MIMI FIRST DINNING CAR EXPERIENCE

Taken on the way home from camping at Ohanapecosh a couple of weeks ago.

SGI USA PICNIC

These pictures were taken several weeks ago the day after the Seafair parade. The youth division had a picnic at a park/lake in Renton. The three girls in the left picture are as follows: Julie, Sara, Mimi. As you can see in the picture, Daphne (Sara's mom) was not too thrilled that Sara decided to get not only her shoes but everything else had on completely soaked. Plus it was the only clothing that she had brought to the picnic. Mama fortunately had Mimi swim suit in the car from the previous day when we took a trip to Lake Meridian.

ANOTHER MANIC WEDNESDAY

Will it ever end? I guess not but I love it. After swimming lessons it was time to head over to the library for storytelling then Kohl's for their back to school sale. Unfortunately on our last shopping spree mama forgot to buy t-shirts and panties or more commonly told to mama by Mimi, the word is underwear. We also purchased a couple of more outfits. Papa says that he is going to ban mama from the stores but hey isn't that why women are here? To go shopping? I fail to see what is wrong with that. And while I am on the subject of shopping maybe papa will by mama a brand new camera for Christmas. HINT, HINT, HINT????? Maybe something that is small and sleek that she could fit into her purse and take fabulous photos and videos????? HMMM?????

GET WELL CARD

While mama was busy visiting with the periodontist, Mimi got busy in the waiting room making a get well card for grandma. It's a picture of her and grandma playing ball. The one with the blue eyes is Mimi and the one with the green eyes is grandma. FYI, grandma's true color is blue just in case you didn't know.

GYMNASTIC CLASSES

Yesterday we were quite busy but then why should that be different than any other day? Mama thought that since school was out for summer she would have more time relax.Ha!!! What's that?! We're more busy now than we ever were.

Although Mimi's swim class will be ending this week, mama is sure she will continue with the gymnastics as she absolutely loves it.

When classes (swimming and gymnastics) were over it was time for grocery shopping and lunch for about one hour then it was time to head out of Dodge again. This time mama had to go for a periodontist appointment way out in Auburn. We arrived at our appointed time 4:00 p.m. and there was more paperwork to fill out. Gawd how I hate papaerwork and maybe that is why papa does all of our bills at home. Anyhoo, the girls at the office were quite taken by Mimi. She charmed them all and the periodontist was quite disappointed with mama. He said that her teeth are in great shape. It only took her 13 years to get them that way though.

When all was said and done it was time to head over to Kent Station where we were to meet up with papa. That's where he catches the train for work. Mimi and mama arrived early enough to have dinner at Johnny Rockets. Mimi absolutely loves Ivar's clam chowder. We got papa dinner to go. By then papa arrived and we all headed over to the hospital where grandma had her knee surgery early in the morning. She had a total knee replacement done. She seemed to be doing pretty good. They already had her walking in the afternoon.

GARAGE PRODUCTION

Pictured here from left to right are Marissa, Natalie, Maddie, Elissa, Mimi, not pictured is Gabby (the producer). This past Monday was an awfully busy day for us. When the swimming, shopping and laundry was done, (plus there was still the dishwashing to do) at 7:30 p.m. the girls stopped by our house to see if we would come to see their off broadway production of Nim's Island. Of course we went and so did all of their parents. At first they did not think there would be enough seating so Maddie gave Mimi a Costco size Eggo's box to sit on to which Mimi refused. It was one of those you had to be there moments. Next Natalie (Nim) made the following announcement "This is a serious but yet firm show. There will be no jokes about pee pee or poo poo." I am sure that did not suit Mimi too well as since she is like most gut not all 5 year olds, she enjoys anything that has to do with bodily sounds or fluids. Surprisingly she stayed throughout the whole show. Marissa and Maddie's dad Ray said that the girls had been working on this show all day long. Mama saw Natalie and apparantely they are working on a new show to be seen sometime in the furure.

LAUNDRY DAY

When the swimming and shopping was done it was time to come home and do some laundry. YIPEE!!!! Gawd how I hate it. Our house is two stories with the laundry room downstairs. Mama now knows why a whole lot of people especially moms with kids like the new homes where the laundry room is upstairs. Just about 99.9% of the clothing goes upstairs into the bedrooms and hall closet. Mimi thinks it's fun to take her laundry and throw it over the railing as she has done here in the picture.

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN FOLK'S!!!

Ting - a - ling - a - ling, school bell ring and it's back to school again.....

When the swimming class was over, mama and Mimi made their way down to the newly remodeled South Center shopping mall for school clothes. The mall is HUGE!!! So many stores so much shopping to do. All the moms up here in the northwest know to layer the clothing on their kids before they go to school. In the fall and winter the temperature can dip down into the 50's and 60's during the day and 20's and 30's in the night. There have been times in the past when mama has gone to Mimi's school and found her outside with no jacket or sweater and asked where they were only to get the universal answer "I don't know" and a shrug of the shoulder. EGADS!!!

After the clothes shopping was done it was lunch time mind you Mimi aka "chowhound" ate breakfast before swim lessons then ate (pancakes) again after swim lesson now for lunch she ate miso soup with tuna sushi at Sushitogo in the food court. When we were through with eating we stopped at the Border bookstore and of course we can never ever leave a store without buying books. This time we bought thin books so that Mimi could put them into her backpack when we go to Virginia for cousin Joe's wedding next month. We also found the Wonder Pets Lenny (guinea pig), Tuck (turtle) and Ming Ming (duck) to add to the stuffed animal collection.

As we were getting ready to leave Mimi was hungry again!!! So a stop to Johnny Rockets was made so that she could get some Ivar's clam chowder. Man! How that child can pack it away!!!

SWIMMING LESSONS

This is Mimi last week of swimming lessons until next summer. As always Mimi hates for anyone to get ahead of her. She made sure that she was in front of the boys while they paddled their way to the other end of the pool but then she cut her distance short so that she could be in front of them on the way back to the starting point. That's our Mimi.

MORE PLAYGROUND PICTURES

These pictures and video were taken last Sunday just after Grandma and Grandpa had gone home the night. It was taken at 8:30 p.m. It still is taking mama some getting used too it being so light at night.

SKIPPING

About one year ago was when Mimi learned to skip but mama never got around to getting a video of it. For shame! Oh well (sigh), I guess it's better late than never.

NEW PLAYGROUND

It's hard to believe that just a couple of years ago this playground was just an empty lot chock full of trees. With our friend/neighbor Derek at the helm this lot has become a haven for the local kids in the neighborhood especially during the summertime.

At the beginning of this month another so called "garden party" was held. About 100 people showed up to clear the land for the new playset and landscaping to be put in. Mama and the other moms of the neighborhood provided the breakfast and lunch for everyone to enjoy once the work was done. Of course the kids could not wait for everything to get done just so they could go play in it again.

PLAYTIME WITH GRANDMA

This past Sunday Grandma and Grandpa came over for one last hurrah with Mimi before she was scheduled knee surgery yesterday. Mimi is always soooooo excited to see her Grandma. She was so excited to see her that she had to bring down all of her stuffed animals to show and play with Grandma.