Coffee With Elly

Burning energy is fun! Elena finished her first book! "Do you want to go out for a drink tonight?" he said. I said yes. :-) My project - researching buying a dining room table! (still, continually) Spring can be rainy in the Willamette Valley. But not all the time! Watching the big kids' assembly isn't always exciting, but anything is better with a friend! You never can tell what the weather will be like here, though. Taken on March 6. Phinehas likes to write out the Sunday School verse before class starts.

All three of the older kids did basketball with the home school HOOPS league this winter! Judah and Ezra were on the same team and did really well. At the end of the final game, with the seconds ticking down, Judah shot a basket that won the game - so he was happy! Ezra was one of the two point guards, which, apparently for basketball people, is impressive. He practiced a lot and his ball handling skills are great! I look forward to seeing how they do next year!  Monica enjoyed having spiffy basketball clothes and seeing her friends a little more often. Although she never got to the point where she really knew what was going on on the court, she certainly tried to follow directions and pay attention to the coach. There was some consternation and talk of quitting mid-season, but she pulled through and by the end was determined to try again next year! Good for her! Monica and friend Margo - so cute!

Opening her gift from Grandma Valerie! New Dutch Blitz cards! Excited about his Star Wars themed playing cards! Phinehas loves the Flash shirt from Grandma Valerie Monica is already making plans to wear her new hat to Family Camp! My sweet Valentine! Why must she grow up?! Sending Valentines to Grandma Rachel is so worth it! (We gave them to Grandma Valerie, as well!)

It was rather bright.  I got inspired earlier this week with the purchase of a package of English muffins. Using the muffins and a Costco precooked breakfast sausage patty and an egg, I made myself a delicious breakfast sandwich. Since the kids would probably like one, too, I considered making them for lunch, but with a burst of energy and ingenuity I made them right before I left for pick-up, wrapped them separately in foil and brought them their own "fast food" breakfast sandwiches for... well, for lunch! Shocked by their good fortune, they were  very appreciative and the quick stop at Clackamette Park to observe the mildly flooding river was very welcome, as well.  See the tree trunk in the water?! I even brought a piece of old bread to feed the seagulls! The activity was a hit! You really have to take advantage of those beautiful days, in Oregon!

January flew by, though there were times when there was snow on the ground and it seemed like it might never end. My kids had five consecutive snow days! Five! I realize that in other parts of the country, even as close as Tri-Cities, Washington, that our brief travail with snow and ice was laughable, but we Portland, Oregon residents just aren't equipped to deal with it. We did buy a snow shovel, that finally came. Too late, of course.  It's a new year and time for fresh paint! Judah and Ezra painted Judah's room together, with a lot of assistance from mom. We're happy with the results, but don't look too closely.  The three older kids started HOOPS this month. This is Monica's first season, and she enjoys it a lot without really understanding it at all.  Open house at school with the kids' art on display.  Taking my last little preschooler to the zoo. She loves the elephants.  The older boys requested tater-tot-casserole and Phineh...

What better way to celebrate the end of 2016 than a trip to the Oregon Zoo with friends, to see the Zoolights?  Thanks to Joanna for the great picture! 

He's always lived to cook! This was from 2005.