Tag Archives: St. Mary (Spokane Valley) Father/Daughter Dance

Menace Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
Reply

It’s that time of the week again. I hope you have had a nice Thursday and are now ready to relax with five random topics (that must be super exciting to you). Here we go…

2026 Father/Daughter Dance Photo – Last week our official “couples” photo from the St. Mary Father/Daughter Dance was delivered to Sloan. I don’t think there was a better way to start off this rundown than by displaying this true “Beauty (Sloan) and the Beast (me)” picture.

The official photo of Sloan and me at the 2026 St. Mary (Spokane Valley) Father/Daughter Dance.

Favorite Part of St. Patrick’s Day – It was 10 years ago this month that I wrote about my favorite part of St. Patrick’s Day. At the time, I explained that it wasn’t the green beer, the leprechauns, or even the shamrocks. Rather, what I liked the most about the holiday was actually a sound. Can you guess what I am referring to? BAGPIPES. I love the sound of bagpipes and would always enjoy listening to them at St. Patrick’s Day parades. But that was soooo in the past because there is something I like about St. Patty’s Day waaaaaay more than an instrument that makes a cool sound. March 17 happens to be Sloan’s birthday!

Me sporting a St. Pat’s shirt while hanging with my parents during a visit from them in Myrtle Beach on St. Patrick’s Day 2015.

Knights of Columbus Fish Fry – As I have mentioned before, the St. Mary Knights of Columbus council I belong to stages a fish fry every Friday during Lent. It has always been the best one in town but I think the food quality has gotten even better this year. If you live in Spokane and want a terrific dinner, stop by the St. Mary gym for the three remaining fish fry events this Lenten season (3/13, 3/20, 3/27).

This was my plate at last Friday’s St. Mary Knights of Columbus Fish Fry. Attendees can enjoy fried or baked cod, French fries or baked potato, clam chowder, and a roll. Cole slaw is also available.

Sloan Playing Basketball – In third grade, students at St. Mary can start playing on the basketball team. Sloan signed up this year and it has been fun to watch her. The team (comprised of third and fourth grade girls) is currently halfway through the season with a 2-1 record. I will provide an update when the season concludes early next month.

Sloan is playing basketball this season for St. Mary.

Dennis the Menace Anniversary – It was on this date in 1951 that the first Dennis the Menace comic strip debuted. As a lifelong newspaper reader, I have enjoyed the strip over the decades thanks to its single frame and minimal text style. It looks like in today’s commemorative strip that even Mr. Wilson can seemingly tolerate Dennis. Just wait until tomorrow though 😉. Happy 75th anniversary, Dennis and friends!

Today “Dennis the Menace” is 75 years old. I have read the strip for decades.

——————-

Thanks for your readership, friends. Pray for peace in our world. Don’t Blink.

Beaunaldo Thursday Rundown

Posted on by
1

Last week my rundown was absent because Beau’s birthday fell on a Thursday and his special day took priority over my typical five wacky topics. Well, we aren’t celebrating any birthdays today so the Thursday Rundown is back. Let’s get started.

M&M’s – We tried a new flavor of M&M’s this past weekend (remember when there just used to be a few options?). At Walgreens they had a cardboard display with peanut butter cinnamon roll M&M’s. The flavor is part of a “Bakery Collection” rollout that also includes lemon meringue pie and cherry chocolate cupcake—I would like to try both of those flavors eventually. As for the one we did try? Not incredible and not awful. You can definitely taste both the peanut butter and the cinnamon with the latter having a more pronounced note. At more than $3 per bag, you don’t need to rush out and buy one.

Sloan holding a pack of peanut butter cinnamon M&M’s. We purchased the candy at Walgreens.

Ronaldo Gifts – Hosting a class party means you receive a lot of gifts. Beau was completely spoiled this past weekend but I thought I would highlight the gift he received from his cousins, Mik and John. Ronaldo is Beau’s favorite soccer player (we don’t call our son “Beaunaldo” for nothing) so they loaded him up on G.O.A.T.-related items. From stickers to a book to an LED night light, Beau can flaunt his fandom.

Beau received some great Ronaldo gifts from his cousins.

Father/Daughter Dance – For the fourth straight year, Sloan and I attended the St. Mary Father/Daughter Dance. I will share our official dance photo taken at the school when it is available but until then you can enjoy the montage below. Last year I wrote about the dance and the traditions we have established.

Sloan and I attended the St. Mary (Spokane Valley) Father/Daughter Dance for the fourth time on Feb. 6, 2026.

100th Day of School – We might have done this super last minute, but this is Beau with 100 pasta noodles to commemorate the 100th day of school. To be honest, our intention was to use large rotini noodles from a box that was already open. However, when I saw how much was left, I knew we would be cutting it short, and, alas—we only had 77 pasta pieces. So we had to pivot and go with the much smaller and underwhelming mararoni pasta pieces. Well, at least he had something!

Beau holding his 100 pieces of macaroni pasta. If we were able to use the rotini pasta it would have looked more impressive but we didn’t have enough.

Valentine’s Fortune Cookies – But today wasn’t just the 100th Day of School, it was also the celebration of Valentine’s Day at St. Mary Catholic School. This year, our kids gave out pretty creative Valentine’s. My wife found Valentine’s Day-themed fortune cookies on Amazon and put in an order. Each cookie comes with a label on the wrapper that says, “I’m fortune to be your friend – Beau and Sloan Reser.” A next level activation would be if we could add a customized fortune on the inside. As of right now, all fortunes are the same within the cookies.

Sidney ordered these custom Valentine’s Day fortune cookies for Beau and Sloan to pass out. Each fortune inside reads the same.

————-

Thank you for taking the time to visit Don’t Blink. Traffic to my blog has dramatically increased in 2026 so if you are a new reader, let me wish you a very warm welcome. If you are a longtime reader, thanks for staying with me all these years. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! Don’t Blink.