Happy Birthday Kassie!
I hope you had fun. I did. I love you, baby girl!
August 30, 2009
August 26, 2009
Just Some Photos
Things have been crazy. No energy or impetus to write much. I work. I hang with the kids and chauffeur them where they need to go. I cook, clean, sleep. We had some family in town a week ago - I must sort through those photos someday.... So anyway - here are some of the things I encounter during my routine:
Harley being goofy:
Nani wishing to go out on a walk:
Neko being an alien-wannabe:
Guppy, Harley, Kassie and Lexa in Seattle by the piers:
August 17, 2009
Pink
The Murg's aunt, uncle, cousin and German Exchange Student Lizzie ave been staying with us the last few days. Saturday we all went to the Pike Place Market in Seattle to do the touristy thing. While on the waterfront, Kassie and Lexa saw some people with pink ribbon rubber boots saying "Fill the boot for breast cancer!"
The girls each had a quarter that they brought from home to spend while in town. We walked past the Boot People, hand in hand, and Kassie started to slow down and look back over her shoulder. She asked "Are they collecting for breast cancer?" I said yes, that is what they were collecting for.
Kassie asked "Can we go back so I can give them my quarter? My teacher is a breast cancer survivor." I waited as both girls dropped their quarters in the boot. The people saw that 6 and 7 year old girls were donating and they just beamed and thanked the girls profusely. Kassie and Lexa just grinned.
As we were walking away I said "You know, Auntie Weebug is a breast cancer survivor, too." Kassie said "REALLY? Wow. I didn't know that. Well, then I'd really rather donate my quarter than spend it."
And congrats to Weebug for nine years of cancer-free living. Happy anniversary, Marti.
July 25, 2009
Finally... Another Belt Test
Harley finally tested for her high red belt yesterday! I think she did pretty good, but she said she sucked, of course. She was nervous and hadn't eaten - she swears she messed up on a kick, though nobody else seemed to notice. We were proud!
Here's the poomse part:
And here is her board break:
July 13, 2009
More Wisdom From Lexa
Yesterday, I was washing dishes and Lexa came to the kitchen to ask me a question.
She said "Mama, you know how you always put someone in charge whenever you and Daddy go out? Last time it was Kassie. Next time can it be me?" You see, when we go out, the child in charge writes up a mini status report and lets us know who was good, who was bad, who fought, etc. They also get to mediate any arguments that may arise.
I said "Sure. It can be your turn next. But remember that the oldest brother or sister is always in charge of safety - like if someone gets hurt or the house catches on fire."
So Lexa looks thoughtful for a moment and replies with "Mama, if the house catches on fire, Harley or Chace can be in charge. But before I get out of the house I will try to grab a big piece of cardboard so I can write 'homeless' on it. Okay?"
July 09, 2009
Belated Spring Cleaning
Lookie what I found! It is HK and Fee at about age 6. Can you believe this was from almost 10 years ago?
I have been cleaning out my computer/crafty room the last couple of days, so I have been finding all kinds of cool things I forgot I had. Mostly photos and books, but it's been kind of fun - for cleaning anyway. My room is so cluttered with unpacked boxes that I can't even vacuum in here. And the dog and cat hang out with me in here almost every day, so it is really in need of the vacuum cleaner.
My house has been a mess since the kids have been home for summer. They don't seem to get the concept of cleaning up after themselves. And I came down with a cold last Sunday, so I have been dragging a bit. The up side of the ibuprofen and cold medicine is that I am like a cracked out Martha Stewart. Well, almost. Cracked out and on a reorganization mission, but sans Martha style.
I am slowly snapping out of my funk, though most nights I still wake up with anxiety attacks. They are getting better, and right now I am thankful for any kind of improvement I can get. :-)
May 07, 2009
Nap Time
They are both passed out on the floor under my desk.
March 14, 2009
Day 73
It's the boy and his dog having some quality time together.
March 06, 2009
Day 65
She wouldn't wait for me to adjust my white balance settings.
March 01, 2009
Day 60
LOL.Nani looks so thrilled.
February 21, 2009
Day 52
Lexa wanted to decorate her birthday cake for her party we were having for the family. We had fun - the family came up from Vancouver and we had dinner, cake, ice cream and toys! Lexa has gotten so spoiled this year!
February 19, 2009
Day 50
Happy Birthday Lexa!!
February 18, 2009
Day 49
The wait is over! Chace got his blue belt!
February 17, 2009
Day 48
Lexa had her birthday party for her school friends at 321 Bounce this year. They all seemed to have a good time. Lexa loved all the gifts she received, and I even managed to get her to write thank you notes to everyone!
February 14, 2009
Day 45
Believe it or not, but her cheeks really were this red.
January 24, 2009
Day 24
Kassie's eye is looking much better. It is less swollen, but the purple is much darker. She has been getting sick of me documenting the various stages of her shiner, so I told her I would post a photo of her where you could see her smile, but not focus on the eye.
Bruises or not, she's still a beautiful girl to me!
January 23, 2009
Science Night!!
Last night was Science Night at the school. Mr. Toymaker was there and we all got to build toys! The funny thing is that he used to be a teacher at the kids' school like 20 years ago.
So the project was a little man who you could make balance on his head or toes, or whatever you could figure out. The kids learned about counter weights and gravity and fun things like that. They even got to hammer and saw stuff themselves! Chace even got a public recognition/shout out for his balanced sculpture that he made using all of our toys and some disassembled hammers.
And you get video, too.
January 22, 2009
Day 22
I got a call from the school nurse yesterday. Kassie got whacked in the face with a jump rope handle. They iced it, got her face cleaned up and let her go eat lunch. She was supposed to check back in with the nurse, but she felt fine - but a little embarrassed at the condition of her face. Here's a close up:
The swelling is better today, but the bruises are a bit darker.
January 17, 2009
Day 17
The "fire spitting blue dragon" is eating her dad for dinner. I had taquitos.
January 09, 2009
Sock Hop!
Our elementary school had their Sock Hop tonight. The girls just had to go, so of course I said yes, even though I really wasn't in the mood. I'm glad I did, though. Chace went as well, because he heard there was to be plenty of junk food.
The girls mostly just wanted to dance. And have photos and video* taken of them. Especially Lexa. (*video quality isn't the best because they had the lights down sort of low in the gym.)
When we got home, she made me show her all the videos of her dancing and ninja fighting. That one up there had her giggling so hard she had tears in her eyes.
About a half hour after the dancing started, they started up a hula hoop contest. Each grade competed and a prize went to the person who hooped the longest. Lexa didn't last long enough for me to get any video of her. But here's Kassie:
If you look closely, you can see Lexa in the background. Everybody was laughing because Kassie kept on going, and wouldn't stop even after they handed her the prize. She only stopped after they turned off the music. Out of all the kids int he school, Kassie and this little first grade girl were by far the best hoopers. Kassie says she is good at the hula hoop because Aunt Anne got her one to practice on.
