rain day

Some parts of the country have snow days - sometimes we have heat advisories - but rarely do we have "rain days". Today was one of those few and far between occasions! We had been eagerly anticipating this time because it was our first day of P.E! All were motivated to finish schoolwork, fill our water bottles, and we were just about to put the leash on the dog when we got the call that P.E. was cancelled. BUMMER! I looked out the front window and the sky was relatively clear although clouds were coming....not five minutes later this was the view out our window!

And then not ten minutes more......the clouds had lifted and already the sun was coming.....What to do now? All the afternoon's plans washed away in a ten minute downpour! Hmmm, maybe we should run the errands I had planned for Thursday - yes - that's what we'll do......unless of course everyone is already out the door with their shoes off and clothes wet!

Fun and wonderful mothers love mud, puddles, and wet......those in the "other category" like me have to stand and take numerous deep breaths while counting to 100......while also telling themselves ......"I am spontaneous, I am flexible, look at the kids laughing, yes, I can do this...." Luckily, I can distract myself with taking pictures of exuberant children pretending they are racing sailboats (scrap wood) down a city gutter......

Vivacious, euphoric, joyful!

Fortunately soup was already in the crockpot, we'd just received "Get Smart" Season 1 in the mail, and there is always coffee. I don't really have to look at my floor.... or the mud now caked in every bathtub in the house. I am choosing to ignore the laundry to be folded and the "to do list". In fact, I think I'll just write a big fat "RAIN DAY" in the afternoon portion of the school calendar - and no need for a make-up day......

Something old.....something new

This weekend we moved some pieces of old furniture into our house. Old furniture - but brand new for us. While it was fun and exciting there was a little bit of sadness attached to it. We were receiving the new furniture because my Grandma Spence died almost 2 weeks ago. She died 6 months from the day and almost to the hour her beloved husband of 73 years did. Now all four of my grandparents are gone from this life - all having entered into eternity in the past 21 months. All four of them lived to be over 93 - one of them just shy of his 99th birthday! Each of my grandparents had a significant impact on my life. When I was young we lived within 3 hours of them so I have many, many memories of holidays and visits.

Grandma Spence loved to shop. It was one of our favorite things to do - she, my mom, and I - and sometimes Aunt Nancy would shop till we dropped! We were always out to hunt the bargains. Grandma was serious about her shopping! She also loved giving gifts and even in her 90's insisted on trying to go out and buy gifts for our birthdays or Christmas. It bothered her this last few years that she could not get out much.

Grandma also loved to cook and was exceptionally good at it. She managed the school cafeteria for the junior high in Los Alamos - so she was experienced! She had every kitchen gadget known to man and was always up on the latest whether it was a bread machine or cookery. We enjoyed picnics in the Jemez mountains in New Mexico, in their backyard in Los Alamos, and feasts at the holidays. When I was older and in college - I brought many a roommate to grandma and grandpa's house for a home cooked meal. Grandma even cooked the meal the night my parents met Merl for the very first time! It took MANY years before Grandma would compliment my cooking. When I was younger, I think she was significantly concerned about my potential as a homemaker due to my interest in sports. In my early years of marriage she always peppered me with questions about what I baked or cooked - giving me unsolicited advice and tips. Just a few years ago after I had served Thanksgiving dinner to around 17 of us she said, "Well Tracy - I think you've turned out to be quite a good cook!" Finally - I had arrived!

Grandma was also known for her strong opinions - and her ability to communicate them.....She always said it like it was - so you had to be a bit thick skinned around her sometimes. Grandma was good at giving me advice on babies - always questioning what I was doing or not doing - and making comments about the good and bad things I or my kids did! But all in all - she sure loved the great grand children - and I am thankful she and grandpa had the chance to be intricately involved in the lives of our four kids.

Grandpa and Grandpa almost 12 year ago with Madison......

Several years ago when grandma and grandpa moved out of their last home, they began to bless their children and grandchildren with many of the nice things they would no longer be using. According to Grandma in a conversation we had just a couple of months ago, "If it weren't for us you wouldn't have any furniture!" (A slight exaggeration!) I always have thought of grandma when I use her Kitchen Aid mixer I am so thankful for. I would often express my gratitude to her by telling her what I last made with it - or she could taste for herself. The things I used in my house that were from she and grandpa still had use and life - and I often had the opportunity to express my thanks to them. I am glad I took it. As we were packing up Grandma's apartment last week I found a thank you note on her dresser I'd written to she and grandpa a year or so ago telling them how much it meant to me to have a few of their things. I was relieved I'd taken the time to do it - but it seemed so odd to read it after she was gone.

Yesterday after their dressers were in my own room - they looked beautiful. Old - but new - and immaculately kept I might add. After almost 18 years of marriage Merl and I have never had a bedroom set, so I was pleased...... but wasn't prepared for the flood of tears that came when I began to place my own clothes in the drawers where Grandma had once put hers. Somehow this act signified the transition from life with Grandma to life without her.

I am grateful for the abundance of years we had together. I am glad for all the times I made the extra effort to go and visit her, take the kids, or spend time with the grandparents. Sometimes life seems so busy - but I have never regretted the time spent on relationships. Thanks Grandma for the 40 years you and grandpa contributed to my life - for the energy and spice you added to our family gatherings, for the time you spent with me, for all the meals you cooked, and days you lovingly shopped for gifts and bargains for all of us. I love you and I'll miss you.

and the schooling begins with a ...... luau!

Immediately upon our return home from San Diego we jumped head first into school. This year we are studying the Eastern Hemisphere - many wonderful and exciting countries. Now with 7 weeks under our belt I am trying to make adjustments and catch my breath. A lot has happened. For 7 whole weeks I have just been putting my nose to the grindstone.....no time for even a blog entry!

So far we have studied the Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, and we are in the middle of Japan now. Yes - it is a whirlwind tour. After completing our Pacific Island studies several weeks ago, we celebrated with a luau......Dear friends of ours are using the same curriculum so we celebrated with them.....producing a much more authentic experience since they are the ones with the pool, tiki torches, etc! Here are a few pictures from the night......

Yummy plantain chips.....

Yes - we are still enjoying the pool even in September!

Jonathan was instructed to "look for dolphins"....

Good friends "chatting".....

Fruit smoothies, beauties, and coconuts!

Shrimp, rice, chicken, and sweet potatoes!

Outdoor dining pleasure...

After a late night dinner we retired inside for a viewing of "Wild Pacific" by the BBC. Awesome documentary on the Pacific Islands....excellent night of friends, food, and fun.

good-bye san diego, thanks for the memories!

Some vacations I am ready to pack up and go home......this time I was not. It had been an exceptional week. We enjoyed a great mix of time with family, one "whopping outing" (Sea World), the beach, and exploring new places......and I only turned on the computer one time.....an amazing thing for me. I took a few last shots from the top of our hotel, we said good-bye to Oceanside, and hit the road......

view to the left......

center.....

and right......

.

This day truly marked the end of our summer......after a weekend at home, we would dive into school - ready or not. Back to the real world - a good reality. As the van motored toward home I eventually pulled my planner out of the bag for the first time and started to contemplate the upcoming week. By the time we pulled into home I was happy to be there......aside from the blistering heat. Home, sweet home.....we are blessed.

san diego (Day 5 - nighttime)

After a sunny day at the beach we cleaned up (for the 100th time), ate a nice home-cooked meal, and headed back up the street for the evening version of the farmer's market which included less than desirable music, fair food, and lovely arts and crafts.

Each of the kids found something to spend the last bit of their money on.......and I located an abundance of items I had to have. I tried to exercise self control and not purchase them all.....

The sun setting on our last night......

One last walk down the pier......

Lights out on our last night......we seemed so far from home!

san diego (Day 5 - the beach)

Our last afternoon at the beach was fun-filled! The kids' favorite activity all week had been jumping waves and searching for bits of shells. Finally I was brave enough to go into the cold water for a picture....and not fall in with the camera!

Daddy went out to "ride the waves"

Madison was entertained by the same activity.....

I prefer low risk wave jumping with the little ones......(I am such a daredevil!)

Concentration......

the usual full speed.....

back to concentration.......and then in his own little boy world.......

Jonathan also enjoyed playing dangerously close to Allie while she was working on the sand castle. I watched him threaten to knock it over several times as he wobbled too close.....but luckily Allison was enough in her own la la land she didn't get irritated and Jonathan soon lost interest and sped off to throw sand.....

Little beach babes.......

As you can see it was a rough afternoon......

san diego (Day 5 - the market)

It's not everyday we desert and city rats can wake up and see this view across the street:

And then saunter out the door for a nice morning walk up to the farmer's market! Divine!

Everything looked luscious and yummy!

Allison and Jonathan enjoyed tasting HUGE concord grapes and "ehm"....touching the flowers.....we even found an excellent library book sale where we picked up some classics, picture books, and worship piano books! It was a relaxing morning leading up to a long afternoon on the beach!