The Fair and the Ferris Wheel

(From the first week in August)

For one reason or another, I usually end up spending a lot of time at the Clatsop County Fair. Ever since Synnove was a baby and we lived in Cornelius, I still ended up back in Astoria spending the week at the fair. We have a pretty small fair in comparison to fairs in Tillamook County, Washington County, or even Benton County. In fact, I would say that many would think our fair is pretty boring! We go to visit, watch the 4-H kids, eat some fatty food, and wander aimlessly through the exhibits. The kids love it, especially when Grandpa is there to take them on the rides!

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful father...even more so, my kids are blessed to have such a wonderful grandfather. His patience, stamina, and knack to spoil are awe-inspiring. Dad was working during fair this year, but managed to find the time to take the kids down to the carnival for one of the days. The kids had been begging to ride the rides even before the fair opened...and they specifically requested GRANDPA. I told them that he might not be able to take them, so they were over the moon excited when he was able to on "buddy day" (buy one ride bracelet and get one 1/2 off). As in years passed, they would ride for hours, break for meals, and then ride even more.

Mom and I met up with them near dinner-time and I caught some photos. The kids even talked Grandpa into doing a balloon-popping game to get a prize. It's been a month since we were at the fair, and Soren STILL carries his prize around (a frog "buddy" with velcro hands that he wears around his neck).

Synnove jumping as she throws a dart...

Grandpa agreed to ride the ferris wheel after finally convincing Synnove to ride it...she was pretty apprehensive...

I just had to include this picture of dad texting while riding...is that legal?

Dad and Soren have their tongues out while Synnove hides from the camera...

Good Intentions

Today I woke up with nothing pressing to do. "Pressing" is a relative term...if you know what I mean. I decided that I would make myself some eggs and spend some time prioritizing my day. The kids were glued to the TV upstairs, and instead of kicking them out so that I could watch a quick Paula Deen, I escaped to the basement to watch it there (which I NEVER do). While perusing through the channels I found a chick-flick that was just rolling the beginning credits...what luck!! Of course, within 5 minutes, the kids had followed me downstairs. The basement has sort of been off limits for the last week for reasons I intend to share later...so I told them to go back upstairs and finish watching whatever they were watching. Of course, that all took much longer than just a few minutes. I resumed my movie and egg eating (now cold). A commercial break came on so I decided to pause and download some pictures from my camera and prep for some much-needed blogging. In the process of waiting for my dinosaur of a computer to do that, I got distracted and started moving files and cleaning and organizing my computer desktop. That took a good 30-40 minutes. Then I started searching for pictures for my next blog topic...until I get a text from a friend that she needs some help moving some furniture. So...because I already had Blogger open to the "compose" page, I decided to write my intention. Until next time...off to do life again :)

Camping Out at Home

I think bedtimes around our house began their summer schedules sometime in May before school was out. The goal is for me to get the kids in bed before 9, but that hasn't happened. Life on the coast can be dreary, and when it stays light outside passed 8, it's a bonus we just can't avoid. Much of July was dreary. The rain came, and when it wasn't raining it seemed like we had many gray days. Our outdoor fun was limited.

The kids had been begging to sleep out in the tent like they did with Adam last summer, but it wasn't nice enough yet. So, Synnove suggested they sleep in their tiny play tents in the downstairs living room. Once I finally agreed that it was a good idea, the kids went straight down to start prepping for their good night's sleep. They crammed their tents with pillows, blankets and every stuffed animal they could find. There was absolutely no room for sleeping when they were done. Because the tents are so small, I said they could choose 2-3 animals and have one pillow. They both had to sleep diagonally in order to fit semi-comfortably, and they certainly couldn't stretch out straight.

Before Adam and I went to bed, we went down to check on them. Surprisingly, Synnove (the wiggle worm) was still nestled diagonally, while Soren was stretched out with his feet out of the tent and under the couch. I quietly moved them out from underneath the couch so that he wouldn't break his little legs in the middle of the night trying to free them.

They woke early the next morning. I asked the kids how they liked it. Synnove had fun, but Soren said "I didn't fit!"


Later in the month, the sun finally decided to show up. Adam and I had been busy for several days down in the shop cleaning and organizing. I came upon my old tent still wadded up and unfolded from last summer's little camp out. I carefully folded it up and crammed it back in it's bag only to see it return to the house a few days later and set up on the deck...*sigh* Even though it was the middle of the week, Adam agreed to sleep outside with the kids. I suggested they take out the little TV and VCR so they could watch movies out there. It was already late, but Adam hooked it all up and settled down to watch "The Voyage of Sinbad" while eating popcorn. Adam was snoring long before the kids settled down. I checked on them again at midnight and they were all sound asleep.

That was about two weeks ago...the tent is still out there waiting for ME to fold it up...again.

One Month Ago Today...

...My dear friends Tonya and Chris welcomed Avyrie Noelle to their little family! Tonya was a week overdue, but it was nice that she waited until just AFTER our camping trip :) Tonya had the EASIEST birth considering it was her first child. I'm so happy for them.


We tried to come and visit before the actual birth, but Avyrie was just too quick! Synnove and I visited a few hours after she arrived and then visited again the next day. I couldn't get Synnove to hold her, but Soren was willing....

Congratulations Chirs, Tonya, and Little Faith! You and Avyrie are equally blessed to have each other :)