Birthday Festivities Part 2 - the actual birthday!

Karina's birthday fell on Sunday, the day of the annual Children's Program at church. She was less than thrilled to have to speak in front of all those people on her birthday! (And I was less than thrilled to be in charge of it, to be honest!)

That evening, we had a little family party for her, with dinner and a cake she and her dad made. She received a new bike that she had to try out before it got too dark.

Adding to the fun of her birthday, and to our weekend in general, was a visit from Grandma & Grandpa B from California. They came to watch soccer, get drug around the corn maze with us, and celebrate with this lucky girl. It meant a lot that they made the long drive to be with us.

Birthday Festivities, Part 1

Karina turned 8 years old on October 19! She celebrated with her friends a week earlier by inviting 10 of them to a pool to swim, and then back to our house for cake and games. The theme was "beach monkey" (she had planned on Hannah Montana, but then invited 2 boys, so that just wouldn't do!).

Here are Karina's great friends. They had a ton of fun at the pool!

In the goody bags were these glasses and vampire teeth. A silly fun time was had by all! (What would a gathering of Karina's friends be without a little silliness! Right up her alley!)

Seattle's Team

A couple of weeks ago we went to watch the Mariners play. They had a pretty bad season (100 losses, ouch!), but they're still "our team." Jarrett received a gift card from some of his friends as he left his former employer. They were so very generous that all four of us were able to sit in box seats and enjoy a game up close.


Here's Ichiro . . .





One of the Mariners (closer JJ Putz) threw Tristan a ball, and the moose signed it.

Hanging out before the game . . . Teixeira from the Angels waved at the kids, but we were on the wrong side of the field to get his autograph (he was the only one we saw signing).






Here's JJ Putz here in the middle


This is an Angel - leave a comment if you know his name - I don't remember but he once won the HR Derby, I guess!

Recent Pictures

It's time to liven this blog up a little bit. Here are some random pictures I've taken in the last few weeks.

This is a desk we got for free and gave it a coat of paint and new knobs. Karina loves the new addition to her room.


I discovered a blog that shows how to do cute hairstyles for girls. Now that Karina's almost 8, I like doing hair when she'll let me. I've even learned how to french braid! (Here's the link.)


I finally took a picture of one of my flower pots from in front of the garage. I think I did good choosing the plants this year.


A picture of the front yard. The impatiens didn't go as crazy this year.


We currently have a mole problem! Don't tell PETA, but Jarrett's got traps set at the other end of the yard.

I got a job!

I was hired by our school district as a substitute paraeducator. My first sub job was yesterday. The coordinator kind of "warned" me that this was a high needs special ed class at an elementary school. When I got there, a 2nd grade boy was wailing in the bathroom. He was the one I was supposed to work with. Luckily they let the experienced ladies get him calmed down. Once they did, about an hour later, you'd never know he was ever upset. He had a service dog I got to hold onto at recess - a beautiful golden retriever. Then later I went to a different classroom with 4th and 5th grade students who were working around the 1st grade level. They were so loving and sweet (most of the time). I had a really good time getting to know them, taking them to recess, helping them with seatwork, reading to them, etc. I had really not been around special needs kids too much, other than a few in Primary, and I surprised myself at how I handled little challenges. I was a little petrified I was going to lose them at recess, but everyone made it back to class okay. I think the other teachers/paraeducators probably thought I was not firm enough, but it's hard to know how much to push when you're not familiar with the children. I treated them how I would want my child to be treated.

Anyway, it felt really good to be of help in that way, and make a little money besides. I just check a web site on mornings I feel like working, and if there's something there that will work with my kids' schedule, I can work. We'll see how it goes - so far so good!

Not much to say . . .

It must be obvious by now that I can't think of anything to blog about. My buddies are back in school, so I see them relatively few hours each day. Jarrett is of course at work, which is going pretty well, we think. But my time without them all here is not very interesting! I'm sure you don't care about my trip to Safeway today, or my cycling workout yesterday. But I am thankful for a "boring" life, because it means a lack of turmoil. I know that I am so fortunate, even with nothing to blog about.

Back to School

We had a terrific summer, but last Tuesday it was time for the kids to head back to school! Yeah!! ;) We started shopping at the beginning of August for school supplies (Karina had waited all the way until August when we had gotten the school supply list in June!) and clothes soon after that. This year, both Tristan and Karina were very active in choosing their clothes. (They did well, don't ya think?)
This year Tristan is in 5th grade, which at his school is the oldest! He has a homeroom teacher and goes to other classrooms for science and math. The science teacher did a very cool experiment with an egg and bunson burner the first day of school, so Tristan made a goal to "Be a better scientist." This spring he will get to go to science camp for 3 days and he can hardly wait! This is the last year both kids will be at the same school.

Karina wanted curlers in her hair so she could have curls on the first day of 2nd grade. Karina's teacher is very into art, so Karina is excited to learn from her. Thankfully, one of her very best friends is in her class, so she doesn't have to search for her on the playground. This helps with playground anxiety so much!

What am I going to do all day, you might wonder. Like last year, I try to hit the gym every morning, and then take care of the house in the afternoon. Maybe I'll get some of those projects from last year crossed off my list. (Maybe I won't.) Maybe I'll cook dinners ahead and freeze them. Maybe I'll find a new hobby, or work harder at my volunteer jobs with church, school or the HOA. I've toyed with the idea of a part-time job, too. But I've only had four days to enjoy so far - I'll let you know when (if) I actually feel like I have time to fill up. :)