Sam launched a YouTube Channel – DominoDude1000
This is the base of an 11x11 3D pyramid, and so far the most popular tutorial on Sam's channel. Click the picture for a link to February pictures. We were very reluctant to let him start a channel for obvious reasons. He has been talking about it for some time and I just finally gave in and decided to look into it. I am not connected to Facebook or YouTube other than to just watch videos, so I didn't really have a sense of how much control you'd have over content. I also never anticipated just how much learning would evolve from setting up a channel.
Sam has been using YouTube tutorials since the summer to learn how to make origami, paper airplanes of all kinds, Rubik’s Cube algorithms, and much more. One of our favorites is Rob’s World – he’s a young guy from Philadelphia in dental school. His mantra – “where learning is fun!” And boy is it. He is really neat. Since then Sam has gotten into domino toppling and this is his way to join the maker movement. He is enjoying creating tutorials, learning about analytics (which videos get the most views and why), creating consistently good content, evaluating other channels for their content, and more. It has turned a really insular hobby into something collaborative, which is all the rage now. Did you know that collaboration is a 21st century skill? I think it has always been a useful skill, but we are using technology to collaborate in new ways, sure. Here is a link to his channel – he hopes you’ll subscribe! He has 66 views already 🙂
Ben – the big talker of the family – is really into making videos now, too. He grabs my camera and sets it up on the floor to watch him build domino tricks. The camera will stay on for 10 minutes just capturing everything! It is so funny – I think only a mom and Gramma would enjoy. Today he made a domino fallback – two levels of dominoes that topple on top of each other. It’s pretty technical, really, all these tricks. He’s really good! I hope you’ll click on the picture above to enjoy some of Ben’s creations. So every night we are picking up 800-1000 dominoes together. Sometimes…if we’re lucky…Daddy joins us to pick some up 🙂
Dave has been getting home at more reasonable hours lately, so we have really enjoyed seeing him at least by bedtime, even if I’m putting a plate in the fridge or oven for him. He’s traveling to Everett fairly frequently (about 2 hours total including ferry) to oversee repairs on a ship. I’m doing quite a bit of analytical work for the district as they review their math curriculum and think about what to adopt for next year. The new Common Core State Standards are being implemented in about 47 states, one of which is Washington, so the teachers are getting up to speed on what that means for their instruction. And I’m really enjoying being a support to them as they profile the district and understand who the students are, what needs are being met well, and what might be considered going forward. There are about a dozen parents and teachers who email regularly providing updates on meetings and researching innovations elsewhere. I am also serving on a district committee along with about 4 other parents, plus many teachers and administrators (about 20 people total). It’s been very gratifying being so closely involved in supporting this district. From health policy to education policy… never a dull moment. I stay up way too late most nights reading and thinking.
BUT – am I the last person to know about Caine’s Arcade? This is just unbelievable! Do take the 10 minutes to watch this short film. I have been talking about the importance of learning entrepreneurship for a couple months. I think we can teach problem-based learning, STEM and build business-savvy all at the same time. But then Dave says I’m a combiner – too many things in the soup pot. I don’t agree…but he’s often right.
Are chickens smart? For a chicken IQ test I thought it would be funny to see if they consistently pick the cleanest nesting box to lay their eggs. Today they did – two eggs in the cleanest box. I am not sure roosters are very smart. One of them can’t figure out how to get back in to the garden once he’s gotten out for a stroll. The other can’t figure out how to get into the run when the other rooster is mating the favorite hen. We have two now – Merlin (big daddy) and Gordon, his son, who turns 1 in a few months on May 22. Any other chicken IQ tests you think I should run?
Good night all! Aloha 🙂
Dear Sam,
Happy Birthday, shining star in my life!
Dear Sam,
You turned 8 last night at 7:27pm, here in the Naval Base hospital, in Bremerton. I have told you for a couple years now that being #1 is a hard job. I bet you’re starting to agree, but you were Divinely created to be up for the challenge of teaching me how to be a good mom. I am trying! I am so thankful to be your mom. There are so many reasons why, but let’s just talk about today.
Today you are still sick – you have a nasty cold that would stop most people in their tracks. Yet you continue building domino structures with more than 700 pieces requiring hours of concentration and careful, steady hands. You play hard on your birthday with 8 other boys, learning to use map and compass, build an Eagle’s nest to keep an injured buddy warm off the ground while awaiting help (we had a really interesting party for you based on navigation, survival skills and lost-proofing all appropriate to 8 yr old guys who imagine they’re on an epic adventure fit for an 18 yr old). It was really fun, and there were many activities all culminating in a treasure hunt at your school which required reading maps and running all over the campus for whistles, ponchos, hand warmers and pencils. The guys had a grand time. Today you swam a 500 yard warm-up in swim practice after getting there early to work on your breaststroke. Then you did several more laps after the warm-up, totaling about 1/2 mile. You know that you are not the fastest swimmer, yet you never let it bother you. It seems you’re comfortable knowing they’re mostly several years older than you and have been swimming for years (swimming is huge here because the aquatic center is a warm, bright refuge during months of grey). You ask good questions, clarify lap vs length, speak up for yourself when you need better instruction, and race to do your cool-down walk around the pool so that the other kids don’t have to wait long to get back in. You are just one hard worker – in fact, when I stop to think about it, your work ethic is rather unusual. Other kids found reasons to fuss with their goggles at every length end. Not you. You kept going, and you got less rest than anyone else because they got to rest up while they waited for you. Then off you went again. You never complain and when you’re changing to go home, you say it was fine, no problem. I am learning not to worry about you. You are so solid, inside and out.
In other areas you’re so far ahead, no one can figure out how to keep you challenged. Your thirst for knowledge is insatiable. You were in a real mania
Look at your happy face, seeking the steepest cliff you could ride that saucer off!
today, in fact, jumping from dominoes to drawing a T4 phage from your college biology book (no kidding – do you remember buying it on base in Hawaii for 52 cents? It is so heavy you could barely carry it!). Those T4 phages are pretty cool looking, aren’t they? Like a space ship – their tetrahedron shape is other-worldly, with 6 little “legs” which they use to land on a cell and inject their DNA. You quizzed Ben on the numbers 11, 12, 13, 14 (I had no idea he could write those! Thanks, Sam!) and then drew him a Googleplex, complete with how many zeroes? We even did some fifth grade math today (I brief myself at night once a week so I can keep up with what they cover in the new Common Core curriculum scope and sequence). You understood the concepts quickly – mixed fractions, improper fractions, converting between fractions and decimals, creating equivalent fractions with factoring. You are so easy to teach and such a joy to share time with that I am learning to stop being resentful of the glass ceilings at school and be much more appreciative of the fact that God has given me a unique opportunity to remain relevant to you. Yes, I will still work on behalf of all kids like you so that school remains a place of growth even in their strong subjects, but you and I will remain the team that we always have been, bushwhacking our own way forward. For that I am profoundly grateful.
Sam, you are one incredible man already. I am so anxious to fast-forward and see what happens in your life, and at the same time I don’t want another minute to go by without being sure you know how special you are. I can’t wait until tomorrow morning. Yes, I’ll read this to you and cry, unable to finish. Thankfully you can read now, very well!
I love you, my son.
– mommy
Burns Night festivities
ODE TO A HAGGIS
Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,
Great Chieftan o’ the Puddin-race!
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang’s my arm
CLICK THIS PHOTO FOR PICTURES...Matt had just awakened after a long night on duty down at Fort Lewis - he and Melodie came to celebrate Burns Night even though this was duty weekend. Poor guy! Matt did a great job tossing the caber to kick off the festivities.
The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
You pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o’need
While thro’ your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead
His knife see Rustic-labour dight,
An’ cut you up wi’ ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reeking, rich!
Then, horn for horn they stretch an’ strive,
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a’ their weel-swall’d kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive
Bethankit hums
Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi’ perfect sconner,
Looks down wi’ sneering, scornfu’ view
On sic a dinner?
Ben Emerson won the first round of the caber toss! He also manned the fire while I was up to mischief, hiding coconuts in Hemlock trees and things...thanks, Ben! Well done!
Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither’d rash
His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro’ bluidy flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!
But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He’ll mak it whissle;
An’ legs, an’ arms an’ heads will sned,
Like taps o’ thrissle
Here's April - founding member of the A team - back from Hawaii and living in WA now! It was SO much fun having her back. She is a hoot - trying both SPAM and haggis in one festive evening! Love you, April!
Ye pow’rs wha mak mankind your care,
An’ dish them out their bill o’fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies;
But, if ye wish her gratefu’ pray’r,
Gie her a Haggis!
blue and white awesomeness!
Sam couldn't get enough of the saucering, picking the steepest "cliffs" so he could get max velocity and even some air. I loved it, too! I am a screamer, though, much to the family's embarrassment!
We chanced heading up to Hurricane Ridge today given the road was open at least – we got turned away two weeks ago with Steve was visiting because the lot had filled up already. With 45 degree weather, sun and clear roads we figured we’d get turned away again but just had to try. We were lucky – we got a spot!!! Sooooo beautiful! Ang – reminds me of a romp we did up there in the tiny car, which was nearly out of gas, and Sam along for the ride as a baby. Where was Dave? Josh? What were we thinking??? We had a beautiful day, too, as I recall. And another time we were up there on a sunny day with Dad and Grammie shortly after Sam was born. So nice to be back again!!! It was totally socked in from the Pacific Coast to Snoqualmie Pass – lots of low fog. We climbed a few hundred feet and here’s what the world looked like. Enjoy!
Is he 4? Or 14? So cool. 🙂
Missing Uncle Steve…but we’re still up to no good!
Uncle Steve loved to mess with the boys while he was here, and they sure loved it! Here is Ben in the “bird cage”! We soon got Sam in there and covered it up – that is supposed to make birds go quiet. Having a big strong man around during the day to mess with the boys (while I was working, writing papers and such) sure made it a very interesting and boisterous house! We have so many funny memories.
Here are a couple things Steve always said, which we find ourselves saying all the time…
“Ahoy there!”
“How was school, Sam? Gooood?”
“You kids like stickers? Ah know ah do!”
“STOOOOOP!”
We miss you, Uncle Steve! Miss all of your humor, wit, insights into the world around us, your quiet browsing on your laptop at the table, bringing new farmer friends over, homemade pizza to die for, fires that are robust AND a work of art, and more Beatles documentaries (and Miles Davis) than one man should have ever endured. “HEY! My friends call me whiskers, becuz ah’m a worrier!” (that is a funny SNL episode – Harry Carray).
We have been reading about Shakespeare in another really great Landmark Series book – Will Shakespeare and The Globe Theater. The boys have been captivated. They started acting out the fall of Caesar – with me, and baseball bats, out on the driveway, in the dark and cold, after playing football. They didn’t care that they were falling down and lying in the gravel. It has been so fun to watch them. Ben has a very natural way of dying – he oozes down, one leg lingering in the air, then flops to his side, motionless. He won’t come to, either. But Sam figured out how to make him come alive – he tickles his cheek! Sam is very different when he dies – very calculated, deliberate hands reaching back, ensuring it won’t hurt. Ben totally commits – he’s closer to the ground, after all. When Sam pretended to be Caesar and said “Et tu, Brute?” it sounded like he was laughing. It was really hard for him to find a last gasping breath sort of voice. When they are a bit at each other at the end of the day, it is very interesting to watch the chemistry totally change when they act. We brought it inside tonight to show Dad, who Sam suggested be Mark Antony. Enjoy this video…
This is The Globe Theatre – in sand. Click to see video of the fall of Caesar by Ben and Sam.
3, 2, 1… ROCKET LAUNCH!
Uncle Steve enjoyed building and launching rockets when he was a kid, so we are very thankful to have this time with him and the incredible fun of launching rockets! If you look closely you can see the fire coming out of the tail (one of the videos has a slow-mo version embedded). Sam and Steve spent a couple days building the two rockets together, then we were afforded a day with sun and little wind (cold, though!) AND Dave off of work so we could go to the park and launch. Enjoy!
Holiday closing ceremonies
Holiday closing ceremonies - burning the gorgeous Christmas tree in the company of good friends. Ben loved the festivities, and now Neil is out chopping up the tree so we can keep feeding it. That is his gorgeous fiance in the foreground. Edie is a Scot so she totally understood the allure of fire time. Nice to have company, AND a new friend! 🙂 New pictures from December AND January are up in the album.
CLICK HERE FOR DECEMBER’s PICTURES.
Fort building with friends + major freakout
The sun popped out today so we went to Fay Bainbridge Park to build forts with driftwood. We were able to snag a friend along the way. The fort building went great - it is often less amazing than imagined because there is not enough wood, not near enough, not able to be carried, and then on top of that you nearly twist an ankle carrying it and placing it with all the other sticks at your feet. Today we managed to do it all and the fort was pretty sturdy! I'm always a bit worried when kids go in forts, but we did check multiple times to see if it was sturdy. Now we wonder if high tide wiped it out. Great time. (Click for larger picture.)
After a nice time building forts, we went to Poulsbo for Mexican food at a great taqueria – which also happens to have a full bar. Good to know! The food was awesome and the people were really nice. Then off to the land of malls and big stores – Silverdale – for redeeming Toys R Us gift cards! Yay! The boys had a great time looking over the offerings, and Ben was very sweet to say thank you when we finished checking out. He got a monster truck and a new electric guitar thanks to presents from Randy and Krissy, Dave’s parents and his great-grandmother. Sam got a Lego Technic set that he’d been eyeing, and model glue for the rocket his Uncle Steve got him. The jackhammer guy made me a bit overstimulated – just walking into Toys R Us is a bit of an event for me because I don’t tend to go into big stores much. We made our way home and I stayed outside to give the chickens recess. It was so nice to have it be clear, not raining, that I grabbed my camera and did some chicken family portraits. I did that last year over Thanksgiving, so we were overdue capturing who is part of the flock.It was such a nice, pleasant time in there with them, feeding corn, watching them scratch and take a dust bath. Toward the end (it was getting dark and they wanted to roost) they took an interest in my boot laces, which I thought was very sweet. Several came over to peck. I didn’t notice that Merlin had sauntered up because I was busy trying to squat down and take pictures at beak level. All of a sudden I saw him, and in a leap I tried to both get up and get back. I jolted out of my reverie so quickly that I fell backwards and tripped over the railroad ties around an old potato patch. I landed in the dirt and was just shocked at what was going on so I must have started screeching.
By then Merlin WAS interested in me, even if he wasn’t before. He started advancing with an intent look. So I leaped up and tried to get away but slipped on and fell on my backside on a tarp-covered compost heap. I kept flailing as I tried to get up, all the while protecting my camera and trying to keep one foot out in defense against Merlin. By this time I was really screaming H E L P! (You know how you don’t know whether or not you’d really scream in an emergency or if just blankness would come forth? I guess I know now.) Dave, Sam and Ben all came running – very sweet that they all love me enough to come and see if I am ok. Dave was NOT amused that it was just a rooster issue, and this fact was exacerbated by my emergence from desperation and fear into the land of humor. I was starting to giggle. Then I started laughing so hard I couldn’t even tell them all what had happened! I was just cracking up – my world had changed so quickly from chicken garden nirvana to flailing and tumult. I was so disoriented!
Can you see the progression from sweet time to "OMG he's after me and I don't have my hoe!" ? You can see Merlin's comb in the bottom right frames. (Click for larger picture.)
When I eventually got my act together, apologized to Merlin, and got them into the run, I went in and organized my life. I was slipping and tripping on dominoes (the 1000 arrived from The Netherlands) and spazzing out continued. Then I realized I’d lost my phone. I looked all over. Called it 22 times. No dice. In the truck, in the trash, on the driveway, in the garden. Back out to the garden I went with my headlamp, and finally I found it by the second compost heap where I’d flailed for my life. It hadn’t been answering because there was no signal strength out there in the Bermuda triangle of craziness! Whew! As I walked back in, laughing, I had to call someone who would understand. I left Tijen another really bizarre message (I left her one a few weeks ago about her roosters – which she had hoped were hens). I am thankful she still counts me as a friend. This after I showed up at her doorstep in my elf outfit…
Tamara – stop laughing, ok? It wasn’t funny at the time!!!! 🙂
It’s Christmas!
Hooray! It's Christmas! Wishing you and yours a very joyful holiday. Please click on pictures for the Christmas Eve and Day festivities. Click up one folder in the album to see the rest of December.
Another attempt at the family photo! This time it went much better - the boys picked the spot and were really nice! We are wearing scarves made by Dave's mom 🙂
Mommy off the grid
Riding in the wagon with Betsey and her friend Polly through Rolling Bay.
I went a little off-hook today. I chased a “want” not a “need” – thanks, Mom, for allowing me to do that. We were busy making crazy green sticky Christmas cookies this afternoon when Dave asked me if I was expecting someone. “Huh? No?” I replied. Next I hear that there’s a woman with a questioning face wandering down the driveway. I raced out to find Betsey and her team pulling into the driveway! They were looking to turn around and wanted to know if I would like to go for a ride! I thought we were booked to go out to Chimacum and pick up Steve, so I said I couldn’t unfortunately. They came down the driveway and we watched in amazement, mom filming the whole time, while Betsey turned the team around. We were wondering what might happen if 3400 lbs of horse decided to do something crazy right next to Dave’s car, but we also were convinced that we didn’t give two hoots if the car got bashed to pieces. We were ready to buy him a new one. Somehow. We were just so amazed and awestruck to see Betsey and her team there. They stopped and chatted after pulling two k turns. Abby pooped and that sealed the deal – the best Christmas present ever is still out there steaming on the gravel! I don’t want to scoop it up! Dave and the boys came out to see the commotion as Mom and I wiped tears of joy at seeing horses on the property. It has been SO many years and I still miss them so much. Well, try as I might, I couldn’t go on with my afternoon as planned. I finished up the cookies and decided I was going to race down and catch up with Betsey and Polly. So I carried two cookies, a sparkling water and a Christmas card to mail at the little Post office down by Bay Hay.
I ran down Kallgren, knowing I’d run into them somewhere along the way. People must have thought I was a little kooky racing around in jeans, boots, cookies, can of sparkling. But I caught them and enjoyed a couple (cold, wet) hours riding in a wagon. I swear I felt like a celebrity sitting there with them. They use a wooden pointer hand to signal which way they turn – so Polly and I took turns pointing the finger so we could turn. Some cars are very courteous and go by slowly, others race. One horse, Abby, is tentative and nervous. She sweat a lot. Her half-sister, Red, is calmer and confident. We had to scramble to pick up poop out of a church parking lot – still makes we wonder a little when a slice of old Bainbridge comes rolling through – gorgeous team of horses and committed farmer – that we even THINK about commenting on poop in a parking lot. So Polly and I borrowed a shovel and did our best to get rid of it. I guess we need to get Betsey a travel pail and tiny shovel in case it happens again.
I got to see the whole process of unhooking the equipment, too. Betsey worked with the team when we got back because they were being a bit testy
Out walking through the local farms with Uncle Steve, giving him a tour. This brief moment of sunlight was beautiful!
– trying to charge into their stall without waiting for her command. Driving a team is serious business – they are enormous and must listen to Betsey’s every command or someone could get very hurt. She says “whoa!” to stop, “step gee” and “step haw” for turns (R and L). I think I got that right. I need to watch and learn a lot more. Betsey finally has my # in her cell phone so she can call when she needs help mucking. I will run over in a flash! It’s a little hard to spring free with a 4 and 7 yr old around, and a Dad who has been working so much, but thankfully I could do so today and this brief time unhooked from my life, while hooked up with the team, really made an impression. I am sorry, Dave, but more livestock will be coming to our lives, somehow.
I haven’t even shared yet my experience sharing breath with a llama, Zorro at Adrienne’s Rolling Bay Farm. Wow – he sniffed my breath to get to know me! That was so intense!!! I saw little (big!) lower teeth and said a quick prayer that all he wanted to do was sniff! He got within a centimeter of my face, drank in my own breath, then leaned his long neck back and his dark, deep eyes went wide as he seemed to process my breath. Thanks to Adrienne and Betsey for a couple very memorable days!
Uncle Steve is here!
Uncle Steve is here! He is already busy chopping wood and making a kindling bin from wood he planed himself. He seems to like Gordon well enough, and Gordon was smart enough to stay away from the axe 🙂 Ben is LOVING having someone with as much energy as he has - so much romping and wrestling!
Little Ben keeping Steve company and enjoying a visit with Gordon. So cute!
I thought this was really funny. And...ah hem...the rooster pictured above is available to a good hen. Well, one of the roosters pictured above is available for a month to a nice hen. Who might want to show him around...
Betsey and her team + Domino Toppling Record
While out on a jog I ran into farmer Betsy and her team, Abby and Red. So neat to see them out! They hope to take neighbors around caroling this month.
And Sam has created a personal record domino wall that he shot down yesterday with a nerf gun. It took several attempts to destroy it. This is a compilation of clips and gives you a good sense of the typical afternoon here 🙂 Enjoy!
VIDEO: DOMINO WALL TOPPLING RECORD
a couple things…
It was Dave's birthday on Wednesday. A few days earlier, the boys and I started making a list of character traits Daddy shows us. This is what the boys came up with (mostly Sam, of course). It was part of a present we gave him. Since he is working so much, it was important to me (less so to him, probably!) that the boys connect with him on their Daddy's bday. I think Dave would have preferred getting something "REAL" on his bday, from his wish list. But he tends to buy those things for himself so I went a different, rogue, direction. They also got a funny card for their daddy and gave it to him in the morning. On the right side of the board you can see our goals for each day - we get a star if we manage to work in these things. French is for me, guitar for Sam, uke for Ben. Sam is also learning German now. We've got 3 language learning endeavors going on at home right now!
Tuesday - Finally broke down and bought NEW jeans for both boys, at the Exchange on base. Not cheap! But we had a great time shopping. Ben loves to model, and pop in and out of his own dressing room "I'm in my little house, mom!" "How are you guys out there?" "Doin' alright?" It was such a pleasant shopping experience. I could leave the kids and run to get a different size without worrying. That is not possible at WalMart or anywhere else, really.
Sam trying on a pea coat. He really liked this one...we'll be back (or maybe Santa will!).
Ben loves to go to KiDiMu (kids' museum in town) on first Thursdays (free!). Here he is digging and filling big dumpers.
And at the cash register checking me out. He did a BEEEP for every item crossing the scanner. So cute!
Friday – after mountain biking with Ben,
Sweet boy and I having fun. Like my attire? Red HO HO HO hat, green sweatshirt with Lanikai Beach in red and white lettering. I try to run around Bainbridge and add some color. Then I saw a sign saying "Grand Forest is populated by Barred Owls. They are aggressive and attack people. Be careful." HUH? How do you prevent against a Barred Owl attack? Then I wondered if my outfit would help or hinder in that. I had no ready answer.
I went home and checked on the chickens – little peep girl with the broken leg is FINE fine fine! Can you believe it? 3 weeks of separate living and ensuring good food and water and she doesn’t even have a limp. Amazing. She is still catching up on size, though. When I went in to spread around some scratch and tidy up, I found that Merlin was particularly interested in my doings. He came over, acted menacing (beak to ground, pretending to peck but really giving me a hairy eyeball and scooting toward me). He followed me and even flew up on the door to stare me down from my height. That is spooky. This guy has some SPURS now. I was cautious but didn’t act scared. Eventually I talked him into leaving. I found an egg that Goose had laid – huge! She is our baby girl hatched by Jersey in the spring and she just started laying this week. So exciting! Blue eggs with a touch of olive green. VERY large eggs when she takes a day or two off between eggs. Anyway, back to Merlin. He kept looking and looking at me, threatening me. I finally realized that it was my Santa hat – it looked like – you guessed it – a BIG ROOSTER COMB to him! I just laughed out loud. People walking must think I am a real nut case! Which would be true. Then back inside to work on a 90 page thesis. That is the week in review. On Wed add to the mix getting up at 5:15 am to swim, then observe a math program at school, then to a meeting at the district office (with Ben).
Out mountain biking with mommy! We had a couple dry days (grey, but dry at least!) so we hit the trail. He gets unnerved a bit if it has been a long time, so we work on how to manage fear and frustration while having a good time and laughing. He did not like it when I tried to ride his bike downhill "Mom! You're going to break it!" It was pretty funny - me trying to brake on that tiny bike! I was skidding all over.
Christmas is coming!
Last night we got some lights put up so the tree is looking less like a hulking form dominating the entire living room! It is so pretty. We love it!
Ben had a little friend over this morning to check out the chickens and also see the huge tree. This is little Ruby playing with some Christmas things. He is very gentle with her (she is 2 this weekend). On the way out he held her hand down the stairs in front. How very very sweet. I almost cried!
Ben and Ruby, with mom Lauren, enjoying a few minutes of Christmas cheer this morning.
All In for Christmas
Dave suggested we get the biggest tree on the lot! After looking at it, some pondering - what in the world are we thinking - should we do this? what if we can't get it in the house? We decided to go ALL IN and just get it, figure the rest out later. I thought it could go outside at the very least. Well - it's IN the house! It's monstrous! I am working on how to create a siphon so I can water it more easily. We had to get a bigger base, too, because this 9 foot + tree is about 200 lbs. Dave got it into the house single-handedly. My mom can attest - my husband is one strong guy. She likes to watch him manhandle kayaks at Lake Crescent. He makes things look so easy. I was helpful with standing the tree up without scratching the wood floors. And if I pull off the siphon trick without flooding the house, he might be mildly impressed. If the tree has a diameter of 7" what is the circumference???