Yum...

Again with the food, you say? Well, in truth this is part of my learning to savor and enjoy the food I choose to put in my body. So, if you read here, you'll just have to wade through it!

It is autumn. I love cranberries, so this smoothie-to-be is perfect. It has bananas, cranberries, freshly made almond milk and sometimes a touch of chocolate. It is sweet and tart all at the same time...and incredibly delicious.

Pumpkin time

Last weekend we went on an adventure to get our pumpkins. We traveled to Bate's Nut Farm to have some fun. I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few. The boys had a great time. Kade wanted to feed the animals, Kai wanted the kettle corn, we found all the stamps hidden in the maze, rode the hay ride, slid down the huge bouncy slides, Kade bought a rubber band rifle, Kai salivated over the $400.00 wooden rubber band machine gun, and we found our pumpkins. This year Jeff said he didn't feel up to carrying the 90 pound pumpkin, so we each chose one we could carry. Kade actually made it all the way back to the car carrying his! He was really, really wanting that pumpkin. The boys also enjoyed some cotton candy. Even though we had a great time...it wasn't quite the same without Baba...she was with us last year. Still, we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Maybe we will get the chance to carve said pumpkins this week...

Park day yesterday

We had a great time...and met new families and saw families for the first time in months. This fun time was even more special because Abby was a part of our group. Abby is the niece of one of our regular Moms, so she is not used to being with all of us. She was a trooper in that she had just had a tooth pulled and wasn't feeling her personal best. I had brought the camera, since we rarely get to share our park experience, and I'm glad I did. Abby was just sitting there, kinda deciding whether she felt up to playing or not. I handed her the camera and asked if she wanted to take some pictures...and this is what she has created. Thanks, Abby!


Unschooling park day October 20, 2008 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

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Added since this was first published.

I forgot to include that Kai listened to "When in Rome" about 18 times before we got home that night. He asked if I could include it in a slideshow...so that is how it came to be a part of this one. The music is by Nickel Creek from their album "Why Should the Fire Die?"

Great Friends...

This was taken a year ago. I can't believe how much closer we have become. Thanks for the friendship!

iQ

These are great little cars...I would really like one. Universe, are you listening?!

Check out the iQ here.

Photos of fun times

I wonder...how can one go from this:






to creating this?




Well, for Kade and Kai - unfortunately Kai didn't want to be photographed right then - this transition happened in mere minutes. Soft blocks rock, I'm told. They can be used to make buildings, walls, cities and forts. No need to worry, imaginations are free and active here!

We also went to build lego creations again this week. It was so much fun! Here are the pictures from that adventure too. We met up with new friends who were visiting from AZ. The boys hit it off seamlessly with Conner and Quinn, so I'm sure we will be keeping them in our close circle of friends from now on.



Jeff, the facilitator, in the middle of the kids.



Kai with his walking dude.



Conner working on his. Kade is in the background.



Adam helping Flint and Kade checking out magnetics.



Jeff helping Caleb.



All get to do things at these gatherings. All needs are met. Too cool.



Cameron and Caemon with their walking dudes.



Josh putting on additions to his.



Quinn finding the right piece.



Ella, Siena, Erowin and Pete.



Kade, Adam and Flint. Flint put wheels on his and was unstoppable!



Kade




and again...




It's walking!



It's about to run over my foot!



Turning around for another shot at my foot...



Happy Kade!



Kai, Conner and Caemon.



the boys again.



Sloan and Shan - thanks for visiting us!




Speaking of friends...we miss you, Shipp family!

Food

An old favorite with a new twist. Ok, I may be the only one in the world who loves potato tacos. But, I do. I have found that these are even more tasty with the mixed potatoes (purple and cream), all corn tortillas, avocado and tomatillo salsa. Yum. You should try it sometime...

Just a couple more pictures that I wanted to share...

Here are a few pictures that I missed adding to the last post, or wanted to just see up front again.

The Golds were here!

Yes, Mary, Conner and Qacei were here! They came to see the James concert held at the House of Blues. They got here Friday afternoon, October 3rd. Just time enough for them to take naps and get ready for the concert. I had contacted a few of the women I know (Kate, Gardenia and Flo) and a few more that couldn't make it. We carpooled down to San Diego and watched the incredible show the band performed. We danced and enjoyed ourselves. Mary was the only true James fan...until that night! After the concert, we hung out so Mary could have a chance to see and talk to Tim Booth (the lead singer) or anyone else from the band. We met some other loyal fans - and one fan had made this awesome banner with the new James daisy on it. Another let us take a picture of the play list. Finally, Mary had her opportunity to be with Tim. She was so excited and we were excited for her. What a great time we had!!

Back at home we tried to sleep in as much as we could. You know how that is! We ended up getting up fairly early and having a chill day. Annie had arrived the night before, so we started out visiting with her. She got a call late morning, which ruined her day, so was really ready to be by herself for a bit. This happened right before we headed out to lunch at Coyote Grill. We ate far too much and headed back to the house for some blendy pen coloring and henna fun. We headed down to the beach right before sunset and enjoyed the surf. The sun was already down, but there was enough glow left to see the waves. The surfers were still out there! Qacei and Kai were happy to get their feet wet...and ended up getting wet more than they had anticipated. Kai ended up wearing my sweatshirt home - it was long enough to cover everything. I took pictures as much as I could. There were the kids, Qacei's sign, the kelp we decided looked like mini goddesses from the sea. We stayed till the sunlight was completely gone. Then the walk back to the house. The kids played some more with the blendy pens and henna. Jeff rocked out with guitar hero, Mary hung out with us and relaxed, Conner had some computer time. Annie was with us at times. We had some dinner and crashed for the night.

Sunday we had berries and scones. Hung out and visited. Pretty soon it was time for the Gold's to head out to see their last show in Anaheim (for more on Mary's concert tour go here). We had to take our precious Anniepie to the airport shortly after that. Our weekend was over so quickly. We had a fabulous time and really felt delighted and honored to be visited by fellow unschoolers and our Anniepie.

May this be the first of many visits.

James comes back in March!


The Gold visit October 3 to 5, 2008 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

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You Are a Doris!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

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