MIMI AND SARA

Yesterday the Kent school district had the day off for staff development. Daphne still had schooling to go to so Sara hung out with Mimi and I. Sara came to the house around 8:00 so therefore she and Mimi had about a good 45 minutes to hang out together till it was time for us to take Mimi to school. While Mimi was in class, Sara and I helped out Brandy by hanging Halliwell's class's artwork in the hallway. Brandy is a volunteer with the art docent school program. She said that she did not realize how much work it is. That is why I am not doing it. I think that I have just enough to do as it is.

Next thing we knew, Sara and I were starving. I had pictures that I wanted to put on a Costco disc so off to Costco we went to have lunch, get the pictures and do a little shopping. I like to take the back road to Costco. It is so much more of a nicer drive and prettier drive than going down the main highway. Sara seemed to like it too. We had such a lovely time together just her and I. While at the school and waiting in the office for Brandy, I overheard a conversation between 2 students. They looked to be like 3rd graders. The girl says to the boy, "Just how much trouble do you want to get him into?" I looked at Sara (a 3rd grader) and said "Please tell me that you all don't talk like that to each other." Of course the girl say "Nah..."

Next thing we knew it was 12:00 and time to head back home to pick Mimi up from school. They had early release and get out of school at 1:10. So we did. Got home, put Butch on the leash and headed for the school. Butch loves going to school. He gets a chance to see his friends Lola (Pug) and Teddy (Pomeranian).

Well let me tell you, it was raining hard as all get out. Even hail. The kids were quite excited about that "Look at the hail!" they shouted.

Brave woman that Brandy is. She invited Mimi and Sara over to the house to play with Halliwell and Olivia. You have to remember that she has the two babies too, Mc Callister and Therrian. Well...... little McCallister was in 7th heaven with 5 girls to play with. Lots of running, screaming and laugter in the house. In California most moms would send the kids outside but unfortunately for us it is way too wet and cold. Brrrrr.

Mimi and Sara stayed there for about an hour before I called them home then they had about another hour to themselves where they had the music blasting downstairs and dancing up a storm. It was almost as if there was a party going on over here.

Next thing we all knew it was time for Sara to go home and Mimi to head over to Summit for gymnastic practice.

THROUGH THE YEARS

My, my, my, time really does fly when you are having so much fun. Top left picture is our referal picture. Couldn't really tell from the picture what kind of a girl Mimi turned out to be. It wasn't until we actually had her in our arms than we found out that she loved having her picture taken but she would never smile during the picture taking only afterward would put on a huge smile grinning from ear to ear and clap. Then no sooner did we arrive in the U.S. she was accepted into UCLA pre-school/daycare and was really into Sesame Street. At that time she was 2 years old. Then comes the group picture going top left: 3 yo (pre-school), top right: 4yo (pre-school), bottom left: 5 yo (kindergarten), bottom right: 6yp (first grade). This year I helped out with the picture taking at school. You should have heard some of the kids complain about their moms. There were several options. First of all, all of the students were required to take a picture whether they were going to purchase picture or not. Second, if you were purchasing pictures, you could pay a few dollars more and have another colored background as opposed to the standard gray color.There were kids who thought that they were going to get the background of their choice but when they found out that their parents did not pay for it you should have heard the moans and groans of "MO-OM!" Then there was the kid whose mom wanted to wear a dress shirt and tie. He absolutely refused. Then his mom talked him into it by telling him that she would bring his favorite shirt and he could change after the picture taking. Problem was, his was the very last class to have their picture taken that day. Poor boy had to wear a shirt and tie the whole day of school. If looks could kill.......he sure had them.

TALENT SHOW

This morning Brandy was having a rough morning and asked if Halliwell could walk to school with us. Of course I said yes. Halliwell informed us that her 6th birthday is this month and that she will have a party and Mimi and Erin are invited. She also said that there will be a talent show. So I suggested that Mimi could play the piano and Halli and Erin could dance. It was a big yes. We had a little time this morning and so the two girls wanted to practice a bit. So they did.

CHASING BOYS

Let the catfights begin! As we all know how much of a tomboy Mimi is.....well the boys seemed to like it too. They really like to play with her because she plays and played like a boy. Back in the day, her other friends were very princessy and they did not like boys and the boys did not care to play with them either. I was told by one mom that her son prefered to play with Mimi because she was more fun.

It seems as though that now all of the kids are in first grade, the girls have decided that boys are not so yucky. Mimi tells me that "If Erin and Halliwell want to get to Ryan, there are going to have to go through me first!" I asked "Why is that?" To which the girl answers "Because I'm tough!" Needless to say we had a long, long discussion on playing well with others especially her girlfriends. I also think that maybe she is feeling a tinge of jealousy since her girlfriends are now starting to notice the boys.

BUSTED

Upon arriving at gymnastic practice this afternoon, Coach Allison
informed me that Mimi is off probation and officially on the team
provided that we want her on the team and I fill out the necessary
forms.

Coach Allison then went on to explain the disciplinary actions that
will be taken should a team member misbehaves. I then asked how Mimi
was doing and Allison said that she was doing fine, only a couple of
times when she started to act like a baby
was she told that if she did not knock it off she would be put into
time out. Mimi who was in earshot gave us a dirty but embarassed look
says "I heard that!"

HALLOWEEN

Yep, I'm guilty as charged. I raided Mimi's Halloween candy jar. I'm
very fortunate that Mimi does not like chocolate much except for s
little hot cocoa.

PAC ISLAND GRILL

About two weeks ago I met a lovely lady who is from Hawaii originally
and we really hit it off. Her name is Eileen and she lives with her
family on the other sideof the highway from us.

We made plans for lunch yesterday where she told me about a really
good Hawaiian place and it was. Mmm, mmm, mmm, yu-ummy. I really liked
the Hawaiian ice tea also.

Turns out that Eileen knows my other friend/neighbor Elizabeth who's
son Adam was in Mimi's gymnastic class this past year. I tell you,
small town.