3/16/14

Lydia had Friday off of school, for teacher grading. Ed spent Thursday and Friday with a group of highschool students, experiencing "Winterim".  This is when the kids have a week of educational field trips. Ed's group went to visit a local, uncertified organic farm that supplies the schools dining hall. Afterward Ed had a group for "Rock Band". They got together and played some music. Friday he did the "Rock Band" thing as well as taking a tour of Portland's bridges.
So Saturday he turned around and took me on a mini version bridge tour.
They got up early Saturday and went to volunteer at the Oregon Battle of the books final tourney. OES won. I spent the morning dusting and polishing furniture. When they got home we drove Lydia to Edie's house  to spend the day. Ed and I went back to where we hiked last weekend and enjoyed the lack of complaint. Then we drove downtown and walked across a couple of bridges and Ed shared a bit of his new knowledge. The Saturday market was going on so we popped through there and then sat by the river people watching. Wow.
From there we came home and had dinner, again no complaints were heard! And shortly after, Lydia returned. Today was pretty low key. We played at SPARC with Ayla and then we all walked to the store after dinner. On the way back Ayla sniffed out an injured chicken in the trees. We called the Audobon Society, but they were closed. We are hoping death comes quick.

3/10/14

Yesterday we took a lovely family walk through part of Forest Park. It's really impossible, for me, at this point with the new camera, to convey the depths and differences in all the greens! Ranging from the darkest to the utmost neon. Moss covered almost everything we saw. We did pass people here and there, but it really was peaceful and enjoyable.
We heard yesterday that while there is no room for Lydia right now at OES, they found her to be a great fit, and if a spot opens, she will be ushered in.
Today was yet another budget reduction day so Lydia was home from school. It was really pretty out, so we brought Ayla over to the OES property and ran around. Lydia brought her roller skates, she is getting the hang of it! And Ayla swam after the ducks. She is now confined to the laundry area on a towel. Stink Stank Stunk.
We had a brief sun shower before a huge dark cloud moved in and we headed home, and then it began to pour for awhile. So we curled up on the couch and watched the third Narnia movie. Afterwards we did some drawing and coloring.
Tonight is our third pottery class, next week will be our last. Not sure if we will make it, as the author of the book series "Nate the great" will be speaking at Powell's.

3/6/14

It was a sad afternoon in our house. Lydia's team did not do very well, they lost pretty big. It was harder to take as it was in front of the whole of the third and fifth grade classes. Ed and I know how well she did  and all that she should be proud of, but she is having a hard time seeing it. I feel a bit guilty because I know she would be upset if she knew I was blogging this. So shhhh!
I don't know if I mentioned this, but we have new upstairs neighbors, I just heard the lady sneeze. This sucks.

3/5/14

This past weekend I tried to organize (at last minute of course) a meet up for Lydia with her book battle team. The only one who responded was a girl who was hoping to get on as stand in. Her team lost a few weeks ago. Apparently the third grade was never allowed to compete before. This little girls mother volunteers in the school and instigated the third grades participation. So she has a bit invested and would like to see her daughter involved.
Since we only heard back from them, we decided to do a playdate and take this child with us to a sort of science fair called "Chick Tech". When I picked her up, the mom said that she had gotten a text from one of the other moms about meeting up at Dairy Queen, the girls of course wanted to go. I was wary as I had received no response or invite. We went and quickly realized that we had crashed another play date. A few classmates were invited, we were not. It was pretty awkward and I am so grateful that Ed was there with me. I can't imagine having to sit there with the elephant on my lap!
We had ice cream and left for our thing. "Chick Tech" is a program that encourages teenage girls to develop an interest in technology. Both Lydia and her friend have some interest, so while it was not a blast for them, it wasn't a total bore.
These first two pix are from the soccer game the other night:

These next are going to "Chick Tech"

Here Lydia was using her photo skills, Mrs. Heron at the bottom.

 This was a lovely walk on the grounds:

 This is the "Moon tree" on the old horse track on the Estate grounds:

 Shhh! Don't tell!

2/28/14

Lydia's class was rewarded for good behavior today, by having a twins day. They and their friends could all plan their outfits to match. (?) They loved the idea (again, ?). Anyway, her little group is wearing blue pants, sneakers and striped shirts. Lydia is the only one with short hair so all the other girls decided to put their hair in buns so they would look the same. I thought that was pretty cute.
When I walked her to school a couple of the girls came running towards her, screaming "Lydia everybody's here!"
Most mornings when I walk her onto the playground, I hear someone running and screaming her name.
Does anyone else remember the torturous start to this school year.
It makes me smile.