Sushi and Chocolate

Finn and I love food. Ashe is less picky than Finn - he will eat anything - but Finn enjoys the act of eating more than Ashe. Ashe uses food as fuel. Finn and I use it as entertainment.

We were both hungry this afternoon and thinking of our possibilities. We decided on sushi. My boys love Marinepolis, where the sushi goes around on the conveyor belt. We invited Ashe and Dennis, but they didn't come along. We took Yvette with us instead.

Finn's favorite is kappa-maki and Ashe's is edamame. On the way to sushi, Finn said a couple of things that cracked me up. He told me that he wanted me to turn off the music. I said "Why Finn?" He said: "Because I just need some peace and quiet." Later we were talking about him starting kinder- garten. I told him how smart he is and how, since he pays attention and is able to memorize things pretty quickly, he'll be fine. He says: "You think I don't have a brain? I DO have a brain." My goodness. O.k. Sorry!

Finn, Yvette, and I enjoyed some delicious sushi and then Yvette treated us to dessert at Pix Patisserie. I am there at least once a month...but, sometimes twice a week. Treva was my Pix-going buddy, but since she's moved away to Mexico :( I don't go as often. Anyway, we had a delightful afternoon of yummy, yummy treats.

Finn enjoys a Royale, and a raspberry macaroon (in hand).
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Yvette is having an Amelie and coffee.

Darlin' Don't You Go and Cut Your Hair...I'm Just a Boy With a New Haircut

School's starting soon. That means several things for our family - one of them being new haircuts for the boys. I have to admit, I don't like this short haircut on Finn, but I love the short, short cut on Ashe. Check it out for yourself. The second shot is sort of cute - holding hands, but looking totally tough.

You Oughta be in Pictures

I didn't have a post for today, so, in the spirit of posting video, I am including video of Ashe in the third grade play from May 2008. I wasn't posting then, so thought I'd include it here. I was so proud of this kid. I should have had more faith in him, but I didn't think he had it in him.



I should give equal time, so here's video of Finners (August 2007). While I could include footage of him graduating from preschool this year, this one is him watching a youtube video of Tegan & Sara, and is much more entertaining. I guess he proves that "real men don't (admit they) like Tegan & Sara". Also, it's a youtube video of someone watching a youtube video. It's cool...like a thing within a thing...o.k., I'll stop now.

My Mommy

I have the best mom in the world. Gosh, what a life she's had. Tonight she was on the local news being interviewed about her experience at the 1963 March on Washington/"I Have a Dream" speech. I am so proud of her. Here's the footage:

Link to KOIN video of Elaine interview

Link to KOIN video of different Elaine interview (includes Dennis)

Rock Band Video Game? Nah. *REAL* Band.

It was quite an uneventful day, and probably not even worth blogging about, but I'm addicted to this thing. It's funny, because I know of only one or two people who are reading, but I so enjoy doing this. I obviously do it for myself, more than anyone else.

We spent the morning at home, but had to be out of the house for a couple of hours around noon, so went to my parents'. Cade and Tuck were there, so the boys played. They had lunch, then fought, so we went home. My boys were in quite rambunctious moods today. More than usual today they were testing my (already almost non-existent) patience.

While there, Cade mentioned they were having a "playdate with Ella and Gray to play Rock Band". My ears perked up, because I do love the Rock Band (only played one session ever), but I also wanted to see Lisa and Andy. I see them pretty regularly, but like it when there's time to hang out a bit. I invited myself and Caver graciously invited us all. I almost went over without the boys, because of their crazy moods, but I brought them. We're only three minutes from Caver's.

It was a short, nice visit. Ashe definitely was in rare form, but they all had fun nonetheless. He insisted on playing Uncle Sean's very fancy, specially-made ukulele, purchased in Hawaii. I was so worried he'd damage it, but Sean allowed him to play it. There wasn't any Rock Band play once we arrived, but Sean was very nice to play "Real Band" with the kids. Gray was on keyboard; Ashe on ukulele; and, Finn on electric guitar. Ella did sit at the drums from Rock Band, but also played a car game on Xbox, as did Cade. Above are pictures of the chaos. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of Finn rocking the guitar.

If you look on the red couch in the photos above, you'll see Tucker hiding, but this picture was too cute not to post.

Overall a quiet day.

Rain Check at the Mountain

We've just returned from our last vacation of the summer. Dennis suggested a last minute trip to Kah-Nee-Tah, but it was booked. We ended up at Collins Lake Resort at Government Camp, on Mt. Hood, Oregon. We had never been there before, but, having gone to Ski Bowl's Alpine Slide/Mountain Adventure in the past, we saw it being built. It's a very nicely appointed resort right in the heart of Government Camp. I've never stayed up at Mt. Hood - we always just went home after skiing. I really enjoyed the mountain, staying up there in the summertime. It's a nice change from Sunriver in the summer. I almost enjoyed it more. Someone told me that vacationing in Sunriver is like vacationing in Beaverton (a horrible Portland suburb) and I totally agree.

We got a great two bedroom unit on the creek (this photo of the boys is near the creek), next to the Recreation Center, which had the pools. I loved where we were situated in the Resort. Here's our cute unit. Caver, Sean and the boys came along, as did Granny and Grandpa. It was nice that they were able to come at the last minute as well. My dad's not always in the best health and he's been wanting to do this for awhile, with his grandsons. Soooo glad he was able to come along.

The kids loved the pool, especially being with their cousins. The world begins and ends with Cade and Tucker. It's cool that they are so close. They could have holed up in the chalets the entire trip, as long as their cousins were there. It was nice for them to swim, but as long as Cade and Tuck are there, that's all that matters. Here's the cousins "surfing" in the leisure pool (pool sized hot tub). Notice their "surf board" is Dennis.

Our main reason for choosing that location at Mt. Hood was so the boys could go on the Alpine Slide at Ski Bowl. The first night had been quite rainy. The weather was unseasonably wet and cold, even for a mountain in Oregon. August is usually a time you can depend on decent weather. When the weather broke yesterday afternoon, Caver suggested we go to Ski Bowl and do some activities. We bought our tickets and headed up on the lift. The lift in itself was an adventure, because the boys get nervous riding up. So, I rode with Finn, Dennis with Tucker, and Caver with Cade. Ashe rode with a complete stranger - a nice lady named Patty.

We started up and people were coming down - on the lift, not on the slide. I yelled across to some of them and asked if the slide was closed. They said it was and they were sent back down, but it was just opening again and we'd be able to go. Thank god, because it was getting colder as we rode higher and some VERY cold drizzle was starting to fall. Ashe didn't take his coat, so he was sitting in front of me...with short sleeves...with a stranger!! What a great parent I am. Sure enough, we saw a few riders go down the slide. Well, literally two minutes later, we got to the platform to get off and they didn't let us. They had closed the slide again, due to rain. By this time it was FREEZING. We had another 10 minutes just to the top of the lift. When we got off to get back on the lift at the top, I put on Ashe's coat and sent him back down with Patty.

Needless to say, everything turned out just fine. They closed the slide and offered us a rain check. The silly thing was that they wouldn't give us a refund. Even though they sold us tickets, already sending people back down the mountain while selling them to us, they still wouldn't give a refund. Just a little note if you go. We left Ski Bowl, not doing one activity in the Adventure Park.

On our way home today, the four of us went to Timberline, while the rest of the group headed home. We looked around and had some lunch. There were many (about 15) buses of ski and racing teams there. I knew it was one of the few year round ski areas in the country. That was obvious today. Ashe and Finn were completely intrigued by the skiers in all their gear. I'm glad, because although I haven't skied in years, I want to again. It's great that they're interested. Thanks for the fun trip, Dad/Dennis!!

the boys (gangstas?) and i - timberline lodge

Out to lunch

I'll have a great post for you when I am back. Like anybody reads this thing. :)

With a Little Help From My Friends

I saw some more old friends today, one of whom I've known for almost 20 years (Mike) and the other over 20 (Rachel). Rachel and Mike's roommate, Sylvia, were having their birthdays today and yesterday, so Mike had a barbecue for them. Yvette and I drove out (to Rainier, OR, where Mike lives) for the festivities.

Mike is a guy who's a bit older than me. I was introduced to him by Rachel, actually. He was very good to me through my college years. He bought me a 25" color t.v. for my college graduation. It's not the t.v. that's significant, it's that he would think to offer such a generous gift - overly generous. He always looked out for me. My parents appreciated him too. Just one of the nicest guys you ever want to meet.

l to r - yvette, rachel, mike

I knew Rachel in high school and we got into our share of trouble...that seems to be an ongoing theme in my posts...don't know how I ever became somewhat successful, because I was always getting myself into some kind of trouble. Luckily, I stayed on the right side of the law - geesh...anyway, Rachel took a road trip or two with me. She was just one of those gals who I always adored...we were sort of kindred spirits. Over the years we've gone our separate ways, but see each other from time to time at Mike's. Her goal is to eventually become a Rabbi, but she's currently working for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland and teaching at Temple Beth Israel.

It was fun to see some old friends (again!). It's been a summer of nostalgia for me.

The Carnival.

Today was going to be a stay at home day. I had a 10:30 meeting at our Portland office, then I was going to go home and relax - probably let the boys watch t.v. all day. I took the day off, since Dennis worked until 6 a.m. this morning. Caver decided to be an active parent and take her kids to Oaks Park (Portland's old school amusement park). It's not that I didn't want to take my kids...we had planned to go today. Then, Dennis (being the best husband/father ever) suggested a spur-of-the-moment trip (with Caver's family) to a resort on Mt. Hood this Sunday, so I thought we could skip Oaks. It's such cheap fun for the boys, though, I sucked it up and went. I knew the boys would be so excited to go with their cousins, since they hadn't been there together.

It was a lot of fun. Caver, again being the active parent, got herself a ride bracelet to enjoy the fun with her children. When I went with Molly a couple weeks ago, she got ride tickets too. Me, no. I figured I took them there, do I really have to ride on the rides with them too?!? Seriously, though, it is great to watch them have the time of their lives. They love it there so, so much. I don't need to ride on the rides for them to have fun - I've convinced myself of that anyway.

They rode every ride they could. They had treats. Caver took all four of them on the train. Ashe was so sweet helping his brother, before Caver's family got there. Finn took Tucker's hand and sort of lead him around. Neither boy needed helping, but it was cute to see them being so nice to each other. Since Caver came after us, Ashe was convincing himself they weren't coming. He was so excited to have them there, once they arrived. Thanks, Caver, for getting me off my lazy a**.

Here's Caver, being proactive again :) - her blog on our day at the park:

Caver's "A Blast From the Past"

Kindergarten Ain't What It Used To Be

This blogging thing requires I be organized and think ahead. Forgot the camera today, when I took Finn to his kindergarten assessment. My little baby is growing up!! My kids have the best personalities and they get more fun as they grow up. It is sad, though, as their little voices change...faces thinning out, not babyish anymore. Finn will still grab onto my legs and hide behind them. I know that's coming to an end soon. He's tall!

He did that today when we got to the assessment. Mrs. Becic, who was Ashe's kindergarten teacher and who we adore, came out and said hello. Finn quickly hid and got shy. She lead him to the classroom and I did some forms right outside the door. He slowly opened up...he ended up doing such a good job. Ashe was a little savant and learned letters and numbers without even trying. He couldn't write going into kindergarten, but he could recognize all the letters. Finn can write, but has been dreading kindergarten because he hates "that letter and number stuff". He could cut and paste and draw and sculpt (with pipe cleaners and crumpled paper mostly) forever, but don't give him any of that book learnin'. When she asked him what "c is for", he didn't know. She said "C is for cat". Finn said "I have a cat. He's white." That tells you where his mind is. Nonetheless, he was able to recognize most of his letters. He almost counted to 20. Another thing of note: there are three(!!) Finn's at Laurelhurst in the fall. So much for my unusual names. Mrs. Becic said Finn is very ready for kindergarten. Socially, he definitely is. He'll be just fine. I'll just be a pathetic mess.

Here's my Finn-y, when he was a baby, with his big bro. Finn turns six in a month (Sept 25).

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

I'm so lucky. I have such great, great friends. Having lived in Portland for 33 of my 38 years, it's pretty easy to have built up quite a group of friends. I have made so many wonderful friends - who I consider "new" - in my 20 years at BPA and at my children's schools. Yvette, who I lived with in the first house I owned, is someone I met at BPA and one of my closest friends ever. I met Molly at Ashe's school. I truly believe she is the definition of soul mate, just because we are similar in so many ways and clicked from the moment we met.

Luckily, though, my old friends are still around too. They come through Portland from time to time. Last week I saw my friend Trina from high school, who I haven't seen in 15-20 years. Today I saw Stephanie. I met Stephanie in 2nd grade. She and I literally grew up together. We had times when we were closer than others, but ALWAYS were in each others' lives. Her parents came to parties at our house. We got in tons of trouble together (smoking and stealing dirty books from my dad). Since I went to a high school that wasn't my neighborhood school, basically none of my childhood friends came with me. Stephanie did, though. We suffered together. We were both from NE Portland, the "other side of the tracks". We rode to school together every day. When I got my license, I drove us. Even though we didn't hang out in the same circles in high school, we always had a bond because of riding to school and smoking at school breaks (did I mention we were sorta naughty?)...

I went to Stephanie's wedding several years ago, but haven't seen her since. We trade Christmas cards and TRY to get together when she visits, but never have. The boys and I went to her mother's today and can I just say it was so great to see her!?! What a nice visit. She lives in Eden Prairie, MN. and has three kids, Dylan, Derek, and Sydney. Ashe and Dylan have a similar temperament. Dylan sat on Ashe's lap at one point. Derek and Finn are both germ freaks. It was funny when I heard her son ask her "Did anybody drink out of that [cup] mom?" That's something Finn's said to me many, many times. Stephanie's dad came by and her sister, Stacey (expecting a son in January), came by too. It was a crazy, wonderful blast from the past.

It's so cool to have hung out with someone I've known most of my life. It really was like I just saw her yesterday. She looks just the same...what a fun, fun time.

A Few Friends...Apizza Scholls....

The boys had a few activities today. Our first being a visit with friends Mike and Max. Finn went to school with Michael at Lee Owen Stone Preschool. They came to our house for a few hours. It was mostly video game play, much to Finn's chagrin.

Even though Finn has become a complete video game junkie, he wants them on his terms. He wants to only play certain games. He also wants to be in control. I wonder where he gets that? They finally had a light saber fight and played outside. It was fun, nonetheless, and it's always good to spend some time with friends.

For dinner, Caver invited us to Apizza Scholls, the best pizza in Portland, maybe on the planet (doesn't Ashe look totally enthused?!?).
We got there at 4:45, 15 minutes before it opened and, as usual, there was a line...By the time they opened, there were about six parties (20 people or so) in line. This is a trend in Portland that I HATE!!! Toro Bravo is the same way. If you want a table at opening, you pretty much have to get there BEFORE opening. Ridiculous. I guess it shows the quality of the yummy, yummy restaurants here, though: we're all willing to wait.

After pizza, Cade and Tucker came over to play with the boys. I tell ya, no wonder they tell me "I'm bored.", when we're home alone. They are constantly stimulated. What is wrong with their mother?!?

Movie Madness

This has been a summer of movies for the boys. Dennis is determined to make sure they see every new kids' movie that's released. Actually, I think it's just something they enjoy doing with their dad. Let's see, it started in May with "Speed Racer" and "Iron Man". Thumbs up on the latter, thumbs down on "Speed Racer". "Kung Fu Panda" was next (one of two I took them to)...yeah, not very good. Then they saw "The Incredible Hulk" and "Wall-E" - they liked them both very much. Last week they saw "Journey to the Center of the Earth".

Today was probably our last movie outing of the summer (although when looking up the release dates of the movies above, I did notice they haven't seen "Space Chimps"). I took them to see the latest Star Wars installment - "The Clone Wars". What a dud!! About 10 minutes in, I got out the ipod and listened to the Rick Emerson podcast...thank god!!
We brought along Caver's boys, Cade and Tucker. The four boys adore each other and hadn't seen each other all weekend, so they were excited. We all ate lots of junk food and enjoyed the almost empty theater with it's great stadium seating.

Bad movie, though. Horrible. I'm a fan of the Star Wars franchise of movies. Stay away from this one, though.

One last thing, since it goes along with today's subject. "The Dark Knight" is one of my favorite movies of all time. I love that movie more than I can say. It's dark, twisted, and SO messed up. Loved every minute of it. Have a good week. Summer's almost over!! Enjoy the last bit.

My First Blog about, of all things, Basketball!

Obviously blogs are where people document their daily activities. I am sure this will only be of interest to those who know me and my family, but I thought it was a great way to do journaling, of sorts, especially about our little boys. So, I am going to try this.

This weekend - August 16 & 17, 2008 - Dennis played in another three on three basketball tournament. He played with the other members of Tigerbomb. Tigerbomb is Jon F., Sean, and Leo S. Dennis created Tigerbomb about 10 years ago for the Hoopfest tournament in Spokane. Dennis has played a total of 11 years in Hoopfest.

The tournament this weekend was in Vancouver, WA. They played in the championship game for their division - 6 foot and over (non-elite). They did not win, but Jon was injured in game two today, so they played the last 2.5 games without him. 3-on-3 is so fast moving that not having a sub is a killer. It was muggy, so the guys couldn't even stop to have a quick drink, because there was no sub! Anyway, here are today's results - they rock!! They played four games today, in 4.5 hours. They played three games yesterday. Bravo guys!

Since I didn't take any photos today, I will post one of the team, with their sons, from the June 2008 Hoopfest tournament, where they also played in the finals and took second place.

Team	Wins	Losses	Win Pct	PF	PA
The Gifted	3	0	1.00	57	32
Tigerbomb	3	1	.75	74	61
Primetime Players	2	1	.67	46	43
Team Walsh Local 296	1	1	.50	5	20
Steve's Wannabes	1	1	.50	24	36
Union Brothers	1	1	.50	9	20
Brothers Johnson	1	1	.50	32	34
En Fuego	1	1	.50	38	27
The Futon Store	0	1	.00	12	14
Double Helix	0	1	.00	0	2
Add-M-UP	0	1	.00	17	18
Murphy's Ballers	0	1	.00	16	17
49ers	0	1	.00	0	2
Nustars	0	1	.00	16	20