Day 1007

Our favorite former intern Andrea came downtown for lunch -  so, of course, we had to take her to the Red Coach.  She's found a "real" job now, which is great for her but so sad for us . . .

Day 1006

New jammies in honor of Halloween.  The bones glow in the dark, so I had the kids "hide" in the bathroom and then we lured Daddy in so that they could scare him.  This is Parker's "that was awesome" face - complete with kindergarten gang signs.

Day 1005

Artist of the Day: Kaitlyn
Subject: A Barn
The writing along the bottom is her name and then the work "Mom."  She has been working really hard on being able to write "Mom" all by herself, without looking at the word written first.

Day 1004

Parker brought home a backpack filled with books about turtles which we sat and read after dinner.  The whole time he cuddled with the bean-bag turtle that also came in the back pack.  We had remind him that we did have to give the turtle back when we were finished, because he was getting pretty attached.

Day 1003

It's book fair time at preschool this week.  Kaitlyn picked out a book that had pretend make-up to go along with the story. She sat so quietly on the couch reading her book and applying her make-up - too cute, I couldn't resist snapping a photo.

Day 1002

Kaitlyn had a homework assignment that the whole family got to help with.  Along with a family picture, we needed to trace all of our hands for a poster.  She was pretty excited about having "homework" because she has seen Parker have reading homework and she's felt a little left out.

Day 1001

While Les was fixing the dry wall in the garage, the kids and I escaped out into the sunshine.  We went to Field's Bridge Park and went for a walk along the river.  We stopped and looked at slugs and spiders and bugs and looked out across the river at geese and ducks and jumping fish.  After the park we headed to Target - doesn't get much better than that.

Day 1000

(Wow seriously Day 1000?!?)

Here is Parker's drawing and writing from school about going to the Timber's game with Daddy.  Seeing him getting those "words" on paper is pretty great - sure they may not be spelled out completely, but he is really starting to get it.

Day 999

So this came home from preschool with Kaitlyn.  I think it's pretty cool that the school took the time to record this kid of thing - a self portrait, her signature, some of her favorites.  Personally, I love that she choose "mommy" for the thing she loves.

Day 998

Parker's first Timber's game was a HUGE success.  I think it helped that the Timbers scored a goal pretty quickly and the crowd went wild.  Parker was so hungry and had to go to the bathroom, but wouldn't leave the seats until halftime. By the end of the game he was finally ready to leave, but only because it was so late and he was tired.

Day 997

Daddy's choice for dinner tonight was English Muffin pizzas - of course, Chef Kaitlyn was on hand to lend her cooking expertise.  (Mommy wasn't feeling well so took a quick nap while dinner was being made).

Day 996

It's picture day for Kaitlyn - we lucked out with this fabulous hand-me-down outfit from Rebekah.  The argyle knee socks are awesome - both Kaitlyn and I agree, she needs more of them.

Day 995

With Les still in Vegas, Miss Carrie accompanied the kids and me to the Circus and the Rose Garden.  We literally had ring side seats - front row seats.  I don't think I'd ever been that close to elephant (or the trained camels!).  The kids were mesmerized (and therefore well behaved!) and didn't want it to be over.  Afterwards getting out of the garage was a nightmare, but at least the kids had left over popcorn.

Day 994

Les' and Job's last full day in Vegas - here's a shot of the "TI" the hotel that they were staying in for this trip.  Last on their list: More Poker.

Day 993

Parker's class went to the library for the first time today.  He was very excited to share his "karate" book with me and Kaitlyn.

Day 992

Parker brought this picture home from school, it is a drawing of himself, Grandpa and Les on the couch at Grandpa's house watching football. 

Day 990

Of course since he was already in Las Vegas . . . Les had Job fly down and meet him for a "'guy-cation" after his business was over.  First on their list: Poker.

Day 990

Les had to travel to Las Vegas for work - poor guy right?

Day 989

It's time to say goodbye to the goatee for a while, and, of course, Les can't resist trying out a different mustache before shaving the whole thing.  Dead sexy :)

Day 988

Sunday means football at Grandpa's.  Parker had been talking about his marbles at dinner and Grandpa told him to bring them over so he could show him how to play.  (Once again the best husband comes through with this sweet photo of the two of them playing together.)

Day 987

Parker and Kaitlyn seemed to think that bringing all of there toys from the bedroom to the entry way was a good idea . . .

Day 986

Everyday this red folder comes home with Parker, filled with information, classwork and homework too.  I am looking forward to seeing his work come home and being able to see all of the things he is learning about.

Day 985

Every morning Parker's entire school has Morning Meeting in the school gym - parents welcome.  The Kindergartners get to sit right up in the front and after the meeting, they all walk to the classroom as a group.

Day 984

He may look a bit overwhelmed, but Parker was so excited to head out the door for his first day of Kindergarten.  He's going for a full day and then takes a bus over to KinderCare until we are finished with work.  When he got home, we asked what he did that day - the first thing he said was: "We had THREE recesses!"  Kaitlyn was more upset then anyone else, she really didn't want Parker to go to school without her.

Day 983

Can I say again how much I like this frame in the kitchen?  This style of art so appeals to me and I love being able to swap out new prints for less than $20.00.  Here is our September print in honor of Parker starting Kindergarten.

Day 982

The last day of camping is always bittersweet.  You are ready to head home to a nice shower and a comfortable bed, but it's also time to say good-bye to friends and family.  Weather-wise this is one of the nicest years we've had in a while.  The kids are getting so grown-up; it's fun to see them all playing so well together.  Until next year . . .

Day 981

So I love everything about this picture - the color, the composition, the reflection on the water - I just wish the kids were looking at the camera!  We spent another lovely day on the water.  Kay and her brother Mark joined us for the afternoon.  Mike cooked is world famous chicken for dinner and Parker continued to be the lucky charm for dominoes.  A great day.

Day 980

For the first time since Kaitlyn was born, the weather was nice enough to bring out the Jet Ski.  All the kids loved riding on the ski - going fast and doing crazy spins.  We spent all afternoon on the little island where the two forks of the Lewis River meet.  Later in the evening, Les headed into town for the Hall and Oates concert. 

Day 979

As we get into full swing of Labor Day Camp out, Parker has discovered a passion for dominoes.  He played quite contentedly by himself for a long while and the later in the afternoon proceeded to dominated all the adults in Chicken Foot.

Day 978

Today was the Open House at Parker's school.  We got to visit his classroom and meet his teacher.  He got to see the table where he'd sit everyday and see his cubby/locker too.  The classroom has back door that opens out to a fenced garden area, that should be wonderful for outside lunches and mini-recesses. Parker was really excited and his teacher seems very nice.  Just a few more days until Kindergarten starts . . .