Frenetic Fall

What a whirlwind autumn it has been here at stately Wilkinson Manor. The start of school, several family birthdays, a trip for me and the girls, one for Eric, client activities too numerous to recall, Halloween parties, dr. appointments, church volunteering, and kids school conferences--just to name some of the events.

There have been many highs and lows and I can bet I have not been the easiest person to dwell with here in this castle of ours.

School Days

Audrey had a glowing teacher conference report and also some thoughtful teacher feedback. "Off the charts" was what her seasoned teacher (he's taught for 24 years) reported about her. "If only she could be more confident," he quickly added.

If only he could have been in the car that afternoon...

"Mama, I am not sure if I am going to be a doctor for the needies when I grow up or a supermodel in Paris."

Olivia's school conference report was status quo. "Academically there is not a single negative issue to report. Yet socially she thinks she's my peer in many ways. She would rather chat with me or simply talk whenever she'd like regardless if I am teaching a lesson or not. It's not that she's disrespectful it's that she doesn't understand there are rules that apply to all of the children in class--including her." Was there a tape recorder playing nearby? Eric and I have gotten this same report nearly verbatim since Olivia started pre-school at age three.

Upon chatting with Liv that night I mentioned some examples the teacher gave, "She says if you don't like something you sort of roll your eyes. She said you weren't sassy just that you aren't real concerned when she's upset with you."

"She's an eye roller, too. It's what we do." Liv nonchalantly replied. Clearly I was not getting through.

When I mentioned the comment to the teacher the next day she said Olivia was being truthful.

According to Liv they chatted in the hall that afternoon and both agreed to work on the eye rolling...Truth be told Eric and I have had several heart to hearts with Olivia about adult respect the past few weeks and the teacher sends home daily reports now. No blurting and no eye rolling for weeks- woo hoo!

Halloween

Sorting the goods!

All the loot!

Dear friends had their annual Halloween bash/son's birthday party.

As in year's past Eric horrified the crowd (and mainly our girls) with his costume. This year he went as a "real Alaska hockey mom"

Olivia was a rock star who spent the night on the dance floorAudrey was Alice in Wonderland. Audrey appeared on some morning TV shows with one of my clients a couple of times regarding safe Halloween costumes! Here she was en route to one very early morning segment.

I dressed Frib as a Flapper when we went out trick or treating this year.

He was less than pleased.
Yesterday was his revenge. He destroyed a brand new bedspread of Olivia's (for those keeping track at home he has ruined at least 8-10 quilts in the 9 years we've had him).

Would you believe the wonderful salesclerk at Target took it back? I wonder if she was so shocked that I actually went in and asked. I told her upfront what happened and she took pity on me. Target rocks! Frib does not.

Turn the Page

I am looking forward to penning the next chapter about calmer days in the month ahead.

One where Audrey girl can work some on gaining more of a voice for Teacher Bill...

Liv love can continue to silence hers a bit more for Miss Moe

and Fribble can take a page out of Princess Alice's story and simply go with the flow.

What a fairytale it will be.

Journal Entry

At the end of each year I am thinking of printing out the posts I've written and putting copies in each of my girls memory boxes for a future read. As I've said before, Smilelines serves as my online journal of sorts. In today's post I am recapping life at Wilkinson Manor over the past few weeks. As is the case with all journal entries not everything written is interesting but instead offers a glimpse of days in the life...

WEATHER REPORT

For starters, the sun came out late the other evening just before it set for the night. It was a rare sight and oh, so welcome. I took this picture off of our deck as we were settling the girls into bed. Bedtime was much sweeter thanks to the sunbeams.

LADIES WHO LUNCH & WHY I CAN'T STAND MY SCALE

I popped into one of my client's restaurants the other day and grabbed lunch before our meeting. The Seattle waterfront setting with the ferry sailing by was idyllic. My lunch was so divine (fresh halibut, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, balsamic, polenta) that I snapped a picture. Clearly this is but one of the reasons I need to lose 10 pounds!

BEERFEST, FATHER'S DAY 2008

For the eleventh year we hit the Beerfest over Father's Day weekend. It proved to be a relatively mellow event this year. The kids had a great time on the bounce houses and even the sun managed to shine. We were joined by fabulous friends. A sore back, intestinal bug, and general malaise proved that while Eric is a trooper he may be feeling his 40 years OR perhaps the same gig for 11 years is growing a tad tiresome.

SEVEN MILE STARE

Our neighbor had a baby girl. We all enjoyed holding her the other evening and these pictures reminded me of when my girls were babies and would do the "seven mile stare" just before the fell asleep. Here they are doing it again each while holding the baby. How relaxed they both were. I recall my mom holding Olivia mere days after her birth and describing how peaceful she felt and how low her blood pressure was and what a joy it is to hold this beautiful new life full of promise---I think Olivia & Audrey would concur.

SCHOOL'S OUT & LOOK OUT THIRD GRADE

Audrey got out the week before Liv. Here she is the first morning out enjoying her one hour per day of TV. The girls summertime nanny started this week. Lauren and Audrey spent the days at the park, Starbucks, playing Barbies, playdoh, and watercolors.

Olivia is over the moon about being a third grader now. Here she is leaving the mall the other day (the boots, the bag, my, how they grow!) She was on TV working the pottery wheel with a couple of my clients the other day. Apparently one of my clients heard her say as we entered the station, "Stars coming through..." !

HANGIN' WITH THE NEIGHBORS

I could not find Fribble the other evening anywhere. From my bathroom window I spotted him-in the neighbor's backyard. He greets Eric at the door each evening and then Eric lets him loose in the neighborhood to roam as he wishes (yes, it's against the law and yes, we have super neighbors who think of Frib as their own). He then goes to the neighbor's house around the corner and waits for the dad to come home. He will spend the next hour there as they prepare and eat dinner.

KICKING OFF SUMMER
Eric left for a "mancation"the other evening.

The girls and I spent yesterday at the beach and park before going for ice cream. May this summer prove to be a sunny, relaxing one for all --with Frib hangin' with the neighbors as much as his heart desires!