LIFE is Good 2009 Unschooling Conference

I've been trying to figure out how to write about this experience. Words don't do it justice. And the pictures we took were few. So, with permission from others, I compiled a slide show. It gives the feel of the conference, at least a touch of it. The LIFE is Good Conference is far more - and more fun than should be allowed. The Vibrations and Amy Steinberg actually gave a concert...so having their music a part of the video is a must. Here we are:

LIFE is Good Unschooling Conference 2009 from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Here is one that is more personal to our family and friends from home...it's a bit shorter, too... I've included some pictures from our stay with friends in Corvallis, OR. We were able to stay at the Gold's house for 5 days! We saw the Hessels, Cabatics, Golds, Lugos, Waynsforths (before they headed home to England!), Diana and Hayden and Scott, and the Holcombs (at the park before they went home to CO). Anyway, good times.

LIFE and our days in Corvallis from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Ha!

Ok, granted it's now considered tomorrow...but still.

This made me laugh.

Thanks, Crystal, for the random comment that started the banter on facebook.

Thanks, Ronnie for posting the link!

Enjoy.

Yumm!

Well, we were at Mandy's last week and we came home with some great peaches! This is what we did with ours - after seeing THIS! Great idea, friends!




Here is a short slideshow of our time at Mandy's as we helped her can some of those divine peaches.

Peaches and fun from Beachbum on Vimeo.

Somehow the picture of Juliet didn't get in the slideshow...so here it is. Juliet with her butterfly face :

Kade's art

Yesterday as I was painting, Kade was painting. Here is his work with the flowers he picked for me, too. Happy, happy Mama.

Well, here it is!

I decided to paint flowers...as you can see. So it is now bright and happy for this bright and happy soul.



Meanwhile, Kade painted his own wood. When he finishes it, I'll ask him if I can take a picture of it.

I need some ideas

I have a cd case that needs some decoration. It's a bright blue color. What should I put on it? Flowers? Dragonflies? Vines? Frogs? Peace signs? Spots?

Ideas, anyone?

Laughter

Right now there is laughter so true that it is making tears. I love it when Kade laughs. At first it is kinda loud. Then as he lets himself go it gets really quiet...and pretty soon there is a huge intake of breath and it's back to the almost silent laugh. Such great sounds to hear.

LIFE is Good

At the talent show, Jeff joined a few of our friends and played bass. Here is Gloria.



Oh, we are home...and getting back into life here...so hang in there! I'll be posting more soon.

Mr. Lovejoy and our fabulous visit

Ben arrived on Sunday - much to our delight! We were able to gather a few friends, by his request, and had a bit of a pool party. James Colburn and Jayne (Robyn was ill, sorry to say), Flo, Marc, Camille and Juliet were here, as were we five and Hannah. We had a great time talking and visiting and swimming and talking some more. We threw together some pizzas and headed down for some food and water sports. All in all, a great time. Ben had some checking in to do down in San Diego, but Jeff went down with him, so we knew we would see him that night as well. The kids love him. Kade still talks about the visit often.

Ben was actually here on business, so we missed him for a few days. We made up for the time, though, as we got to share some of the kid's favorite places with him on Thursday and Friday. Thursday we took him out to eat. It was, actually, part of the deal Kade made with him in order for him to have his shoe back the Sunday before (Kade was holding it hostage so Ben couldn't leave). Kade was promised a dinner at Hot Dog on a Stick. So, this is how we spent our evening! Kai, of course, loves Panda Express, so that's what he had. We were able to spend some quality time together as a group and it felt as if Ben was just part of our family. We feel so fortunate!

Here is proof he was here and that we wore him out completely!





These are from Friday night. We were able to have him over then, too. Heehee! It worked out perfectly. Jeff and Ben were to be at the airport early in the morning, so we were able to drive them down to catch their planes. Ben was on his way home. Jeff on his way to Scotland.

Thanks, Kelly and kids, for letting us steal your Ben. He certainly brightened our lives. We will ever be grateful for the Steven Lynch introduction. Thanks, Duncan, for the cool Naruto headbands. The boys were very happy you thought of them. They love 'em.

It's

park day! We are just about ready. Need to eat a touch then we can go see some friends. Hopefully there will be some who will share this time...they may be on the road, though...

I have so much more to post about. I am feeling more like getting it down here...so will eventually.