What goes up, must come down!: May 2010

What do you do when your kitchen table becomes a train track?

Kaelan has claimed our kitchen table as his own personal train track. No one else is allowed to touch it, when he is in train mode, and all the chairs are banished to the far reaches of the kitchen. He needs full access and he won't be bothered with interruptions. Nothing can be on the table near the "track" part. Eating breakfast?? Too bad. Pack up and move, no exceptions. Reading the paper? It better not touch the table or it will end up on the floor. And definitely No spilling on the tracks is allowed..... ever. These rules are strictly enforced 24/7 so you'd better watch out!

Notice how Kaelan's breakfast has carefully been moved out of the track area:

(and yes this is an antique table and the boys have definitely helped to "antique" is further. I might need to take a sander to the table soon and reapply a new layer of varnish.)

Another photo shoot with Nina Beilby

I love having a professional photographer who likes taking pictures of my boys for free. How can you beat that? This latest time she wanted to focus on her clothing ads portfolio and used the boys for this. She gets the rights to use the pictures on her website, and we get all the pictures she takes for free.

She took over 300 pictures and they were all incredible.

Here is a very small sampling of her work.

Look at these, aren't they amazing??

My First Homemade bread

How sad is it that I have been married for 13 years and just now made bread for the first time. I don't really love bread, so I guess it is natural that I never ventured out there to make it, but I decided that it was time for me to try. I made a 100% whole wheat bread with only 5 ingredients. I got the recipe from my younger sister, Brindi. Yes, even my baby sister has made bread.

It was actually really fun and quick because you raise the bread in the oven, so it really cuts down on the time. Thank heavens. It also makes 4 loaves so you don't have to do it again too soon.

When it was done, I thought it turned out pretty nice, and it tasted melt-in-your-mouth good.

Yum! Where's the butter?!

Yearbook Duties

Levi's 2009/2010 class -Last year of primary school

I am on the Yearbook committee for the boys' school, which entails taking lots of pictures and playing on the computer, a perfect match for me. If only I had a decent camera. My nice one has gone the way of the dodo and now I only have my small point and shoot. It makes for less than great photos, especially in low indoor lighting situations. But I made due.

One of the classes I was in charge of getting photos of, was Levi's 4th/5th grade blend class. Mr. Anderson, his teacher, is my all time favorite teacher bar none. He is fabulous. If only all of my boys could get him I would be a happy camper. He really loves Levi and gives him lots of special opportunities to grow. I am glad that he sees the need and uses the TAG (talented and gifted) program to really challenge Levi. Levi has grown exponentially since he has been in Mr. Anderson's class. It is nice to have a teacher truly take an interest in your child's education.

Anyway, Mr. Anderson decided to use his Endangered Species unit as the event we photographed for the yearbook. We took photos of the kids working on their project and then meeting and learning about an endangered owl named "Hazel".

Levi and his classmates working on their projects

(Levi had to rush on his because we missed 2 weeks of it stuck in California)

They had the funniest guy in charge from the Audubon Society, he was having the kids do all sorts of crazy things and they ate it up.

Mr Anderson participating in the owl assembly for their class.

Using their "owl" ears

visualizing being an owl

A Visit from Grandpa and Grandma Harrington

Dad and Donna were able to make down in time to be here for Ansel's party, but they were totally wiped out from the drive. They recovered during the party and afterwards we went for a hike. We love Wahclella Falls so we took them there, and then to the fish hatchery. It was a fun little excursion. Here are the pics from the day:

Every little boy's true love:

Throwing rocks

Hiding in caves:

Getting muddy:

Running fast:

Fish Hatchery

Kaelan feeding the fish:

Ansel turns 6

Ansel was treated to a special breakfast, with mom and dad, on the morning of his birthday at Bob's Red Mill. They make fantastic breakfasts from whole grains that they mill themselves. Huge portions, which always nearly does me in.

Ansel enjoying his birthday breakfast.

After he got home from school a pile of presents was waiting for him along with some donuts and balloons. He was pretty surprised and excited since he knew that his party wasn't for another week.

Ben 10, Pokemon, and Wii Sports resort... what more could a 6 year old ask for??

Dad and the boys checking out Wii Sports Resort:

We weren't able to celebrate Ansel's Birthday, with a party, until the day before Valentine's Day. So, naturally we had to do a Valentine's party. He invited his best buddies and we made tie-dye Valentine cookies and played games. It was pretty low-key, because I just didn't have it in me to do a big party. The kids had a great time, so it really didn't matter that I spent next to no time at all on the party. You know its a bad sign when it is barely into February and you are already burned out.

Some of the kid's Tie-Dye masterpieces: