Present for Mother

I was at Sam's yesterday and came across this book.

It's written by Alison McGhee.

I read it.

My eyes welled up.

I had to buy a copy for myself, an early Mother's Day present.

If you are a mother, know a mother, and are looking for a great gift...

this is it.

Go read it.

Pentel Arts Freebie

This expires April 30:Pentel Arts is giving away a free 12 color oil pastel set per household address. Go to http://www.pentelarts.com/offer.php & enter the promotionalcode SA2008.

Earth Day 2008

In honor of Earth Day, our homeschool class, "Patches", participated in the Earth Day Groceries Project. Whole Foods Markets helped by loaning us 100 paper grocery bags. With some paint, the kids got to work putting their mark and their messages on the bags.

Reuse. Reduce. Rebuy. Recycle.

The World Wildlife Foundation has a blog too. I chanced upon it looking for Earth Day events. People are pledging their goals to help out. Here are a few that caught my eye...

i will not use 25 pieces of toilet paper because of my weight issue, i will also try to shed weight by eating more organic foods unlike eclairs

kirsten ~albany, ny usa - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 07:57:00 (CDT)

I did not use my electric fun machine :)

Sarah ~Burlington, CT USA - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 07:56:51 (CDT)

Today, I am putting the finishing touches on my oxygen making machines. Sadly, it needs trees to fuel it. Maybe this is a bit pointless but it's the thought that counts.

Zach ~Allliston, on canada - Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 07:16:14 (CDT)

I remember now

The last blog photo made me remember.

"And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world it is best to hold hands and stick together."
--Robert Fulghum

3 Beautiful Things that Whoo

1. A real live working steam engine

2. Riding on a real live steam engine
3. Having a friend to share it with
Pure sweetness!!

Minzoku Daiko

Last night we got to see Minzoku Daiko, a Taiko drumming ensemble, play at our library. It was free and educational, two things that go well together.

We learned about how Taiko orignated, it's migration to the U.S., and the instruments themselves. This group was pretty eclectic...utilizing instruments from all over the world. Aside from the taiko, we also heard a drum from Korean and the didjeridoo from Australia.

The photo below is a summary of the sounds the taiko makes and how the group uses those sounds to create their own original pieces.

Geared up!

I was never much into jocks...till I had my own.
He is so stinking cute!
GO NUMBER 5!

Whoo! Whoo! Woohoo!

On Sunday, I finally took Z to our local train museum. It was pretty cool to be able to stand where an engineer once stood and see the controls. The caboose was also interesting. I found out what the caboose was actually for, including the little windows way at the top. It's apparently much more than the visually identifiable compartment at the back of the train. Duh!

Looking at the coupling of the caboose

Walking on the rails at the free area

the tracks go nowhere

so I am not a bad mommy letting her kid walk on the train tracks

Guys like looking at the engine

and under it

Faggot Stitch Scarf

I've reconnected with the crafty side of me. It's been good. I'm not good, but the activity has been good for me. Here is my first knitted FO. Well, still UFO since I plan to add some crocheted flowers to it. But, the knitted part is done. If you can't tell, it's a scarf.

It is made with a faggot stitch. (Don't ask me about the name. I have no clue. I'm assuming it meant something else once upon a time. British origin maybe? Perhaps it was a smoking scarf...as in a smoking jacket?) I used this pattern. The yarn was an acrylic 4 ply ww, variegated. The needles were size 9.

I'll post the finished finished finished piece later...when it's finished. Right now I have two more knitted things I'm working on. Plus all the other crocheted thing. *sigh* So many projects...so little time.

Patches (installment 2)

Right after planting, Z decided the pot needed a little something.

A few weeks later, the plants are doing great.
Crab artwork
Touching at Sea Lab
Found on rocks at pier

Patches (installment 1)

As some of you may know, we've been attending a class called "Patches". It is organized by a homeschool mom through Yahoo Groups. The kids attending are all homeschoolers under the age of 5. The classes are once a week for 12 weeks. Each class meeting has a theme. After the activities for the day are done, the children "earn" a patch.
Patches earned so far:

• 
  Sewing - made a banner to put patches on
• Gardening - planted bulbs
• Insects - made artwork of bees and butterflies
• Seasons - made artwork representing seasons
• Ocean Life - made crab and octopus, went to eat at Captain Kidd's, visited Sea Laboratory

And some photos:

Yep! He had on his boots!

When NOT to go Green

I was surfing the net looking for instructions on how to make a back pack or a drawstring bag. It led me to this. That is where I draw the line. And not in red either. There are some things I refuse to give up...even for the sake of going green. Some things MUST be DISPOSABLE!

Soccer Tryouts

Last Thursday we had soccer tryouts. I thought the tryouts (for the 4-5 year olds) were to divide the children into even teams based on skill level. The hubby, a bit more cynical than I, thought they might use it to rig the teams...more skilled on one team, our son on the other.

This was his first time having to actually kick the ball with some controlled direction. Kick and run and kick towards a goal. Kick and run and kick around the cones. I think he did excellent for his first time. Am I stressing "first time"?

I am so proud of him. He was very excited. He thought he would be the winning player. I told him that I would be proud if he won or lost...and that the important part was that he tried his best and had fun!

None of us know the actual rules of soccer, so I guess we'll all learn together. Today is the first day of practice. We will get to meet our coach and the other players who have been selected to be on this team. More to come later. For now...some pictures of tryouts:

Kicking towards goal

Jumping with excitement as I wait my turn

Wonder what soccer players have under their shorts

"March"ing on

I guess I have been slacking here. Bad me! Here's a quick review.

Z rigged this on his own. Guess he knows the importance of seat belts.

Even for bears in tonka trucks.
3/9/2008

3/13/2008

Parents discovered bald spot.

Upon questioning...it is revealed Z decided to have fun with scissors.

cute bears we enjoyed at the store

3/18/2008

We went to Mountain High to go sledding.

Moss does grow on the North Side.

3/21/2008

We found a paw print on a hill. We didn't go much further. Not sure it belonged to a dog. And didn't want to find out.

Fun with Easter Grass

3/14/2008