Harper cartweels, Rielee back to school

 Harper  has entered the "cartwheel" phase of her life.  She's constantly doing them, and yesterday was proud to show how she can do round-offs, too. 

 

Rielee was happy to go to school today, the strike is over.  They had a late start so she asked if we could play one more game of Monopoly, so she could tell her friends she played 5 games over the break.  This one didn't last long, she bought too many properties and I ended up with 8 castles so she didn't have a chance.  She's a good sport and takes losing in stride, not.  

Rielee Lil Squatches, James birthday

 Rielee ran in the Lil' Squatches Run Saturday.  Sophia, her friend and ride-sharing buddy, was there, too, so they ran together.  First in Sophia's 4th grade wave, then in the 5th grade wave. 

 It was a beautiful morning and they sure had fun.

 They ran it 6 times in all, getting good and messy in the process.

James turned 18 today.  Alan and Vera had a party for him.  He asked Ava and Harper to help him blow out the candles, Vera had let them arrange the candles on the cake so they had spread them way out. 

Rielee baking

 This has been a long week for Rielee, with no school due to the teacher's strike.  To keep her busy yesterday, we made peanut butter dog biscuits for Roo.  Today we made potato salad and played Monopoly, 2 games yet.

The twins are really growing up this year-Harper discovered yesterday that she is good at hoola hooping, and can walk around while doing it, too.   Ava woke up this morning, made their bed (without being asked), did her hair (well, she tried, it had to be touched up a little) and asked to take a shower. I reminded her that she took one the night before but she said Mom and Dad take a shower in the morning and she wanted to be a big girl and do that, too. 

Lexi volleyball

Harper and Ava posing before Lexi's volleyball game tonight at Union.  The Titans beat  

 Heritage in 3, it was a fun match to watch-each game was close and Lexi played great.

My blurry picture of Luke, no amount of editing would fix it either, I was so disappointed!

Emmy's birthday

Harper and Ava hurried through their bath last night so they would have time to go to Emmy's birthday party.  Emmy will be 24 on Thursday but celebrated it early with her Aunt Sharon, who's birthday was Saturday.   The twins weren't about to try any of Emmy's birthday raspberry pie, opting for a cupcake instead.  Parker informed me that this is Emmy's "golden birthday" since she turns 24 on the 24th. 

Auna volleyball

 Castle Rock's first home match was against Toutle Lake.  Most all of Toutle was there, I think, and their kids were loud and crazy, as were CR's.  Although CR lost in 3, the score of

the last game shows how hard they tried to stay in it, I had to take a picture of it since I've never seen a score that high.  Even though they lost, it was a great match to watch, and Auna played so hard. 

Mona's bunnies

The girls meeting Mona's orange bunny. 

She brought over her black bunny "Pooper" earlier and they were fascinated with him, they couldn't wait to meet this one.  They were taken with him, too.  He was shedding and they were pulling bits of fur right off of him, so Ava picked up a handful to save so she could always remember him.  We learned all about rabbits from Mona, she's had hers for 10 years and often fosters others.  They can be litter box trained and make great pets.

Auna's new smile

 The twins still say grace as they learned at pre-school,  Rielee added a little extra to it to make it even more special.

They're back to their twice weekly breakfasts together and they talk so much we usually have to hurry them up so they'll have a few minutes to play.

Uncle went to watch Auna's match at Onalaska tonight and got a picture of her before it started.  She got her braces off today and looks so pretty with her new smile.

Papa's makeover

 Yesterday the girls were playing dress up and somehow Papa ended up in the makeup chair.

 They got such a kick out of trying to beautify him, squealing with laughter at their work.

Not much he won't do to make them happy.

Parker football

 Parker stopped by this morning so we could see him dressed in his Varsity jacket, he was really excited to be wearing it.

He did a nice job punting,  played on the kick return team and as tight end in the 4th quarter as they beat Mark Morris 27-0.  Life is funny - Papa never thought he'd see Parker playing for Kelso on the same field he played on for Mark Morris 55 years ago.

Ava Harper Luke Lexi 1st day

 What a big day, first day of high school for Luke, Ava and Harper started 1st grade,

and Lexi is a Senior!
While we didn't get to see them today, Ava and Harper called to let us know that their first day was a good one and that they like their teacher.  Harper told me that she got a "Gotcha" from another teacher for walking straight in the hall.

Parker 10th grade, Ava's store

 Parker stopped by on the way to school to let me take his picture on his first day as a sophomore.

Ava at one of the many stores she and Harper set up during the day. 

 Papa fixed their cash register so the scanner and microphone work, she was speaking into it, so cute, "my store is open, you can buy anything you want here!" and then after I bought something "thank you, come again!"  Harper was behind her hiding out in her couch cushion and blanket fort. 

They use coins out of the change I save for their cash register, this afternoon Ava asked for a dish with a lid, she said she was collecting all of the "grey" money to take to her Daddy since he really likes it.  All I had left was pennies!