tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:54:39 +0000jokesornamentshomemade laundry detergentbooksthreespawndeathJuliet Eilperinpapier macheamaster bedroomSuper CeanajobHalloweenwhite housebedbusSouthwest Charterspaghetti bolognesered-tailed hawkricekidsweatherhelicopterstandsportpizza cakerealityKillianSt. Patrick's Daychicken nuggetCape AragoCanbyraccoonMother NatureFarmer's Marketexpensivegovernmentapril foolaccidentcampolives4th of JulyirishbabysitterRainbow Bridgecoldsports cupanniversaryswimmingsacrificebobblehead bradpumpkin patchhome aloneDSsickpirateprojectcharacteroasisbaked potatopaintingterrible mothergoing westmeatless mondayWubbzyBeer-Braised ChickenTiffany and CoducklingtomatoesretirementThanksgivingchristmasbean and kale soupmaurice geebuttermilkhopepreschoolLucky ChiliFugeewaterspring breakdealsmonterey jackzooNintendobreadDoernbecherRoxieburgerschicken stewluscher farmfirst daysoupauntiehello kittycandy sushihouse-huntingblack bean soupHedgiesectorlacrossedonationNOAAirish jigalcatrazplayground gymdisrespectfulforeheadRyanMercyRIPbutternut squashOMSIportlandCeanavirusLiamStar WarsfajitascoffeefondantHead ButlerchaperonerunMercy CorpsKeeganMother's Daykielbasagerman appleSharksSpringwaterGreat Wolf Lodgefish4car washStuffed pepper stoupgardencup of joefield tripWyattleprechaunSayurienviromomteachertastygnoccired pepperscrewtea partyperformanceAfricalemon creamuniformVAJessePenzeyswelcome home girlfriendpancakeMerlinRacheal Rayfallschoolblizzardgamefirst report cardwinter breakschool boardShore AcresnerfLong Boy "Burgers"bargainsdilemmatheftMakenziewater parkFountainnewsletterninjabook reviewBeth's birthdayEasterbeans and sausageground beeftestingmarinescoast guardsantaoral thrushOutcastnorthwoodsMLLjumbo croutonsmistakesaucecupcakemacaroni and cheesesnowpocalypsewinterconferencerisottoChicken Tikka MasalawordleAucklandRainafrican drummingTaylor Swiftportobello mushroomgoulashgradient cakeraftingboosterfriendscrashstiletto cupcakesOlympicsshepherd's piebirthdayyeast infectionPatriciaprincessvacationBrad Paisleypartywashing sodadogawardmeatless supper clubkindleknock knockhawaiisecretaryDemon Fishservice membermulligatawnyplayroomtwopotty traininghatsdecoratechristmas treeraviolisnowwitchcabanaGolden Chickenhttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/noreply@blogger.com (Beth)Blogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-3967957050521009388Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:07:00 +00002012-04-10T22:08:26.264-07:00lacrossecharactersportdilemmaLiam is playing lacrosse again this year. No terrific surprise there, I know. But we seem to have run into a parental decision-making moment that could potentially have far-reaching consequences. It could end up coming down to a choice between character-building, and encouraging the continued interest in a sport. See, Liam is on a different team this year. He moved up to the 5/6 grade level. Inhttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2012/04/its-hard-being-parent.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-818373428736442503Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:44:00 +00002012-03-19T22:44:54.004-07:00The Daily Show with Jon StewartGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebookhttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2012/03/were-good-guys-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-3529718708955276145Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:43:00 +00002012-03-19T22:43:45.731-07:00 The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2012/03/daily-show-with-jon-stewart-get-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-8885410370803585437Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:39:00 +00002012-02-06T14:39:11.707-08:00So, I don't know how I missed this commercial during the Super Bowl yesterday. Might have something to do with the fact that there were 5 kids running around...or that I left to get dinner halfway through the 3rd quarter...or that I spent most of my time visiting with my friends than actually watching the game...Any one (or more) of these could be the case. But I just saw one of the commercials http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2012/02/dirty-harry-is-da-bomb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-8730881933802295988Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +00002012-01-28T16:39:36.762-08:00welcome home girlfriendgradient cakefondantbirthdaystiletto cupcakestea partyCeanaCeana turned 5 last week. I can hardly believe it. She's growing so fast, and turning into such a young lady, that I'm just not ready. I'm working on figuring out a way to keep her this age F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Though that sounds a bit...obsessive. Hm. I may need to rethink the "forever" part. Anyway! Due to budget constraints this year, we couldn't do the "invite the whole class" kind of party that http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2012/01/big-0-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-3057554407742537274Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:34:00 +00002011-10-30T17:34:43.189-07:00Phil and I figured that the kids needed a little bit of fun, and I found a great coupon for a pumpkin patch in Tigard which included the corn maze, the hay maze and a ride out to the pumpkin patch from the main farm. Buy one, get one (and Ceana, under 5, was free). So, on one slightly overcast (but DRY) day, we headed out. Joey wasn't planning on going, until Liam expressed his disappointment. Hehttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/10/pumpkin-patch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-5028795848727441604Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:06:00 +00002011-10-18T17:06:09.016-07:00http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/10/watch-learn-and-enjoy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-2127406828766872246Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:21:00 +00002011-10-18T11:21:47.186-07:00Here we are. Just a brief update, and then I hope to get some photos posted in the next day or so. Phil is working, getting through the training phase at his new job. Once he is done with that, he will be working through the night 4 nights a week and an optional (though not really optional - we need the income) 5th night of 2:00AM-10:30AM. We discussed the possibility of me finding a job as well,http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/10/so.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-6482176999546437876Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:03:00 +00002011-10-03T12:03:56.273-07:00Pending drug test/background check, Phil has been offered the job with Fred Meyer. It will still be a couple of weeks before he begins working, because that tends to be how long it takes those to be finished. And the pay is less than half what he was making before. That said - it's a job. It's money coming in. Our lifestyle will change dramatically (has already started to), but we will certainly http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/10/not-totally-official.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-2517074446345057005Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:55:00 +00002011-09-30T10:55:37.422-07:00Our plan had been to host a long-term exchange student from Korea during all of this - we had already accepted the offer when Phil lost his job 2 days before the poor guy was supposed to get here! So, we discussed our options and decided that we would go ahead and have him here anyway - the monthly stipend will cover any additional expenses (that's the hope, anyway ;) So, last Friday HoYeon http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/09/in-other-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-6849252179882292939Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:41:00 +00002011-09-29T08:41:25.934-07:00As with the post pertaining to things going on here at home, I accidentally posted this on my other site. Silly me. Anyway, it's an incredible short piece about the 9/11 Boat Lift, and I want to continue to give it the recognition it deserves. Please, if you have a chance, watch this. It's not incredibly long, but it speaks to to the GOOD in humanity in a way so many other things about 9/11 don'thttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/09/ooops.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-5050478405037683809Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:36:00 +00002011-09-29T09:12:22.828-07:00mistakejobEDIT: I accidentally posted this on another blog I have, so...I'm fixing that now. First real blog post in a while - if you happen to see this, please make sure you read ALL THE WAY through before hopping on the phone or sending an email. It will more than likely answer all (or at least most) of your questions, negating the need to call in a panic. Now that I’ve got your attention, I will carry http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/09/big-changes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-2344253467455495242Tue, 17 May 2011 22:04:00 +00002011-05-17T15:04:41.335-07:00SharksJuliet Eilperinbook reviewDemon Fish What an excellent book. I have long had a soft spot for sharks - I find them incredibly beautiful, graceful and strong. This book reinforces that belief, while giving compelling evidence why *all* people should find saving sharks important. Eilperin travels all over the globe, talking to people who "talk" to, hunt, and study sharks. She tries the "delicacy" known as shark-fin soup, she http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/05/to-see-ocean-at-its-most-vulnerable-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-5374085802611287427Tue, 10 May 2011 00:07:00 +00002011-05-09T20:26:23.549-07:00Mother's DaytheftexpensiveIt was a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday, though probably one of the most expensive (for us) ever. In addition to the beautiful gifts given to me by my lovely children (with, of course, a major assist from Dad) - 3 hour-long massages, a box of Moonstruck Chocolates, a really cool candle and a $15 Starbuck's gift card - the washing machine gave it's last gasp and let go of it's earthly hold. *http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/05/very-expensive-week-so-far.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-7028251731788107233Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:45:00 +00002011-04-04T19:45:54.958-07:00candy sushipizza cakeapril fool So we just welcomed April by celebrating her "birthday". I'm certain I can hear voices in the background wondering "Who is April?" and "What birthday?". That's pretty much what the kids were asking when I brought out their dinner on April 1st - otherwise known as...APRIL FOOL'S DAY! They were still asking those questions as they were blowing out the candles on the cake - all the way up until http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/04/april-fools-day-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-8822328458238397013Fri, 18 Mar 2011 20:02:00 +00002011-03-18T13:02:54.422-07:00conferenceSt. Patrick's DayhatsCeanaleprechaunAs everyone knows, yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. A day that means people all over the country were eating Corned Beef & Cabbage, drinking green beer, wearing green, and just generally pretending to be Irish. In our house, it also meant that we had our annual visit from the leprechaun and that Phil and I celebrated 12 years of marriage. The highlight of the day was, of course, the morning http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/03/celebrating-12-yearsand-serious-sugar.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-5088664795540549307Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:45:00 +00002011-02-24T09:45:33.745-08:00kidsportlandsnowpocalypseThis is Portland right now: The news channels have pre-empted other shows...to talk about snow. All schools have closed. Delays of up to 2 hours were authorized for Federal Employees. There is maybe 2-3 inches of snow on the ground - in SOME locations. Slush on the roadways. It's pretty funny - and I can only imagine what the people on the East Coast think of the hysteria. Like we're a bunch ofhttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/02/snowpocalypse-it-has-arrived.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-9100837314366960227Mon, 31 Jan 2011 23:42:00 +00002011-01-31T15:42:41.865-08:004birthdayplayground gymCeanaSince I'm (morethanalittle) behind on my entries, I figured I'll start with the latest happening and then work backwards for a bit to get caught up. I know some of you are anxious to hear/see about Ceana's birthday, so we'll start with that! So the poor dear was sicker than a dog on her actual birthday. Poor thing - it was terrible. She got to pick breakfast and dinner (but only one actual http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2011/01/butterfly-dreams.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-2693161543236007827Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:51:00 +00002010-12-21T16:51:00.727-08:00swimmingGreat Wolf LodgefriendssnowchristmasPhil and I had an idea. After discussing the necessity of actually buying the kids Christmas presents, and realizing that they already have a ton of *stuff* that they would soon be adding to, we decided to offer the kids an choice. Either they would get Christmas presents from us, OR we would take them to Great Wolf Lodge for a few days. We sat them down and asked them what they would prefer. Of http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/12/great-wolf-lodge.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-1562903432911245394Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:54:00 +00002010-12-08T15:54:05.169-08:00Cape AragoThanksgivingMakenzieJesseShore Acres Bullard's Beach on a VERY windy day! I'm finally getting around to posting some photos from Thanksgiving weekend. Honestly, I can't believe it's December already, and I feel like I'm running around constantly two steps behind where I "should" be. It just dawned on me that I don't have any gifts for the kids' teachers and they are only going to be in school one day next week before Christmas http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/12/whew.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-3885404081051974428Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:12:00 +00002010-11-19T20:12:35.406-08:00raccoonCeanapreschoolSittin' here, watching the news, and the big story here is...the weather. Really. Not even Thanksgiving yet, and they are calling for snow ON THE VALLEY FLOOR by Sunday. Um, seriously? Did we move to Montana and not realize it? And it has been *cold*. Really cold. I don't even want to see our electric/gas bills for this month - and I can't imagine what the rest of the winter is going to bring. http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/11/in-other-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-6996546947174991287Thu, 18 Nov 2010 04:11:00 +00002010-11-17T20:11:38.198-08:00DSbusLiamhopeNintendoLiam's latest - he was reading the county "Green" publication this evening, and he pipes up, "I thought lead was bad? This paper says that people need to start using it more in their Christmas lights?". Hm. Lead? Use it more? Really?!? Turns out, for a 9-year-old boy, lead and LED read the same ;-) And, an update on the whole DS/bus thing. *sigh*  Liam got up yesterday morning and said, 'Hey http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/11/back-and-forth-with-liam.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-7990230706062836631Tue, 16 Nov 2010 01:05:00 +00002010-11-15T17:05:42.149-08:00DSdealsbargainsLiamNintendo Remember when you were a kid, and "all" the kids were doing something that you REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to be able to do? So, maybe, just maybe - you make a deal. You offer to give up stuff that is kind of important to you, thinking that mom and dad will probably never agree anyway. Then - the shocker. They *do* agree. So, you try and play it cool, thinking maybe they forgot ('cause they dohttp://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/11/remember-when-you-were-kid-and-all-kids.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-1970741456847409840Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:45:00 +00002010-11-09T15:45:14.303-08:00performanceSpringwaterLiamafrican drumming As many of you know, I wasn't able to be there for the birth of my niece yesterday because of a performance Liam was in at school. This video is my proof ;) At Liam's school, every so often they bring in what they call an "Artist-in-Residence". These brave and wonderful people typically stay for about 6 weeks or so and work with all the classes a couple of times a week. For this particular http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/11/african-drumming-performance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5907693.post-8103550983788806081Mon, 08 Nov 2010 23:18:00 +00002010-11-08T15:18:48.218-08:00auntieMakenzieJesseMy bigger baby brother was blessed this afternoon with his first child, Makenzie Rae. I just got a photo of him with his baby girl, and am overcome with tears (partly because I'm PMS, but mostly just because it's such a beautiful thing and I'm so happy that everyone is healthy). To my brother and his girlfriend, I wish you all the happiness that Makenzie will bring you. I also wish you a strong http://www.thecummingsclan.net/2010/11/im-auntie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Beth)0