SShhh...

Annie is supposed to move in with us this coming weekend...

Sssshhh....

This means I (and three boys) are jumping out of our skins, off the walls and around the ceiling.

It also means that along with the Holiday decorations needing to find their way back into hiding, the place needs to be ready to have space especially for Annie. Can you say things to do? Still, I'm *totally* excited! Yea! Hoot! Yes! Heehee!!!!

Sssshhh.

Knitting stuff

Well, I'm trying to restock my socks with actual *pairs* of socks. This means I have to finish 2 of the same thing. I have managed to do two pair, so far. I just finished these:




Now I'm onto these:



I'm attempting to knit both socks at the same time. One sock is tucked into the other. This means I have to work with two separate threads almost like double knitting.



It also means I'm going to have (potentially) the same sock, without having to write notes (which I don't ever do) to try and ensure they are the same looking sock. Thankfully the 'not quite identical' style is in, so I'm not really "strange" for wearing socks that are slightly different. However, it will be nice to have some that are. And, I am using the same ball of yarn, so can make the socks until I run out of yarn without having to worry about saving enough for the second half. Oh, the possibilities!



After this, more slipper socks. I'm waiting for the soft leather bottoms to get here - they are back ordered.

In between time

Ok, so we didn't *just* go see the fireworks. We also went to this place called: Play Werx. Imagine a warehouse. Put into it a good sized maze of ladders, slides, bunches of balls you can jump in, a swing that can carry you across a 'culvert', and things you can punch and squeeze through. Now, put two kids in there (along with others who happen to have wondered in) and see what happens. For us, it was the tossing of shoes (socks are a requirement in these joints...thank goodness Jeff pays attention) and the parents are left there looking at each other in amazement. Where did they go? We "lost" our precious kids for close to an hour before they ventured out to find us poor folk. This place was amazing and we will return. They had couches to sit on, snack tables where one can eat the organic snacks from their snack bar. They had a 'craft' room with paper and pens. Quite a few books were there, too. Books? Yes, and it's a great idea. As Kai comes out panting from the energy he just used up throwing himself (and his fancy karate moves) completely at those soft sculptures intended for this type of play - what does this child want? To rest. What better way to rest for a few minutes than to read a book? None we could think of. So we found a few we remembered from our Reading Rainbow days. Abbiyoyo and the Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Of course, by the time we got to the second book, Kai was gone and left us adults to read alone. Kade's exclamations of elation were heard far and near! Fun times were had by all as we sang and played and laughed and were amazed.

Getting ready for the New Year

We got a special surprise last night. Jeff keeps track of things - and a good thing, too! We were able to enjoy something like this:



The boys loved it - and we loved it. As an added bonus, there will be more shows, nightly, this whole week!

Christmas, 2008

Blogging about the Holiday is just going to have to be mostly via these. Enjoy!

Remember to pause the music on the side bar...as these have sound.

First we have the one of the family and our home. The music is from "Christmas Day in the Morning" sung by the Cambridge Singers and directed by John Rutter. This is Jeff's favorite Carol.


Christmas 2008 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

This video was from the camera:


The boys cruisin' on the flying turtles from Beachbum on Vimeo.


This one has the music of the Rippingtons. The song is called Garden of Babylon.


Kade and his zero gravity car from Beachbum on Vimeo.

We also had a *great* time with the family. Rob and Paula had us all over to their home. We enjoyed playing the wii : Rock Band and Naruto. We saw all Robs kids, the Zs were there, Auntie Mary, Paula's Mom and Charlie's Mom. A full house! We caught up on the talking and visiting. Charlie and Rob played their music for a bit. Charlie was also kind enough to play a bit of tin whistle with me. Kade was enamored with the puppy...no shock there! We had a fabulous meal and enjoyed ourselves muchly.

That's the news so far...Merry, merry!

A response to Calvin from those who live in snow country

Check out the fun Ronnie has posted on her photo blog...all inspired by Calvin.

Straight No Chaser 12 Days

I just wanted to share this, because it is cool!



12 Days of Christmas started yesterday...merry, merry!

My Brother's Christmas gift...

Wanted to share with you. Here are his own hands...
Remember to pause the music on the side bar.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Go appreciate your loved ones...




PS: You can get his CD from him directly, if you wish. Just comment on the blog and I'll get the information to you. Not too late for spreading the Holiday cheer.

Calvin, ya got to love him!

Calvin and Hobbs has long been my favorite comic strip. To that end, I have been reminded by Dad Sabo there are some wonderful snow related Calvin adventures.

Hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve!

We have been talking a lot, here, about when our presents will be opened. Kai has been asking for them to be opened *now*. This "now" is exactly at the moment it came out of his mouth...even before we had the presents wrapped and under the tree! Kade just wants to get his fudge made before the day is out.

There is much anticipation. Hope the magic is real for you, too.

So, here is the link. Go see and laugh a bit! HERE.

Fun. Pure fun.

This is what happens at home...

Moms and their kids

Our local group was mentioning some songs about Moms and their kids. Here is my favorite - and I wanted to share it with all of you.

I have a special bond with our kiddos...and feel blessed to have them in my life.

Party time!

We had a bunch of friends over to make some delicious food and play. Mandy took some great pictures for us. You can see them here.

We made some yummy raw desserts - to tempt us with a healthy alternative to all the other stuff we have in our house. It was hosted by me to help me remember I can eat yummy sweets without filling my body with stuff it doesn't respond well to.

We made: apple pie, almond halvah, cinnamon girls (cinnamon tortes), apple cookies, sweet pecan pie, pineapple heart pie (pineapple, mango and coconut), pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate freezer fudge, blonde and chocolate macaroons, pecan tortes, and dark chocolate ganache tart.

Even sharing between the seven families, we ended up with tons! Thankfully most of the desserts can be frozen for later! Yum!

Anyway, there were something like 20 kids here! They had a great time playing and making up their own games. Some helped in the kitchen, too, but most just went and had fun!

Jeff came home and said something like - you should have more of these more often. The house looks better than when I left, the fridge is full of food, the kids are happy and worn out and you have had a good time!

Yeah!

We did have fun and my spirit is happy. How blessed we are to have all the community and good friendship.

Precious Kade and his legos...

Making up for lost time

Now that I'm not worried about what happens in time for Christmas Day!!!!!! I am going to post all that I can.



I have knitted these socks and started others (2 pair, to be exact). The benefit is that this time, not only did I keep track of the rows, I also was good enough to hang in there and make 2! A complete pair! Of the same pattern sock! Even the same color!

Matching.



Here are some gifts for some special women in my life!
Ssshhhh...they don't have them yet.


Each one has the same materials, but the hemp is tied differently.

Baba and Jon visit us

We have been really enjoying our family. Last week we were excited that Baba and Jon flew all the way from MA just to see us! The boys had a grand time tiring out the visitors. They are already asking when Baba and Jon are coming back to see us again! I think they may need some time to recuperate, I say. We played tons of games, including Kai's new Othello game. I'm just going to list all the pics. I'll try and make a movie of it next time...

The boys took most of these, by the way!

Annie visit

Here is what you find when you leave your camera around...

I love that we have such a precious girl.

Someday...

everyone will get their Christmas from us! I feel so behind this year and just don't really feel stressed about it. Hope all of those who eventually get our gifts feel the same!

No expectations...no worry...no stress.

Sounds like a great way to *truly* enjoy the holidays.

Family visit

Yes, we have had our family close for a few days. When I get a few minutes to tell all, I will. Until then...enjoy the calm this Season *can* bring.

My Bro has a CD...that is perfect for this time of year.

Andrew J. Shelden
On Christmas Night
© 2002 Andrew J. Shelden (783707634722)

CD price: $9.99
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.


An eclectic blending of traditional holiday tunes with jazz/new age improvisational stylings. Alternating between moments of playful whimsy and ethereal beauty, between somber majesty to exuberant joytracks


1 God Rest You Merry, Gents
2 Light Snow
3 Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Away in a Manger
4 O Come, O Come Immanuel
5 On Christmas Night
6 The First Noel
7 What Child Is This?
8 Jingle Bells
9 Here We Come A-Wassailing
10 Deck the Hall
11 Of The Father's Love Begotten
12 We Three Kingstry this

Andrew J. Shelden is a classically trained, jazz-influenced pianist, organist and composer. He also plays double bass, percussion, tin whistles and bagpipes. He began serving as organist for local churches at the age of twelve. Andrew studied music at the College of the Siskiyous and at the University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music before completing his Bachelor of the Arts at Southern Oregon University. Andrew has been guest organist in churches from Ventura to Seattle and as far east as Denver and has played by invitation at the Governor's Mansion in Sacramento, CA and has toured northern Europe, performing in Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Russia as well as Scotland and Ireland. He has been composing music since before he could play. His compositions range from jazz and new age arrangements of Christmas carols and other piano solos to full orchestral pieces in Classical, Romantic and Baroque mode, as well as his own blend of Neo-Classical, Jazz and 20th Century styles. Andrew's work includes organ concert pieces, a Christmas cantata, a piano concerto and a Concerto for Irish Pennywhistle and Chamber Orchestra, in addition to dozens of pieces for solo piano and Celtic-flavored pieces and a musical comedy-adventure about pirates. Andrew serves as Director of Music Ministries and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia and has served as Staff Accompanist at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, CA, where he taught and created courses in Music.

To read why Andrew Shelden is "George Winston on steroids," check out a review of this CD on ChristmasReviews.com.

What the papers have said about Andrew and his performances:

"emotionally charged....incredible depth and breadth of tone and color... ...subtleties and power.......substantial classical chops and...a heaping helping of jazz and improvisational skills. The result is a blending of classical and jazz elements for interesting arrangements, complete with a wink and a smile...."
Siskiyou Daily News

"...haunting...sentimental....fiery...original...fun....delightful selections....a real crowd pleaser...."
Pioneer Press

".... accomplished...."
Medford Mail Tribune

"..free and open....Shelden's arrangements evoke a diverse range of tone, texture and emotion. ...rollicking...haunting...a delight to the ear."
Mt. Shasta Herald


YOU TOO can hear samples of this CD here...

a few things Kade

Well, as you may know, there is this reaper of souls called 'death'. Every once in a while a visit to the costume box will allow you to personally change into the reaper. Today, Kade decided this would be fun. Soon he was finding us in the kitchen. He asked me to step aside so he could approached Jeff.
"Are you Jeff?", the reaper asks.
"No!" Jeff answers as he points at me. "She is."
"I don't believe you." says the reaper. "Come with me."
So they go into the next room. The reaper asks Jeff to lay down and prepare himself for the worst. The reaper proceeds to take Jeff's soul. Then, the reaper sews Jeff back up and says he can go back into the kitchen and get the reaper some food.

Playtime lasts most of the day. Kade is especially good at creating games. Today, in the fort they made in the closet that houses all the toy bins, Kade made up a dice game he called 'Dice of power'. In this game each player has a die. On their turn they toss the die against the second tier of toy bins. If it falls into a bin, it's the next players turn. If the die falls to the floor and is a 1, 2, 3 or 4, the player gets the correlating number of points. If the die falls to the floor and is a 5 or a 6, the player gets to have another turn. The first person to get to 20 wins. Today, Kade was keeping track of the score by comparing numbers. So at one point he had 4 points and Jeff had 1. Kade noted that he was 3 ahead...until Jeff rolled a 2. Then Kade figured out he was only 1 ahead. The next turn, Kade rolled a 3, at which point he added up his own score to 7 and was pleased when Jeff only rolled a 3. This meant the score was Kade 7, Jeff 6. This went on until Kade won.

This is only two snippets from the day...it's like this a lot.

Fun times at the park!!

We have such a great time at the park days. Thankfully we have some great photographers in our group! I am constantly thankful they take the pictures while we are out there having fun! Here is the latest park day compilation of pictures taken by Mandy. Many are of the fun time the kids had playing a game called elbow tag. It's like tag, only there is only one chaser and one chasee at one time. Everyone had so much fun playing...hope you get the feeling of how much fun they all had!


Park Day 1 Dec 08 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Kade is getting ready!

We started decorating today. In honor of that, Kade built some Legos! Then, he asked us to see a show he was putting on. Here it is! Don't forget to turn off the music on the side bar before you start the video...


Kade's Christmas tale from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Monopoly

Kai enjoys this game very much. Kade gets about 4 or 5 turns into it and is done. I don't mind the game, but Jeff is not fond of it.

Jeff's thoughts continually go to the feelings that the game goes on forever. In light of this, he has now started to play where all the properties are divided amongst the players, an extra $1,000.00 goes to each player and then the game goes on as usual. This does speed up the game.

Even though this satisfies Jeff's need for a quicker game with an end, I have a harder time playing this way. I have never been really graceful at losing Monopoly in particular, for two reasons...I don't like the feeling of having everything taken away from me...second, I don't like the feeling of taking everything away from another person, either...so I am hurt when someone is enjoying the winning. I try to remember just to think of the fun of playing with someone. I do. Most times I can save myself from diving into that nasty place where I get upset about it, but sometimes I don't catch myself soon enough.

I still ask myself, though, why is it that I can play Shoots and Ladders and laugh at my ability to make it so close to the top and still take the longest slide down at the very last minute. It is comical the number of times I get so close. Same with games like Candy Land. I love gingerbread...think that might be why I seem to get that Gingerbread card when I am but a few squares from the rainbow end? I also love to play card games and generally do not have trouble playing them when I am on the losing side. So what is it about that Monopoly game that gets me so?

I was much happier when we could play from the beginning so we started with nothing and then finished the game when we were on our way to acquiring property and money. This seems so much happier to me...getting things...rather than taking things. I don't mind the time it takes. Eventually we all tire of sitting and acquiring and decide to do something new. Sometimes we even keep the game up and play the next day...and that is good for me, too, since we are still gaining rather than losing or taking.

However, open ended games are not something Jeff does well. So how do I find the balance of what he can do and what I can do? I'm still not sure. What I think I'll try next time is to see if we can't play the game two ways...one way with Jeff and one way with me. This will have to do for now...until I can figure out how to resolve my inner thoughts and make the seemingly win/lose situation seem more like a win/win.

I think it wont matter much to the boys...they still will want to play...and I'll still want to spend my time with them.

Odetta...another voice I shall miss

First, put the music on the side bar on pause. Then come back and listen...



I'm sure you'd recognize her as the one who recorded "This Little Light of Mine".

Thank you, Odetta, for letting your light shine for us.

She's here!

With her cool kids. I was able to enjoy a few hours...and then will have to wait till she comes back! Check out Shannon's website and her blog.

Get ready for some raw food fun!!!

This is what happens...

When you leave the camera around. Our sweet boy, Kade, loves to use it! I love going through the pictures at the end of the day and seeing what part of life he was interested in...

First we have the self portrait.


Then we have the salt light through the magnifying glass.


And not through the magnifying glass.


And these he loved making with his alien as his model.

Alien by Kade from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Then you have the candid shots of family that is ok with him taking pictures...

Gratitude

I had meant to post this picture a long time ago. It is of my Grams and Gramps. Every day I give thanks I was able to spend time with them. They were (are in our hearts) wonderful people I strive to be more like every day. Miss them much.

For my friend, Frank.

I just took this off of Franks blog...and thought I'd do it, even though I don't have much to add...

Join in if you feel moved to do so.

A) Four places that I go to over and over:
1. beach
2. beach
3. Yarn shop
4. parks

B) Four people who e-mail me regularly:
Four is also pushing the whole of my friends that keep in regular touch.
1. Jeff
2. Gardenia
3. UnschoolSanDiego Yahoo group!
4. did I already say Jeff?

C) Four of my favorite places to eat:
1. Stoke's Adobe, Monterey, CA
2. Naked Cafe, Carlsbad, CA
3. Tarpy's Roadhouse, Monterey, CA
4. Japanese Cafe, Vista, CA

D) Four other places I would rather be right now:
1. with extended "family"
2. Mt. Shasta, CA
3. State College, PA
4. at a Non-con

E) Four people I think will respond:
Hopefully someone!

F) Four TV shows I watch:
I'm going to say this is for someone else to answer...cause I find that I'm watching things with the kids... This is mainly due to my inability to not take on the troubles of the world via that nice contraption that can bring it directly to me.

1. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (my favorite cartoon!)
2. can veg at any of the HGTV shows.
3. I love movies!
4. Countdown (Keith Olbermann) and Rachael Maddow during the election times...


Thanks, Frank, for posting when you do! I do read ya.

Movies...by Kade

So, one of Kade's favorite things to do is make his own movies. Here are two he made with the camera a few nights ago.


Kade's alien from Beachbum on Vimeo.


Kade's alien part 2 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

It has happened...again!!

So here is the great toothless boy!

Knitting fun

Ok, so I knitted this.



Then I did this.



Which, in turn, became this.


Which soon shall be this again...



Oh the joys of not working with a pattern!

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for you...and all that I get to know. For the opportunity to experience the full beauty of life and all it brings.

Inquiry

Kade: So which is softer : sand or snow?
Me: I'm not sure. What do you think?
Kade: Sand. I wonder if I can still make a snowball? Remember when Benjamin and I made that huge snowball and we put it in the cooler to try and save it?

One has to wonder what is on Kade's mind! :)

Maybe we will actually get to go up to the snow this year...I can't wait!

Kid phrase of the week

A boy without rear fire power is like a car without horse power.
- Kade, Sunday 11/23/08.

More notes on the Klamath

First, though, I've given a glimpse of my bro, but now I get to enjoy him privately...

It was interesting. Last night Jeff hands me the National Geographic and says I'd enjoy the last article in it. So, I take it over to my spot and sit, flip through the pages, and get to this : Reuniting a River. It's interesting to see others *do* share my passion for this subject matter. In the article it includes Crater Lake, Copco and more. There are some fabulous pictures...the like National Geographic is famous for...that bring me to the area like nothing else. Go check it out and see what you think. Maybe a new passion will be created for you in that rushing cold water.

*******added after the original was posted********

If you want to see where we, the Sheldens...my family, landed in Norther California, see this map here. Our first 'home' in the area was on the banks of Copco Lake. My folks took jobs in a one room schoolhouse that serves this community. You can read a tad of the history of Bogus Elementary School here. For those curious, my brother and I were part of the school before they moved up the hill to the new school. I graduated with 2 others... A blast from the past!

Passions through others' eyes

How I get passionate about so many things. Then I see/hear/feel the passion others have about things I have yet to experience and feel blessed all over again. What a fascinating full world we live in. I am intrigued, compelled, and awed at the same time.

In this light, I'm going to share, again, my family. I so wish to have been able to spend as much 'in person' time as I have wanted with my Brother and his family. However, distance has always seemed to be a factor in that. I take in all the words I get and think of them so often it's almost as *if* we are together in person. I love them so much.

Bill writes:

"One more! It's tiring, I know, but I have to share this!



This is Wendy, Alaina, Tori and I on the dock at Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We traveled the Caribbean in this ship, the 978 foot long Enchantment of the Seas. I can spend hours telling you about the ship. But for now I'll just say there is absolutely nothing in the world like being far out at sea on a really big ship like this. We've seen dolphins, sailed through channels in a barrier reef (that was SCARY- a huge ship surrounded by coral in crystal clear water!).



The second picture is Tori on the deck, as we sail hundreds of miles from the nearest land. The water in the Caribbean is thousands of feet deep, yet completely clear- we could see the shafts of sunlight extending down until they just faded out- the longest sun shafts I've ever seen.



The third picture is us in front of the Enchantment at Key West, our first stop on the cruise.

BTW, Jamaica is an extremely beautiful island, and we want to go back. It's also a very scary place to drive- very narrow roads, driving on the left, little or no traffic rules (honk your horn and go!). Lush green forested mountains, coral reefs, waterfalls, and the most colorful people anywhere. Even though the people are poor compared to us, they seem very happy. There is music everywhere, and people sing and dance all the time. We could learn from them!

To say I could live the rest of my days in complete happiness on the Enchantment of the Seas would be completely accurate- I love my ship, and the places she goes!

Hope you like it!

Bill"

So...here I would like to share one more set of pictures with you. I think they should be collectively called "where intrigue meets the ocean" simply because they are reflective of a few of the passions this family has.

Love you Sheldens!




Bill writes:
"One more. These are zoanthid colonial anemones. Like corals they contain symbiotic algae (mostly in their digestive track, believe it or not). So the colors you see are pigments in the animals, not the algae. Like most of the other things in my tank, I have not fed these guys- they get most of their nutrition from the by-products of photosynthesis (sugars), and absorbing nutrients from the water.

And it gets weirder: the algae are actually photosynthetic dynoflagalettes. The kids may have fun looking that up! The are incredibly minute- millions and millions of them live in tiny coral animals the size of a pin head. They are ingested by the anemones and corals. Sunlight is intense enough to penetrate the bodies of the animals and allow photosynthesis of the algae. Incredible!"



Bill: "Hey there! I have been sending you picturs of small things. Here a couple of REALLY big things. REALLY BIG! Look at the size of the people compared...

One of our favorite things is going to the Port and watching the ships come and go. This one, the Mariner of the Seas, is 1020 feet long, 16 decks tall (about 200 feet above the water line), and weighs a whopping 190,000 gross tons!"



I can feel the excitement in his words...and that enhances my life! I want to see and hear more and experience the wonder. Thanks, Bro, for being you and for letting us share a touch of your life!

more pictures!

Bill just sent us more pictures...so get ready!

I have to have a few moments first, though, so you'll have to wait.

Mind reader

So, what does a mind reader look like to you? Well, to Kade, this is what a mind reader looks like:


Check it out : he has his eyes closed! Too cool.



He came out of the bathroom with this. He painted it on all by himself. Here is a close-up of his face.




The mind reader always has a serious face. This is really what he said! I asked why and he said it was a serious talent.
















The detail on the fingers is quite amazing. He has markings on his finger nails, too.



















By the end of the day, he had bands around his biceps in blue and a matching ring around his torso. He looked incredibly cool.

For those wondering how to get this stuff off - the easiest way (although Kade finds it quite stinky) is olive oil. Plus it leaves you incredibly soft and snuggable...an added bonus!