Got tagged -- do the sixth

So, I got tagged to post the sixth picture on my computer. That's tricky -- it all depends on how the list is formed -- and if I can even find the pictures on my computer.

I usually work with Bilbo, the main family computer. But he has been hypnotized recently to only make available what is most useful to me (Wow! I just made my well-meaning husband sound like some Microsoft henchman!), and so I cannot reach my pictures without first petitioning Gandolf, the all-powerful machine in the office. I suppose I could ask Aragorn (but Ben's MacBook Pro is down for the night)...and Arwen, my pretty white iBook, is sleeping...I don't know if Anduril, the iPhone, would even listen to a call through the network from Bilbo...

So, long story short -- Gandolf says this is the sixth picture in the "not yet backed up" file in his stash.

It is Archer on Josh. He's a Chinese dwarf hamster. We also have Checker, an albino checkered garter snake, and Flare, a motley colored fancy mouse. WAIT! I know what you are thinking ----- BUT FLARE IS NOT FOOD! Plus, Checker is only about 8 inches long.

The children are pining for about three more fancy mice, but we decided three cages, and the fish tank for Checker's meals, is enough for now. (Maybe sometime I will film Checker chasing his minnows around his small bowl -- it's pretty amazing to watch him gulp down four of the little guys!)

Happy living!

Economics from a 4 yr old

On a whim, Daniel and I stopped at a local donut shop for a 50 cent treat this morning.

I couldn't help but notice the rickety tables and chairs, the out of date wallpaper, the dilapidated posters, the ceiling leaking from last night's rain ... and I wondered again how little places like this stay in business. It seems that's all you hear about on the radio now -- all of the small endeavors that just can't keep afloat as the economy struggles. I wondered how much effort the beautiful Asian couple running the store put into it each day to eek out a living.

But Daniel had a different perspective. "Mom," he said with his tummy full of chocolate frosting and sprinkles, "when that lady (the one behind the counter) was a little girl, she decided she wanted to help kids. So she discovered she could be a donut lady and make lots of little kids happy. She is a good follower of Heavenly Father because He wants us to help people be happy."

I think I need to eat more donuts.

"John Williams is the man!"

Woke up singing this song this morning. Thought some of you other "Star Wars" fans might enjoy it. My children have it memorized...
(The rendition of Luke's whine is hilarious!)

The recording you hear is actually from an A Cappella group my cousin's husband Tim is in called "Moosebutter" (http://moosebutter.com/). The clip is phenomenal!

Goin' green...

No more paper.

Called and canceled it today.

When I sat down this morning to five unopened papers and zero desire to read them, I knew it was time.

I can't tell you how liberated I feel!

Aaack! It's another one!

He caught me at the right time.
I'd been feeling guilty for my self-administered ignorance.
I knew I was uninformed and was now contemplating action.
The proposed remedy fit my abilities ... I could do it...

I could subscribe to the paper!

Just for the weekend editions, mind you. Getting it everyday is information overload for me. It simply takes too long to even just skim the material. And sometimes I don't want to -- sometimes it is easier, and more emotionally sane, to remain ignorant.

Plus, it was only $12 for two months. Not much to pay for enlightenment, huh?

But there was a catch...

"Can I have them deliver it every day, for free?" The man looked at me like he was giving me the deal of a life time.

"No!" I began to panic. I had done that once before and swore never to take the paper that way again.

I tried to save face: "Isn't that pretty cost inefficient?"

It turns out that they can charge their advertisers more if they have a larger reader base. Regardless of whether or not I read it, it pays them to have it land on my driveway.

I gave up. "Sure," I said with trepidation. "You can deliver it ... (choke!) ... every day."

It has been a week. Yesterday morning I sat down to four unopened papers. I made it through three of them and dumped the last one right out of it's plastic into the recycling bin (with only a moment's concern that there might be something in there I would have wished to have known).

Call me what you will, but I now remember why I ran from the fellow at the grocery store who wanted to give me a $20 gift card for subscribing last year.

I guess I was a sucker this go-around.

It was all about timing -- the election, the economy, having just moved, upcoming holiday sales -- lots of information deficits.

Hopefully my recycling bin is getting informed.

Late night thoughts on elephants...

I've been remembering scenes with my sister Esther when we were teens:

The code words, said in a deeply despairing tone, "Today I feel like such a toad...,"

brought on the invariable answering response, "It could be worse..."

And so began the oneupmanship of slowly contriving progressively worse things that could have been or might have happened on such a "toady" day.

But it wasn't a guilt-laden experience of wallowing through all of the world's woes and trying to feel grateful that you are carrying your bucket of them rather than someone else's. It usually began that way, but it ended more like a lark -- a hilarious promenade down a doomsday road that only could be traveled by Murphy.

And the crowning statement that always sent us into gales of laughter: "It could be worse...you could have an elephant sitting on your head!"
(This MUST be said in all seriousness, with very matter-of-fact foreboding, for the desired effect.)

Somehow, once we got to the elephant, the game was up.

Who wouldn't feel better, knowing that she, once again, had escaped that blasted elephant? :)

[photo by Michael Graham Richard]

Sea World, San Antonio

One of our summer jaunts was to check out Sea World, San Antonio (2.5 hrs drive from our house). Ben took off a Friday from work...and we liked it so well that we went back the next Friday! We fed sea lions...

lorikeets...

and Dan even bought himself a sword.

Hope you enjoy the next few posts of our two trips to Sea World! (7/11 & 7/18)

Shamu (and friends)

Such an innocent looking tail...

Such an amazing amount of water coming at us!


They meant what they said about the first fifteen rows being a SERIOUS splash zone! You should have seen the people wringing themselves out, toweling off, and sloshing up to higher seating. They looked like they'd been blasted!! When three whale tails poised themselves in front of you simultaneously, you'd better look out! Here's a shot of a single-tail splash from the side:

Talk about muscle--what a leap!

She disappeared under the water for the longest time and then suddenly they both sprang out, with her on his nose--WOW!!

Hot, but happy at Sea World

Here's how we got around--their large stroller could hold three tired stow-aways, as well as a fair amount of other paraphernalia.

Happy smiles peeking out of the stroller shade!

Mom and the boys...and Emma!

Any guesses where the children get their great smiles?

Anticipation before the "Texas Splashdown" -- one of the few rides we were each tall enough to enjoy together.


Daniel and Isaac absolutely loved it and wanted to get right back in line and do it again. Emma thought it was terrifying and was glad she sat in the back. Josh and Matthew were thrilled with the ride but then talked themselves into a state of fear long after we were back on dry ground. Silly!

Viva!

We absolutely loved watching the Viva! show with the pacific white-sided dolphins and the beluga whales. With a cast of 15 or so, they made it part comedy and part fantasy (or so it seemed), and it was all performed to music. Delightful!




Aren't belugas one of the craziest, lumpiest looking things you have ever seen? Ahh, but they seemed amazingly graceful and almost cuddly as they swam with the trainers. What a way to instill amazement and appreciation in hundreds of people every day!

Lorikeets -- wow!!!!

One of our all-time favorites at Sea World was feeding the lorikeets nectar. How amazing to have a beautiful bird alight on your arm and feed from the little cup in your hand! Here is Josh's "I'm excited out of my mind and must scrunch my nose" grin.

Here's Isaac:

And Daniel:

And Emma:

A little competition?

Celestial experiences on the way to Sea World

The temple in San Antonio is about two hours from our house and right on the way to Sea World. So we stopped by to show the children the outside. It is hard to see it in this shot, but the text reads, "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord."

The pictures of the stain glass don't look nearly as spectacular in the day as they do at night with the light shining through them. This is the window you see in the Celestial Room, a tree of life with prisms as the fruit -- how they sparkle! What a beautiful image to consider as we sit and ponder in that lovely room!

Feet with traction!

My sister said Daniel, age 3, must be pretty brave, so I thought I'd post this picture of Dan's expression as the creature settled on his finger. Cicadas have the most prickly feet -- great for them, but it feels pretty queer to be held, almost pinched, so tightly.

"Mom, I found an animal!"

Thats what Daniel says every time he sees any sort of creature.

The children sure enjoyed holding this aging cicada. It looks like some medieval work of art and armor. What an amazing world this is!

What a guy!

I bought Ben a book for his birthday --- a book we already had. Oops! He looked all through it with full interest for a number of minutes before he reminded me that we had purchased it three or four months ago.

This happy smile wasn't even jeering at me -- nice chap that he is. I got a good laugh out of the whole thing. What a flub! Here are some more birthday smiles:

Soccer!

Josh is playing soccer with the YMCA this summer.

Games are early in the morning, but it still gets pretty hot!

Texas is funny!

I reached under the counter for my Bosch bowl the other day and found it occupied!

Who knows how the gecko got in, but here's a close-up:

Another bridge for Matthew -- graduation to middle school

Ben and I were amazed and very proud of our son Matthew's accomplishments this year. He entered fifth grade as a timid student, unsure of his capabilities. How delighted we were to see him jog confidently up to the stage to receive his many awards.

He flourished as a reader, winning the top trophy for the most points accrued in the whole fifth grade for reading. You can see it here, pictured with his homeroom teacher, Mrs. McCoy.

What a gem that dear one is! I feel honored to be a part of his life.

Emma's kindergarten graduation

A flower for a lady...

Two happy smiles...

How can the summation of days and nights that seemed to last forever add up to a fleeting memory of time passing so swiftly -- my little one is growing up! People tell you it will be so, but you never quite imagine how quickly your children will transform!

All in the eye of the beholder

Emma wanted a castle cake for her birthday party with her friends. I tried, but when it was done, it looked more like a skirt for a princess -- with turrets!

Too many ideas in my head without a really good sense of direction and a limited amount of time. It makes me laugh! The children enjoyed it, whatever it was.


Here's the butterfly cake she had for our family party for her. (She's sporting some of her presents: clip-on earrings and fancy, very fun to spread all over, lip gloss.)