Boise Balloon Clasic

One of the things I love about being a mother is to try to let Tristan experience all of the the blessings that I shared as a child. Some of them may I may have not actually done myself but if they are here and the opportunity presents itself then I am usually in. The Boise Balloon Classic is one of those opportunities. 

When I was a child my Dad would take me to a pancake breakfast that I remember happening once a year or so. I can remember balloons overhead as part of the celebration. Now, whenever I see a balloon drifting by I will always, and forever think of my Dad and those special childhood days.I hope by sharing these special days with Tristan that he will have special memories of me. I hope he remembers how much I loved him and how I loved all of the adventures that we shared.

Fun at the fair with friends

Every year the Z-W's and I take our kids to the fair. We have been doing it for years. I can't believe what these kids do now. The rides they went on today was amazing, The Zipper, The High Swings, The Orbiter, (this one did them in). We all finished up with the log ride followed by some games! I just love sharing good times with good friends, that is what life is all about and I am blessed to be able to enjoy it! Thanks Z-W's! We love you guys!

 

First Day of 3rd grade - Gateway Elementary

Today was the beginning of 3rd grade. After all of the controversy, meetings, and tears. Tristan is a Gateway for his 4th year in Chinese Immersion. We don't know what will happen next year but for this year we are happy with his teachers. Many of his class mate have left including the Jensen Family. So glad we are friends with them and we know we will continue to be a part of each other's families lives.

We were happy to have Grammy join us for the first day of school! Tristan was excited that he would be changing to the "big kid" play ground for recess! 

Another start to another wonderful year!

This letter was posted on Kiss FM 103.5 by Tasha Box on 8/23/2016

It melted my heart!

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Tomorrow, my son starts third grade. As I look at the little face I brought into this world, I think of my third grade memories and have a couple of helpful tips for my son. 

My third grade memories consist of Mrs. Meyer and her long nails. She used to put riddles on the board and if we guessed them, we got little prizes. Mrs. Meyer would eat almonds at snack time and she is the one who was responsible for the entire class sending me notes when I got my tonsils out.

I watched my classmate, Scott, learn to hold a pencil correctly (after a lot of struggling) and my mom stayed up almost all night so she would have stuff ready and packaged for the bake sale that sent me on one of my most favorite field trips.

What’s in store for you, sweet boy? I don’t know…and that’s what makes this year so much fun. There are some things I want you to remember:

• Walk up to a classmate (even if they aren’t in your class) and introduce yourself. You could be that one person who makes their day.
• Eat your lunch. It’s brain food and will help you through the rest of your day. Sorry, it’s a mom thing.
• Try. In everything try. It’s okay if you don’t do well or if it’s a challenge, just putting a little effort into what you’re doing will help you grow.
• Your manners and charm will get you a long way in life.
• Math is inevitable. Learn what you can and then move along. Yes, you will use this in the future – to help your mom.
• If you know the answer to something, help another classmate who may not know the answer. Helping others will make you feel good inside.
• If someone teases you, do your very best to be kind in return. Two wrongs don’t make a right. We can continue to talk about this like we have been. Bullying isn’t okay and you can be one of the kids who stops it. The act of walking away is a strong power you already posses.
• No matter where the day takes you, you’ll always have a loving home where you can relax for the rest of the day.
• It’s okay to be smart. In fact, it’s pretty cool.
• The rules of interrupting still apply in school. I know it feels like your story or comment can’t wait another second before bursting out of your mouth but if you can hold it for just a tad bit longer, you’ll have the attention of those you’re wanting to get the attention of.
• You make me proud of you every single day. I don’t ever want you to forget that.

 

I Love you Sweet Boy!

Scott's Flat Lake

Back in the early 1980's my Dad taught windsurfing at a little lake in the Sierra Nevada's called Scott's Flat Lake. He used to tote my sister and I around the lake just to give us the thrill on the wind that we could not quite control on our own. This allowed us to "become friends before we became sisters"

Flash forward 26 years to a forty four year old that loves nothing more than family and misses them dearly over the holidays while they are in New York and she is in Idaho with her Mom. All the while trying to think of a way she can get her family together one more time over the summer. What better way to complete that task than throwing a little get together at the lake where it all started.

Tex, Tristan, Lisa and I all headed out for the 8 hour drive to set up camp to wait for the family to arrive. A weekend full of fun was on the horizon. After a not so exciting drive, other than the Coke truck that almost ran me off the road, we arrived at the lake just in time to get the tents set up and with the almost, full moon rise beautifully over the crest of the mountain cast it's light on the lake below.

As Thursday rolled around we eagerly awaited my parents. We had no plans and we enjoyed fishing,  many dips in the lake and even a little kyacking adventure with the neighbors who were so gracious to take out Tristan. Grammy and Pa Pa were bringing chicken for dinner and our appetite made us even more excited to see them. The evening was filled with memories by the campfire.

Friday brought my sister Lesa... "we were friends before we were sister's". So excited to reminisce about the past, present, and future with her! I have really been missing the family Christmas events so this was a way for me to catch up with everyone. I really cherish these times!

Friday evening we headed into Grass Valley and had dinner at Pete's Pizza. The restaurant was just off the main drive in the historic town where we used to attend Cornish Christmas. Another fond memory that would not be complete without a trip by Humpty Dumpty : )

Saturday brought more family, Steve, Gail, Carrie, and Colin. We were also hoping that Wendy would come as well but after a bout of car sickness the had to turn around. Spending the day with everyone by the lake, walking down to the old caamp site, visiting the general store and the marina were memories I will cherish as much as those we made so many years ago. I loved the memories and thoughts that came to Dad's mind and seeing his brain trigger old memories.

The evening was capped off with a BBQ, a campfire with performance by Carrie, Tristan and Sue : )
Can I express one more time how much these trips mean to me! I love you all so much!

Sunday brought the break down of the tents and packing up camp. We were headed North and the family was headed south. The funny thin is Dad, and Sue are coming to Idaho and they are flying so they will beat us home.