school lockdown, birthday party, girl dates

last tuesday i headed over to ashford's school at pick up time. i was talking with some other parents outside the playground gate, which was locked (sometimes they don't open it until the last minute). suddenly everyone started getting texts on their phones from the office that the school had been placed in lockdown due to a suspicious person outside. they assured us no one was in the building and that our children were safe, but it was still scary not having all the details. i heard a parent saying that someone was spotted in the parking lot with a gun a little bit ago, so they called 911 and alerted the school. it took 30+ mins for them to resolve the safety issue and release the kids from the building while we stood outside waiting. it turns out the individual (who i'm not sure was ever found) was shooting a BB gun in the parking lot. what an idiot! while i'm very thankful that was all it was, i hate that we have to live like this. the amount of school shootings in this country has caused so much stress and trauma to kids, parents, and teachers - whether they have ever been directly involved in one or not. i mean, it was the kindergarteners' second day of school ever! it's so disturbing and it doesn't have to be this way. why can't we at least get some commonsense gun laws to cut down on the big incidents and stop glamorizing guns and violence in general. this country has failed our kids big time and taken away their innocence.

sigh...

wednesday i dropped off our subaru at the dealer for service in the morning and then i met my friend alice for brunch at sabine. i hadn't been there for a long time and it was delicious as always. 

the kids had teeth cleanings after school. not their favorite, but no cavities ;) 

azalea had soccer practice on tuesday and thursday night. she's also decided to try the after school 'teen room' at boys and girls club this year since she really enjoys going in the summer. it's free during the school year and the kids can go as little or as much as they want. she goes with some friends from school about twice a week and it's been great so far. 

friday thatcher took the day off to go to the property. we had no activities after school, which was nice. ashford ended up going to his friend starryn's for a last-minute hang out with some other buddies. when thatcher got home, we had dinner and azalea and i watched a movie together and ashford and thatcher watched a movie together. 

saturday morning ashford had arlo's 11th birthday party at an indoor trampoline place and 'mod pizza'. he was gone for most of the day. rebekah sent this cute pic: 

after i picked him up, his friend raleigh came back to our house for an hour. azalea and i had our own little date during the day. i took her to northgate to look for some clothes at target and tjmaxx. then we went to 'umami' for ramen for lunch. she is a *huge* ramen fan and has been asking me if we can go there for months. i had never been before, but it was great. i love doing stuff like that with her.

 we hung out at home for the rest of the afternoon and then i headed to my friend heather's house for dinner and to catch up with our friend teresa who we hadn't seen in a very long time. we ordered take out from 'din tai fung' and painted birdhouses while we chatted. it was a really nice night. 

sunday morning thatcher made us biscuits, eggs, and bacon for breakfast. azalea headed out in the late morning to bus to belltown with some friends (and sisi's parents) to watch sisi perform in another 'school of rock' show. i wish i would have taken a picture of azalea's outfit, because it was so cute. she had a super-fun day at the show, going out for sushi in ballard, and walking around ballard with her friends. she didn't get back until the late afternoon. ashford had arlo over for a couple hours, but otherwise we just hung out at home most of the day. azalea missed her soccer game to go to the concert, but she'll be back at it this week.