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... 

Banks/Vernonia Trail

There is a cool 40 mile round trip bike trail just a 30 minute drive from us, so we decided to check it out today! We knew we weren't up for the full 40 mile loop so we planned about a 15 mile ride. 

There are two cool old train trestles that you get to cross. This is the Buxton trestle. So pretty!

Almost halfway into our ride we came across this sign. A creek 1/4 off road. We decided to go check it out. 

The kids haven't been off-roading too much but  they were kind of excited about it. 

This road. Right around that corner is a steep, bumpy and muddy downhill with lots of turns. Doug and Evelyn were ahead and I was taking my time bringing up the rear when I heard Matthew screaming. :( 

He had a pretty good spill and was on the ground. Thankfully, although he is really scrapped up and will have some good bruises, he is ok. 

At that point we knew we just needed to get back to the truck. I am proud of Matthew for getting back on his bike, bleeding and all, and getting back to the truck with a smile. 

We will go back and try for a longer ride another day...  :) 

30 Year Reunion!

It's hard to believe that it has been THIRTY years since I graduated from Beaverton High School!! Once again I was a part of a great group of people who coordinated the reunion weekend.. and we had the BEST time!

A few of the team meeting for coffee a week before the reunion. Such a great group of people that I am fortunate to call friends!

On my way to the venue!

Em, Sallee and I taking in the view. Em and I have been on reunions committees from the beginning and I love her lots! Sallee is a dear friend and my hairdresser! :) 

Our Friday night gathering was at the beautiful Tualatin Country Club. 

We had a huge memorabilia table.. most of us on the reunion committee have kept lots of things from high school and so it turned out great!

Our full committee.. such a great group of people!

I was busy and having too much fun and the lighting was not great for photos, so I didn't take many at all. This is one of my favs, tho! Lots of great friends in this photo!

Saturday we met at the high school for a tour from the principal herself! It was such a great time remembering the history of this place and what the alumni are doing to keep it a thriving school. 

We've won LOTS of championships!

Everyone who came to the tour got a cool coffee mug!

Such a fun weekend to remember the amazing times at THE Beaverton High School! Can't wait for our next reunion!

Summer Camp

Evelyn just returned from a week at Grove Christian Camp with our church's middle school group. I am SO happy to have her home and thankful she had a great week!

Heading out a week ago... bus loaded and ready to go!

And today at pickup.. tired, in need of food and a shower, but happy! Thankful for her lifelong friends Juliet and Heidi!

Milkshake and fries for the win!!

Glad to have her home!!

While Sister is Away...

Evelyn is at camp this week (I will blog about that when she gets home) and I have enjoyed some one on one time with Matthew. One thing he REALLY wanted to do was go to Buffalo Wild Wings and watch preseason football! So, we grabbed one of his best buddies and went there to enjoy good food and good football!!

Both Matthew and Sam are both Duck fans and Titans fans (because of Marcus Mariota). The Titans were playing so they wore their jerseys. 

The boys had the best time watching ALL the games on the various TVs. The boys were most excited about the fact that there were TVs IN THE BATHROOM!! :) 

I posted the above photo on facebook and my friend and Fir Grove school counselor Ms Caryl chimed in that she didn't know football was on already. I joking asked her to come join us.. and she DID!! The boys were a bit taken aback at first but we had the nicest time chatting with her. She is also a huge Duck and Mariota and Titans fan and that makes her even more cool! :) 

And, of course, she wore her jersey. It was so fun to catch up with her!

The boys had the best time tonight and we ALL are excited for football season!!