You Don't See That Every Day

The differences between boys and girls can be vast as most of you probably know. But then, kids are kids and they do kid things! The first sunny days have made their way to Oregon this week and we are all reveling in the sunshine! I took the kids to the park the other day - and this is where I really saw the differences come out. The kids all ran for the play structure, but it was the girls who made it into their 'home'; an underwater, waterproof, sea home of course, with dolphins included. Whereas the boy wanted to be a pirate and capture the ship instead. His sisters didn't listen this time. So he either had to join in or do his thing. He went over to the creek and bridge to throw sticks in the water instead. He has this game called "Pooh sticks" (ie. Winnie the Pooh) and whichever stick comes out under the bridge first is the winner. After awhile we went for a walk around the trail there and enjoyed the sun. aaahhhh.

So as I expected, our 'holiday' was low-key. The kitchen was a chaotic mess because G is working on installing the last of the countertops. Which means removing the stove, the sink, and refrigerator. This is what the kitchen looked like for Saturday and Sunday. Thankfully we were able to move everything back by 11 pm last night, and I was able to make pancakes for breakfast this morning. No cereal, because all the bowls were dirty and we had yet to run the dishwasher for the weekend. But at least we had a bunch of chocolate to get through the day! And I was actually able to do something fun with the younger girls' hair. I saw a photo from a friends' facebook page and the girls wanted their hair the same way. Can you see the hearts? Of course the laughs came when we took it out last night and they had some wild hair! We are taking the day off from school today . The boy is at a birthday party, and we are going to go through baby stuff today. Since we had gotten rid of e

Happy St. Valentine's Day! I have a few treasured memories of past celebrations on the 14th. For our very first Valentine day, my dear, romantic, husband took me out ... to ... a ... shooting range. Could there be anything more special than holding a little pistol (I can't even recall the number the gun is called, but I know he can!) and shooting the daylights out of a poster of Terri Clark?! Of course not. Ok, but on the plus side for G, he was once asked, "How long have you been married?" and his quick response - seriously, he didn't miss a beat - was, "Not long enough." And I melted all over again. This year's holiday will be much like the others; we'll have some chocolates with the kids, maybe a nicer or favorite dinner. For the most part we don't make a big deal out of this day.

Last night was Opening Ceremonies for the Winter Olympics. I missed watching it but I got to enjoy an athletic event of a different sort. My 2 sisters and I along with my oldest daughter and my niece went to the OSU gymnastics meet. (Thanks LG!!) It was fantastic! It has been years since I have been back to my Alma mater for a meet like that, and it brought back all kinds of memories. Not only did those girls look. so. young. but the town has changed ... and it hasn't changed. I saw the places I met people, the buildings where we lived, the bike paths we traversed, the memories of motorcycle rides .... Of course, my daughter didn't take much interest in that, so I didn't say too much about, "Back when I was here..." But I remembered. I thought of the times I played basketball at my first college - a tiny little school in Oakland, CA - before transferring to OSU and just watching the games. I thought about the people I met in college and how some of them I keep up

Last weekend G. and I got to go to Skamania Lodge for a weekend away without the kids. Company sponsored even. We had a such a relaxing time! Of course G. had meetings all day on Friday, and there were the 'obligatory' dinners each night, but hey, the food was great, we had friends there, and we got a free massage on Saturday. The view from our room was incredible. Last year we were stuck looking at a parking lot. This year was a huge improvement!

Let's play a game. You'll need your imagination, and if you really want to get into it, a basketball and some duct tape. First off, pretend you are 37 years old. You have 4 children ages 4, 6, 9 and 11. They are wonderful kids but they are still kids - meaning they will make you tired. This is where the duct tape comes in. No, not for the kids this time. Place a basketball on your stomach. It doesn't need to be fully inflated... not yet... you have 3 more months to inflate it to maximum capacity. Tape it on your stomach, nice and snug. It's not going anywhere for awhile. Lay down on your back. Oops, that doesn't feel so good, roll over to your left side, since that is what the doctors say is best for you now. Ah, that isn't too bad. Fall asleep for a few hours. But now your left hip hurts. And the knee. Ouch. With that 10 pound basketball still taped on, try and roll over to your right side. No, you can't flip onto your stomach. Oh, and try not to wake your