Homework?

Today we had our normal Saturday morning. I made pancakes for breakfast and the kids played most of the morning. Kristin had skating lessons this morning, so Aaron took her to that. While Kellen was napping and Kristin and Aaron were out I got to cleaning the kitchen cabinets. What fun! They look a lot beter though... I almost don't recognize the kitchen. Once Kristin was home and had a late lunch, she worked on some homework. Yep, homework. She has an outline of Oregon she gets to decorate and write about. Oregon's birthday is on Valentine's Day and turns 150 this year. Her school is celebrating the State's birthday with this project and a party on the 12th.

Tonight Aaron had a hockey game at 5:25pm. After a little early dinner the kids and I headed down to Sherwood to watch Aaron play. Unfortunately his team lost. The kids had fun watching and playing in the stands.

Star Student Crescendo

Kristin finished off her week of being the Star Student by showing off a talent to the class. After much discussion throughout the week, Kristin decided to show off one of the crafts that she has been enjoying - weaving with a loom. She showed her classmates a purse she made and then demonstrated the over-under-over-ender of the weaving. Both Danelle and I were able to make it to watch. It was great. The cat got her tongue a bit but she did keep right on weaving. Today was also pajama day at Kindergarten. Two in one week for Kristin - Monday it was pajama day at daycare.

Both kids played well together for a little while, then Kellen wanted Danelle to read to him, and Kristin and I watched a hockey game. she was sad that the Penguins lost in overtime. I think she was more sad that she didn't get to see the shootout that would have followed the overtime if noone had scored. Oh well.

After bath, Danelle discovered that Kellen's last baby tooth is poking through! There is still a ways to go with pushing the molars down, but the end of teething is in sight!... Kellen had taken to hiding in the tube tunnel right before bedtime so he doesn't have to go to bed right away. :-)

Linoleum Hockey

Kristin is really enjoying her gig as Star Student at kindergarten this week. Today she got to share her favorite book with the class. She picked Curious George Goes to the Hospital. It's actually one of the longer Curious George stories, and her kindergarten teacher read the whole story to the class. Kristin was thrilled, since she had brought along a back up Curious George book that was much shorter in case her favorite was too long. Her kindergarten friends also made her a book. Each student did one page. We haven't seen it yet, I think she gets to bring it home tomorrow.

The kids did real well playing together tonight. They played with the tube tunnel and Kellen also got out the floor hockey sticks. They played with the tunnel while Danelle and I talked to yet another flooring contractor. I think we must have talked to seven or eight by now. I think we're pretty close to a decision - hopefully we'll have a new floor within the next few weeks.

Last night Danelle went to a focus group meeting that the Beaverton School District organized. They are floating some pretty unconventional ideas about changes, so Danelle went with a couple other mothers so our voice could be heard. It had been quite awhile since I did the bedtime routine solo. The kids were good but the evening was over before I knew it.

Star Student

Today was Kristin's first day as Star Student at Kindergarten. She gets to be the special helper to her teacher this week which means she gets to help with the calendar and weather. She also got to have her poster about her put up and read to the class and pictures of her put up with it. Kristin also got to have the teacher read Mr. Bear's journal from his time with Kristin. Kristin was very sad this morning as Mr. Bear was leaving. She still is a little sad tonight, but I think she will bounce back.

Kellen had a good day and is learning about lizards, snakes and turtles this week. He painted a snake yesterday and they are hanging from the ceiling at daycare. I am not a fan of snakes, so that is a little creepy to me. The kids enjoy it though.

Oh, I almost forgot...we got snow this morning. AGAIN! It started sleeting as the kids and I left the house this morning. By the time I left daycare it was changing to snow. It snowed most of the morning. Kristin got to have recess out in the snow, but pretty much had to stay under the roof on the playground. She said she caught a snowflake on her tongue at recess. It warmed up later in the day and the snow turned into rain and so no snow is left. At least there was no cancelled school today. :)

Handyman Kellen

We're still interviewing contractors for the floor. The guy that came over tonight had his tape measure clasped to his pants pocket. By now Kellen knows what a tape measure is and loves to see them in action. He followed the guy around trying to get that tape measure. After the contractor left, I took Kellen and Kristin into the garage to grab one of my tape measures. I thought if put the slide lock on it that Kellen wouldn't be able to get the tape out. I was wrong. He had the lock figured out in no time flat and was having a grand time with the tape. I didn't want him to get bit by the tape retracting so we had to take it away from him. Maybe well find a toy one for him to play with.

Kellen also got out his superman outfit from Halloween and asked for help putting it on. I picked him up and showed him how to stick his arms out and fly. He loved it and didn't want to quit. I didn't really think it through, since of course Kristin wanted a turn. It was a little harder keeping Kristin in the air, and Kellen wasn't thrilled about taking turns.

Tonight we helped Kristin with Mr. Bear's Journal. She took Mr. Bear to the dentist and to pajama day at daycare. Kristin really got into the spirit of the activity and now does not want to let Mr. Bear go back to Kindergarten; she'll be a little sad to say goodbye to him tomorrow.

Beaverton Still Has a Library

Funny how all things are relative. Today we managed church, errands at Fred Meyer, and a trip to the library. Oh, and Danelle made a big batch of enchiladas for the freezer and made a great new soup for dinner. But for whatever reason today felt much more restful that yesterday. Probably because I snuck in a 20 minute nap in the afternoon. I guess it was just more restful for me.

It had been ages since we'd been to the library. Since Kristin's kindergarten started the program in October that she basically brings home a new book to read everyday, we'd been lax about getting to the library. We we're driving past there on the way home from our errand and Kristin asked to go. We had milk in the car so we went home first, but then she and I made the trip back.

Kristin is still in her glory with Mr. Bear. He tagged along with us on all our trips today. She's even been great about making sure his teeth are brushed every night with the toothbrush that came with him in his backpack. We started the Bear's journal tonight that Kristin will take to school on Tuesday (no kinder tomorrow) and share with her class. We got to read the journal from the kids in the class who've already been the star student (it's alphabetical). Some of them are quite entertaining!

Kellen was happy and playful today. He really likes playing with his big sister. He usually wants to do the same thing she is doing. On the occasions he doesn't, then it's the other way around and Kristin will follow him around. Kellen has a three wheeled plastic scooter with two wheels in the front and one big fat wheel in the back. Actually, it used to be Kristin's. Anyway, today Kellen's inner Knievel took over and he had both of his feet up on the seat with his hands still on the handlebars and was wiggling the trike backwards and forwards. His balance was remarkable but we finally got too nervous watching him and picked him up off the trike. He was very proud.

Mr. Bear Goes to Sherwood

Kristin brought Mr. Bear with her to ice skating lessons at Sherwood Ice Arena. She had me sit him up on the bleachers next to me during her lesson so he could watch. After the lesson I handed Mr. Bear to her for the quick photo op. Kristin had another good week with behavior so for her reward we had another lunch at Quiznos followed by a trip back to the ice arena for public skate. It was really busy today, hardly any room to move, but Kristin still did well. She's getting more and more comfortable on the ice all the time.

Kellen palled around with Danelle most of the day. They headed outside for a walk as Kristin and I were leaving for skating. He was in good spirits all day. He had two huge servings of spaghetti for dinner and was still asking for more. We had three different contractors over today giving us quotes for a new kitchen floor, and Kellen just had to be in the middle of it each time. He wasn't satisfied until he got a 'hi' out of each of them. Kristin was pretty curious during the first appointment, but lost interest after that.

Not much on the agenda for tomorrow. It'll be a nice day to catch up on some rest. We'll have to figure out something though for Kristin to do with the bear.