cocoons

These little guys are hard at work!  They've already started making their cocoons (all the white stuff) to enter the chrysalis stage.  So fun to watch!  Meredith took them to school today along with a poster of photos we took.  Thomas will do the same tomorrow.  Then we have to let them go back into nature.  Hopefully they'll adjust well and continue on with their life cycle just fine.  Several friends have come by to look and/or take a few home with them.  Unlike other butterflies that stay in one spot, these move away from their food source to find a place for their cocoon so it shouldn't be an issue for our friends to watch these at their own houses, too.  Nature is so amazing!

LPGA at La Costa Resort

Meredith enjoying lunch at this gorgeous resort

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Michelle Wie (psst. we and her parents heard her swear when she missed one.) ~ M is eyeing the bag of clubs with the Hello Kitty golf head cover

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This week is the LPGA Kia Classic at the local La Costa Resort & Spa.  We took the kids and went a few years ago to watch the women play.  I'm not much of a golfer but I do enjoy watching these ladies play live. Beautiful weather today, too, so a friend and I met there for lunch and to watch the women practice.  Meredith loves to practice with her own clubs in the backyard so I look for these opportunities to show the kids where their current interests could take them someday.  It was an awesome way to spend an easy afternoon!

hungry caterpillars

This afternoon the kids wanted to color in the driveway so we headed outdoors for a little bit.  Not even 5 minutes into their activity one of them noticed a caterpillar... then another... and another.  Then I noticed one on the garage door and two on the side of the house.  They kids caught all these and put them in their bug catcher to observe.  A few minutes later another one crawled across the driveway.  As Thomas was catching that one, he spotted one in the grass.  We began to get suspicious and started looking carefully around the front of the house.  We spotted another 10 on the underside of the porch (the ceiling) and under the roof eaves.  Crazy!  Upon further investigation, we found where they were all coming from: the tree in the front yard.  There must be thousands of them in varying stages on that tree.  It was a little creepy to find the first 10 but now seeing all these in the tree is quite a different feeling.  We got the ladder out so we could get a better view.  It's amazing.  The neighbor kids came out and collected some for themselves to observe at home, too.  Within a few weeks, we could have thousands of these Mourning Cloak Butterflies flying around our house!
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typical branch; the wind is blowing some of the caterpillars off

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younger ones, maybe babies?

breakfast with daddy

The kids love to go out to eat and breakfast with their daddy is certainly a special treat.  This morning Mike took them to one of their favorite breakfast joints where they loaded up on french toast with strawberries, bacon, sausage, and orange juice.  Thomas topped his breakfast off with syrup and a jelly spread.  Crazy, but sweet, kids! 

They always argue over which one gets to sit by daddy when we all go out to eat.  Yet, when they eat out with only their dad they choose to sit together.  Definitely crazy kids. 

special delivery from Grandma!

Happy Birthday, Greta!

a special birthday breakfast treat

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Our sweet girl Greta is 10 years old today!  Seems like just yesterday that we brought home a 30lb (20lbs underweight!), extremely skinny and very filthy puppy from the Humane Society.  The drive from south Salem to Portland was a long one.  She was so nervous and scared.  They hadn't bathed her so she had feces on her and also some blood on her nose from a scuffle with another dog.  We knew she'd become an important part of our family quickly and she did.  She and Bela were the best of friends.  And the kids love her so much, too.  What a lucky dog she is!

days after coming home she was already loving Bela

she used to be so tiny

afternoon sunshine

We love when a cool, gray morning turns into a warm, sunny afternoon.  We had to get ourselves to the park for some playtime, esp. since the weekend weather forecast has rain in it.

Science Fair

participant shirts for the scientist & his dad

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Last year we caught the tail end of the elementary school's Science Fair.  Our family was going through some things at that time and we were unable to participate.  However, we knew we would definitely be a part of the event this year. 

This project was a family group project but Thomas was involved all along the way.  Last weekend Thomas and his dad worked on the project, running tests and getting everything figured out.  With Thomas' help, I put together the presentation board this week. 

This morning we set up the project in the middle school's auditorium for tonight's Science Fair.  Throughout the day classrooms walked through and looked at all the projects.  They did it in waves so all the first grade classrooms were there at the same time, then all the second grade classrooms, etc.  When a student's grade level was walking through, the student had to stay at their project to present their project.  I wasn't there to see how it went but Thomas says it went well.

The Science Fair this evening was held from 6 to 8pm.  Late in the evening the principal spoke and recognized all the participating students.  I was pleased how they made it a positive experience for all the students involved.  Each student received a ribbon, a t-shirt, a certificate and notes about their project.  We love our school! 

the project: How Does A Battery Work?

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recognition for the participating First Graders

T & M

These two have been friends for almost four years.  They are very different personalities but have some similar interests.  It's been fun to watch these two grow up together.  Late this afternoon they had a great time playing at a park near Michael's house, esp. when it came to this hanging slider thing!

M & B

For a good chunk of today (6.5 hours?) we got to have our sweet friend Brian hang out with us.  Thomas was in school for most of that time so it was just myself with the two little ones.  We went to the library for storytime, ate a snack in the library's garden and enjoyed a little computer time playing games.  Later we ate lunch at home, played board games and explored the SUV.  Meredith and Brian play well together and had a great time today!  His mom hopes these two will marry someday.  I like the boy, but I'm not so sure about that one...   

self portrait

Meredith: 
"This is me on a day when you told me it would be cold and to wear "long and long".  The sun is out and I'm hot.  I'm sweating in this picture."

"Long and long" is how we say a long pant and a long sleeve shirt, as opposed to "short and short" or "short and long".  Oh, and the black flecks on her face are her freckles.  She thinks they are multiplying.

T

meeting Uncle Earl for a weekend breakfast

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Easygoing, friendly, intelligent, outgoing, curious, and cute as can be.  No wonder all the kids like playing with Thomas.  Sitting across from him this weekend, I saw and listened to a very mature six year old.  It seems like just yesterday that he was my baby.

laser tag birthday party

Really, there are few things as exciting as playing with guns to a 6 year old.  So today's laser tag birthday party was a huge hit with these young party-goers.  They played games for 2 continuous hours.  It sounds like laser tag has come a long way in the past few years.  The boys were divided into teams, the guns had some weight like the real deal and made some fun sound effects letting them know if they hit their target.  Mike got in a few games, as did most of the parents who were there today.  Unfortunately, Meredith and I are sick and had to sit this fun party out.

fast dancing

No, this video isn't on a fast forward mode. This really is how fast Meredith dances. Good luck to any boys (in the far off future) who may want to keep up with her!

Share Day

Fridays are Share Day for both kids at school.  Every Friday they both take something to school that they share with their classmates.  For Meredith, to share something is optional.  If she doesn't bring in something, then she doesn't have to share.  For Thomas, if they forget to bring in something to share they still have to share (verbally only) something.  The kids have taken in all kinds of things to share, from a favorite book to a new toy.  Today Thomas took the 3D glasses he got from the birthday party last weekend.  He was going to talk about the whole birthday party at a movie theater experience and what they saw.  Before we left to take Meredith to school I asked her what she was going to bring and she said, "Wait a minute.  I know what I want to take."  She then ran upstairs to her room and returned holding this frame with Bela's picture.  I love how much they both still miss and love her.   

update: she woke up in the new nightgown

a nightie

Meredith got it into her head recently that she must have a nightgown.  Oh, but not just any nightgown.  She wanted one that would go all the way to the floor, has long sleeves, and is a princess theme.  This is not easy to find.  To be honest, it's been really difficult.  I have searched many stores and even online -- all to come up empty-handed.  I'm not even 100% sure she'd be comfortable in a nightgown.  She's never worn one before and I know how uncomfortable I feel when sleeping in them.  This afternoon I finally found a nightgown that met the "long sleeves" criteria.  It has pigs on it wearing tiaras and lots of hearts floating around the pigs.  That sounds princess-y to me!  I figured this would be close enough and she agreed.  It's still not exactly what she wants and I'll continue to look, but we'll see how she likes sleeping in this one tonight first.  I have a feeling she'll be waking up wearing different pajamas.  Good thing this little cutie was found on a clearance rack for less than five bucks.

USMC

This morning Meredith and I headed out with a friend and her son to watch the USMC Bugle Band and the USMC Silent Platoon perform at the local high school.  The Silent Platoon is the one that plays for presidential ceremonies, visiting dignitaries, etc. so it was a real treat for us to see them.  And they were amazing!  The precision was really something to see.  After the performance we were given the opportunity to say hi to the Marines and see their guns and musical instruments up close.  Fun way to start our day!

new book series for Thomas

Thomas loves to read.  He'll always have a couple of books that he's reading at the same time, too.  Anything from informational/instructional reads like (how to perform) magic books to favorites of all the kids his age - Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Flat Stanley, Junie B. Jones, Magic Tree House, etc. - to books that are well beyond his first grade level.  Today after his book club at the library I asked if he wanted to check out a new book.  He said yes and disappeared for a few minutes.  When he returned he had two books from the Choose Your Own Adventure series in his hands.  I had long forgotten about this series and how much I loved them as a child.  I showed him how the books are read and he became very excited.  He chose this book pictured above to check out today, but I have a feeling he'll be checking out more of these in the coming months.  I love how much he enjoys reading and learning at this age.

new dress

Meredith and I have started trying on clothes at the store together.  I've always purchased their clothes and brought them home to try on (a few exceptions, but not many).  It was just easier.  Last week we went shopping and today again we tried on some things while out.  It was fun.  We tell each other what we think, help each other in and out of things, and just chit chat.  Today she got this cute dress ("I've always wanted a dress with a little sweater or jacket!") and I got a pair of pants and a top.  I can see this becoming increasingly more fun as she gets older. 

playdates

Playdates are always fun for Meredith.  She loves to have a friend over at school to eat lunch and play with for a couple of hours.  Some friends (particularly those with older siblings) come ready to play and the two will disappear for most of the playdate.  I enjoy those because I know the girls are having a good time, are safe and it allows me to get some things done around the house.  Other playdates with friends need a little more help and require me to get involved.  Today's playdate with our sweet friend was the latter, unfortunately.  It reminds me to be thankful and appreciate the fact that our kids are pretty good at playing on their own, coming up with new games, etc. and have long attention spans... 

weekend party photos

The birthday girl's mom snapped these photos.  I thought they were too cute to not share.  Can you find Meredith in them?

Dana Point Whale Festival

dinner

 some weird show ~ frozen treats on a warm day

 sandcastle competition ~ view of the harbor from our table at dinner

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We headed up to Dana Point this afternoon for their annual Whale Festival.  Saw some fun things and saw some weird things, but overall had a very enjoyable and relaxing afternoon in Dana Point.

Bridging Ceremony

The entire Pack was invited to join in a Bridging Ceremony this afternoon.  This is the ceremony that acknowledges, honors and celebrates those boys who have completed their time as Cub Scouts and are now entering Boy Scouts.  I love that they include all the boys in these ceremonies.  It's good for Thomas and his fellow Cubs to see what they have to look forward to, should they decide to continue in Cub Scouts.  Both Mike and Thomas had a great time attending today! 

Uncle Earl

Thomas and Meredith love seeing their Uncle Earl.  He's young (early 20s) and doesn't have much experience being around young children, but I think they are growing on him, too!

...and another video because it's just so much fun!

She's off and riding!

Meredith has been practicing her bike riding skills lately. Today, she didn't need any help at all. She simply got on her bike and started riding. With each lap her confidence grew and she peddled faster. I eventually gave up running alongside her and stood at the end of the driveway while she went up and down the driveway over and over and over... I'm impressed with how easily she picked up this skill. Way to go, Meredith!

we love froyo

Thomas' concoction for extreme froyo yumminess:
Mango Sorbet topped with gummy worms, gummy bears, a few strawberry poppers and a swirl of raspberry puree.

Meredith's concoction for out-of-this-world froyo goodness:
Cake Batter topped with gummy worms, gummy butterflies and a drizzle of raspberry puree.

My super-duper froyo combination:
Mango Sorbet topped with as much crushed Oreo cookie as I can cram into the bowl.

And that, my friends, is how we do frozen yogurt.