Beaverton City Parade

Our lovely city's annual parade was today, and it is such a fun tradition to go watch with friends. Sadly they changed the route of the parade this year and we wouldn't be able to just walk up the street to watch with friends in our neighborhood. Thankfully we have other friends who live right on the parade route, just in a different location, who invited us over to watch from their front yard.

 Love these kiddos!

 Matthew and Sam LOVED high-fiving the police motorcade as it rode by!

 Evelyn's sweet friend Maci is in the young marine program and it was fun to see her marching!

Evelyn and Ellie ran into their old friend Sophia. She was in their class in first and second grade, and they were pretty tight. They haven't seen each other since Sophia moved away so it was a fun reunion!

Another fun parade, and a fun morning with some of our favorite people! Thank you, Stenehjem's, for letting us join you!

Matthew's New Helmet!

 Matthew has been in need of a new bike helmet for a while. He REALLY loves the motorcyle helmet-looking bike helmets (his current one is that kind and it is his favorite!) and wanted another one of those type. However, those are pretty expensive and although they are cool, we weren't going to spend more than $25 on a new helmet (the ones he found that he liked were $100+). 

After doing some research (with help from Doug), Matthew actually found a helmet he wanted for $40. We told him we could put $25 toward it but he would need to pay for the rest with his own money. He liked that idea. 

The catch? The helmet was made and shipped from China. Doug talked to Matthew about risks from buying from an overseas buyer (item being lost in shipping, the deal being a scam,etc,) but they did some research on the seller and it seemed legit. It just would be a while before he would get the helmet as China Post can take it's own sweet time. 

So Matthew decided he wanted to go for it, so we ordered the helmet. At the end of June. And he waited. And waited. Very patiently, I might add. 

FINALLY, today it came in the mail.. and it was everything he hoped it would be. 

This is how it was shipped. The helmet was wrapped SEVERAL times in bubble wrap before being shrink-wrapped into the mailer. It was a huge package! Thank you, seller, for wrapping it so well, even if it did look super funny!

He is so excited to start wearing in and he is looking forward to many fun times on his bike wearing it. We are thankful for a good personal finance lesson, and that it all worked out for good!

First Day of School!

Here we are again... 1st Day of School!!

I am always bittersweet about the kids starting school. I miss them terribly but also glad to be back into a good routine. I can only do "lazy days of summer" for so long..haha! Of course.. I am usually in tears by the end of the first week because I miss the lazy days of summer. Sheesh! :)

Matthew's first day was yesterday. He was excited and nervous all at the same time. He is excited that he has Ms Calafet for his teacher (as am I) and excited that he has good friends in class. But it's still a new year and the end of "family time" (which my boy is quite fond of) and it can be a tough transition.

He requested pancakes, sausage and blueberries for breakfast. My "special" boy got what he asked for! :) 

Ready to go!

Thankful for Sam.. they have been friends since they were THREE!

Obligatory pictures by the Fir Grove sign! :) 

Matthew kind of wanted me to walk him to class, but Sam just wanted to go to the gym to hang with friends and go to class by himself. I could tell Matthew was conflicted but encouraged him to go and be a big kid and hang with his buddies. One of our "things" is that we make a heart with our hands to each other when we say good bye. He doesn't care if it is in front of friends.. he does it anyway and this morning even yelled "I love you, mom" as he made the sign and turned to walk away towards the gym. I love this boy with all of my heart. 

Evelyn and Ellie started today so we played a bit yesterday. We went to lunch and did some shopping and got Boba Tea. They are so fun to hang out with and I am grateful for their friendship!

My "special" girl at breakfast. She's not a fan of photos these days.. especially in the mornings! :) 

My beautiful SEVENTH grader!!

These two are so fun!

Ready to head out!

Bodie decided to make sure they got down the street safely..haha!! 

Both Matthew and Evelyn had good first days. Not great, but not bad. I'll take good days any day! Looking forward to a great year for both of them!!

Weekend Fun

We started our final weekend before school starts with a sleepover with the Stenejhem kids. It was a beautifully warm evening and the kids had the best time.

We went for a walk around 8pm and found a cute little park. They had fun playing around.

Then last night was the first Duck game.. and my favorite Duck fan was ready, with my dad's hat and quacker. The score wasn't what we wanted but it was fun to watch it with my boy. 

Counting the hours until school starts...