camp for a couple of days after school last week. She looked darn cute in her little Cougar cheer outfit while she rallied with the other cheerleader wannabes! She missed the performance Friday night due to our trip but she enjoyed the experience anyway.

Speaking of Lyndsi, my little girl is about to be toothless! Her front bottom teeth are so ready to fall out that one of them is turned almost backwards! The little smarty pants won't let us near her mouth to help the little buggers out!

Dylan is in full soccer swing. The season is actually about half over all ready. He missed two games this weekend and had one last weekend. I think we have 2 games this week but don't quote me on that! He still has his long soccer locks and pretty much looks the part!

I don't have my pictures uploaded yet but I'll get a few on to share, hopefully tonight.

Fatigue and Fall

They've both set in! Thank heavens for 3 day weekends, or in my case and in my opinion even better, 3 day work weeks! School has been in session for 2 weeks now and my summer slumbers are a distant memory. I'm exhausted! We only had 3 days of school this week because when you live in a rural community, the County Fair is a big deal so you get to take a day off from school. I always did enjoy the fair and now I've found another reason to promote it!

Let's go back to the middle of the week (after Labor Day but before Fair Day) when Lyndsi started back at Montessori. You might remember that Lyndsi started kindergarten this year, but because it is only half day kindergarten, she needed somewhere to go for the other half of the day. We opted to put her back in Montessori where she is familiar with the teachers and the program, rather than daycare. Her Montessori school has a kindergarten program as well as preschool so she will be getting a double dose of A,B,C's every day. Anyway, all I really wanted to say was that Lyndsi is back at school full time and all is well!

Again, not the outfit I wanted her to wear, but isn't she adorable!

Yesterday, the kids and I set out with about 30 other staff members and their families for an adventure on Omak Lake. Steve had a soccer jamboree so was unable to come - the team did very well, by the way. Our district was awarded a grant from a parks and rec. program to purchase 2 15-passenger canoes complete with paddles, life jackets and a trailer. Everyone was invited to take the canoes out on their maiden voyage so we accepted. How fun! It was a beautiful day and the atmosphere was light. We canoed for a little over an hour to a remote beach, where we stopped for lunch and play. The kids climbed on a rock outcropping that was reached via a submerged sandbar. A few adults even braved the cold waters. I did a little wading but that was the extent of my bravery! On the way back to the cars, one canoe load paddled along the opposite shore and were lucky enough to see a bear. We all pulled our weight with paddling and I think we even learned a bit. I'm feeling a bit sore this morning but nothing major.

Setting off from the boat launch at "Beer Can Beach" - yep, that's the name of the beach!

Max and Dylan in the front of the canoe.

Playing in the water

Lyndsi kept the rhythm with her paddle.

Man overboard!

Dylan went for a dunk in the lake.

Today is a "work outside and get something done" day. Steve has been painting the entry way, which is done, and staining the deck, which is not, so now I need to accomplish something. Laundry and yard work are on the agenda.

Oh, but before I go, guess what I found the other night? I opened the front door to let Ruth out for her nightly potty ritual and there, ready to greet me, was a little scorpion! I couldn't believe it! I looked at it for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out WHAT I was looking at, and then it curled it's little tail at me - I yelled for Steve and we tried to catch the little guy but he escaped. Hopefully I won't find him in the house some day! I'd heard we had scorpions in the area, transplanted from the south on the vehicles that come with the harvest season, but I'd never actually seen one. Pretty cool!

Have a great week!