Dad's Mt. Rainier Trip

Jeff took his students up to Mt. Rainier again this year.  The week was marked with early SNOW, so instead of planting in the sub-alpine meadows, the students helped the Re-Vegitation crew in the Paradise Village area with groundskeeping tasks--weeding, limbing trees, and replanting native ferns.  Jeff will always remember that it rained on them for THREE STRAIGHT DAYS and finally, the clouds parted as they were driving home.

We survived here at home without Dad...somehow!  With the help of a lot of others!  Of course this was the week of my Open House, so Colleen watched the kids that day and then she and Scott entertained in the evening for me.  Sweet collaboration!  And then a sweet reunion on Friday when Dad came home...

Smokey's Favorites

I don't know who Smokey is, but I agree with his preferences.  A weekend favorite at our house.

Fall Soccer and G'ma Joan Visits

These two are playing on the same team again this year--we wouldn't want it any other way!  Grace is playing, too...and this particular weekend, G'ma Joan came to watch a game because she had her Sacred Heart School of Nursing reunion.  G'ma time is so precious.  Papa came too--he stayed at Katie's because there was a WSU game, I think?  :)

Kaitlyn's off to Austria!!!

Our Kaitlyn is off to Austria!  She's taking an RA/RD position for Portland students who are studying in Salzburg.  Can you believe it?!?  We are so excited for her--this job combines two of her passions: other cultures and college students!  She came up from Portland to say goodbye to us...a sweet visit.

Micah's First Day of PreSchool!

Youngest child DABBING for his first day of school pic.  Of course.  Micah's going to the Colbert Presbyterian Co-op Preschool this year--and I get to help on Tuesday mornings!

But just the day before, we took Granny to Greenbluff...we call Mondays "Mommy Micah Mondays," and we usually try to rope Granny into some sort of fun on these days.

Josh read Dad to sleep again.

#parentinghazard

Grandparent's Day at Fairwood

We celebrated Grandparents' Day in GREAT fashion and company--Granny and GG hosted us at their  Grandparents Day BBQ this year--complete with balloon animals, a petting zoo, and face paint!

Cabela's Photo Scavenger Hunt

Three teams.  Three pictures.  Only one can win.  Set in the wily aisles of the most rustic consumer environment yet, stay tuned to see who will win in this race against time...and real stuffed animals.

In the tent to decide on a winner...

First Day Notes for Mom and Dad and Micah

GRIT--noun--the ability to stick with something...especially when it's hard.

GRIT seemed to be the buzzword of the year for educators...Jeff and I were both talking about this with our students.  Growth Mindset 2017-18!

Micah came home pretty tired from the kids' first day of school--he got to go to Slick and Bama's and he played with the boys!  He fell asleep while we were watching Men in Blazers that evening, and Daddy Tweeted on him...and then Rog and Davo RETWEETED it worldwide.  Famous in his sleep.

And here's Melissa and I...starting our EIGHTH year of job-sharing the next day.  This year we started the year with THIRTY students...heaven help us!

First Day of 2nd and 4th grades!

This girl started 4th grade with Mrs. Robeson this year.  She was excited to wear a dress on the first day, and seeing as she's a summer girl and loves the Fourth and sunny months, this dress was the perfect choice: school is starting, but summer will forever be in her heart!  :)

 his boy started 2nd grade with Mrs. Whorton today.  He was so excited for school to start, and when we entered the school, he walked down the hallway, greeting kids with their names and a big wave.  Our social butterfly.

And this child of ours was going to start preschool the following week, but was happy to accompany his siblings to school on the first day.  He'd been telling EVERYONE..."You know, I'm starting preschool this year."

 Josh was giddy with school excitement.  I hope he's always this happy about school!

And I was so proud of Grace, inviting the other Grace to sit beside her, after we noticed that she was all on her own at another table.  So kind.  I hope that she always notices others!