Unconventional School Poses

...but so adorable!

Baa-nah nuuuhh SLUG SLUG SLUG SLUG

Baa-nah nuuuhh SLUG SLUG SLUG SLUG!!!!

Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana
Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana
Ba-nana slug, banana-nana-nana

If kissing a banana slug brings good luck, what does licking do? Don't worry, we didn't find out.

Happy New Year; Looking Ahead

A Fierce Look

James brought me this picture and said decidedly, "This is what I want to be for Halloween." There aren't any griffon's online to buy. But I'm mean with a glue gun...here is the ferocious half lion, half eagle with a few remaining talons.

April Fool

Last night, I quietly emptied all of the cereal. I filled the Chex box with Legos, the Raisin Bran with marbles, and the Crispix with dried pasta. This morning when I poured the boys their cereal Chase got the giggles and couldn't stop. James just kept staring, confused; he even tasted the dried pasta. But, then I yelled, "April Fool's!" and welcomed the day that is sure to be filled with teasing and tricks.

Notes on a Disney Die-Hard

I wouldn't call myself a die hard. But, when the rain came and we stayed I felt like the Disneyland elite. I want to go on the record and say: a wet Disney is still a magic Disney.

James keeps saying, "It seems so long ago...it was like a dream." He walked around with his mouth open the first three hours. Every ride was the best. But by the end of the day, he had proclaimed Space Mountain as his favorite. He loves speed and feeling weightless (I think my stomach is falling out, but he loves the drops).

Chase, on the other hand, liked the pool at the hotel the most. But, that hasn't stopped him from talking about the Matterhorn and the Yetti non-stop. "You go on a bobsled, and the Yetti ate so many strawberries in his body that his eyes turned red."

Cheerio.

The Birthday Boy

Every good sports party needs a football cake complete with goal posts and green coconut for grass. And it is requisite that your favorite team (NY Giants) are winning against your least favorite team (SF 49ers).

A party can only be better when you are dressed in your Uncle Ben's XXL jersey, shorts, and hu-normous shoes -- for the sake of relay.

Best friends are a must! Justin on his right and Christian on his left.

Happy 6th Birthday, James!

Goggles

Cute boy. Cute goggles.
Swim Lessons are in full swing.

Wind Therapy

When you are speeding along in a boat the wind seems to come so quickly you become apart of it; your face feels rejuvenated, the wind literally blowing life into you, your hair wearing the proof of the adventure. The wind really is a force of nature....

and apparently it's a well know fact. Leo and Kate learned all about the wind on the prow of Titanic (you know this was a great moment the first time you watched - too bad it got teased to death)...

Bob even knew the therapeutic nature of the wind -- he's sailing, he's sailing...

but these little ones are just learning about the mighty wind. How awesome are their (Lilly, Chase, & Caden) wind-blown locks?!

Thank you, thank you, Mindy, for a wonderful afternoon at the Delta!

Isn't this just the cutest. He has his life vest and his life saver (aka Blankey Blue). A sailor is always prepared!

Smells of Summer

I walked down the path towards the pool and was overtaken by the smell of the pool - I won't say chlorine, because its somehow more than that. But, as I put sunscreen on the boys, I couldn't help but smile. The smells somehow take me back to summers I lived by the pool. I can even remember the smell of the wet and warm concrete as you would lie down to warm up. Anyhow, my fish loved the adventure - as did I.

Lime Thyme

Have you ever heard of lime thyme before? I have heard of lemon thyme and of course plain old thyme - but never lime thyme! Anyhow, my mom bought some for her garden - I can't even think of what I can cook with it - but now my mind is racing. Here are some pictures of James and Grammy Kate gardening. Chase was busily preparing the soil - he is great at adding the soil supplements. Actually, before the new greens were planted Chase had seen the empty dirt and said, "Soil!" If that doesn't define a gardener...I actually just finished my resume and wrote "aspiring gardener" down at the bottom - so its official; James, Chase, and I are aspiring gardeners. The boys like the dirt part, and I like the learning names of different plants part. Thanks to our tutor, we may even have a chance of becoming gardeners - thanks, Grammy!

PS - the last three blog titles have rhymed - what is that all about?!

The Swing

The Swing

by Robert Louis Stevenson

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

My mom used to recite this poem to us over and over; it now comes to mind whenever I push my children on the swings. And I do agree that it is the "pleasantest thing" a child or grown-up can do. Aren't Emily and Josh the luckiest - to have these swings in their front yard!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Ok, more like Tractors, Boats, Kayaks, and ATV's...


We went to Utah, and my boys had the "time of their dreams" (to use my favorite Jamesism). The both love vehicles, only being crunched inside a garbage truck could top this.

Here they are, watch out, they don't have licenses...they called the lawn mower a tractor - and I think even Bompa Roy had the "time of his dreams!"

Ok, Emily does have a license, but still, no hands is quite impressive!

I am afraid I insulted Sun Ten Lake by skiing with two skis, but I did get up my first try - that's something. Anyhow, I've always loved visiting Jay and Sarah at their lake. They have the cutest family and there is always a lot of laughter. Now, how is it that I buy a lake again?!

Chase carefully watched James, and then decided this was a must. He walked over to Brandon with determination - oh, and I love the hood ornament!

Thanks for the great time!

Up, Up, and Away

True Story...My dad wanted to take James on an adventure to Moffett Field to see some old WWII planes. And when James heard the word plane, he was instantly excited. He asked Bompa, "What kind of planes will we be seeing?" I could see my dad hum and hah, trying to think of the right wording...but finally told him it would be a B-17. Here is James instant and honest response..."Oh, the Flying Fortress!! My Grandad, one of my other Grandpa's, when he was twenty-two, no twenty-three, he flew B-17's. He was a gunner." I couldn't even remember the nick-name, Flying Fortress long enough to write this story. I don't know how he stores it all. He ended up seeing a B-25 and watched the B-17 take off! A perfect James day. Thanks, Dad!

Tortoise vs. Hare

At preschool James reenacted the great race between the tortoise and the hare. The children helped set up a race course, and were amazed when that quick rabbit dashed left and right, but never straight ahead. And the slow turtle did, in fact, keep going and going. As James put it, "He put one foot and then the next, one foot and the next. Mom, he just kept going. And sure enough, he won." Of course, James wasn't hesitant in explaining that he had hoped the rabbit would win - but he kept running off course.

What a fun idea! And how interesting that the tortoise really won. I think it possibly says something about our race through life. In the end, rushing ahead doesn't necessarily get us to our own goal. There is something said for those who are able to go the distance. When its not fun or exciting or easy, they keep going. Trying to do their best to move foot by foot ahead; mustering the most courage or joy or endurance just to get through the day. But, in the end, perseverance will get us to the finish line.

My Painted Peacocks

I am a sucker for a bowtie.

James danced the night away; flower girls make great dancing partners!

I am afraid Chase may have had a little too much limeade by the end of the night.

Emily looked so beautiful - she just glowed!