Thursday, August 28, 2008

Getting ready for the concert...




Ok, I had to do this because in a while I will be singing it with Amy Steinberg in Black Mountain, NC!

Sunday, August 24, 2008

I forgot

a few things. Kai sat down and read the first Box Car Children book cover to cover in one day...all the while telling me where he was in the book. Kade and Kai have devoured the Star Wars Clone Wars comic books (all the library has, that is). We have sorted the legos (I know what you are thinking...and yes I'm serious) and have found that both boys have been playing with them much more. Kade is being creative with his Star Wars creations...trying to make as many Star Wars things as he can. Today Jeff was doing the dishes. He asked Kai if he wanted to help and Kai said, "Sure!" When Kade walked in to the kitchen he said, "Why didn't you tell me you were doing the dishes?!?" I love unschooling.

Synopsis

Well, nothing much has happened since Lego Land...and if you believe that I have something else (I'll come up with what it is later :)) to sell you!

We went on an adventure. First we headed up to the Joyful Camp out 2008 held in North Lake Tahoe. Here is a bunch of pictures taken by our friends... We stayed overnight in Bristol on our caravan up with the Gomez-Fisher family. Then we visited June Lake and Mono Lake on our way up to Tahoe. Then we spent Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun there at the back yard of friends with 5 other families. I'll try and get back here to post more of the happenings when we settle down a bit.

Then on 8/3 we headed down the mountains to Sacramento. We met Annie there and spent the week with our dear friends Phil, Tracy and Eve. While there we tried to find room and job for Annie. She was scheduled to start the Paul Mitchel School on 8/19. There was much to do and too little time. For those factors and more (which I may get into later as well) she ended up asking for an extension of time in order to begin class after the beginning of the new year. The school said yes (thankfully!) and so our trip was a learning endeavor and a fun time spent together. We also were able to spend part of the afternoon with our great family that live in the Sacramento area. Now we have also hooked up with a group of fellow unschoolers in Sacramento - so when we return we will have those new friends to meet as well. We feel blessed to know so many cool people. Big waves (and huge hugs) from us to you our family! Thanks for taking the time to drive to see us!

We came home and collapsed for about a week. I was probably the only one to really collapse, though! The boys were busy working on their projects and having the tv and computer available to them whenever they wanted. I know they were tired! Jeff had to make a quick overnight trip to San Fran. The boys really missed him so much. There is no question I did, too! Then we had karate to make up and Prana (that cool therapy that he provides is a life saver) to see and playgroup to meet with on the beach. The group is meeting at the beaches for the summer and so we have been to La Jolla Shores, Moonlight Beach, North Cardiff State Beach and back to La Jolla Shores.

Jeff had an extended business trip this past week. He left on Tuesday and came home on Saturday. We filled our time up pretty well...beach, pool, Josh's family play and dinner date, the Shipp family play and dinner date, and more pool time. We drove down to pick Jeff up from the airport on Saturday and spent the rest of the day cooling off in the pool and hangin' out at home. Today we have errands.

What has made it difficult to stay here and write much is we are getting ready for L&L. I have been making things for the raffle. I'll take pictures later and show ya what you are missin'!

This week is full too. We have park day on Monday, play time with the Shipps (the last one, boohoohoo), time out for Mom's, and pool play with a friend on Thursday. That leaves us one full day to pack and be ready to leave...

So...this may be quiet for a bit...but know we love ya all!! Hope you are having too much fun to visit the blog!!!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Kade's new - soon to be old - look

Well, Kade has been trying to get a mohawk for a bit. He stayed semi-still for Jeff the other day. Then he sat very still at the salon to get it the way he saw in his head. Then he asked if he could dye it green... But now, alas, he has decided he doesn't want it after all. So the hair will grow out (once again) and he will do a different do. I am saddened that comments (just one or two) from people on the street that are negative affect him so much. One lady actually had this sarcastic voice and told him, "I guess you are 'ready' for school with that hair." I felt like responding in a very rude manner. (Don't worry, I didn't...I used my herculean strength.) He looked at her with this happy face turned hurt face. I could only respond, "He most certainly is! Look how awesome he looks!" I don't know if this woman's comment is what made him change his mind. I know he doesn't like others to notice him too overly much. He wants to look cool. He just has to get to the place where what he thinks is cool is cool enough not to care what the outside world reacts like. I think it should be obvious that I don't control what my kids' hair is like since I have one with hair past the middle of his back and one with a mohawk. But, then again, most people only see Kai's hair so assume his is a girl...even when he's in camo and holding the door for them... Enough to say...here is crazy elf himself...with the cool do. I hope he returns to it since he's wanted it off and on for the last 3 years...

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Lego Land!

Well, our friends helped us enjoy Lego Land for the last time this year (as our membership is now over). We had a great time with the Shipp family and wish it could have lasted longer. I also wish we could have relaxed and spread it out some. Alas, this is not always possible! One of the crazy things that happened is the earthquake. It ended up being 5.9 and pretty far from us. However, we were definitely aware that it happened. We were in the restaurant (the boys were playing with some legos and didn't notice it) and the whole place started to roll. I noticed the lamp posts outside the most. It didn't last very long and the total feel of the place was just that 'wow, it's happening' kind of vibe. After it ended, the rides were all closed so they could be inspected. The cafe really filled up! Since we were done, we went out to explore. By the time we got to the first ride, the rides were up and running again. It's the first earthquake we've experienced (or at least realized we have experienced) since we've been back in CA. Pretty cool stuff. Not as cool as our friends, though! They will be moving to WI the end of August, so we shall miss them dearly...

Our trip to Lego Land from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

I've been tagged...

My friend Randi tagged me...so here goes.

Quirky Meme
Mention six quirky, yet boring, unspectacular details
about yourself. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them
know they've been tagged. If you participate, let the person
know who tagged you you've posted your quirks!

1. I count! Yes, I do. While drinking, I count how many swallows. When I knit or crochet, I count the stitches I'm making (out loud or in my head) whether or not I need to.

2. I have to have all the dishes washed or put in the dishwasher before I can cook anything. There is no relevence to space available. If there is a cup out, it needs to be dealt with first!

3. The shampoo bottle and conditioner bottle have to be in the right order...with the lables the same direction. Shampoo first - with front lable forward - and conditioner next to it - also with the front lable facing forward.

4. Did I mention I count? Well, when I braid Kai's hair, I have to weave the braid an even number of 3...so each strand gets the same amount of turns. :)

5. When I put the pillowcases on the pillows, the same colors go on the same pillows. Kai, for example, has a green pillowcase. Jeff has numerous (yes, I count them, too) pillows and all have their own color case. This way he will know which pillow is which (since they are all different types). Of course I've been doing this forever and he just noticed this past week!!! Mine is most likely the floral pillow case and Kade's matches whichever sheets are on the bed.

6. I change the way I hold a pen/pencil regularly...mostly in the hopes that it will improve my penmanship. Anyone who has seen my writing will tell you it hasn't worked yet...but I still try.

OK, I'm going to tag a few people...
http://crazybusgang.blogspot.com/
http://www.pinkpricklypear.typepad.com/
http://thewonderfulhappens.blogspot.com/
http://sumbthucker.blogspot.com/
http://katcraftfever.blogspot.com/
http://freeboysdad.blogspot.com/

I will await to see the exciting things that come up...