PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCE TIME

November is the month for parent/teacher conference at Mimi's school. This afternoon Halliwell's parents went to have a talk with the teacher while Janet and mom stayed behind to watch all of the kids. As usual Mimi was in her glory. She absolutely loves having her friends over to the house and play.

According to Brandy (Halliwell's mom), back home in Orange County, the cut off day for kindergarten is Dec 2. For us folks up here in Washington, it is earlier. Not sure of the date but I think that it is Nov. 2. Halliwell's birthday is later this month and her parents were planning to have her been in kindergarten had they still be living in Southern California. Up here she would have to wait another full year. That is something that her parents did not want to do. For Mimi , she had to wait anyway as her birthday is in January. As a result, Brandy had to petittion for Halliwell to get into Mimi's school. That is a whole another process and story that I won't get into. Halliwell was accepted into the school and she is now in Mimi's class and she has become good friends with Mimi and all of Mimi's other friends. Then Brandy tells us that the school had told them that Halliwell would be there on a trial basis until the parent/teacher conference and it would be decided if Halliwell could stay in the class. That put a whole lot of stress on Halle's parents. Just the other day Brandy was told by the principal that the decision to keep Halle in school would be left up to Halle's mom and dad whether or not she stays or get taken out. Brandy is so very much relieved to hear that. Her main concern was that Halle loves the teacher and loves the friends she has made here and to take her out of the school would be devastating for Halle. Brandy says that the main reason why the school wanted her to wait was they felt that Halle might not be sociably ready for kindergarten. Brandy also says that they were told that Halle has a little trouble with focusing and on getting her work done in class but that it is not something huge and cannot be corrected. And as I recall last year Mimi had the same problem and mom was able to work it out with Mimi. Mimi's conference is coming up in a couple of weeks. As of now, Halle and Mimi are still classmates and BFF's.

WILD WEEKEND

Ok folks, although our friends are enjoying the summer like weather in California and we are in the midst of the rainy season, that does not stop us Washitonians from having any fun. It did rain on Halloween night however it stopped in time for the kids to go out trick or treating. Mimi went out with her friends Blake and Halliwell. She was more interested in just getting the candy and saying "trick or treat" more than eating it. When we got back home, mom noticed that her pumpkin candy carrier was empty. She then asked Mimi about it and Mimi said that she dumped in the candy bowl that is intended to give out to the trick or treaters coming to the door. Good girl I say. Later in the evening we all went over to Daphne's and Sara's house for a Halloween Party. We all had loads of fun

Come Saturday morning Mimi was invited to Rhianna's birthday party. She just turned one years old and while the moms and kids were in the kitchen/family room, the dads were enjoying the football game out in the living room. As you can see Mimi is still wearing her Halloween costume from the day before. She did change her underclothes however. Mom made sure of that. All the kids had fun playing and the moms had a good time chatting with each other. As it turns out, we really do live in a small community. Another mom there by the name of Eileen is also a student of Ms Celia (Mimi's piano teacher), also two other sisters in our neighborhood have the same piano teacher. Even ol' Butch made his rounds with the girls. By the time 1:00 p.m. rolled around it was time for us to walk home and get ready for the evening. We had Daphne's house to go to and then at 4:30 p.m. Mimi had to be at Erin's for her first sleepover there.

Erin's dad Sean is president of the Rotary Club and they invited both mom and dad to a special dinner/auction to be held by the club. Both mom and dad felt quite honored to be invited by them. We love them so much. They were among one of ours and Mimi's very first friends after moving up here from California and they are just the most nicest people around.

Just before going to this special event, mom wanted to make a quick stop at grandma and grandpa's house to see how they were doing. On Halloween they were planning to come to the house and join in the festivities but unfortunately grandpa took a spill at the gas station while putting air in the car tires. One of his hips popped out (he has right and left artificial hips) and he had to be transported to the hospital that afternoon. The doctor was able to pop it back in and he came home that night. I tell you, when it rains it really pours around here. Now grandma is walking around pretty good and she is back to driving but grandpa says that he does not feel that his hip is doing good and is planning to see the doctor sometime this week. I have a feeling that they are going to tell him that he will need another surgery. He just had surgery last year around Thanksgiving on his right hip. Oh well, so much for our tale of woes.

By the time we finished with our visit it was time to go to dinner. We all had a wonderful time. Lots of wonderful stuff on the auction block.

This morning started off with dad picking Mimi up from Erin's and we all went to the Seattle Culture Center for our Buddhist meeting and then headed over to the new South Center Shopping Mall for lunch at the food court and desert at the Rainforest Cafe. It seems that they have one down in Anaheim Disneyland too. Then it was time to come home in time to watch the Seahawks lose. Boo Hoo Hoo. Mimi and dad are now enjoying some father/daughter time downstairs watching her new favorite movie Star Wars. That's all the kids have been playing lately.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM MIMI AND BUTCH

Today started off with quite a bit of rain. Fortunately by nightfall it had completely stopped. Not as many kids this year as opposed to last year. Around 5:00 was when Halle and Blake came over for a pizza dinner then we all headed out to trick or treat. Mom saw a whole bunch of perfectly carved pumpkins but the ones in the picture here are the most beautiful and endearing ones that she loved because although dad help to cut the tops and gut it out, Mimi drew the faces on them and Blake carved them out. The kids even named each and every one of them. Starting left to right is: Triangle Eyes = mom, Loose Tooth = dad and Big Mouth = Mimi

THE LETTER "N"

Mimi: Mom, do you know what starts with the letter "N"?
Mom; Napkin?
Mimi: No. It's Naomi Bi - Yo - Ni

A SLIGHT DISAPPOINTMENT

This year while other kids in the country went on a field trip to the pumpkin patches, Mimi's school decided not to go. Mom heard through the grapevine that the reason is because one never knows when it will rain up here this time of year and where the pumpkin patches are (old dairy farms), it is usually muddy. This is something that is not far from the truth. Plus that the fact is that the majority of the parents have taken their kids to at least one pumpkin patch on their own. We took Mimi to two of them this year. Maris Farms and Remlinger Farms. In place of the pumpkin patches, Mimi's school is going to take a field trip in December to the Children's Museum in downtown Seattle right next to the Space Needle. She is very excited about that idea. Another big plus to it, is that they get to ride the school bus there and 12 parents from her class can go as chaperons. Mom is hoping to be one of them. So far the teacher told mom that she could go with them but we will have to see.

OUR MISS SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

This morning started of with mom being completely and totally exhausted after last night's wing ding at our home. The kids had a super great time so it was all well worth it. This morning as usual Butch woke mom up and believe it or not Mimi was still asleep at 7:00. Mom went to get Butch out of Mimi's room before she could wake up. She had so much fun last night playing with her chums. Dad came home late after stopping at grandpa's house. When the party was done and the clean up was done, Mimi and dad carved another pumpkin together. Unfortunately there was not enough light to take a decent picture of the two of them. Around 10:30 this morning was when we were just about ready to go for a brunch at Black Diamond Bakery, Mimi wanted to invite Blake and so she did just that and of course he got dressed in no time flat. We always have a good time together. Then it was time to head down to the Farmers Country Market for some Rockridge Apple Cider. Next thing we knew it was time to head for school. While Mimi was in school, mom got together with a couple of other moms to stamp some treats for Halloween. Mom loves doing arts and crafts. This year another mom in Mimi's class Katrina "Kat" invited mom to join her in doing some card stamping. So this year all of our Christmas Cards are handmade by yours truly. Now that school is out for the day, Mimi is over at Erin's house watching.......... a Barbie movie! The surprising part is that she is actually enjoying it too! Plus get this, Mimi said that she did not want to go to the park on this gorgeous fall day. Mimi says "Mom, we don't have this Barbie movie!" Will wonders ever cease. Mom is now at home enjoying some quiet time to herself.

ANOTHER KODAK MOMENT

This is definitely a Kodak moment. This is the very first time Mimi has ever given Ziggy and Marley a pet let alone a hug. In the past she would just look at them and would not even touch them and these two dogs are the most laid back dogs you have ever laid eyes on. Butch must be having some effect on Mimi.