New arrivals

Meet Popcorn and Pochi, Kade's new to him gerbils!

Pochi

Popcorn





Kade is just beside himself with happiness. It's great to see him so into them.

Guatamalan worry dolls...

Kade found this craft on activity tv.



We didn't have the trash bag ties (can you say Ginger's too hippy?) but we did have pipe cleaners. This makes them a tad bigger than they were on the show...but still well worth the effort.


These two were made by Kade's hand. After he finished these, he was done and asked if I wouldn't finish his 'family' for him. He wanted two more. A girl and a Mama. Here's how they turned out.





I did a few for myself and hope to get back to them soon.




I also finished gifts for Annie...she is wearing the belt of bells, so I didn't manage to get a picture of that. I did, however, get to take a picture of her new hat! I made it out of cotton. The colors look weird on the camera - it really is raspberry and lime. Too cool. I may have to make one for me!





Annie is officially 21! I'm so happy for her!

Maybe it's a great time for those worry dolls, after all! Life is so big and full. The kids grow up so fast. Now it's time to meditate and try and keep up!

What happens when you say 'yes'?

Yes...exercise your right to think for yourself. So true.




Fun ensues.

Knowing that learning is natural...

for kids is a big thing for me. People who are unfamiliar with our chosen path to schooling ask me how I know they are 'learning'. I just smile and say, "I just have to look around me and see it. It's everywhere, all the time". Take this, for example:



Yes, you are seeing it right. Here is a closer look.



I found this on the counter a couple of weeks ago. It was left there sometime while I was busy doing something else. And I took a double take when I walked into the kitchen.

Now, you could say that it is just a quirk and that kids do strange things. Well, yes. Sometimes kids do quirky things. But I see it differently. First, one of them (and I am not sure who did it) had to think of trying to put the can on it's edge. Then, they had to find the right volume of liquid needed to balance. There must have been some trial and error before they go it just right. There must have also been some awareness of mass, weight, shape, angle and so forth.

Who says science has to be anything but a soda can, some water and a brain?

I am amazed by the thoughts of my children...

Today

Well, we are rarely just sitting around...as you may already know. Those days are few and far between...at least in the summer. Now it's time to *do* things.

This morning was a slow start (as many of us stay up till the wee hours of the morning...)(as I type it is 1:00 am and both boys are still playing together)...so we started today around noon. Jeff and Kade went on a bit of a shopping spree. Kade is really into his tie up shoes and they are getting a wee tight. Today he came home with a snazzy new pair of Nikes. Jeff was on the prowl for new work clothes. He nicely bought shirts that are 'iron free'. (Can you see me dance a happy dance?) and was really stoked that Kade was truly helpful at the store. I think Kade was helping the salesman and maybe even another customer. Anyway, they were having a great time together. Meanwhile, Kai and I were hangin' together. Jumping from computer fun to tv fun as he tried to conquer and unlock all the characters in this one game.

Once Jeff and Kade returned, it was time for some Kai and Jeff time. Kai had asked for it since we are planning on going to see Harry Potter tomorrow with Annie while Jeff and Kade stay home.


Well, Kai asked to bike downtown to Jamba Juice. So after Jeff got some grub and changed into some comfy clothes, the bigger boys headed out on their adventure downtown. They ended up finding a great little market I'm supposed to check out. They also peeked into the used book store.

Meanwhile, this left Kade and I alone.


Naturally, we made cookies! Kade had taken the butter out last night, too late for cooking (the oven is right next to the room we sleep in, so would potentially keep Jeff awake) so today was the day.


He chose cookie press cookies. It's been forever since we've made this kind. Having only wheat flour can make cookies a bit thicker and a different color than white flour does. This is especially true for ours, today, since we also put in a bit of almond flour.


We melted some chocolate to put on top. Of course, this led to some wanting them to have faces...smiley ones at that. Here is what we came up with...


Kade's favorite.


My favorite.

After the cookies, we realized that the guys had forgotten to take the gate key with them. Kade suggested we gather a few blankets and head down to the gate to wait for them.


We gathered a few things and headed down. It was such a beautiful afternoon, too. Perfect. So we settled in and I started a henna design. Kade was having fun getting ready to hide once he saw them coming down the road...all the while talking with me without stopping to breathe...or so it seemed. I thoroughly enjoy his his banter as it lets me see a bit of what is going on in his mind. Anyway, the boys did arrive. Kade hid and was found. Then Jeff stayed a bit with Kade as Kade rode his turtle. So much fun was had!





The videos are still downloading on vimeo...so you'll have to come back to see them here... (tahdah)

Turtle fun July 2009 part 1 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Turtle fun July 2009 part 2 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Turtle fun July 2009 part 3 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Once the henna was done, this is what I ended up with. Happy Mama, I am.


Inside we chilled for about half an hour. Then the boys played more on the Mario game they are borrowing from friends. Jeff agreed to join in after Kai and he had a sock war.

Before we knew it, it was time for Jeff to head to snooze land. Kade stole a book reading or two with his Daddy. I got to tuck my love in and come out with the gang. Now it's been a few hours of catch up with the blogs I haven't been reading.

And I guess I'm ready to post my own things again!

With the leftover henna

I did a few more designs on me. And Annie...but I don't have a picture of hers yet.

Here they are.







The top 2 pictures, and most that show henna, are with the paste still on. The one directly above is on it's 3rd day and the paste was only on for about an hour. It is darker in person.

Current knitting project

...keep an eye out for the finished product, which could be awhile!

The last few days...

This post is divided into 3 parts. Three separate happenings, thankfully. The middles section is a bit over the edge of propriety, so read on if you wish. You have been forewarned.

I took the camera on our birthday celebration dinner. Kade had said it would please him to give Daddy a dinner at Chili's ~ so off to Chili's we went. We had a good time with Annie, Josh, Kai, Kade, Jeff and I. I started to take pictures, but everyone seemed to indicate that it was enough. So, here are the few I did manage.









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Since Annie arrived, the boys have had fun putting the fake poop around her room for her to find. She was definitely disgusted the first time (much to her younger brothers' enjoyment) but quickly took part in the fun. Eventually the fake pile ended up in the main living area. Then into the kitchen. Well, we started thinking this would be a nice little present for Annie first thing in the morning...since she is the first to get to the kitchen. I like the chop stick idea.



Then we thought maybe on food would be nicer.



In the end we opted for this. The image it put in our minds was so nasty we ended up laughing till we all cried. Even more so when I mentioned : "Oh, if only our friends could see us now."



So, friends, we had to share! For those of you who don't have the benefit of living with boys, I do ask the bald man often if the behaviors I see are normal. He assures me most of the time that indeed, these are all normal boy behaviours.

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I *love* these!



I finished the 2 at a time socks (yes, Maynord, two). I so enjoyed doing them both at the same time, too, and now only have a smidgen of yarn left, as you can see.



I had moccasins I loved, but that had a thick seam right along the top outside of the foot. I can't have pressure there, so decided to dismantle them and use the leather with the silicone bottoms and make a fresh pair of shoes I CAN wear out and about. Here is how they turned out. Not your average look, but definitely comfy for me - especially now in the 'cold' of winter. The tops are made with wool, so will help warm me. Also, since they are knitted, I can layer the socks if need be without getting too bound and tight inside (which is the problem with other shoes) Pretty cool, huh?!

I am grateful and happy to have these...

Progress in knitting

OK, so here's the update on the sock. I have gone past the heel and am now on the leg. This is what it looks like with one sock inside out so you can see both. I have un-tucked it many times making sure they aren't (and correcting the instances when they have been) knitted together. It's getting easier all the time. Turning the heel took some sight learning, but only because I was not able to focus very well. All in all, I can't wait to put them on the soles...which means I need to get back to them!

Doings

I have been wanting to go visit friends. However, I come down to thinking of when I would drive and how the kids would handle the schedule change. And schedule change it has been. It started right before Christmas. The boys wanted to stay up (and asked me to, too). I don't know how it happened, but now we are up until 4:00ish and we sleep in until 1:00ish. Yes, you read right : 4am 'till 1pm for sleep time. Now I don't have a problem as long as I can : sleep (my body can't sometimes), have that sleep last for at least 6 hours, and spend time with the other member of our family here : Jeff. For now, it is working, but I'm not sure it's working well. I don't know how long it will last. The boys seem to keep themselves happy doing things they love to do. They bounce from tv, Wii, DS, computer, games and food. I try and interact with them as much as I feel I can and still keep myself present. At this time, me moving around much isn't always in the cards. Yet, we seem to stay busy. Kai has so far completed the game he got for his DS for Christmas *and* the DS game he purchased with his gift money. Kade has been playing cool games on the computer. One in particular requires the player to kind of create what happens. It's called the Powder Game from Dan-Ball. There are different things one can build with, such as cement and bricks. There's water and fire and wind and people and all sorts of things. Anyway, both boys have found themselves playing it. Kade is enjoying the Digital Arts and Crafts Studio he opened on Christmas Eve, too. So he has been creating tons of art.

I have been keeping myself busy by knitting the socks (I am now at the heal of them) and by getting the henna out again. It makes a ton of paste, and I still have yet to be smart enough to make less than a full batch! Anyway, it means I have much to work with ~ and I try to put it on as many people as will let me. This time, as has been explained before, I haven't been with very many people and have been home peacefully asleep when many people are out socializing. As an aside which should have been included in the previous paragraph, I am actually enjoying the quite of the night, I have to admit. OK, well, I put some henna on my hand first. I am hoping to henna a mama belly (with child that is) and this is one flower that may be an option.



I added the 'ring' next.





Then I did a design I took from an idea I found online. I'm still working on alignment and such, but feel I have a handle on how I will do it next time.



In the looking for design on the computer, I read about how henna traditionally has been done with an intent. With this in mind, I heated up the rice socks and braved a design on my foot. I focused on healing and acceptance. We shall see how successful it has been...eventually. I have to say it's tough to apply henna on oneself - especially on one's foot - past a certain age. One must be a pretzel and ambidextrous, of which I am neither. Still, much fun and worth it.

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.