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.