Spelling

John needed some help while doing his homework this week.

John: Mom, how do you spell c,h?
Me: c, h
John: Yea, how do you spell c,h?
Me: c, h
John: You know, it makes the "ch" sound? How do you spell c, h?
Me: John, you spell it with a c and an h.
John: Oh, yea, thanks.

Grown Up

As I was looking at myself in the mirror this morning deciding what part of the makeup routine I could skip in lue of time, I start to think....

Last week I spoke to a group of 50 girls ages 12-13. I had been asked to talk on makeup and fashion appropriate for that age group. The details of that are a whole entry in and of themselves. However, one of my points was that at their age they don't need a lot of makeup to look beautiful. They have a natural, youthful beauty already. I then compared their looks to those of their mothers and women older than them. I pointed out that those of us older than them have had babies, don't get enough sleep at night, and have the aging process all working against us. We need makeup to make us look younger. My point in doing this was to add a bit of humor and to help them realize they are young and naturally pretty.

So back to my own face... as I used my white concealer to diminish the dark semi-circles under my eyes, and my green concealer to diminish the red dot from a previous blemish. I thought of the comment my dermatologist made to me when I was in at my last appointment. I told him how even the smallest of cuts or scratches on any part of my body seem to take months to disappear. They stay red for a long time. His reply, "you are getting older and the body takes longer to heal". Then when discussing my weight with my "women's" Doctor I was again reminded that I was getting older and the body does not work like it used too.

Which lead to another point to ponder. When did I get old enough to have or need a family doctor, Dermatologist, "women's" Doctor, eye doctor, Dentist, ENT specialist, Gastroenterologist, Podiatrist, Periodontist, Orthodontist, or Psychologist? All of which I have a business card for,and have used for myself or some member of my family.

So I am now to that point in life where I NEED makeup, I use Listerine, I am concerned about little ones mouths, bottoms, growth cycle, etc... My daughter tells me that my under ware is HUGE! and hers is little. I HAVE to work out, not just because it feels good. I MUST put Neosporin on even the smallest scratch if I want it to go away with in 2 months.

And with that, I apply the last coat of mascara and walk out the door to start yet another day of being a "Grown Up". At least I get to decide my own bed time. Right?

Happy 34th Jennifer

Another year older. Another year wiser, prettier, etc..... right? It was a really fun birthday for me. We went as a family to OMSI for the day. Then we went to dinner at La Carretta. Yummy Mexican food and great company! I could not have asked for a better day. Well, unless it came with a million dollars!

"The Sword in the Salsa", idea and photo courtesy of John.


Me trying to pull said sword out of the salsa. I came, I saw, I did not conquer.

Having the employees sing to me. The kids favorite part. They kept reminding the waiter so they would make sure to do this for me. Actually, we think the waiter did forget. So when he came back for our check, the kids just kept saying, "it's our mom's birthday" over and over. I guess he got the not so sutle hint.

Muy bonita senorita!

A Hannah Montana craft set from Alison. How did she know?

A Lego Power Miners Set from John. I guess I have to dig for my own jewels!

Birthday at OMSI

The kids had Friday off so we decided to go to OMSI for the day. I had won a year's family pass from the radio station and had not yet activated it. Mark took the day off and came with us. We really had a great time. We saw two planetarium shows, Cosmic Collisions and U2; The Dome Experience. Those were great. The annual Rock and Gem show was going on there as well. We were able to see some neat rocks and gems. We watched a man polishing a sphere and a lady faceting a gem. The current exhibit is Da Vinci: The Genius. I don't know why I thought the real Mona Lisa would be there, but I did. It of course was not. It was fun to see his notes and ideas. He truly was a genius.

They also have a US Submarine that you can take a 45 minute walking tour of. This is the first time we have done that and it was really neat. We got to look through the periscope and see the boats on the water. They have real torpedoes on board. A fact that John found to be "really awesome". She is the USS Bluebird. They Navy still owns her and if she was needed, she could be sea ready in a year or less. She was one of the subs used in the filming of Hunt for Red October.

We all had a wonderful time at OMSI. We did of course do all the standard things there are to do at OMSI. Good thing we get to go whenever we want this year. The kids really have a blast. This is video of Alison in the Room of Mirrors that Da Vinci designed. She had a blast! I think her birthday present will be mirrored closet doors.

Field Trip

I had the privilege of going with John's class on a field trip. Although, we did not see a field? We went to downtown Portland to see Click, Clack, Moo. I was responsible for four boys. We had a good time and really enjoyed the play.

Jennifer and John on the bus.

John, Demetrius, Caleb, Jonathan
What you can't see is that Demetrius has both of his ears pierced. Is it just me, or is that a little too young for a boy to have pierced ears? He wears earrings every day. Luckily for me, John has noticed that his ears are pierced, but does not have a desire for his to be as well.

Portland Auto Show

Mark, John and I went to the Auto Show together. I had suggested that it be a "guys day out", but Mark really wanted me to share it with him. Alison had her choice, and she chose to stay home with a babysitter. (no fair!) We really had a good time together. The guys got to see the Camaro, Charger, Challenger, Viper and many other cool cars. When we were finished, we picked up Alison and headed to Red Robin for dinner. It was a nice Saturday.

Happy 35th Mark

Look who turned 35!

This is the Birthday Crown as decided by Alison, courtesy of her dress up clothes. She took the picture and told Mark to pose.

She loves her daddy!

John the budding photographer.

Alison's present to dad= Lego Constructor Set

John's present to dad= Lego Racer Set

Dinner at Buster's BBQ

Happy Birthday Mark!

The kids ran in to wake up Mark this morning and tell him Happy Birthday. After school we went to Fred Meyer to buy presents. Then home to wrap them and make cards. The kids were so excited to have Mark open the gifts, that had to be done before dinner. Then off to Buster's BBQ for dinner. Last night when we were discussing dinner choices the kids asked Mark how old he was going to be. He told them 35 years old. Alison said, "I am never going to be that old. That means that you are going to be a Grandpa tomorrow dad!" Oh the innocence of youth! We picked up some shakes at Mike's Drive-In and brought them home to have with Chocolate Brownie Bread from Great Harvest Bread Co. This stuff is to die for! Mark had a wonderful day and it was nice to celebrate his birthday with him. I want him to know how much I love him and appreciate him. Mark you are a wonderful husband and father. I love you, you old grandpa!