And So It Begins

It's been a fun and eventful week as well as a learning experience for me. I always feel like each new school year needs a few kinks worked out at the beginning. I've had some light bulb moments, and I'm excited to keep moving forward!

There wasn't a whole lot of time spent outside this week. The Eagle Creek fire over in Oregon jumped the Columbia River to the Washington side, so the fire was about 60 miles away from us. From Monday to about Wednesday/Thursday we couldn't see the sun, and it was raining ash. It felt very claustrophobic and eerie to be outside, and it was so hot. We finally had some clear blue skies yesterday morning and afternoon followed by a spot of rain yesterday evening.
This is from one day of the ash falling. 

 
Chris has been working on the Suburban all week to replace some parts. He finished up yesterday, and I think he is very glad to be done.

I delivered 14 quilts on Friday, giving a majority to the hospital closest to us, and three quilts to the Chaplains at the other local hospital for the ER.  It is always a special experience. I talked with two of the Chaplains and had to hold back the tears as they expressed their genuine gratitude and shared how priceless these quilts are for the parents they are presented to. They told me how each quilt has a way of getting to just the right person. Elsa and Meg really enjoyed helping me to deliver them.




I had been given two identical looking quilt tops (one pictured below). On Labor Day I decided it was now or never; I had to get them completed. I marvel so many times at the blessings and tender mercies that come when putting these quilts together from start to finish. I had just enough scrap material for the backing of these two quilt tops. One I did in a hot dark pink, and then the other was put together using two different materials to get a big enough backing for it (pictured below also). I  had purchased a king size batting with a 60% coupon for $25 a couple of months ago. It is normally around $60-$70. I was able to make my two quilts plus these two quilts with it, and I think I may still have enough left over for one more smaller quilt. Aeva had some pretty embroidery floss she gave me to tie these two together. It's things like that that just make me ever so grateful and gives me a keen awareness that all of these things don't happen by luck or chance.

I've been working on a fun little learning book for Meg. It is slowly coming along. It has been a lot of creative fun to put it together. I had one similar for Myles and when I taught the Sunbeams. All the little pieces have Velcro backing so they can be taken off and put back on.

Friday was our art day. We were doing a fall themed water color.

Aeva chose to go with a Halloween feel.

Three of us girls got haircuts on Tuesday. I got mine chopped again. I love having it short as it just takes less time to get ready, and since I'll be getting up early again I need something fast.
I love how Elsa's cut turned out. It is such a good style on her.

Myles has been practicing for his cello recital. He's playing a song called Lightly Row. I remember this was one of Rhaevyn's first songs that she learned on the violin. He's also been practicing the Bach Cello Suite No.1 to surprise his teacher. He started off just trying to play it by ear, and then we found the music for him and printed it out. He played it for his teacher this past week at his lesson. She was thrilled and let him know that Bach is her favorite composer.
I totally took him by surprise when I took this picture of him. It makes me giggle every time I look at it. He is such a character.

Aeva has been busy being artistic this week.

These are two rocks that Rhaevyn has been painting. I am in awe of her skills. I am lucky if I can do stick figures.

 

We couldn't do any hot dog or s'mores roasting outside for Labor Day with the hot weather and ash, so we opted to do it inside. We made S'mores cookies.

Ever the character when I try to take pictures.

Yesterday Aeva took her second ACT in the morning. Then I picked her up, and in the afternoon I took her, Rhaevyn, and Meg to the craft store. Aeva and I each made a free card, and Meg and I worked on making a free rock person. She has carried that thing around since and calls it "Mom".

Chris and I took Elsa and Meg, in the evening, to the Fort Vancouver Candlelight Tour. It was so  much fun. Elsa wanted to dress up like a pioneer. They  had reenactments of different time periods, and as you walked closer to the fort you passed different eras starting with WWII, WWI, Buffalo Soldiers, and the Civil War. Then we went and toured the fort. We left a little early because the rain started coming down. We had not anticipated rain, and Meg had was not dressed for it. The girls had fun on the tour, and they got to pet horses at the end, so all was good :)

It's eye appointments for all the kids tomorrow, Rhaevyn starts back up with orchestra this week (she is so excited!!!),  and Myles and Chris have a scout camp out this weekend. We have switched to a new scout group and hope that it works out. They seem to be well organized, which our was not at all.
Did I mention I was recruited to play a game of bocce ball last week. We took our ward youth to Lewisville park, up the road, for and end of summer game night. While they played two rounds of capture the flag I was asked to join in a game of bocce ball with three other leaders. I have watched this game played on a Rick Steves European Travel episode and thought it looked like great fun, but I've had no experience playing it. I warned my teammate not to set any expectations. The joke by the end was "Right, you've never played this game before"...............because I ended up winning for the team I was on. Every point earned was mine. I chalk it up to beginners luck, and I must say it was such a fun game to play.
And that is about all the news I have in regard to our  little family up here, so I'll end on that note.