For a Monday morning, it's pretty clear and beautiful. The skies are blue and there's no haze from wildfires. On my drive to work I could see five peaks - Mt Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Three Sisters.
And when I looked at the top of South Sister (also known as "Charity") I thought, "I've been there!"
I hiked to the top of South Sister with several friends on August 10th. Yes, in Oregon some of our mountains have trails all the way up to the top. This one happens to start at the Devil's Lake campground, a short drive from Bend.
Showing posts with label proud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label proud. Show all posts
Monday, August 31
Sunday, March 9
Fiddle
When we found a spot on the bleachers, I leaned over and told Boo, "no matter what happens, remember that I love you very much." She looked at me with a confused expression. I reassured her that soon she would understand.
Kids dressed in black pants and white shirts (some with ties!) started to filter in and find their seats on the gym floor. We spotted Q.P. and Stinky among them. It was almost time to begin.
Our chosen seats had a good view of Stinky but it was tough to see Q.P. which was a little disappointing. Finally the teacher appeared... and the 6th grade orchestra concert began!
Some time during the first number Boo asked me, "Is this supposed to be 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'?" And by the look on her face I knew that she understood my earlier comment. But all things considered, it was pretty good for a bunch of kids who just started playing assorted stringed instruments. And it was QUICK too... they only played for about 20 minutes. There were few surprises - I think they played the same tunes that I probably played at my first orchestra concert.
But there was one large surprise - Stinky was the second chair for the first violins.
When it was over, I could tell that the kids were relieved. That first performance is a tough one. Next year music classes are optional. I hope they will both continue with something, if not orchestra.
Kids dressed in black pants and white shirts (some with ties!) started to filter in and find their seats on the gym floor. We spotted Q.P. and Stinky among them. It was almost time to begin.
Our chosen seats had a good view of Stinky but it was tough to see Q.P. which was a little disappointing. Finally the teacher appeared... and the 6th grade orchestra concert began!
Some time during the first number Boo asked me, "Is this supposed to be 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'?" And by the look on her face I knew that she understood my earlier comment. But all things considered, it was pretty good for a bunch of kids who just started playing assorted stringed instruments. And it was QUICK too... they only played for about 20 minutes. There were few surprises - I think they played the same tunes that I probably played at my first orchestra concert.
But there was one large surprise - Stinky was the second chair for the first violins.
When it was over, I could tell that the kids were relieved. That first performance is a tough one. Next year music classes are optional. I hope they will both continue with something, if not orchestra.
Tuesday, September 4
School
The first day of school ... an event that triggers a combination of emotions ranging from anguish to ecstacy ... for everyone in the household!
Boo started third grade today. She is excited by her school's "habitat" where they are growing a variety of crops and critters. Today they snacked on sunflower seeds from the garden (she likes the bagged ones better, because they are salted). She proudly showed off her "agenda" (a notebook with a calendar and organizer) and seems happy with her new teacher and classmates.
Stinky and QP both started sixth grade - middle school - today. This is the first year that they will be attending the same school. It will be interesting to see how things go. They are in separate "houses" so they only have music together so far. Currently they are biking to and from school, since the trip is about a mile. We'll probably re-evaluate this plan when it's not so light at 7:15 in the morning, though. That's right... they leave at seven-freakin-fifteen. School starts at 7:45 in the morning. Yaa-aaawwwwn... I am sooo glad that I am not in middle school any more.
QP said that she had a blast and that middle school is waaaay better than elementary school. How long do you think that will last? She wanted to stay and watch Stinky's practice (more on that in a minute) but she called me and said she was cold, and heading home. She decided against playing volleyball this fall (?!?!?!). I told Scott she's turning into a girl. Heaven, help us.
Stinky is happy too. He saw his new buddy from orientation and had sushi (yeup, SUSHI) for lunch. Hmm, maybe I wish I was still at middle school after all! He had a great time at his first Cross Country practice, even though it was really tough. I reminded him that the first couple weeks will be the hardest, as that is when they tend to weed out the kids who aren't as dedicated. If he can make it through that stretch then he will be fine.
Happy kids? Check. Phone calls from the office? Zip (so far). Yeah, I would say this year's off to a great start!
Boo started third grade today. She is excited by her school's "habitat" where they are growing a variety of crops and critters. Today they snacked on sunflower seeds from the garden (she likes the bagged ones better, because they are salted). She proudly showed off her "agenda" (a notebook with a calendar and organizer) and seems happy with her new teacher and classmates.
Stinky and QP both started sixth grade - middle school - today. This is the first year that they will be attending the same school. It will be interesting to see how things go. They are in separate "houses" so they only have music together so far. Currently they are biking to and from school, since the trip is about a mile. We'll probably re-evaluate this plan when it's not so light at 7:15 in the morning, though. That's right... they leave at seven-freakin-fifteen. School starts at 7:45 in the morning. Yaa-aaawwwwn... I am sooo glad that I am not in middle school any more.
QP said that she had a blast and that middle school is waaaay better than elementary school. How long do you think that will last? She wanted to stay and watch Stinky's practice (more on that in a minute) but she called me and said she was cold, and heading home. She decided against playing volleyball this fall (?!?!?!). I told Scott she's turning into a girl. Heaven, help us.
Stinky is happy too. He saw his new buddy from orientation and had sushi (yeup, SUSHI) for lunch. Hmm, maybe I wish I was still at middle school after all! He had a great time at his first Cross Country practice, even though it was really tough. I reminded him that the first couple weeks will be the hardest, as that is when they tend to weed out the kids who aren't as dedicated. If he can make it through that stretch then he will be fine.
Happy kids? Check. Phone calls from the office? Zip (so far). Yeah, I would say this year's off to a great start!
Sunday, July 29
Camp!
When I arrived on Saturday morning, kids with wildly painted faces ran to greet me - Stinky's was blue and the girls' were green. I shoved laundry bags, overflowing with damp, musty smelling clothing, into the back of my car. I talked with Clover, Baloo, Brownie, Whipsplash, and Beowulf. Bullphrog and Z are still there. Stinky's towel was retrieved from the lost and found. After a visit to the camp store, we paused to pick huckleberries from the large bush in the middle of the gentle hillside.
The kids finished a week of fun at Camp Silver Creek. This was Stinky's fourth year so he is officially a camp rat. It was JJ's second turn. And... It was Boo's very first time at sleepover camp.
Stinky lived in Bear Creek. He was extremely disappointed that he didn't live in Hemlock - the only unit he hadn't lived in so far. He was very jealous when he found out that was where Boo would be living! JJ was assigned to Hillside but by the time I picked everyone up on Saturday she had been moved to Bear Creek.
Every Thursday the groups to go on an "outpost" - an overnight hiking trip. Some of the hikes are very short - just far enough to get away from the main camp. (You don't have to wander far to get to the deep woods at Silver Creek!) This year JJ went on the "iron kid" hike to Shelby Falls - 9 miles each way. Everyone ate grilsch for dinner on their overnight trip... so the tradition lives on! This year JJ had a more favorable opinion of the dish, and all of them asked if I would make it for dinner some time. (Ummm.. NO!)
On Friday night they played an all-camp game of Capture the Flag, which was the reason for the face paint. They were exhausted and exhilarated. They talked nonstop until about Marion Forks - when suddenly sleep overtook them!
They all had a blast!
The kids finished a week of fun at Camp Silver Creek. This was Stinky's fourth year so he is officially a camp rat. It was JJ's second turn. And... It was Boo's very first time at sleepover camp.
Stinky lived in Bear Creek. He was extremely disappointed that he didn't live in Hemlock - the only unit he hadn't lived in so far. He was very jealous when he found out that was where Boo would be living! JJ was assigned to Hillside but by the time I picked everyone up on Saturday she had been moved to Bear Creek.
Every Thursday the groups to go on an "outpost" - an overnight hiking trip. Some of the hikes are very short - just far enough to get away from the main camp. (You don't have to wander far to get to the deep woods at Silver Creek!) This year JJ went on the "iron kid" hike to Shelby Falls - 9 miles each way. Everyone ate grilsch for dinner on their overnight trip... so the tradition lives on! This year JJ had a more favorable opinion of the dish, and all of them asked if I would make it for dinner some time. (Ummm.. NO!)
On Friday night they played an all-camp game of Capture the Flag, which was the reason for the face paint. They were exhausted and exhilarated. They talked nonstop until about Marion Forks - when suddenly sleep overtook them!
They all had a blast!
Saturday, May 5
27:54
Stinky participated in the Solaire Salmon Run today. This was his first 5k race, and he has been training for about a month. He was pretty excited already that the training was helping his mile times at school. (Dropped from 10min to 8min in just a couple of weeks.) His goal was to finish in under 30 minutes and I thought that was pretty ambitious.
But he did it!
Better yet... he enjoyed himself and definitely wants to continue running. He is thinking about joining the cross-country and track teams when he starts middle school in the fall. Yea, Stinky!
Updated... The race results are now online! He was in the top third for the 5k and did very well for his age group. Woot!
A strong start...
Off and running...
Almost there...
Wah-hoo! The end is in sight!!
The finish line...
But he did it!
Better yet... he enjoyed himself and definitely wants to continue running. He is thinking about joining the cross-country and track teams when he starts middle school in the fall. Yea, Stinky!
Updated... The race results are now online! He was in the top third for the 5k and did very well for his age group. Woot!
A strong start...
Off and running...
Almost there...
Wah-hoo! The end is in sight!!
The finish line...
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