One More

Check this out. 

I have no idea what it is, but it makes me feel cooler.  See?

(I have no idea what this means. 
My little brother throws it as he walks out the door and
 tells me he loves me, so I hope that means it's not something
I'll get beat up for using.)

I'm so cool now, I figured out how to work a webcam. 

All by myself. 

Just kidding; still the same dork I was 5 minutes ago. 
Thankfully my kids like me that way.



 Back to work!

Fishy

Wha--?!



I didn't even realize this had been invented. 

I have a coupon for this.  Not on purpose--it came with my Sunday paper--and I had to, you know, LOL when I came across it; just seems like a strange idea to a girl who prefers to eat it like this:

Oh, yeah....mm, mm, goooood.

I've got this, and other Hawaii not-so-delicacies on the brain (trust me, there's nothing delicate about Hawaiians eating ;-9).  We're having some friends over for dinner tomorrow, and, since it's entirely possible they love Hawaii more than we do, we figured we should feed them right.

Hope your weekend's a good one;

Happy Saturday!

More Fun

Because life is a classroom, and tents are fun.

Doing her language arts lesson.

Um...hi, Mom. 

Okay, fine; here's the obligatory cheesy grin.  Now, will you leave me alone so I can finish?!

The classroom ceiling.

In other (totally irrelevant) news, this guy is funny; I guess he homeschools his kids, too. :)

Happy Wednesday!

Just for Fun

Apparently, I'm way behind the times--these videos were posted a couple of years ago.  Still, they appeal. :)

Or, even better:

I like to think I have a six-year-old who would be able to talk me into taking the slide. :)

Happy Tuesday!

So, I've started yoga-ing again.  (I know that's not a word, but it should be.)  Yoga has always been a good idea for this girl with scoliosis and tight hamstrings; however, I could never quite manage to "look like the picture."  Not to mention, you're supposed to focus on your breath, and I couldn't even breathe at all in some of the poses, which just kind of hurt my ego (and sometimes my lower back), and so I just didn't do it.  Simple logic.

However, I'm older, somedays wiser, and getting progressively less flexible, and I think spending a few minutes in a semi-failed attempt at a sun salutation will be more beneficial to me in the long run than I've cared to admit.  My ego will probably survive it as well, and so I go on, contorting as ungracefully as is imaginable, and trying not to sound like I'm in respiratory distress.

This growing inflexibility, I'm being forced to admit, has a fraternal twin that lives in my brain. (Weird sentence.)  As I (ahem) mature, the habits of my youth--structure, consistency, carefulness--are starting to look more like rigidity, stubbornness, and missed opportunity.   There's a lot that throws me for a loop, a lot of no-we-can't-we-didn't-plan-for-it, a lot of I-wouldn't-even-know-how-to-deviate-off-course-if-I-wanted-to.  A limited range of motion, mentally, that, thankfully, is becoming a tough thing to live with. 

So, in honor of...life?, I've been trying to make a conscious attempt to increase my range of motion, both literally and figuratively.  Physically, with the yoga; mentally, with the word "yes."  It feels good.

Here are a couple of shots from yesterday's "yes;"  we met Jean and the babies for a quick walk out at Clear Creek.  We've lived here for...7-going-on-8 years, and I've never walked the trail.  It's a nice, easy path; the weather was gorgeous; kids were happy. 

Life is good.

Everybody ready?

There seems to be some mutual admiration here.



Happy Thursday!

Exhilaration

An oldie-but-goodie: at the Poulsbo marina last summer.

It was one of those sunroof-open-windows-down-radio-turned-up-dance-while-you-drive kind of days; don't worry--my dancing skills are limited enough that they don't impede my ability to drive. 

It's easy to find my happy place on days like today, which is a relief, since the winter blues somehow managed to find me this year; that doesn't usually happen to this transplanted Hawaiian, who still finds snowfall to be a pretty magical thing. 

Hope it was as beautiful wherever you happened to be today; happy Wednesday!

Dreamin'

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer--squinty eyes in warm sunshine, sandy toes and wet swimsuits, coffee around the morning campfire, drippy ice cream cones, and all the other good stuff that goes with it.

Bring it on. (Please?)

Happy Monday!

Green Day

If you cook it, they will come.

This wise old proverb seems to ring true in this household, despite the mediocrity of my cooking skills--my brothers are either really gracious, or really hungry.  Being the hearty Irish folk we are, tonight's draw included the "typical" St. Patrick's day fare--corned beef, cabbage, mashed potatoes, etc.  I would have taken a picture, but, well...food moves fast around here.

Today also happens to be the 6-year-old's half-birthday.  Yes, we recognize that sort of thing around here--as I recall, it's pretty significant to be able to say you are six-and-a-half, versus being a mere "six."

I'll close with the only picture I took this eve, of the half-birthday girl, and her favorite green-fanged uncle.


I don't know. 



More Random

It's always interesting to go through the girls' memory cards, and see what's been on their minds; food stuff seems to have been a major theme recently:

And Orbeez.  I don't know what they are, exactly--I keep meaning to look it up--but they're really fun to sloosh your fingers through. 

Up close. 

 I think it might be cool to have a swimming pool full of this stuff.

 

In other news:

• We sent Papa home last week Tuesday; it was so great to have him here, and we're looking forward to his return in June. :)
• We had the workers for a few days-always a treat. 
• Malia started soccer.  I'd post pictures of that, but she just shows up as a wild blur in every shot. ;-9
• Kiana and Mikela participated in their first spelling bee!  I think they are genetically programmed to enjoy that sort of thing.



I think there may be more to write about, but it feels like bedtime. 

Have a great weekend!

:)

These guys showed up for lunch today:

Thought we'd take advantage of the talent, and record a few hymns while they were here--beautiful.

Trying not to question our good fortune, and just soak it all in while it's happening. ;-)

Have a great weekend!