relatives, interview, moooooose

T & K cruised on up the AlCan in four days. They showed up at about 6pm on July 3rd. The sisters were such polite little best friends to each other for two whole days! It was hard for me to really enjoy that peace because I knew what was just around the corner, glaring, tattling, scratching, hissing and yes, biting. And wart-threats. K had to go back to Laramie on the 9th.
We've all been adjusting pretty well to this weird refugee stage of our lives. The day camps are a nice distraction and having the messy, smelly old minivan back is really comforting. I was doing a sort of inner-William Wallace thing when I drove it again for the first time... FREEDOMMMMMM! The kids and I call it the Moose Car because of the noise the power steering makes when we turn. The girls want to put some fake antlers on the roof to see if the real moose along the side of the road will notice.
LittleK would have been signed up for Kindergarten if we were still in Laramie, as their school district allows four-year-olds who will turn five by September 15th. Here in Anchorage and Wasilla, the birthdate deadline is September 1st. So we're jumping through the hoops of 'Early-Entry' stuff: a psychologist's evaluation of her IQ and visual & motor skills, and some other paperwork. We could have gone through the expense (and boredom) of another year of preschool for her but we decided she'll be much better off in Kindergarten. The psychologist said she's ready - we'll know more when his written report comes in the mail. Now all we need is to know which city we'll live in and which school these kids will attend!
K came back up this weekend for a job interview on Friday. He said it went well and the company will call him back this coming Friday... !!!!! He was able to be here for our big family potluck but had to get on the jet to Denver at midnight last night.
All the people who were here last night included: our Chidester relatives Wanda and her daughter Heidi, Auntie Sharon, Uncle Paul, Auntie Roseanne, Rick, Peggy & Pat and kids, K & me & kids, and Gramma & Grampy. There was an abundance of delicious food and non-stop kid noise. Heidi & Wanda are visiting this week from Albuquerque and it's so interesting to hear everyone's stories about those old Montana Chidesters. Genealogy research can create priceless connections and memories...
As for me, I'm in the waiting stage between 3-month doctor appointments. I had some blood drawn last week and still have frequent coumadin-monitoring done. I feel fine except for some chest congestion, an easy price to pay for kissing germy kids.
I''ve been feeling like Mama the Conqueror! I defeated three nasty plantar warts which had their hold on T's feet for a few months. Two words: duct tape. They most likely won't come back but since the ick factor is pretty high I'll be checking our family feet for a long time.

... more cat-fighting to stop. And now they woke up their brother.

quick hi

Happy Birthday Grandma R! Happy Birthday to BigB in Bemidji!
I have to leave now and referee some disputes.
Favorite quote of the week: "I will touch you with my warty foot if you don't stop bugging me!!" (big sister to little sister) ... ew, warts!

birthdays, travels...

Happy Birthday to my sisters! P yesterday, J tomorrow. My youngest brother had a birthday last week, one of my nieces turns 3 on the 4th, and one of my nephews will be 10 on the 7th! Our Minnesota relatives have some special days coming up this month too...
Today is the 13th anniversary of the day K and I were married. Right now he and T are driving between Dawson Creek, BC, and Whitehorse, YT. They started their long drive up early Saturday morning and made it nearly 800 miles that first day. Sunday, they drove from Lethbridge, AB to Dawson Creek. Hopefully they'll get as far as Whitehorse tonight, then finish the drive tomorrow night.
R is screaming at me, he wants me to fix a hopelessly broken toy and now he's screaming harder because he just hit his face with it. I think it's nap time.