After our long travel report - I did not think it would take that long to get everything out - it is time to catch up with what happened since. We had two quiet weeks after our return until school started. The only exciting thing we did was our annual visit to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. I have to say, it get's more costly every year, because now both girls are doing the rides and are not content with just one or two. It was a beautiful summer day and we were lucky that the rain was just looming and did not start until we left. We were able to stay longer and see more than years before, because we don't have to live by the nap schedule anymore. I love the agricultural exhibits and the craft sections. This time I paid particular attention to the cake decorator entries. Another thing I discovered was the Snoqualmie tribe long house. The Snoqualmie have permanent gathering hall on the fair grounds and offer a great salmon meal with fry bread. They show carved canoes, which are just amazing.
Another summer project has been replacing our deck. It had been in bad shape for a while and the planks were just an accident waiting to happen. So some time in July Jason started ripping out the wood behind the house. Before the vacation we rebuilt the back and we have been working on the kitchen side ever since. We are close to being done, but we were hoping to stain it before the winter and rain, which is now not an option any more. We had some help from Jay's dad, which came at a critical point. Thank you, Ben for all the help.
The week after Labor Day school started again, and not a day too soon. Marlene is now in 2nd grade. She is reunited with many of her former class mates and some new ones. Her teacher is Mrs. Drown, who had been her teacher in Kindergarten, but was moved last year to 2nd grade. We love being back with Mrs Drown and everything has been going well so far. Last week she got to speak about Germany and she decided to wear a dirndl for the presentation. This used to be my dress; I got it from my grandmother.
It was tough for Amelia to wait two more weeks until her preschool started again. This year her class has more girls, but she mainly plays with her friend Brandon. They have been an item since last year and they play very well together. All our other activities, like German school Marlene), swimming (Marlene), ballet (Amelia), and sports class (Amelia)have started up, as well. I am teaching Art Club again at Marlene's school and this year we have more kids then ever.
I personally have been trying to get in a groove, but there is so much to catch up with, that I have started to get frustrated about how slow everything moves (this blog being a prime example). I will have to find a solution for that. I am glad that summer canning is done. This week I canned the last of the apples. No more edibles left in the garden!
