Kate starts planning and gathering for the birds' nest every year. Graysen was not much in the mood to help, but she managed by herself.
Graysen's bouquet added to the nest area.
Even on an overcast day, it was beautiful. Just so peaceful. We sometimes see an eagle, and there were several eagles or hawks flying around. It's hard to tell sometimes. It seems to be a popular area to walk dogs, and we enjoyed seeing the different breeds come by with their people. Woodrow had a ball just leaping and chasing his ball and wagging his tail at the other dogs.
Emily stopped at Trader Joe's and found an interesting variety of goodies. Some excellent cheese. I liked the soft cheese on crackers - Le Delice De Bourgogne, I think - with apples, grapes, and almonds. The truffle almonds sounded good but were not something we'd try again.
Monday was the first cross-country meet for the SMS Eagles. Emily picked up me and my chair, and we headed to Centennial Fields, a nice park/athletic field/track that is in a beautiful setting with Mount Si looming there. We got to watch a little bit of the other 3 races, and I was so proud of those runners. Everyone can't win or even be in the top 10 of a cross-country race, but everyone can finish and be proud of it. There was a lot of cheering going on from the first runner to the last in every category. I was across the field from the end of the race, and there was so much talking afterwards that I never was sure how Gray finished. I know when she ran past me once, she and Maija were together behind two of the other school's girls. She won several of her meets last year and I think planned to do the same this year, but she got a stitch in her side this time that made her walk a little bit, and she fell behind. I believe she was 4th. She is too hard on herself and just wants perfection. She had a hard time getting her spirits up again, but after their practice the next day, I think she was okay. She wasn't happy with her time, and it didn't mean anything to me when she told me.
I wasn't in a position to get good pictures and videos, but it was an enjoyable day, and I'll post a few of those I did take. Plus Emily sent me some from across the field.
Maija and Graysen were the fastest girls on the 6th grade team last year and ended up first and second for the Eagles for the first 7th/8th grade meet. So proud of them, and they are so sweet!
Katherine stayed with me in my place in the shade with a beautiful view. She entertained herself by running all over the field kicking and picking up dandelion fluff. To each her own! It kept her happy and active.
One of the 7/8 grade boys. This was the second pass by me, so they were getting a little tired. They ran clockwise (to me) around the field, then took a detour and came back and ran counter-clockwise to finish where they started.
Another 7/8 runner just starting out. I think we know him but can't think of his name.
I've spent too long trying to get videos to appear, and I just can't figure it out today. There's a good soccer score by Kate yesterday that needs to be recorded too. At least it's raining today, and I won't be tempted to be outside.
I try not to be out after dark, but then I miss some pretty blooms in the outside lights. I walked Kate to DMW class on Thursday evening, and it wasn't over until 7:30. By the time we walked back home and got her delivered to her house, it was quite dark.
It was so much fun to see her in action. I've missed a lot of her activities because of getting tired so easily, but now I think I've gotten over that hump and can do more.
Here, they have a partner, and while one runs across the floor and touches the floor, twice, their partner is doing pushups.
They had just finished their beginning 25 pushups, and then one of the instructors was having a birthday, so they had to do a pushup for every year of her life! It started out as 32 and then 29 and finally 42! They got their quota today, for sure.
They then worked on various skills but were across the room from me, so I couldn't see very well. Kate was the leader of her line, and others had a chance to kick her out of first, but no one did. She's tough when she needs to be.
I took these pictures of the porch as I finished a walk Friday. Not much attention has been spent there this summer. Elise reads out there a lot and takes care of the watering, and it all looks healthy. We got a new paint job on the door and window trim this month, and the maintenance guys keep it looking neat, although I would add some things if I had permission! The hosta comes up every year as healthy as can be and is pretty all season. I'm surprised not to see any nibbles by deer or bunnies. I guess the cats in the window or sleeping in the chairs help with that.
These dahlias and the strawberry-vanilla hydrangea have spent the summer out back near the garage where there is full sun all day. Now that it's cooler, I've brought the dahlias to the front.
I had an enthusiastic helper with me this week when grocery shopping. She was everywhere, bringing me her choices of snacks for her and Graysen. She doesn't ask for anything - just stands there and holds it and looks at me. There's very little she doesn't get!
This looks like serious consideration, but I've never known them to like these little fruit cups. She talked her mom into getting an apple slicer last week, and I remembered that I used to have one. It was plastic and broke after several years, so I got a new metal one. Why have I been slicing apples for them all these years?
I'm now off to waste the rest of my Sunday afternoon any way I want to. I had a good conversation with an old friend from Thomaston, Debra. We use September to catch up on a whole year, but our Friday conversation was cut short by Graysen having to get ready to leave, so we promised to carry on later. It might be today. Who knows?
Noreen has been gone all week, and I've missed her. We both seem to be busy with kids during the week and spend the weekend resting up. She always watches football with one or more grandboys on Sunday afternoons or Monday nights. The Seahawks. She has snacks all prepared and pretends to be totally into the game! You have to go where they are at this age! Graysen got to go to a baseball game Friday with a friend's family to see the Savannah Bananas and whatever the local team here is. Oh, the Firefighters. I think they enjoyed a little levity in sports for a change.
It looks hilarious. I just finished reading about them, an exhibition traveling team with professional baseball players and a ton of imagination.
Graysen was telling me about the person called Stilts who really pitches on stilts. I was not expecting the height of them though. Amazing! It looks like I might have to see one of their games if there's another one here.
No comments:
Post a Comment