"Mom, it used to be that getting was my favorite part of Christmas. Now it's giving."
Many gifts have been crafted in the last few weeks, using glue, glitter, paper, plastic, popsicle sticks, crayons, markers, paints, and a little bit of this and that from around the house. Creativity has been abundant. They are now waiting under the tree, for the much-anticipated moment when they are carefully extracted from the paper and maze of tape, eyes of parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, wide open and bright, smiles genuine, excitement true, to see the amazing gifts, crafted with love, from two sets of small hands.
I can't wait.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Who doesn't like Chirstmas lights set to music?
We sure do!
Enjoy a few selections, courtesy Owen, Lauryn and YouTube.
Wizards in Winter (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
Angels we have Heard on High
Jingle Bells
More Wizards in Winter (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
Enjoy a few selections, courtesy Owen, Lauryn and YouTube.
Wizards in Winter (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
Angels we have Heard on High
Jingle Bells
More Wizards in Winter (Trans Siberian Orchestra)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Things mom would be proud of...
A few things done in our household, in recent weeks, that mom would be proud of:
10.) Family painting project, framed and hanging in the living room: a very colorful, abstract creation. Beautiful.
9.) Raked leaves in the FALL, not the spring after they've had an entire winter to "marinate." (Hey, makes better mulch for the flower gardens that way.)
8.) Held a eulogy in the living room for a lost family pet. Everyone said words. Tears were shed. And Lili was remembered.
7.) Baked cookies for Owen's Christmas program, packaged up and in the freezer, ready for next week. No last-minute bustle, or box of cookies from the store.
6.) Learned to play Yahtzee. Wow, that's a fun game. I never knew.
5.) Listened to "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on vinyl. It doesn't crack and ping in the exact places I remember from childhood, but the music is still perfect.
4.) Let the kids decorate the entire Christmas tree, and didn't even THINK about moving the ornaments to fill in the empty places. Its perfect as it is.
3.) All of the nativity scene figures are dutifully standing around the baby Jesus, watching every move.
2.) A few of my Christmas presents I have sewed from scratch. May not be 4-H quality, but its good enough.
1.) Baked Cinnamon Rolls -- yes, from scratch; yes, mom's recipe; yes, I made 2 triple recipes; yes, 2 pairs of young hands were big helpers. Owen counted 45 pans, with a total of 308 rolls + 2 tea rings. And yes, there was enough room in the freezer, but just barely.
Pictures of some of these events will hopefully one day follow. Since Halloween has yet to get on the blog, I know most of you won't be holding your breath.
10.) Family painting project, framed and hanging in the living room: a very colorful, abstract creation. Beautiful.
9.) Raked leaves in the FALL, not the spring after they've had an entire winter to "marinate." (Hey, makes better mulch for the flower gardens that way.)
8.) Held a eulogy in the living room for a lost family pet. Everyone said words. Tears were shed. And Lili was remembered.
7.) Baked cookies for Owen's Christmas program, packaged up and in the freezer, ready for next week. No last-minute bustle, or box of cookies from the store.
6.) Learned to play Yahtzee. Wow, that's a fun game. I never knew.
5.) Listened to "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on vinyl. It doesn't crack and ping in the exact places I remember from childhood, but the music is still perfect.
4.) Let the kids decorate the entire Christmas tree, and didn't even THINK about moving the ornaments to fill in the empty places. Its perfect as it is.
3.) All of the nativity scene figures are dutifully standing around the baby Jesus, watching every move.
2.) A few of my Christmas presents I have sewed from scratch. May not be 4-H quality, but its good enough.
1.) Baked Cinnamon Rolls -- yes, from scratch; yes, mom's recipe; yes, I made 2 triple recipes; yes, 2 pairs of young hands were big helpers. Owen counted 45 pans, with a total of 308 rolls + 2 tea rings. And yes, there was enough room in the freezer, but just barely.
Pictures of some of these events will hopefully one day follow. Since Halloween has yet to get on the blog, I know most of you won't be holding your breath.
Monday, November 19, 2007
All plans on hold
UPDATE: My poor little girl had strep. I was so glad I made the decision to take her to the doctor. So often I pay the $40 copay, Doc says "it's viral, nothing you can do about it," and walk out feeling like I overreacted and should have just stayed home. So this time I had almost talked myself out of going. But the looming Tgiving holiday, and a fear of 4 days without an open Dr. office won out. A round of antibiotics and a few days later, she was once again running around the house, clothes optional.
Original post:
It was a beautiful day -- 79 degrees in the middle of November. I had hoped it would give me enough energy and gumption to rake leaves. Instead my little girl, who always considers clothes optional, was asking for a sweatshirt and saying she was cold. She seemed a little sluggish this morning, something I expected after our very busy weekend. But by 4 p.m. she was no longer herself. Temp reads 103. She's cuddled under a blanket -- this from a girl who rarely sits down long enough to make the seat warm -- and holding a cool wash cloth to her head.
At one point I had thought I'd make a big supper tonight, maybe even cook the turkey that has been defrosting in the fridge. Instead it will be soup, juice, Sprite, carrots, raisins, crackers and bananas. I had hoped to get some work done around the house (both inside and out). Instead we will cuddle, play board games, read books and watch a movie.
For now, all plans are on hold -- as we slow down, sit, cuddle and work on getting better.
Original post:
It was a beautiful day -- 79 degrees in the middle of November. I had hoped it would give me enough energy and gumption to rake leaves. Instead my little girl, who always considers clothes optional, was asking for a sweatshirt and saying she was cold. She seemed a little sluggish this morning, something I expected after our very busy weekend. But by 4 p.m. she was no longer herself. Temp reads 103. She's cuddled under a blanket -- this from a girl who rarely sits down long enough to make the seat warm -- and holding a cool wash cloth to her head.
At one point I had thought I'd make a big supper tonight, maybe even cook the turkey that has been defrosting in the fridge. Instead it will be soup, juice, Sprite, carrots, raisins, crackers and bananas. I had hoped to get some work done around the house (both inside and out). Instead we will cuddle, play board games, read books and watch a movie.
For now, all plans are on hold -- as we slow down, sit, cuddle and work on getting better.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
First attempt at sushi
I tried making sushi tonight.
Overall, decent.
Didn't go out of my way to find good/authentic meat -- we used imitation crab meat. Acceptable, but not the best. Next time I'll get better meat or just stay vegetarian. (We asked the last sushi chef we met where we could get good meat-- his response: "nowhere" in our town. Sigh. We'll continue to keep looking.)
The veggies and sushi rice were great , the Nori rolled easily (I hadn't gone to an Asian specialty store for meat, so I hadn't picked up the rolling mat either -- next time), I made a thickened, sweetened soy sauce, like the one we like on our unagi rolls, and it was good. Forgot I had bought avocados for filling, until after it was all made -- so we'll make guacamole this week, and buy and hopefully REMEMBER them next time.
Overall good meal.
The kids wouldn't try it... I made teriyaki steak and mashed potatoes for them, and they ate it up with vigor (even Lauryn, the almost-always vegetarian). But they did think the sushi looked pretty. Lauryn said it looked like the rolls were smiling.
So, overall, good night. Good food.
(And ladies -- you know who you are -- thanks for the tips on my last sushi post, they helped.)
Overall, decent.
Didn't go out of my way to find good/authentic meat -- we used imitation crab meat. Acceptable, but not the best. Next time I'll get better meat or just stay vegetarian. (We asked the last sushi chef we met where we could get good meat-- his response: "nowhere" in our town. Sigh. We'll continue to keep looking.)
The veggies and sushi rice were great , the Nori rolled easily (I hadn't gone to an Asian specialty store for meat, so I hadn't picked up the rolling mat either -- next time), I made a thickened, sweetened soy sauce, like the one we like on our unagi rolls, and it was good. Forgot I had bought avocados for filling, until after it was all made -- so we'll make guacamole this week, and buy and hopefully REMEMBER them next time.
Overall good meal.
The kids wouldn't try it... I made teriyaki steak and mashed potatoes for them, and they ate it up with vigor (even Lauryn, the almost-always vegetarian). But they did think the sushi looked pretty. Lauryn said it looked like the rolls were smiling.
So, overall, good night. Good food.
(And ladies -- you know who you are -- thanks for the tips on my last sushi post, they helped.)
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Organization
This post is more for my satisfaction than for others; maybe to record my progress, maybe to "say" it "out loud." I must admit I doubt I would read someone else's post on organization. So maybe its just a post to remind myself how to stay on track. I'm not offended if you don't read on.
See, I've never considered myself a disorganized person, exactly. I just had my own form of organization. Piles here were dirty, these piles were clean, these piles needed to be sorted, these piles needed to be put away -- that was my basic form of organization from the early years on. My room, as a child, was rarely clean.
I think I've learned to perfect my organization skills, just a little bit, and it is certainly making my life easier. I will admit, clutter is still a problem in my life. I think I can blame/credit some of my upbringing/background. I was taught not to waste, to be frugal, to re-use whatever I could and to save things that were important, whether for emotional or practical reasons. As a child, I was never at a loss for an empty paper towel roll for an art project, an empty cottage cheese container for my latest discovery, or a freshly cleaned Styrofoam meat plate, for whatever I needed it for. I still for the LIFE of me, cannot figure out how my mother kept such a clean house, yet still had ALL of these things available, ready, tucked and filed away, for whenever we needed them. I DON"T remember piles of clutter from my childhood, yet it seemed the house was always filled with exactly what I needed. Mom, how you did it, I don't know. I am in awe.
So now, in my own house, with my own children, I struggle to know how to keep the things we need, without having a house full of clutter. But I think I'm getting better. (And forgive me if I'm about to sound a little bit
"Good Housekeeping.") My refrigerator is no longer a mess of papers, calendars, lists, pictures. I've labeled my magnetic clips: shopping list, calendar, school lunch list, school papers (activities, permission slips, etc) for Owen, school papers for Lauryn, athletics/activities, etc. I still have plenty of pictures on the fridge, and the bottom half of the fridge is reserved for the letter magnets every child has, recent art projects and kids' papers/creations. It really makes a difference -- I know where things are, and know how to get to them. Maybe its anal. Or maybe its elementary. But it helps me keep track of my life.
In fact, I've taken to labeling a lot. A $1 package of sticky labels and a Sharpie marker go a long way to keeping my life in order.
I've switched many of my bills to "online only" so no longer get bills in the mail. No paper, no waste, no clutter. I've tried to live by the advice of a wise woman from my youth -- only touch papers once. So when the permission slip comes home, sign it right away and give it back to the child. When the bill comes in, put it where it needs to be right away, or better yet pay it and send it off immediately.
Groceries: I think I've always been pretty organized at this, but for new reasons, I'm becoming more so. If you haven't noticed the price of EVERYTHING has gone up. So I make my grocery decisions more organized, to save the most money. Aldi's one week -- for all the stock-up pantry items, Dillons or Homeland for all the fresh I can't buy at Aldi's. The day-old bread store usually once a week. And luckily the four grocery stores I shop at regularly are within a 3 mile radius -- so I don't waste gas (i.e. $$$) driving around to the stores. I try to reuse plastic grocery sacks, or use cloth ones (Aldi's requires it). I keep an organized list to know what I need. And I am religious about reading the weekly grocery ads. I buy what's on sale, stock up, freeze and save cash, and always know what I have on hand. Keeping the pantry organized helps me from having 15 of one thing, and none of another.
Recently we've tried to empty the house quite a bit. We don't have a large house, and we've tried to put too many things in it. We got rid of some unneeded items, large and small, (garage sale, Goodwill, recycling and trash) and have taken some items to parents' (larger) houses to let them store it for us. (Thanks guys.) We'll reclaim them when we have the room someday.
Nick-nacks: I try not to have them. I've never been a huge nick-nack person anyway, but in life, you tend to collect them one way or another. Now I keep a few of them on the decorative shelves on the windows in my dining room. Most other locations in my house are pretty clear of nick-nacks -- shelves have a few pictures (but I've pared down those as well) and plenty of potted plants, but few nick-nacks. (I do break this rule to decorate for holidays -- especially Christmas. )
The kids' artwork. Now this is a tough one. We've always had the artwork everywhere. I mean everywhere. Our walls look something like a child's art gallery. And I don't have a problem with that. But I've taken with finding cheap frames or large poster frames at Goodwill, taking out the ugly photos, spray-painting the frames black, and filling them with my own kids' artwork. It "looks" less cluttered, feels more like art, and makes the house still seem kid-friendly. And now we have many Rubbermaid containers filled with art. There are still plenty of pictures just taped to the walls (the ones we have NOT recently painted!) but I actually feel like I notice the framed pictures more, I appreciate them more, I love them more, because I can see them placed, so prominently and professionally, on our walls. And the kids love it -- because they think their art is just as important as the stuff we see at the art museum. (AND IT IS!!!)
The kitchen. That's one place where I've pared down. I have gotten rid of some of the wedding present kitchen items that we never used, or had 10 of (donated them to Goodwill). I've kept the things I use, and put them in prominent, organized places. I don't have 15 mixing bowls. I have 3 that I use often. I don't have 30 different kinds of Rubbermaid/Tupperware containers that don't have lids. I have a few, just as many as I need. And a large box in the basement holds all the empty cottage cheese containers, glass jars, and plastic trays needed for whatever project needs them. And a recycling overhaul by the back door has helped keep on track with that "waste."
Really, this post isn't about organization, its a reminder to me on what my outlook on life should be. I DON"T need a lot. It clutters my life, my head, my house. It only makes me want more. I can reuse the washed out pickle jar to store something, instead of buying a whole package of "containers." I don't need fancy/schmancy items to cook my food -- a few pots and pans do just fine. I don't need a laundry organizer to keep my clothes organized. I can MAKE DO with what I have, instead of running off to the store to find more. Once again it goes back to my upbringing -- we always had what we needed, but didn't seem to have extra/unnecessary/auxiliary items. I think I've spent too long forgetting those lessons. I've WANTED too much, I've thought that a new item, a new decoration, a new SOMETHING will somehow fill a void, or give me happiness, make my house better, make my life more fulfilled. Again, it's not about the stuff -- its about the outlook. Since I've learned to live more with what I have, I seem to appreciate more of what is already in front of me. I have enough. And that, right there is the outlook I am trying to remind myself to have, everyday.
See, I've never considered myself a disorganized person, exactly. I just had my own form of organization. Piles here were dirty, these piles were clean, these piles needed to be sorted, these piles needed to be put away -- that was my basic form of organization from the early years on. My room, as a child, was rarely clean.
I think I've learned to perfect my organization skills, just a little bit, and it is certainly making my life easier. I will admit, clutter is still a problem in my life. I think I can blame/credit some of my upbringing/background. I was taught not to waste, to be frugal, to re-use whatever I could and to save things that were important, whether for emotional or practical reasons. As a child, I was never at a loss for an empty paper towel roll for an art project, an empty cottage cheese container for my latest discovery, or a freshly cleaned Styrofoam meat plate, for whatever I needed it for. I still for the LIFE of me, cannot figure out how my mother kept such a clean house, yet still had ALL of these things available, ready, tucked and filed away, for whenever we needed them. I DON"T remember piles of clutter from my childhood, yet it seemed the house was always filled with exactly what I needed. Mom, how you did it, I don't know. I am in awe.
So now, in my own house, with my own children, I struggle to know how to keep the things we need, without having a house full of clutter. But I think I'm getting better. (And forgive me if I'm about to sound a little bit
"Good Housekeeping.") My refrigerator is no longer a mess of papers, calendars, lists, pictures. I've labeled my magnetic clips: shopping list, calendar, school lunch list, school papers (activities, permission slips, etc) for Owen, school papers for Lauryn, athletics/activities, etc. I still have plenty of pictures on the fridge, and the bottom half of the fridge is reserved for the letter magnets every child has, recent art projects and kids' papers/creations. It really makes a difference -- I know where things are, and know how to get to them. Maybe its anal. Or maybe its elementary. But it helps me keep track of my life.
In fact, I've taken to labeling a lot. A $1 package of sticky labels and a Sharpie marker go a long way to keeping my life in order.
I've switched many of my bills to "online only" so no longer get bills in the mail. No paper, no waste, no clutter. I've tried to live by the advice of a wise woman from my youth -- only touch papers once. So when the permission slip comes home, sign it right away and give it back to the child. When the bill comes in, put it where it needs to be right away, or better yet pay it and send it off immediately.
Groceries: I think I've always been pretty organized at this, but for new reasons, I'm becoming more so. If you haven't noticed the price of EVERYTHING has gone up. So I make my grocery decisions more organized, to save the most money. Aldi's one week -- for all the stock-up pantry items, Dillons or Homeland for all the fresh I can't buy at Aldi's. The day-old bread store usually once a week. And luckily the four grocery stores I shop at regularly are within a 3 mile radius -- so I don't waste gas (i.e. $$$) driving around to the stores. I try to reuse plastic grocery sacks, or use cloth ones (Aldi's requires it). I keep an organized list to know what I need. And I am religious about reading the weekly grocery ads. I buy what's on sale, stock up, freeze and save cash, and always know what I have on hand. Keeping the pantry organized helps me from having 15 of one thing, and none of another.
Recently we've tried to empty the house quite a bit. We don't have a large house, and we've tried to put too many things in it. We got rid of some unneeded items, large and small, (garage sale, Goodwill, recycling and trash) and have taken some items to parents' (larger) houses to let them store it for us. (Thanks guys.) We'll reclaim them when we have the room someday.
Nick-nacks: I try not to have them. I've never been a huge nick-nack person anyway, but in life, you tend to collect them one way or another. Now I keep a few of them on the decorative shelves on the windows in my dining room. Most other locations in my house are pretty clear of nick-nacks -- shelves have a few pictures (but I've pared down those as well) and plenty of potted plants, but few nick-nacks. (I do break this rule to decorate for holidays -- especially Christmas. )
The kids' artwork. Now this is a tough one. We've always had the artwork everywhere. I mean everywhere. Our walls look something like a child's art gallery. And I don't have a problem with that. But I've taken with finding cheap frames or large poster frames at Goodwill, taking out the ugly photos, spray-painting the frames black, and filling them with my own kids' artwork. It "looks" less cluttered, feels more like art, and makes the house still seem kid-friendly. And now we have many Rubbermaid containers filled with art. There are still plenty of pictures just taped to the walls (the ones we have NOT recently painted!) but I actually feel like I notice the framed pictures more, I appreciate them more, I love them more, because I can see them placed, so prominently and professionally, on our walls. And the kids love it -- because they think their art is just as important as the stuff we see at the art museum. (AND IT IS!!!)
The kitchen. That's one place where I've pared down. I have gotten rid of some of the wedding present kitchen items that we never used, or had 10 of (donated them to Goodwill). I've kept the things I use, and put them in prominent, organized places. I don't have 15 mixing bowls. I have 3 that I use often. I don't have 30 different kinds of Rubbermaid/Tupperware containers that don't have lids. I have a few, just as many as I need. And a large box in the basement holds all the empty cottage cheese containers, glass jars, and plastic trays needed for whatever project needs them. And a recycling overhaul by the back door has helped keep on track with that "waste."
Really, this post isn't about organization, its a reminder to me on what my outlook on life should be. I DON"T need a lot. It clutters my life, my head, my house. It only makes me want more. I can reuse the washed out pickle jar to store something, instead of buying a whole package of "containers." I don't need fancy/schmancy items to cook my food -- a few pots and pans do just fine. I don't need a laundry organizer to keep my clothes organized. I can MAKE DO with what I have, instead of running off to the store to find more. Once again it goes back to my upbringing -- we always had what we needed, but didn't seem to have extra/unnecessary/auxiliary items. I think I've spent too long forgetting those lessons. I've WANTED too much, I've thought that a new item, a new decoration, a new SOMETHING will somehow fill a void, or give me happiness, make my house better, make my life more fulfilled. Again, it's not about the stuff -- its about the outlook. Since I've learned to live more with what I have, I seem to appreciate more of what is already in front of me. I have enough. And that, right there is the outlook I am trying to remind myself to have, everyday.
Friday, November 9, 2007
the last 24 hours
wonderful
a splurge and celebration
a splurge and celebration
sushi, hibachi steak, chicken, shrimp
conversations and laughs with the "iron chef"
music and smiles on an evening drive
daughter and daddy, dancing in the living room
mother and son, cuddling on the couch
glorious sleep for some
a decent night of work for others
sleep, work, school, preschool
walk through leaves, on sidewalks, over ants
tag with new friends at the park
homemade pizza, chocolate muffins
and family game night ahead
glorious
conversations and laughs with the "iron chef"
music and smiles on an evening drive
daughter and daddy, dancing in the living room
mother and son, cuddling on the couch
glorious sleep for some
a decent night of work for others
sleep, work, school, preschool
walk through leaves, on sidewalks, over ants
tag with new friends at the park
homemade pizza, chocolate muffins
and family game night ahead
glorious
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Thanksgiving feast... at school!
What a WONDERFUL opportunity for Owen and his classmates! Several classes (3rd-5th) are coming together to create an authentic Colonial American feast! On the menu: beefsteak pie, chicken pudding, savory beef stew, homemade butter, flummery, trifle, apple grunt, blueberry buckle and of course turkey.
It will be a 2-day affair -- preparing and cooking food all day. Today a sheet for parent volunteers and LOTS of donated food, came home. Owen volunteered us to bring 5 pounds of potatoes ("because I love your potatoes mom!" -- he was a bit disappointed when he found out we were just sending them raw), cinnamon, buttermilk and lots of utensils, crock pots, serving spoons, casserole dishes, etc. It is opposite of my sleep schedule, but I'll just HAVE to find a time to go in and help the kids create food -- this opportunity is just too fun to pass up!
"We get to cook it and help make all the food," says Owen. "We also get to sit at a big table and eat all of the stuff we made. I think it will be fun because I will get to sit with my friends and talk while I eat!"
Wow -- I can't remember any activities such as this from my own youth. This sounds like a GREAT opportunity and I can't wait to be a part of it!
It will be a 2-day affair -- preparing and cooking food all day. Today a sheet for parent volunteers and LOTS of donated food, came home. Owen volunteered us to bring 5 pounds of potatoes ("because I love your potatoes mom!" -- he was a bit disappointed when he found out we were just sending them raw), cinnamon, buttermilk and lots of utensils, crock pots, serving spoons, casserole dishes, etc. It is opposite of my sleep schedule, but I'll just HAVE to find a time to go in and help the kids create food -- this opportunity is just too fun to pass up!
"We get to cook it and help make all the food," says Owen. "We also get to sit at a big table and eat all of the stuff we made. I think it will be fun because I will get to sit with my friends and talk while I eat!"
Wow -- I can't remember any activities such as this from my own youth. This sounds like a GREAT opportunity and I can't wait to be a part of it!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Waterboarding Commentary
If you have about 11 minutes, please consider watching this commentary on President Bush, torture, the legacy of his presidency and just how much we have to be worried about, with this man in charge.
Commentary from Keith Olbermann, one of the few prime-time cable news anchors/pundits that I trust to give me information on the days events.
Special Comment: On waterboarding and torture
Commentary from Keith Olbermann, one of the few prime-time cable news anchors/pundits that I trust to give me information on the days events.
Special Comment: On waterboarding and torture
My latest obsession
Sushi. I love it. Just a few short years ago, I could have honestly said sushi was something I'd tried once or twice in passing and didn't have much of an opinion on. But now, I love it. My adventurous husband has helped me to broaden my taste buds, and I must admit that sushi is a taste I now cannot get enough of.
It has become our new tradition, that if we have a meal time, without children, we head to a local sushi restaurant that we have become quite fond of. Mind you, this doesn't happen often. Its been a couple of months since our last sushi adventure.
Why always sushi? I see it this way: going out to eat is a rarity for us, it is special. So I'm not going to go to a pizza place, or a pasta place, or a burger joint. I am quite capable of cooking all of those foods myself, and don't need to pay some chain $10 for a plate of spaghetti. So we get sushi, a culinary feats that I have not attempted in my own home.
That is, until now.
We've begun to get a few items to start the sushi making process.
Nori (seaweed paper) sushi vinegar, the specific sushi rice. We need a few more items before we will attempt it. We'll have to head to s specialty store to get the pickled ginger and the wasabi. ( And do I really need the sushi mat for rolling? Hmm, I'll think about that one. )
And of course, when we're ready we will need the fresh food items. I realize that my neighborhood grocery store may not have the freshest sushi meat available. I get it. I may have to use some of the imitations -- crab meat, salmon, things like that. But there are some Asian specialty stores in our town that may have a few other items we're looking for. Our favorite is unagi, or eel. Not exactly sure what the availability of such an item is, but we'll be looking for it.
Why the interest to make it myself? The practical, to begin with. I've always come from the school of thought that if you can make it yourself, you will often save time and money, no matter what the project. But I also am looking forward to the challenge. Cooking, baking, food preparation -- it is something I enjoy. I like the gratification of seeing, eating and enjoying something that I have created, from scratch. And without boasting, I think I've gotten pretty good at the whole cooking thing. This is now a whole new type of food preparation that I'm interested in creating. I've now mastered the Asian dressing that often comes with a salad at a sushi restaurant. Goodness knows I know how to steam rice -- so sushi is the next unconquered adventure.
We plan to practice, and enjoy our new sushi-making adventure at home. I hope I won't be disappointed. But as in everything, practice makes perfect. I'm well aware I will probably deal with some flops.
If you are among the few that I will be seeing around the holidays you may just have to watch out -- I may be bringing ungai rolls instead of sugar cookies to the holiday table!
Thursday, November 1, 2007
War
I was listening to NPR, just moments ago, and heard a report that Paul Tibbets,
the man who piloted the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb, died today. He was 92 years old. 
I listened to an old interview, done a few years ago. He described the event -- dropping the bomb, steering steeply upward, the taste of lead in his mouth, and the complete destruction he saw below. He saw it as a necessity to end the war.
It got me thinking -- how my children have grown up with war. Owen, 8, Lauryn 4, have known war for all or most of their lives. Owen was 2 on 9/11. I was pregnant with Lauryn when we invaded Iraq.
It is no secret that I am a pacifist -- a position that has been rarely understood in my business. Sure, now, everyone is on the Anti-Iraq war bandwagon -- too many soldier's killed, we've been there too long, we shouldn't have gone in, in the first place.
But I remember sitting in my news director's office on that morning when we saw the bombs going off. We later saw the U.S. troops take Baghdad. We all sat, producers, reporters, news directors, even an anchor or two, watching destruction, watching bombs explode, watching Saddam's statue be toppled and face quickly covered with an American flag, only to be replaced with an Iraqi one.
And here's the thought that scares me -- my co workers cheered. Out loud. They cheered and clapped their hands, gave high fives, and "Whoo-hoo!"s. This was nothing more than an action movie being played out live before their eyes.
I sat quietly then, watching it all, not wanting to speak, not feeling like I knew what to say, but sitting with a sick feeling in my stomach. We were going to war. Again.
In the coming weeks we would be told how the "Research" should dictate our news coverage of the war. Surveys showed that people don't want to see news about protesters, or the "Muslim reaction" 
or hear about soldier deaths. Instead they want to see flags wave, and hear patriotic songs, and talk to military wives, proud of their husbands.. off at war. It was about the same time that my boss said something to the effect of: "war protesters are just a bunch of unemployed, hippie, stoners anyway." As you might guess, I ripped into him for that one, politely telling him that that was the most ignorant statement I had ever heard, and that he had no right to stomp on my values and my religious beliefs. He backed off.
Now, many of those people who cheered and high-fived the war nearly 5 years ago, now see the war as flawed, a mistake, a mess we don't know how to get out of. (I doubt my boss is one of them.)
I don't dislike this war because it was flawed and unnecessary. (Although it was.) I dislike this war, because it is war. My children have grown up with war constantly on the television and a discussion at the dinner table. I hate it. I don't know how to explain it to them. I don't know how to explain why I find myself crying at the end of a war story on Nightly News. I don't know how to explain it to myself, why should I be able to make sense of it to an 8 year old?
My coworker that I work with everyday has a son in Iraq. This is his 3rd deployment. My co-worker is actually a bit of a retired hippie himself, so this war is hard for him. He supports his son, and his decision to become a military man. But he doesn't support the war. I can't see a story about the war, without realizing that someone who I see nearly everyday, has a child over there, fighting.
Is war necessary? Is it a part of life I will have to get used to? I don't really want to get into that discussion. I just know that my children have grown up during war time, and as a pacifist mother, I have a hard time knowing how to explain that. Will their lives forever be affected by this? How will their generation deal with it? How much more of their lives will they be forced to see this war? And how many more will come in their lifetimes? How many more are going on right now, that they don't even know about? How many more will we all have to see? Will I ever really be able to teach them what peace is all about? Do I know how to spread peace?
the man who piloted the aircraft that dropped the first atomic bomb, died today. He was 92 years old. 
I listened to an old interview, done a few years ago. He described the event -- dropping the bomb, steering steeply upward, the taste of lead in his mouth, and the complete destruction he saw below. He saw it as a necessity to end the war.It got me thinking -- how my children have grown up with war. Owen, 8, Lauryn 4, have known war for all or most of their lives. Owen was 2 on 9/11. I was pregnant with Lauryn when we invaded Iraq.
It is no secret that I am a pacifist -- a position that has been rarely understood in my business. Sure, now, everyone is on the Anti-Iraq war bandwagon -- too many soldier's killed, we've been there too long, we shouldn't have gone in, in the first place.
But I remember sitting in my news director's office on that morning when we saw the bombs going off. We later saw the U.S. troops take Baghdad. We all sat, producers, reporters, news directors, even an anchor or two, watching destruction, watching bombs explode, watching Saddam's statue be toppled and face quickly covered with an American flag, only to be replaced with an Iraqi one.
And here's the thought that scares me -- my co workers cheered. Out loud. They cheered and clapped their hands, gave high fives, and "Whoo-hoo!"s. This was nothing more than an action movie being played out live before their eyes.I sat quietly then, watching it all, not wanting to speak, not feeling like I knew what to say, but sitting with a sick feeling in my stomach. We were going to war. Again.
In the coming weeks we would be told how the "Research" should dictate our news coverage of the war. Surveys showed that people don't want to see news about protesters, or the "Muslim reaction" 
or hear about soldier deaths. Instead they want to see flags wave, and hear patriotic songs, and talk to military wives, proud of their husbands.. off at war. It was about the same time that my boss said something to the effect of: "war protesters are just a bunch of unemployed, hippie, stoners anyway." As you might guess, I ripped into him for that one, politely telling him that that was the most ignorant statement I had ever heard, and that he had no right to stomp on my values and my religious beliefs. He backed off.Now, many of those people who cheered and high-fived the war nearly 5 years ago, now see the war as flawed, a mistake, a mess we don't know how to get out of. (I doubt my boss is one of them.)
I don't dislike this war because it was flawed and unnecessary. (Although it was.) I dislike this war, because it is war. My children have grown up with war constantly on the television and a discussion at the dinner table. I hate it. I don't know how to explain it to them. I don't know how to explain why I find myself crying at the end of a war story on Nightly News. I don't know how to explain it to myself, why should I be able to make sense of it to an 8 year old?
My coworker that I work with everyday has a son in Iraq. This is his 3rd deployment. My co-worker is actually a bit of a retired hippie himself, so this war is hard for him. He supports his son, and his decision to become a military man. But he doesn't support the war. I can't see a story about the war, without realizing that someone who I see nearly everyday, has a child over there, fighting.
Is war necessary? Is it a part of life I will have to get used to? I don't really want to get into that discussion. I just know that my children have grown up during war time, and as a pacifist mother, I have a hard time knowing how to explain that. Will their lives forever be affected by this? How will their generation deal with it? How much more of their lives will they be forced to see this war? And how many more will come in their lifetimes? How many more are going on right now, that they don't even know about? How many more will we all have to see? Will I ever really be able to teach them what peace is all about? Do I know how to spread peace?
Monday, October 29, 2007
I'm sick...
... and waiting to go to the Doc tomorrow. Hopefully she'll tell me its not Strep throat again. Or if it is, prescribe some generic RX pretty fast...
... in my last 4 days in bed, in sweats, in the bath... had time to think, relax, catch up on time inside my own head...
... completely sick of magazines, books, TV, movies, baths,sleep and time inside my own head, I organized 4 years of pictures today (seriously, Lauryn's photo album ends at 2 months...sigh..)... Now 100+ rolls of film are organized and ready to be put into albums... sigh... 6 more rolls yet to be developed....
...stressing out because my best friend at work has to fill in on my very odd shift... my sickness means her inconvenience and lack of sleep...
...hoping I'm feeling better for a big night of trick or treating... the little pink witch and Ninja Turtle are excited...
... hoping tonight will be a restful night of sleep, no weird sickness dreams, no waking up to a searing throat, no strange wake-ups at 3 a.m. wondering where I am and why I feel so bad...
Here's hoping modern medicine, lots of hot baths, hot tea, noodle soup, rest and a little bit of love will have me on my feet again soon.
... in my last 4 days in bed, in sweats, in the bath... had time to think, relax, catch up on time inside my own head...
... completely sick of magazines, books, TV, movies, baths,sleep and time inside my own head, I organized 4 years of pictures today (seriously, Lauryn's photo album ends at 2 months.
...stressing out because my best friend at work has to fill in on my very odd shift... my sickness means her inconvenience and lack of sleep...
...hoping I'm feeling better for a big night of trick or treating... the little pink witch and Ninja Turtle are excited...
... hoping tonight will be a restful night of sleep, no weird sickness dreams, no waking up to a searing throat, no strange wake-ups at 3 a.m. wondering where I am and why I feel so bad...
Here's hoping modern medicine, lots of hot baths, hot tea, noodle soup, rest and a little bit of love will have me on my feet again soon.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
90 minutes and counting....
...to the CLEVELAND INDIANS game! They're up in the series 3-1 against Boston and tonight is their last game at home. A win tonight and they'll be heading to the WORLD SERIES! Keeping my fingers crossed!
GO TRIBE!
Surprises in film...
Yesterday I found 2 rolls of film in the bottom of a purse that I hadn't used in a while. No idea what's on them. I will get to the photo shop eventually to see what's on my mystery rolls.
In the meantime, developed a few disposable cameras that I stash in cars, purses, bags etc. for when I want a camera RIGHT NOW. One had everything from snow out at the farm last winter...
to last spring's class trip to the zoo (other kids cut out of photo, didn't seem right to post without permission)...
Owen and Lauryn hanging out in the hot tub ("the warm pool" as lauryn calls it) on our impromptu vacation this summer...
and some fun in the sprinkler outside the house.
Hmm. A few more disposables to develop... I wonder what beautiful memories and surprises I'll find next!
In the meantime, developed a few disposable cameras that I stash in cars, purses, bags etc. for when I want a camera RIGHT NOW. One had everything from snow out at the farm last winter...
to last spring's class trip to the zoo (other kids cut out of photo, didn't seem right to post without permission)...
Owen and Lauryn hanging out in the hot tub ("the warm pool" as lauryn calls it) on our impromptu vacation this summer...
and some fun in the sprinkler outside the house.
Hmm. A few more disposables to develop... I wonder what beautiful memories and surprises I'll find next!
Way to go, Kansas!
Kansas has denied an air quality permit for an electric plant to build what would have been one of the largest coal-fired plants in the country. The $3.9 billion dollar plant, to be located in Holcomb, was harshly criticized by environmentalists (otherwise known as people who care about the world we're giving to our kids, and don't like dirty air.)
This isn't the end of the debate. Legal action, legislation, etc. will follow. A bunch of people are ticked off because of the "economic impact" it would have brought to western Kansas.
But I applaud the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment and the governor for saying this leads straight into more eco-friendly power options. ( I mean seriously people, have you ever been in Kansas on a windy day? KANSAS has plenty of wind to power our state. And solar? C'mon people, Kansas has more sunny days per year than the "Sunshine state," Florida. ) WE CAN do this... even in a red state. Today's decision won't be final, but it was a GREAT first step towards the changes that this country needs to make.
Kansas, You Rock.
Unfortunately my comments are considered "radical." I know way too many people who think Global Warming is a hoax and wind energy is really just filling our countryside with large, loud eye sores. Well fine, say what you may. I've never been ashamed to call myself a granola tree-hugger. All I know is that I want to hand this earth over to my kids in the best possible shape I can. And if that means wind energy, solar energy, recycling, conserving, and just in general being a good steward to the earth, then call me whatever name you want. Guilty as charged.
Read the whole story in the Lawrence Journal World.
Another story from KSN the night before KDHE's decision.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Will blog again soon...
I meant to start this whole blog experience, so that I could keep everyone in the know. I seem to have fallen a bit off of the wagon.
It has been a busy, although not entirely eventful, few weeks. Everyday has seemed full, even if the amount of activities I am involved in, do not seem to add up to much. The laundry never seems done, the dishes never seem to get taken out of the dishwasher, I feel like I'm running around constantly getting someplace ten minutes late. And despite a few days off from work, I still feel like I haven't had much time to do anything, or really accomplish a major goal.
The weather may be a contributing factor. It is getting cooler, and for a few days it has been dreary. I forget how much I get used to the Kansas sun, until it spends a few days behind the clouds.
Maybe its just the time of the year -- knowing winter and the holidays are coming soon, I feel the need to collect and conquer like the squirrels -- everything must be in place, all the loose ends tied, time to settle in for a long-winter slumber.
Work is always a contributor to my mood. We're being sold again which means new insurance info, new papers to fill out, new policies to learn (or worry about, since we haven't been told what they are yet.) New worries to concern oneself with.... even if the worries are over the unknown.
Its not all gloom -- soccer is in full swing. We're enjoying Saturday morning games, and using
the opportunity to catch up with the grandparents, while sitting on the sidelines. We're knee deep in Halloween costumes (Owen decided on a Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle -- it has been quite easy to make. Lauryn was less decisive -- everything from Darth Vader to Harry Potter to a Princess. In the end she picked pink and purple spiderweb fabric and decided to be a witch.) It feels good to use my sewing machine again, have the satisfaction of a finished product that began with simple fabric and thread. Pictures and details will come eventually.
I got some more painting done in the living room -- working on the trim that I had failed to finish in the big remodel this spring. Still have a few hours of work left though. The trim around my decorative windows and bookshelves is pain-staking work, but thoroughly rewarding when done.
And we have another Indians game to look forward to tonight: Game 4 at home, Indians lead the series 2-1. For the first time in 12 years, could the Tribe be heading back to the World Series....
So ... time to get back to the laundry and making pumpkin muffins with Lauryn. She's working on creating her own miner's hat (a visor with a flashlight strapped to it) right now. Owen has returned to school, after a 4 day weekend and a week of half days due to PT conferences and in- services. He will settle back into a routine soon. So will we all.
Now Lauryn has another idea. "Can we play this game of Harry Potter UNO together, ma?" (she loves Snape and Hagrid, and used to call Draco Malfoy "Mouse-Boy." I'm sure it was always just a toddler's pronunciation -- but I always considered it accurate personality labeling. This kid is perceptive like her father, when it comes to things like that.)
So can we play UNO? "Of course Lauryn. Of course," I say as she runs up with bright eyes and a brighter smile, "Look, I found Hagrid, ma, HAGRID!"
It has been a busy, although not entirely eventful, few weeks. Everyday has seemed full, even if the amount of activities I am involved in, do not seem to add up to much. The laundry never seems done, the dishes never seem to get taken out of the dishwasher, I feel like I'm running around constantly getting someplace ten minutes late. And despite a few days off from work, I still feel like I haven't had much time to do anything, or really accomplish a major goal.
The weather may be a contributing factor. It is getting cooler, and for a few days it has been dreary. I forget how much I get used to the Kansas sun, until it spends a few days behind the clouds.
Maybe its just the time of the year -- knowing winter and the holidays are coming soon, I feel the need to collect and conquer like the squirrels -- everything must be in place, all the loose ends tied, time to settle in for a long-winter slumber.
Work is always a contributor to my mood. We're being sold again which means new insurance info, new papers to fill out, new policies to learn (or worry about, since we haven't been told what they are yet.) New worries to concern oneself with.... even if the worries are over the unknown.
Its not all gloom -- soccer is in full swing. We're enjoying Saturday morning games, and using
the opportunity to catch up with the grandparents, while sitting on the sidelines. We're knee deep in Halloween costumes (Owen decided on a Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle -- it has been quite easy to make. Lauryn was less decisive -- everything from Darth Vader to Harry Potter to a Princess. In the end she picked pink and purple spiderweb fabric and decided to be a witch.) It feels good to use my sewing machine again, have the satisfaction of a finished product that began with simple fabric and thread. Pictures and details will come eventually.
I got some more painting done in the living room -- working on the trim that I had failed to finish in the big remodel this spring. Still have a few hours of work left though. The trim around my decorative windows and bookshelves is pain-staking work, but thoroughly rewarding when done.
And we have another Indians game to look forward to tonight: Game 4 at home, Indians lead the series 2-1. For the first time in 12 years, could the Tribe be heading back to the World Series....
So ... time to get back to the laundry and making pumpkin muffins with Lauryn. She's working on creating her own miner's hat (a visor with a flashlight strapped to it) right now. Owen has returned to school, after a 4 day weekend and a week of half days due to PT conferences and in- services. He will settle back into a routine soon. So will we all.
Now Lauryn has another idea. "Can we play this game of Harry Potter UNO together, ma?" (she loves Snape and Hagrid, and used to call Draco Malfoy "Mouse-Boy." I'm sure it was always just a toddler's pronunciation -- but I always considered it accurate personality labeling. This kid is perceptive like her father, when it comes to things like that.)
So can we play UNO? "Of course Lauryn. Of course," I say as she runs up with bright eyes and a brighter smile, "Look, I found Hagrid, ma, HAGRID!"
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Fun with light...
Owen and Lauryn think this video is pretty cool.... so do I!
(Technique achieved by setting the camera to long time exposure and writing with flash lights on the landscape.)
(Technique achieved by setting the camera to long time exposure and writing with flash lights on the landscape.)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Lauryn's Birthday Party
Lauryn's Birthday Party 
Got Lauryn's birthday party pictures developed -- here they are!
Lauryn loved her Sponge bob cake. (Even if she only ate the frosting.)
It wasn't a very hard cake to make -- just a rectangle with some candies (fruit roll ups, starburst, rollos) to make the accessories. It would have been easier if I had found my cake decorating supplies. That was done almost entirely with some careful knife work. (I'm starting to think I might have put my container with all the decorating supplies on the garage sale. That will tick me off. Hmm maybe I'll find it some day.)
After our meal (of mostly frosting and candy, on Lauryn's part) she opened her gifts. Needless to say they mostly looked like this (above). She enjoyed it.
(By the way -- the crown was from preschool that day. Her first party at school! She took cupcakes.)
Then it was off to the Keeper of the plains. As I've already mentioned (see "Lauryn's Birthday" blog for more details) the rings of fire didn't go off at the Keeper -- but it was still a good time.
Here's a look at the grandparents at the Keeper with their grandkids.
Fun was had by all!
Build A Bear
Build-A-Bear
For Lauryn's 4th birthday one set of grandparents (should I use last names on the Internet? I've decided not) decided to get Lauryn a bear from "Build A Bear" a very successful money-maker that sucks you in from every angle (and I'm only a little bit bitter about that -- read on.)
For those who have never experienced the phenomenon -- I'll walk you through it. (It was my first time too..)
First, you pick your bear. They all come undressed, un-stuffed -- you pick out your style. (left -- although she didn't pick out the ghost that she's appears to be interested in, in this photo.)
Next you take it to this magical place where a nice lady stuffs it full of fluff with her special reverse vacuum device. You can add sounds, or personal messages recorded onto the sounds. (You know, the kind where you press the arm and it says "I love you!")
(left) Them you get to pick out a red velvet heart, give it a kiss, hug it, place it on your forehead to give it good thoughts and place it in the nearly stuffed bear. (I told you, these guys are good.)
Then you are told it is time to wash and groom your new bear. But wash only with their special showers (below) -- never with real water.
Then you check out a very large selection of clothes, accessories, shoes, play items (for your bear), bags, toys, etc. This is where they really get you to spend the bucks. Lauryn was not at all greedy and picked out a ballerina outfit for her bear (okay, its really a cat.)(Right) Dressing the bear in the dressing room (complete with little studio lights and a mirror.)
After making a birth certificate for your bear (the keyboard is child-ized, so even the kids can fill out some of the information on the computer), and of course having the appropriate adult pay the bill, you get a beautiful new bear, which you stuffed with love, that is yours to keep.Okay -- let's admit, its a very clever ploy to get adults to spend a fortune on a stuffed animal. You can do it for a very economical choice, depending on the bear, clothes, accessories (or lack there of) , or you can spend a ton, getting every last item for your special bear. Let's just say we were pretty restrained on our trip -- I think it helps that Lauryn isn't used to getting everything she wants. But if I had a spoiled child... boy, you might need a second mortgage...
Okay, yes, its a ploy. Yes, its very clever. Yes I'm sure they're making a decent profit on us. But check out that smile (left) and can you really call this a bad thing? C'mon people. She loved it . (And keep in mind she is REALLY into stuffed animals -- or stuffties as she calls them, Owen made that one up -- right now. She sleeps in about a 1/3 of her bed, the rest of it is with her stufftie friends.) She played it up and had a great time. Now what can be wrong with that? A little bit of common sense, and restraint, and the Build-A-Bear experience can be a very nice one. And it was for little miss Lauryn. (And the adults who accompanied her, I might add.)
More Summer Activities
The Last Of The Summer...
Just a few more pictures of what we did this summer:
(left) A picnic along the walking path of the Keeper of the Plains (I told you we loved that place...)
(Below) What the Keeper looks like with the fire rings on.... at least most of them.
In Old Town Square, waiting for Brad to pick up some sushi for us (Brad and Rachel, the kids' taste buds aren't that adventurous yet -- we've tried.)
Monday, September 10, 2007
Owen's Supper
Owen made supper tonight. He came up with a brand new idea: hamburgers (that he fried himself on the skillet), cut up hot dogs (ditto), cheese, and other hamburger condiments, on a bun. He did everything -- while I stood by ready to help, or provide guidance. They were amazingly good -- he was so proud of himself, and excited to try another new recipe soon! (And wow, I didn't have to make supper!)
Locks of Love
After growing out my hair for several years (which started, by the way, due to one too many bad, cheap haircuts) I cut about 13+ inches off this summer to donate to Locks of Love. My hair will be given to juvenile cancer patients. ( In the form of a wig -- not just in a clump. Wanted to clear that up.)
Here's a look at the "before."
For a look at the after, you'll have to check out the Professor Trelawney look in the Harry Potter blog -- not quite my "natural" look, but you get the idea.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Lauryn's Birthday
Lauryn is 4!We celebrated Lauryn's birthday on Saturday. She is now 4! Pardon the lack of pictures, like I said, no digital camera means no instant photographic gratification.
We began with a get together at our house with the grandparents with a homemade Spongebob cake, crabby patties (hamburgers), fruits and veggies. The eating didn't last long before Lauryn was ready to open up presents!
After playing with her new toys and gifts, we all got in our cars and headed to the newly renovated Keeper of the Plains -- one of Lauryn's favorite places. We got there right at 9 p.m. in hopes of seeing the "ring of fire" light up all around the base of the structure, in rocks in the waters of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers. It would have been an amazing sight -- but for some reason the fire didn't turn on. It happens -- sometimes due to water levels or maintenance or somebody screwing around with the sensors in the water (a seriously dumb thing -- swimming in the water to mess with giant fire balls -- not smart.)
But we had a good time anyway, walking around the keeper, the pedestrian bridges over the rivers and listening to Owen be our tour guide.
Sometime I'll get the photos of the party developed, and post those too -- but for now an old pic I took of the Keeper will have to do. To see what its supposed to look like with the fire, check out the city's Keeper of the Plains website.
We began with a get together at our house with the grandparents with a homemade Spongebob cake, crabby patties (hamburgers), fruits and veggies. The eating didn't last long before Lauryn was ready to open up presents!
After playing with her new toys and gifts, we all got in our cars and headed to the newly renovated Keeper of the Plains -- one of Lauryn's favorite places. We got there right at 9 p.m. in hopes of seeing the "ring of fire" light up all around the base of the structure, in rocks in the waters of the Big and Little Arkansas Rivers. It would have been an amazing sight -- but for some reason the fire didn't turn on. It happens -- sometimes due to water levels or maintenance or somebody screwing around with the sensors in the water (a seriously dumb thing -- swimming in the water to mess with giant fire balls -- not smart.)
But we had a good time anyway, walking around the keeper, the pedestrian bridges over the rivers and listening to Owen be our tour guide.
Sometime I'll get the photos of the party developed, and post those too -- but for now an old pic I took of the Keeper will have to do. To see what its supposed to look like with the fire, check out the city's Keeper of the Plains website.
Harry Potter Summer
Harry Potter SummerOf course there was a consistent theme to the summer -- Harry Potter!
Early in the summer, Owen and I went to the Kansas Cosmosphere, for an entire day of HP events. He competed in the costume competition (left), we learned about the science of broom aerodynamics, learned how to make various items like "dragon snot," "invisible ink" and a few other interesting concoctions in Dr. Goddard's Lab.
The day finished with the showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in IMAX, before we stopped at "Bogey's" for shakes! Yum!
Next of course, was the release of the movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Owen and I dressed up as Harry and Professor Trelawney. We got a few looks in the movie theatre, but we had a great time. We enjoyed the movie... even if they did leave out WAY too much...
Playing up the part (I'm holding the prophesy.)
Lauryn, as Professor Trelawney. She didn't go to the movie, but has her own Hermione outfit!
And of course the big event of the summer: the release of book 7. Oh I can't believe it's actually over. Sigh.
Owen spent about a week straight in this position (left.) He read the entire thing himself -- the largest book he's ever read. He and I did read the last two chapters together -- to experience the end of the series together. (We read the first 6 together when he was in 1st grade.) I was glad he let me be a part of it. He had several very late nights, and spent nearly every waking moment curled up with that book, even in the midst of visitors from Denmark and a trip out of town. We laughed, we cried, we loved it.
Still can't believe there is no more Harry Potter to look forward to...
Sporting Summer
Owen's Sporting SummerHis favorite stroke was the breaststroke, although he tried others during the meets as well. He was only one of a few kids in his age group to attempt the butterfly -- a very difficult stroke -- we were so proud!
He and his relay team even managed a 2nd place finish in one of their meets! Awesome!!
Owen also played baseball this summer. He was lucky to be on a team with one of his best friends from school, Cole.
It was a great team-building experience -- Owen had a great attitude and helped bring togetherness to the team. He got quite a few hits. These photos are of his home run! (Thanks to a few errors by the other team!)
Of course the favorite part of any game was the treat and drink after the game!
What I did this summer V.2 Summer Visits
Summer Visitors The family didn't make any major trips this summer. Instead we let the visitors come to us!
Brent visited in early summer and again at the end of summer, from Iowa. The kids loved joking around with him, and the adults enjoyed catching up together.
In July, Ryan and Marie and their son Elliot visited from Denmark! The last time they visited, Elliot was just a few months old -- this time he was nearly 2. (He and Lauryn are just one day apart in birthdays, 2 years apart.) It was great to catch up! Brad spent some time at their family's cabin, helping build a deck.
Ryan, Marie and Elliot spent some time at our home, at their home, at the park -- we were also able to spend some time with some other old friends. It was once again refreshing to realize that neither time nor miles of distance can get in the middle of friendships.
Owen and Lauryn LOVED playing with Elliot! Owen was proud to be the "big kid" and take charge, and Lauryn loved having a taste of that herself. She played with Elliot like she plays with her dolls and stuffed animals -- she "took care of him!" They loved talking to Elliot, and he loved talking back.. in a little English, little Danish!
Now we can't wait for the next visit from our Danish friends... when the children will likely be 2 years older!
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