Swimming Results, etc.

Monday night Susy and I were kid free: Andrew went to the Transformers movie again, this time with Rian, Calee, and Kyle. Mali spent the night at Zoe's. Susy and I went to Lamps Plus and bought two fans for the playroom. I will attempt to install them where the can lights were, but my expectations are not high, and we will probably find someone else to do it.

The kids just returned from swim practice. Mali is proud of her ribbons: a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in IM relay, backstroke, and freestyle. She's cleaning the kitchen now - it's her week and a disaster, since she was gone most of yesterday and last night. Afterwards, I'm making eggcakes, by request.

Pool time - and more Ratatouille

Saturday night Andrew went to the Simpsons movie with his friends Rian and Calee. They liked it, but there was no shock or awe. The rest of us watched Practical Magic at home with Pablo. It was good, but a little slow, as it now seems all pre-2000 movies are.
Sunday, Rian came over and we went to the pool for a couple of hours. Afterwards I made a batch of Ratatouille to celebrate Paul and Zoë's triumphant return from San Diego and Tijuana. Here's a picture of Hannah, doing what she does.

Oak Hills Swim Meet

It was cool and a little drizzly Saturday for the swim meet at Oak Hills. The pool was only 20 yards long, but they had diving platforms so it was a good practice meet. Mali's final dive wasn't toooo bad - and she won her heat in the 40yd freestyle. There's a couple more decent photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/oregondad/
We stopped at Biscuits for an afternoon breakfast on the way home.



Susy had to move over to the practice diving platform to provide Mali a little encouragement. We noticed from the far side of the pool that she was letting Everyone cut in front of her.

Mali Reads

I guess because it beat her to the purple chair, Mali put on the wig before sitting down to read Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator.

Mali's Dinner

Mali's dinner was wonderful! She made Chicken Yakitori skewers from the South Beach Diet Quick and Easy Cookbook. I am angry that I didn't get a picture - it was an attractive dinner. She also made delicious walnut brownies for dessert. Pablo joined us, and brought Mali flowers! It was a very nice evening.

Hearts

Mali's Thursday soccer practice was moved up to last night, so we had pizza for dinner at 8:00. We tried playing hearts afterwards, but we all got tired - except Andrew. We quit before we were finished - but Andrew took the lead on the last hand, so he didn't complain too much.
Mali is planning to cook a nice dinner tonight. I'll keep you posted.

HorrorShow

Rian coordinated Horror Movie Day today, convincing Andrew to walk down to Hollywood video to pick out two horror movies with her: The Hitchhiker and The Hills Have Eyes 2. After Andrew's physical at 1:30 (results: he's 5' 5", and 121 lbs - and very healthy), Eric came over and they watched movies all afternoon. Mali quit after the first one, and came downstairs and asked me about our alarm system, and if I had a gun.

Cupcakes

Mali's been baking, and decorating, cupcakes. Here's a couple of them. We've eaten many.

Monday

Andrew went to the water park up North of Fife for his friend Eric's birthday with Rian and Calee. Mali wanted to go but was stuck at home with her dear old dad. We went to Michael's and to Webber's Diner for lunch as a consolation prize.
Tonight we went to a dessert party at Dave and Gayle's for John's going away party - turns out he'll be here another two weeks getting his house (nextdoor) ready to sell.

Soccer update

Mali's team lost Sunday, 2-0. They played well, just not as good as the other team. They got medals for second place, so it all worked out.
Andrew came along to watch and read the last Harry Potter book, along with all the other spectator's under 20 years old.
There are photos of the tournament at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alohaxtreme2/
If you look closely, you can find Mali!

Soccer Swim Team Saturday - Update

A very successful day for kid athletes!
Mali's team won their first game 3-0 to take second in their bracket. At 5:00 they played the winner of the other bracket, and held on to win 1-0. Today they play in the championship game against the team that beat them 4-0 on Friday and won their division.

Andrew swam in a bunch of races, did great, and came home and took a three hour nap! He started with the 200yd IM, which totally wiped him out. Then he raced in the 100yd backstroke, 50yd butterfly, and the 200yd freestyle and IM relays. He was really ticked because he got second in the 100yd backstroke, but he (or his team) won everything else.

Soccer Swim Team Saturday

Andrew is already at his swim meet this morning. It's here in Murray Hill. Susy will be joining him for the start. I am taking Mali to her soccer game this morning in Clackamas.
Last night we watched How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Cute.

Sleep.

Mali is asleep and missing soccer practice. She has a game tomorrow morning on the other side of Portland. She was really tired all day, so I thought it might be better just to let her sleep. I'm going to bed for a short nap now too - I don't know why, but I'm exhausted. Andrew is at his soccer practice now, but he has a ride home.

Rain!

It is raining! It is a nice change after last weeks 100+ degree heat - that I missed so I could enjoy the thunderstorms of Arkansas.
Moose had a sleepover last night! Max stayed over while Alana's floors are being refinished. They've been outside most of the time, and now they're all muddy. Moose will be getting a bath today.

Deschutes River Rafting

Maupin, Oregon -
Twelve of us hit the river yesterday for six hours of fun battling with the elements. My shoulders are sore from paddling a kayak the whole time. The only injuries were some minor sunburn spots - the girls - Mali, Zoë, Hannah, Natalie, and Lilly all seemed to get a little burned just under their eyes. They rode high and mostly dry - except for the squirtguns - on the large rafts, manned by Doug and Dave. Paul and I were on the kayak all day, except Andrew took Paul's place for awhile after I pulled him into the river off of the raft he was on. Paul wanted a break so climbed on their raft, and Andrew was so busy squirting him that I easily pulled him off.
We left at 7:00, and didn't get home until 9:00. Susy and Erin both stayed home for a day of peace.

Home!

I am home from Arkansas, woohoo! The trip went well.
The kids went to swim team this morning, and now Andrew is off at Rian's house. His job is to recover the backpack he forgot at Calee's house last week, so that I can read the book: The Titan's Curse - the book that follows the two he gave me to read on my trip. They were both good, but I also picked up The Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett, which I loved. I will be hopping out to get the sequel to that one today or Sunday. (I also watched Legally Blond, and The Bicentennial Man while in Arkansas. There was not a lot else to do. Pine Bluff is sortof in decline. Next time I'll stay in Little Rock.)

Tomorrow we have a big day: a river rafting trip in Maupin, Oregon (map). The same one Mali and I went on last year, but this time Andrew is coming, and Susy may come too.

Arkansas

I am in Pine Bluff, Arkansas until late Thursday night. So: News on Friday.

Ratatouille

Mali, Susy, and I went to the Beaverton Farmer's Market this morning before picking up Moose from the vet - he got snipped yesterday and spent the night there. It was a joyful reunion.
We got lots of fresh foods at the market, and I made Ratatouille (inspired by the movie) and Susy made strawberry-rhubarb pies. Pablo brought over some homemade vanilla ice cream, and Alana brought a spinach salad with raspberries and strawberries. Susy also made ham and cheese pitas - which the kids ate. Rian stayed for dinner too - it was a festive evening.
I finally dove into the raspberry jungle and picked about a gallon of raspberries - enough for Susy to make two batches of jam. We spent the afternoon in the kitchen - the kids spent theirs at the pool.

Leftovers!

Pablo grilled the 4th's leftovers last night, plus some steaks, and then Pablo and Rocio came over and we all watched Dreamgirls. Lots of good music!

4th of July!

Pablo put his new grill to the test for the 4th, with ribs, chorizo, burgers, and vegetable skewers. Alana and NancyD came over, so there was no shortage of great side-dishes too. Susy made her deviled eggs, bruschetta, and guacamole. I'm still full.
Here's Mali holding her patriotic pup:

Playhouse Remodel

Mali and Zoë finished painting the playhouse yesterday, and also made a desk out of old shelving we got from our neighbor when she moved. Today she used up the rest of it and made a chair. She asked me to take a picture so we could show Grandpa Del.

Ratatouille

Thoughts on Ratatouille (and other movies) at:
http://oregondad.livejournal.com/

Weekend Update - 1st Swim Meet

Things are busy here! Thursday the kids both had soccer. Andrew scrimmaged Beaverton H.S., but Beaverton didn't have many players so Andrew played on their team with Hayes and Liam (from his old U-14 team 3 years ago.)
Friday Mali made cookies (photo below) and I finally finished the faucets after redoing the drain on the last one three times before convincing it to stop leaking. I'll post photos after we get new lights installed and the mirror back up. Friday night we all watched the cute and funny Music and Lyrics, which Susy really liked.

Saturday started swim meet season in Irvington. The kids both did great, and we all had a reasonably good time, though we started out shivering before the sun finally came out.
Here's some photos: More at http://www.flickr.com/photos/OregonDad/