TOYS

A couple of weeks ago Keri started back working at a small hospital up in Snoqualmie. Between Lisa, Shelly and myself, we have all helped out babysitting Blake and Bailey. It works out for me because they keep Mimi entertained. This afternoon Mimi tells Blake "Hey, let's go upstairs and play in my room" to which good old Blake replies "But Mimi, you don't have enough TOYS!!!" Just how much toys does the girl need???? Maybe as much as HE HAS ??? Which is corner to corner of his house filled with toys. I think NOT! This is what I found when I went up to check in on them.

LUNCH AND THE MONORAIL

Of course no train trip is complete without having lunch at the Westlake shopping mall. All the kids opted for McDonalds happy meal except for Mimi. She and I shared sushi. Yum, yum. Then as usual we made a stop to Mrs. Fields cookie shop and then the monorail before heading home. All in all everyone had a good time.

RIDING THE LIGHT RAIL

Since yesterday was too hot to stay home, I thought that I would take Mimi and her friends for a ride on the light rail that leaves Tukwila and goes right into the heart of downtown Seattle. Janet decided that she and the boys wanted to join us and so they did. The kids all had a blast especially when they saw the Blue Angels fly overhead from Sea-Tac airport on their way to Lake Washington where they will be practicing this week for the Seafair festivities. In case you don't know, our Seafair celebration lasts one week long with all kinds of things going on. Started off with the torchlight parade, then there is the Blue Angels show, boat shows, hydroplane races and a whole lot more.

COOLING DOWN

Today is the day when we are supposed to be starting the cooling down period. However the weather channel says that it will be still close to 100 degrees. So I think we will go out for breakfast then head for the mall. I have a gift certificate for Sears from several years ago. Not sure if it is still good though.

Last night it was still quite warm outside at 10:30 so we all sat on the front porch where it was much cooler than inside the house. In the distance you could see a couple of thunder bolts. It's possible we may have some summer rain too.

RECORD HIGH

Today marks the record high for the city of Seattle. Of course for those of us who live outside of the city, the temperature was way higher.

Mimi and I kept cool by staying in air conditioned places. First way Jiffy Lube, then Safeway, then the nail shop, then home where she, Blake and Spencer kept watering themselves in the pool or slip 'n' slide. Thank goodness the lodge where the karate class takes place is air conditioned. Then we decided to skip the sports camp for today as it was 7:00 in the evening and still over 100 degrees outside. Instead we opted for McDonald's playset where it is airconditioned and we also got some ice cream to keep us cool and a yummy way to do it too.

SPORTS CAMP AND KARATE

This past Monday afternoon marked the beginning of karate and sports camp for Mimi and her friends Blake, Erin and Zoe. It is also the first time in a long time that we moms were able to get together too. A couple of weeks ago was the real pits for a lot of us. For me it was my spider infected leg and dealing with Ms Sassy who came to visit for a while. For some reason a lot of the parents are having to deal with sassy kids. For Shelley, it was her son Braden. She had taken both Braden and Zoe to Costco and she says that Braden (4yo) was not only sassy with her but started to hit her too. She called Mike (dad) at work and told him about it. Mike who works construction in laying cement, was working with a sledge hammer and must have been thinking about Shelly's situation with Braden, all of a sudden whacked his left thumb with the sledge hammer real good. It is now in a brace. Keri who rammed her right hand pinky finger into the stair railing while on vacation last month finally saw a doctor and found out that she needed surgery on that finger. Janet had to take care of 3 kids all by herself while hubby Sean was out of town for 3 days on business. They all came down with the flu. She also said that her Liam is awfully sassy too. I tell you, when it rains it really pours. Everything is now either back to normal or getting back to normal. My leg is healing quite nicely, Mimi is back to being sweet, sweet, sweet, Mike's thumb and Keri's finger is on the mend. Janet and her family is all well except for Sean who now has the flu. That's the latest gossip for now.

As far as Mimi goes, she just loves karate and sports camp. The karate class is down at the lodge by the lake. As soon as it is over, we skeedaddle on home just in time to make it over to her school for sports camp. I must say that the sports camp is well organized. I was very impressed last year when she and Spencer did it together. They have all of the kids grouped by age and do just a couple of sports each night with a rally at the end and everyone gets some kind of prize. No one is left out.

IN THE GOOD OLE' SUMMERTIME......

Blake 'n' Mimi were beating the heat with the good old slip 'n' slide.

ONE WAY TO STAY COOL.....

Me thinks ole' Butch has the right idea in this 90+ degree heat.

Last night we all had dinner outside on the patio for the first time this year. Mom cooked up some sushi, steammed clams and corn on the cob and oh boy was it delicious. It stay warm and light outside all the way until 9:30 in the evening.

Later this evening, I will take Mimi and Blake to their first karate lesson, then it will be time to head home and over to the school for the first night of sports camp.

WE'RE IN THE PAPERS

Seafair Torchlight Parade Photos from seattlepi.com Mimi and Blake actually made the papers last Saturday night. Then there is me standing behind Blake taking pictures. That day was the annual Seafair Parade in downtown Seattle and the kids all just had the time of their lives.

ADOPTION TALK

Last Wednesday night while having dinner at the Westlake shopping mall, I sat with the girls while the rest of the adults were getting their food. It never ceases to amaze me how these 6 year olds can at times have "adult conversations". I just sat back to listen to everything they had to say that was on their minds. Our Mimi is very, very, VERY selective in who she tells that she is adopted. To this day (except for her China friends) many of her friends, including her closest friends don't know of her background. At one time we asked her if she wanted tell people and she said "NO". Therefore we want to repect her wishes and let her be the guide.

Somehow the subject of adoption came up between the two girls and Naomi says "Mimi, it's ok to tell people that you are adopted. I'm adopted. If the kids at school say something mean to you about it, you just ANNOY (I'm sure she meant ignore) them and walk away. Then you tell your mom and she will take care of it." I thought that was such a true friendship of warm, encouragng words between friends. It really warmed my heart to see this and hear it. I feel so very fortunate to have our China friends all around us the Fratkins, Alvarados, Berris's and now the Rochleaus and Hurds.

Mimi at this point still wants to keep mum about her situation and that is fine with us. However Naomi has given her some food for thought.

SPACE NEEDLE AMUSEMENT PARK

Last Thursday afternoon Mimi and I met with Naomi and her familly at the Space Needle Amusement Park. It cost $23.00 for all day rides and we all think that the girls got their money worth as many times as they had ridden on all the rides. These two in particular. Lost count as to how many times they rode the roller coaster or went up and down on the slide.

RIDING ON THE MONORAIL

After visiting for a while at the hotel, we all took a short walk over to the Space Needle to catch the monorail and head over to the Westlake shopping mall food court for dinner. There we met up with dad who had left work a little early. The girls took turns playing with Ming the doll. Will wonders ever cease? Our Mimi actually playing with a doll???? Go figure!

Then it was time to head back to the hotel. As soon as we got off the monorail at the Space Needle, for those of you who don't know, there is an amusement park that is loaded with kids during the summmertime. Naomi exclaims "Wow! DISNEYLAND!!!" Not really. However they do have rides for the littles ones to enjoy such as ferris wheel and bumper cars and so forth.

FRIENDS REUNITE

Naomi and her family arrived here in Seattle yesterday morning. Mimi and I went to go see them at their hotel in the afternoon and it's like the two Naomi's have never been apart. They were like two peas in a pod.

ONE WAY TO STAY COOL.....

Summer has finally hit the northwest. It is now hot as heck all day and night. This picture was taken last Tuesday before gymnastic class. Halliwell came over and both girls had a blast playing with the slip 'n' slide and just getting plain wet. Of course the popsicles helped to cool them off too.

SWORD FIGHTING

ON THE JOB TRAINNING....

This afternoon Mimi had her very first babysitting job and she did quite well if I do say so myself. We went over to Brandy's to sit with the boys while she went out to pick up Halliwell from cheerleading camp. Therrian was asleep and McCallister had a blast playing with Mimi until mom and big sis came home.

SUGAR LIPS

THE PROPER WAY TO EAT A COSTCO CHURRO

EVEN MORE BIRTHDAYS TO COME

Yesterday afternoon I had just finished sweeping the front porch while Mimi was playing at Blake's house, I could hear Therrian and McCallister just wailing away. I thought to myself, "Poor Brandy, she just has her hands quite full nowadays". Halle was away at cheerleading camp for the afternoon, so therefore I went over to see if I could help in some way or another. I was able to get Therrian to sleep but poor McCallister just was wailing at the top of his lungs. Brandy was just beside herself. She called the doctor and was told to bring him in. I mentioned to Brandy that I would take the girls to their swimming lessons and then over to Keri's for the party. That way she would have one less child to worry about. She gladly accepted the offer and that is what we did.

When we got to the pool, I had a talk with their coach Spencer. I told him that it is a possibility that Mimi would not be in class on Wednesday (yesterday was their grade day). I also mentioned to him that although Mimi should be in a class one level higher, it was more important for her to be in the same class as her friends Erin and Halliwell. To which Spencer replied "So that's why she's doing so great in the class!" He also told me not to worry about it and that I could come in anytime to pick up her certificate.

Then it was time to head over to Keri's for the party. My ears are still ringing from all of the babies crying yesterday. We counted, there were 2 teenagers, 1 youth and 7 kids from the ages of 3-6. Either I read it somewhere or heard it from someone, there will never be a party or playdate when there is no-one crying. I came home with a humongous headache. Thank goodness for Bayer asprin. This is not to mention all the toddlers and babies crying in the women's locker room where the sound is 100% amplified.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND HOCKEY GAMES

This past weekend we were quite busy with movies, birthday and hockey games. Sunday was Elsie's (blue skirt, white shirt and tiara) 6th birthday at her home in the backyard. Big sis Emma helped out with the festivities by being in - charge of the backyard games. All of the girls had oodles and oodles of fun. Emma (8), Elsie (6) and Mimi (6) are on the same gymnastic team together.

Soon as the party let out, it was time to head home to pick up dad and head over to the ice rink and cheer John on. Halle's family are Hockey nuts. Of course Mimi and Halle had more fun just playing with each other.

PRIVATE MESSAGE to Gdputney Mimi from Doria Y. Emge

_______________________________________________________________________________________Mommy and grinned as long time
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AT THE MOVIES

We no sooner arrived at the movie theater when Mimi shrieked "Ethan! Kate!" (classmates and friends). They had just come out from seeing the new Ice Age movie.

MIMI'S FIRST BOOK SIGNING

After our trip to Uwajimaya, we wanted to go see the new Harry Potter movie. I gave Mimi the option of staying home as she knew the movie would be dark and a little scary however I was told that it was a "stinky idea" for her to go home.

We can never go to South Center without stopping at the bookstore. Here Mimi is pictured with the author and illustrator of her book "Mimi's Gift". As it turns out, it is a whole series of books.

Mimi did enjoy the movie by the way. I was able to distract her attention when it came to the scary parts. The stinky part about that is I missed it too and they were the good part of the story doggone it! I'll just have to see it again when it comes out on dvd.

GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

This whole week there has been a celebration commemerating the grand opening of the new Uwajimaya Market in Renton. Going to get Mimi's "treasures" is not as close as it was in Californina but it is a whole lot closer than going all the way to downtown Seattle.

GIRL TALK

This past Saturday morning Mimi had a lovely conversation with her "Disney Samantha".

SMOULDERING EMBERS

After Monday's wildfires, things have calmed down quite a bit. Still putting out a few very small smouldering embers this morning. Went to see the doctor for a follow up on the infection on my leg and it too is getting better. The doctor took a very small sample of pus that came out. On the brighter side, the redness, swelling, warmth of the skin is decreasing. The only thing that we could figure out what happened is that I might have gotten a spider bite. My friend Angie says that it might be from a Hobo Spider. Apparently there are a million of more of them critters up here in the northwest and being that the weather has been real nice, we are outside most of the time. All in all, a very good day for mom.

SAULSALITO BEACHSIDE

The other day my friend Brandy said that she was going to Costco to get passport pictures for the two boys Mc Callister and Therrian. "Are you going on a trip somewhere?" I asked. To which she answered "It's for the Olympics next year." Big duh for me. With all that has been going on in my life right now I completely forgot about it. I also forgot that we now need to have a passport to get into Canada. A couple of years ago it was not necessary. Thank goodness our passports are still good.

Brandy said that she had spent quite some time looking for a place to stay. Last weekend when they came over to the house we discussed this situation just a little. Both she and dad said that when they tried to look up and book a place to stay it was too early. Now Brandy says that she had a hard time looking because it is later. However she did find this place Sausalito Beachside a bed and breakfast place in Vancouver and booked a reservation. Apparently dad booked us at the same place according to the e-mail we received. Did not get to talk to him about this as he is already asleep in bed. Tried to look it up on the internet and take the virtual tour but everytime I do, the computer shuts down doggone it! Just from the pictures, it looks like a very nice place.

Oh well, I'm too tired now to do anything other than take another dose of anitbiotics and benedryl. My leg does not hurt. Just feels like a bad sunburn and itching like crazy. Tommorrow I go back to see the doc for a follow up. But not before I go to get a manicure and pedicure. The doc said that if the antibiotics that she ordered does not work I may have to go to the; hospital for IV antibiotics. I do hope that I do not have to go that route.

MOM' MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Last night was mom's first and hopefully last trip to the Urgent Care. What started off as a itch in the wee hours of yesterday morning, turned into full blown redness by nightfall. I was pretty much threatened by Brandy that if I did not go seek medical help myself, she was going to take me there herself. I think that doctors and nurses make the absolute worst patients ever and I am no exception to the rule.

Dad put Mimi to bed and I hauled myself to the Urgent Care. Although you can't see it, the red area is very warm to the touch. While sitting in the waiting room, who walks in I may ask? It's our good friend Tasha! Sara's big sis. Poor girl was in a great deal of pain due to a bad UTI. So there we were, Tasha with a painful abdomen and me with my leg. We sure made a pair together.

I was finally able to see the doctor and she really did not know what it is however she did order some antibiotics and Benedryl and said that if the condition gets worse to see my doctor tomorrow (today).

The stinky part about living out in the "country" is that the only nearby pharmacy is 14 miles away. By the time I got home, it was just after midnight.

I tell you, this has been one heck of a week and it's not over yet. EGADS!

SWIMMING LESSONS

Last week at Mimi's lesson I forgot to bring the video so I made up for it yesterday.

GROWING PAINS

Whoever said it is the terrible 2's and 3's lied, lied, lied! At least in our case it was not true. Mimi's 2's and 3's were a breeze. The sassiness started at 4. Just a very minute smidgen though. Then came the 4's, 5's and now 6. It finally came to head in the early part of this week. Phew!!! I feel as though I went to war and back.

Just out of curiousity, I looked online to find out about the characteristics of a 6 year old. What it boils down to is this...... 6 yrs old = non-compliance. The pschologist also said that the kid will raise the bar each time and the parents have to stick to their guns until the kid drops the bar (whenever that will be) and that is known as "extinction". Then the kid will every now and then check in too see if the parent is on the alert. The good news is that if the parent is still on the alert, the sassiness is shortlived. I think Mimi and I have hit the extinction part.

Last Monday Mimi was just as sassy as all get out. Finally I just told her that I was not going to fight or argue with her anymore and that as "punishment" she is to put ALL of her toys in the spare bedroom. "You mean I have to EARN THEM BACK???" the girl asked. "Yep, you got that right babe" I answered. "With the way you are going, you may not even get any toys for Christmas" I continued. "Well you don't know Santa's phone number nyah, nyah, nyah" the child retorted. "Oh yes I do. It's 1-800-Santa!" I answered back. Of course we all know who the REAL Santa is.

As a result, Mimi put all of her toys in the spare bedroom and she was warned that if the sassiness continued I was going to cut off her playdates and swimming lesson. She continued with the sassiness so as a result she missed out on a swimming lesson and not one but TWO playdates with her best friend Blake. It darn near killed me but I stuck to my guns. By Thursday, I could see that it was starting to pay off. All week long, all the child had to play with was Butch and her books. Thursday night she says to me in the gymanstic parking lot "Mom, I've been thinking about all of the crap I've been giving you and I'm sorry". We kissed and made up. These past few days have been a breeze I'm happy to say. There was a whole lot more that we talked about these past few days too.

I told Mimi that since today we will not have the time, that tomorrow she could put all of her toys back into her room. She was quite pleased with the idea needless to say.

NO PRINCESS LIVING HERE

For good or bad (I'm not sure which) our Mimi is definitly not a princess kind of gal. However she does love getting her nails and hair done and likes to play with her High School Musical Dolls. That is the extent of it though. Oh how I wished you could have seen the sad look on Erin and Halli's faces when I told them that all of the princess furniture had to go in order to make room for Mimi's bunkbed.

ALKAI BEACH AND SUMMER RAIN

When we polished off the last crab leg and dessert we headed over to the beach. It's the first time for us to go to the beach since leaving California. Even then we did not go to the beach much as Mimi would scream bloody murder at the sight of the waves. That was a huge dissappointment for me since I grew up along the shores of California. C'mon now, how can you not even like the beach at Torrey Pines??? That really was a disappointment way back then when the child was 2 years old. Even then it took me quite a bit of coaxing to get her into the pool. But with a lot of persistance and patience I was eventually able to get her into the pool. Now at 6 years old I can't get her out of the pool nor could I get her to leave the beach. I always get the universal kid answer "Why mom???"

The one picture I forgot to take was the view of downtown Seattle. You could see where the cruise ships are docked not far from the Space Needle. Dad says that maybe one day we could try to talk our friends the Fratkins into going on a cruise with us up to Alaska. Who knows???

Of course we had to stop by the park before going home to play with Erin. Sean and Liam were there also. The kids were having a great time playing outside that is until it started to rain HUGE drops of rain. Then it was time to skeedaddle as fast as we could all the way home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

The other day when I had Mimi and her little friends Zoe and Halliwell in the car, the subject of discussion was birthdays. It happened be Mike's (Zoe's dad) B-day that day. For whatever reason that I cannot figure out as of yet, these 6 year olds think that all dads have to be taller than the moms and they have to be older too.

Mimi: Mom, how old is dad?
Mom: He's 39 (not really)
Halliwell: Well guess what Mimi? MY DAD is 42 so that means he is older than your dad! Nyah, nyah, nyah.
Mimi: So mom, how old are YOU?
Mom: 21.

Actually yesterday was dad's birthday. Believe it or not I actually suffered from heat exhaustion on Friday afternoon until today. Although Saturday I felt a little better so we had some cake and ice cream when the neighbors came to visit. Today was even a little more better so at first I thought that it would be a great idea to try out a couple of places that we had never been before. We wanted to try a place out in Bellevue called "The Melting Pot" but it did not open till 4 p.m. and we did not want to come home from our buddhist meeting only to go out again so instead we chose Salty"s out in Alkai Beach. Oh man oh man!!! Was it ever sooooo good!!!

At first Mimi went with dad to get her food and when I saw her plate I could not believe what I was seeing. Our Mimi who loves food more than life itself had only a couple of steamed clams and watermelon. Dad said that was all she wanted. I thought to myself "uh huh". Sure enough when I came back with my two plates she ate most of what I had and went back for more as you can see in the picture.

MIMI'S FIRST MARINERS GAME

Last Thursday may have been Mimi's first Mariner's game but most definitely not her last. Erin's dad Sean is part of the Rotary Club and they had tickets to sell so naturally mom wanted to buy some. Mimi was ecstatic because we were going to the stadium with Erin and meet up with dad there. She was even happier to know that she was going to see Ichiro. I wished that I had taken a video. She was yelling at the top of her lungs "I - CHI - RO !!!" over and over right along with the rest of the crowd. True to form EVERYTIME dad got up from his seat to get food or go to the bathroom the Mariners would get on base otherwise it was nothing happening. Mariners were losing to Texas Rangers. In the 6th inning the score was Rangers-1, Mariners-0. Then dad went to the bathroom and all heck broke out. The Rangers walked Junior (Ken Griffey Jr.) and Ichiro hit a double. The crowd went wild with cheers. Long story short when dad returned to his seat the Mariners had the game all wrapped up with a beautiful bow. They won. The score was 3-1. A beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

SWIMMING LESSONS

After the day at the salon, we had just enough time to come home for Mimi to practice her piano with Maddie for about one hour. Then head over to the pool for swimming lessons. Mimi is totally in "puppy" luuuuuv with her instructor Spencer. So are all of the other girls. Mimi is all over him and he does not seem to mind it too much. Mimi really should be in a higher level class this summer but she is in the beginner class because it was more important to her to be in a class with her friends. Last year Erin did not pass and has to do it over and this is Halliwell's first time. I guess that it is why Mimi just goofs off because she can already do the stuff that Spencer asks of her. In fact I was quite surprised that today was the first time I actually saw her swim the way you are supposed too. You know, with your face in the water and your arms going in a clockwise motion and feet kicking all going at the same time. Unfortunately I did not have my video but I sure will on Wednesday.

Then the best part of today was when Washburn pitched a shut out to the Baltimore Orioles! Woo Hoo! Plus the Dodgers won too! Another big Woo Hoo!

Come this Thursday, we (Sean, Janet, dad and I) are going to take the girls (Mimi and Erin) out to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners play. All Mimi can say is "Are we going to see Ichiro play???" She just loves Ichiro.

BEAUTIFICATION DAY WITH MAI

Today was beautification day at the Putney household. "What's that?" Mimi asks. It's the day when we spend it at the beauty/nail salon. It is practically a whole day gone for the both of us. Whenever we go to see Mai, she just loves to spoil Mimi rotten and of course Mimi just eats it all up.

Yesterday (Sunday) was spent recuperating from the night before. Mimi and dad went to see "Iceage The Meltdown" at Southcenter Mall. I suggested that they see it in 3D. When it was over, I asked Mimi how it was to which she replied "It was AWSOME MOM!". While they were out I was able to catch up on some much needed sleep. I have been fighting a bad cold that seems to just keep lingering on and on.

Then all of a sudden at 9:30 tonight, what did we hear? More fireworks!!!!! It lasted for another 15-20 minutes. It no sooner went off and I could hear little Therrian across the street starting to wail. I'm sure Brandy must have been real thrilled about that one.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

The celebration in our "Beaver Cleaver" neighborhood actually started on the 3rd of July. The main event was on the fourth starting at 4:00 in afternoon in our neighborhood park where we all got together for a BBQ and firework celebration. All of the kids had a blast playing in the park, eating hot dogs and burgers and such. Then it was time for the fireworks to begin. First all of the young'uns did their pop it's and sparklers. Then we set up the chairs in the park and put the orange cones in the streets so that the big kids (dads) could play with their fireworks while everyone else sat around to watch. Man! I tell you! Who needs to go to a fireworks show around here? There was major fireworks going on ALL OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD! It was starting to sound like a war zone. My ears are still ringing. Even though I brought Mimi in around 10:30 tonight. The fireworks are still going off.

BACKYARD CAMPOUT

By the time we arrived at the hospital Mimi was still sleeping so I stayed in the car with her while dad went to check on grandma and found out that she had been discharged! I just love how our family communicates with each other. So we called the house and found out that grandma indeed had gone home with grandpa and is doing pretty good.

Later in the evening dad put up the tent while Mimi supervised. We then cooked hot dogs and roasted marshmallows over an open fire. While doing so Mimi dropped her hot dog and marshmallow. Luckily Butch was there to help clean things up.

In the night Mimi and dad slept in the tent while mom stayed in her nice, warm and comfy bed. Why should I sleep in the tent while I have a perfectly good bed in the house?

ARE WE THERE YET???

When we finished with Costco the time was around 3:00 in the afternoon and we were headed over to the hospital to go see grandma. By this time Mimi was acting real looney. All I said to dad was "I think Mimi needs a N-A-P". In a big loud voice Mimi shouts out "N-O MOM! Do you know what that means?! It means NO!" We no sooner left the parking lot and I took a look around in the car only to find Mimi and dad out cold. I tell you, do I not know my family or what?

MMMMM......ICE CREAM!!!

Of course no trip to Costco is absolutely complete without some Very Berry Ice Cream. mmmm...........good!!!