Well, Helloooooo There!

Hi! How are you? Good to see you! Krikey, it's been a while. Were you beginning to think that I'd stuck you forever in Jack Skellington's world of Halloween haunts? I sure was.

A big "thank you" goes out to Cookie Magazine (really, truly, thank you a million and one times) for getting me back into action. (Scroll down the page to see one of my photos in a post on Reading Nooks.) And thanks to all of you (you know who you are...) for your gentle (except when you called me your sorry, lame-o blogger friend) but persistent nudges back in this direction. Nothing was wrong. I just seemed to have lost my virtual voice somehow. And even though I've kept quiet tabs on everyone else this whole time, it feels very nice to be back.

As for the photo? It was from our crazy school sock-hop event. This is only our second time attending, yet each time I've been completely blown away with the thorough 50's-ness of everyone's attire. And the dancing? Wow. The PE teacher makes sure that the kids know how to do all of the dances, from the monster mash to the hand jive and everything between. And the kids actually dance, the whole time. Sweaty, crazy, fall-asleep-the-second-you-get-home dancing. Fun times, Fonz!

This is Halloween, this is Halloween, pumpkins scream in the dead of night!

What a day full of Halloween-ness! It began with the very last costume parade at school (sniff sniff) which my dad kindly filmed for us. Thanks dad!



In the evening, after a pizza dinner with family and friends, we trick-or-treated our picture-perfect neighborhood. The weather was amazing, the leaves were crunchy, big groups of kids and their parents roamed the sidewalks. It felt lke something out of a movie.


Batgirl did an excellent job of keeping up with all of the big kids. And she didn't even flinch when the two teenage boys opened their door in full, scary werewolf costumes. I wanted to run away, our little friend Claire nearly mowed me over in her hasty retreat, but Zöe just stuck out her bag and chimed "Trick-or-treat!"


The Hooded One (the dark and dangerous character from Jack's favorite graphic novel series Bone) had a great time. I made his cloak and he was very happy with it, except we both wished that the hood covered his face more. But that's okay. He played the part well and scored a ton of candy.



Link had the best Halloween ever. After working long hours on Jack's cloak, I thought there was no way I would get to Max's costume. We found Jack's Darth Vader costume from last year and he was pretty satisfied with going as Darth. But at the last minute I felt that my middle child needed to get what he wanted. So after two nights of 3:00 a.m. bedtimes it was done. Max was so excited! He tried it on, looked in the full-length mirror, and burst into tears. He's usually very timid about dressing up, so I sat down and told him that it was okay (and I really meant it), that he didn't have to wear it if he didn't want to. But through his heaving tears he said, "No mommy, I'm just (sob) so (sob) HAPPY!" So I burst into tears right along with him. Those late nights were definitely worth it.


After trick-or-treating, it was over to my brother's new house, then on to my parents for a big fun Halloween gathering. What a perfect evening! As always, more photos can be found over here. I hope everyone had a great time, too. Can you believe it's now November? Sheesh!

Derby Grrrls

After our girl's nite out last weekend to the Roller Derby we were more convinced than ever to be a team of our own for Halloween. Thus, the Reservoir Dolls were born. You can click here to check out the real team.

We had so much fun putting together costumes (I'm in serious love with that swingy black-haired wig...does that even look like me?), coming up with names, making our team shirts. And although this photo (sadly) doesn't show it, we were kickin' it on our skates. Unfortunently, however, our teammate Bubble Viscious was taken down in the second bout by a nasty foul and is now nursing a real-life broken ankle. But it was fun, Bubble V! ...Right?

For an even better account of the evening and way more photos, head this way.

Happy Halloween!

xo
Penny Traitor

Ready. Set. Go!

Well, we did it! On Sunday Sarah, Geri and I successfully completed the 2007 Portland Marathon! This was marathon #7 for me, but it's been seven busy (not-much-time-for-running) years since the last one, so it was most definitely a challenge.



We had such great support from all of our friends and families. From mile 7 to the very end of the race we had a series of "special guests" who ran (or rode their bikes) along with us for several miles, in addition to husbands, partners, kids, parents and friends cheering us along from the sidelines. We all felt very, very loved. Thanks, everybody, for your whoops and hollers! Woo-hoo!

Jazz Hands

Zöe just started taking her very first dance class over at the Laurelhurst Studio, which is where I remember taking dance classes when I was little. Zöe's class is pre-ballet for 3 and 4-year-olds and is taught by my friend Mara, who just so happens to be one of the absolute cutest moms I know. This class is all Zöe has been talking about for the last few days, and she was practically shaking with excitement by the time it started. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. Mara (The Real Ballerina, as she's refered to by my adoring daughter) is her new superhero, and Zöe stops to show her "moves" to pretty much anyone who will take a minute to watch.


But judging by those "moves," along with the snazzy black dance outfit passed down from our dear friend Bryn, my little free spirit is more cut out for the Martha Graham Dance Company than the Joffrey Ballet.


After class was over, we were getting ready to leave as some bigger kids came in for their dance class. Suddenly Zöe was at my elbow, tugging at my sleeve. I bent down to hear what she had to say. "I want some of those! I want some of thoooose!" She whispered excitedly, wide-eyed with the wonder of something new and promising, with oodles of clatter. Can you guess? Tap shoes. I couldn't imagine a more perfect vehicle of expression for my exuberant child.

More dance class photos here.

The girl with three "first days"

Frist Day #1

See photo and description in last post.

First Day #2

























The practice day at preschool, with only half (all six of them) of the class and me as one of the two parent helpers. Zöe loved it but knew it wasn't the "real" thing. She kept asking where all of the kids were and why I didn't leave. I satyed up way too late the night before making her outfit. But it was a happy-kind-of-staying-up-late because I finally got to try out Erin's awesome shirred shirt tutorial as well as the wide-leg pants I meant to make all summer.

First Day #3

























Finally! The real deal. All fifteen three-year-olds present. I think things went well. Zöe was more than happy to see us go, so Eric and I slipped downtown for a really yummy morning-date breakfast. Teacher Amy is the best. Ever. I'm almost as excited as Zöe for all the fun that lies ahead this year!

School Time

You know, summer really is the perfect length of time. Despite all of the fun and frolic we enjoyed while school was out, the kids were ready and excited to head back to school last Wednesday. Zöe trooped right along with the boys (lunch, water bottle and backpack resting squarely on her little shoulders), put her stuff in Max's locker and asked the way to her classroom. I tried to explain that her preschool is in a different place and doesn't actually start until the 18th(!) but she didn't completely get it until we were heading home with her backpack tucked under my arm. Then the tears, they did flow. Remember last year? Some themes remain the same. Look how much they've all grown, though!


Thank goodness for Oaks Park. Some time on the rides with Sarah and Grayson took Zöe's mind of the school blues. With a yummy stop in Sellwood for lunch and a little shopping, we all had a great day. And Sarah and I remembered just how much fun it is to have the little ones all to ourselves.

But boy was I ready to give those boys a big squeeze when three o'clock rolled around.