Calm After the Storm

I'm very blessed to be able to say that my kids are normally very well behaved and good tempered. Today, however, has been a challenging 2 year old temper day. It started first thing this morning, so I know it wasn't because he was tired. I can't even explain it, because 2 year old tantrums don't really make sense. So I will just say that his little body falling to sleep on the way to astronomy class was just what I needed. We dropped of Zachary at class and I drove straight for the library. I found the biggest tree I could to park under, opened the car windows so the breeze could blow through, and we've been sitting in the parking lot for over an hour. I have water, my iPhone, and my knitting. Ahhhh, it's like a mini vacation in the middle of my day.

Now, here's to hoping he doesn't wake up so late that there isn't any library or park time left. Because then the tantrum will start all over again. But at least mama is rested now, and ready...

Lately...

I love how my iPhone is so kind to send the photos I take on it directly to my computer. It's quite convenient. Here are some of my faves from the past several days.

Zachary is totally schooling his father in Backgammon. He serious rolled no less than 15 doubles. It was awesome, and at the same time scary. I'm thinking of checking the Google search on his iPod for "weighting dice"???

I got to "borrow" a baby for a couple hours one night. Awww, two weeks new and snugly as can be. This is good stuff for my soul.

We had a Disney day last weekend with the cousins again. While the dad's took the big kids on Soaring Over California, the moms went for a glass of wine. We found these guys on the way to the wine bar. Luke was so excited to meet "Ka-chow" and Mater. He got a little camera shy when we had our turn, but he really was amazed. I was amazed that we got a relaxing glass of wine while the men corralled the kids :).

On Monday we had Astronomy class at the park. The weather was perfect and the labs were so fun. There were rockets, Mento's and diet cola geysers, and marshmallow guns. A GREAT science day indeed.

This photo was taken by my mom of my dad on his new yacht. (Well, perhaps "yacht" is a bit of an exaggeration, but I'd hardly call it a kayak) I can't wait to see this in person, perhaps with a grandchild on board?

What have you been up to lately?

Right Now

Outside my window... it is sunny, but chilly.

I am thinking... we should be doing spelling, but I would love to get his post done first.

I am thankful for... the fact it is Thursday, which means tomorrow is the start of another three day weekend with my love.

From the kitchen... my crock pot is my friend. Tonight it's making split pea soup for us. I believe it is the third time it has been used this week.

I am wearing... my new favorite pants. Black cotton yoga pants with a built in skirt and wide legs. I could seriously live in these pants.

I am creating... nothing at the moment. I'm between knitting projects (recently finished a beautiful shawl). I have had the urge to scrapbook lately. Perhaps that will happen soon??

I am going... to be taking the youngsters to dance class in a couple short hours.

I am reading... just finished The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. A fun and fast read.

I am hoping... the events in front of us this weekend go smoothly. (Perhaps more information on this in an upcoming post?)

I am hearing... Zachary practice piano. Both he and Emma started lessons last month with our favorite science/piano teacher. They both seem to be enjoying it, and I love to hear practice going on in the house.

Around the house... cars, Legos, books, dolls, school, and lots of dust... need I say more?

One of my favorite things... time spent with my hubby on Wednesday nights at a new class we are taking.

A few plans for the rest of the week... taking things one day at a time, as much as I can. Butler taxes on Friday, desert property on Saturday, and visiting the "Mouse" on Sunday. Time with my family.

This Kid

Need I say more?

Camping, Riding, Shooting... Oh my!

We rung in the New Year this year at Joshua Tree Dry Lake. It was the first time we had been to this campground, but I doubt it will be the last. Any place our family can camp with a gorgeous view, where we can let the kids ride their quads, where we can have dark skies for telescoping, where we can take the van out in 4-wheel drive, AND where we can shoot.... well let's just say we will be going back.

Here are a few highlights from the trip...

Seems both the boys enjoy riding!

Playing with the glider on the dry lake.

Looking for meteorites.

The sky was beautiful! Cold, but beautiful.

One tired boy, one happy mama.

Lukey getting his first shooting lesson with sissy's bb gun.

Zachary using his new pellet gun.

Girls RULE!

Fun for the whole family :)

Ecosystems

My kids are absolutely loving their astronomy class this year, and so am I. Science is one of the subjects that seems to get left behind when our days are full. Sad, but true. I will get the reading done, but not always all the experiments that go along with the reading that makes science so fun (and memorable). So the class has been a lifesaver for this mama. Lectures, quizzes, fun labs, fun with friends, and an excellent teacher who loves to show the Lord in science. Win Win WIN!!

While the kids were learning about Mars they had to create an ecosystem for people to live on the planet. They could use whatever medium they wanted and they were to bring it to share with the class. We had a lot of fun (and learning going on too) talking about what would be needed to survive on another planet. This is what the kids came up with:

Emma decided to draw her ecosystem. It includes a large area of closets for clothes, a farm to raise animals for food, trees for oxygen, an apartment building to live in, a wash room for laundry, a huge water tank and a rocket that could go back to earth for more water. Oh, and two dance rooms; one for ballet and one for tap :).

Zachary decided to use Legos for his ecosystem.

He had a building to live in, lots of trees for oxygen, a recycling waterfall and stream for water and recreation, and a garden to grow food.

He let me help with the garden. I had fun.

We also recently wrapped up a study of France. Zachary was elated when I told him he was done with school for the day expect for one thing. I wanted him to take a picture of the Eiffel Tower to his room and create it out of Legos :).

Yes, when Legos are involved with school, it's a good day.

A New Sport

Danny's interest in paddle boarding has been increasing lately. His interest really is in prone paddle boarding, which is laying down on your stomach and using your hands/arms to paddle. He purchased a board on Craigslist and used it a couple times, but it really wasn't the right board for him. So he went back to Craigslist and found a used board from a guy named Mike in Carlsbad. To make a long story short, Mike said he would sell it to Dan if Dan signed up for a race in January in Mission Bay. Seems he really loves the sport and wants to make sure that there are enough people to keep the racing going. Danny agreed and brought another huge 'board' home.

He had not found a lot of time to practice, but to my surprise decided he was going to stick to his commitment and register for the race. It was last week, and he did great!! It was a beautiful day, and it was so much fun to go out as a family and root him on. Nana joined us too. He did great considering his lack of preparation. He finished the race with a smile, and we were so proud of him. Mike, the guy that sold the board to him, had finished much earlier, but went back to cheer Dan on to finish the race. 4.75 miles! Way to go Danny!!!

This Saturday Dan is doing his second race, and we are looking forward to cheering him on again.

Truly a gorgeous day on Mission Bay

This is Dan (on the left) and Mike paddling out to the starting line.

Danny crossing the finish line and checking in at the pontoon boat. He did it!!

Celebrating our Daddy and his 1st race!

Exciting Side Note: My mom has been bitten by love of stand-up paddle boarding after trying it with my sister in St. Thomas. She rented them for us to use at Lake Havasu last summer, which was a blast. Last week she bought her own and took it right out to the lagoon in Carlsbad to get it wet. My dad got a kayak too so they will soon be grazing through the water together :-). LOVE IT!!