Lights out! Now!

Wednesday night, just as I was getting ready to watch second episode of Season 9, American Idol, followed by a movie "Fame" (rental), the house went black.

We just finished out dinner and everything was going just right. After I missed the first episode, I thought for sure nothing will get on my way of watching the second one... Apparently, just when you say that to yourself, SOMETHING will get on the way.

At first kids were a little scared, but once we found our flashlights, it became an exciting game.

We looked outside and it looked like only our block was without the light. As we drove around the block to see where the darkness ends, Gabe pointed out to me: "Look, Mom, that family is watching American Idol. I can see Simon!" GRRRR!

Once back at the house we called PGE (Portland General Electric) and found out that "crew is on the way, no known cause, and expect electricity back around 10:30pm"... sigh, the show ends at 10pm!Thank goodness for modern technology! Kids were still able entertain themselves by playing Nintendo DS and Jon watched (again) Star Wars, episode 5 on a portable DVD player.

All in all, it was pretty exciting. Kids want to do this more often now. I am leaving the schedule up to PGE...

Well, hello 2010

We are back into our busy weekly schedules with kids' classes in boxing, chess, music, swimming, etc. It feels like we are back to "normal".

It was, however, incredibly hard for the kids to get their morning routine going. It is hard to get up before 7am when you got to sleep in till 9am (and in some cases till 1pm...) for two straight weeks.

Started off our week with presents from Mary. Thank you! Kids really liked the games and all the candies:

Saturday started with a previously cancelled chess tournament. Nothing fancy, no prizes, awards or recognitions. This was strictly a practice run to make kids comfortable in their future "real" tournaments.

Well, some parents needed to be reminded of that. Just like in golf, in chess, silence is golden. Not only a few parents were yapping loudly, some wouldn't leave their kids alone. Hovering over them, taking pictures, while poor kids are trying to concentrate.

Not us, we just told them that the rules were to give it your best, have fun , and if at all possible not to play against each other (you know that would cause some friction later on).

Looks like Larissa took a "thinker" approach and finished 6 games, and Gabe did the "speed chess" and completed 8 or 9. Most were "loss" or "tie", but there were a couple of "wins".

Saturday night was a dance night at Miranda's school. We went out and picked a new dress just for that. She was very much looking forward to the dance and even managed to find time to go to the moves with her friend earlier in the day.

The rest of the weekend was very relaxed. Larissa was so bored, she was making "cereal faces" at breakfast:

Happy New Year, 2010!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Right before midnight we remembered that we had some sparklers left over from the Fourth of July celebration. We put them to good use. Right as Larissa started panicking "we only have 9 minutes left!!"

We all laughed "do you think we can make it back into the house in time?"

We had a blast, literally. Boys created some sort of a ritual dance, while blowing party blowers and dancing around the kitchen. Everyone, but Jon, joined in. Jon thought we looked ridiculous. He was probably right!
He then smiled for the camera, and left the room...