Alex is 7!

Alex the fairweather fan

This morning, Alex and I (Adam) were talking about the Ohio State game last night. He told me how they lost 35-3.

Me: That's what's called a butt-kicking.

Alex: Is that why they're called the Butt-Guys?

What a Sight!

The kids love to try to 'scare' us in these masks. Alex's new favorite thing to do is put the monkey mask on under the clown mask, so then when he removes the clown mask he again tries to surprise us. We especially like the monkey mask on Allison because it fits her face so well. Her hair blends in with it too!

Ballet Day

Allison finally began her ballet classes last week. She loves her new class!

Sierra's New Cage

Sierra has outgrown her first cage, and now simply loves this larger one. Her favorite thing is to sleep on her back with all four feet in the air. She was unable to do that in the smaller one.

School's In!

It's been awhile since I updated! Alex started first grade on August 27th at Adrian Elementary. He has made the transition well. It is a much smaller school than Roosevelt (his one in Vancouver), and it also only has students in grades K-3 (which I really like!). Because the school, and our community, is so much smaller it has been easy to get to know people and feel connected. Some of Alex's favorite activities so far....P.E. (of course! This was also a high point at Roosevelt), Math Lab (twice a week they get to go to a computer lab with laptops for math related games and activities), and Friday Fun (the reward from his teacher if the students have a well-behaved week). Adrian is half a mile from our house, so on most days Alex rides his bike to school which has also been a highlight for him.

Allison started last Wednesday at the South Euclid Co-op Preschool in the Pre-K class. She goes five mornings a week, and she has also made the transition well. The kindergartens in South Euclid are full-day (again...which I really like!) so most of the preschools have the 4-year-olds attending five days a week in order to transition them well to kindergarten the following year. She was definitely ready for a five-day-a-week experience. She loves her teacher, and is making great friends in her class. Also, with it being a co-op, the parents are very involved, and even after a week, I feel like I'm getting to know some other mothers very well.

Sierra has kept us very busy, but she is well-loved! Most people comment about how bringing a puppy home is somewhat like bringing a new baby home. I've decided its not quite like a newborn, but more like an older toddler who's into everything, and who you're trying to potty train at the same time. However, she is adjusting well. At times Adam and I think she's quite mellow, at least much more mellow than we remember Copper being as a puppy. But, I've discovered that she's just trying to rest up for her next few hours of playtime with the kids. They can all exhaust each other very quickly!

My contribution to the conversation about Sarah Palin

What hasn't already been said? Can you think of another political figure (not even to mention one's family) that has endured the intensity of scrutiny and attack that Sarah Palin has stirred up? My two cents:

1. She is the 'all-in' movement from the McCain campaign. Anyone familiar with poker knows that one of the tactics is to push your whole pile of chips in and dare your opponent to match you. It takes HUGE confidence, and forces opponents to think hard about the cards they are holding. Of course, if you get caught bluffing...

2. It makes McCain interesting, and potentially wrests the "change" mantra straight away from the Obama campaign. Obama talks change but picks an entrenched insider in Biden; McCain is seen as more of the same old/same old, but picks a nobody reformer (so the storyline goes). Suddenly people want to listen to what McCain has to say.

3. Perhaps most powerfully, Sarah Palin embodies one of the greatest of American archetypal storylines; that is, that behind every great man is an even greater woman. I am surprised not to have seen this discussed before, but I think Palin has aroused the feelings she has because we have all been conditioned to know with certainty that the woman makes the man. If McCain can tap that sentiment and not seem to be overshadowed or intimidated by Palin, but rather empowered and lifted up by her presence...

This election keeps getting more interesting!