Happy Halloween -- Many Years Ago!

 

Happy Halloween from years-gone-by! 

 Kristin was a cheerleader and Kat was a ballerina.  Where does the time go? ? ? 

RUBY IS A DAISY

DEFINITION:  Girl Scout Daisy, grades K-1. Girl Scout Daisies are in grades K-1 and meet in a nurturing, inclusive environment. They go on trips, learn about nature and science, and explore the arts and their communities. Girl Scout Daisies can also earn Learning Petals and receive participation patches.

 

 

 Miss Ruby joined Daisy Scouting today.  (3rd row, 2nd over from right) 

How sweet is this?  Her Auntie Kat was a Daisy many years ago!  They didn't have Daisy Scouts when I was a little girl, but I became a Brownie Scout in 2nd grade.  So proud of you Ruby for being a part of this great group of girls. 

My Own Classroom

Grandma Julee:  "Ruby, do you like being in your own classroom and not in the same one as Carson?"

Ruby:  "Yes I do." 

Grandma Julee:  "What do you like best about it?"

Ruby:  "I don't have Carson in my face all the time!" 

 

Say what???? 
Spoken like a little sister. . . . .

Too Cute

Random cuteness -- guess Ruby is getting into reading with her new cowgirl boots on! 

 

 

Selfie with Momma

First Day of School -- Again

 

We have another first day of first grade photo -- today they started All Saints School (right down the street from them).  Their parents were not thrilled with the public school nor with the after school care program.  They looked around and decided on this school for them.  They are wearing uniforms.  When their parents told them last night at dinner, Ruby sobbed and didn't eat dinner.  Carson seemed fine with it -- but this morning it was Carson who was apprehensive.  Kristin and Casey took the advice of the educators and placed them in separate classrooms.  When Carson was led into his classroom, the teacher placed him beside a little boy named Ian -- who just happens to have a twin sister in the other room with Ruby.  Miss Kelly ask Ian to practice his introduction skills and he stood up and put out his hand to shake and said "Hi, my name is Ian.  Pleased to meet you!"  (How cute is that!)  When Kristin picked them up, both kids seemed happy.  Ruby even gave her teacher a hug (I love it).  Carson said he would rather go back to the other school where they play lots of soccer at recess.  I'm sure I will have more stories to tell as time goes on. 

 

Just got some more news about their day.  When Ruby got to her classroom, the children had made welcome cards for her in anticipation of her arrival.  So sweet.  When Kristin went to pick up the kids and was standing outside Ruby's classroom, 5 mothers said to her "oh, you must be Ruby's mother!"  (yeah, how did they know?)  We figured out that the kids must have made the welcome notes for Ruby on Thurs. and mentioned it to their moms that night at home.  That made Kristin feel so good inside.  Then when they got home and were changing clothes, Ruby said "be sure to hang my dress up and put it in a special place!"  I guess wearing a uniform went over well with her. 

After they had a snack at home, Kristin took them to the park to play and they met up with some friends from PDX school (where they attended for 3 years).  Ruby told one of the moms "I have lots of new friends and I know all the names of the girls in my class."  That was sweetness to a mother's ear.  All in all, it was a good day and we are all very pleased about this new school. 

 

Little Reader

 

Tonight Ruby read 3 books to her momma! 

Way to go Miss Ru! 

 



Yee Hah

 

Miss Ru scored a pair of cowboy (or is it cowgirl) boots for being such

a great helper last week at the brunch her mommy put on for her girlfriends. 

Looking good! 

 

Overnight At Grandma Julee's

Ruby came over last night for a one-on-one overnight.  Such fun. 

She decided to dress up like a princess and is wearing some of my mother's (Great Grandma Gee's) jewelry. 

 

She is showing off the antique jewelry -- and her toothless smile!  She lost her 4th tooth this week at school, and again, she swallowed it while eating lunch.  Plus two teeth up top are loose.  It's the year of the tooth fairy for the kids!   

 

We were looking through my hope chest and came across my original Barbie doll -- circa 1959. 

Not real sure I'm going to let her play with this one, since she is probably worth more than I make in a day!  How fun that my Barbie was a red-head, and my second born daughter is too! 

As we were looking through my jewelry drawer Ruby told me that her birthstone is a pearl.  I didn't know that, but was very happy to hear because I can save all the jewelry I have that has pearls just for her someday.  

Timbers Game Date

Kristin got some tickets to the Timbers soccer game and took her favorite little man? 

She went with a mom and friend from Carson's old school. 

 

Little Chef

If you think Ruby is the one who helps her mommy most in the kitchen, you would be wrong.  Carson loves to help and be involved with choosing recipes (he will pick up a cookbook and look through the entire thing).  This morning he helped make Eggs in the Basket for breakfast. 

"Guess what I'm called Grandma Julee?" 

"I'm a sous-chef!"  

First Soccer Game

 

Today was the first game with Carson's new soccer team -- outdoors!  Sure hope we don't have a rainy Fall season!  He scored 5 goals -- and his team won 12-2.  GO CARSON BOY!  

Sweet Words

Today I left work early so I could pick up the twins from their new school and take them home.  It was great to actually see where they go.  They have lockers (just like I had in junior and senior high school) in the hall where they keep their backpacks, etc. 
So cute! 

After dinner there was a fund raiser for their old school at the new frozen yogurt shop owned by one of the mother's from their  school.  They were able to hug their former teachers and see lots of old friends. 

On the way back to the car I was holding Carson's hand, when he very spontaneously said

 "Grandma, I enjoy you!" 

AHHH, so sweet Buddy. 

I enjoy you too!  

FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE - CLASS OF 2026

THE DAY IS REALLY HERE ----

CARSON AND RUBY ARE OFFICIALLY

 "SCHOOL AGED KIDS"

 

Love those Hannah Anderson backpacks!

 



 

Kristin confessed to waking up at 4:00 AM this morning, and only crying TWICE before they were off on their new adventure. 
(good job momma)

 



 

I LOVE that they spontaneously hold hands --
nothing like a big brother to be there for you when you are a bit nervous about your first day of first grade! 

 



 



First Day Wrap-Up

  Just spoke to Kristin about their first day -- When they got to school it was OVERWHELMING with the amount of kids and parents.  Ruby was placed at a table for four -- her table-mates are

 Desert Rose, Abe and Lincoln  (not kidding -- those are the names of the 2 boys and 1 girl at her table).  Kristin asked Desert Rose if she had a nick name -- like DR or Rose?  "No, I like to be called Desert Rose!"   (ok, then..........)  Kristin said "Only in Portland!"  Ruby was not happy about her brother being at a different table than her! 
Carson said there was a snack time when they brought out fishy crackers.  He said "No thank you, I think I will eat my apple instead because it is healthy for me."  (Oh my, Auntie Lindsey will be so proud of her nephew!)  Ruby, on the other hand, helped herself to a handful of fishy crackers!   

It was a bit of a hard day for Ruby -- she cried twice after Kristin picked them up at 3:00. She said she just wandered around by herself at recess because she didn't know anyone.  Carson on the other hand, said he got into a soccer game with some other boys.    Kristin suggested they go to the park for some run-around time, and then they went briefly to PDX Ed to say hi to their old school and the special teachers who loved them for the past 3 years.  That seemed to perk Ruby right up.  

Ruby is a shy, timid little missy when she is in unfamiliar surroundings and doesn't know anyone.  It will take her longer to make friends and feel like she fits in.   I guess this is all part of the growing up thing that first graders all across the USA must do!  (The Grandma-hen in me wants to scoop her up and protect her from any hurt, but I will pray for her instead and entrust her to our Heavenly Father) 

GO BEAVS!

The Jones Family are HUGE Beaver fans -- and yesterday was opening game of the season for Oregon State University.  They have cultivated that love of Beavers in the twins --

Here they are just before they left for Corvallis.  Ruby doing a cheer!  (and she told her mommy she needed to wear shorts under her skirt just in case she needed to do a high kick during the game!)

 

 

What a fun way to spend a Saturday!

Kristin and I, on the other hand, stayed home and cleaned out closets and dresser drawers.  Wow, did we do a great job with taking out the old and bringing in the new.  We also made one last trip to the store to make sure they had all their supplies for the first day of school. 

CHECK that off the list of things to do. 

When they got home they opened the back to school gift from Great Aunt Stephanie and found a book about crayons and two BIG boxes of crayons!  Plus they got to look over all the school supplies they get to carry to first grade on Tues. 

I HOPE IT WASN'T A HONEY BEE!

Kristin took the twins swimming at the local pool yesterday and all of a sudden, Carson, who was in the pool, started to scream!  He had been stung by something.  Kristin thought either the stinger fell out in the water or it was a yellow jacket.    Carson said . . .

"I hope it wasn't a honey bee because it would die after it stung me.   
I hope it was a yellow jacket that got to fly away!" 

(How thoughtful is this little man?  Wishing well the critter that just stung him!)  

Great Nieces

Couldn't resist posting these adorable photos of Miss Emma and

 Miss Lydia -- my GREAT nieces. 

 

First Day of 1st. Grade Outfit

Still 9 days to go to the start of first grade, but Ruby is her Mommy's daughter and has already found the perfect outfit for the first day of first grade. 

You look so grown up, Miss Ru. 

 

Saturday Morning At Grandma Julee's House

 

Auntie Kat has been sorting through her belongings and has come across some fun things from her childhood.  Here she and Carson are doing some art projects with some of her old art supplies and art books. 

 

The little neighbor girl, Lilly, who is the same age as the twins came over for some play time.  

 

Kat made paper dolls for each of the kids, in the color they selected. 

(It made my heart smile, because my mother used to cut paper dolls out for me, but I never could figure out how she did it.  Kat followed some instructions, and came up with such cute paper dolls for the children.)

Kat also found her great big box of Barbie and Ken dolls with tons of clothes.  Some of the clothes were from my Barbie doll  -- my Grandma Katy sewed them for me, decades ago.  I still have my original Barbie in my hope chest -- think it must be worth a lot !  

Ruby and Lilly learned they had both lost the same amount of teeth -- must be a 1st grader thing!  

At Dinner Tonight

Carson:  "Grandma, you make the best tacos in the whole wide world.  You should make a bunch and sell them to your neighbors."

 

Grandma Julee:  "Maybe I should  open a restaurant?" 

Ruby:  "You could call it Ru-Cars Restaurant"

Grandma Julee:  "Don't you think it should have my name in it too?"

Ruby:  "Call if Grandma Julee's Ru-Cars Restaurant." 

 

I love their creativity.  And I love that they enjoy my tacos! 
Carson:  "You could sell hotdogs and hamburgers too!"
 



Conversation With Ruby

Kristin said that out of the blue Ruby said

"Did you know Grandma Julee and me are so much alike, we are almost twins?"

"Is that because you both have blue eyes?"

"No, mommy.  It's because we like the same things -- except Grandma Julee doesn't eat tomatoes!" 

(You got that one right!  So sweet Ruby)