The Blues

Originally, I thought the title for this post should be: What kind of parents are we?

A while ago, Anna asked if she could get blue streaks in her hair. I've always thought that she should be able to wear her hair as she liked (although I will give my unwelcome input often, especially when we can't see her beautiful face) since it is her hair. I pondered the question and said, yes. But that doesn't mean I have to pay for it. So I told her she would have to pay for it.

We inquired with the hair dresser about how much it might cost for a few streaks of blue. It was going to be around $20-30 dollars, plus maybe the cost of the dye, since blue doesn't seem to be a common color to have on hand. To save some money, I told Anna that I would be willing to try to do the streaks at home for her, but she still needed to buy the dye. Also, she would be doing it at her own risk since I am no hair dresser.

One day we went to the beauty supply store and asked the person there what she would recommend (and as Anna said, of course she recommended the more expensive dye). Since Anna's hair is dark, we weren't sure if it would work.

One night I put the gloves on, read the directions and we dove right in. It didn't work very well. Anna's hair had a slight blue tint, but it really just blended in with the rest of her hair. The directions did say you might need to bleach dark hair first. But we thought we would try it without. Nope, didn't work.

Round two: I bought some hair dye at the store to bleach Anna's hair first. I put the gloves on again and went back to work. Here's what we ended up with.

Round three: Reapply the blue dye and see what happens.


It didn't turn out how Anna had hoped it would. She was looking for a dark royal type of blue. She ended up with a robin's egg type of blue. She was quite upset about it, even though we did have a laugh about it (o.k. mom had a laugh. What kind of parent am I?) I actually thought it was a pretty color, but not Anna. She wanted to try doing the blue again.

After two or three attempts, I was ready to set aside the gloves. But Frank took up the cause and did three or four more blue hair dyeing attempts (why didn't I take a picture of that?). The last time they left the dye in for three times the amount of time it said to leave it in. It did end up more blue, but despite the fact that it is suppose to be permanent, it is washing out each time she washes her hair.

Robin's egg blue is a very pretty color, don't you think?

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school here.  It's a bit earlier than last year and was only a half day.  I hope that now I can get back into a more regular routine.  Maybe during the day, but after school will be filled with driving to and from volleyball practices and games for awhile.  After school starts, it seems like the rest of the year just starts rolling by faster and faster.

Anna ready for the eighth grade!  

Can you see the little white circle just on the edge of the lower branch (almost where the one above it ends)? That was the moon.  It was around 7 a.m. and the sun was not quite up all the way.  That means my day is starting earlier, too.

The Dress

Anna with her friend, Katarina

Throughout the school year, Anna's junior high has held about four dances so far. Friday night was the latest and was called "formal" at first and then changed to "semi-formal".

I don't recall having dances when I was in middle school. I think "formal" for junior high is a little too much. We don't need the kids to grow up any faster than they already are. But as you can see from the picture above, Anna still went in a fancy dress.

There is a story behind that dress. Months ago, we were just shopping for school clothes at Penney's and Anna saw that dress. You know why she liked it, don't you? The leopard print. She said that they would be having a formal dance sometime and she wanted to try it on. I wasn't really interested in getting her a dress, especially one with spaghetti straps and for the price it was. But eventually I said I would let her just try it on, hoping that it would not fit well. Well, she tried it on and she looked so adorable, what else could I do but get it for her?

Stomp

On Sunday, Anna and I went to see the Stomp performance. I had seen them once before when they came to Boise, but Anna had not seen them. It was very enjoyable. It is group that does "percussion, movement and visual comedy." And they use everyday things to make their sounds, like: trash cans, brooms, newspaper, pots and pans, etc. I love it. It makes me want to come home and start banging on things.

Anna had her own stomp-like performance several weeks ago at school. After choir had ended they had a four week session of drumming which was taught by a local place called Drum Central. They worked with the kids to do movements, songs and drumming.

Bike day

This week has been Boise Bike week. There have been many events planned over the course of the week to promote cycling. Today was the finale.

We left our house this morning on our bikes around 10 a.m. First we headed down to the Warm Springs neighborhood yard sale. There were lots of people walking up and down the avenue. I only found a CD of French songs and a bike tube (which I had just bought three the day before). Frank found some tools. Anna found nothing.

After browsing we rode downtown to get lunch at the very busy Brick Oven Bistro (or The Beanery as some of us still call it). Saturday market was going on so Anna found something after all, a pendant.


After lunch we went to the Green Expo which was right there at the Grove as well. We got several brochures and stickers. The day was heating up. We were getting ready to leave when I saw my front tire was flat. Good thing I had just bought those tubes (I had a flat earlier in the week which is why I knew we needed some. My rim liner was punctured which was causing the flats).

Fortunately, they had bike people there to help with repairs and stuff. They had some electrical tape we could put over the rim spot. Frank changed the tube, but they had a nice pump to use (so much easier than the portable pumps we have on the bikes that take forever to pump up). Once fixed, we headed down the river a ways. . .


so we could put our feet in the freezing water. It felt good but was the kind of cold that makes your feet and legs numb.



Who's that handsome guy?

Since Frank and Anna had split a lunch and Anna was hungry again. We went back downtown to get some croquetas, a local Basque specialty that Anna just loves and we don't get that often.


On her arm, it says "Keep it local. Think Boise First." That was from the Green Expo. We also got a sticker (which you can kind of see on the top of Anna's visor) which says we were carbon neutral because we had ridden our bikes there.

When snack time was over, we headed toward Bogus Basin road where the Pedal Parade was starting, as we were planning to participate. The mention in the papers wasn't specifically clear about times. So when it said Pedal Parade at 4 p.m., we thought that meant the parade started at four. We were there about 3:15 p.m. because you had to sign a waiver and we thought there would be tons of people.

There was nobody there yet. Across the street we went to get a cold drink from the coffee shop (smoothie and italian soda). It was a very hot day today. After a while we started to see other cyclists trickle in. I think they meant start gathering for the parade at 4 p.m.

We were hoping there would be hundreds of cyclists. Frank estimated that there was maybe around 100. We were also a little disappointed because we didn't see many "crazy" or homemade bikes. We did see this guy with his old fashioned bike. Anna and Frank were one of three or four tandem bikes.


I think around 4:30 is when we actually set off for the parade. We all rode down 13th St. into downtown , up 9th street and over to Julia Davis park. I was hoping we would have a police escort so the group could stay all together to make a bigger impression (and the silly motorcycle rallies always get traffic stopped for them). But no, not even the bicycle police. So the group got divided by stop lights. There were kids and adults of all ages riding.


At Julia Davis park, they had free pizza, salad, strawberries and drinks for us. We also received a free t-shirt when we turned in our waiver.
After dinner, they had a drawing for some small items and a drawing for a bike and Bob trailer. The drawing for the bike and trailer included every participant throughout all the events of the week and you didn't have to be present to win those. Of course, we didn't win anything.


I had Anna take a picture of me and Frank, just to show that I was along for the ride, too. Sometimes I remember to do that. Just ignore the helmet head hair!


It was 95 degrees today and we were riding up Shaw Mountain road during the hottest part of the day. We arrived home around 6:30 p.m. A great way to end bike week.

Pretty Things

Here is a pretty view of our flowering cherry tree and Service berry tree. I'm glad I took this a couple of days ago, as yesterday a cold front moved in and the wind is blowing the blossom petals off today.

Last week Anna had her orchestra concert at the school. Sorry it is a little shaky, I was just using my pocket camera's video mode and didn't have a tripod. This is just one of the songs they did. You might recognize it.

Anna is 11!

Happy Birthday to my sweetie! Today is her official birthday. She woke up to a birthday surprise - snow!




Since Frank is in L.A. on business today, we were going to have Anna open her family presents tomorrow when he is back. But she begged and pleaded with me today, so I let her open a couple today (it's not her fault Frank is on a business trip). But the rest will have to wait until tomorrow.

Anna's party

Even though Anna's birthday isn't until Wednesday, we had her party on Saturday. We decided to have a crafts and make your own ice cream sundae party. Several of Anna's friends don't like cake, so we didn't make one.

Since I'm not a soccer mom, I did not realize that Saturday was the first day for spring soccer games. Anna only invited five people. One couldn't come, one had to come late because of a soccer game and one had to leave early because of a soccer game. It was a small affair but they all had a great time.









We didn't have time for all the crafts we had planned. After every one was gone, Frank, Anna and I did the last one which was making people out of wood blocks.

Cool Cats

Yes, more snow pictures. I can't resist. This past weekend we had some wet snow, just right for building snow cats. No, we don't build snowmen around here. We build snow cats.

Frank did the physical labor of getting the snow rolled up into the basic cat shapes.


Anna came to refine the form and add the details with her "sculpturing" stick.



I woke Sunday morning with a sore throat and am trying to fight off the cold. I wasn't up to playing in the snow but I did help Anna with the long cat tail on the left.

I was just thinking to myself last week how healthy I have been this winter so far. Only one short cold (and now two) and no sinus infection, which in the past few years I have gotten. I guess I cursed myself. My throat is still sore and I can tell I'm feeling drained, but it is a busy week (as well as next week) for me and must carry on.

I worked at the art museum yesterday and will today and tomorrow getting a show ready. Thursday, I have to do the school art lesson which always wipes me out even when I'm feeling well. Then after the lesson, I have to meet with the yearbook kids (they wipe me out with frustration). Next week is basically the same. Maybe Friday I will be able to rest (although there is laundry to do, house cleaning to do, bills to be paid and Frank left today for Florida and will be gone until Friday.)

If you need to see more snow-building pictures, Frank put some on our website in the photo gallery under family photos, 2008.

It's a First!

Yesterday and last night we received a couple of inches of snow. But that was not why they canceled school for the first time since Anna's been in school! The roads were too icy and slippery. We still got up early, got ready and left around 7:40 a.m. to get to school by 8 a.m. for choir. As we were part of the way to school, a guy in a truck, driving by, slowed down to tell us school was canceled. Really? Thanks, mister. I never turn on the radio or t.v. in the morning (or during the day either) so didn't know.

Anna wanted to continue on to school just to make sure. When we arrived the school was dark. We went in anyway (as I needed to return the school cameras) and the principal was there to confirm that there was, indeed, no school. Back home we walked. Anna was super happy!



We caught the sunrise on our way back. At home we had some hot chocolate and then immediately donned our snow pants and gear. We were headed back to the field with our nordic skis before the snow melted.


With much trepidation on Anna's part we skied into the field. She does not like falling at all and gets nervous when she has to go down hill (although the hill is more like a bump and she could walk faster than the speed that she was skiing down the small hill). With much coaxing we got to the flatter trail. Going back and forth a couple of times made it nice to glide on (although we could have used a little more snow as I hit some rocks a couple of times).


After our adventure, we went back to the house and tried sledding down the street. It was the slowest sled ride ever. I could tell the temperature was warming up and the snow was starting to get slushy. Looks like school might be on for tomorrow!

Inverted

Yesterday there was an inversion here in Boise. That is when the cold air sinks into the valley and stays (since we are between two mountain ranges). It holds in the clouds and pollution until enough wind can come and push it out. In the valley it looks gray and is cold. But if you drive up to Bogus Basin, you are high enough to get above the inversion and it is sunny and warmer up top. We went nordic skiing and it was so nice to be outside in the snow and sun. I only got this one picture as my battery was low.


I had dropped my camera in the snow when I was getting it out. Hence there are snow spots. I tried to fix them in Photoshop but it was taking way too long. In the distance you can see the sea of clouds and the mountains popping out.

Two Surprises

Friday morning we had a surprise visitor - a young deer. Anna and I were working in the studio and I saw some movement out of the corner of my eye. Looked out the window and saw this guy/gal. It walked around the side of the house and we were able to go downstairs and watch it out the window. It didn't seem to notice us there. So we watched it for quite a while.



This morning we woke up to another winter wonderland. Yea! We went out right after breakfast as we know snow doesn't last too long and will start melting during the day.




We tried sledding on the road and managed to get a few runs in but started hitting bottom. Then the dirt truck came and put dirt on the street. On to snowball fights. You're never too old for snowball fights (I hit Frank several times)...


... or for sledding! Yes, those are my feet and Anna is at the bottom of the street.

The Joy of Snow

Yesterday we had a little bit more snow. Not enough to sled down the street, though, as it was too fluffy and we scraped bottom right away. However, the driveway was smooth enough that Anna could get the snow packed down and sled on the slight hill that it is. Here she attempts to snowboard on the sled.



We are suppose to get more snow today. Yea! Frank went off to ski hard without us. We have to stay home and get ready for Anna's friend to come over to spend the night.

The Day After Christmas

We had a wonderfully relaxing Christmas (except for the part when Anna came in our bedroom to wake us up at 5:15 a.m.). We opened presents, played our games, ate leftovers and hung out by the fire.

This year all our presents fit under the tree and we even had extra room. (I think) it was nice for Anna not to be overwhelmed with tons of gifts and for us not to be overrun with stuff, boxes and wrapping paper all over the floor. There was enough and Anna was quite happy with what she received (plus she has extra cash to get some other things). Anna played her new video games most of the day.

Frank and I have been doing puzzles since Thanksgiving. We love doing them but usually only do them around this time of year when Frank takes some time off work and we don't travel anywhere. I don't know how many we've done, but I know we've finished four new ones and have gone back and done several old ones again. Frank was ready to start another one. I told him that we have one in the closet that we have never done and we should have gotten that out first.

It has been in the closet for years and someone gave it to us. I think they had received it as a gift but were frightened and passed it on to us. It was not open. It is called The World's Most Difficult Puzzle. It is two-sided and has the same picture on both sides except it is rotated 90 degrees on the other side. And you will see that the picture is also not the easiest to work with. That is why it has been sitting in the closet untouched for years.


We decided to be brave and try it. Well, it wasn't as bad as I have been imagining it to be all these years. We finished it in one afternoon/evening. I guess we just figure out a good way to work it. Here is what we did:

Since most of the pieces have two pieces that look the same, we tried to match up any of the doubles we saw. If we attached one piece to the puzzle we made sure we had the other matching piece because then we knew we could flip it to the other side and turn it 90 degrees and attach it in another place on the puzzle. If we were working on one section, i.e. a skier, we would find the double pieces and build it in double (because the picture was slightly off compared to the other side so you could see which one was the right one if you had both pieces). When we had both sections built, we figured out which one attached in the right place, then we knew we could flip the double over turn it 90 degrees and put it in the other section of the puzzle where it belonged. The pieces on the diagonal lines from corner to corner were basically the same piece on both sides so we didn't have to find a matching pieces. It sounds pretty confusing but we did it! And will probably never do it again.


Today we got a little bit of snow. Not much but Anna and I tried to make the best of it by sledding down the street. We had to smooth out a path first to make it work and after a while we had to stop as there were bare spots on the street and things were warming up. You can just see some grass peeking up from behind Anna.



Then we also played more video games, trying out the Guitar Hero III (with two guitars. This is the only video game I will play that we have). Anna and Frank rock on.