OSU Football Game & Construction Site Tour

Mark has been doing a lot of work over the years at OSU. He loves it. This year, the architects and construction crew working on the Linus Pauling building hosted a tailgait and tour of the building - that is still in the works. We loaded up the kids and headed to Corvallis. It was so much fun....although REALLY hot. I hadn't really explored that campus before, and it is beautiful. The "kids" seem really down to earth and I love seeing people in that phase of their life because I savored every moment of my college experience. That said, I did feel REALLY OLD walking around with three kids and my bag full of treats and water...and no beer :)  

The building Mark is working on is REALLY cool and the other areas he has worked on are really neat -- like cool roads....the life of a civil engineer.

It was great family night.

That said, today may be a bit brutal with two soccer games and a basketball practice on very little sleep.

Oh well......take the moments when you can get them.... right?

Chapman Swift 2014

As my friends know, seeing the Chapman Swifts is one of my favorite things AND the Watson Family is one of my favorite families......so the night was going to be good. We had a blast. The weather was incredible -- we are still having 80s and 90 -- and it was the first time I didn't bring a sweatshirt to wear on the way home.  Dan brought glow sticks, which brought an extra amount of joy. I heart Fall in PDX. 

Dare You to Not Smile

This was on the wall in Henry's classroom. I dare you not to smile.

Bridge of the Goddess

Bridge of the Gods is one my favorite places on earth. I find it magical. I had wanted to have our wedding out there - but then the drive back to Portland and people drinking and driving scared me. That said - when Run Paula Run said they were going to do a run there, I was ALL in. I trained, but then got pneumonia - which slightly kicked my ass. In Hood River my sister and I had a INCREDIBLE and awesome long run and during which she mentioned how hilly the race must be...oh yes...should probably check the course. Oh nelly.  All I could think about was how much fun the long run had been with my sister, how the miles flew by, and how I wish we could do it together - but she didn't think she could swing flying back in town. Fast forward to Thursday - two days before the race - and my sister calls to say that she is flying down from Alaska to get a dog and wants to run. YAHOO!. TOP TEN RACE! Great weather, gorgeous course, and my sister there! The cherry on top was my dad was our cheerleader. Running Heaven. 

Maggie's Big Milestone

My little baby went to preschool today. Yes, I know, it is just preschool, but it is a big step for her and a HUGE change for our family. She was THRILLED and excited and nervous and bubbly and sparkly and funny and all the things that make Maggie so wonderful. We had talked about it a LOT and thankfully she had a sense of the school and the teacher as both Henry and Frances went there. The school also did a GREAT job of having lots of "Meet and Greets" over the last week.  Grandma got her a brand new dress and "lovely" shoes and she was ready. She woke up and the first thing she said was "Can I wear my dress now"....definitely a TAD different than H and F. She was buzzing all am....but also didn't want to leave my side. That said, she got there and jumped in. Immediately asked a girl if she wanted to have lunch together and off she went.

I, on the other hand, kept it together until out of viewing range and then promptly LOST IT. Like - HOT MESS LOSE IT. I cried the whole way to the car. Mark was stunned. I couldn't stop, I wanted to go back in and get her and told Mark that perhaps Home Schooling was a better option. Thankfully, I had taken the day off of work in fear this would happen and I went for a long, hilly run and - no joke - cried the whole way.

And here is why.....my whole life as a parent I haven't worked on Fridays and parts of Mondays. With the exception of an occasional business trip, those have been my sacred alone days with my kiddos - always with one (my kids went to preschool when the new baby came around). When the week at work was rough, when I felt like I wasn't getting enough time with them, I would hold on and say "only a couple more days" and then I get to be alone with them. That is now gone. I get it - they can play hooky, etc...but I honestly LOVED music class, running with the jogging stroller and my little buddy inside singing Laurie or watching Caillou, playdates,  OMSI, and shopping with one little nugget.  It was always bliss - always. Maybe a few rough moments, but usually a kick ass day. 

Additionally, Maggie is just addictive -- especially right now. She lights up and room and she just makes you smile. She makes almost any moment better. 

So, pity party over. 

I picked her up and she was over the moon.

Her preschool is a magical place and she will thrive.

I know that I will see the benefits and joys and marvelous-ness of this new era...I am just transitioning....

This parenting thing...it is wonderfully humbling. I never knew so much love could exist in my heart. 

Also humbling...the view from my pity party run....

Fourth and First Grade

Henry and Frances were pretty excited about school. I think the MAIN reason is that this year they get to have recess together. The only time probably in their schooling. When they got home, they called me at work and excitedly told me that they played soccer together at recess. I asked - Q-Were there any other girls?, A- No, Q- Were there any other First Graders, A- No. Henry they said "My friends love her mom.". HEART MELT.

Last Weekend of Summer Debauchery

We spent Labor Day in Magical Manzanita. I am SO SO SO SO SO SO sad summer is ending and the kids are going back to school. We had a great summer and great times together and it feels like school get them back again. BOO!

That said, the weekend was awesome. Christian was still with us.My mom and dad were in town! I took the kids on an "adventure" at hug point....during which we got pelted with rain...so I had to promise hot chocolates...but by afternoon it was in the 70s and the kids were boogie boarding. Frances lost a tooth...and is now an ADORABLE smiling girl with her "two front teeth" missing and one of her BFFs from school came down for the day. Tada!

We have WONDERFUL new neighbors at the beach and the girls did a play for the parents - hilarious.

Overall - just a wonderful end to a wonderful summer.