Snow Day!

Lame...Bellingham Schools closed today due to a smattering of snow.  Lucky Miles got to spend the morning with our lovely neighbors and visiting grandkids:

Jane & Gene have a steep driveway, and many sled runs were taken.  I had a million things to do, so Miles got to spend the morning with the Kovacevic family: Randen, David, William, Steven, and Carolina.  We're fortunate that they visit (almost) every Christmas, and Miles loves hanging out with the boys. 

It reminded me of the same scene in 2008: http://milesremmel.blogspot.com/2008/12/snow-day.html  

At least it's still October...

I wish I could convey to you what our lives our like.  Today was a GREAT day; though there was nothing particularly special about it; just the culmination of several fun things that happened.

It was a Teachers' Work Day, so Miles didn't have school.  We had breakfast out, which we rarely do these days.  I dropped him off at Hillcrest for the day, and I went to work.  (Nothing exciting at all!)  But I was able to finish most of what I needed to for the day and I picked Miles up early and we went for a bike ride (him) and run (me) at Lake Padden.

Miles WIPED OUT at Padden a few months ago careening down a hill, and since then, he has been reluctant to ride there, but with the promise of Wallace and Gromit he was convinced to "be brave" and ride his bike while I ran.  He did it (and I knew he could), and I was able to get some much-needed exercise while spending time with him.  The only problem: he talks ALL.THE.TIME.  "Mama, did you see how I went over that rock?" "Mama, did you see how fast I was riding?" "Mama, I really like the leaves!!" Etc.  All the way around the lake.

After dinner, we watched Wallace and Gromit and there's nothing better than Miles's laugh.  

Here's a photo of him from earlier this month, with his jack o' lantern.  Our friend Mitch carved it, but it was designed by Miles, who had drawn a picture before the carving took place. (I reluctantly brought home the pumpkin guts. Ew.)  

For Halloween, Miles will dress up as an EMT again this year.  I bought a too-big outfit last year, so we'll give it another go. 

October already?

My usual excuses for dearth of posts...busy-ness!

First grade is going GREAT for Miles.  He's in two after school activities: choir on Mondays and "Mixed Arts" (which is Drama and Indoor Play).  The other three days a week, Miles goes to Hillcrest.  I'll definitely keep him there for the rest of the school year. 

Here we are at the Lowell Welcome Picnic a few weeks ago.

Abby (daughter of Claudia) & Miles, at the tail end of a quick trip to Minneapolis

First day of first grade!!!!

Obligatory first-day shot! :-)

Miles was so excited to go to school this morning! He didn't seem nervous at all, though he had HIVES all over his torso ("Mom, look at these bug bites!") in the morning.  I recall getting hives before school one year, so I'll just keep an eye out this week to see if this is something to be concerned about.  But I administered a cortisone cream and gave him Benadryl and wrote a note to his new teacher.  Have I mentioned how much I love his school?  Really supportive staff and teachers, and the principal Missy Ferguson is great. 

Happy Birthday Miles!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet, inquisitive, and happy kid!  Six years has flown by...I'm such a lucky mom!  Many of you blog readers know that Miles was a preemie, born six weeks before his due date; small (4 lbs 4 oz.) but otherwise healthy.  Ha, the surprise was on me and Ethan.  Miles spent 17 days in the Special Care Nursery, gaining weight and learning to eat.  These days, no mac & cheese is safe from him.  

Here are some photos from the early days:

Being weighed -- look how little he is!

Spending some time in the isolette

Taken last week -- my king-sized bed hog! 

 

 

Strong Remmel genes!  (Thinking he looks like his dad here.)

Oh Summer, don't leave us!

We had a spectacular summer in the Pacific Northwest -- perfect weather and everything just seemed to roll along smoothly.  I'm posting today, the day before Miles's SIXTH birthday.  Wow, time has just flown by.  We've spent almost the entire month of August on the road and in the sky. 

Here's our abbreviated travelogue:

First weekend in August: visiting on of my favorite cities, Portland, Oregon to catch up with my dear friend Mary Frecker, in town for the ASME: 

Grace & Mary in front of OMSI

At the Portland Zoo

Then, our annual pilgrimage to Maine to visit friends and Ethan's family.  Another dear State College friend, Eva Lefkowitz, is living in Newton, MA for six months, so we got to see them at the end our our trip:

Meredith & Grace

Kids of Seth B, Ethan, and Eric (Waynflete class of '87)

Al & Miles birdwatching

Fascination with lobsters

Grandma with Seth and Miles at the "Giant Steps"

Miles hanging out with Jordan & Sarah

And, wrapping up our August was a family trip to Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia.  Thanks Gene & Jamie for arranging things:

My parents, Miles, and I on the gondola toward the top of Sulphur Mountain

Lake Louise! Second time I've visited, and still stunned by the color

Jordan

Grandsons!

Miles learning to putt-putt

School starts next Tuesday.  Miles will be in first grade! 

When awake, Miles talks approximately 80% of the time. Here he is, blissfully (for me) quiet. I never find him in bed with his head on the pillow. Sometimes his feet are dangling over the bed. Often his head is at the foot of the bed.  (He's never fallen out though!)  Nothing sweeter than a sleeping kid. 

Kindergarten -- First Day and Last Day

First Day

Last Day (slightly taller)

First Day

Mom has longer hair and more wrinkles!!!

What a year!  I definitely had a lot less energy in June than September...no more carefully-made lunches; I packed a Z-Bar, yogurt, and dried fruit the last few times!  But, I've said it before and it bears repeating: Miles had a GREAT year and I'm so very proud of him.  His awesome teacher reports that he's reading at a 2nd grade level!  (And you may not believe me, but this is with very little pushing on my end.  We own about 812 vehicle-themed books though, and that's the key; finding a topic he loves.)  :-) He has moved on to other books about dinosaurs and wildlife as well.  Progress. 

Miles will continue "school" this summer...I'm teaching summer session, so Miles will be at either Hillcrest or the WWU Summer Kids Camp.  My plan is to spend Fridays with him for "special adventures" around the region. 

Happy First Day of Summer Everyone!!!!

With love,
~Grace

PS: Jim, Crispin, the Bunns, Miles & I had a picnic on June 13th.  It was lovely:

Caterpillars!

Thanks Claudia, for the reminder!

June 2011 (in Minneapolis):

"Abby, look at all those caterpillars!"

 

June 2013 (Point Whitehorn, Whatcom County, WA):

Last day of gymnastics!!!

Miles the public speaker

Miles's school has an assembly, which they call their "Friday Gathering" almost every week.  It's a short 15-minute assembly every Friday morning and students are honored for various things, and each week a few students are highlighted.  Here is Miles reading an essay about ladybugs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omWOX4XUbmk&feature=youtu.be

(I am sorry about the extra click, but Blogger is making me upload to YouTube)

The camera is slightly shaking because I was laughing (because it was so sweet!). Miles wasn't nervous in the least, but he did stumble a little bit.  The principal had only asked him the day before to read at the assembly. 

Kids who speak at the assembly get to wear a "Lowell Leader" sash.

Every day I marvel at what a funny, sweet, hard-working kid he is.  Ethan would be proud! I know I am!

Kids' Art Walk

The Downtown Bellingham Merchants' Association sponsored a Kids Art Walk tonight.  Most of the local restaurants, cafes, and stores displayed kids' art from almost all the local schools.  A cute coffee shop called Caffe Adagio displayed the work of Lowell kids.  Here's what it looked like: 

The theme was "Scary Monsters":

Primary Grades

Miles's class

"Cheeful Chicken Pox Monster" by Miles Remmel

It was a lovely spring evening, and we ran into lots of friends and colleagues. 

I am running the Vancouver Half Marathon on Sunday!!!!!  Who's excited???? 

April Showers

Mid-April!  How did that happen?  Miles & I went to San Francisco for Easter weekend, and we extended it into a long weekend.  Miles's and my spring breaks didn't coincide this year (actually, they never do) so I had to resort to some creative scheduling.  But we had a great trip.  The Remmels met us there, and Seth was there visiting as well.  Some photo evidence:  

Miles and Grandma Kathy at the Sabloskys' house ON THE BEACH.

The loot: 21 eggs



Seth and Miles



"Mom, all that was in here was a HARD-BOILED EGG!" (Well duh, kiddo!)

Capped off a great visit at my sister Gigi's house with her beau John,
our cousin Jane (visiting from England!), and Aunt Ann (coincidentally visiting from Seattle)

On my beautiful Mom's 70th birthday!!!! 

Life continues to be busy (in a good way). I have a new project this quarter which is challenging and engaging.  Miles continues to thrive, but he hates good-byes.  He had a hard time saying good-bye to Grandma Kathy, and just today after a short visit with my parents, he cried when we left.  My parents spent the day with him, and my nephews Jordan & Jackson, taking them to the beach and McDonald's.  The boys then happily played with LEGOs in the afternoon.  I went on a long run and met a friend for lunch, which felt so luxurious.  I don't often get that kind of break. 

The ensuing weeks will bring more of the same.  Between spring break and the end of the school year, it's a marathon...I hope Miles continues to love school.  Lately there have been a few "I don't want to go today"s but for the most part he is eager to be there.  Miles's school has their musical for primary grades on April 25th and Miles has a "speaking part" (8 words). 

Hope everyone is having a great spring.  We had SNOW yesterday -- in Western Washington!!! -- and I am so looking forward to some sun and warmth. 

Miles the Gymnast

Miles continues to love gymnastics, and at the end of every 10-week session, there is a "show" where the kiddos demonstrate what they've been working on.  Here is Miles doing flamingo steps, forward roll, with a tuck-jump dismount.  (Funny I can upload videos but not photos.)

We are off to San Francisco this weekend to meet Ethan's parents, and Kathy is returning to Bellingham to spend with the grandsons. Looking forward to a fun week! 

Vancouver

Sorry for the "radio silence" -- crazy busy in Bellingham.  Professional stuff that I won't bore you with, but I have a new responsibility (creating a new sustainability curriculum), which is good but I seem to be in many meetings, which isn't exactly "bad" but is time-sucking.  And I'm training for the Vancouver (BC) Half Marathon so trying to squeeze in some quality runs when I can. 

Speaking of Vancouver, Miles & I made a short trip there yesterday and today.  We drove up yesterday afternoon, had dinner with friends and spent the night at a hotel.  This morning, we "explored" the hotel which is basically going up and down the escalators and looking in the various vending machine rooms.  Then we spent the rest of the day at the Vancouver Aquarium.  The latest exhibit is Sharks and Rays which we both enjoyed immensely.  The Aquarium is home to two beautiful Beluga whales, and Miles regaled me with his rendition of "Baby Beluga" which also entertained a few others. 

Other news: This past Tuesday, I had a class that meets at 2:00.  At 1:40, Miles's school calls and the aide tells me that he's sick and wants to go home.  Uh-oh!  I RUSH to Lowell School -- remembering to throw crayons in my work bag -- and Miles comes back to campus and class with me (only a few minutes late!).  My TAs gave him paper, and he spent much of the time drawing for them/me.  It was stressful, but ultimately not entirely horrible.  Miles finally got to see what I do.  He always asks, "Mama, do you teach big kids?" and he got to watch me in action.  Though it was a scattered and abbreviated lecture!  At 4:00 I had a sort of important meeting with University uppity-ups, and Miles also accompanied me.  I love my colleagues, and I love that having a five year old in a meeting was not a big deal.  Though Miles did BURP very loudly at one point.  Luckily everyone laughed.  By the way, Miles was totally fine.  I, on the other hand, was pretty frazzled by the end of the day.  

PS: No pictures because Blogger tells me that I have to upload my pictures to Picasa now (what a pain!).  Apparently I can't upload directly from my computer anymore, so I may be moving this site to Wordpress soon.  Will keep you posted. 

Writing! Reading!

In a matter of weeks, Miles's literacy has TAKEN OFF!  Since the school year started, he has moved up four levels in reading, and is constantly pointing out words he knows and always asking me to spell things for him.  It is really fun. I love that he's following Ethan's and my love of reading.

He has been learning so much in kindergarten, and I'm thrilled that he's in an environment that is so encouraging.  Tonight, as I was preparing dinner, he wanted to write what we were having, so I told him.  Here's what he wrote on a pad of paper:

TORTALENE And
BROCKOLE And
CHIKiN
CHOKLiT

And indeed, we did have tortellini, broccoli, chicken, and chocolate!