At our neighborhood tea party,
some of us Grandma's had talked about joining the young families on back to school day. When the other Grams were busy, I hesitated. Then I heard Komo reporter John Repp talking to some of the kids right up the street at Cherry Crest. I put on my funnest shoes and started out the door. Top of the driveway, I met up with two of the little girls I know, starting first grade, Emily and Ava, with their parents. So I joined them.



Cars are parked all down our street - just like 20 years ago. At the end of the block are the patrols, they look the same. The school still is the same outside and has the same sign out front.
But now they are serving coffee and pastry. And there is a sign up for after school Chess. School started way earlier this year. There are Grandparents bringing their grandkids. That did not happen 20 years ago. But the biggest difference is the huge bags that moms and dads are carrying with crackers, handiwipes, Kleenex, etc. One lady was carrying two Gap bags and two grocery bags. The two boys beside her were carrying back pack. On the way home I saw a Dad on a bicycle built for two. That is new.
And here come late arrivers. running in their new Nike's - now that has not changed.

An early bath, PJ's and out to dinner

A cool bath on a hot summer afternoon, a few tub toys, and bubbles.
Jackson and Claire had a great time freshening up and getting dressed
for bed. No, not going to bed. Not ready for that. Going to the Burg. We
always like to visit the Burgermaster when they visit, and since we don't get out
of the car, we can wear whatever we want. I often wear slippers, just because I
want to. Jackson's favorite PJ's have short sleeves and long pants and spidery
arms - he is Spider man. Claire's summer set is yellow with dragonflies. The photo
does not do them justice, but it seemed appropriate to add a picture to the story.
We all enjoyed those juicy burgers ( mine with bacon ) fries, and then a blackberry
milkshake. Just one to share. 1,000 calories never tasted better

It started with a short road trip to Vancouver Island at 7:00 Friday morning.
I say short, but when you are on the road for 5 or 6 hours in one day and 5 or 6 the next, you bring along something to do. I brought along some Holiday letters that I have saved during the past 4 or 5 years.
Also 3 books
Look Great Feel Great ( Joyce Meyer ) I snagged that from Martha's free table
What Einstein told his cook ( Robert Woelke ) Did you recommend this or did I?
Respectable Sins ( Jerry Bridges ) Gift from Alice
That said, I will leave you to guess what I spent my time on.
O, I brought my journal, too.
Back to the road trip.
We were getting close to the Twassen Ferry dock, with about an hour before take off, with a police car right behind us, when Darrell thought we were going to miss the ferry if we did not hurry through ...... a red light. Yes, I said there was a police car right behind us. A very nice officer ( they look so handsome in a uniform) came to the window and asked a few questions. He must have realized that the driver was just old, and not on drugs or anything, so he just said " It would be better to miss the ferry, than cause an accident". So we did. Miss the ferry. By 13 cars. So this gave us another two hours to read, eat, read some more. Once we arrived in Nanaimo, it was another hour to our friends, Charlie and Marilyn (about 3:00 in the afternoon.) We had a great visit,despite some rain showers on Saturday
All too soon it was time to start back. We wanted to make sure and get to the ferry dock early so we left the house at 3:30. We got to the dock by 4:15 ( went through one red light ) the ferry left at 5:45 . We should have left at 3:00. We missed it by 8 cars. We pulled into our garage about 1:00 Sunday Morning.
End of story. ( do you think that missing a ferry is like punishment for breaking the law?)

Tea Party

So much food. Strawberries, grapes, bagels, animal crackers,
Jane made deviled eggs, heart shaped sandwiches and little arrow shaped peanut butter and jelly.
Janet brought Paris blend tea and cupcakes. Pink coconut cupcakes with wonderful fronting. ( she brought 4 extras for later )
Emily, Ava and Lexi. All 6 years old. The guests of honor.
We all gathered around the table and Ava took her Mother's hand, and Carole's, and soon we were all holding hands and praying. Giving thanks for a beautiful day, friends, food and good health.

The table was ready.
Pink and green color scheme
Fun runner printed with children and animals ( Easter )
Little girl napkins from the Swedish Institute ( Carl someone - even our Danish guest loved them )
Mickey sugar lumps ( thank you Nancy )
Now we can begin. First tea party. Janet explained that coming for tea involved conversation.
So along with all the goodies we talked about such interesting things as raccoons, sleep overs, face
painting, and lots of other things. The time pasted quickly and soon it was time to say our goodbyes.
We all put our feet into a circle for a great shoe photo.
Everyone had a little party favor to take home
And we all have a memory of 3 young ladies getting to know a little more about friendship.
I am still smiling.

something is missing

Well, you might think that M & M's and coffee are a perfect picture. I love M & M's. I love coffee and M & M's. But a whole year could go by without dipping into that cute little container that sits on my kitchen counter. That is why, last week I had to try one to see if they were still fresh. It all started with a little handful. And, I have small hands, they are my smallest feature. And the M & M's were good. So, I tried another little handful. And then one more. I was trying to put the blame on someone. Jezbel, where were you? You used to come by and snack on my M & M's. And Caitlyn and Bethany, didn't you PROMISE to come by? Then I discovered three bags full. They are still unopened, but before they get stale, please, someone, come over and help me eat them. What would you like to go along with them? Milk, tea, sparkling water, sparkling cider? You name it. So what is missing from the picture? YOU !

The Real First Lady of shoes

First lady of shoes?
I suppose you thought it was me. O no. I am just a shoe princess . The First Lady of shoes is Beth Levine. I know because I read the book, visited the exhibit and took the pictures ( Ooops, that was a no no, but how was I to know?) Well, the first one, was outside. And that poster is the from the cover of her book. I took the second one as soon as I got upstairs to the exhibit. And while the docent was telling me that I could not even take a picture of my own shoe, somehow my camera took another picture. But the is the fuzzy one. The next one was the revolving door. Very few in Bellevue, so it is good to take advantage and go through at least twice. So I looked at over 100 shoes, but I have to say, there are lots of other great shoes out there and I can take pictures of them when ever I want. And I do.