Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Back to School for K too!








Sometimes even mom's go back to school - in a matter of speaking. Last week I visited WSU for the first time in many, many years. It was so cool to go back and walk all over campus and see all the new changes and buildings. Nostalgia totally set in. Biggest shock? The new bookie (student book store) has moved to the CUB (Compton Union Building) and is now a two story monstrosity with a Starbucks, Borders, food court, video gaming area and a Clinique counter!!! Seriously, a Clinique counter!!??? Some things never change though, like Martin Stadium and good old Cougar Gold Cheese from Ferdinands and the calazones at Sella's.
(images from Blackberry)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

First Day of School, Take 2

Here is Ian on his second day of 4's preschool, actually. It was a bit chaotic on Monday so we missed our photo op. Ian is his wary self about going back to school but he will be fine. His bff from last year is in his class again so that helps.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A Rose by any other name...

These were the best snow cones ever!


I, K, N, D
Stop and smell the roses (love my cliches today)


You didn't think we left Taco at home, did you?
A different point of view of downtown
"Big Pink" aka, Grandpa's building, RIP
Are these two ever serious?

One of my (many) goals these days is to expose our family to some of the many treasures around this town. We are SO BAD at enjoying that which is in our own backyard. Today we ventured to the International Rose Test Gardens, aka Washington Park, aka the Rose Garden(Portland is the City of Roses, after all). It is probably the most photographed place in Portland. Here is a little history I found on their website:

Founded in 1917, Portland’s International Rose Test Garden is the oldest
official, continuously operated public rose test garden in the United States. In
the beginning, even though World War I was raging in Europe, hybridists sent
roses from around the world to Portland’s garden for testing and to keep the new
hybrids safe from being destroyed by the bombing in Europe.

So, that being said, we packed a picnic and headed off to smell the roses!

...10 minutes later (just kidding) we headed down to the Children's play area where we ran into our good friends the Wrights and their 3 kids who were up visiting for the day from the coast. What luck!!! We played for a while and later they joined us for a spontaneous bbq.

Visit to Rose Gardens - check!

Enjoy some shots we took of the scenery (it was a big hazy- sometimes you can see Mt. Hood, but not today), the snow cones and the roses (aka me pretending I know how to use the marco button on the camera!)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Finally, it's fair



All we ever hear is "it's not fair" about this and that. It goes both ways, they both say it. But when it comes to sleep-overs, it's particularly hard because Nate has always been ready and willing but Ian is a bit more timid about them. But he wants to so badly!

Last night after a fantastic "First Friday Friends" dinner at Mike and Angie's (thanks again, guys!) Nate wanted to stay over which was met by Ian's tears and "it's not fair!" (even though the invitation was extended to him, too!) BUT, Lauren decided that she would come home with us and Ian got to have his first ever sleep-over.

Giggling until almost 10pm and up bright and early, these two had too much fun. It's so fun to watch Ian relate to someone his own age and someone he has known all his life.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

First Day, First Grade

BMOC - no longer Kindergartener!
Annual family first day of school pic

Brotherly love!
Annual school sign pic

Big guy, big desk. Front and center to start the year!


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Interview with an (almost) First Grader

School Supplies labeled. Check.
Milk Card ordered. Check.
Volunteer sign ups. Check.
Emergency kit. Check.
Champagne chilling in the refrigerator. Check, check.
Tomorrow is the long awaited day of first grade. Long awaited by me anyway. Summer started out a bit rough but ended on a pretty good note. Today the boys got their back to school haircuts and Nate had his first (ever) soccer practice and scrimmage. Oh, you thought we were playing Fall basketball? We are. Only we don't have weeknight practices anymore. Don't ask me what we are going to do when we have dueling games on Saturdays.
So tomorrow begins First Grade. The grade with REAL desks, not just tables. The grade with REAL homework. Nate and I had a chat at bedtime about what he is thinking about first grade.
Name: Nate
Age: 6 1/2, well, almost
Shoe size: 12 1/2, but my soccer cleats are 13.
Teeth lost: 5, but trying to get out #6 before tomorrow
Most looking forward to seeing: Matthew, Cole, Nick, Samantha, Nathan
Most looking forward to what hot lunch: Popcorn chicken
Most looking forward to doing what on recess: Pokemon with Samantha
Best thing about first grade room: you get your own desk and it's closer to the bathroom than K
Best thing about summer: Playing Wii
The soccer get-up
I know someone who is going to be sad his brother is gone all day~!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Random




What Dkni Means: D is for Daring



D is for Daring



K is for Kind



N is for Normal



I is for Influential


Saturday, September 5, 2009

Our Lego Family

Our Lego House
"I"

"N"
"D"
"K"