Reader #2

Tubing

Sarah, Lauren, a couple of exchange students, and I took the kids inner-tubing on Presidents Day. Kenzie was too big to go with an adult, which didn't disappoint her in the least. She beat me off the side of the cliff. At one point I saw her speeding head-first down the mountain with her arms outstretched to each side as if she knew I was looking and she was saying, "Look Ma, No Hands...and there's nothing you can do about it."

Mason went down on his own a few times too, but preferred the high speed cuddle time with either Sarah or Lauren. I think he let me take him once, but that was only because there was no viable alternative nearby.

Kissing bandit

Mason's teacher was giggling when Cindy picked him up yesterday, and revealed that we had a Kissing Bandit on our hands. Mason had hid behind a wall waiting for the girls to pass. As soon as one did, he jumped out, kissed the back of her head, and then retreated before she could turn around to see who it was. As she was describing this a little girl (not the "girlfriend" Emma) came running up to him, arms outstretched, gave him a big hug, then turned to her mother and said, "I love him."

Somebody help me.

While I had the chance in a quiet moment today, I asked Mason if he thought it was okay to kiss girls without them saying it was okay. He smiled and said, "it's kinda inappropriate." Well, at least we agree there.

I told him it's okay for him to kiss his family, but probably better to stick to hugs or high fives with his friends. He asked if he could kiss his sister. I said, "yes." He thought, then got a sad look on his face and said, "but she won't let me kiss her." (As I thought, "unless there is a camera facing her and she can pose for it.")

Oh, yes, that is a new black eye, possibly two. Kenzie and he collided for the right eye, and Cameron and he the next day for the left.

Kid stack

Proud parent moment!

As you read in an earlier post, I had the cool opportunity to teach P.E. at Kenzie's school on a day she would have P.E. As I opened the door for her class to come in the gym, I was greeted with big smiles from her classmates who were saying "You're Kenzie's Mom!, You're Kenzie's Mom!" and then a big hug from my Kenzaroonie. She and I were the coolest kids on the block. At one point, I could hear a kid say to her "Your Mom is really nice".
At lunchtime, we were surrounded by a lot of her friends. She introduced me to everyone around, even a new girl in her class and other kids who were not even in her class. Kids were coming up to her to say "hi" and she would say "this is my Mom". I had the greatest time talking with her and her little friends. I received a few hugs too (even from a boy). We both felt so proud.
The next morning, I received a call to go back to Clark Elementary and substitute for a full day Kindergarten class and was able to hang out again with Kenzie and her friends at lunch time. I am going to enjoy those moments because I don't know how long I will still be "cool" to sit next to with her friends around so I will just enjoy it for now. I still get a big smile on my face when I think about those two days at lunchtime. I will remember them forever. I think we both will.
This morning she was disappointed to find out that I was not going to be working today. I think she was hoping for another lunch date. I can't wait to go back there again!

My little boy

My little boy
with big brown eyes

Plays with toys
and things that fly

He loves his sister
and follows her around

He calls her "disder"
and knows where she can be found

Peanut butter and honey
is his lunch call

And I think he'll cost us money
with so many times he falls.

I love you Mason!

My little girl

My little girl
with big brown eyes

Loves to twirl
and make mud pies

She likes to doodle
and read all night

Eat her chicken noodle
and paint her nails bright

At times she can be a little stinker
with her little bro in tow

But she is always a Thinker
and I love her so!

First love

I heard a rumor so decided to ask Mason about it.

"I heard you have a girlfriend."

His eyes twinkle, he shrugs his shoulders, smiles, and says, "yeah..."

"What's her name?"

He replies, "Emma."

"Is she nice? What does she look like?"

I hadn't seen this expression before...a shy, embarrassed smile: "She has long hair."

"What color is it?"

"Um, I don't know." Okay, must not be too serious yet.

Anticipation

Cindy accepted a substitute teaching job tomorrow at Kenzie's school...for PE...and Kenzie has PE tomorrow! Both of them are pretty excited about it. Kenzie mentioned tonight that she had better behave or she would get sent to the principal's office. "And I know she would do it."

Reader

I was sitting here and heard Kenzie laughing out loud. She's reading a Juney B. Jones book and just cracking up. This is such a typical sight these days that I just had to capture it.

Groundhog and bug eyes

Mason's preschool does such a good job at creating cute little projects to celebrate special events, such as Ground Hog Day. The little potato critter came with a shed to block the sun.

Kenzie tells me that he did see his shadow today, so six more weeks of winter. Mason shows off his matching eyes.

Housing plans

Quick update on our expansion project, where we are trying to put a house on our property right next to ours that June and Bob will move into. About six weeks ago they listed their house, thinking it would take time in this depressed economy to sell. With less than 30 days, they had a compelling offer! Last week the house closed...which leaves them "in transitional housing." (Bob likes to say they're homeless, but that's not really true - they are staying with us and with Cindy's brother.) We are doing everything we can to push the city of Issaquah to issue our permit, but have several more hoops to hurl ourselves through before that can happen. We had a backhoe out here last week, so that we could do a soils survey. (I'm still not sure why an old fashioned shovel wouldn't have worked just fine.) We have to post signs, complete a SEPA review, hire an elevation surveyor, and a bunch of engineering acronymn paperwork before we get a green light.

We have a house picked out (hurray) and just need to see when we can break ground!

Christmas in January

With all the crazy weather in December and January, our church delayed our pagaent until January. Kenzie as a shepard and Mason was a cow. Kenzie had a bunch of lines to memorize (all of hers plus all of her brothers). She took very naturally to the microphone, and he just used his natural booming voice.