A little late

I just found a card with some pictures from San Diego. Missing this as we look out to the super soggy Seattle spring.

Kenzie's supporters

We had a nice collection of people connect with Kenzie and learn about her play. On the first night, in addition to grandparents, about six of her girlfriends showed up, then they all went to dinner after. We heard the shreaking down the street as we drove by. They had a blast. And, of course, there's another picture of David holding Ermias.

Little Richie

Mason's concerts are really fun. They're about 20 minutes in length and many kids get individual speaking parts. Mason was Little Richie and he hammed it up.



Mrs. Watkins does such a great job - they all love her.

Aladdin

Kenzie's school put on an Aladdin production. She auditioned and got a part in the ensemble. This weekend they have three performances. It's a great production and the kids do a fantastic job. Kenzie is

Kenzie has the silver sparkly top and long yellow dress. Her big moment comes at 1:07.

Boys at 3rd grade concert

My date

We went for sushi, then Nordstrom for a quick makeup and wardrobe refresh. Now to the Lion King at the Paramount. 

Cindy's dates

Big baseball brother

What happens when boys sneak Kenzie's phone

Ding and Dong

Ugh not again...

Extra credit

This is the first paragraph of an extra credit writing assignment of Kenzie. 

Glam

Hair

Brainiacs

Name

Kindergarten report card

Done with basketball

They signed each other's t-shirts. 

I have no idea why Merino is asleep on Mason's shoulder. 

Stretch

New bike!

Used my REI discount for the first time today! Ermi got a new bike for his birthday!

 

And, somehow my shopping "helper" scored too. I'm still not sure how that happened. 

 

Bat Boy

Bike Gang

First/seventh birthday

Last night I asked Ermias if he ever had a birthday in Ethiopia. He said he did, then he shook his head no. I asked if he had songs for his birthday. He said no. And no cake either. So today was his special day. To make it the best birthday ever, David and Daniel came up, and David stayed the whole day (while Daniel went to his basketball tournament). Then he was lavished by friends and family with an impromptu birthday party.

Running free

Two for two

Mason had two games and scored in both today. He is guest playing for the C team and they won 1-0. His regular B team won 3-2. I don't know how Cindy got this on video because she only took this snippet and one other the entire game.

His regular coach was worried about him playing the game right before his "real" game. The C team coach was instructed to only play him a little bit. That didn't happen.

Job change

Tomorrow is the day I start my new job. After a decade with Nordstrom, I forgot what it's like to be new. Nothing is familiar...people, places, or ideas. The flip side of that coin is that everything is new...a chance to start fresh, bring in new perspectives, and reenergize. 

It's been radical for the kids to think of me working at a new place. All they have known is that Mommy works at Nordstrom. To say that Mommy works at REI means change, and change is especially hard for kids. 

We drove past the REI campus this weekend. They were less than fully interested. I realize that as kids they don't really understand what my day is like, they just want to know that their lives aren't going to change. But, because my last few months have been rather lax with travels to Ethiopia, holidays, resigning and then vacations, working a 40 hour week will be change! 

I think it's good to show them that we all continue to change, and that change may not be comfortable but it can be very good. So, onward to the next chapter!

Our girl

These guys.

Yesterday we stopped by Grammy and Grampy's to say hello. Randy, Sary-Jo and the boys were there. Ermias was the first to the door and literally fell across the threshold as he rushed in to see them. He threw himself toward David, then climbed up his leg as David was bending over to pick him up. They are absolutely adorable together. Tonight they came up for a longer visit and I don't think those two stopped touching each other. All five of them play really well together--but the energy level never dips below high. (Kenzie wasn't feeling well so she was upstairs when the pictures were taken.)