Ava and Jack enjoying some Bing Crosby while decorating the tree.

Jack

Jack's tooth FINALLY came out! He waits and waits, but won't pull, push, or even wiggle it to make it come out. Tonight the tooth was just barely hanging on. He was so worried that it would fall out in the night and he'd choke on it (thank you Dr. Kang, DDS), so he cried and was upset but still won't pull on it. It has been a long 3 days. Finally tonight, after the worrying and crying, it popped out while brushing his teeth.

We put Jack to bed; I thought all the worries were done. Jack called me into his room twice to make sure the tooth was still under his pillow! I hope the tooth fairy doesn't forget to visit.

Here's Halloween...a little late

Halloween is always fun and full of activities.  It starts with a pumpkin decorating contest at school.  The kids informed me what they wanted to do with their pumpkins this year.  It was a great relief not to be carving any pumpkins this year. 

Ava's pumpkin. 

Jack's pumpkin was named "best in show" for his class.  He did it himself. (Ok I helped him cut the fabric.)

Our neighborhood hosts the "Monster March" each year.  Tons of families from the neighborhood get dressed up and march around our "main" streets.  Merchants and families of older (or no) children pass out candy.  The parade is lead by the Portland police and a marching band.  It is fabulous fun.  This year's attendance was a little low; the nasty H1N1 kept many home.  Trick-or-treating, of course, is the big finale of the season.  I was fortune enough to stay at home and hand out candy; it was glorious.

Ava dressed as Hermione Granger (from the Harry Potter books) and Jack was dressed as Count "Jackula". 

(the Crocs add a nice touch, don't you agree?)

Two years in a row, the kids have been "halloween don'ts", dressed in black.  Next year watch for a ghost and a mummy.  We'll do it safe one of these years!

We have a few things to post. Mat took a trip for work to Metlakatla, Alaska. The picture is of Mat waiting to get on the float plane in Metlakatla back to Ketchikan. The Metlakatla Indian Community is the only Federal Indian Reservation in the State of Alaska, and is home to the Tsimshean (tsim-she-an) Indians. All other Alaska Natives and Indians reached a different arrangement with the U.S. back in the 1970's, in which the Government made them into corporations. The hospitality and treatment was wonderful. He stayed in someone's home for lodging, and ate a lot of salmon and halibut. The rivers were teeming with Silvers (Coho) on their fall run.

Our backyard

We FINALLY started our backyard project, only 4 months later than planned. It all started with the removal of a deck (in March), followed by the hot tub leaving. We were so excited to get rid of this hot tub (it actually was the reason we are 4 months behind, it and an electrician) that Mat offered his services to get rid of it.

As you can imagine, we were excited by the whole moving process, but I think our neighbors might have enjoyed it even more. After all, they had to look at our hideous backyard more than we did. Pictured below: Sarah, Amy and Sam watching through their window.

Jack's 6th birthday

For Jack's birthday we went to Voodoo Donuts, a Portland must-visit.  We were lucky enough to have our great friends, the Lovetts, here for a visit.  Pictured below from left to right:  Extreme sprinkles, crushed oreo, bubblegum and marshmallows.  (The kids are:  Annika, Ava, Lena, and Jack)

We held Jack's birthday party at the neighborhood swimming pool again this year.  It wasn't as hot as last year, but good enough for swimming. 

This summer Jack has really enjoyed snorkeling in the pool...

and he thinks crabs are funny!

We all had a good day,

 even Betsy got a special new haircut for the occasion.

Playing in the surf

Last week we went to Short Sands beach with some friends. We enjoyed the waves with Boogie Boards and Mat, Ava, and Jack tried the surf board. Mat was the only one of the three that was able to stand. I think he's getting the hang of it.

What we've been doing

Each of these probably should have had it's own post, if I wasn't such a slacker.

Easter

Grandma Vicki came for a visit

Jack's last day of preschool

Ava's last day of 2nd grade

We put in a big window in the basement...

and finished the basement (finally!!)

Grandma Dolly and Papa Jim came for a visit

Jack lost his first tooth

A few other things that have been keeping us busy.

• Preparing the backyard for a landscaping renovation, which includes digging out bamboo and ripping out the old deck.
• The kids have been involved in piano lessons, swimming lessons and tennis lessons. (I'll add pictures of that later this week.)
• Mat took Ava on her first backpacking trip. They went with one of Ava's friends and her dad for an overnight. They hiked in 2 miles, jumped in the Salmon River (which was freezing), and had a great time.

check out the new slide show for additional pictures

public library

Jack has a classmate who is from the Czech Republic. Her parents have come into the classroom to tell the kids all about what the Czech Republic is like, and to teach them how to say a few words in Czech. At home one day, Jack and I were watching something on PBS and at the end of the program the narrator said, "for more information, check your public library." Jack got so excited and he said, "did you hear that mom?" I said I had, although I was confused why he was so excited about the public library. He told me, "they said to go to the Czech Republic library!"

Ava's poem

At breakfast the other day, Ava created a poem:

The falling star came falling down
It looked just like a diamond ring
I was so exited that
I began to dance and sing.

NMIHH

So, not much is happening here.

enjoying a sunny day

wishing spring would arrive SOON!

Ava was a sweet big sister and helped Jack address all of his Valentines.

"babysitting"

lots of hanging around in pj's

So, not much is happening here, but check out Norman's blog. He has a bit more excitement.

new post

I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post. I will not wait another month to post.

Jack's preschool Christmas Pageant

Yesterday, Jack had his preschool pageant. It was originally scheduled the week before Christmas, but was canceled due to the snow (see post below.) Jack is a bit of a ham. Watch the first video to the end. He also REALLY articulates and his mouth gets a good workout; it is captured in the second video. They're both really short.