Checking Photos of a New Son

Checking out the Photos of a New Son
Originally uploaded by arlal.

July and August

I'm saying that these two months are now my favorite. I love the warm weather, the relaxed, cool, comfortable clothing and the free time sitting outside. Things are really heating up around here and I'm fussing around trying to keep the lawn green. It is sort of brownish gray now.

Almost every day Lucas comes over to swim. He loves playing Ring around the Rosie and jumping from the sides after yelling, "One, Two, Three!"

Last week Brett and Anna Marie went to Vancouver to teach a Judo workshop for the School for the Blind. Lucas and I did well together as I had lots of treats stacked up, a few new toys and four DVD's checked out from the library. He didn't seem to miss his parents but the day after they returned his mom brought him by while she ran an errand. He was having no part of staying with me again and perhaps being abandoned by his parents. He cried uncontrollably but finally settled down and agreed to stay with me for a few minutes. This weekend he is not spending the night so I can bring back the thrill of coming to Grandma's house again.

I have six observations to make for each of my students so that means I need to cram several into one week as the summer session is so short. I finally have one school almost completed and just two more weeks at the other school. I love being in the classrooms with kids and adults and I enjoy watching the strategies they use to stay ahead of the kids' learning needs.

I really like just having someplace to go for a purpose. It fills my days and keeps me busy which is the best part. I still can work around mother's schedule at the Senior Center so only once have I needed Anna Marie to transport my mom.

Brett, Anna Marie and I spend a good deal of time trying to determine how the month of December will unfold. Anna Marie is due on the 7th and if Cydney has her twins at 32 weeks she could be delivering at the same time. I assume I will be with Cyd and then Lucas and Brett will be alone for three days followed by two weeks when Anna Marie can't drive due her repeat cesarean.

The most important thing is that both moms-to-be are feeling well and things are progressing nicely. Cyd is still very tired while Anna Marie is running 15-20 miles a week.

Last week 3 friends and myself biked on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes. Jeff Kolbe's brother has a bike shop near the trail but I couldn't find it in
Harrison. There was also a concert at Manito Park and a visit to a friend's cabin at Coeur d'Alene lake for our investment club meeting. I took a one day class to sew pajamas and I've skipped many exercise classes.

Now I need feedback regarding the huge playgrounds that grandparents buy their grandchildren. I know Hank put one up as well as Maia's grandfather in CA. I've been pricing them and they are comparable to four years of tuition at an ivy league university. That may be well and good but I'm concerned about how much time the grandchildren actually use this playground.

Any playground recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Wiggly Worm Ride

Wiggly Worm Ride
Originally uploaded by arlal.

July

Cyd organized a Wickham-Lewis reunion in Lake Chelan this year to continue an old tradition of getting together as we did so often when Bill was around. It just so happened that this coincided with Alberta's birthday. We all played golf on a small course and she loved that. She could remember all the jargon that went with the game so when the ball didn't go far enough she announced that it was a "weak sister". It turned out to be a good time even with all the repetition we all did with the conversation. At least 5 times a day you have to answer the question of what day it is and where we are. Lake Chelan is warm and touristy and besides eating all the time we shopped, went to a winery, the casino and checked out homes.

Yesterday was a cookie day with the Lind Ladies. Barb ran back and forth timing the baking and she didn't burn a pan. I sort of helped her take the cookies off the sheets and onto the cooling racks and then into the containers. It's fun to hear all the exclamations from the guests at the house. It is fun to see Barb and Phyllis too and hear about Barb's farming. They grow all these vegetables and then give them away.

Cyd is coming along with her pregnancy. She rests often, snacks often and tries to follow all the rules for this project. It is a big project too and overwhelming to me most of the time. She is very pleased however and each day gets better.

Lucas is getting a new bed now as part of the transitioning process for his new sibling. Mom is reading up about the proper ways to make having a sister or brother fun. I think it will be good for Lucas but at first it will be difficult especially if Grandma is helping with twins in Sumner. I try not to think about how all this will play out.

My job is making me busy as the observations are over such a short period of time. The summer session will be finished at the end of the month but until then I'll be spending three days a week going to schools. I enjoy seeing the students there and these practicum students are all very experienced so it is fun just being back in school. I'd been spending way too much time going to lunch with friends so this is a nice alternative for now.

Alberta Celebrates 88 years!

Alberta Celebrates 88 years!
Originally uploaded by arlal.

Relax

This is what you do when the Karrs visit. There is no stress and no hurry. You don't have to have anything planned or meet a demanding time table for events. They are the perfect guests. In fact they were a breath of fresh air for me. I imagine all these things that have to be done immediately and there is never enough time. I was in the rush, hurry mode never quite catching up with the tasks at hand. Now I have a new perspective.

I don't need to race around fretting about too much to do. You simply enjoy each moment, pace yourself and let your day unfold. You never get harried and riled up but you calmly visit and go with the flow. The slow flow. All the while you look good and act pleasant. I'm going to attempt to adopt this attitude but I'm sure I'll need a yearly reminder.

This is their second annual visit to attend a family reunion in Post Falls. Today they are going to the Silverwood Amusement Park before heading back to Portland. Barb and Ron were also in town at Kristen and Mitch's house so we spent one afternoon there. They have a great new home with a nice swimming pool that the kids enjoyed.

It is nice to have summer here with its proper weather. The bounce castle and the pool got plenty of use this weekend and we have the folding up and putting away procedures down now. My mom and I are going to Lake Chelan tomorrow for a four day visit with Cyd, Dave, Ray and Claire. I'm sure I'll go through a tough withdrawal process with no Lucas for that long.

The Karrs Visit

The Karrs Visit
Originally uploaded by arlal.