LUNCH WITH PAPA

Since the kids up here in the Northwest are on Spring break, mama who is feeling a bit better but completely lost her voice has decided to take Mimi to downtown Seattle for lunch with papa. Papa's office is located on the 24th floor with windows that go clear around the whole building. From his office one can get a great view of Seattle. Mama tried to get a picture of Mimi and papa with the Q-West (quest) field in the background. That's where the Seahawks play their home games. The other pictures of Mimi and papa in front of the two model buildings are the ones that papa is working on at this present time.

Next on the agenda was lunch at the great Italian place across the street from the office. Mama is currently experiencing a senior moment and cannot for the life of her remember the name of the place. The food there is absolutely to die for. Unfortunately mama forgot to take pictures of the food unlike her friend Princess Teri. None the less we dined on dungeoness crab salad, smoked salmon ravioli and mac 'n' cheese (their own private recipe).

Finally no trip to downtown Seattle is made without stopping at Uwajimaya Asian Market.

Upon arriving home, mama heard on the news that the emissary for the Dalai Lama was in Seattle and we missed him. Doggone it!!!

E-MAIL FROM SAMANTHA

Day by day Mimi is getting more computer savvy. YIKES!!!

BAR - B - CUBED

According to Mimi, the word is bar-b-cubed. This past week mama and papa have been recuperating from the virus that has been going around our small community. Mama has not been feeling up to cooking tonight and papa worked late. Therefore we ordered out and had a video night. As you might have guessed, we watched Alvin and the chipmunks. So not only is the chicken bar-b-cubed but also Alvin is a "prototype" (new word she learned from the movie) according to Mimi.

BOOSTER SEATS---OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Mama is writing this particular story with our good friends the Fratkin's in mind.

About a month or two ago, not sure when as everything is a blur now a days. One day seems to run into the next. None the less our Mimi can now use a booster seat. YIPEE is what mama said until she realized it was a big pain in the tuckuss. We were given the seat on the right by grandpa and grandma (bless their hearts) but the problem was that for the life of her, Mimi could not buckle or unbuckle herself. She needed help from mama which was no easy feat. With mama's short arms and Dolly Parton boobs it really looked like a three ring circus getting in and out of the car. I should have sold tickets to see the show. I'll bet I could have made a million dollars.

The other day while shopping at Walmart, mama found this backless booster seat made by Graco and she bought it. Blake has the same one and both he and Mimi can work it by themselves 99.9% of the time. It also comes with cupholders in the front right and left corners of the seat. By the way, in this picture, Mimi did the buckling up herself. Almost forgot to mention that Mimi really likes it a lot.

GODFATHER'S PIZZA

Well folks we are back to rainy weather again. Mama thought that since Grandpa Dale is in town till the 8th of this month, Keri and mama would take the kids and check out Godfather's Pizza in Covington before Mimi had to go to school. We went to the one in Auburn last month with other FCC members and the kids had loads of fun. According to my other "adopted child" Blake, this place was "AAAWWWWSSSSOOOMMMEEE!!!"

COUSIN JOE - NOW AND THEN

Two years ago was the last time the whole Putney family got together at grandma's and grandpa's. Cousin Joe (the son of papa's older brother David), who previously had hair past his shoulders, showed up with this short haircut. Mama had mentioned that we had a younger picture of him with the same cut. Ole' Joe just looked at her like 'yeah, right'. By looking at the picture to the right, I prove my point. According to his dad David, Nicole (Joe's fiance) got Joe to cut his hair. I tell you, what the Putney men (and any other man) won't do for the women they love. Bless them all.

GOODNIGHT MIMI

Usually Mimi's schedule is as follows: up at the crack of dawn (6:30 - 7:00) , 2-3 hour nap after school or gymnastics , bedtime begins around 9:00 p.m.(bedtime stories with papa) then by 10:00 p.m. she is most definitely fast asleep. She takes a nap late in the day mainly so that she will be able to spend a couple of hours with papa in the evening. He does not get home till after 7:oo p.m. The big majority of her friends do not take naps any longer. Today however she skipped naptime so by 8:30 p.m. she came into the office after brushing her teeth and flossing by herself (she always says "I can do it myself!!!") she announced "Mama, you got a sleepy kid!!!" Then proceeded to put herself to bed.