I just figured out how to do this! It took me forever...to scan and then figure it all out. But, I did it! I chose the tune so that it fit Kai's personality best. This is the first song he ever 'performed' for us and the only song I know of that he asked to hear over and over and over and over again. Hope you enjoy!
Early Kai from Beachbum on Vimeo.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Exactly
Amy's wondrous song. Just what I needed today. Thanks to Diana for posting it on her RUNing list and providing the opportunity to remember...exactly.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Learn Nothing Day FAILURES
Well, last Thursday was Learn Nothing Day. I purposely did not post on that day, because I didn't want to ADD to our COMPLETE FAILURE at meeting the prerequisites of this day. We were to learn nothing. Instead, Kai learned more of this cool floor hold at karate...and was even acknowledged for his great attitude and attention by Sensei Paul. FAILURE. Then Kade learned that a couple he had thought might be married is actually married. Plus he learned about the fountain that was being cleaned and the things they put in the pancakes at Naked Cafe and that in order to have a good Yu-gi Oh deck you have to have a good selection of powerful monsters, not so powerful monsters, spell cards and trap cards...and... FAILURE. I learned a new way to make rice balls; learned more about our WI bound friends and what they love; learned more about how my sons' minds work; learned about how crazy Jeff's job can be and... FAILURE.
So I guess that means this Holiday was a total success. :) Hope yours was too!
So I guess that means this Holiday was a total success. :) Hope yours was too!
What do these two items in one photo mean?
Well, it means there is a new zipper on this tent! How cool of our friends to let us borrow their extra tent. How cool it is that I got to repair it in exchange! I can't wait to fill it up with all our stuff (after we get to our destination, of course)! I have a few days to get everything ready...and am pleased to say we will be inside a tent, if nothing else!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Busy
So, yes we've been busy even if I haven't been blogging about it. Here is a bit of what we did: last Saturday with the black belt club for Kai. Then off to the library we went. Part of what we did there is this game called Zuma. Kade really enjoys it! After the library, we headed out to Toys R Us. While there we picked up a few bike locks for our future use. I mention it because all day Jeff would say all he wanted to make sure we did over the weekend was "bike locks". I never heard it this way...I heard 'buy clocks'. By the end of the day we were really having fun with this! This is even more amusing when you consider that we only have a few clocks in our house (most are on the electrical appliances in our kitchen) and time is not something I relate to very well!
Sunday Kai had his beach training for Karate (see next post) in the morning. They came home and rested enough to eventually get ready for a family beach day. Kade put on his wetsuit and the rest of us our swim gear. After packing really lightly, we headed out on foot to the beach. How cool it is that we went and are able to reach there on foot! The boys really enjoyed themselves in the water. I got to rest on the sand and try and absorb all those negative ions!
Monday found us at the pool for a few hours and at Karate for another black belt session.
Tuesday found us at Karate, again. This time for a special seminar on a specific type of hold. We left Kai there (for the first time ever!) and headed back to the house to pack for the beach park day with our friends. We then trekked back to pick up Kai, a sandwich and fixings from Submarina (for lunch on the beach) and a smoothie from Jamba Juice for the ride down there. We got there right after the parking lot filled up! After a few rounds around the parking lot (and a lot of, "let's think good parking vibes", we got the ideal spot close to the beach. The boys wasted no time in finding their friends and heading out into the water. I had enough time to drop our stuff and dash after them...as they started to get to where the surfers like to hang...which is too far for this not so strong of a swimmer. I had, by then, soaked my skirt and shirt that I intended to leave on the towels (nice and dry) for the ride home. All's good that ends well! They were both used to help keep the sun off my now ragingly burned skin. Kade wore his wetsuit (such a great investment!) and was in the water 98% of the time. Kai was playing in the water and out of the water. I am amazed by how they both are so comfortable in the water and are learning about how to be in the ocean. It is great fun to see them interact with the waves - sometimes making it through them, sometimes choosing to body surf them back to shore. We always are reminded about the tug the water has, as we found ourselves constantly having to trek back to be in front of our things. By the end of the day, they were digging in the sand and getting quite a large hole and ridge round it to form a barrier from the oncoming surf. I was quite amazed by their use of the kelp to help fortify their barrier. They piled sand on top to keep it getting higher. Ella was the master of the watery sand sculpture. She had an elaborate design going on her part of the ridge. I loved watching her build it! The time came to pack our things. On their way toward our things they noticed another master builder who had built structures as tall as the boys and very intricate. Towers, bridges, roadways and all...perfect for inquisitive minds and happy feet...for the holes that were dug to get that sand. They even had a pit for watery sand. The builders had dug this hole and then gone down and filled it with water. The ensuing sand was perfect for the structures details (just as Ella had done on hers) and was perfect for Kade to bury his feet in! After trying to get him out for a few minutes, we succeeded and then headed up to rinse off and swap things with our Gomez friends.
Today we are just hanging out at the house. This has been good for our red skin and our tired bodies. Tomorrow we will head out to another Karate seminar for Kai. Friday is a chill day. Saturday we hope to have friends who will join us for a blast at the beach. Sunday is the unschooling family park day. Monday it starts all over again. Tuesday I hope we make it to Lego Land for our final hurrah. Wednesday we head out for a camping trip (without hubby Jeff) and get to see a part of California we have never seen before. Yippee! Camping gear rally till then!
Hugs to our Annie who left for TX for a week visit. Our love goes with her!
Sunday Kai had his beach training for Karate (see next post) in the morning. They came home and rested enough to eventually get ready for a family beach day. Kade put on his wetsuit and the rest of us our swim gear. After packing really lightly, we headed out on foot to the beach. How cool it is that we went and are able to reach there on foot! The boys really enjoyed themselves in the water. I got to rest on the sand and try and absorb all those negative ions!
Monday found us at the pool for a few hours and at Karate for another black belt session.
Tuesday found us at Karate, again. This time for a special seminar on a specific type of hold. We left Kai there (for the first time ever!) and headed back to the house to pack for the beach park day with our friends. We then trekked back to pick up Kai, a sandwich and fixings from Submarina (for lunch on the beach) and a smoothie from Jamba Juice for the ride down there. We got there right after the parking lot filled up! After a few rounds around the parking lot (and a lot of, "let's think good parking vibes", we got the ideal spot close to the beach. The boys wasted no time in finding their friends and heading out into the water. I had enough time to drop our stuff and dash after them...as they started to get to where the surfers like to hang...which is too far for this not so strong of a swimmer. I had, by then, soaked my skirt and shirt that I intended to leave on the towels (nice and dry) for the ride home. All's good that ends well! They were both used to help keep the sun off my now ragingly burned skin. Kade wore his wetsuit (such a great investment!) and was in the water 98% of the time. Kai was playing in the water and out of the water. I am amazed by how they both are so comfortable in the water and are learning about how to be in the ocean. It is great fun to see them interact with the waves - sometimes making it through them, sometimes choosing to body surf them back to shore. We always are reminded about the tug the water has, as we found ourselves constantly having to trek back to be in front of our things. By the end of the day, they were digging in the sand and getting quite a large hole and ridge round it to form a barrier from the oncoming surf. I was quite amazed by their use of the kelp to help fortify their barrier. They piled sand on top to keep it getting higher. Ella was the master of the watery sand sculpture. She had an elaborate design going on her part of the ridge. I loved watching her build it! The time came to pack our things. On their way toward our things they noticed another master builder who had built structures as tall as the boys and very intricate. Towers, bridges, roadways and all...perfect for inquisitive minds and happy feet...for the holes that were dug to get that sand. They even had a pit for watery sand. The builders had dug this hole and then gone down and filled it with water. The ensuing sand was perfect for the structures details (just as Ella had done on hers) and was perfect for Kade to bury his feet in! After trying to get him out for a few minutes, we succeeded and then headed up to rinse off and swap things with our Gomez friends.
Today we are just hanging out at the house. This has been good for our red skin and our tired bodies. Tomorrow we will head out to another Karate seminar for Kai. Friday is a chill day. Saturday we hope to have friends who will join us for a blast at the beach. Sunday is the unschooling family park day. Monday it starts all over again. Tuesday I hope we make it to Lego Land for our final hurrah. Wednesday we head out for a camping trip (without hubby Jeff) and get to see a part of California we have never seen before. Yippee! Camping gear rally till then!
Hugs to our Annie who left for TX for a week visit. Our love goes with her!
Karate beach day
Kai's beach Karate class was held this past Saturday. Kai is an orange belt with a black stripe. Look for his signature
braid! Kade and Jeff went with him and his class down to the beach. Of course there are pictures of Kade as well!
Annie's last night with us here...
As I mentioned in a previous post, Annie visited a bit with us. Josh tagged along for the fun. Here are a few pictures to prove they were here! The boys REALLY love the time they get with their older sister.
Tin whistle
I love the tin whistle and am trying my best to figure it all out. Every time I pick it up, however, the boys have shown an interest in playing as well. I love this and have so far encouraged them to do so. Now, THANKS TO COUSIN CHARLIE (thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!) we all have our own to play. This has lead to more playing by all of us...and we are getting better. Here is Kade practicing with the book, "The Clarke Tin Whistle: Since 1843" and getting through many of the exercises that teach the fingering and notes. I am so please by all of this...especially as I listen to Joanie Madden as I type :).
Reading time with big Sis
Kade has been reading for about 6 months now. In previous times, he has had me hold the book for him while he is moving around the room. This time, however, the need to roam
must not have been such a large tug on his growing body. Big Sis was here to read to and the book was "Skunks!", by David T. Greenberg. As far as I know, this is the first time he's read a book to our precious Annie. Go Kade!
Who says Micky Pancakes aren't a family affair?
My boys love eating the dough of the pancakes...so it is a simple miracle that any 'Mickys' made it at all! I love the interest making these generates and I love working with the boys in the kitchen! Both boys take turns measuring and stirring the mix. Often times Kai will be the 'master chef' and we will be his apprentices. I have Chowder to thank for everyone being super creative on their character choices...for we don't all have to be of the human race!
Kai's proud moments
Kai came in and asked me to to close my eyes and let him lead me to something he had done. Sometimes I am a bit anxious about what is at the end of this journey but am finding I'm getting better at being a Mom of unschoolers and going with the flow. This time, I was totally floored. He did this up high were he could see it and work with it easier. Cool!
Kai also is sometimes hesitant to use anything like a pencil or pen. He has now been found doing both sporadically and I love the results. He's becoming a paper artist to add to his full list of abilities. How I love this boy!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Down...
Well, Annie was here from Monday late late till Thursday early. I don't know if it's just me, but we have all seemed a little down since she left. Josh came down with her to pick up the car.
Yes, that means we are a single car family again. I am excited about this and still needing to adjust. I forget how easy things are with 2. Karate, for example, is while Jeff is still at work. I knew we wouldn't be going this week, because we aren't fully prepared for being with only one car. So, maybe next week will have us going better.
Back to the down, though. I have noticed this before. I think I'm just in a place where I acknowledge that I'm down. I don't force the bright sunshine yellow paint on the clouds around me. This is good, but tough to get through sometimes. I just miss her. So do the boys.
It made it tough, too, that Kade was sad when he awoke on Thursday (having missed the departure of the two he followed so closely for 3 days). It took about an hour to figure out what was wrong. He knew they were going early and that he might not see them in the morning. He was okay with that part. About 30 minutes into his hiding under the blanket next to me he said that Josh had broken a promise. So, for about 5 minutes I kept trying to figure out what promise Josh could have made (maybe even without realizing Kade heard it as a promise) and finally just asked if Kade would let me know when he was ready and able to talk more about it. Kade then asked me to call Josh so Josh could tell me. (For future reference...never agree to do this.) Of course, this sent Kade into a deeper sobbing when Josh didn't have a clue that he had made a promise and then unknowingly had broken the unknown promise. Finally, Kade was mellow enough in his own emotional state to say that Josh had promised to play legos in the guest room with him. I'm sure Josh did say he would play this way...but we ended up spending the last evening coloring together and just hanging with each other. Once I explained that perhaps there was just not enough time to do everything and that Josh didn't intentionally 'break a promise', Kade seemed to accept it and be okay. It did take a bit of talking about how things don't always go as planned and how it's tough to sometimes do everything we wish to do.
We did have a good time...just not long enough for all of us. Thankfully we will be seeing her again soon. In the mean time, we'll have to navigate our emotions together and figure out how to be good to each other. Thankfully I have a Jeff - who takes great care of us - without being asked to. He just seems to know when we are emotionally drained and shows us extra love and kindness. I do love my guy!
Yes, that means we are a single car family again. I am excited about this and still needing to adjust. I forget how easy things are with 2. Karate, for example, is while Jeff is still at work. I knew we wouldn't be going this week, because we aren't fully prepared for being with only one car. So, maybe next week will have us going better.
Back to the down, though. I have noticed this before. I think I'm just in a place where I acknowledge that I'm down. I don't force the bright sunshine yellow paint on the clouds around me. This is good, but tough to get through sometimes. I just miss her. So do the boys.
It made it tough, too, that Kade was sad when he awoke on Thursday (having missed the departure of the two he followed so closely for 3 days). It took about an hour to figure out what was wrong. He knew they were going early and that he might not see them in the morning. He was okay with that part. About 30 minutes into his hiding under the blanket next to me he said that Josh had broken a promise. So, for about 5 minutes I kept trying to figure out what promise Josh could have made (maybe even without realizing Kade heard it as a promise) and finally just asked if Kade would let me know when he was ready and able to talk more about it. Kade then asked me to call Josh so Josh could tell me. (For future reference...never agree to do this.) Of course, this sent Kade into a deeper sobbing when Josh didn't have a clue that he had made a promise and then unknowingly had broken the unknown promise. Finally, Kade was mellow enough in his own emotional state to say that Josh had promised to play legos in the guest room with him. I'm sure Josh did say he would play this way...but we ended up spending the last evening coloring together and just hanging with each other. Once I explained that perhaps there was just not enough time to do everything and that Josh didn't intentionally 'break a promise', Kade seemed to accept it and be okay. It did take a bit of talking about how things don't always go as planned and how it's tough to sometimes do everything we wish to do.
We did have a good time...just not long enough for all of us. Thankfully we will be seeing her again soon. In the mean time, we'll have to navigate our emotions together and figure out how to be good to each other. Thankfully I have a Jeff - who takes great care of us - without being asked to. He just seems to know when we are emotionally drained and shows us extra love and kindness. I do love my guy!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
An experiment
Last week sometime Kade came in the kitchen and started to look around. This means he wants something fun to do. The kitchen is one of his favorite 'fun' places to be. There's tons of cool things you can find in there.
Kade exclaims: "Let's do an experiment. Let me see. We need 2 glasses."
Kade gets the 2 glasses and one large container. We have a water cooler that has both cold and hot water. I often mix the hot and cold water to make it warmer than room temperature. My mug is right there on the table as well. Kade fixes one glass with a bit of hot water. The other glass he puts a bit of cold water in. He then pours the cold into the hot and then asks me to test it.
Kade: "Is it the right temperature? If so, put it in your mug. If not, put it in the container."
Me: I try it. "It is pretty cool."
Kade: "Then in the container it goes."
This went on until my mug was filled again. He got really good about getting the separate glasses filled with the amount of cold/hot water needed to make it the perfect temperature.
Who says that free time can't be fun!
Kade exclaims: "Let's do an experiment. Let me see. We need 2 glasses."
Kade gets the 2 glasses and one large container. We have a water cooler that has both cold and hot water. I often mix the hot and cold water to make it warmer than room temperature. My mug is right there on the table as well. Kade fixes one glass with a bit of hot water. The other glass he puts a bit of cold water in. He then pours the cold into the hot and then asks me to test it.
Kade: "Is it the right temperature? If so, put it in your mug. If not, put it in the container."
Me: I try it. "It is pretty cool."
Kade: "Then in the container it goes."
This went on until my mug was filled again. He got really good about getting the separate glasses filled with the amount of cold/hot water needed to make it the perfect temperature.
Who says that free time can't be fun!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Just got this one from Annie. I LOVE the relationship these two have. I'm so thankful to be a part of both of their lives.
That being said, Annie is trying to do an incredible amount of things for an 18 year old. She's trying to move and get ready for the Paul Mitchell School. This means she is going to be living away from the Monterey/Santa Cruz area for the first time in her life. Pretty daunting stuff. I'm proud of her and hope to help out any way I can.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The art of a good pirate fort
Well, yet again, we have had a full day.
I had a dentist appointment today and so tried to make it easier for the boys by having great friends over. (We've been missing them lately.) We were able to play with them a bit before I had to leave and then, as I left, they headed down to the pool to have some swimming fun. There was a definite time crunch for our friends (I hope all turned out ok) and I made it home just in time.
We all had a laugh when I couldn't move one side of my mouth...and Kade put it perfectly: "It's just plain too freaky." Amusing for some, not so for others!
As we said goodbye to one set of friends, we were graced with another. I enjoy the blond crew (BC for short!) and we don't get to spend much time with them often. It's funny how the dynamic changes with each set of friends and the time of day. This BC is very much an active bunch. They had many adventures. My favorite being the pirate fort. This fort was large enough for all 5 of them (ranging from 2 to 9 in age) and encompassed the large sofa and 2 outer 'structures' which included a table base and a chair. The table base is cool because you can climb into its circle like a separate room. The sofa cushins became a separate room, as well. The kids played inside and out of this pirate fort for most of the time they were here. Too much fun!
I noticed the boys getting a bit tired and so did the BC mom. We kept watch and an ear out for the conflicts that seemed to be on the fringe of play. Kade really is in love with one of the BCers, so wanted alone time with her. However, with younger brother and the toddler (both who don't want to miss out on the fun) alone time was not in the cards. This was still not what Kade had envisioned, so he kept pressing and pressing. Kai, by this point had already hit his limit and had found a good place to sit and play his DS. Kai is more of a 'this is my home so you can go' kind of guy. I thought that his being alone was a sign that he was completely done. He wasn't, though, and was a bit disappointed when the time for the BCers to go came closer. Kade simply wanted his girl to stay. That I can understand. I'm pleased to hear Kade be clear about what he wants (even when it makes a tough situation for us to try and fulfil). He's still too young to understand that even though he's expressed his desire very succinctly, it may not happen. Life is difficult sometimes and this situation mirrored that today. Kade moped for a bit after our friends left. I think his heart is on the mend now...or he may be pining away inside, for all I know. He seems to be dealing with it better - no matter what is actually happening inside his big heart.
One of the great things about today is the affirmation that needs can be expressed and solutions can try to be found and no anger or resentment has to manifest itself. No loud voices were used by either child or parent. All viewpoints were heard. Attempts were made to meet all needs.
It's really great to have unschooling friends!
As I sit and type (and have the pirate fort in view) I get excited about what adventures we will have in it tomorrow!
I had a dentist appointment today and so tried to make it easier for the boys by having great friends over. (We've been missing them lately.) We were able to play with them a bit before I had to leave and then, as I left, they headed down to the pool to have some swimming fun. There was a definite time crunch for our friends (I hope all turned out ok) and I made it home just in time.
We all had a laugh when I couldn't move one side of my mouth...and Kade put it perfectly: "It's just plain too freaky." Amusing for some, not so for others!
As we said goodbye to one set of friends, we were graced with another. I enjoy the blond crew (BC for short!) and we don't get to spend much time with them often. It's funny how the dynamic changes with each set of friends and the time of day. This BC is very much an active bunch. They had many adventures. My favorite being the pirate fort. This fort was large enough for all 5 of them (ranging from 2 to 9 in age) and encompassed the large sofa and 2 outer 'structures' which included a table base and a chair. The table base is cool because you can climb into its circle like a separate room. The sofa cushins became a separate room, as well. The kids played inside and out of this pirate fort for most of the time they were here. Too much fun!
I noticed the boys getting a bit tired and so did the BC mom. We kept watch and an ear out for the conflicts that seemed to be on the fringe of play. Kade really is in love with one of the BCers, so wanted alone time with her. However, with younger brother and the toddler (both who don't want to miss out on the fun) alone time was not in the cards. This was still not what Kade had envisioned, so he kept pressing and pressing. Kai, by this point had already hit his limit and had found a good place to sit and play his DS. Kai is more of a 'this is my home so you can go' kind of guy. I thought that his being alone was a sign that he was completely done. He wasn't, though, and was a bit disappointed when the time for the BCers to go came closer. Kade simply wanted his girl to stay. That I can understand. I'm pleased to hear Kade be clear about what he wants (even when it makes a tough situation for us to try and fulfil). He's still too young to understand that even though he's expressed his desire very succinctly, it may not happen. Life is difficult sometimes and this situation mirrored that today. Kade moped for a bit after our friends left. I think his heart is on the mend now...or he may be pining away inside, for all I know. He seems to be dealing with it better - no matter what is actually happening inside his big heart.
One of the great things about today is the affirmation that needs can be expressed and solutions can try to be found and no anger or resentment has to manifest itself. No loud voices were used by either child or parent. All viewpoints were heard. Attempts were made to meet all needs.
It's really great to have unschooling friends!
As I sit and type (and have the pirate fort in view) I get excited about what adventures we will have in it tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Going with the flow
At one of the Live and Learn Conferences Danielle Conger *** had given out smooth river rocks. They weren't polished, just smooth. She mentioned they were a reminder that one needs to go with the flow of the river this life is. I like the analogy and the reminder.
(***Although Danielle has some great things to explore I have wrongfully given her credit for the stone. Its analogy creator, Sandra Dodd, also has a fabulous site, so please go look at the wealth of information there! In the comments there is a link to the 'flow' presentation.)
Kai was up at 6:30 this morning. He went to sleep at midnight. I can't believe he managed to keep himself awake and ok for as long as he did. He struggled with how to reign in his excitement about having friends over. He was great, though, when they were here.
Kade was up around 8:45. He just now fell asleep about 15 minutes ago. He had a full day.
It was great fun having friends over, though. Kai and Kade really have connected with Isaiah and Josiah. They call them the brothers they never knew they had. Lily is a precious 10 month old. She is great fun to Kai (he is sweet to her when he's around her) and the greatest challenge for Kade (who today said she would bite him if he got his toy back from her)! Stephanie and I were able to chat a bit and I certainly enjoy her company. What a great family they are (Matt, too). I appreciate the care and calmness they bring to our relationships. Too cool. How ironic, huh, to follow that sentance with how the boys always play sword and light sabers! I like the seemless play that happens. It's really fun to watch and hear. I look forward to allowing the friendships to blossom as they may.
After they headed out, the boys and I vegged a bit. Jeff made it home later tonight than usual. Jeff and I wanted to spend some time talking, so went to get the mail together. We came back in, still talking, and the boys let us go into the other room to do so. Then a little bit later, both boys came into the room and said they only came in to get some family snuggle time! How cool is that?! So our precious boys climbed up in between us and we got to chill together, just talking and being together! It was great while it lasted.
Interactions are key to making this life seemless. Sometimes it's just going with the flow and having no expectations. We all had a great day. I felt like that rock being rolled around by the water - nothing harsh, no scary moments, no sudden moves or unexpected collisions or anything like that. Just pure fun and good moments, moments that could have been nasty but I was able to roll and help the situation change course and move along smoothly.
I like these types of days...in the flow of life.
(***Although Danielle has some great things to explore I have wrongfully given her credit for the stone. Its analogy creator, Sandra Dodd, also has a fabulous site, so please go look at the wealth of information there! In the comments there is a link to the 'flow' presentation.)
Kai was up at 6:30 this morning. He went to sleep at midnight. I can't believe he managed to keep himself awake and ok for as long as he did. He struggled with how to reign in his excitement about having friends over. He was great, though, when they were here.
Kade was up around 8:45. He just now fell asleep about 15 minutes ago. He had a full day.
It was great fun having friends over, though. Kai and Kade really have connected with Isaiah and Josiah. They call them the brothers they never knew they had. Lily is a precious 10 month old. She is great fun to Kai (he is sweet to her when he's around her) and the greatest challenge for Kade (who today said she would bite him if he got his toy back from her)! Stephanie and I were able to chat a bit and I certainly enjoy her company. What a great family they are (Matt, too). I appreciate the care and calmness they bring to our relationships. Too cool. How ironic, huh, to follow that sentance with how the boys always play sword and light sabers! I like the seemless play that happens. It's really fun to watch and hear. I look forward to allowing the friendships to blossom as they may.
After they headed out, the boys and I vegged a bit. Jeff made it home later tonight than usual. Jeff and I wanted to spend some time talking, so went to get the mail together. We came back in, still talking, and the boys let us go into the other room to do so. Then a little bit later, both boys came into the room and said they only came in to get some family snuggle time! How cool is that?! So our precious boys climbed up in between us and we got to chill together, just talking and being together! It was great while it lasted.
Interactions are key to making this life seemless. Sometimes it's just going with the flow and having no expectations. We all had a great day. I felt like that rock being rolled around by the water - nothing harsh, no scary moments, no sudden moves or unexpected collisions or anything like that. Just pure fun and good moments, moments that could have been nasty but I was able to roll and help the situation change course and move along smoothly.
I like these types of days...in the flow of life.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Learn Nothing Day.
Check this out, friends. It's the 'official' holiday for unschoolers. Thanks to Sandra Dodd! Get ready for it!!!
Monday, July 7, 2008
After the crash...
Well, the computer crashed.
This was good and bad.
Bad:
It took what seemed like forever to get it back. Kai missed his Monday toonami shows (even though you can see them all week, too.) and was bummed. Kade missed out on some of the cool games he likes to play. He's been into the computer more lately, so it was tough on him. (It's taking "way tooooo looonnngggg!")
It's an expense we weren't thinking about this month...but when are computer crashes in the budget?
I had a gob of emails when I sat back down.
I realized all of our contact info (phone numbers and such) where on the computer, for that is where I know they wont get lost...well mostly so, at least.
Good:
We realized how much time we spend on this silly machine! I really took that to heart, since I don't really enjoy sitting and vegging in front of it. I was sort of lost the first day without my email, financial awareness links, fun stuff to read pages and yahoo groups! I quickly filled this time, mind you! I'm now back to knitting like a crazy woman and actually keeping up with all the laundry and dishes. I am also more speedy with the response to the kids, now that I'm on this beast again. All things are saved and can be retrieved when desired.
Kai has since seen all his shows, Kade has had his turn at the games and I have balanced our finances and caught up on emails...mostly.
Since the last visit here, we have done much. The bikes are now in order! Kai needed a new one and Kade was content with Kai's old one with his training wheels on. New helmets were in order and the boys just went on a long ride. I will have to wait a bit to get a bike of my own. We want to see if the boys are really into it before we get the whole family on those wheels. I am, however, looking forward to getting on those wheels!
Jeff was the one trailing behind in the Disney version of Trivial Pursuit. Kade and Kai are pretty masterful at this version. We lag behind much.
The 4th was completely awesome. We went up to Auntie Mary's and celebrated with the family. The Zevons including Brian and his folks, The Jenkins and us. The grilling was excellent, conversation was incredible, all the folks are dear to us. We had fun with all the outside games and the boys enjoyed the pool. Laughter was had by many...and much love was shared. Couldn't have asked for a better afternoon. After Auntie Mary's, we headed home. We were only here for about an hour before heading out to Lego Land to view the fireworks there. This is the first year both boys have been into the fireworks (the last time we went to see a show was our first year in TN). Both boys were really excited. Kade needed some urging to get out again (for he was incredibly tired), but a cup of hot cocoa for the road did the trick...and the promise to be in the sling if he wished. Can you believe it? He still loves the sling and we did get some Kade/Mama snuggles in. After about 5 minutes he decided to get down and run with the other kids. It was a precious moment for me, though. I miss those days muchly - when I got all the snuggle time I wished for. Now they are too mobile and only snuggle at night and in the morning. I take all I can get! After the show, the line getting out was huge. We ended up staying at the car and just hanging out together. There were other fireworks going off around, so we could see some every once in a while. Then we saw all the new trucks and cars that are parked there in the parking lot (from local dealers that need room to put their extras) and we had a grand time talking about pricing, mpgs and size/weight capacities. Kai walked around and let everyone who was out there looking too which trucks and cars were highest in price and lowest in mpg. Hee hee. Who says unschooling doesn't work?! Anyway, the fireworks show was grand and we came home very content with our lives.
Amazingly, that feeling has maintained itself in our lives...and we hope you get to feel it too!
This was good and bad.
Bad:
It took what seemed like forever to get it back. Kai missed his Monday toonami shows (even though you can see them all week, too.) and was bummed. Kade missed out on some of the cool games he likes to play. He's been into the computer more lately, so it was tough on him. (It's taking "way tooooo looonnngggg!")
It's an expense we weren't thinking about this month...but when are computer crashes in the budget?
I had a gob of emails when I sat back down.
I realized all of our contact info (phone numbers and such) where on the computer, for that is where I know they wont get lost...well mostly so, at least.
Good:
We realized how much time we spend on this silly machine! I really took that to heart, since I don't really enjoy sitting and vegging in front of it. I was sort of lost the first day without my email, financial awareness links, fun stuff to read pages and yahoo groups! I quickly filled this time, mind you! I'm now back to knitting like a crazy woman and actually keeping up with all the laundry and dishes. I am also more speedy with the response to the kids, now that I'm on this beast again. All things are saved and can be retrieved when desired.
Kai has since seen all his shows, Kade has had his turn at the games and I have balanced our finances and caught up on emails...mostly.
Since the last visit here, we have done much. The bikes are now in order! Kai needed a new one and Kade was content with Kai's old one with his training wheels on. New helmets were in order and the boys just went on a long ride. I will have to wait a bit to get a bike of my own. We want to see if the boys are really into it before we get the whole family on those wheels. I am, however, looking forward to getting on those wheels!
Jeff was the one trailing behind in the Disney version of Trivial Pursuit. Kade and Kai are pretty masterful at this version. We lag behind much.
The 4th was completely awesome. We went up to Auntie Mary's and celebrated with the family. The Zevons including Brian and his folks, The Jenkins and us. The grilling was excellent, conversation was incredible, all the folks are dear to us. We had fun with all the outside games and the boys enjoyed the pool. Laughter was had by many...and much love was shared. Couldn't have asked for a better afternoon. After Auntie Mary's, we headed home. We were only here for about an hour before heading out to Lego Land to view the fireworks there. This is the first year both boys have been into the fireworks (the last time we went to see a show was our first year in TN). Both boys were really excited. Kade needed some urging to get out again (for he was incredibly tired), but a cup of hot cocoa for the road did the trick...and the promise to be in the sling if he wished. Can you believe it? He still loves the sling and we did get some Kade/Mama snuggles in. After about 5 minutes he decided to get down and run with the other kids. It was a precious moment for me, though. I miss those days muchly - when I got all the snuggle time I wished for. Now they are too mobile and only snuggle at night and in the morning. I take all I can get! After the show, the line getting out was huge. We ended up staying at the car and just hanging out together. There were other fireworks going off around, so we could see some every once in a while. Then we saw all the new trucks and cars that are parked there in the parking lot (from local dealers that need room to put their extras) and we had a grand time talking about pricing, mpgs and size/weight capacities. Kai walked around and let everyone who was out there looking too which trucks and cars were highest in price and lowest in mpg. Hee hee. Who says unschooling doesn't work?! Anyway, the fireworks show was grand and we came home very content with our lives.
Amazingly, that feeling has maintained itself in our lives...and we hope you get to feel it too!
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