Summer 'N' Motion Wk. #2

{ Coffee Table: plus 2, Baylee: minus 2. )

Last week's saga continued as Baylee got an infection in the gums causing her flu-like symptoms. After a ridiculously unnecessary trip to the ER demanded by the dentist, we then called in for reinforces with our babysitter friend to pull the front teeth in question. Dr. Swanson and Kendall were gracious in taking us after hours and said we made the right call by removing them. Baylee was more upset that she didn't get the yellow "teather thest" Charlie received earlier in the day after he got one of his molars pulled and instead given a pink one. Of course I kept asking her what it was she wanted because the speech with no teeth is just too adorable! 

The fevers, nausea and tooth pain was immediately gone after the two front teeth were removed. 

Now to wait a few years before the adult ones grow back!

{ Water babies. }

With the weather already showing how hot it can and will be this summer, I caved to the best $97 spent so far this year. Mind you, the expense of filling the pool is probably triple the actual cost but no price tag can match the lack of boredom and arguing between children. The teen expects to have no splash floating sessions with the preschooler while Myriam has turned into a fish. The girl mastered the snorkel and has done nothing but switch from suit to suit. If this pool doesn't last to next summer, it's still worth it for the peace, laughter and hours of kids getting along. 

{ Road trip }

Charlie left Thursday evening with Grandpa Doug and the family to Salt Lake City where Tim will meet up early this next week, and myself Wednesday evening. It's been 15 years since Tim won the International Barbershop Convention and it just so happens to be in the same location this summer. Charlie and Uncle Ryan have the awesome opportunity to join their dad's on the big stage too! Just wait until you see Charlie all dressed up - such a stud! This weekend he was traveling through Yellowstone Park. Pretty jealous of his time on the road! I do miss him. 

{ Hydrate. } 

I've been working on upping my water intake when I realized I had already consumed 101 ounces of water before dinner time. It was a long night...

 { Graffiti doors. }

Addison not only mocks my stick figures but her ability to freehand paint all this puts my chicken scratch to shame. Myriam's bedroom has no space for the enemy to enter with all this TRUTH declared on her walls!

 { Happy 60th to Judy }

Fail. I sent Tim the reminder text to wish his Mom happy birthday, but the catch is I was a day late...as were all the other kids too. Tim quickly hopped in his truck for an impromptu surprise at her birthday bash Saturday night! Good thing she still loves us!

Well, week two is ending with a pool surprise clean up but aside from that, it's been a refreshing, much quieter week. Tim and Addi are still fighting some jet leg which makes bedtimes and wake ups either really late or really early. Still out of sync they are.
I had another "fun" workout with the Elements team running and working on strength training. Takes work and a lot of sweat to achieve those goals!

Time to plan this next week... won't be so calm. Stay tuned!

Summer 'N' Motion Wk. #1

{ School's out - another year with a fantastic aide. }

Myriam had a full week before catching up with Addi and Charlie on summer vacation. Once she was done, we immediately began the fun! Our first stop was Summit Trampoline to bust out some crazy and take advantage of small crowds. Of course, the kids were ready for treats which made Edaline Ice Cream in 

Fairhaven the perfect tasty treat. 

 { Jumping beans. }

 { The training continues with the team. }

I'm so proud of this here group. Many of them are new to trail running and doing amazing. Some minor injuries they're working through but this team is dedicated to making the fall race a success. Hoping we can get our entire team (13 of us) together on the trails soon! When most of the team are project managers with jobs across the country, it makes for a true challenge to get everyone in the same spot at the same time!

 { Father's Day with Papa }

Since Daddy was out of country on Father's Day, we decided to spend the afternoon at my parents. The picnic never moved out of the front yard while big kids took to the bike jumps, playing basketball and others sneaking popcorn next to Papa. 

 { Greater Vancouver Zoo }

Shhh... She's Off to High School!

 

How did this even happen? 

My Mama heart is still walking our oldest to preschool with her hand tightly laced between mine. 

Her voice not yet confident then to share with others, yet friendships grew, play dates existed and then Addison's first graduation from preschool. From there we began our journey with Meridian Parent Partnership School (Mp3) as we home schooled for seven years before entering Ebenezer Christian School in grade seven. 

Jeff Caraco was our SLPC (Student Learning Plan Coordinator) for all but six months of our time at Mp3. We started as an off campus student where each week Teacher Jeff would call and check in with Addison. The first year was rough - usually the call was Jeff talking and myself in the background encouraging any conversation. Over the course of years having weekly phone calls, Addison eventually started to share more about her week at home telling Teacher Jeff what she had learned and answering any other questions he asked. We spent countless hours with Explode the Code, Spelling Workout, Daily Grams and Math-U-See along with many other text books that spread across our dining table and homeschool corner at home. 

Launching Success knew us by first name as we often came in for more supplies. 

For the last couple years of homeschooling, Addison (and Charlie too) transferred into campus students attending the Mp3 campus twice a week. A brief break for me but also a challenge for the kids to interact with other students and teachers. This is when we began to see the incredible change burst from our sweet Addi as one of her favorite memories from mp3 was giving her TED Talk. 

From not speaking a word in two years of preschool to giving class speeches, we as parents could not have been more proud of the many accomplishments.