Whacky Weather

Noah has played soccer, football, and baseball with heavy frost on the field, large puddles, and dustbowl conditions, but up till now we've never had a game "snowed out." All Little League and high school baseball and softball games were cancelled due to snow yesterday. The snow wasn't really sticking to the field, but it was snowing so hard all day that the fields were very soupy. We awoke this morning to more snow at the house. As we traveled into town we went through slight elevation changes that allowed the snow to pile up and some areas where there was no snow on the ground at all. It's hard to believe that 55 degrees is forecast for Monday and Tuesday. March has done the opposite of what it usually does here in the northwest. Usually it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb as the saying goes. But this year the beginning of the month was mild and the month is ending wild. Can't wait to see what April brings.

Visitors

We had the pleasure of hosting my brother -in-law, Paul, and my nephew, Fuller last night. They're on their way to Canada for a father/son trip during Fuller's spring break. There wasn't much time for visiting as Noah had baseball practice till 7, but we did have a great dinner out. The boys got 20 minutes of time on the Wii before bed, and Paul and Fuller left for the final leg of their journey this morning when we left for school. I think their camping trip will be quite cold. Hail and possibly snow are in the forecast. Noah is supposed to pitch tonight, but it's so cold that Forrest and I are hoping for a rainout. If I had my way we wouldn't have any games till after spring break when we can use the newly refurbished fields that have lights. But nobody asked me.

Yakima

Last weekend we spent a great weekend at the final baskeball tournament of the year. The boys finished 3rd place. That seems to be their place this year. They've finished 3rd in three different tournaments. The hotel we stayed at was in Yakima, but due to scheduling conflicts with a volleyball tournament all of our games were in Grandview which was 40 miles east of Yakima. It was too far to drive back and forth between games so we had to find ways to entertain and feed ourselves in a very small town with few restaurants.

The weather was clear enough on Saturday that we decided to have a picnic at a local winery and do some wine tasting. The kids ran around and even found a hoop out back to keep themselves occupied while the grown ups tasted some fine Yakima Valley vintages. We also stopped at the Darigold plant to sample ice cream. A very yummy diversion on a lovely day. It was nice to spend some time outdoors away from dark gyms.

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted. But that date, March 7th, is right before Forrest took off for two weeks in Olympia. Forrest spent one week in Olympia before joining the kids and I in Yakima. Then after the tournament was over the kids and I came home, and Forrest returned to Olympia for another week of bridge inspection training. Before we parted ways Forrest took us to a great restaurant in downtown Ellensburg, The Palace Cafe, it's been in operation for 100 years. I'd love to go back and explore this original part of the town. There is a very interesting looking bookstore across the street from the Palace along with some other intriguing stores in century old buildings.

Assessment is BORING

Our school conducts several building cross grade level writing assessments. We conduct these assessments just like our statewide test in April which means that the children have one whole school day to plan, draft, revise, edit, and write a final draft. This is one of the longest most tedious days of the year. As a school we put ourselves through this process four times a year. That's in addition to the two writing, two reading, and three math assessment days scheduled by the state.

Unlike the tests I took in school these assessments are not timed. The children have all day if they need it. Most children finish the math and reading portions of the state test before lunch, but there are always a few stragglers who need more time. Part of our test security measures requires that students who are not finished before lunch not eat with their peers or go to lunch recess. They have to eat in the classroom where we can be sure that they don't talk about the test. Then they have to go right back to work. The two days of writing are when we have the largest groups of children not finished before lunch. I'm so glad that we're not that strict during these building wide assessment days.

Most days I love my job! The time flies by with the kids and it's 3:40 before I know it. But on these marathon assessment days time drags by. I'm posting this now while I monitor my kids while they write. They started at 10:15 and worked till lunch at noon. They came in from lunch recess at 12:45 and will continue to write till they're done. Right now I only have two kids who are finished. Twenty more to go.

Dirt Under the Fingernails

Yesterday was a beautiful afternoon. I only worked half a day as I had a doctor's appointment. I was home by 2:30. After having my neck adjusted at the chiropractor I was energized and ready for some outside work. My car is now shiny again, and I started clearing weeds from my front flower patch. I'm still digging dirt out from under my nails. These weeds are very hearty. They have flourished all winter long. The worst ones are what we call "Shot Weed." If you try to pull them when the seeds are formed they'll shoot their seeds every where. The crocus are in full bloom and the daffodils are not far off. Today is even warmer than yesterday so I'm hoping to get in another hour or so of work in after school while Forrest and Noah are at baseball practice. So much for March coming in like a lion. Hopefully Mother Nature isn't mixed up and we'll get our lion weather later. I much prefer the lamb.

Rhubarb, Bleeding Heart, and Heirloom Iris

Here's the evidence that spring really is coming. It was light enough when I got home at 5:30 tonight to take a few photos in my garden. I really hate those winter days when I drive to work in the dark and come home in the dark. The rhubarb stalks have me thinking about my Grandma Beulah's famous rhubarb cake. It's made with brown sugar and buttermilk with lots of cinnamon and sugar on the top. It's my favorite cake! I'll even eat it for breakfast. I figure any pastry with cinnamon and sugar on the top qualifies as a coffee cake.

The bleeding heart plant was an accidental purchase. It started as a tiny sprig that hitchhiked it's way into my garden with another plant that has since died. When this plant is fully in bloom it's 3' tall and 4' wide. It fills the whole space under my front window.

The iris started its life in my Grandma Marie's garden in Twin Falls. When my grandparents had to move out of their house my mom saved some of the iris and gave them to me for my garden. These are very prolific iris that I've had to split several times. I have them in four different spots in my yard.

Now that I've cleared most of the winter debris my most hated chore awaits: WEEDING.

Hope for Spring

At last! Yesterday I had my first clear look at the coming of spring. The sun was out, and it was warm enough to work in the yard. I rejoiced in clearing the dead leaves and debris from winter wind storms from my flower beds to reveal the first spears of crocus, tulips, and rhubarb. I filled the yard waste bin only to find out that weekly pick up doesn't start till the first Monday of March. I guess that lets me off the hook for any more yard clean up next weekend. When I finished up it was warm enough to sit outside in the sun with a book (one of my favorite pastimes).

After the yardwork Noah had his last two regular season basketball games. His team won both and finished the season 11-4. Noah played well, he had double doubles in both games. Between games Alyssa and I checked out the bargains at Kohl's. I found $40.00 dress pants on clearance for $8.00. Alyssa found great bargains too. Then Alyssa met some friends to see the movie, "Jumper." She doesn't recommend paying $9.00 to see it. Wait till it's out on DVD.

Today our overlapping sports season started. Noah's baseball team met at the batting cages for the first time. They're getting together again on Wednesday for batting practice. Noah still has three weeks of basketball practice left because we have two more tournaments.