Mom's Day Out

Dana went to play with Davie before preschool today. That left me all alone at the house. So I left.

I volunteered in Aubrey's 2nd grade classroom.

And I had lunch at Tutta Bella's in Seattle. These ladies always make me laugh, and I miss them!

Another Soccer Saturday

There are going to be a lot of these. ;)



Today I was able to attend Malcolm's game & Laurel's game. Dana went with the Campbells, and Aubrey went with the Kidds.



Malcolm finally remembered that he loves soccer ~ and it showed in how he played today! He was alive and full of energy on the field, and really put a good effort for his team. Unfortunately, they lost again.

Laurel and the Strikers had an away game in Burien. We all arrived by 12:15, started stretching and warming up, and by 12:45 there was still no other team for a 1pm game. Coach Patrick started to panic ~ maybe the other team was waiting for us in Maple Valley...? Turns out the schedule got changed to a 2pm game...so the girls had time to play duck-duck-goose, and red-rover before finally being able to take to the field after 1:40. Unfortunately, the delay of game really seemed to have an affect on the girls, and they were really struggling. After a tough half-time, they came back out on the field ready to play. And fortunately, protected themselves from losing by ending the game in a tie.

Dana loved playing goalie again. And Aubrey played a good game, too.

Thankful (once again) for great friends & family who helped me on this FUN soccer Saturday! The good news is that Doug will be able to go to both Laurel's AND Aubrey's games next Saturday (and I will get to see Laurel's and Dana's)!!!!

Girls' Night Out ~ Hockey Style!

Some of my foundation team members (friends) got together for a Seattle Thunderbirds game. I was going to take Malcolm, but he was invited to a birthday party at the same time. Then I thought I'd go alone and have Doug meet me after work at the ShoWare Center (you know -- like a date). But when extra tickets were available, I decided to take Laurel and Aubrey!

We started with a southern potluck at Darren's home (fried chicken, meatloaf, ambrosia salad, potato salad ~ nothing green in sight). YUM! And then we caravaned over to the ShoWare. It's a nice arena.

Despite the fact that the game was far from sold out, the usher completely balked when we tried to move down to better seats. Some people take their jobs very seriously. We still managed to drop down about 5 rows.

Laurel and Aubrey were each given 3 Chuck-a-Pucks...they did their best to throw the squishy pucks through the sunroof of the car. Neither made it, but Aubrey was giggly when she told us she hit an old grandma in the head with one (that then fell into the poor lady's fries).

Even though we didn't know a lot about hockey, it was still a lot of fun. There were a few fights, but no bench-clearing brawls. Too bad the T-Birds lost!

And too bad I don't see my foundation friends more often ~ they're a lot of fun!

I do it myself!

It's a phrase we hear all the time. Each of our kids have been independent (which we love), but Dana seems to have more independence in her little finger than the other three combined. She get irate when someone calls her "little" or "small" or (heaven forbid) a baby! One night after she had gone to bed she began wailing ~ when I went up to find out why, she responded, "Today...at the park...those girls...they called me....a little girl! waaaaahhhhhh!" It took me a few minutes to calm her down and convince her that she was indeed NOT a little girl ~ that she was a big girl!

This afternoon we reached a new milestone. Dana insisted on making her own sandwich. It was peanut butter. And (because she insisted) a little yellow mustard. She ate it, so I guess it was OK with her.

At times the independence can be frustrating...she thinks that if she asks for help it means she's little. I've explained several times that it's perfectly reasonable to accept help from someone. And I think it won't be long before she realizes that. But mostly the independence just makes me proud!

drool, leaves & fish

During Dana's soccer practice today, I caught her doing this:

Aubrey & Audrey found a nice pile of prinkly (a real word, says Aubrey) leaves:

And just as we got to Malcolm & Ethan back at the dock, Malcolm reeled in this little guy:

Actually, it was this guy:

A blue-gilled something or other (according to the man who knew how to get the hook out so Malcolm could toss him back).

It was a good day to be at the park!

We did the Puyallup

While Doug is visiting Nonie & Poppa in California (he worked the Seahawks v. 49ers on Sunday), I decided to take the kids to "Do The Puyallup." Even though I lived in Washington in High School, and we've now been living here for almost 6 years ~ I'd never done the Puyallup until tonight!

It was a beautiful evening. And even though there were meltdowns and frustrations (I'm included in that mix), in the end I think we all had a great time! The kids kept saying, "Next year when we come..." So I guess Doin' the Puyallup is a tradition.

Dana's first Krusty Pup

in the mass of people, it was only right that we run into friends from our Ward!

this is a tender moment ~ neither of them allow this to happen very often

Dana sat on an elephant

then Aubrey stood on him

and then Laurel ate the Elephant's Ear!

the kids wanted to do this one, but I said No ~ it wasn't included in the Sillyville discount packet

either was the Wild Cat, but I thought it was. They were soooo excited standing in line ~ however when they were turned down by the ticket taker dude, the woman they'd been standing with took pity on them and told the ticket taker dude that if they didn't ride it with her, they would have to wait all alone...and then the ticket taker dude only took a ticket from Aubrey! Thank you, nice lady!

Dana got to ride the Dragon Wagon ~ and when Aubrey asked the ticket taker gal if all 4 of them could ride even though it was our very last ticket, the ticket taker gal said, "Sure! Why not? Everybody on!!" Thank you, nice ticket taker lady!

the pictures Malcolm takes when left with my camera

"PLEASE! Just turn on your flash and take our pictures, Mommy!!!"

(notes to self for next year: 1) eat dinner at home; 2) attend on the first Monday for $1.50/ride night; 3) skip the coupons ~ you have to walk too far to use them; 4) bring the alien cup and just pay for refills; 5) accept the fact that most of your kids are too "old" for the kiddy-rides ~ they're adrenaline junkies; and 6) take cash to eat Krusty Pups, Elephant Ears, Funnel Cakes, and shaved icees!)

Red sky at night...

(I borrowed this information from Wikipedia)

A red sunset probably means good weather tomorrow.

In North America:
Red sky at night, sailor's delight,
Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning.

In the United Kingdom:
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight,
Red sky in the morning, shepherds take warning.
Or
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight,
Red sky in the morning, sailor's warning.

As well as other variations, such as this one from Denmark/Norway, which translates to "Morning red gives wet days, Evening red gives sweet days": Morgenrøde gir dage bløde. Kveldsrøde gir dage søde.

Italian variation goes as:
Rosso di sera, bel tempo si spera, rosso di mattina mal tempo si avvicina.



Weather systems typically move from west to east, and red clouds result when the sun shines on their undersides at either sunrise or sunset. At these two times of day, the sun's light is passing at a very low angle through a great thickness of atmosphere, the result of which is the scattering out of most of the shorter wavelengths — the greens, blues, and violets — of the visible spectrum, and so sunlight is heavy at the red end of the spectrum. If the morning skies are red, it is because clear skies to the east permit the sun to light the undersides of moisture-bearing clouds coming in from the west. Conversely, in order to see red clouds in the evening, sunlight must have a clear path from the west in order to illuminate moisture-bearing clouds moving off to the east.

There are many variations on this piece of lore, but they all carry the same message.
In Matthew 16:2-3 we read, "He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring, O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"

Shakespeare, in his poem Venus and Adonis wrote:

Like a red morn that ever yet betokened,
Wreck to the seaman, tempest to the field,
Sorrow to the shepherds, woe unto the birds,
Gusts and foul flaws to herdmen and to herds.

Soccer Saturday

Schedule of events:

9:26am (arrive at 9am) Malcolm ~ pictures at Lake Wilderness
10:00am (arrive at 9:45) Dana ~ game at Lake Wilderness
10:10am (arrive at 9:45) Aubrey ~ game at Cedar Heights in Covington (take snacks)
10:30am (arrive at 10:00) Laurel ~ game at Levdansky in Hobart
12:45 pm (arrive at 12:15) Malcolm ~ game at Pea Patch in Kent

As you might imagine, I didn't make it to all of them. I missed Dana's game all the way around...she got to go with Aunt Sheila & Preston (and Coach Uncle Andy), and then hung out with them until much later in the day. It was reported that she stopped several goals during her stint as goalie!

Aubrey rode to her game with Audrey, and I showed up after it started (without half-time oranges). She played a good game and told me that she doesn't like to play defense...she wants to score goals!

my favorite photo of the day!

We rushed to Laurel's game and made it to her field in time for the final 30 seconds of the game (the Strikers won 4-0). Two moms, and both coaches told me how tough Laurel had been -- took an elbow to the mouth, followed shortly after with a ball to the face, as well as some other tumbles. But she kept getting up and fighting hard.

And from there we raced out to meet up with Malcolm at his game. He had ridden over with his friend (the Coach's son). The Stallions had a tough afternoon, but to me they showed more cohesiveness on the field, and seemed to want to play their positions.

Good thing we have good friends & family!! With Doug working on Saturdays, I couldn't do it without them!!

bigger and better

I am learning how to post larger pictures on my blog. I used a tutorial from my favorite photography blog http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

I obviously need to work on the scale for a rectangle picture -- the tutorial was for square pics.

Middle School Open House

I went to Laurel's Open House at the middle school tonight. It didn't take very long (the blink of an eye, really) before all the insecurities I ever had in school came flooding back to me. I worried that I'd sit in the wrong seat, or smile at someone who wouldn't smile back, or get lost in the hall, or start to take off my shirt at the locker (not in PE). You know ~ all of the horrible things I experienced in Jr. High.

I had to keep reminding myself that Laurel is not me. She has more self-confidence in her little pinky than I ever did in my entire body. She is smart, confident, cute and fun. And she is a good friend. And I love her with all my heart!

I also found comfort in the fact that in every class I found at least one friend ~ which meant that Laurel does, too.

I am glad that the lockers we had in Jr. High were actually big enough to hold our coats, backpacks, and books. Because my back was tired of carting around Laurel's backpack. I think that new lockers are in order!!

Good morning, Mr. Slug

I think this little guy (the slug, not Malcolm) and his family are my rose poachers.

First day of Preschool!

Dana started preschool today! She was ready to go from the moment she woke up, so it was a rather long morning. ;)

But finally we went outside to take a quick picture and then head to preschool.

David & Dana walked up the stairs together ~ or rather, they started up the stairs together when Dana plopped down for another picture.

After greeting Mrs. Cloud and finding her nametag, she headed for those gerbils.

When I went back to get her at the end of class, she was very excited to show me her A-apple painting. And, of course, she asked when she was going back again.

It's the Idaho in me

Early in the summer I saw potato starts at Foley's Produce. I didn't know I could grow potatoes here ~ but the price was right (less than 20 cents for 4 starts) and I was pleasantly surprised with the results. Of course, if I'd known the weather was going to stay so NICE, I would have kept them in the ground a bit longer.

I harvested these on the 7th and we had them with dinner tonight. I quartered them and tossed them with some olive oil, honey and seasoned salt and baked them until they were almost crispy on the outside, but still soft on the inside. They were yummy!
Next year I will buy more starts. I will also bury the stems/leaves as they come up -- it will grow more potatoes. I will also start growing them earlier in the season, plant more tomatoes, and grow some cucumbers and lots of peas!!

Scattered Memories of the first 9/11

** I originally wrote this for our blog in 2007. Nothing has changed. The memories are still as haunting and horrific.


We lived in Yonkers, NY in 2001. Mom & Pop had flown from California to take us on vacation to a timeshare condo in New Behrn, NC (birthplace of Pepsi!). We left NY on Saturday morning and arrived in New Behrn on Sunday afternoon. On Monday we went shopping at Camp Lejeune for groceries.

When I got out of the shower on Tuesday morning Malcolm was playing with the clock radio in the bedroom. It was too loud and the DJs were all talking over each other. I realized they were talking about NYC. I heard something about a plane and the Twin Towers, so I threw some clothes on and ran downstairs to turn the TV on.

The kids played while we sat there switching from channel to channel ~ trying to understand what was happening. Then the first Tower fell. It was hard to comprehend the horror that was unfolding in front of us. And then shortly after that the second Tower came down.

We were stunned...we were sure that tens of thousands had lost their lives.

And then we remembered that Doug had been in one of the Towers on Friday before we left, just like he was at least once a month for work. When the call to DBS finally went through (after hours) he was able to confirm that all of Doug's co-workers were safe and alive. They told him to cut his vacation and go home and start working; he declined. With all the airports closed, most bridges closed, major roadways through both metropolitan Washington, DC and New York City, and the fact that we were about 16 hours away from home, we felt it best that he stay with us.

The next 24 hours were kind of a blur. Between the awful reality of what was happening and the fact that I was newly pregnant (and already sick to my stomach and puking all day every day), it was hard to "enjoy" the beautiful vacation we were on.

On Thursday we woke up and decided that we needed to get back to vacation and pull ourselves away from the TV. We headed to the beach. We were driving on a rural, 2-lane road. We couldn't see any houses, just driveways off the main road that disappeared into the big trees.

And then there was the sign. It was spray painted onto a huge piece of plywood, propped up. It simply read: We Love New York! Those people didn't put the sign up knowing that "New Yorkers" would be driving by. They didn't put the sign up so that the TV cameras or newspapers would come and take their picture. They put the sign out because they didn't know what else to do...but wanted to do something. I wish we had stopped to take a picture.

We have these great pictures of Laurel and Malcolm sitting at the beach later that week...rather oblivious to the fact that our lives had changed because of events that had occurred days before.


We left North Carolina on Saturday morning. After staying outside of DC on Saturday night, we were driving on the New Jersey Turnpike on Sunday afternoon. As we approached NYC, we could see the huge plume of smoke still pouring from Ground Zero. The car was quiet as Mom and Pop and Doug and I watched.

And then Laurel said, "See? The airplanes are OK ~ they didn't crash...See?" as she pointed out the window on the other side of the van. And she was right, airplanes were taking off and landing at the Newark Airport. With everything that had happened that week, we didn't even realize until that moment that she even knew what happened at home. She was 3-1/2.

As horrific as 9/11 was, there were miracles. Two of them:

1) The four planes held over 1000 passengers and there were only 266 aboard

2) There were approximately 20,000 people in the towers when the 1st jet hit; the two buildings held over 50,000 workers on any given day

We are grateful that Doug was not at work that day. He is not one to turn and run. He would have faced that day head-on...at Ground Zero. I would have been at work in the suburbs, and Laurel and Malcolm would have been at Sonia's (the babysitter). The roads were a mess, cell phones were down, and it would have been hours before I could have gotten to them. And even longer before I would have heard from or about Doug's safety.

I will never forget where I was or how I felt that day.

Meet Mrs. Cloud

Dana has been waiting for this day for a looooong time. All summer she's talked about Mrs. Cloud and going to preschool. She even learned to spell her name D-A-N-A. She doesn't know what any of those letters mean, but it's cute when she says it.

After the other kids went to school, Dana had a quiet moment with Henry.

And finally, after what seemed like the longest morning ever, we headed to the park with David & Becca to meet Mrs. Cloud. She also got to meet her new classmates. There are 4 girls and 5 boys in the class...and they are all so cute!

After playing for a bit, Mrs. Cloud called the kids over to eat lunch with her.

The popsicles were a big hit!

Next Monday can't come soon enough! We're ready for a fun preschool year!