A Halloween to Remember

Ronda and Landon got on the train in Pasco, WA Friday night around 6:30 p.m. We had made arrangements for Kyndra and Avery to ride the train with them from West Glacier Park to Browning. Last minute, Jaida and I decided to jump on-board and Tony was our chauffeur to the depot in West Glacier where we met Ronda and Landon at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Amtrak is awesome! The seats are soft and practically lay back and we couldn't believe how quiet the ride was. We spent a good part of the ride in the observatory car where we had a front seat view of the fall show of colors in Glacier Park.

Kyndra, Avery, and Landon didn't miss a beat. They picked up right where they left off when we lived in Pendleton. It was good for my heart to see these kids so happy together playing violins, dreaming up projects, and just playing...just playing together.

Not completly by design all three of our kids were pirates. They had more fun with the neighbor kids dressing up all weekend and were more than ready to go by the time Halloween actually rolled around.

We were invted to head to "the other side of town" to trick-or-treat with my old friend Pat and his kids. What a crew! I think we lasted about an hour and a half in the wind and headed home to dump the candy and sort through the booty.

Ronda and Landon got on the train last night at 11:30 p.m. and are now home in their own beds.
It's over...I can't believe their visit went so fast. We didn't really do anything horribly exciting...painted a bathroom, drove around the country a little, played, went to school, cooked, and drank some wine. These are all the things we have always done together and it was just good for my soul to have them here with us for any amount of time.
Thank you Ronda and Landon. We love you and can't wait for your next visit.

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes...First Days

Our week at fiddle camp is over already. As I was looking at over 300 pictures tonight I realized it may have been a good idea to make daily posts.

It's not that I didn't have Internet access.

It's not that I wasn't taking pictures.

There were plenty of stories to tell.

I was just too dang busy!

When I wasn't busy I was too dang tired!

Our first couple of days days looked a little like this:

Around the camper getting ready for the day's work.

Avery had a nice small class that seemed to be just right for her skill and personality.

I was chewing my nails after seeing Kyndra and Landon's class...

the size

the age

the level

scared me a bit.

I waited until lunch...

and chewed more nail...

and watched with amazement.

I can't wait to tell more!

Whitewater Rapids Premiere Performance

This isn't the highest quality video compared to the quality of performance these kids had.

They were on!

This is the first time in 5 years of playing that they have performed for anything besides their yearly recitals and entertaining family.

Excitement!

Anticipation!

Practice!

Practice!

Practice!

The Whitewater Rapids didn't win this time...but what defines winning?

Is it performing?

Is it having fun?

Is it making people smile?

I like to think so...and so do they!

Fiddle Concert 09

Last night was the girls fiddle concert.  All the kids did just great.  Whew!  There were times when I wasn't sure if one or the other would get up on that stage but I have come to realize that the behavior of my children cannot be understood nor predicted.  Anyway, I put this together quickly this morning because I am off and running today with Mom and Dad here!

Tough Act To Follow

Alvin, Simon, and Theodore entertained all those who requested a song.

The act just kept getting better and better.

Now for the carving pictures. 

This was the first year that the kids did their pumpkins themselves.

EEEWWWWW!

Saving some seeds to be toasted using Gradpa's recipe.

I just had to look away and hold my breath waiting for a finger to be cut.

None were!

Such concentration.

Four finished products.

"We were a band!"

Since AJ started taking lessons, Peg (Kyndra's teacher) has been saying that she needs to bring her violin and play for her. Today was the day and thank you Ronda for having your camera on hand. Avery proudly carried her violin into the music room and went about the routine of getting it out for tuning, as she has watched Landon and Kyndra do so many times. It was a good exercise for the big kids to play the very first song they learned, 2 1/2 years ago, Mississippi Hot Dog. They sounded just great. This excellent shot is the first time around. On the second, Peg played her guitar and they "sounded like a real band."

I am sitting here imagining the music these three will make together someday. I dream they just jam together for the pure enjoyment of making music that they love. It will happen, as long as we keep it low pressure, enjoyable, and fun, it will happen.

And yes, Avery's shoes are on the wrong feet. I love that girl!

Lifelong Friends

Who would have thought, way back when Ronda and I started job sharing, that these two kiddos would become such great friends. There are times when I see them whispering or giggling with each other and my heart takes a leap. I saw Kyndra giving Landon spontaneous hugs last night at the X-Mas concert because she was so excited. I wish with all my might that these two keep this relationship for the rest of their lives. What could be better?

I tried posting the instructions on how to do this mouse over but it kept putting in another mouse over picture. This is the website I got it from. The only thing I did different is not put in a size.

Responsibility Award

Kyndra got a "surprise" award today at the school's first awards' assembly. We were notified that she was getting a Responsibility Award and that we could come to school early for the assembly. I just told her that the school was having an assembly and that her teacher said we could go and watch. We thought it would be fun for Landon to see Kyndra's school so they joined us. They did the kinders third so they would have a chance to watch the older kids go and receive their awards. Kyndra marched on up like she expected it all along. She then got to go down and show us her work hanging in the hallway.

Later, I asked her what responsibility meant and she didn't have a clue. I just told her it meant doing what she is supposed to do without having to be asked. By that definition, she surely wouldn't get one at home, but evidentially Mrs. Steward doesn't have to ask her fifteen times to put away her supplies. Well, if they are going to misbehave at least it's for me, not everyone else.

I am proud of her. Glad she was recognized. Amazed that she is so independent.

On a side note, take a gander at Avery's face in the picture of the two of them. We were both crying on the way to the school this morning...AJ because I wouldn't let her stand on my car seat with her muddy feet, me because I just don't think it should be so hard all the time. I didn't know it would be so hard. I miss my mom!

The Competition

I would be remiss if I didn't post about Landon's "heart" felt drawing for Kyndra. He was in Canada when he heard about Zack professing his love to Kyndra. "But, I love Kyndra!" was his reply. Next thing Ronda knew, he had drawn this picture for Kyndra. I can't remember what is inside the heart, maybe Ronda will, but there is even a drawing of Kyndra and Landon on next to the heart. How sweet. These two are so great together, quite a pair.

First Day of Kyndragarten

Kyndra woke up this morning and immediately started getting dressed for school. She was so excited for this day. We were waiting for Ronda and Landon to join us for lunch and Kyndra disappeared. Not much longer she came up all decked out in her princess regalia. She kept it on until it was time to head out the door. After lunch we quickly took some pictures of the two kiddo's heading to school, then off we went.

Down at the school she marched right in and hung up her backpack. She was quiet but didn't cling, hang, or cry. I was amazed. After awhile I bent down and asked her if she needed us to stay or if she was okay and she said, "All the other parents are leaving." Ooookkkaaaayyy, I guess she was ready for us to go. We left her sitting at a table alone putting together a puzzle. The neighbor's boy sat down next to her (I know this because I was peering around the door) and they were just fine. After school she got her handouts from Mrs. Stewart, went to her backpack and put them inside (I know this because I was peering through the window). She came out in the line and stayed put until Mrs. Stewart said she could go. She had a great day reading books and doing her first craft that she was so proud to share with her friends at daycare. She exceeded every expectation I had for her today. I couldn't be more proud. Next we'll tackle the bus ride after school!

County Fair

Fun day at the fair yesterday. We met up with Susan, Latitia and the 3 girls enjoyed some good fair food and the kids had loads of giggles on the carnival rides. Avery Jo is quite the adrenaline junkie. Her gangly little limbs were all over the place except for holding onto the bars.

Kyndra, surprise, surprise, is the opposite, I had to threaten her with going home if she didn't climb onto my back (literally) and go down the big bumpy slide. She made it up the stairs but was really scared to go down. I feel bad about making her do it, couldn't sleep last night. She has a right to be scared and choose not to do things. I guess I'll add it to the list of things to do better next time. I am thankful for second chances in motherhood.

Cinderella

Last night's adventure was to Walla Walla's outdoor community theatre production of Cinderella. It was family night as well as dress-up night for the kids. Kyndra and Avery were dressed as princesses and Landon was the king. We couldn't find his crown but it was probably too hot for it anyway. The production was very well done and the kids had a good time. Kyndra loved seeing the beautiful princess. She whispered in my ear that she loves princesses, unicorns, and mermaids. Avery loved the food. She whined in my ear that she wanted more cotton candy!

We're Back

This is our happy dance in front of my favorite view along our 600 mile trek to Great Falls. The drive went quickly, the kids did great, we are having a relaxing time at Grandma's. There isn't much going on that we can "help" with but it is good just to be here.

The King, Princess, and Ballerina

Dinner was ready the other night just about the time the kids started playing dress-up.

We had the King, Pwincess, and Ballerina join us at the table.
Note the King's ring and crown;

the Pwincess's necklace;

and the Ballerina's slippers.

After dinner came the parade and the car wash.

Fun times.