Our Hapa Home

Soccer Season returns!

2010-10-06T08:56:00.000-07:00

Soccer season is back in swing. Dan's team has by now played 5 games, losing only 1. He's having a great time, playing some time at goal keeper and forward. Here's a great shot of him returning the ball after stopping a goal attempt.

And Dan at forward.

He so loves playing soccer, and he's become really quite a good player.

Santa Fe Renaissance Fair

2010-10-06T08:26:00.000-07:00

We also visited the Renaissance Fair in September. We saw the usual games and performance by Clan Tynker and picnicked. Dan almost got the prize on the Jacob's Ladder game.

Andy had to try out the stocks.

We also saw the small mill that was running, learned about how the mill works and that traditionally it was tended by children.

There was a CSA encampment, with archery, caber toss and other games. No jousting this year much to Dan's dismay. The guys hiked up -- while I enjoyed some quiet time by the stream in the shade -- and found a school house exhibit set up with games and items used in schools in times past. We shopped at the booths, and after much consideration and comparison, Dan bought a few things.

State Fair

2010-10-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

We spent an afternoon at the Fair last month. I didn't get a lot of pictures, but we did see a lot.

We watched a BMX demonstration show that was awesome! Riders on bicycles and skateboards, and even a guy on roller blades, flipping and jumping over each others -- and an audience volunteer.

We checked out the lego models and stamp collections and coin collections, homemade quilts and watched a bit of the chocolate contest (while wondering how one can become a taste tester in that competition); saw horses and blacksmiths and tried several exhibits at the Kids' Pavilion.

The prized buy of the State Fair this year, tho, is clackers! Remember those from the 70's?

By far, the coolest show of the day was the Mapapa African Acrobat Dancers. They were amazingly talented and funny and just all around fun to watch!

Botanic Gardens

2010-10-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

We spent a wonderful afternoon at the Botanic Gardens, toured the butterfly pavilion, walked the trails and saw so much.

At the water's edge, leaving the butterfly exhibit, we saw several bullfrogs, and some things we first thought were worms, or maybe larvae. As we looked around to see what they might be, we determined they were some kind of seeds dropped from trees. We also saw some amazing lotus blossoms in the ponds along the way.

Dan showed his balance beam skills at the fountain's edge.

We saw this HUGE spider in her web at the rose garden. We were all impressed with the ziz zag woven into the web, and later looked it up to find that it's common in the webs of this species of spider.

Outside the Mediterranean Gardens, where the bug exhibit had grasshoppers several inches long! Some gross, equally big roaches too.

We walked back to the Japanese Gardens where Dan we saw a tiny, perfectly still bunny, and Dan was mobbed by enormous koi hoping he'd brought food along.

Four Corners

2010-10-06T07:44:00.001-07:00

In early September, we took a trip to Four Corners. Okay, so not a glamorous trip, but a cool place Dan really wanted to see. Long drive up and back, but we had a wonderful time, with a lot of rambling conversations, the connections impossible to trace back.

When I pulled the camera out, the batteries were almost dead, which for some reason means the camera takes pink pictures! I tweaked the pix as best I could, deleted those that were entirely pink and here's what was left.

Gary, Andy & Dan. Andy is now taller than Gary (just in the past month or so)! When did they get so big?

Andy standing at the exact point (tho we later learned it may be off by either a small bit or a lot, who depending on which survey methods one credits) where the four states meet.

Standing wasn't comical enough for Gary, and the boys insisted I get a picture of Dad being silly. Really, an amazing number of people there take odd poses -- like crabs, or sitting with feet and hand each in a different state.

Andy brought his yo-yo of course, and walked around the site, pausing to do a trick, Around the World (I think) in each of the four states.

Again, when did Andy get so tall? I ask myself that question every time I look UP at my sweet Andy.

Cliff Jumping in the Jemez

2010-10-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

A beautiful August day in the Jemez Mountains with friends. We hiked about 2 miles in, winding back and forth across a stream. We all had a fabulous time, and I wish I'd taken more pictures. There were cows and cold water crossings, and slippery rocks and just so much I forgot my camera as we hiked in.

The water was freezing! Not cold enough to stop the kids, tho. Andy didn't jump from any cliffs, but he spent hours (really, hours!) in the water in a pool that we estimated to be about 15' deep.

Dan did jump, from a few different spots, climbing up the rocks like a pro.

Andy had a great time getting acquainted with a cousin of the friends who led the hike. As we hiked back, Dan and his buddies wanted to catch fish. By the end of the hike out, Andy, Kale (the cousin) and I had fallen far behind and were walking out alone, when the herd of cows decided they were not going to let us cross the stream the final time to get back to the trail out. We thought about climbing up to the road, but really didn't want to go the extra distance. I considered letting Andy be our ambassador to the cows, since he's the only vegetarian. After a few minutes, the cows moved on and we finished our hike.

We'll definitely make this hike against next summer, and bring Gary along.

Wow! it's been too long!

2010-10-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

A recent online discussion reminded me it's been ages since I updated the family blog. It's been a busy summer and fall, and and too long since I posted any photos of the boys or what we've been up to.

So here goes....

We attended an Isotopes game after the boys won free tickets at a city parks event. Andy insisted on sitting with Homer for a picture.

Over the years, we've spent lots of time at Ironwood Farms, helping out and just hanging out with friends. Just this summer, Andy is pitching in for pay. He really enjoys both the chance to make some money and the physical work of helping Chris. Andy & Chris were moving fence posts this afternoon back in August.

Dan, Scotty & Eliza spend hours driving Scotty's rider mower around the farm. They also use it to deliver bales of hay to the livestock. Dan really enjoys his time on the rider mower.

Cliff Jumping in the Jemez

2010-08-11T09:37:00.001-07:00

No photos of actual jumping. I did get a few jumping pix, and I took many more water/kid/tribe pix, but I've already spent way too much on the computer this lovely day, so I'm calling it done with these! We had a fabulous time. The two-mile hike was beautiful, with about a dozen river crossings, so we had lots of water time. The views were fantastic. The drive home was so much fun, singing to the radio, talking, and enjoying the view of Sandia at sunset from an angle we seldom see. Just a lovely day from start to finish!

Andy was in heaven, and spent most of his afternoon in the VERY cold water!

proof that it was very cold -- Dan is shivering!

watching others jump from the cliff into the pool

on the cliffs above the river.

Old Town Ghost Tour

2010-08-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Recently, we spent an evening -- a lovely, cool, rainy, stormy evening -- on a personal ghost tour of Albuquerque's Old Town. We had a great time, even when the sky opened up and glorious rain poured down on us!Andy, at the bottom of a staircase where, stories say, a young woman's ghost jumps out and pushes people down the stairs.

Gary, being funny -- and cute!

Andy jumped out to scare the others during the Story of the Red Hand, about a woman who axed her cheating fiance to death -- and got away with it!

More story-telling

I love this photo -- Andy has such a beautiful laugh!

Emma & Dan using the ouija board. The kids really enjoyed that one!

Dan & Emma

Messy Art Day

2010-05-03T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today, the tribe had our first Messy Art Day and it was so much fun we're thinking about doing this 3 or 4 times a year!

We had tie-dyed t-shirts made with magic markers and rubbing alcohol, plaster of paris casts of hand and foot prints decorated with shells, marbles and bottle caps, modeling clay, a spin art machine, and a group effort to paint a bed sheet for a park day blanket. I didn't get pictures of everything, but I did get several of the sheet painting in progress. The kids had a blast!

the crew and the blank canvas

about halfway thru

add some more paint, and check out Forest's snazzy hat!

Andy's contribution

add some more paint, both spray and with brushes

add some more creativity

almost done.....

the finished product, with some of the crew (those willing to pose for the photo)
And here it is in all its glory

We had such an amazing time! I love our tribe, and our amazing unschooling, creativity-filled life!

Could I do the work?

2010-04-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

I was reading over at Ronnie's blog Zombie Princess her newest post about *must learn* lists. I gave a quick reply, then thought of a longer one, and when I found it was becoming longer than a facebook status update, decided to move it over here.

Yesterday, Gary, Andy and I had a conversation about driver's ed next year (really, we're already at that point?!) as well as Andy's desire to do some volunteer work. I told Andy both of those were very likely to require writing. I casually offered that I'd be happy to help him with that whenever he felt ready, knowing that his handwriting can be hard for even him to read at times. He just as casually said he'd remember that. I was feeling a little sad that maybe we're at a point where Andy might be concerned about being judged for what he's learned. I was also just a little concerned about how I could help him through the upcoming times.

Then today, somehow the boys and I wandered into a conversation about what grade they'd be in. They've recently made some friends who go to school, so it's become a topic. Whenever it comes up, I tell them what grade they're in on paper for homeschool registration purposes, but it seems they forget every time. It must not be terribly important to them. It only really comes up when I sign Dan up for soccer or baseball. Now that Andy's considering volunteer opportunities, I'm seeing that some of them tie eligibility to a child's grade-level, designating programs for sophomores, for example. Apparently, as they get older it's becoming more an issue.

I answered Andy's technically in the 8th grade, and Dan in 3rd.

Andy asked me if I thought he'd be able to do 8th grade work. Of course, Dan followed up with the same about 3rd grade work. I said I really don't know. Andy asked about what kind of math they do in 8th grade, and I answered "algebra". I told him I'm sure he could learn to do it, when he needs to.

I said that in my experience when people ask the "what grade would you be in?" it's often followed by asking you to show that you know some bit of school learning appropriate to your grade level, so I could understand them wanting to know what grade level work is.

Then I explained it like this -- the school systems decides what things they think all people should learn by the time they're 18, before they head off to college or trade school, or whatever their next expected thing is. Since the public schools are intended to provide 13 years of schooling, the *must learn* material is divided into 13 segments, with the expectation that every child can and will learn all the same things, at the same time, and answer the tests in the same way. They expect that children will do this despite the fact that we all have different interests and plans, and learn in a variety of ways.

At which time, Andy looked as if his head might explode. Kinda like Cartman in last week's South Park. (yeah, like that!)

And I was reminded that setting up 'must learns', and further, putting them on a schedule, is not a very sensible way to help people move from where we are to where we want to be in our lives.

Social skills

2010-02-07T10:11:00.001-08:00

As unschoolers, we hear the occasional question about how our kids have enough social outlets and opportunities without going to school. I'm sure we'd hear them more often if we didn't have such a busy social schedule hanging out with our unschooling friends! I think many people hear 'homeschooled' and picture terribly shy, inept kids with no idea how to navigate the larger world. I've not blogged or talked much about it before, but I will today.

Part of why I don't often talk about social exposure for kid is that it's not something I worry overly about. I was a very shy child for reasons too myriad to blog about. Will was very shy around adults as a child, tho he did well with kids. He and I shared the same caution around others, and eventually became more confident in social settings. Andy's never been shy, never met a stranger in his life; Dan's more cautious and quiet. I'm confident we'll all find our own way socially.

Dan, having just turned 9 and with very outgoing older brother, has only recently begun to navigate the bigger world more independently. There have been a few social incidents in Dan's life in recent weeks, which have led to conversations about social convention and responses to taunting, and why people behave as they do towards others.

A few weeks ago Dan was out in our driveway, playing catch with a good friend who lives two doors down. This friend, J, is a nice boy a couple of years older than Dan, and attends public school nearby, tho for the past few years he was homeschooled. Gary and I heard banging on the carport gate and loud yelling, so we ran outside. Dan was trying to scramble over the gate, shirtless. The kids scattered as Gary showed up and Dan & J were upset and shaken. Turns out a group of several neighbor boys from farther down the street had come by, started chasing our boys around the front yard, pulled Dan's shirt off him and were spitting bb's at them. We talked with Dan about what he could do next time to feel safe, and we've kept an closer eye since then on neighborhood goings-on.

This past Monday, a playmate lobbed a parting shot at Dan, calling him an obscenity. I only learned of it later when he asked me why this child had said that to him. I asked him if he'd done anything to warrant the insult, and he assured me he hadn't. Andy corroborated his account. I told him that since he'd done nothing wrong, he needn't take it personally. The other child was likely just having a difficult time and it was much more about that child than about Dan. Andy, who thinks of himself as a peacemaker and mediator, wanted very much to talk with the other child about what happened, why the remark was made and smooth things over. Dan was adamant about leaving it lie. I explained to Andy that, while I understood his desire to sort it all out, I'd prefer he respect his brother's wishes to say nothing. He agreed he could do that. Dan was bewildered by what was said, and likely won't forget the incident, but felt no need to push the issue. Maybe if the child involved were a closer friend, it would matter more to him. It was more like just one more bit of info about human behavior to file away and ponder a bit.

Last evening Dan told me that earlier in the afternoon, while he was standing in the driveway, as Gary walked over to talk with a neighbor, after playing catch together the boys had come back again. This time, no bb-spitting occurred (they're too sneaky for that) but taunting was dished out. G, the talker for the group, said "you suck at baseball." Dan shrugged. Then he asked Dan, "why do you wear the same clothes every day? How come your jeans have holes in them? Can't your Mom afford to buy you new ones? Your family must be poor." When Gary started back across the street, they headed down the street.

Gary, Dan & I talked about it. We commented on some interesting things to Dan. Does the other boy play baseball? How does he know Dan sucks at it? And the clothes -- those kids go to the local public school, where they wear uniforms. The same clothes every day. And last night, Dan wasn't wearing the same clothes as the day before. Did this kid even know what he was talking about?

We talked about reasons why sometimes kids feel a need to insult other kids. They don't feel powerful or 'good enough' and making fun of someone else makes them feel bigger or better. Gary said, "Hey, you GET to wear the same clothes every day. You're home so you're allowed to wear your comfortable, torn jeans." We talked about how powerless those kids might feel in their lives -- they're told what to wear, where to spend their days (at school), likely not allowed to have long hair, and so on. Everyday at 7am, while Dan is waking up at his own pace to a warm bed and leisurely breakfast, those kids are walking to school in the cold, wearing clothes someone else told them they have to wear. No wonder they're unhappy and unkind.

I pointed out that I've found that people, kids too, are more likely to be mean when we're unhappy, or have unmet needs. This brought things around to the earlier playmate incident, and the one a few weeks ago. Dan wanted to come up with responses, so we talked thru those.

Dan said he might borrow a line from his buddy, Forest, who once told a taunting kid "thank you!" and "I know -- isn't it cool?" when called a name and told he was 'stupid'. Said with a big grin I can just see on Forest (who, for the record, is one cool kid and also homeschooled).

I don't know that Dan really needs a reply, or if he'll use one. I was very happy to find he felt no need to get back at those kids, and he wasn't angry or hurt, just perplexed. It's completely unnatural for Dan to see insulting and threatening people as a desirable way to treat others.

What I do know is, if the behavior of our neighborhood kids is an example of social skills learned at school, we'll pass.

More pix

2010-02-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

We spent Friday afternoon at the Aquarium and Botanic gardens. It was a spectacular day and the kid who came out had a great time.

One of the few shots I got with Dan looking at the camera

Andy using his new headphones to enjoy music and a moment alone at the Japanese Garden.

Inside the aquarium, which for some reason is usually first toured at
warp speed, making for a challenging photo shoot!

Last's weeks snow wasn't big by Mid-Atlantic standards, but the boys had a great time playing out in it. From the looks of the yard around them, virtually all the snow that fell in the neighbor's backyard was used to make that snowman. What I love are those laughing faces around the snowman.

The time machine

2010-02-07T09:18:00.001-08:00

A couple of weeks, Dan had his buddy Scotty over for the night. Dan and Scotty go back years -- Scotty was the only guest at Dan's 4th birthday; Dan was the only guest at Scotty's 5th party a few months later. In many ways Dan & Scotty are opposites -- together they are a truly inspired team.

On this night they built a time machine. I don't know if they really traveled back in time (or maybe forward), then again I doubt we'd know if they'd actually changed time, would we?

I don't know the full design of the time machine, but I do know it required the combination of parts from a humidifier, a big plastic pretzel jar, the remote control from a toy car, a big cardboard box, cf light bulb, and I'm sure more small details I've missed.

Xmas & New Years photos

2010-02-07T08:52:00.001-08:00

I finally got around to downloading my camera pix onto the hard drive, so I'll post a few pics here for anyone who's wondered what the boys look like now.

We made Christmas cookies

Andy had a great time with the cookie dough.

Christmas was small this year, but the boys each got gifts they really wanted.

Dan opening his Ripstik, which he mastered riding within an hour or so. He spent most of the next few days riding it around the kitchen.

Andy wanted a Dance Dance Revolution game and his own PS-2. He is really enjoying them.

We also found a drum set during December. He spends time every day banging on his drums. Between the drums and the DDR game, his room is a musical place.

New Year's Eve we enjoyed a small party with friends.

gone too long

2010-01-25T07:47:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a long time since my last post! Three months!

No photos today, but maybe a bit about what we've been up to. Um, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and yesterday, Dan's birthday. Today sledding and later this week some post tax refund shopping. Gary's found an engine for his car, so he'll start the engine swap project soon. He spent the past week or so building a wheelchair ramp for a nieghbor. As a bonus, he discovered that I find the scent of sawdust kinda sexy!

Generally, we've been slogging our way thru winter and already tired of being cold. Really, it's not terribly cold here, we're just winter wimps.

Next week, Dan should start soccer practice. In March, he'll add Baseball practices, and soccer games. In April, it's practice 2x a week and 1 game a week for each sport (sometimes 2 for baseball, I hear). My only hope is to survive until May when soccer ends and he'll only be playing baseball.

Christmas brought drums for Andy, to go with Dan's electric guitar, so our house is very musical (and loud) lately. And, apparently, I'm on facebook entirely too often to keep up my blogs!

And I'm getting new glasses in the next week to 10 days! I'll post new pics when they arrive. giving up on contacts altogether, I think.

I'll try to post some sledding pics tomorrow.

harvest party with the tribe

2009-10-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

The unschooling tribe had our annual Halloween/harvest party this week. We had a fabulous day -- perfect weather, way too many snacks, and some games, too. Lotsa photos, of course! Lucky for us, Ginger and her sons were visiting Beth & Emma, so we had extra folks for more fun!

Kids eating donuts hanging by string. Andy was the pro at this -- donuts are the perfect motivation for him -- done so fast I didn't even get his picture!

Ginger & Beth

Andy (hands to his forehead) and Kai (Ginger's older son)

Emma, ready to bob for appples

Dan got the apple!

Dan actually stood still for this shot!

Toilet paper mummy-wrapping was a hit. Andy & Kade won easily!

Andy's all done with Kade (Ginger's younger son)

Dan finished Emma's wrapping!

Dan, Spencer, Parker, Emma, Kade, Andy (sitting, obscured), Kai & Beth just before the apple bobbing started.

Fall comes to New Mexico

2009-10-20T09:18:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, we went for a hike along the river, in the bosque, with friends. It was a perfect day -- one of those early fall days, still warm but not hot, trees turning amazing colors everywhere you look, so quiet walking along the river.

My view for most of the walk.

We saw a this little guy early in our walk -- he was crossing the path when all our attention sent him scurrying for the rocks.

Seems kinda late for him to still be out, but it's been unusually warm the past week. That all ends today, tho -- today will be 10 degrees cooler than yesterday, rain tomorrow and then the 60's for the next several days. Looks like fall really is here.

Some red sumac climbing a cottonwood.

Two pairs of ducks in the irrigation channel.

Andy & Judson released a fallen branch to the river.

Lia -- absolutely the world's MOST devoted dog. Ever.

I love the look of this tree -- and the guy standing under it!

Austin turns 11

2009-08-31T09:10:00.002-07:00

Our friends, Bonnie, Mike, Austin and Miles came into town for Austin's 11th birthday! That's big news not only because we love them all, but because they're now living in suburban Phoenix! Yes, they drove 15 hrs round-trip so that Austin could spend his birthday with his friends. How Cool Is That?!?!

And now we have a lovely way-station in Phoenix for visits with friends. I hear it's a lovely house. Austin is so excited he's tired (his words, not mine). Woo-hoo!

So, I took some pictures and promised Bonnie I'd blog them, so she could steal 'em. (don't worry, I'm sending her copies of her very own - no law-breaking required). Okay, let's see what we got....

The birthday boy -- don't you just love those baby blues?

Gift opening (see that cutie in the lower lefthand corner!)

Austin & Andy (Emma, Miles & Beth in the background)

Billiards -- Susan set the boys up with a game, then gave pointers.

Dads -- Thomas, Mike & Gary (and Beth)

and very important Nerf gun consults

We all had a fabulous day! Thank you, Bonnie & Mike for bringing the party to us!

We'll be down to Phoenix to have fun with you soon -- prolly in February when we're tired of winter here.

Outdoor Expo

2009-08-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

We were at an outdoor expo this past Saturday. All the usual shooting ranges, fishing demos, etc, and... tomahawks! Both boys gave it a try. Andy even tried the throwing knife. It's much harder than it looks.

Dan's attempt missed the log altogether

Andy hit the target high to the right -- you can just see the shadow at far right.

rock climbing

2009-08-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we attended the zoo's annual Feast With The Beasts and a had a great time hanging out with friends, listening to Strange Brew, and enjoying some beautiful weather. In addition to the magician and fun slides, the city rec dept brought out the rock wall.

I had walked over to that area, spotted the rock wall set-up and called Gary to send the boys over, when I saw a boy in a red shirt with a helmet on. Wait a minute -- that's my boy in a helmet lined up for the rock wall!

Dan & Forest

Sky on the way down

Sky & Forest

Sky & Dan

What goes up must come down

2009-08-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Last week, after Dan's first good dental check up (meaning no follow-up work needed) EVER, we hit a local park, and I got a few pictures.

Dan up a tree...

and back down...
Not his best landing, but Dan really lives by the credo that any landing you can walk away from is a good one.

Andy posed for a pic

Note the short(er) hair -- he got a haircut while in Hawaii. Not sure when he'll agree to that again.

Dan refused to pose, or even sit still, for a pic.

Gail & Brock visit the tribe

2009-08-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

Okay this is old news, in that the Higgins' were here before our trip to Hawaii, back in early July, I think. I have two photos from that day to share -- came across them while going thru my vacation photos.

Kelly Lovejoy (flat) and Danielle Conger (flat, also) were there too!

And Scotty in a classic photo for which he posed.

Hawaii

2009-07-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous time in Hawaii! The boys swam, fished, snorkeled, swam with dolphins; we saw a few waterfalls, explored a lava tube and ate shave ice, all with lots of relatives added for good fun. We ate an amazing amount of food -- fresh papaya for breakfast, kalua pig (at least three times!). So much ono (good in Hawaiian) food! Now we're back to tacos and cheerios.... not together of course.

There were a few maddening moments, but that's gonna happen with family. These days, it's a very quick trip from indignant to compassionate (travel I do in my head anyway, so it's all good). It was a good trip, but it's always good to be home, too. I'm not really much of a traveler. I like to wake up in my own bed, putter around in my own kitchen for a cup of tea, drive my own car -- that kinda thing. Just a homebody, I guess.

In all, I took 147 pictures on my digital camera (plus a few with my phone). I won't post them all here, just some of my favorites. In no particular order, with captions, here we go...

I think this is my favorite shot of the bunch. Setting off to fish for crawdads in the ditches that run along the front yards in the grandparent's street in Hilo. Just so Hilo, RFD, isn't it?

Late in our trip, the third fishing outing started with net fishing for bait at the Japanese gardens across the road. Dan ran across what he thought was solid ground -- hey, all the dirt is solid in Albuquerque! -- but was actually black muck (to be expected in a tidal Japanese garden). When we saw him, he was knee-deep and running fast to get out of what must have felt like quicksand. No photos allowed, but it was an experience!

Here's Dan fishing at Hilo Bay (post muck).

Andy & Grandpa choosing the right bait.

Andy on his way to float and look at fish in the cove at an uncle's beach house.

Dan's first catch of this trip, our first fishing day. Locally that fish is called manini.

Andy with his first catch, a hinalea.

Dan & Andy on the inflatables at the beach house cove.

Yes, that's Gary baiting a hook! Something I never expected to see.

Namaste, the white tiger and main attraction at the Panaeva Zoo near Hilo.

Andy, hamming it up for the camera, in Kona.

Will, snorkeling -- not a great shot, but the only one of Will I have.

This could well be my favorite picture of Dan, ever. When did he get so big?!

Me, Grandma and the boys at Laupahoehoe memorial, which commemorates a tidal wave that struck a school in the 40's, killing 47 people.

For Crystal, some chickens living up the street from the grandparents' house.

Andy caught a catfish -- using cut up hot dogs as bait. Taken late in our trip.

Dan with Grandpa.

Dan caught a catfish, too.

That day, the boys fished at a friend's private lily ponds, stocked with tilapia, catfish, and koi. The fish were practically jumping onto the hooks. Dan lost count somewhere around 12 fish, and caught about 16. Andy even caught one without bait -- he put an empty hook right back in after catching a fish, and caught a tilapia.

random thought...

2009-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

.... from Dan.

A few days ago, I was telling a friend how much we'd enjoyed the movie UP when we saw it on opening day. In telling her about it, I shared that we all (me, the kids, friends who saw it with us) thought the boy character, Russell, was very much like Andy. Even Andy said "Mom, he's just like me!" It's really uncanny -- has me wondering if the folks from Disney have cameras in our home.

The next day, driving along with both boys in the car, Dan said to me, "Mom, you forgot one thing about Russell that's also like Andy."

"Really? What did I forget?"

"That's he's really, really nice." Said very matter-of-factly. Right there, in front of Andy. Dan thinks Andy is really, really nice AND wants to be sure we remember to say so. High praise from a little brother, if you ask me.

Party pictures

2009-06-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous time at the park on Tuesday for Andy's birthday. Lots of pizza (too much, we're still eating pizza), delicious cake, wonderful friends, beautiful weather. Just fantastic all around. I got some pictures, tho not as many as I wanted. I missed several great shots because I didn't have the camera nearby often enough.

Usually, I get a picture of the cake before we dig in. This time 'round, we were all so busy having fun I forgot until I got the cake home. Here's what was left. You can see Andy's name on the piece saved for him to have later.

Thanks Grandpa & Grandma for treating us to the yummy cake!

One of the favorite features of this park is the top and bottom spinners.

There was tractor wagon surfing that looked dangerous enough to require helmets.
Miles driving, Dan surfing, Forest pushing.

Susan had gone to check on how the wrestling was going.
You'd think the boys would, at some point, tire of wrestling, but you'd be wrong!

How many boys will a tree hold? Andy was negotiating for his place.

He got in -- along with 4 others.

I'm not sure you can see them all, but there were 5 boys in the tree,
and more asking for someone to move over and make more room

And the very tall rope climber, with Dan at the top.

boys and their toys

2009-06-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Bonnie, Austin & Miles arrived yesterday to spend a few days here in Albuquerque and join us at Andy's birthday party. We are very happy they made the trip, and everyone loved having them at the park yesterday.

Which meant boys, boys everywhere.

a long-running nerf war...

Dan at the top of the slide. He has such beautiful hair.

Andy, Bonnie & Cip

We talked about how wonderful it is that even tho we haven't seen them since last fall, having Bonnie, Austin & Miles is like they've never left, and we all saw each other just last week!

Dan, Scotty, Sky, Forest, Austin & Andy in a slower moment.

I started to type a 'quieter moment, but there aren't any truly quiet moments with 8 boys at the park on a beautiful day.

We had an amazing day afternoon and didn't leave the park until 6:30.

Andy's a teenager

2009-06-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

It started just like any other day.....

So much fuss is made about the arbitrarily designated stages in our lives -- becoming a teenager; starting middle-school; starting high-school; turning 18 or 21. It's all part of the journey and the days tend to run together from where I sit.

Andy has told us that turning 13 will mean he's not a kid anymore, but a teenager. I don't know what that means to him yet, but I'm sure he'll still be the sweet, loving, funny Andy we've always known and loved.

We're having a party in the park, with pizza, cake & drinks and an abundance of amazing friends, many we've known since before Andy was 10.

Bonnie & her boys drove 4 hrs in from Arizona to be here for the celebration. They also spent time with the tribe yesterday, but that's another post.

Very big day here. I'm sure I'll post more as the day unfolds.

Adventures with dry ice

2009-06-13T08:27:00.000-07:00

Scotty was over for a couple of hours yesterday, and he brought some dry ice with him.

The boys had so much fun with it. They cut a hole in the top of a ziplok container to allow an opening for the fog to escape, filled it with water and got out the tongs for the dry ice.

They used the vapor stream to lift a bottle cap, a candy wrapper and to fill an inverted glass. Scotty mused about the possibilities for using dry ice vapor to power his steam engine, and explained that he's sure it would work since steam power is just about reaching the right pressure, to drive the pistons. He didn't have a solution for keeping the dry ice in a cold storage, but I'm sure he'll be trying to figure something out.

I took some pix, then a couple of videos at Scotty's insistence.

Scotty showing how pushing on the lid made puffs of vapor rise.

Chugging along in an unattended moment.

I apologize for the sideways video. I didn't realize we'd not be able to rotate it until about halfway thru, when I turned the camera. It has something of a Blair Witch quality to it, I'm sorry to say.

Virgins No More...

2009-06-08T17:36:00.000-07:00

... not Cliff's Virgins, at least.

This past Friday, the boys had their first day at Cliff's Amusement Park. It's a local amusement park. Not as elaborate as, say, Kings Dominion or Six Flags, but plenty of fun with some really great rides. Cliff's is an Albuquerque institution, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. One the defining characteristics of who grew up in Albuquerque is whether you still trip up occasionally and call it "Uncle Cliff's" which it was until sometime in the 80's. I guess the Uncle reference just wasn't PC enough for this generation.

Andy remembered visiting Six Flags in 2004. Dan didn't, so for him it was a completely new experience. Both boys have been to the State Fair, but Cliff's is so much better than the Fair midway. Even better, the rides weren't assembled in one night by carnies!

I hadn't been Cliff's since Jr High (32 yrs ago - yikes!) and it's changed a lot. I knew it had bigger, better rides because you can see them from the road, but I had no idea how much they manage to fit into the small land area the park occupies.

The boys had an amazing time. Dan rode the Cliff Hanger (a 100ft tower drop ride) at least 20 times, the Rattler wooden roller coaster twice, the Fireball (a loop train ride) 4 times, and so many more. Andy loved the Himalaya and Tilt-a-Whirl which he rode several times, and the log flume ride once. No Cliff Hanger or roller coasters for him, tho he did ride the Scrambler a few times -- which Dan also enjoyed. We'll have to get back to Cliff's sometime later this summer with Gary.

I didn't get a lot of good pictures -- too much speed on the rides -- but here's what I did get.

Waiting for the Himalaya to start, hamming it up

Andy's meditative pose

during the ride

Dan in a quiet moment

On the Cliff Hanger, climbing up

Look out below!

2009-06-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

On a recent day at home, Gary helped the boys with the water balloon launcher. Launching from the driveway, straight up into the air, then Dan would run out to catch the balloon, or get it hit.

We all had a great time. I didn't launch any balloons, but loved watching the guys all afternoon. We're hoping for more time at home for Gary, with a new local job beginning, probably on the 22nd. Home every night and all weekend long -- we won't know what to do with him first! Likely more balloon launching, more baseball, more lazy mornings, more kisses, more good mornings in person.... I'm not sure there's an end to this list! And we are all very happy and eager for him to come home!

Best Monday Ever

2009-05-27T04:28:00.000-07:00

We were on our way to our weekly unschooling tribe park day, which meant we had both boys' bikes on the rack on the back of our car. We stopped at Walgreens to pick up a water balloon launcher. We were driving along the strip mall's service road (thankfully with no traffic behind us) when the bike rack fell off the car! Crashed to the ground with both bikes still strapped in. I saw it in the mirror and stopped the car, telling the boys what had happened. I pulled over to the curb, and both boys jumped out. Andy untangled the bikes and handed his (bigger) bike to me, then brought Dan's bike to the sidewalk, and I grabbed the bike rack. One of the straps that secures the rack to the car had worn thru completely and broken. The rack is more than 20 years old, and in our dry climate, even heavy canvas fabric doesn't last forever. I'm just so very grateful the bike rack fell off while were on the service road, and not the main road we would turn onto at the corner (about 40' ahead) or the freeway, less than a mile away, that we use to get to the park!

Andy and I spent about 15 minutes trying to find someway to fit his 26" bike into our small car. Dropped the split back seat, emptied the trunk. The boys pulled and tugged together. No luck. There is just no way to get Andy's bike into the car. Dan's smaller bike will fit with half the backseat down and still get Dan into the backseat.

Andy offered he could ride his bike home -- about 3/4 of a mile -- while I drove and so we could leave his bike at home. Okay... I thought. It means crossing 6 lanes of divided road, but at least there's a traffic signal there. Andy was so excited to do this, while I have some street-crossing issues, and bike on the road issues, but I smiled and said, "sure we can do that."

Dan & I got in the car, and Andy started to ride the bike. Wheels wouldn't turn. The sprocket for the pedals is stuck. On the sidewalk, Andy flips the bike up on its seat and gets to work figuring out the problem. He says, "I can use my wrench to bend it back into shape." Smiling, because once again, the HUGE wrench he carries in his backpack (one of his must-have-never-know-when-you'll-need-it items) will come in handy! The boys sat down on each side of the bike, and using Andy's wrench to hold it in place, they straightened out the gear sprocket.

Andy & Dan working together to fix the bike

Dan getting back into the car, as Andy puts away the wrench

I was sitting there with tears in my eyes -- look at the way Andy is problem solving! He is so grown up! All I can think is how sweet it is to see my boys fixing that bike on the side of the road, together. I remember how many times I've waited in the car while Gary fixed the car on the side of the road, or my Dad did the same, and knowing both my grandfathers were mechanics (one on trains, the other on cars), watching my sweet Andy join these generations of men who fix things and save the day. I was just overcome at how very sweet and beautiful that moment was!

The bike was fixed --enough to ride anyway, it's still stuck in 2nd gear -- and we started out. Andy rode his bike home while I drove along, keeping him in sight all the time. Once he put the bike in the carport and jumped into the car, after running back inside to wash up, he was so jazzed! Full of ideas about how he can now run errands for me on his bike -- he can ride to the store with a list for me and shop! Andy, who doesn't want to be alone at home or in the store!

And thru all the bike rack situation, we smiled and worked together and Dan thought it was so cool to see Andy ride his bike home.

By far the best Monday of my entire life.

We've been busy

2009-05-07T17:43:00.001-07:00

I was reading some of my favorite blogs, wondering why some of them hadn't been updated in a while only to remember it's been awhile since I posted anything here. We've been busy, and having some computer issues, and I've just not gotten around to it. So here goes...

As I said, we've been busy. Doing what, you may ask?

Most of all, goofing around and laughing together.

Swinging at the park....

climbing trees... at the park of course!

hanging out in trees....

Hanging out at the zoo with friends.....

and without friends......

Skating at the local (okay, cross-town) skate park.....

Dan's becoming a good skater, spending his time swapping bike for skateboard for scooter. He will spend 4 or more hours skating on a Sunday afternoon!

hiking at Tent Rocks with our tribe.....

Playing baseball in the park with Dad....

Dad even had a turn at bat.

Okay, that was fun, but I'm being called to come watch tv -- My Name Is Earl -- with the boys.

Bionicle Master Creator

2009-04-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

Andy spends a good bit of time creating with his Bionicles many days. I always mean to snap more photos than I actually get.

Here are a few --

The Ultimate Boxer created using pieces from Kirox and a few others. The feet are from Gorast. Other parts he doesn't remember the origin.

This one began as an Axalara Andy received for Christmas.
Over time, it's grown to be quite elaborate -- and big!
It's certainly his prize creation.

A side view of the Bionicles and Legos currently on display
on Andy's dresser

As I head off to bed now, Andy is working on his latest Bionicle creation. No clear vision yet, but he does have a base from which to build. He's sifting thru the massive collection of parts kept on the floor for inspiration. No photo of the new one in the works, tho, since he's not sure where it's going just yet.

Go Cart racing

2009-04-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, the boys and Gary went to a birthday party at a local family fun center. I missed most of the party, but Gary was thoughtful enough to get lots of pictures. The kids had a great time, especially the birthday boy's Dad, Pablo. Dan was too short and too young to ride alone, Pablo was wearing the wristband of a guest who'd missed the party, so Pablo drove and Dan rode along with him.

There were also bumper boats. The dashboard water-sprayers were turned off -- apparently, management felt it was too cold for wet kids -- but still the kids managed to have some water fun.

House of Cards

2009-04-12T21:40:00.000-07:00

Dan heard the phrase "house of cards" somewhere on TV earlier today. He came into the bedroom where I was trying to get a few alone to read, and asked me to show him how to build a house of cards. At first, I tried to beg off because I really was tired. Being Dan, he persisted. We often joke that in the dictionary, Dan's picture is listed with the definition for determined.

I tried to build a card house using the cards in a horizontal placement. No go -- these cards are a bit bowed and oft-used. I managed to build one level of vertical cards in lean-to fashion, but I could not get the second story to work!

Twenty minutes -- and several re-starts -- later, Dan had built this --

I took this photo -- pretty amazing, huh?

Dan snapped this shot

Rainy cold day

2009-04-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

Please let this be the last cold, blustery Saturday for a while. This is soccer season, spring portion, and so far every Saturday the soccer weather has been less than desirable. When it's warm and sunny on Friday, I can trust that by 8 game time Saturday, it will be 20 degrees cooler, with a strong wind. Or maybe rain. Today it's much colder, and we got rain. Mixed with sleet and pellet snow at times. And lots of wind. And standing water everywhere.

Yes, we need the rain. It's a desert and we've not had much rain since last fall. But all at once?! The ground can't absorb it all. I don't mind puddles and ponds when it's warm, say during the July monsoon. But in April, puddles and ponds just mean I'm cold and WET.

Thankfully, soccer was cancelled. Of course, order-placing for soccer trophies, not so much. I had made arrangements to collect checks and place our order after today's game. No game meant I need to arrange to meet parents -- who all were kind enough to find me at the laundromat -- and slog out into the (then) sleet/pellet snow to drop off the order. Along the way, I stopped for carrots and potatoes to put in what I hope will be the last Green Chile Stew of the season. Really the last stew until sometime in late October. Please?

So, while I'm in my house muttering for yet another day how tired I am of being cold, I'll post some pictures taken on the warmer, sunny days we've had that assure me consistently warm weather really is right around the corner. Isn't it?

Can't you just feel how lovely the weather was on Monday
for our Easter Egg Hunt with the tribe?

The boys had a great time in a wrestling/chasing game.

Proof you never really outgrow Legos -- Will creating spaceship for Dan.

Yeah, these pix are on my 365 blog, but I wanted them here too.

Beth, who had just finished a round of jumping rope. Just beautiful!

Bandelier

2009-03-05T20:59:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, we drove up to Bandelier National Monument to hike the main trail and see the ruins. We had a great time. The weather was gorgeous -- blue sky with a few clouds, not too hot not too cool, with only a small breeze. We went with friends, hiked about 3.5 miles and saw so much cool stuff!

I took 81 pictures! Man, I love digital cameras. I promise I won't post them all here. Just several of the best (I posted a few more over at my 365 blog).

Bandelier was home to Anasazi Pueblo people from 500 CE to 1500 CE, when the conquistadores arrived. Homes -- more like apartments -- were built against the cliff face, using vigas (beams) for ceiling supports. As time went by and more generations were born, the people just added new apartments above older ones. In some places you can see holes in the rock face where vigas were placed, for homes as many as three stories tall.

A view of some of the ruins from high up on the hills, where there were homes built into the cliff face. I think those ruins are of common space structures. They are next to the kiva, an underground room found in Anasazi ruins believed to have been
used for religious and community purposes.

Dan at the edge of the kiva ruins.

We saw some wildlife -- everyone was excited to spot this little lizard!

The kids all climbed the ladder into a large room with several windows/openings. Near the bottom of the picture, you can see a hole that held a viga.

Dan, ready to come back down the ladder. If you look closely, you can see Spencer poking his head out another opening above the door.

I'm not sure why - or when - these bricks were stacked in the window,
but I like the way it looks.

Andy insisted on a close-up shot from a window.

After hiking the main loop trail, thru the community ruins, we hiked up to Alcove House, which is a huge room apparently used for ceremonies, at the top of some very tall ladders, overlooking the entire valley. I didn't climb the ladder, but all the kids did - and they all really enjoyed the Alcove House.

Andy & Vince, resting after hiking back down from Alcove House.

Dan leaning on a rock.

It was a long walk -- we all needed a good rest when it was over.

Three years!

2009-02-27T17:53:00.000-08:00

No photos today, just me waxing rhapsodic about our amazing community of friends.

Just over three years ago, an announcement for a new unschooling group showed up at a local yahoo group for unschoolers statewide. I knew a few other unschooling families and I'd belonged to three other local homeschooling groups -- one of which I'd started with two other homeschooling Moms. I'd thrown together a few play dates, advertising word-of-mouth and two or three people had shown up, but it never really got off the ground. Maybe it just wasn't the fullness of time for it yet.

We spent a couple of weeks talking online, introducing ourselves. Everyone seemed eager to meet in person, but Crystal, who owned the list then (I have since assumed list-ownership, tho really it's just an organizational gig), insisted we all wait for a full-group meeting opportunity. Her vision was for a community of families. I was enchanted at the idea of a real community but hesitant to believe it was really possible, having seen two groups . My homeschooling group experience had been one of headstrong women, with very divergent ideas and methods, and at some point in time things just devolved and fell apart. Sure, lots of opportunities for the kids to play, but real friends for me? Too much to hope for, I thought.

I hadn't had a best friend in more than 15 yrs (other than my amazing husband, of course!). A best girlfriend? I'd recently recognized a desire for friends and had begun increasing my circle of acquaintances, and I had begun a friendship with Jenny, who was on the same yahoo group. I also had recently met Susan (no link, Susan's not online at all) and we were becoming friends. As I met these people online, I realized that I really longed for a whole group of girlfriends. I wanted a family of choice, someone my own family could grow with.

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of that first park day. We met at a local park today, under the beautiful blue sky, watching our now much bigger kids play together, in ever-varied combinations. Five of the Moms at that first gathering were at the park today. Other families have come and gone, and we've all watched each other grow and learn and come to love each other, and each others' children.

About 18 months in, there was a large discussion about what to call ourselves, what kind of community we wanted to be, what each of us envisioned for our identity. There were a few who suggested calling ourselves a tribe carried with it a sense of too much responsibility for each other, to much potential burden. I remember then saying, "that's what I want - I'm willing to put myself out there for these families. I want to be able to pay it forward and contribute to something bigger than myself." I think of us as an intentional community -- no, we don't live on the same street, but we've staked out interdependent places in the universe. We do call ourselves a tribe, and every time I hear Andy say "Mom, send a message to the tribe about...." I smile, and I'm reminded how wonderfully blessed we are.

This past year has been an eye-opening one for us all. Teresa was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer 10 months ago. It was devastating news to us all, but the way we rallied to be there for Teresa and each other was truly a beautiful thing to see. I say each other because sometimes helping Teresa cascaded to helping each other with child care so that we could be available to help. Kids were cared for, meals were made and delivered, rides to chemo were arranged, a kitchen was painted. Last month, Teresa was deemed "no evidence of disease" and we area all so thrilled to see Teresa well again. Another family was caring for an elderly grandmother whose needs required a tremendous commitment from them. Again, offers of help caring for Grandma, time away for their daughter, and moral support of all kinds were given. Last month, Jenny's husband was injured on their farm, and again, the support and help have been just amazing.

Through all these recent seasons, the love and generosity and support has been awe-inspiring. And I've not sensed or heard of even a tiny bit of burden or obligation -- all that's been given has been freely expressed love for each other and our community.

Along the way, there have been the usual and various kids spats (and make-ups), moments when one or another of us was really irked at someone else, when one or more of us was just not in our best moment or mood, misunderstanding and personal crises. Through it all, what I see is people choosing empathy, space, comfort, patience for each other, and for each other's children. I've heard from these friends accounts of moments when they've made that conscious choice to be patient, or quiet, or sympathetic, or whatever the moment required, because we want to be right here with each other. We want to weather those difficult moments and days. We truly are chosen family, ever-expanding and growing; loving and learning side by side. We always have room for more people to come to the circle, for more additions to our mix.

I am so grateful for all this -- that I enjoy a circle of not just one or two dear friends, but many friends, for the wealth of experience, for the support, hug or willing ear when I need something, and for the opportunity to be a blessing to someone else when they have a need. I've gone from daring to wish for a friend or two, to fully expecting I'll see some of friends' kids marry, that I may hold someone else's grandchild, watch her children make their way in the world. I am just awed by the community that has blossomed over these past three years.

some Christmas Eve pix

2009-02-15T10:05:00.000-08:00

The boys waited all day for Dad to get home. We weren't sure he'd be home for Christmas at all, but he made it and we were all thrilled.

Let the gift opening begin. Andy so wanted the two lego bionicle sets he opened.

And this is how Andy spent the next several hours. Heaven in his room for him. Since then, the Bionicle from that kit has evolved into a project of truly epic proportions. I'll try to get a new picture of it to post.
The one thing Dan wanted most was a bb rifle. He was so excited to open it.

Gary and Dan spent quite a lot of time, reading the instructions, figuring out how to load the rifle. A few days later Dan had some training and fired the rifle. I have pix of that day for another post.

Dan Turns 8!

2009-02-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

Finally, at long last, Dan is 8. His closest friends all turned last summer (from May to July) and he's been very aware of waiting thru 6 long months to be 8 himself. We had a wonderful party at Peter Piper's Pizza with friends. One nice thing about a January birthday is the opportunity to re-connect after the holiday season.

Opening some gifts

We had lots of friends to help us celebrate

Scotty & Dan -- I just love Scotty's smile in this shot

The birthday boy!

Just some of the tickets Dan won on video games.

We had a great time celebrating Dan's birthday. Thank you to everyone who spent the afternoon with us!

some videos

2009-02-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

What happens when you give the camera to a pair of 8 year old boys --

this....

and this....

and this....

a more artsy video....

I'm pretty sure those are Scotty's feet -- I know it's Scotty's voice on tape.

Long Time, No Pix

2009-02-08T05:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't blogged in what feels like forever. No pix today, tho. Our computer died on Christmas Eve. Ominous sounds and the 'black screen' make us think crashed hard drive. Took it to the repair shop last month. A week later, I get a call.... they're going out of business! We got a refund and our computer back. We'd really like to retrieve the data on our old puter -- if only to save all our jpegs, so we're still considering repair, and wondering just how deep the discounts are at Circuit City...

In between, we have use of a laptop loaned to us by Crystal and she has pix so be sure to check our her blog.

We've been busy and happy in the past several weeks since my last blog. Christmas, New Year's, Dan's 8th birthday -- and Gary was able to be with us for them all! Yes, he's still working the on the road gig, but the schedule and weather have been good this time around.

The weather has been fabulous overall, so we've had trips to the park, the Botanic Gardens and aquarium, seen several movies and just a few days ago picked up Rock Band for our PS-2. We are all having such a ball playing Rock Band!

I do have lots of photos in my camera -- trapped there with no way to download since I don't have my software on the laptop -- and soon we'll either resurrect or abandon our old puter and then I'll have lotsa pix to share.

Solstice Celebration

2008-12-22T07:17:00.001-08:00

We celebrate the Winter Solstice with friends at an open house. And we had a fabulous time! The food was all so yummy -- green chile corn chowder, mini pizzas, more cookies than I can recall, spinach puffs, munchies of all kinds, great champagne, wine and beer. At the end of the night when it was just 3 of us, there was delicious fudge!

Lotsa pictures to share, too:

Susan had some actitivites -- everyone had to have some s'mores, toasted at the brazier table.
Susan with several of the kids -- Dan in the middle, Andy to the right.

I think this is my favorite picture -- the joy on Sorscha's and Dan's faces -- not to mention the flaming marshmallows, which was the reason for such big smiles!

Same kids, different view.

Got Andy to look up for this one!

Let's see... Teresa, Bruce, Linda, Jenny & Dave -- and a very clear picture of the Mona Lisa that appeared on the back of the little Mother and returning Sun made with paint marker on construction by Spencer. Susan said he was very excited to see the Mona Lisa show up on his artwork. There was some debate around the table -- is that Mona Lisa, Jesus or the Virgin Mary? I guess it depends on which media outlet you call to share your 'miracle' find!

Spencer in a very pensive moment.

Jenny, modeling the earrings Scotty made for her.

Sorscha making a sun -- from a styrofoam ball, yellow glitter paint and small lengths of pipe cleaners. Scotty made the earrings. Dan made something he called 'a doo-hickey on a stick' which Bruce said looked more like a sperm! Yeah, no pix of that craft item!

Late in the afternoon, Dan, Spencer & Scotty trying out Spencer's new wii wheel controller.

More Snow!

2008-12-17T05:02:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's not a lot of snow by, say, New England standards, but we've had our second snowfall this month -- before Christmas, even! And more snow is forecast for later today thru tomorrow.

When I grew up here, in the 70's to early 80's, snowy winters were common. In 1984, we had measurable snow on Jan 17, Feb 17, March 17, and April 17! I remember because I got married on May 17, but no snow that day. When I married again, it was another 17th -- in December, so today is our anniversary. No snow that 17th either. Today, tho, we'll have snow for our anniversary!

Anyway, on to the snow pictures...

Dan, shoveling snow off the driveway.

kitty cat tracks on my window sill

Snow on the pinon tree in our front yard.

Yesterday, we went to visit a friend who lives up in the foothills, at the end of a forest road, so the boys could sled. No pictures, because my camera had a small mishap when I dropped it in the snow and water got behind the lens. Once I got home, I tried using the blow dryer on it -- at Gary's suggestion -- and it worked! My camera is back!

Fall Days

2008-11-13T06:20:00.000-08:00

Well, it's fall here -- the days are cooler, breezy and much too short! Just as boredom threatened, the new museum membership card arrived in the mail. Fourteen months of free access to two of our favorite museums, and a third we keep saying we'll visit someday, maybe even this year.

We spent last Friday at Explora (our local kids' science museum) and the Natural History Museum. No pix from the history museum, but I do have some from Explora.

First, Andy built a tower with his favorite Kapla blocks

They teamed up to experiment with electricity

Andy spent a lot of time working on this particular puzzle

Dan lining up the nails to balance them from the standing nail

Andy solved this one pretty easily.

Most impressive to me, tho, was when Andy sat down at the puzzle with these 6 blocks and ...

got them all to fit into the box! I've tried this one for years and never figured it out. Andy did it in under 10 minutes, after several tries.

halloween party

2008-11-02T06:52:00.001-08:00

We celebrated Halloween with a party at Susan's house this year. My camera batteries ran out, but I did manage to get several pinata pictures first. Andy didn't hit the pinata this year -- tho he did get some treats from it -- and Dan abandoned his costume as we arrived, so he's not in costume for these pictures.

Dan taking a swing at the eyeball pinata

And again...

Jenny missed the pinata hitting, so these are for her:

Scotty taking a swing at the pinata

Gotta love Eliza's style. Altho she looks like a very colorful samurai here, she was actually an archeopteryx. Here she's without the elaborate head part of her costume.

Aquarium & Botanic Gardens

2008-10-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

Again, no pictures of the animals in the aquarium, or the plants at the gardens, but we had a fun day with friends. We rode the train, toured the aquarium (twice), visited the Japanese garden and the Heritage Farm

The boys enjoying the mantas at the aquarium. Dan wore only his best clothes for this outing!

Don't they look like a bunch of unschoolers?

Our beautiful boys

2008-10-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

This was going to be a blog about last week's trip to the zoo. But I didn't take any 'zoo' pictures. No animals, no friends on the playset, altho we did see animals, and we met friends there. All I have are a few pictures of our two beautiful boys.

A rare shot of Dan looking at the camera. I don't think he realized I caught this one, but with him, I'll take what I can get! I think Andy was talking, which made the shot easier to get.
Andy washed his hair just a few hours before this picture. Look at those curls!! Proof he's mine after all, because we know those curls did not come from Gary's side of the family! Yes, Andy is blessed/cursed with the curly hair that has shown up during adolescence for every male child in my maternal line for at least five generations. I love the curls! The boys, however, find them not so extra. Dan is fervently hoping that gene skips him.

the Balloon Fiesta

2008-10-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

We went to the morning launch at the Balloon Fiesta on Weds this year. In years past, we've always gone to the evening activities, usually the special shapes glowdeos. A week or two before Fiesta, Dan said to me "Mom, did you know there's another whole balloon fiesta in the morning?" I explained that it's the same fiesta, but I prefer to go evenings, not at 6 am when it's freezing cold. He insisted he really had to see a morning ascent. Locals (and the Fiesta planners) call it a "mass ascension" here which makes Gary cringe (he understands NM is a very Catholic state, but really there was only one 'ascension') so I make a point of saying 'ascent' now. Anyway, we went to watch the balloons take off.

It was really a lovely morning. Not as cold as I remembered from my time at Fiestas in years past. And, in a week of changing weather, it was one of the best launches in this year's Fiesta. I took lots of pictures, so I'll post several of our favorites.

As we walked in from the parking area, we saw these balloons. The mostly yellow, brightly colored ones are from a local balloon outfit called Rainbow Ryders, who sell rides up and down the Rio Grande, which means most of them fly over our house. We see several balloons a week from September to May. Just one of the many joys of life in Albuquerque.

The first wave of balloons take to the sky.
A pink house, tho not the one from John Mellencamp's song, I think. It looks a little off balance, don't you think?
We watched this balloon being inflated and launched. It reminded us of JayJay the Jetplane which Dan watched for a time when he was very little.

I like this one with the flames.

Airabelle the Cow is at every Fiesta.

This pig inflated next to us as we watched the jetplane fill up.

Dan insisted I get a shot of this castle balloon in flight. That has got to be a hard balloon to fly -- nothing aerodynamic about a flying castle.

My personal favorite -- I love the colors on this one!

Harvest Party

2008-10-19T09:28:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, we spent Sunday afternoon at a harvest party at Ironwood Farm

I didn't get a lot of pictures -- too busy eating good food and catching up with friends -- but here are a few.

There was wool spinning on a wheel. I didn't try it, but watched a few others give it a try.
The boys tended the fire on the steam tractor to sound the whistle.

Dan & Scotty, with Dominick, whose Dad is an old friend of Chris. The boys had a great time, climbing all over the steam tractor and exploring the farm together.

Dan & Scotty, looking up from the mine shaft over at Scotty's grandpa's house next door. They were up and down in the barrel on a hoist powered by the steam engine at Scott's place.

Renaissance Fair

2008-09-22T08:04:00.001-07:00

Saturday, we drove up to Las Golondrinas, a period historical museum/farm, for the Santa Fe Renaissance Fair. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time.

There was 'live steel combat' which the boys found very cool.

Frog catapulting (with plastic frogs) which is harder than it looks (and it looked pretty hard!). Andy got one frog in a basket, of the 6 frogs each boy catapulted.

And a Jacob's Ladder game, which is much harder than it looks! Climbing a ladder mounted like a hammock requires balance, patience and about 3 tries to grab the bandanna! In these pix, each boy succeeded in getting the bandanna (which was threaded thru the hook near the medieval carnie).
Andy, with the bandanna in his hand, as he lost his balance. But he got the prize!

Dan, just reaching for the bandanna.

Spencer, who was really good at this game!

And a performance by Clan Tynker, whom Andy always loves to see!

Raspberry Picking

2008-09-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

We had a great day on the 14th (only got photos uploaded today) picking raspberries at a local organic farm. The berries are delicious! We left with 3 pints, which were gone by Tuesday morning -- just snacked them away.

Only got a few pictures before the batteries died, tho.

After raspberries, we met friends in the park to play.

Dan and math

2008-09-16T12:32:00.000-07:00

Dan asked me, "What's 95 plus 80?"

"175"

"Yay! I got it right! Andy asked me what it was and I figured it out!" (Andy has been quizzing Dan lately -- no idea why)

"How'd you get that answer?"

"Because I know 100 plus 80 is 180, and 75 is 5 less than 80, then 95 plus 80 is 5 less than 100 plus 80."

He spent the next half-hour figuring out math sums on his own, and telling me how he came up with them.

"Mom - 28 plus 28 is 56!. Know how I did that? 20 plus 20 is 40, then 41, 42, 43, 44,.... (up to 56 on his fingers)."

"You added the ten-units, then counted up the one-units. Cool!"

"No, I added the 20-units, then counted the other 16." (very matter of factly)

Which prompted me to give him a quick description of place values as a math concept.

Even cooler, it's all math done in his head!

He is too clever!

Our Vacation

2008-09-04T09:38:00.001-07:00

We're home from our vacation in California. Everyone had a great time!

We arrived Weds night, so we could surprise Grandma at the airport on Thursday morning. Grandpa knew we were coming, but for Grandma & Auntie Michie it was a complete surprise! After the airport, while the grandparents had a nap and settled in at another Auntie's home (we also stayed with an Auntie), we visited a nice park with play equipment, a climbing boulder. The boys played, climbed, took pictures (see my 365 blog) and just relaxed. It was wonderful to spend a day together, out of the car, after two days on the road.

Friday, we went into San Francisco after breakfast, where we saw Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Alcatraz (no tours, just across the bay), sea lions and sea gulls, ferry boats, a submarine, lots of sailboats. We visited and toured Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum -- very fun and stranger than I ever imagined. We drove up some very steep streets, and down the same very steep streets. The downhills made me nervous, which thoroughly entertained the boys. We drove down Lombard Street, billed as the crookedest street in America. We stopped in at a chocolate store where the boys bought some great candy, and we all just enjoyed looking at the candies and gifts.

Saturday, we visited Santa Cruz for the beach, at the end of a wonderful drive through the mountains on a shaded, winding road. Andy spent 3 hours in the water, Dan alternated between water and sand.
On Sunday, we visited a shoreline park in Mountain View where Grandpa rented a pedal boat for the four of us to use for an hour, which was lots of fun, too.

We had a great time. Every day and night included wonderful meals -- Japanese potluck, spam musubi, namasu (salad), sushi, kalua pork and more. We ate out at a wonderful Chinese restaurant, and finished the weekend with pizza, spaghetti and salad (wonderful Vietnamese salad, too) and birthday cake for Grandma's 80th birthday (a couple of weeks early).

Through it all, the boys were wonderfully fun and conversant and friendly and just amazing!

We're back home now, and very happy to be here. I still need to do some housekeeping and am so looking forward to my daily walk with my dog! Only after some grocery shopping and a visit to swim with friends first, tho.

of teeth and skateboards....

2008-08-22T20:20:00.001-07:00

For the record, the two don't mix. Poor Dan had a rough 24 hours.

On Weds, we colored a new blond stripe for him. It was beautiful, the full length of his hair, about 3" across on the right side of his part. Just what he wanted.

Thursday, he was invited to go swimming at a friend's indoor pool. I never even thought about his new hair color. You know where this is going, right? He swam for only about an hour, in water that reached to just below his jawline. Had a great time, then we headed to the farm to visit Scotty.

After we'd been there a couple of hours, I noticed Dan's hair. The bottom 6" was aqua green. Okay, I thought, I can re-do the color, I have some color solution left. Then I noticed it looked tangled and matted. Maybe he got something in his hair? I rinsed it out for him, and combed it. Now it looked like someone left it in the crimping iron too long. He had fried green hair.

I made a frantic call to Crystal to report a hair emergency, and got her voicemail. When she called back, she confirmed what I already knew. I'd need to cut off the fried green hair. She explained how to layer it so it would fall nicely and said if we really wanted blond to the ends, I could wait a day and color the underlayer. Thank goodness we hadn't colored all his hair or he'd have needed a radically new haircut!

I trimmed Dan's hair Thursday night, and it looks pretty good. Thankfully, the waterline was just below his jawline and the layering Crystal recommended has it framing his face nicely. We left it his natural brown below, because right now Dan is so done with hair coloring! The hair I trimmed off has the texture of nylon Barbie doll hair. Really. (Note to self -- no swimming for at least 3 days after a hair color.)

A little while later, Scotty & Dan were riding together on Scotty's electric dirt bike - Scotty driving, Dan behind. On the driveway, they wrecked the bike. Dan told me he landed on Scotty, which begs the question 'how did he end up with several scrapes and bruises the length of his left leg?' One of the rare days he wasn't wearing jeans -- he still had his swim trunks on from his earlier brush with 300 proof chlorine.

Scotty came home with us that night. The boys stayed up late, and were up early. About 9:30 Friday morning, as I was checking my email before heading out to buy tires, Dan came up behind me and said "I lost a tooth."

"Really -- was it that dangly tooth up top?"

As I swiveled around in the chair, I see Dan bleeding from his mouth, holding the other top incisor in his hand (it was only the tiniest bit loose). "No, it was the other one" he manages to say before lunging towards me for a teary hug. I got him spun around and headed for the sink/fridge area. Darn, no popsicles. I put a bag of frozen peas on his mouth and we head for the sink, as I grab a small glass and salt. I mixed up some salt water and had him swish it around until the bleeding stopped. Assessed the damage -- split, swollen bottom lip; missing top tooth left a gaping hole; other tooth dangling even more precariously. Okay, I guess we're having ice cream for lunch after we get new tires on the car.

How, you may ask, did Dan knock out his front tooth? Let's call it a physics lesson. He and Scotty were using the skateboard as a lever to raise the back of the couch. On their first attempt, the skateboard flew up and smacked Dan in the mouth. By the time I'd cleaned Dan up, Scotty had managed to raise the couch off the floor and was standing on the other end of the skateboard. A bit later Dan explained that during his injury, they were actually trying to launch a bottle of root beer. In the house. With a skateboard.

Friday afternoon talking with friends, Dan said it hurt for about 5 seconds. Scotty said it seemed Dan was upset for longer than that. Dan agreed that maybe it had been more like 12 seconds.

He also agreed it's pretty scary when a skateboard flies up and hits you in the face.

Yeah, he is going to look so good by next week.....

Saturday morning update: The dangling tooth fell out overnight, and the new tooth is already visible.

Peer Pressure

2008-08-20T22:27:00.000-07:00

I've read articles and even had people ask me how our kids will ever learn to get along in the world without the apparently essential experience of socialization in school; how they'll respond to challenges like peer pressure and negotiating other social situations. For all that we're told as parents to watch out for negative peer pressure, we're also conditioned to rely on positive peer pressure, and somewhere along the way most people just come to accept that of course kids, especially teens, will succumb to peer pressure.

Lately, I've really struggled with my feelings about one of Andy's friends, and this child's influence on Andy. I've heard from others, and observed myself, some very undesirable behavior from this friend. I'm not usually one to limit or prohibit friendships, but I've found myself concerned, because it seemed Andy was oblivious to his friend's actions. I've been concerned how that friendship could cost him other friends, the guilt by association aspect, and even that Andy might be swept up in some of the negative behaviors.

Yesterday, he asked about making time to hang out with his friend. In addition to having already made other plans, I wasn't really up for having this conversation with Andy. I explained a bit about my concerns and offered him a short visit, with conditions. I didn't really feel good about it, but felt it was the best I could do.

A few minutes later, Andy said "that's okay, we can skip it. I don't have to see him tomorrow." He sounded so defeated and sad. I felt awful, so I sat down with him and opened by telling him I could see that this really was important to him, and I'd like to hear how he felt.

Andy said, "I don't give into peer pressure. I follow my own flow. I do what I want to do. There have been times I didn't like it when [his friend] fights with someone. I tell him 'don't escalate things, just do something else'. He doesn't always listen to me, but I do say it. Sometimes I just walk away. I don't do things just because of peer pressure."

Wow! Just wow! Here I've been watching interaction between Andy and his friends and taken his responses to them - his quietly just not doing what he doesn't want to do - as missing social cues, as Andy being in his own head and oblivious to what's happening around him, when really it's his way of not caving in to peer pressure. Andy states his position, and if others don't hear him, he just walks away and does his own thing.

Clearly, I'd underestimated Andy, and I admitted to it. I told him I could see that he was hurt that I hadn't trusted him to be able to handle this. I apologized for not seeing that he's very capable of dealing with peer pressure and said that I'd trust him to come to me if he needed my help.

I've always known Andy walks to his own beat. Andy lives a life that is entirely, authentically his. He wears what is comfortable for him, pursues his own interests, plays with the toys that interest him (whether or not they're popular), has an amazing imagination and really is very thoughtful. What I hadn't noticed is how much Andy has grown, and how very aware and thoughtful he really is. He's finding his own way in the world and I'm so happy I have the opportunity to watch him as he does it.

Bowling

2008-08-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we went bowling with friends. We all had a great time. Andy bowled two strikes his first game, Dan bowled a few spares in each game. Scores weren't high and bumpers were used, but it's all about the fun of bowling not about who wins. Every good frame for anyone is celebrated by everyone.

Dan, after a spare

Andy after a strike

Another strike for Andy, with more high-5's. By midway thru the first game, Sorscha was giving out hugs for any occasion that merited high-5's from the boys. Sorry no pictures of any hugs, tho.

It was so nice to have the bowling virtually to ourselves on a Friday afternoon -- the price is good then, and with kids back in school all our usual haunts are ours again!

Kids &Trees..and a rope

2008-08-14T07:44:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, we had a morning in a local park with 9 kids. The kids played well in expected combinations for the most part. By mid-afternoon, we had 7 kids and 4 moms, food and a 50' length of rope. Oh, and a good tree.

They climbed the tree.....

They used the rope to create a pulley to lift people -- first Scotty, then Dan once they'd perfected the technique.
Dan & Emma played the necessary game of chase.

By the end of the day, the rope was being used to tie Andy up, something like a maypole. This game never got beyond the winding stage, so I don't know what the bigger plan was.

They all took turns whipping the rope while it was tied to the tree. I mentioned to the kids that I was sure there's a scientific principle to explain what the rope was doing, but I didn't know what it was or how to explain it.

Later, I showed this picture to Gary and he said "sine waves" -- so they were exploring sine waves. That's why I rely on him to be my science guy!

Jemez Falls

2008-08-09T14:49:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, we spent a lovely afternoon in nearby Jemez Springs. The trip was planned for tie-dyeing with a visiting family from California. We had a blast tie-dyeing and just hanging out with everyone. I'll post about the tie-dyeing when I have pics of the t-shirts.

On the drive home, we stopped off to see Jemez Falls. We knew it would be about a 3/4 mile hike each way, described by our tie-dye hostess as "down is down and up is up". Yes, up was very up and it was the return part of the hike! We had a great time, tho, and I even managed a few pictures -- gave me an excuse to stop and catch my breath.

This is what Jemez Falls looks like from the fenced lookout point.

The boys insisted on hiking down to the river, where we saw this small waterfall.

This view is from the top of the falls. The boys found it very cool that we got to stand at the top of the falls. The water was beyond cool, by the way -- to get these pictures, I stood in the water.

Gary & Dan along the trail, returning to the parking lot

Andy, as we began our hike. He insisted on climbing to a high vantage point so we could choose the right trail. Because altho it's a National Forest park site, the trails (and there are many of them) are completely unmarked, and the 'map' at the parking area is quite vague.

We had a great time -- the day was beautiful, the company great, the falls spectacular. We really needed -- and enjoyed a road trip.

a day in the life

2008-08-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Wow -- I had no idea it's been so long since I blogged here. I've been at my other two blogs, and we've been busy, so I guess it just slipped my mind.

Over at Radical Unschoolers' Network, Ren has asked people to share a normal day for this month's blog carnival topic.

The first challenge for me was finding a 'normal' day -- does that mean any random day, or one that sounds particularly sparkly and unschooly? We've been home more than gone lately, and tho we've done some interesting things here and there, it's just been too hot (95+ most days and no monsoon) to go out, and the boys really enjoy the new Play Station 2. Lots of fun for them, but doesn't really translate well into a blog.

We spent the afternoon at Jenny & Chris's farm yesterday, where I'm sure the boys had great fun, tho I don't know what they did. I had a great time hanging out enjoying wine & snacks with Jenny & Crystal, but I'm not posting that here.

We have plans to spend Wednesday in Jemez Springs with new friends, making tie-dyed t-shirts, but that's the day after Ren's deadline, so it won't qualify.

Today is the best I can come up with for Ren, and we do actually have plans to leave the house for a park day with the tribe, so I'll start now and add as I can.

I was up at 6:30 or so. We brought Dans' best friend, Scotty (from Ironwood Farm) home with us for an overnight. Dan is sleeping in my bed; Scotty is draped across the couch, having woken from his place on Andy's floor. I saw him there when I woke, curled up near a pile of legos, meaning he likely just ran out of steam mid-project. Andy is asleep in his bed. It's 7:40 now, and I don't expect anyone to be up and around before 8:30 or so. I generally have mornings to myself, giving me the opportunity to have a quiet breakfast and cup of tea. I checked my email, made some oats for breakfast and started this blog. I also usually get out for a 30 minute walk with the dog -- generally leaving the boys home with a cell phone -- but not today since Scotty is over, and that's likely too much for Andy.

By 8 am, and Dan and Scotty were both up. Scotty dug thru a pile of legos, while Dan admired a very cool transformer belonging to Andy. Dan just showed me how the cable extends from it in helicopter form, and asked me to check online to see if it's still sold in stores. We found 3 online at Amazon.com -- one for $189.99! Dan said the one for $25.75 is good enough for him, so we'll put it on our wishlist for later in the week/month.

Around 8:30 Dan fired up the Play Station for a game. Scotty checked the pantry to see what cereal we have. One of the things he enjoys most at our house is that we have exotic cereals -- I enjoy that Scotty will eat them no matter how stale they are! I'm pretty sure the last time anyone ate that Peanutbutter Cap'n Crunch it was Scotty on a sleepover, probably 3 weeks ago.

After breakfast, the boys set up for a two-player game of Grand Theft Auto. Not my first choice of video game -- too much gunfire for me, but the music is interesting and the fake commercials are a hoot -- "nothing says I Love You like a 3 million yr old chunk of carbon" (or something like that) parodying an ad for diamonds.

Sometime around 10, I heard Andy up and around in his room. He didn't come out to the living room for a while, since he usually spends his first half-hour or more alone in his room.

Usually, I water my herb garden, the strawberries and morning glories, but no need to water today, since we had thunderstorms overnight. We watched some spectacular lightning at the farm and on our drive home last night.

After a while, Dan announced he's done with Grand Theft Auto, saying the game cheats, tho Scotty continued to play. Around 10:30, Andy came out to join us and asked for breakfast. No Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the pantry, so he asked me to run out to the grocery store for some. He was even willing to be responsible for Dan & Scotty. We need lunch for the park later anyway, and a trip without 3 boys sounds much easier, so headed out.

At some point during the morning, Dan got out his electric guitar, hooked up the amp and played a bit. I told him it sounded good and I enjoy hearing him play.

I called Andy from the store to confirm what everyone wanted for lunch. Got home from the store to find Dan & Scotty just finishing up a shower. Scotty told me they'd started out with a bath, but that was too much trouble. I loaded up the lunch bag for the park with something for everyone, and the fall-back of peanutbutter & honey sandwich makings. Andy's played Naruto on the Play Station, with Dan & Scotty for an audience, while having his breakfast.

Andy's and I each had a shower, then we packed up and loaded bikes, food and water for park day. I picked up some Capri Sun drinks at the store and tucked them in the freezer without the boys seeing them, so I stashed them in trunk for a surprise at the park.

About two blocks from home -- car packed up with two bikes, all our park gear and three boys -- Andy announced "on the way I want to stop at Target so I can buy my new Bakugan." Um, the Target isn't on the way to the park, sweetie. How about we go by Target on our way home from the park?

We did stop by the bank drive-up window for gas money, then the gas station on our way to the park. Along the way, Dan spotted three motorcycles in front of house. He also called out whenever he saw a Ford Mustang, his current favorite car.

There was a big group there today, with kids chasing, biking, swinging, running all over the playset. For a while, Andy & Eliza (the 5yo daughter of my friend Jenny) made the sweetest picture, with her head resting on his shoulder as he played his DS. Scotty had brought his electric dirt bike, which is big enough for him and Dan to ride together, so they bombed around the park for a good long while. They even got in a few laps of the park while I put the bikes on the rack.

Later in the day, when Andy was hot, tired, eager to head for Target, and scrounging for more water to drink, he found the two Capri Suns left for him (the little boys had already had theirs). He was thrilled that I'd thought to get the extra drinks. That really lifted his mood, and made the wait more pleasant.

We left the park shortly after 5. I pointed out that we had the bikes on the rack, tied but not locked down. Andy offered to go in alone to do his shopping. He's 12, and pretty regularly when we go to Target, he and Dan head off for the toy dept alone, but I'm always in the store. Andy had his cell phone and said he'd call me when he was done, so we dropped him at the door. This was his first time in Target entirely alone. He and Dan have been into our local Gamestop without me, but it's very small and I can see the entire store from the car. The Target is huge, and from the parking space I found, I couldn't even see the entrance. Just a little new and scary for me.

Dan and I waited in the air-conditioned car, talking about his plans to catch up with a friend who has been out of town for a while. After about 15 minutes, I texted Andy to ask if he'd found his toy yet. He texted 'not yet' then a few minutes later called to explain that while he'd found one toy he wanted, he really wanted two (for some set plans he has) and he'd asked a store employee if he could check the back room for it. I mentioned this to Dan, who was getting a little impatient, saying "you know Andy. He's always ready to ask for what he wants." Dan agreed that Andy's like that. Several minutes later, Andy called to say he was in line to pay, so we drove to the entrance and waited picked him up.

When he got into the car, he told me that when his purchase rang up, he was 20 cents short and was worried about what to do. He didn't want me to have to come in to give him the extra money. Then he saw the woman behind him hand the checker a dollar to cover him. He was so genuinely grateful for her help -- he just couldn't believe her generosity. Of course, that's just the kind of thing Andy would do for anyone else in line who was caught short, and he's seen me do the same, but still he was surprised and thought it was very cool. I told him how cool it was that people had been so helpful to him in Target.

We got back home around 7pm. The boys found themselves some snacks and a few more CapriSun drinkers. Andy poured a bowl of Cheerios for himself. I toasted a blueberry bagel and buttered it. Dan helped me eat my bagel. We ate well at the park, so dinner will be light tonight.

The boys watched Johnny Test on Cartoon Network, and saw a commercial for WeirdWorld -- a new TV show promo'd as coming soon, but with no details. It looked creepy and cool, and the ad said to check it out online Weird World Show. I looked it up for the boys, and yep, it's very creepy and cool, with cryptids (I'm not sure what those even are). The site had a listing of the first three episodes - one about Mongolian Death Worm venon, the second about Kumari Kandam a 'sunken city lost to the ocean's darkest depths' and something about a feeding frenzy in the cryptid dungeon. Looks very cool. No info yet on when or what channel to watch, so we'll check back to see when we can watch an episode.

I asked Dan if he'd like to play War with me, he asked if we could play Go Fish instead. He won.

This got really long and I'm ready to watch some TV that I dvr'd earlier this evening. By ten, Dan will be ready to head for bed to snuggle in for night, so I have just enough time to catch my show. Andy will stay up later, tho he likes to be settled in his room, with the light on once I head for bed.

I'll send my link to Ren. I'm glad she suggested this, because it's easy to think we don't do much in an average day -- it's nice to have a reminder of how much happens in one day.

Morning around here

2008-07-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

Wondering how I find time to blog? Yes, it's a busy life, but lucky for me, I'm a morning person -- and my beautiful children are mostly night owls. Dan usually gets to bed earlier than Andy, but still can be counted on to sleep until 8:30 or 9 many days.

Other than lovely early morning rain, here's what been going on while I blogged today..

Not sure why Andy spent the night on the couch, but a few moments ago he mumbled something about how hard it is to stay up all night.

Nothing like spending the morning snuggled in bed, with a devoted dog at your feet.

Garden Show

2008-07-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by We spent last evening at the Botanic Gardens concert. More accurately, we spent our evening watching two shows by Clan Tynker. The boys love Clan Tynker. They're a semi-local (from Santa Fe) Old World style performing troupe. The costumes are great, the magic tricks are cute, the comedy sweet and silly and the juggling truly phenomenal.

I took lots of pictures.

Clan Tynker opening the show.

Elijah with his unicycle. He rode it, too, but this was more impressive....

They juggle.....

They spin Diablo.....

The boys love watching Marygold & Rebekah with the 'Diablo' spinner. Now they want their own.

There's comedy and audience prompts.....

Elijah walks on the tightrope -- very cool!

Mostly, tho, they do this.....

Completely enchanted children!

Andy especially loves the show!

Clan Tynker travels around the country, performing everywhere from Rennaisance Faires to libraries and private parties. When you check out their website, have a look at their calendar. If they come anywhere near you, get out to see them. They are great fun!

Down on the farm

2008-07-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

Finally, pictures again! After what seemed like forever!

This past month, we've spent a lot of time at Ironwood Farm helping out and hanging out. I first saw Ironwood Farms a little over three years ago, when the straw bale home Chris & Jenny built was near completion. I'm amazed at how much has changed in that time!

These pictures were taken the past two weekends.

Andy & Jenny with the two little piggies. They are the sweetest little pigs, and follow Jenny around like little puppies. Their names are Aelita and Yumi (from Code Lyoko). The kids named them.

Will and Chris out in the corn field. It was very hot yesterday (95) and they were irrigating which only added to the monsoon humidity around here. The guys worked very hard, hoeing and preparing the corn for watering. I don't know what was happening in this shot, but I liked the way their stances contrast. I think by this time, there was already water on the field, which makes walking interesting.

Irrigation at Ironwood Farm, like virtually all farms and some homes along the Rio Grande is done by opening gates that let river water flow into ditches run thru and around the farms (an acequia) which floods the fields. Growing up in New Mexico I thought that was how all farmers watered, until I moved to places where rainfall exceeds 2-5" a year!

Andy is helping Will & Jenny move an A-frame chicken tractor (housing for the chickens). One of several built by Chris, they're moved daily, allowing both chickens and grass to have fresh food daily.

I included this shot to show Jenny over at the other end of the show.

I know I had some pictures of kids chasing chickens -- a regular activity at Ironwood Farm -- I printed them, but can't find them now on the computer.

Even with the heat and hard work, we all love our time at the farm. Dan's best friend Scotty lives there of course, and we all love the whole feel of the farm.

Andy's Birthday

2008-06-19T06:25:00.000-07:00

No pix again today. Still looking for the right digital camera, in our price range.

We had a great party for Andy's 12th birthday -- two actually, since the kids' party was on Monday, his actual birthday, with what Andy called a 'family after-party' on Tuesday night when Gary got home. Pizza both times, of course!

Andy had planned to shop for his birthday gifts on ebay, and when asked what he wanted told his friends cash. By the end of his party he had quite a bit of cash, and decided to check out Target before hitting ebay. We came home from Target with two big lego building sets, a remote control helicopter, a Rubik's cube and huge Nerf crossbow.

He has already assembled the lego sets, successfully flown the helicopter several times and fired the crossbow countless times. He had bought another lego set last week with some birthday money Grandma & Grandpa sent, so he's been busy churning out the lego creations for the past few days.

The Rubik's cube has been the most interesting to watch since Monday. He bought it Monday morning, and promptly scrambled it. He tried to solve it thru the day -- taking a break for his party. By Tuesday morning, he was ready to find a solution online, but they all took too long for him. He chose instead to dismantle the cube, thinking he'd put it back together. Moments later I was asked to reassemble the cube. Okay, not a big job, only took a few minutes and it sat for a while in its pristine state. Later he scrambled it again, then announced he wanted to take the color stickers off. I thought he wanted to try to put them back on to make the cube 'solved' and pointed out that once peeled off, the stickers likely won't go back on easily. No problem, he didn't want them back on -- the cube will now be a controller for some fantastic, imagined lego creation (I've forgotten what was called). He likes the idea of being able to spin the cube levels without being concerned about the disordered color squares, and where else are you going to find a controller for his amazing lego creations?

I'm curious to find out what the next incarnation will be for the Rubik's Cube.

Prairie Dogs

2008-05-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

No pictures -- we forgot the camera phones -- but we had a great time today watching and feeding the prairie dogs along the bike path in the foothills. There were lots of prairie dogs -- adults, nursing mamas, babies. They all came close enough to watch, some even ate from the kids' hands! We got there early afternoon, tho, and it was too hot (high around 90) for most of the little ones. Next time we go, we'll choose either early or late, when it's cool enough that we're not interrupting siesta time.

We learned about what the prairie dogs like to eat, and that they get water from the grasses they eat, but in a true drought, they will eat cactus to get water! We read about the relocation program done by Prairie Dog Pals, an outfit that also feeds the prairie dogs.

We arrived early, and Andy insisted we walk the half-mile to the pedestrian walkway over Tramway Rd. Did I mention it was hot today? At the other end of the walkway we found a cute little park with a playground. The boys wanted to stay right then, but our friends were meeting us at the prairie dog park, so we walked back, getting there just as our friends arrived.

Afterwards, we drove over to the little park, spent about half an hour then headed home. We drove by the house I grew up in here -- it's so different, and ugly, with a big upper level that looks like an airport observation building. And it's unfinished. I'll be the neighbors are just crazy about what's been done to the house by the current owners.

It's all so different in that neighborhood from when I was a kid. Tramway Road was 4-lane packed dirt until 1983, and there were no strip malls or pedestrian bridges. In the 70's that part of town really was the edge of creation for us. Now it's city all the way to the mountain. Still hard to wrap my head around.

How to build the impossible

2008-05-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

This past Friday we spent the afternoon at Explora Museum. The kids had a good time, played at the water table, spent loads of time at the sounds exhibit, exploring different musical instruments, and time in the building blocks area. I only got one picture to share.

Actually, Andy took this picture with his cell phone and I managed to transfer it here.

He built this with Kapla blocks, having watched a museum volunteer build a similar one.

Andy started with two arches, each made from two vertical blocks with a horizontal span. Each additional layer of horizontal blocks is placed just slightly interior, until they almost meet in the middle. Add several layers of blocks to bridge the space, and the outer vertical blocks as columns to counter-balance the center stack. Once that's all in place, the outside columns can be carefully removed, leaving this impossible-looking archway.

The two blocks on top, leaning to center are Andy's design flair, and not structurally necessary.

Another great birthday party -- with pix!

2008-05-28T07:19:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Dan's best friend, Scotty, turned 8. Scotty's Dad, Chris, turned 38 the same day. Happy Birthday guys!

We spent Sunday afternoon at another great party at Ironwood Farm to celebrate. The steam engine was fired up and used to lower the kids into the 'mine shaft' (about 8' deep) and raise them to the frame (about 12' up) in a miner's bucket. Very cool and lots of fun for the kids. Everyone had a turn, and Gary even helped out on the bell during Andy's turn.

That's Chris firing up the engine.

Dan in the miner's bucket. He shared the ride with Scotty.

From this angle, tho, all you can see of Scotty is the 'extra hand' below Dan's arm.

Andy being raised in the miner's bucket, with Gary in the background.

It took me forever to get these pix up, since the process from Andy's cell phone was hard for me to figure out. Now that I have that all figured out -- if I can remember how I did it -- I'll get more pix up. Still eager to replace the digital camera, tho.

more math

2008-05-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

It's fast and easy for me to just dash them off here -- and since the stories here live in cyber-space, they won't get lost in the next computer crash.

We were in the car yesterday -- maybe we should call what we do car-schooling -- when Andy asked, 'what's 95 plus 65?' I answered 160, without thinking about it. I know Andy can do math, so I figured he was keeping other facts in his head and probably just checking his answer with me. He was playing Pokemon on his DS when he asked.

A few seconds later, Dan said "I know how to figure that out. 95 plus 5 is 100, then plus the 60 from 65, and you get 160." Very cool! He knew the easy method for that problem was to make two groups of ten-units and add them up. Andy then quizzed Dan for several math problems, a favorite activity for Andy, who seems convinced that Dan should know as much he does. Dan was very close in his answers. He's good at figuring out a system to do the math reliably. It also gave Andy a chance to show he could do the math, correcting Dan's answers.

It's great that they really enjoy playing with numbers and doing math. Really, tho, my favorite part in all this is watching their relationship -- they're good friends and companions despite their differences in age and personality.

And they laugh so much every day!

Pokemon and Honesty

2008-05-19T05:29:00.000-07:00

Lately, it seems that video games are being seen as negative, addictive, bad for kids, filled with violence and totally without redeeming value. We have a different story around here to share.

The boys each have a Nintendo DS. We don't have a game system for the house, tho we hope to pick up a Nintendo Wi sometime soon. Andy usually owns only one game, because his allowance money goes to other things most months. He plays Pokemon, each new game he gets, all the way thru. We've had more games with gemstone names than I can remember. When he's finished with a game, he trades it up (with some cash required) at Gamestop. Dan currently has 4 games, and rotates them pretty regularly. My story today is about Andy, but I didn't want to leave Dan out.

For the record, we've not seen any signs of 'addiction.' Neither boy plays Nintendo to the exclusion of all things. Dan often forgets to bring his to the car, and seldom remembers to charge it. His DS has even gone missing for a day or two at a time, with no distress. They were both without Nintendo after the break-in, for more than 2 months, and life went on. Andy plays his more often, but will happily set it aside to play with Dan, take a phone call from his grandparents, help out around the house, or read a book.

Andy's current Pokemon game is Explorers of Darkness. In this game, players don't choose a pokemon to play. Instead, the game presents a personality profile quiz, then based on the answers given by the player, a pokemon is assigned. Andy has been frustrated by this process. He answers all the questions honestly, and it gives him a Tododile, which he does not want to play. He tried this several times -- the questions change in each taking of the quiz. Always a Tododile.

He explained this all to me. What he really wanted was to be able to choose his own Pokemon to play. I asked if he'd tried answering the questions in the opposite to his genuine feelings. He said that he had once answered all the questions with A, trying to change the outcome. The game gave him a Piplup. I said that was good, didn't he want to play a Piplup? Andy replied, "Yes, I like Piplup, but I can't play him -- I got him by lying. It just wouldn't be right." OH, now I see the problem! Andy is incapable of lying. Really. He's not only the most inept liar I've ever seen (even worse at lying than Gary!) but he will confess to things he has already gotten away with! Andy truly does not have a dishonest bone in his body. Which begs the question, "how did I get this kid?" but that's another topic.

I explained to Andy that it seemed to me that the Pokemon game was designed to profile his personality based on the quiz, and give him a Pokemon he'd enjoy. They were trying to be clever and helpful. They just guessed wrong with him -- his preferences don't fit their profile expectation. They've put him in the wrong box is all. I shared that he does have a few options -- he can answer honestly and accept that the pokemon he's given is the one he's MEANT to play (my friend Susan is of this opinion); he can answer oppositely as a strategy, just as a way to cope with the skewed system in place; he can have fun with the quiz, answering the questions in silly ways and see what comes up until he gets one he'd like to play.

He tried the quiz several more times this way. He'd answer the questions -- I don't know whether his answers were genuine, contrary or silly -- hit the right button, and wait with his eyes closed for me to read to him the answer. Lots of Tododiles, so I guess he wanted to be able to have both honesty and a cool Pokemon. Every so often, the answer would be Piplup, or Charmander, or something else. After a while, he stopped asking me to read the answers. (he can read, just wanted me to tell him in his suspense)

Somehow, he got a Pikachu and he's happy with that, so he's playing the game. At one point, I heard Dan ask "so the Pikachu will evolve into a Raichu?" Andy replied that he's not going to evolve this Pikachu, since he likes it better than a Raichu. I don't know enough about Pokemon to know how that will affect play, or if he can just set that Pikachu aside and pursue another Pokemon he's willing to evolve. I don't know how he got the Pikachu -- did he manipulate the quiz, or did the game finally reward his honesty?

It was interesting to me that, even in games, Andy's not comfortable with inauthenticity. He has to live the life that's most true for him. At the same time,

Maybe it was helpful to him to see that sometimes the system does required selective disclosure and a little finesse.

Or maybe the universe just rewarded him for his honesty!

a crazy busy week

2008-04-24T17:24:00.000-07:00

Well, a crazy busy couple of days around here. On Tuesday, we had Scotty & Eliza over all afternoon while Jenny took a friend to her first chemo treatment, then Scotty overnighted. Yesterday, as soon as Jenny picked up Scotty, I headed out to pick up Emma for an afternoon out of the house. Dan & I hit three parks with Gwen, Megan, Zoe & Emma along for the fun. Dan was very gracious (and at times long-suffering) to spend his afternoon in girl-land, and we all had fun. He got a chance to improve his skateboard skills, and the girls each tried out the skateboard, too.

Andy, meanwhile, saw the latest Jackie Chan movie, Forbidden Kingdom, with Susan & Spencer. Gary spent his day at home waiting for Dennis to show up with a load of extra furniture they won't need as they move to Portland in just over a week.

Today's trip to Trader Joe's, Hobby Lobby, and the T-Mobile store (to replace Andy's phone that was stolen in January) seemed restful by comparison!

At one point we were talking about shopping for books at the thrift store. I mentioned that I'd rather buy them there where I can get 8 books for $4 than pay $8 for each book. In less than a minute, Dan said, "That's 50 cents a book -- I did the math!" In his head, no less. Division. At 7 years old. I've never sat down and shown him how to divide, tho we've talked about what division is and I've shared how I do math in my head as I go along. It's not likely he'd recognize the symbols or problems on paper, but he clearly gets the concept.

Tomorrow should be quieter, and I hope to get my herbs planted, buy and plant several more strawberry plants and some banana pepper plants. It's taken me forever to get my garden started this year! And our peach tree has little tiny, fuzzy, pea-sized peaches on it! Dan is so excited -- me, too! The rosebush out front is full of buds, the iris patch is filled with beautiful dark purple blooms, and I think it's safe to say the last freeze has passed.

Saturday we'll be hosting Ian for the day while Sue & Bruce finish up their last day of 'parent training' as part of the adoption process, in the hopes they can add to their family. Ian would very much like to have a brother/sister (or two or three, even).

I heard from an old friend I haven't talked to in ages -- Hi Sage & Todd and Paul!

Still no camera, so no pictures, tho we hope to pick up one when we get our extra tax rebate in June. I'm sure once I have a camera, I'll go crazy posting updated pix for everyone to see.

Will in college

2008-02-12T13:46:00.000-08:00

I realize I usually write here about our school-free lives, but this year -- for the first time in almost 7 years -- we have a family member in school. Will is taking two courses at the local community college (CNM) this semester. For the time being, he's only attending part-time, since he lives on his own and has a full-time job.

He enrolled this semester part-time, with an eye towards earning a Liberal Arts Associates Degree, then transferring to UNM for a BS in Sociology. This semester, he's taking English 1101 and a remedial Math course, because he feels a need to renew his math skills from high school. Altho he passed the GED test 5 years ago, with high school level math scores, when he took the placement test this time around, his math scores were lower. When we sat down with an advisor, we were told that CNM has added more remedial math courses, because more students are coming in from high school with gaps in their math learning. For example, Will's algebra scores were fine, while his 'middle-school level math' scores were low, something that's apparently quite common in recent years at CNM.

He's been in the classes for a month now, and I'm really pleased to see the time and effort he's putting into his studies. Yesterday, after Math class he told me they'd been able to see their grades and check their class standing, and he's second in the class. He said this is only because he skipped over some of the first assignments, thinking that he only needed to do those he didn't yet know (because those early handouts were outside the syllabus) so he skipped those he felt confident with. Now he'll go back and do them, get the scores and boost his grade that much more. Today he got his first essay back, with a grade of 3.5 (B+ to A-). He's very jazzed about this, because he can see now what he instructor expects in the way of style and content, and so feels he'll do even better on future assignments.

He is very happy about his progress and his experience in college. When he told me about the math class standing, I commented that this was a new for him. He replied "yeah, this is a first." Today he called me just to share the news about his essay grade, and he was both pleased and confident about upcoming essays.

Last week, he mentioned to me that he'd re-done his math homework, because even tho all the work was right, he felt the paper was too messy and wanted it to be cleaner. I could have danced for joy right there! You see, this was confirmation of what I've always known was true of Will, what I was never able to convince anyone of when he was in public school. Will is not lazy or unmotivated -- he's a perfectionist! I always believed that the reason he 'lost' his homework assignments (I would see him finish them, so I knew he was doing the work) was because he didn't want to see low grades for less than perfectly right work.

It's just so wonderful to see him, after a 5 year break (he last took a couple of college classes in 2002 mostly because we pushed him to try college), doing so well in college.

long time, no post

2008-02-04T18:19:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted. No camera, so no photos, which means I'm less likely to post.

What's been going on around here? A mix of good and not so good. Our house was broken into on Jan 9th, relieving us of the aforementioned camera, both Nintendos, the 'better' computer, our DVD player, both the boys' cellphones, one window, and for a time, our sense of safety in our own home. It's take me almost 4 weeks to gather the necessary paperwork (just got the police report today, and it's not even the complete updated version) to file our insurance claim. It leaves me wondering -- is the secret to just not own any valuable stuff, or to keep every receipt we ever get? For that, tho, we'd need the ever-bigger house George Carlin joked about, so I guess not.

Gary's new job is going well overall, but due to some warehouse delays for all of December and much of January -- and now snow delays two consecutive weeks in Utah --we're not really seeing any more money than when we had him home every night and all weekend, so it's easy to be frustrated at all this sacrifice, for what?

Dan and Will both had birthdays last month -- my firstborn is now 23, and my baby is 7! It doesn't seem possible that I've been a Mom for 23 years.

Will is taking two courses at the local community college. He's really enjoying them, and I'm pleased to see he's both doing and enjoying the work. I had no idea, tho, how expensive college textbooks are! Captive market and all that, I guess, but the books will cost almost as much as his tuition when it's all totaled up.

We closed out the year with the death of a much beloved Uncle in Gary's family, which has prompted some very deep -- and sweet - conversations about life and people. Andy said, "If I could time-travel, I'd go back to when Uncle Nobu was a kid -- I'll bet he was just as great a kid as he was an uncle! Oh, and I'd tell him to be sure to look out for Auntie Michie, because she's the perfect one for him!" He is such a sweet soul.

Winter this year has been just too cold, too early dark and too long already for us, and it's just barely February. The snow today was pretty. At least if we have to be cold, pretty snow falling is a nice pay off.

Oh well, off to play Monopoly with Dan -- have I mentioned how much I miss the Nintendos? I'm just not a big fan of board games, especially Monopoly. I have trouble settling down to a game that complicated.

And on update, the game of Monopoly was fun. Unlike most times, we actually played for longer than it takes to set up!

tagged twice

2008-01-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've been tagged twice -- first by Katy with the 8 things game, then by Jenny for the Arhive posts. Jenny said she tagged me in the hopes it will get me to post something here. And if you can't count on your friends to drag you outside to play, even when that's the last thing you have any energy or desire to do, then what else are friends for?

I'll tackle the 8 things first, since it will be less work and right now I need some easy sense of accomplishment. Then again, I've already done one of these 'share something no one else knows' things here so there may not be anything readers of my blog don't know about me.

The "rules":* link to the person who tagged you* post the rules* name 8 things others don’t know about you* link to 8 other bloggers

1. Tho I love to have a real dinner for Gary when he's home, when left to my own devices to eat alone, I'm perfectly content to eat cold cereal every night and call it dinner.

2. I am practically unable to back the car out of anywhere more complicated than my own driveway. I hate to back the car any distance, and will circle the parking lot looking for the open double space I can drive thru to front out.

3. And I will go almost any distance to avoid turning left against traffic without a left turn arrow. I routinely drive a mile or more out of my way so I can turn right leaving Will's street, because traffic is so daunting for me there. Even tho it's a left turn from his place to drop him at work, I often turn right then make a u-turn at the next traffic light up the road.

4. I chose the high school I attended -- as a transfer student -- only because my friend's older brother (they lived next door) bet me $10 I'd never get into the other high school.

5. In order to get that high school transfer I signed up for JROTC my entire time in high school -- yes, me the anti-war gal you all know today.

6. My first love in high school was named John Edwards -- no, not THAT John Edwards, but I find it a strange coincidence, and thinking of him I wonder what it's like to share the name of someone well-known.

7. I have the same birthday as Hillary Clinton -- I could say she shares my birthday, but she's older so it was technically hers first. I'm not a big fan of HRC, so it's kinda strange.

8. I am very sensitive about my ears -- I can't stand to have water get in them, and I've yet to find an earphone or hands-free phone ear device I can use. The very idea of having anything inside my ears is just wrong. Really, only one thing on my long list of odd sensitivities. And I used to wonder how my kids turned out so sensitive! Yeah, that would be genetics.

I'm not going to tag 8 other people, tho if there's anyone left on the planet who hasn't played this tag yet, and you'd like to play, consider yourself tagged by me.

Archive Meme Instructions: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you've written. ... but there is a catch: Link 1 must be about family. Link 2 must be about friends. Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are... what you're all about. Link 4 must be about something you love. Link 5 can be anything you choose. I think this is a great way to circulate some of the great older posts everyone had written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be *newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better....and don't forget to read the archive posts and leave comments!

Favorite family post: Two Such Happy Boys

Friends post : New Year's Day With The Tribe

about me post: this was the hardest, finding a post that's just about me, who I am... okay, so I'll admit I wasn't able to find a post specifically about me. Just last week, I dismantled my 'sacred' blog, tho I did save to my hard drive the posts there with musings I think I'd like to revisit someday. I've been thru those, tho, and still came up empty. Not sure if this means I should blog more about me -- that feels just a little too private, too invasive in recent days, which have been kinda rough and filled with too much transition, too much winter, and too little sunshine. I'll deviate from the game here, giving myself permission to be alone with myself for awhile.

something I love: would of course have to be about Gary, whom I love more than I can say News Musings Gratitude

anything at all: Stream of Consciousness

So, there it is -- two games of tag on my terms.

Off to make snickerdoodles from Diana's yummy-looking recipe, which I found here.

unconventional paths to a career

2007-11-04T15:44:00.000-08:00

In thinking about the choices we've made about education in our family, I had a realization -- it's not just the kids who enjoy an unconventional path to learning.

Gary's current job is a perfect illustration of how learning happens without formal instruction or a curriculum. Almost 10 years ago, we decided on a huge life change. It's become so much bigger than we could have imagined when it all started. I had just decided to quit my full-time job to be home with Andy. On my 35th birthday. From there things quickly evolved from me working at home to a decision to sell our home in Northern Virginia and move to New Mexico.

We'd expected that Gary would find a job in the gov't contractor field, as he'd done for the previous 18 years. When we arrived, tho, he wasn't able to find work. After several discouraging weeks looking for positions, he saw an add for delivery drivers, using your own pick-up or van. We had a minivan, and he enjoys driving, so he took that job. He found he loved it --just the right balance of time alone and time with customers, beautiful views while driving around, time outdoors in the fresh air, no office politics, no work to bring home, and a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day when the van was empty. He was very happy, but wanted to make more money.

That first job gave way to other delivery gigs, with a couple of nationwide shippers. Really, tho, the in and out of home deliveries wasn't really what he wanted. As time went on, he wanted to do more driving and less delivering. And he wanted more money, which meant getting his commercial license. He continuously looked for new job opportunities, finally finding one with a small, local company, delivering freight. The owner agreed to help Gary earn his first commercial license, a CDL-B. Within a couple of months, Gary had his B license. That company closed up shop and Gary was laid off. He signed on with an office products company, where he was able to gain more experience with 24' trucks that require a CDL-B license.

The real money, tho, requires a CDL-A license, to drive tractor-trailers. The usual route to a CDL-A license is to attend truck driving school. The company he worked for didn't need class A drivers, so they weren't in a position to help him get the training he needed. Truck driving school costs about $4,000 and takes 4 wks of time without pay. We couldn't afford that, so he'd need to get his A license without formal training.

Last October, that company announced they were closing the local warehouse and letting everyone go. This time, tho, he was already interviewing with a freight company that would help him get his CDL-A license.

When the warehouse closed, Gary took the new job immediately. Within 3 months, he had his CDL-A license. Continuing the job search, he found that virtually all the good driving jobs required over the road driving time, anywhere from 6 mos to 3 years. While there are companies that hire inexperienced CDL-A drivers, they usually keep their drivers away from home for weeks at a time, which isn't our first choice for a lifestyle.

Last month, he was offered a job with a national carrier, home at least once a week -- actually, he's home twice a week, tho with only one true 'day' off. He's finally found the over the road opportunity he needs for experience to qualify for better jobs that will bring him home more often. He's finally making the 'more money' he's wanted for the past several years -- a take-home increase of about 40%.

While he misses being home every night and all weekend, he really enjoys this driving job. It's still not entirely driving, but much better than any other job he's had. We all know this is temporary -- just another part of the path to the next thing.

He's accomplished all this without any formal training -- and he was in his 40's when he got that first commercial license, now he's 52. What an illustration for our boys that you can learn anything you want, when you're open to finding the path that fits your chosen life. And that you don't have to spend your entire adult life in a job that's wrong for you. Not to mention that it's never too late to redesign your life to fit your dreams!

How cool is it that our kids get to learn from Dad how to find your own joy in life, on your own agenda?

UPDATE: Now it's September, 2010 and I was reminded of this post today, in a conversation with another unschooling Mom. Now Gary has a job driving a truck on a local route, working for a company whose offices are exactly one mile from our home. Four years ago, when we bought this house, Gary said "wouldn't it be cool if I could get a job there?" Last June, that company offered him a job. Now he has a job he enjoys more than any other he's ever had, and it's right in our neighborhood, so he's home every night -- weekends and holidays, too!

Andy CAN read cursive!

2007-11-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

Last month, after the grandparents visited, my mother in law told us "Andy wishes he could read cursive." hmmm, news to me! I asked Andy and he related that during a neighborhood walk with Grandma, they came across a handwritten sign, in cursive, and she asked him if he could read what it said. He had replied, "too bad I don't read cursive." She had taken that to mean he really wanted to be able to. Okay, that makes much more sense, knowing Andy.

"Do you want to learn to read or write cursive?"

"No, I don't really need to -- I don't see it very often."

"If you decide you'd like help, let me know -- and you know Dad or I will always be happy to read cursive for you, if you can't."

I included his answer in an email to my mother inlaw, with an assurance that when Andy is ready to read cursive, we will of course help him.

A couple of days ago, I received a birthday card in the mail from Will's fiance, Elena. It was a funny one and since I was driving when the boys found it in the car, Andy offered to read it to Dan. He read only the pre-printed portion and they laughed at the joke. Later in the day, I stopped for gas. When I came back to the car, Andy held up the card and said "Mom, what's this word -- I can't read it."

"It's in cursive, sweetie -- what word do you need help with?"

"This one here" and he point to a word that was about the eighth in a sentence of a dozen or so words.

I told him what the word was, and he read the rest of the sentence. I said, "cool -- you can read cursive!"

"Oh, that's right. It's in cursive and I read it -- it was easy! Elena's cursive is easier to read than that sign I saw with Grandma. I can read cursive!"

Andy was right -- Elena's cursive is easier to read than most. She writes in big, round letters. Who knows how clear the sign was?

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T22:10:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous time tonight at the Fuller's house for Halloween. Pizza, pumpkin lager, friends, dry ice, great costumes, even some Guitar Hero!

Chris with the kids and a bowl of dry ice -- very cool stuff!

Most of the crew (minus Dan) before heading out to trick or treat

The all important candy trade afterwards!

Andy playing Guitar Hero

I watched Andy playing Guitar Hero tonight and he had such fun I just had to video a few seconds. It's interesting to note that when Dan plays GH, the ONLY things that moves are his fingers. Literally, he stands there like Keith Richards. Andy, tho is moving all over the place -- he plays that guitar with everything he's got!

And yes!!! this time the video worked -- I can now put videos on my blog and make them work!!!

All Hallows Party

2007-10-31T14:09:00.000-07:00

On Monday, the tribe had our All Hallows Party at the park. Some dressed for the occasion, some didn't.

Susan brought a pumpkin pinata -- here's Emma talking her turn
After the sack race

There was way more going on that I didn't get pictures of -- everyone set up a *house* gave away candy, we had face painting, hair painting. Dennis even let Jenny paint a Homer-esque zigzag on the back of his head!

We had a new family join us too! Something like 30 people at one time -- our tribe is growing!

Aquarium/Botanic Gardens

2007-10-31T13:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of weekends ago, we spent a wonderful day at he aquarium/botanic gardens with friends. yeah, I've been lax about getting pix into the computer, but here they are.

Megan, Emma, Dan & Andy watching the small mantas (or are they skates?)

The kids spent what seemed like hours sliding down and running back up to do it again!

By the time they were done everyone was ready for some lunch.

Andy challenged Kevin to arm wrestle. Then everyone joined in!

Dan does math

2007-10-28T10:49:00.001-07:00

About half an hour ago, Dan came to me with a handful of nickels, and told me he'd just counted his nickels and got all the way to 400!

Wow! 400? Can you show me how you counted that?

He spread his nickels out on the desk, and started counting them one by one into his hand.... 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, all the way up to 100. Then he paused a moment, and looked at me. He asked, "what comes next?"

One hundred and five -- a dollar five when you're counting money.

Okay. One dollar five, one dollar ten, one dollar fifteen, all the way up to one dollar forty. He just beamed, and I wondered when Dan learned to count by 5's.

Minutes later, he came running with two quarters. "Will gave me 50 cents to put with my other money! How much do I have now?"

Let's see - you have $1.40, add 25 cents you have a dollar sixty-five, twenty-five more makes a dollar ninety. If you go get that dime off the counter in front of the microwave, how much will you have then?

Immediate reply. "Two dollars!" and off he ran.

I asked Will just a moment ago if he'd shown Dan how to count his nickels. He answered, "no, I gave him two quarters I didn't need, but I didn't help him count anything."

Dan knows how to count by fives, and that a dollar ninety plus one dime is two dollars!

Pictures Again!

2007-10-13T08:30:00.001-07:00

I don't know how it happened, but my camera is resurrected. Last month, the camera stopped, and I swapped to a new battery (at least, I thought it was new) but the camera was still dead. I put the camera, along with two (presumably new) batteries, in the glove box and began camping on ebay for a new camera. Didn't win any bids in my price range, so I've been without pictures for about a month. Thursday, on a whim, I put in a new battery and the camera came to life! I don't know whether it was that I had grabbed a dead battery or that a new battery was defective, but we have pictures again.

These were taken before the camera battery died, on a tribe park day.

Trying to help Sorscha down from the tree

Andy showing off his strength with Judson on his shoulders -- Judson is 5" taller than Andy, tho somewhat lighter.
Andy watching Sorscha & Spencer in the tree -- don't know where he found the Readers Digest

Dan at L&L

2007-09-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

Dan's been home from the Live and Learn Conference for almost 2 wks now, and it's been a whirlwind of activity. The grandparents came and went -- a visit truly deserving of it's own blog post -- and now we're settling into life post-visit, and post-conference.

I finally figured out how to move pictures from Dan's phone to my email, and then to my computer's hard drive files -- even how to post them on the blogs! Imagine that! One reason for all those technical achievements is that our camera died while Dan was away in North Carolina. I've shopped a few on ebay, but not found any at a price we can afford. Until then, pix from Dan's phone will have to be enough!

Here's Jenny -- I'm not sure why she looks like she's angry at her Fanta soda, but I hear she had a good time in spite of having three kids in her room, and a very long walk to the other buildings from their room in the Night Owl Family Lodge.

Scotty licking a battery -- taken by Dan with his phone. Okay, so the details aren't great, but we've all done the charge-check on a 9-volt battery, so we can imagine what it felt like for Scotty. And anyone who really knows Scotty will be happy to hear he didn't actually eat the battery!

Emma, taking Dan's picture during their infamous 'camera fight' -- apparently it was just another ongoing skirmish, along with the food fight in the (rental) minivan, and a napkin fight (location not disclosed by Dan).

Dan, looking incredibly tired at the talent show -- shared with me by Diana. That's the look on his face when just staying awake takes all his concentration, lest he drift off and fall off his chair.

Dan has regaled us with tales of fishing -- where they caught a sucker fish *this big*; playing in the creek with Emma; swimming in the pond -- he says never swim in a pond, that's where wasps hang out to sting you; rolling down the hill with his heelies -- and he agrees with Kevin, he did break the speed limit; his first night in the top bunk where he almost fell out -- leaving Jenny to share the smaller top bunk with Eliza while the boys shared the expansive lower bunk (have I mentioned before how much my friends love my kids?); the talent show acts; the soccer game; how they were forced to go to McDonalds because "all the restaurants in Asheville were closed -- can you believe that, Mom?"; and so much more.

He had a great time, and has said that the next time there's a conference and I can't or don't want to go, he'll be happy to go with someone else. For future conferences, maybe I'll just put him out there in a *kid for rent -- cheap* t-shirt! (Will actually owned such a t-shirt many years ago)

Dan's on his way!

2007-09-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

We woke up at 3 am, and were at the airport by 4:45 for his 6 am flight with Kevin to Live & Learn 07. Here's Dan at check in, wearing his backpack and hauling his own suitcase.

They'll be in South Carolina before Andy & I get to the park for tribal time this afternoon. I'm expecting phone calls from Dallas and Greenville just to let me know they've made it. I am so not an airline traveler, so altho I know (rationally) that he's safe in the air, I'll be happiest when he has his feet on the ground!

One the eve of his trip

2007-09-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

As I type this, we're only 8 hours from Dan's departure for his first trip away from home without us. His bag is packed and his backpack is filled with the electronics he wants for his adventure. I've just read Beth's blog and know that she & Emma are waiting in South Carolina for Kevin & Dan to arrive tomorrow.

Dan has been so excited all day -- all weekend, really. We've been on a major cleaning since the grandparents show up next week, and I unearthed 3 of his favorite (missing) CD's for him, after having made another for the trip. His music choices on the new CD are interesting --a few songs by The Jonas Brothers, several by Hannah Montana, two from the Talking Heads, and Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani! He's an eclectic kid, with his own sense about so many things, from music to hair color and styles, to soccer.

Finally, he's passed out on the couch, only about 30 minutes after announcing he just couldn't sleep. That announcement followed after he came to me at about 7pm and said, in his sweetest voice with smiling face, "SNU-U-U-GGLE!" I climbed into bed with him, exhausted from a day spent shampooing the carpet and packing his bags, and finding must-have items for the trip. Dan wanted to read Garfield, and Andy offered to read for a while, so I got to spend about 10 minutes in bed snuggled up with Dan, listening as Andy read and they both laughed riotously. When Andy had read all he wanted, Gary took over for a while, but Dan found he was restless, so he and I got up to watch TV. One episode of Zack & Cody later, he's out cold!

It's been a very sweet, snuggly, happy evening -- time to try to get some sleep before we get up -- at 3 AM! --to head for the airport at 4:15..... 'sokay, that way tomorrow morning, I'll be too sleep-deprived to be neurotic about air travel.

Respectful Parenting

2007-08-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest benefits for our family in this journey is the way we've come to parent. Choosing to live in a radically responsive parenting path has blessed us with such depth of trust, joy and, well, respect.

Today we met with Dan's new soccer coach & team for the first time this new season. The coach and his wife are very nice people -- as were the other parents we met. I was reminded, tho, just how different our life is from most people. It's noticeable to me because we're fortunate to spend almost all of our time with other families like ours -- with our tribe, for whom I am unbelievably grateful, by the way. So, when we spend regular time with mainstream families, seeing them week after week, I see much more than just in the casual encounters at the grocery store and the like.

As I look forward to the next several months spent sharing one weeknight and part of every Saturday with the other team families -- all schooled kids -- I know I'll see more instances of the parenting path we didn't choose. I'll embrace the opportunities to reach out to the children in these families and Dan's teammates and to just be who we are even when everyone else does things differently.

I also agreed to volunteer as an assistant coach -- more adventures in the mainstream world! I'm looking forward to it, actually.

The Simpsons Movie

2007-08-17T16:43:00.000-07:00

We just saw it today -- and had the best time! It was so funny & clever! Andy laughed like mad -- okay, so we all did. Definitely worth the price. On the way home, we talked about why it was it was a bad for god to *choose* Homer's Dad to speak thru, did that thing really have a thousand eyes, why the carnie set up the *win my truck* scam the way he did. Andy said *it's really sad that Bart didn't know how it felt to get a pat on the back* and I said, "yeah, Homer's never really been the best Dad, but wasn't it cool at the end?" Then, Andy recited for us his vision for the sequel -- a sure sign that he loved this movie enough to want more!

Two best friends

2007-08-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

This is why the folks who love both Dan & Scotty have gone to such lengths to have them both at the L&L conference next month!

Andy & Sorscha

2007-08-03T15:52:00.000-07:00

This past week, we've had a couple of outings with Crystal & Sorscha. Last week, Andy & I met them at the zoo while Dan had a day at Ironwood Farm. We had a great time. We leisurely saw a few animals, spent time at the playground, Andy played in the water jets for the first time this season -- it was much less busy than it's been since school got out.

On the elaborate marble throne in the Africa exhibit

Yesterday, Andy, Dan & I met Crystal & Sorscha at the Aquarium/Botanic Gardens to catch the Summer Nights concert. We met at 4pm, saw a few things then walked to the nearby McDonalds for a bite and a break. The kids played and had a great time. As we were leaving, Andy asked me if I had his Nintendo DS case. Nope -- I thought he had it. We looked on and under our tables, in both restrooms. No Nintendo case. I was starting to worry - his DS, Pokemon Diamond game, and charger were all in that case. I should have known better. Andy has the best karma on the planet -- probably because he always pays it forward. If Andy finds something, it goes to the lost & found. He once found a $20 bill at a park, and asked every person there if they'd lost a 20. No one said it was theirs! Just amazingly good karma!

So, it really was no surprise when we asked the counter and the girl said, "It was just here under the counter, let me check the office." Of course, she came back with the case, all it's contents intact.

Once we got back to the Gardens, we found a magic show. Andy was called up to be the first assistant!

Andy tied the knots for the magician's version of the 3-rings trick.

Andy & Sorscha (he's gasping, not yawning) watching the magic show.

There was a quick, cooling shower early in the evening -- like what we'd expected on Monday. The music was good, the magic fun, and Gary joined us about halfway thru. Dan was thrilled. All day long, he'd been asking when Dad would join us, an whether we'd come next week if Dad had to miss this one. I'm so glad Gary could make it, since last night was the last magic show of the season.

of monsoons & restrooms

2007-08-03T15:29:00.001-07:00

This past Monday, the monsoon finally arrived at our tribe's weekly parkday. Sure, we've all been waiting for it, begging for it, but we didn't really want it like this!
In the middle of a humid afternoon, we heard the thunder. Being Albuquerque desert dwellers we figured it would be a passing shower, just enough to cool everything off. We gather under a couple of big trees that usually would make enough cover for a passing shower. Crystal, Sorscha & Andy were smart -- they headed right out to Crystal's mini-van for shelter. Jenny was somewhere else nearer the building, tho Eliza was still with us. The rest of us thought we'd just wait it out while the kids played. In Albuquerque, we know better than expect that our kids will come in out of the rain!

There we were -- four Moms and several kids. Moms hiding under the tree, some kids hiding under a picnic table, some running in the rain. The first several minutes were okay -- cool steady rain. We were still sure it would pass. Then it started raining horizontally, and hard. Beth suggested it might be time to head for the only place with a roof, the restrooms. As we ran to the restrooms - across a long stretch of grass thru what felt like hail -- the rain got stronger. So, there we were -- five Moms & eight kids crammed into the bathroom. I had left my bag -- with the camera and a nintendo DS inside -- and two books in the tunnel slide, hoping for shelter from from the rain. I'd done this when I expected a quick shower. During a quick break in the rain (not stopped, just lighter) I ran and got my stuff. The bag was soaked, the books a bit soggy, but the camera and DS were dry!

Now I could take a few pictures. I didn't get anything with everyone in the bathroom, but here are a few pics:

Dan, soaked in the rain, Scotty climbing the wall - literally!

The hand dryer was popular to warm up between trips out into the rain

A picture of Beth & Scotty that was just too beautiful not to post!

Dan's solo adventure

2007-07-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

Dan on Independence Day

Yesterday, I had to accept that our planned trip to the Live & Learn Conference '07 was just beyond our means. I cancelled our reservations and told the boys. They were somewhat disappointed, but took the news well enough. Andy was okay, since altho he'll miss a few friends, Sorscha isn't going either, so she'll still be in town that week.

When Jenny arrived at group, she told me she had a proposal for me. She and Beth had a plan, hatched after they read a post I made at the L&L yahoo group. Would we let Dan fly to NC with Kevin, stay at the conference with Jenny's family (they already had an extra bed) and fly back home with Kevin? Wow! So, throughout the next couple of hours, I talked to Andy to see if he'd be okay with Dan going while he stayed home (he is very okay with this), to Gary to see that he was okay with it (he's very happy for Dan) and finally with Dan. Both Jenny & Beth had said they wouldn't be at all surprised if Dan said no. I was pretty sure he'd say yes, because Dan is always up for an adventure, and he'd do just about anything to spend time with Scotty.

What most touches me isn't their generous offer, or the way it's come together -- it's that all this was proposed to meet the needs of a child! As Jenny pointed out, Dan really is Scotty's rock. We all knew that upon hearing Dan wouldn't be at the L&L Scotty would insist he didn't want to go. We all grew up in a time when a child's distress at making a family trip, for any reason --much less 'just' that he'd miss his best buddy -- would not even have been considered by the adults involved. Kids were just expected to suck it up and do what their parents told them to do. That we belong to a community, a tribe, whose adults have such empathy for our children that we'd all go to these lengths for one child's emotional comfort, is more precious to me than I can say.

So, we've begun making arrangements for Dan's first solo adventure. I cannot believe my baby is big enough for this rite of passage! He's my tiny man, my sweet puddin' -- how can he be big enough to be willing to fly to the conference without his parents?! Jenny shared that Beth had wondered if it was asking too much of me. Asking a Mom to let her 6yo child be gone for a week! Thousands of miles away! I laughed and answered that I've been letting 6yo boys go away on vacation since the first time I had a 6yo boy!

Then, I realized. This really is a rite of passage for Dan. Will was 6 the first time I drove away from him at summer camp. He stayed 2 weeks that summer -- and for every summer until he was 13. The year he was 13, he flew off to spend the summer with his grandparents in Hawaii; at 14, he flew as an adult (no airline escort) to BWI (by then we lived here in New Mexico), caught a ride with friends to a month of camp, then spent a week or two with his childhood best friend's family in Northern VA. Andy took his first trip without us to Hawaii at 5 -- grandpa flew here, took Andy home with him to spend 5 wks, and grandma flew home with him. He made the same trip at 6, and another, without either grandparent -- flying unaccompanied -- at 9.

So, it must be Dan's turn to have his first adventure away from Mom & Dad. Does this mean I'm now dispensable? Is it a first step, another beginning of the end of his dependence on me, on us? I suppose really, tho it's not even a beginning for Dan -- just another step in his independence.

Dan is clearly ready - the first thing he said to Gary when we picked him up from work was "I'm going to Conference!" I'm sure I'll be ready by the time he flies away.

More importantly, tho, this whole adventure is the evidence of how very deeply our children are loved in this tribe we belong to. Three sets of parents have come together to make it possible for two boys who are the best of friends -- in many ways two halves of a whole -- to have a summer adventure together, for the simple reason that we recognize their need for each other, and that our efforts will bring joy to those two little boys we all love.

What a happy bunch!

2007-07-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

We spent a wonderful day at the Millers' on the 4th. The weather which had been insufferably hot for days, was cool, and breezy by late afternoon, with a light rain at nightfall. We'd come dressed for heat and by fireworks time were borrowing sweatshirts and wrapped in blankets!

I had tried a photobucket album here, but couldn't get it to work, so I had to load pix one by one.

Gary on the trampoline with Spencer, Cipriano & Sorscha. Dan, sporting his new hair color. I colored it for him the day before -- from the bleached stripes on brown to a licorice black. It takes some getting used to!

Late in the day, Chris set up Scotty's steam engine. Here's Scotty trying to light a match using the grindstone run by his steam engine.

The best thing about having a tribal gathering on a holiday is the abundance of Daddys. Pablo, Chris and & Gary were right there in the engine action.

Eliza and Pablo playing with toy animals.

Spencer, Andy & Dan watching a neighboring fireworks display from the back wall.

Dan, Eliza & Scotty enjoying the s'mores mini-pizzas Sorscha found for the party.

Scotty with sprinklers. We all brought some smaller backyard fireworks, and also watched some fireworks -- two city displays and some big works (not really city-legal, but might pretty) being fired off by neighbors out on the mesa.

Andy & Sorscha enjoying lunch on the trampoline.

Eliza used the fishtank an a brush to decorate the flagstone with paintings. Here she's putting the finishing touches on a car.

.... and on an elephant!

Jenny & Eliza

Gary & Dave spent some time fiddling with our computer -- which we brought over for Dave's help with loading World of Warcraft. We're still trying to find the drive space for WOW, but in the meantime our computer runs much faster after Dave's help.

We had a really wonderful day -- lots of conversation, happy kids running around, great weather, fireworks, and great time spent with friends. Everyone brought something for the grill, giving us more food than we could eat -- at the end of the night I discovered the corn on the cob I'd brought at Jenny's suggestion. I'd completely forgotten to throw it on the grill --sorry Jen! It's been delicious over the past few days!

Thanks, Crystal & Dave & Sorscha, for hosting us all!

Two such happy boys

2007-07-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we packed up a picnic, and headed out to our favorite park, with all manner of wheels. Andy spent about two hours on his roller blades, with short breaks on the blanket. Dan spent about half the time on his bike, switching to his blades to roll off with Andy. We've been coming to Mariposa park for about 8 years now. It was walking distance from our last house, so we were there almost every day since Andy was 3, and before Dan was born. Now, it's about 7 miles from our new home, and tho we have two neighborhood parks, neither one is as well-suited to our activities as Mariposa, so at least once a week -- often two or three times -- we spend a few hours there. Now that I'm home weekends, it's a regular destination for the four of us most weekends. The park has lots of parking, lots of sidewalks, a concrete basketball court --all essential for blading and biking -- shade, tables, and a playground.

With summer vacation on now, we find we're more often sharing the park with others. I'll admit we like to have it to ourselves -- I enjoy the quiet, and the boys enjoy the free access to the courts and sidewalks. One thing I've noticed is how often I see kids crying when it's time to go home, or unhappy with the outing in some way, usually to do with being overly controlled by their parent/s, or not getting enough help or involvement from their parents.

Noticing that caused me to reflect on what happy children our boys are. What a joyous and free life we enjoy. They are good friends and wonderful companions to each other. Sure, they bicker sometimes, and they're very different people at their core, but they really do look out for and think of each other. I attribute this to at least two things we've managed to give them -- security and autonomy. Our boys know we love not only them, but each other, and that our love for them, our desire to see them happy and joy-filled, is the outgrowth of that love. They also know that respecting their autonomy is my most deeply-held goal. It's not our place to dictate to them what their life should be. Rather it is our honor to watch them grow, to support in them the spark of whatever they love to do, to explore their path with them, led by their passions. We know they are already complete -- and magnificent -- individuals, capable of amazing, wondrous feats, and inherently joy-filled.

These are concepts I grew up without, so I don't know from my own experience how it feels to have security and autonomy, but I can see in our children, what a gift it is, and I'm so happy -- and at times surprised, challenged and humbled -- to be able to give this to them. I'm so very grateful for this life we live, together. For the love and joy and wonder in our lives every day.

Andy posed for this picture -- and for several other funny ones, with his hands over his eyes and his tongue sticking out -- and I just can't believe this boy of mine who looks - and is -- so self-assured, bright, loving, and thoughtful.

I sneaked this picture of Dan, but he didn't protest. How is it that my baby is so big? Look at those dancing eyes and that smile. In this shot, he had just skated over to us and was dropping onto the blanket to be 'in the middle' of a hug. His insistence on being in the middle of everything reminds me that it was his arrival that made our family 'done.'

When we arrived the boys on the fire engine were using the basketball court. Within a few minutes, Andy had invited them to chase him on his blades, meaning no one had to surrender the play space.

Explora

2007-07-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

This past Weds, while Dan spent a day at Ironwood Farm with Scotty, Andy & I met Crystal & Sorscha at Explora. Altho Sorscha had been to some homeschool science classes at Explora, she'd never roamed the museum. Never even seen the living room-sized elevator -- complete with the living room furniture! Andy was thrilled to be able to show her around one of his favorite places.
Crystal at Bernoulli's Ball -- feeling the wind in her hair.

Andy feeling the wind -- he'd hoped it would straighten his hair. No luck there, it's curly forever now!

One happy girl, flying the plane at Explora.

At the outside playground at Explora, Andy shows off his treadmill technique with the roller-bar slide. He talked Sorscha into taking a run, too.

We had a great day, seeing old -- and new -- exhibits, running around with Sorscha and just hanging out with Crystal.

Fun with straws!

2007-06-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

Crystal brought a bunch of colorful bendy straws to the park this week. I think to go with the ice cream cups she also brought. By the end of the day, she still had almost a dozen ice cream cups left -- who says kids with food choices will eat all the junk they can find? The straws, however, were a big hit.

Dan made a very long straw, which he and Scotty took turns with. They're both sporting new haircuts. Okay, so Dan's was just a small trim, altho a hair color change looms on the horizon.

Here's Scotty trying the straw and Dan busting me for getting Scotty's picture!

Dan's straw creation in its non-use setting.Eliza managed to stuff 9 straws in her powerade bottle. One was below the surface, so you could really only drink from 8 at the same time.
Here's Scotty demonstrating that it is possible to drink from all 8 of the straws.On the playset. I'm not sure what they're doing with the straw -- maybe a sand conduit?

Andy's 11th birthday

2007-06-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that Andy is 11? I remember him as a newborn -- then we called him Andrew (and I swore I always would). That was before it was obvious that he's Andy. He's not the quiet child I always pictured an Andrew would be. He's large as life, outgoing, passionate -- entirely his own person.

For his birthday, the grandparents treated him to a new pair of rollerblades and helmet. He's been on his new blades just about every day since we got them, about two weeks ago, and having a great time!
We had his party at Peter Piper's Pizza, with a few close friends this past Friday. Here he's with Sorscha, showing off the Pokemon cards he received from Spencer.

Opening the gift card from Judson. Sorsha's gift was also a gift card from Target. He combined the two cards -- with a few dollars from Will -- and bought a remote controlled plane, which he really enjoys flying.

Late in the party, each boy claimed an external window seat. My guess is that was the only shade they could find on the sunny, 90 degree weather we had last Friday.

Watching Spongebob on the TV screens

still life

2007-06-13T21:46:00.000-07:00

Of course, most of these shots aren't still at all, but taken over the past few weeks of our busy days.
The day we got Andy's new rollerblades, the wind was blowing at about 40mph, with gusts to 60mph. Still, we had to go to the park to try out the new blades. It's even more windy at that particular park than anywhere else on the planet most days. The boys found a discarded grocery bag, and used it as a sail. Before that, they'd found that if they stood on blades with the wind to their backs, that alone would move them a little. The bag-sail, tho, made a much better windcraft!

Dan, looking so cute during one of his visits to the table between skate laps.

Andy showing off his new blades. They were a birthday gift from Grandpa & Grandma, and he just loves his new skates!

We've been meeting Susan & Spencer for the Home Depot monthly kids workshop the past few months. This time, the project was a bi-plane -- more complicated than the past couple of projects, I think. Here Susan is helping Spencer with his plane.

At the zoo last week, the kids spotted a choke-collar chain wrapped around a tree branch. After trying to jump to it themselves, they found a chair and drafted Crystal to reach for it. She couldn't quite reach it either, so they were left to figure it out themselves. I don't know how they did it, but ultimately they got that choke chain down, and Sorscha claimed it. Spencer did make off with a cocoon that day, and took it home to watch it open.

You have to go to school....

2007-06-13T21:40:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, we were at the park, and the boys went off by themselves to play for a while. When they came back to the blanket, Andy asked me if you had to go to high school to go to college (he's recently decided he wants to go to college). I told him no, that I know of many homeschooled kids who have either finished or are enrolled in college. Why did he ask?

They ran into a woman at the park, and like virtually all adults, she asked them where they go to school, what grade, something like that. Andy said "we don't go to school."

"Oh, you're homeschooled."

"No. We don't do school at all."

"But you have to go to school. You can't go to college without high school, and you have to go to middle school to get into high school, and you have to go to elementary school to get into middle school. If your parents don't send you to school, they could get in trouble and even be arrested."
I said he could have saved himself -- and her -- all that worry if he'd just said, "yeah, we homeschool" and she'd probably have dropped it there.

When I told this story to the tribe today, Susan said the next logical step in that woman's story was "I mean, you have to go to preschool to get into elementary, and before that, Mommy has to listen to Bach when she's pregnant, or you'll never get anywhere!"

In the time that woman at the park spent trying to convince the boys they had to go to school, she could have had a real conversation with them. I guess they didn't teach those conversation skills in her college studies.....

spelling happens

2007-06-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Andy has never taken a spelling test in his life, never been drilled on spelling words, and seldom asks me how to spell any word. He began reading at somewhere between 8 & 9 -- before that, he could read a word or two at a time, street signs, cartoon captions, that kind of thing. But during his 9th year, he took off. Along the way, he's asked me to print up math worksheets so he could 'practice' his math skills, insisting I grade them for him. But it's been probably a year or more since he asked for anything schooly.

A couple of days ago, while waiting for Gary to finish up at work, Andy asked me to give him some words to spell. He wanted to see -- and show me -- that he could spell. I threw him the odd words, those that break the 'rules' figuring that if he can spell and remember those, the ones that do spell 'right' will come easy for him. I alternated between words I figured he could get and those that would be a challenge. Hey, if I'd thrown him all easy words he'd have busted me anyway, so why not mix it up a bit?

He spelled most of them right -- building, either, another, neighbor and several others we've both forgotten now. I was really impressed -- even better, he was very pleased with himself. Not surprised, given how much he reads lately. Tonight, driving home, he asked me for more words. I threw him some harder ones -- engine, boulevard, avenue, albuquerque, however, thought, tongue -- again he got many of the less weird ones right. In all cases, he came really close, really thinking thru the words, sounding them out.

How many schooled kids would make a game of spelling words -- on summer vacation at that! I remember feeling like I didn't want to have to think about anything but reading books I chose all summer long. We've all heard the stereotype of kids who say "it's the weekend, don't make me think" -- our kids never have a day when they actively choose not to think. Then again, they don't have any days where thinking is imposed on them by adults.

Coolest birthday party ever

2007-05-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, we spent the day (and well into the night) at Ironwood Farm for Scotty's 7th birthday party. The theme was mythbusters, and it was definitely the coolest kids party ever! See the video Kevin made here. (hope that works!)

The birthday cake

The birthday boy, crowded around the ninja walking on water experiment, which required a quantity of cornstarch that came in a box roughly the size of a carton of copier paper. I just love this picture of Scotty - who for the entire day was the unflappable birthday boy!
Scotty & Dan with the homemade ballistics gel. Several shots were fired into the gel with a pellet gun. All of which actually went thru the gel, into the board behind it -- so when you try this one at home, always have something to actually catch the projectile. Don't count on the ballistics gel to do it for you.

Emma, with cornstartch ninja water dripping from her hands. She was also standing in the water, but I didn't get a picture of her feet.

Eliza with wormy-worm, who is cleverly disguised as a big clump of cornstarch water. That water was the coolest thing -- it looks like it would be sticky and wet, but when you touch it, you find it's dry, and just brushes off. Even the clumps in Dan's hair just crumbled when I touched them. Just really, really strange. Two best buddies at the party. They're like little twins, except for Dan's blond stripes, which save me & Jenny the embarrassment of mistaking someone else's child for our own!

Andy, with his pants rolled up, walking on the water.

Chris, stuffing a potato into the cannon. In the way cool category, I have to mention Scotty's granddad, Papa, who built the cannon -- in a day! - for the party. They used an acetylene torch to light it. The cows stood at the far end of the field -- literally acres away -- and watched potatoes land in the field, looking over at us like they were saying 'be afraid, be very afraid' to each other.

Beth, rinsing off Andy's hands after the cornstarch experiment. This picture just sums up how very much the people in our tribe have come to mean to us all. Andy is just crazy about Beth, who in addition to the cleaning ritual assistance, later listened to Andy as he explained every pokemon in his pokemon Diamond game. I have learned so much from observing my friends with my children, the patience they have, the compassion they share. What continually amazes me, tho, is the genuine love I feel these women and men pouring into my children's lives. We belong to a community of people whose love for each other, and our love for them, defies words and description -- it can only be felt, soaked in, and treasured.

Dan, with Scotty by his side. I have this feeling that we'll be watching Dan & Scotty grow into the kind of lifelong friends we read about in novels, truly two halves of a whole. Someday, when Scotty does invent the next amazing engine or device to make life more amazing, Dan will be his test-driver/pilot and biggest champion in the excitement.

Scotty & Dan watching the smokeless black powder fire started by Papa. Moments later, he lit a line of the faster burning powder -- it went too fast and big for me to even catch a shot, but I think it's part of Kevin's video.

Emma, late in the evening, by the bonfire. In her hands is a package of the snappers Jenny got for the party. I'm sure the front yard is littered with both remnants and unpopped snappers.
Andy threw his snappers into the fire, and danced as they exploded.

Yeah, the party went well into the night We finally dragged our sleepy children, and our sleepy selves, home sometime around midnight.

Truly, a fun time was had by all!

We're separate, not together.....

2007-05-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

just do me!

We had our second Mom's Night Out last night. No pictures, tho, the two I took were bad -- too dark outside. Maybe I'll steal one from Crystal or Beth after they post.

Why this title? It's a quotation from Crystal. After half an hour in the hot tub, with wine, cheese & crackers and sushi, we had dinner at the Flying Star. Lots of conversation I won't even think about sharing here (a tribal code of silence thing) and great stories were shared. When it was time for some dessert a few of us went back in to order some treats. Crystal had decided what she wanted; I was still considering. The counter guy asked if he could help her, and she said "we're separate, not together -- just do me!" I couldn't resist! I told her that was my blog title for last night. I mean, how often do you hear such a great line?

We had so much fun... and wine.... and conversation. Jenny, Stacy & I ended up back at Beth's house, where we lounged on the patio and drank wine (with quick refills supplied by Kevin!) until sometime after midnight!

Just another amazing Moms' Night Out -- so what are we up for next month?