Their name in Lights!

Joe and Peter auditioned for and got roles in the Missoula Children's Theater Group play, "The Frog Prince", at Terminal Park. The group, MCT, started in Montana and is a traveling, all inclusive, theater group that provides direction and an adult cast member for each play. The auditions are on Monday after school, with rehearsal's all week, and performances on Friday and Saturday. A.MAZ.ING! A mother's dream!



Best things about it:
Peter auditioned and participated, as a purple spider in a group of Swamp things, and LOVED IT:




If you know Peter (my most anxious and shy child), then you know that's huge:




Joe, the one with the crown, found a new passion, Drama (with a capital D, that rhymes with P...):



He played the Castle Frog, and did a great job (not that he's dramatic or anything):



And the other best thing is that Mark was home to see it! The boys had lots of other support too, their siblings all came to it, grandma and grandpa made it, and Sis. Jones came and laughed at ALL the right spots!

"The plane, the plane.."

Anyone else remember that line from Fantasy Island? Or is that just my family that watched the cheesy show?

Just before Christmas, in the wee hours of the morning, my youngest son and I arrived at the airport for a grand adventure. Thankfully, my oldest dropped us off and spared anyone else that privilege.


The line for breakfast at the bagel shop was long:


I loved his sleepy smile while we waited:


We flew into Ontario....California, that is. Mark took us to work with him, at the airfield where he's been consulting with Boeing. The plane was beautiful (never thought I'd say that about a plane!) and top secret, so I can't show you the pictures I took. Except maybe this one which only shows Peter:


It was Mark's last week working on this project and Peter had always wanted to see where dad works. One day I noticed a sweetly hand addressed envelop to "dad", scratched out with "Mark" written over top. Later, Mark shared it with me. It was the most precious letter he had written his dad to tell him all about how much he loves him and how he wishes someday he could visit his work. So air miles and a shared hotel room with dad, and we were off!

We toured the plane with the nicest man who told Peter everything he could hope to know. Between you and me, I think Peter was having way too much fun using the buttons on the pilot's seat to move it up and down to hear much of what he said! It was a fun trip, even if traveling right before Christmas is a crazy way mess up pre-Christmas prep!

School has arrived!

School has started again, and yes, I am a little late posting a "first day of school" edition...better late than never!

My children have been blessed with good teachers. A few of them have even been great teachers. I love being a part of their lives through school by volunteering, or helping with homework, or just being a listening ear. I love education and learning!


Here are my chili peppers, as I lovingly call them, on their way out the door. Except Thomas, who slipped out before I could get a quick pic!



The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown



The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. ~Ralph W. Sockman



Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. ~Albert Einstein



Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb

4 more favorite summer activities...

1. Spontaneous outing to Seattle, via the light rail, with two of my teens:

Dinner at Red Robin's on the waterfront, a stroll along the piers, good company and a much needed break from the routine:


2. A trip to the Zoo with my youngest 3 boys and our friend Ryan:

Camel rides, baby tigers, animal shows and jellyfish...just what we needed:


3. Fishing expedition with our friend Jill (previosly posted):


4. Outing with just the boys with a stop in at a greasy burget joint, they make me smile:

It's that time of year....

Soccer time that is! Peter is playing soccer again and I must say this fall is much colder than it was when he played last spring.

His first game was SO sunny and not too cold. He is cute in his blue uniform warming up before the game:


Taking it down the field:


Posing afterwards with a fellow teammate:

7th Birthday!

We celebrated Peter's birthday at Grandma's house ON his actual birthday. We had the dinner of his choice and he wanted to decorate his own cupcakes in leiu of cake. It was a fun day!


He had fun opening gifts, a new webkinz from his siblings:


A cool pop up goal for soccer:



I love my life!

Day 24

This is Peter's friend he has had the longest here in Auburn. They've played together since they were two. Friday they got to be together all evening! Thanks E. for being his friend!




Last month, or was it the month before (hmmmm) my "oldest" friend came to visit me. By oldest I mean the friend I've had the longest. I've known her since we were both almost 5. We hung out together a lot over the years growing up, especially because we lived "close" to each other (in rural country living that means a few miles, not blocks) and liked to do tom boy things together. Climb trees, make forts, explore, raid her grandma's cookie jar, play pool...you know, the usual stuff. I always admired her. She was tougher than I was, she was way cooler than I was, and she was way funnier than I was. Luckily, she still hung out with me! Thanks Judi! Love ya!

Day 19

The other tooth fell out, finally:



This one came out while jumping on the trampoline. I think he's gonna go for world record of never actually PULLING a tooth out. At this point, he believes they just fall out when ready.

"My two front teeth..."

...are gonna fall out of his mouth while he's sleeping!

My youngest has two very loose teeth on the bottom row in his mouth. Very loose. Like fall out while chewing, or jumping on the trampoline, or the next time his brother tackles him! He says they hurt to pull out....it's a waiting game. He doesn't seem to mind waiting until they fall out.


I'm willing to wait too and let him find the way that's comfortable for him. Unlike with my older kids who suffered through teeth pulling sessions with pliers, pinned in my lap on the couch. Just kidding....sort of!