Les Miserables

A friend posted a photo on Facebook of her and her daughter going to see Les Miserables in Portland, and I had a moment of panic because we had tickets for that same show, but had we missed it?  I dashed upstairs, heart racing, and found the tickets. We hadn't missed it! Our tickets were for Saturday, and it was Tuesday. Phew! Greg surprised me at Christmas with tickets to see the show, but we never put it in the calendar! So glad we got to go. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing. The vocal talent blew me away. It's just so fun to see a live musical with a live orchestra. I loved the show!

Summer is here!

We had our first pool swim of the year on Sunday. Just an hour later, a dark, loud thunderstorm rolled in. Spring/summer in Oregon! Miles' birthday party was that evening, and they had to move the party inside. It was drying by the end, though. I like this photo. It represents my kids' love for Miles, wearing the vests he asked them to wear. Kari, especially, hates dressing up but wore the vest to make Miles happy.

Jen and I were picking strawberries when unexpected rain clouds left us pretty well.  It was warm, though, and we both had hats. :) I've picked a lot of strawberries this year. I picked 60 lbs in four hours the first time I went and had some pretty sore legs for days afterward. I listened to an audiobook when I went alone. It was great! Mom and Dad bought 25 of the 60 lbs, so I didn't come home with quite as many as it sounds. I took the kids, plus Kate, a second time, and we picked about 30 lbs in 45 minutes. When I went with Jen it was mostly to chat and help her get a bunch of berries for her family. I enjoy picking berries and find it satisfying. Feels good to look at the fruits of my labor, literally. :) We ate a ton of strawberries this last week and shared a bunch, too.  Oregon Hood berries are the best!

This week after school got out has been a week of driving kids to camps. I drove in circles for four days straight. It was kinda fun, as I was able to chat with friends who also were coming and going, but I'll be glad later today when it comes to an end. We were getting our house painted, and I'm sure the painters thought we were crazy since I was only home for a few minutes at a time and was driving different kids back and forth all day. Our house looks great, though! It's pretty much the same colors as before, just a different color trim (a greenish grey) and a slightly darker red for the door and shutters. I love it!

Here was the schedule Monday-Thursday:

9:00 take Kari to Barlow for tennis camp

10:00 take Joel to Gordon Russell for basketball camp

10:30 take Aubrey to West Orient for basketball camp

11:30 pick up Kari

12:00 pick up Joel

12:30 pick up Aubrey

1:00 take Joel and Grant to Barlow for tennis camp

3:30 pick up from tennis camp 

4:00 take kids to Barlow for tennis academy (M/T/Th)

6:00 pick up kids from tennis academy (M/T/Th)

I only forgot a kid once :) And it was the one with a phone. Grant and I had just gotten home when she called, and we zipped over to Barlow. We were only 9 minutes late. Not too bad for the craziness of the week. ;-) At least that's what I'm telling myself. 

On Wednesday, the girls and I went shopping while the boys were at tennis camp. They each had gift cards to spend and some ideas of things they wanted to purchase. We ended our shopping time with Blizzards. It was such a fun afternoon! I've wondered if this day would ever come--the day when I'd go shopping both my girls, and all of us would enjoy it. Treasuring this time. 

Last days of school

Kari got done three days earlier than the other three. She got to go on a fun day trip to Hood River with some friends (Ellie's dad got big time dad points for driving them!).

Last day of 8th grade. 

Last day of 6th grade

Last day of 4th grade 

Last day of 1st grade 

On their way to the bus for the last time this school year!

Grant rode the bus with his 5th grade buddy, Gracie, for the last time today. She's on to middle school! She's been so sweet to Grant this year. We have the best neighbors!

Joel came home with a "Hard Hat" Award for extraordinary work ethic and attitude. Proud of him!

No more school!

End of the School Year

We celebrate with a lunch-packing countdown every year. This was on the night we only had 4 more days of lunches to pack! So exciting. I have an unreasonable, illogical aversion to lunch-packing. I dread it. And so I rejoice when we get to just eat lunch at home.

Kari and her friends are starting to hang out with boys. (!)  This was at Oaks Park for the last day of 8th grade.

Field day was the second-to-last-day of school this year. The kids had a beautiful 80 degree day for their Hot Squads and field day. It's so much fun to watch them do their routine each year. This year's Hot Squads included the "flossing" dance. So funny to see the whole school "flossing" together! :)

Random Bits

I was sorting Grant's laundry for him, and saw some very small items that should have been taken out of drawers long ago. These pajama shorts were size 3T!  Our 7 1/2 year old probably shouldn't be trying to wear those anymore. I had a whole pile of too-small clothes by the time I finished going through his drawers. I had to discard of them while he was at school, so he wouldn't protest. He hasn't even noticed they're gone--mission accomplished. 

Snapped a quick photo of this rare sighting of affection between Kari and Aubrey. Kari's not a hugger, so you have to enjoy it when she decides to show affection without being coerced.

This is a quote Mom Moffat shared with us when we were out to dinner with them. It was an embroidery that belonged to her mom, and it was something she used to say a lot. I asked Michelle to take a picture of it (it's hanging in their bedroom now), so I could share it with Kari. We've been talking a lot about smiling and being friendly, even when we're feeling uncomfortable and would rather keep to ourselves. I loved it--"Smile for the joy of others."

Spring allergies have been in full-force lately. I ended up sick with sinus infection and have been struggling this last month with allergies, but I do love the flowers the bloom in the spring, especially Great-Grandma Harrington's rose bush that Dad propagated for me. Flowers just make me happy.

8th Grade Promotion

We officially have one moving on to high school. Kari's 8th grade promotion was a bigger deal than we realized, or at least, some people seemed to think it was a bigger deal. :) Kari's accomplishments were impressive, though, and she was recognized multiple times--President's Award, Honor Roll, 4.0, WOMS Leader, and Citizenship Award. We are proud of her and the way she has middle school with determination, integrity, and grace. It's not easy!

It took a long time to find the right dress, but she finally found one she liked and felt good in. Those are my shoes she's wearing. She was going to wear some taller ones but decided she didn't want to risk tripping or falling on stage. Good decision, I think. :-)