Last week in May

As the end of school year approaches, all the kids have some performances, games and events to attend.  This is one of those weeks when there is so much going on, Tim and I have to split the event's attendance.

On Monday Larissa had her last theater performance. The play was "Hello Shakespeare!" and Larissa had only a few lines, but it's a start.  Her teacher Amanda Long is leaving for post-grad school and this was her last session.  We will sure miss her, she is just great with the kids!

On Tuesday Gabe started a new swimming session and Miranda had a Spring Choir performance.  Last one for the season.  It was pretty good, especially the Michael Jackson mix at the end!

I guess with all the running around I didn't realize that Jon's shoes completely disintegrated...  When he wears a pair, he sticks with the same set (and doesn't want to wear another pair) until I throw them away and get a new one.  I think it's time!

May 22nd weekend

Many things accomplished this weekend.

On Thursday Gabe performed in Part Two of an "Aunt Roddy's" play at his school.  In a humorous story accompanied by a band's music.

On Saturday our day was packed with activities.  Gabe had his last game of a lacrosse season.  His team played against a Sunset team again, and they lost again... oh, well, better luck next season.

Right after the game we all stopped by LOWE's for another kids' build project.  This week we made a catapult.

No time to spare to the pool Larissa, Jon and I go, for their last swimming lesson.

Meanwhile, Tim took Gabe (and Miranda) to the Eastwood school garage sale, where Gabe's band performed again.

Afterwards we all met at the house, ready to relax, but wait, we got more things to do!  Larissa and I have a Gales Creek Camp gala to go to.

We love going to the gala, because we get to meet many many other kids with diabetes and get a chance to chat with their parents.

As always, there were many great items up for auction, and as always, they ended up more $$ than I could afford :-(

Kids had a wonderful time playing, getting their faces painted, dancing, singing, etc.  By the time we got home it was already after 10pm and we were exhausted!

On Sunday I was determined to get some running done.  After all, I have a half marathon coming up in a couple of weeks!!!  I am getting really worried now, I haven't been really training for it, and now I also found out that Gabe has a big tournament on the same morning, so chances are, there will be no one meeting me at the finish line...

Later, as the sun picked out of the clouds, I loaded Larissa and Jon in my car and we drove to the Orenco Sunday Market to get some flowers.  By the time we got there, it was pouring down full strenght...  We didn't give up and went to the market anyway.  Our reward was "chicken-on-a-stick" (as Larissa calls it), lumpia & hot chocolate.

Gool!

On Tuesday Gabe's class went to see Portland Timbers team playing against Tacoma. 

This was a special day with a game and other activities promoting health to kids.  Most of the fans in attendance were between the ages of 8 and 15, with the exception of chaperons (such as myself).

We took a MAX train to the PGE park, managed to get all the kids in and settled, just in time for the clouds to collect over our heads.  In no time we were getting rain pouring on us.  Not anything unusual for Portland, we just moved up a few rows farther under the roof cover.

(these are "my" boys.  I had to make sure everyone made it back safe)

During the half time we found out that some of the players were signing autographs.  Since we all got free t-shirts on the way in, what better blank space to use!

Pretty soon it turned into a challenge (for me) of getting every one's signature and then a picture with Gabe taken with all the players.  I succeeded!!