Since it has been so long since the last post - so much has/is happening.
Here's some quick updates -
Late Winter/Early Spring
The best word to describe these months - CHOICES.
Many of them - some easy, some not so easy.
The biggest choice was what high school to choose for K. She got into all the high schools she applied to -so we then had to decide which one. Thanks to the family and friends that listened to me agonize (over and over) about this decision. Yes we finally chose the one in the south end and so far it has proved to be a great choice (see below).
Other choices were Kit and K's choices.
Kit's big choice was who to choose for her final biography book report. She was on the fence between the Virgin Mary and Taylor Swift! What a nut - I think this is hilarious - I don't think you could be at farther ends of the spectrum. The book report involved not only a poster, but you had to dress like the person and present the facts. She was all about dressing like the Virgin Mary or like Taylor Swift - she even had the costumes all selected.... And then the final day came to decide and declare who you were selecting - Kit chose .... Joan of Arc!!! I did not see that one coming - but she thought it was the perfect "compromise". She did great on the report and made a wonderful Joan of Arc - we even scored some awesome white boots at the thrift store for the outfit for 68 cents.
Similar story for K - she was assigned a research paper - it could be on ANYTHING - any topic she chose. I am providing ideas like health care reform, environmental impact of big industry, alternate energy sources, Mac vs. PC... She ignores all of them an one day states, "Actually I am trying to decide between ... Goats or Ireland!!!" Really? Well -goats won out. It was a good report and quite informative about Taz and Rusty (and goats in general). She did wait until the last minute to put it all together but was still able to score an A!!!
THE END OF THE BEGINNING
The flagship/first Red Robin Closed it's doors in the Spring - we of course had to go one last time to the restaurant location that began it all!!!
PERFORMANCES
Kit had a violin recital.
K had her final middle school band performance and her annual spring Irish Dance Recital.
SCHOOL'S OUT!
School ended with a bang -
K graduated with High Honors and is on to high school! We attended a very nice graduation mass followed by a brunch with slide show and posters for each student. Then in the evening there was a very nice graduation ceremony. Great Job K!!
Kit is on to 4th grade and will be allowed into Iowa. The joke about being "allowed into Iowa" is a family joke about the standardized test they give to 4th graders - the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Kit was concerned when she was taking it and so I began joking that if she did not pass it - the only implication would be that she would not be allowed into Iowa!! I hate standardized tests!! However, she did very well and should not have any problems getting into Iowa - or any other state!!
SUMMER
Summer has been full of summer camps for Kit and figuring out what to do with a teenager for the entire summer.
Kit has enjoyed themed day camps with her school's extended day program - then attended day horse camp last week.
K has been filling her days at home playing Wii; reading; using her laptop (web surfing, emailing, creating garage band songs and home movies); and reading. Yes I said reading twice - so far she has re-read the entire Harry Potter series, some Warriors, other misc... Everything except her required summer reading for high school!!!
Last week K attended overnight horse camp and had so much fun she is going back in early August!!
K's evenings include Irish Dance practice and marching band. The big Feis (Irish Dance Competition) is next weekend so she is gearing up for that.
The high school has a marching band - it is awesome. She is getting to know some of her classmates and getting to march in a total of 7 Seafair parades!!! An added bonus is that siblings get to be in the parade carrying the banner - so Kit gets to be part of marching in the parades as well.
VACATION
Due to summer camp schedules, marching band schedules, and our work schedules - we only had 4 days that we could take a family/summer vacation. So we went to Spokane, a place which I and the girls had never been. It was a very fun time and I think Spokane is a cute little city. It is kind of like stepping back into the 1980's!! The 80's rule!!! We stayed right downtown by the river which has a river path that stretches for 60 miles I was told by a local. We did a driving loop up to Sand Point then to Coeur d' Alene and it was beautiful.
We visited Grand Coulee dam on our way back. I never realized how many dams there were in Washington!! And I learned that all the hydro power that is generated in Washington is not owned by Washington (which I thought is was), but by Bonneville Power Admin/Federal Government!!! I am not sure why I thought Washington owned the power, nor am I sure why I find this so interesting, I just do!! I guess maybe I wondered what was happening to all the $$ - now I know!!
It was a short, yet fun little get-a-way.
Speaking of get-a-ways, I also just snuck away on mini vacation with my sister L - in celebration of her 50th Birthday. She wouldn't let me throw her a big party, so I made her go to Leavenworth with me. We had a great time together!!
That's it for now - need to get going to take J and E back to Auntie T and go visit the goats who are on loan to Auntie T to eat up the weeds in her back yard at her new place.
I take more cold medicine
Did you know that Maui boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets - made even more grand by my kids in them!!!
Some of the rules for the trip - we found this list the first night in Maui at "Cheeseburger Island Style". I would love to say rule #1 was followed - however confined to a one room hotel with a teenager and a 9 year old - there was some whining!!!
I wish they always got along like that - in the wave is Boogie Board Dad - we couldn't get him out of the surf - killer waves on Tuesday and Wednesday - the ultimate for boogie boarding!!
The trip to Haleakala - 37 miles of winding road - but was worth the drive. On the way down - Kit was quite excited as we drove through the clouds - she was reaching out the car window "grabbing" the clouds and exclaiming - "I can't believe I am touching the clouds!" It was so fantastic to experience this through her eyes!!! I had never really thought about how spectacular it is to "touch" the clouds.
And now we have some sunglasses - K looks about 21 in her sunglasses - how quick they grow up!!
Boogie Board Dad - carting all the towels and gear to the beach!!!
Another Maui sunset with my beautiful kids - this was right before the Luau.
