Update on us

There is life after moving! We have had a difficult week and a half getting settled over in our new home. We're realizing that yes, while we did just do this last year and we got through it fine, for one thing it was earlier in December that we moved in, and number two, we got all cleaned out of our old apartment in San Francisco before Thanksgiving. Plus, now we're connected and living active lives of Portland residents, instead of having nothing to do. Which is a great thing, but still makes moving difficult. But it's done now and boxes are being unpacked slowly. We have out what is really necessary (begging the question: why not just dump the rest?) and we can take our time doing the rest. Except that Christmas is coming fast! We are again doing our Christmas shopping at the Portland Saturday Market, which is very cool. We rode the MAX over there today, which has a stop only two blocks from our house, and pulls up right in front of the market. Very neat! Although that didn't keep us from getting chilled to the bone, which necessitated some curly fries. We thought it necessitated some elephant ears, but the guy we always buy them from wasn't there today. Very sad.

Yesterday we had an outing with our homeschool co-op, to the Mt. Scott Rec Center's pool. I had heard they had a "nice pool" but I'd always thought, a nice pool is one that's clean and well-maintained....so I filed it in my brain. I'm sure glad to know about it now, though! This was no ordinary pool. Check it out on the website if you're local. It's well worth a trip. The kids and I spent a lot of time in the current channel. It was so much fun! Then they opened up the waterslide. It's really tall and I just zoomed down it--it was almost too fast for me. Zac tried and tried to work up his courage to go on it, but was scared. After much agonizing, he finally went....and proved me right, that once he went down it, he'd go again and again, and wonder why in the world he'd waited so long! And the third thing I enjoyed there but the kids weren't allowed to was the hot tub. Mmmmmm did that feel good when it's so cold outside. I wish I was there now!

Sunday we had our Nativity Pageant at church. I think the director has had a stroke of genius. You know how Christmas pageants have a tendency to drag on and on and be too long and tedius? Well, this one is short and sweet. Actually, it's in two parts: first is the part in the church, right after liturgy. They have the 6th grade class take turns reading out the nativity story and other kids acting it out as they go. Then the younger grades come into the church in turn, singing a Christmas carol as they come in that has to do with what's happening in the story. Like Away in a Manger during the birth, We Three Kings while the kings are coming in (actually all of the 4th grade were kings, and singing, and Zac made a great king!). Hibi was chosen to be Mary this year! She did a great job, though it wasn't actually a very big part--just carry in the "baby" and sit down for the whole thing.

The second part is the Christmas concert in the church hall. After everyone gets their coffee and sweets, they go into the hall. (This also allows for those who aren't interested to make their escape.) Individual children can perform Christmas carols, singing or playing an instrument. It was very nice! Hibi sang and played guitar for What Child is This. She was a hit!

Alas, in our fashion, we didn't bring the camera. Sigh. Besides, I think it's still packed away somewhere. Hopefully someone else will give me a picture or two.

And now you are up-to-date on the happenings of this family! Hope you all have a great week, and a very merry Christmas! (Or whatever holiday you are celebrating!)