Good things start with A

After her first day of school, I asked Kenzie how she liked school. Her reply, "It's great! This teacher does everything alphabetically! So, I am always the first and always in the front! It's sooooo much better being at the front of the line leading than at the back where you have to look at the back of everybody's head and follow somebody you don't know."

Eight and times ten plus one

Happy birthday to our September nines!

Spain v Spain

David and Daniel sported their Spanish jerseys today in celebration of meeting Borja. Luckily for Mason, Borja and his family bought him a full Spanish soccer uniform for his birthday today! Once the boys arrived, I don't think they even came in the house until dinner was served.

Hot days of soccer

Possibly our last great weekend, kids were complaining about it being too hot! Not me!

once flushed, now recovered

Another video that I once felt wasn't appropriate for the blog, but somehow my standards have changed. This one, from 2007, proves what a dude he is and always has been.

2012-13 soccer starts

Mason's team had their first game of the season. The final score was 20-1, of which Mason scored 5! The team eventually was allowed one extra player on the field, and Mason was moved to the back of the field. It's obvious that Felix and Borja's soccer influences and coaching have paid off for Mason. Notice the backward foot-flip....that's Felix. And the high kick over the goalie's head was Borja's recent addition based on observation that the opponents goalies aren't too strong at this age.

Why do they say "pulling teeth" as if it's a bad thing?

Yuck. (Video)

from the archives

I never published this video initially because I didn't find it that humorous at the time. But when I look back, it cracks me up.

New starts

Three kids and four new starts of school today.

Mason entered the 2nd grade. Kenzie started 5th grade, and she started her evening Spanish school. Borja entered the 11th grade (even though he is 15, all exchange students come in as juniors).

Not everybody was happy about the first day. But Borja only got lost one time!

Kenzie's Spanish school teacher was very impressed with her, and, of course, Kenzie likes the one on one attention. Que bueno.

Early read on this school year is that it'll be a good one all around.

Water warfare

I came home tonight to this. All the water guns were loaded. I'm sure they were about to take them outside...

Old wig

Funniest part of bringing out the old wig today happened after all the kids went to bed. Cindy and I were downstairs and heard Bentley growling. I went upstairs to see him in a deep guarded position keeping the fro safely on its perch.

Our backyard

We have lived here almost our entire lives and have rarely been to Mt. Rainier in the summer time. Today Corrin introduced us to the gondola at Crystal, which was not only an amazing ride, but an entirely fabulous afternoon. The kids were completely entertained feeding the chipmunks and the gray jays, and then we had a nice lunch with a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. Saint Helens. The weather was beautiful - it was a bit breezy, but nothing to complain about for September! Kenzie would insert here that I encouraged her to wear shorts, to which I would like to insert that I found the dog blanket in the car that she sported the entire afternoon.

Mason has his down coat on. Kenzie shed the dog blanket for this picture.

I love the look of this little guy. He...or maybe a friend of his, it's really tough to tell them apart...ran onto her leg and left scratch marks! It wasn't as alarming, though, as the little Chihuahua that bit her later. Well, actually she didn't flinch when the dog bit her, but she was highly disturbed at the reaction of the dog's owners. Kenzie came to me, horrified, and said, "Mom, some strange lady started kissing my hand."

Yah, outdoors and animals...this is a good day.

Here, snap the shot so we can go back to having fun.

Possibly our favorite shot of the day.

She's holding a cricket. This was taken seconds before the little critter hopped away, leaving one leg in her hand and forever leaning slightly left.

 A gray jay - he sat on her hand for several seconds. She said his little legs felt rubbery.

This is just awesome.

Based on the look on his face in every picture with a bird (Borja's eyes closed and flinching), I think he may prefer the chipmunks. But, look at it, that bird is a terror.

A real-life taste-test. Borja was holding a french fry and Mason grabbed a piece of chicken. Much to our surprise, the bird chose chicken. Kenzie called him Cannibal the rest of the afternoon. 

As we were leaving Mason drifted back, and this little guy got the last remaining peanut.

Mason took this shot.

Heading back down...

Time for new books

This is Kenzie's most recent "read and done" pile.