Goings on – science fairs and skates

Ran into this cute character out on a hike. I couldn't resist taking a picture of his staff which he carved himself. I think he said his name was Arch. I learned about where some Native Americans have an awesome carving studio, so have tucked that away for a summer adventure. Isn't this the neatest?

Ran into this cute character out on a hike. I couldn’t resist taking a picture of his staff which he carved himself. I think he said his name was Arch. I learned about where some Native Americans have an awesome carving studio, so have tucked that away for a summer adventure. Isn’t this the neatest?

This tower of dominoes was over 5 feet tall. We kept it up all week so Sam could build higher. Can you believe that despite a very hectic schedule all month (April has truly been nuts) I managed to slow down just enough as I raced around so as not to knock this down? This speed bump really didn't bother me because it reminded me of Sam.

This tower of dominoes was over 5 feet tall. We kept it up all week so Sam could build higher. Can you believe that despite a very hectic schedule all month (April has truly been nuts) I managed to slow down just enough as I raced around so as not to knock this down? This speed bump really didn’t bother me because it reminded me of Sam.

Reward for successful science fair setups! This is the sushi carnage! You would not believe how much sushi these two guys eat. I spent $73 dollars just on them. Water for me. Two mochi ice creams. Unreal!

Reward for successful science fair setups! This is the sushi carnage! You would not believe how much sushi these two guys eat. I spent $73 dollars just on them. Water for me. Two mochi ice creams. Unreal!

Some mountain bike jumping with neighbor boys! I even did this one!

Some mountain bike jumping with neighbor boys! I even did this one!

Down at the mine comparing rocks to see which ones seem most likely to yield something precious :)

Down at the mine comparing rocks to see which ones seem most likely to yield something precious 🙂

Ben loves soccer, so we got him some shin guards and actual soccer shoes for his practice. That guy has a kick on him! I was zipping back and forth between the hockey rink where I was skating with Sam to the soccer field. Incredible luck - I managed to see Ben score! Such a strut afterwards!

Ben loves soccer, so we got him some shin guards and actual soccer shoes for his practice. That guy has a kick on him! I was zipping back and forth between the hockey rink where I was skating with Sam to the soccer field. Incredible luck – I managed to see Ben score! Such a strut afterwards!

Welcome to Minecraft dinner!

Welcome to Minecraft dinner!

We thought it would be a rainout on Sunday, so hatched a plan to let the kids play some Minecraft and celebrate the indulgence with a dinner, using only foods found in Minecraft. The menu: roast chicken, beetroot soup, mushroom stew and cake. Day Road neighbors came bearing beetroot soup (Patricia, not surprisingly, just happened to have beets on hand!) and her lovely kale salad which is sooo delicious.

We thought it would be a rainout on Sunday, so hatched a plan to let the kids play some Minecraft and celebrate the indulgence with a dinner, using only foods found in Minecraft. The menu: roast chicken, beetroot soup, mushroom stew and cake. Day Road neighbors came bearing beetroot soup (Patricia, not surprisingly, just happened to have beets on hand!) and her lovely kale salad which is sooo delicious.

Patricia adding a little herb (fennel?) to the beetroot soup. Patricia is a wonderful friend. She is a calm and patient mom, never harried, and makes wonderful dinners for her family every night. I must learn to make a pot pie as her children adore it.

Patricia adding a little herb (fennel?) to the beetroot soup. Patricia is a wonderful friend. She is a calm and patient mom, never harried, and makes wonderful dinners for her family every night. I must learn to make a pot pie as her children adore it.

Beetroot soup! Fantastic, Patricia!

Beetroot soup! Fantastic, Patricia!

Who likes beetroot soup!

Who likes beetroot soup!

Thursday evenings

Sam looks and acts like he's 15 every now and then. This was one of those nights. He was just so contained within himself, focused and seeking new challenges in the music. Plus, he looked pretty darn handsome in my opinion, too :)

Sam looks and acts like he’s 15 every now and then. This was one of those nights. He was just so contained within himself, focused and seeking new challenges in the music. Plus, he looked pretty darn handsome in my opinion, too 🙂

And little Ben is playing the uke very well, practicing his scales and learning to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, just like Sam did. This is the ukulele given to Sam by Eddie Kamae. It is precious to us because it carries memories with its tunes.

And little Ben is playing the uke very well, practicing his scales and learning to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, just like Sam did. This is the ukulele given to Sam by Eddie Kamae. It is precious to us because it carries memories with its tunes.

Robotics for Rotarians

Sam was invited to a Rotary Luncheon in honor of recent grant recipients. He brought his cube-solving robot to illustrate what the funds are helping students do. He raced the robot while the remarks were being made about the grant. The Rotarians were so gracious in their warm welcome, and the pair (Sam and his robot) were show-stoppers. He enjoyed the buffet, too :)

Sam was invited to a Rotary Luncheon in honor of recent grant recipients. He brought his cube-solving robot to illustrate what the funds are helping students do. He raced the robot while the remarks were being made about the grant. The Rotarians were so gracious in their warm welcome, and the pair (Sam and his robot) were show-stoppers. He enjoyed the buffet, too 🙂

Busy day - back at school we had an after-school activity, then the robot popped out afterwards and entertained the kids. Sam did more racing. The robot wins most of the time, but sometimes Sam can beat it!

Busy day – back at school we had an after-school activity, then the robot popped out afterwards and entertained the kids. Sam did more racing. The robot wins most of the time, but sometimes Sam can beat it!

JPL Engineer Paulo Younse came up to Bainbridge to speak at ALL seven of our schools! He was a huge hit. In addition to being a bright and articulate ambassador for NASA/JPL, he really connects with kids of all ages and encourages them to dream big. He makes what they're learning in school relevant by showing them math and science are tools they'll need to do cool things. He also advocates for being a well-rounded person, someone who is a good leader and communicator. We thoroughly enjoyed having him here.  This picture is at our house - we gave him a bit of respite between events (12 in three days speaking to 3700 kids!). Sam is racing the robot and just won!

JPL Engineer Paulo Younse came up to Bainbridge to speak at ALL seven of our schools! He was a huge hit. In addition to being a bright and articulate ambassador for NASA/JPL, he really connects with kids of all ages and encourages them to dream big. He makes what they’re learning in school relevant by showing them math and science are tools they’ll need to do cool things. He also advocates for being a well-rounded person, someone who is a good leader and communicator. We thoroughly enjoyed having him here. This picture is at our house – we gave him a bit of respite between events (12 in three days speaking to 3700 kids!). Sam is racing the robot and just won!

Ben and Kai showing Paulo Minecraft. Can you believe it - we're able to show Paulo something?

Ben and Kai showing Paulo Minecraft. Can you believe it – we’re able to show Paulo something?

This little boy had robot socks - so cute!

This little boy had robot socks – so cute!

At the high school, driving his rover over some students! Thank you so much, Paulo! We miss you!

At the high school, driving his rover over some students! Thank you so much, Paulo! We miss you!

Roller hockey starts!

Out getting hockey gear (inline hockey) for Sam in Lynnwood (near Everett). We spent a fortune! Here's hoping Ben likes hockey, too! This bag is pretty heavy.

Out getting hockey gear (inline hockey) for Sam in Lynnwood (near Everett). We spent a fortune! Here’s hoping Ben likes hockey, too! This bag is pretty heavy.

Then off to check out a nearby hike. Dave has been really great about squeezing in adventures into otherwise mundane outings. This was fun.

Then off to check out a nearby hike. Dave has been really great about squeezing in adventures into otherwise mundane outings. This was fun.

Now Sam is at the local rink for his assessment so the league can create teams. He and I and a couple friends have been playing at least weekly over at school, so he's had some time on his skates, but he's still new. He'll learn a lot, fast, I'm sure!

Now Sam is at the local rink for his assessment so the league can create teams. He and I and a couple friends have been playing at least weekly over at school, so he’s had some time on his skates, but he’s still new. He’ll learn a lot, fast, I’m sure!

Waiting his turn.

Waiting his turn.

Go Sam! He's fast, but he doesn't do much stopping or turning yet.

Go Sam! He’s fast, but he doesn’t do much stopping or turning yet.

Those wall stops are pretty handy.

Those wall stops are pretty handy.

I thought this was so cute. Ben was bringing the bag around to where we were so it was closer to us. Good thinking. He's looking in at his brother.

I thought this was so cute. Ben was bringing the bag around to where we were so it was closer to us. Good thinking. He’s looking in at his brother.

Too much loafing around over break

The chickens did a lot of lounging, too. We had glorious weather here, thankfully. Near 60 degrees and sunny 4 out of 5 days!

The chickens did a lot of lounging, too. We had glorious weather here, thankfully. Near 60 degrees and sunny 4 out of 5 days! You can see Merlin and Gordon actually taking a dust bath right near each other. Not only do they rarely rest–roosters are always on guard–but they rarely hang out near each other. This confirmed that Spring Break really was relaxing if two roosters would deem it safe enough to dust bathe simultaneously!

A little repair work to do! We actually meant to do lots of yard work over break, to take care of "The Abbey" (we watched Downton in about 5 nights) but more stuff ending up falling into the disrepair than repair category. Looking forward to Richard's visit! I did fix the window, though. Not sure why it took me several broken panes of glass to realize ACE sells plexiglass...

A little repair work to do! We actually meant to do lots of yard work over break, to take care of “The Abbey” (we watched Downton in about 5 nights) but more stuff ended up falling into the disrepair than repair category. Looking forward to Richard’s visit! I did fix the window, though. Not sure why it took me several broken panes of glass to realize ACE sells plexiglass…

Ben watched baby Esther for 30 min while Ingunn mowed the lawn. I found Ben very entertaining, too!

Ben watched baby Esther for 30 min while Ingunn mowed the lawn. I found Ben very entertaining, too!

He went on and on and on in a 30-min monologue that just didn't stop. Esther would kick her feet and wave her arms, much to Ben's amusement.

He went on and on and on in a 30-min monologue that just didn’t stop. Esther would kick her feet and wave her arms, much to Ben’s amusement.

Spring Break fun

I think this is where it got busy and I just lost the plot - didn't grab time to share the photos because memories were racking up quickly. This is how we spent Spring Break - really without a plan. Kids came over from all directions to shoot hoops and run around on trails with their walkie talkies. I started a fire because it was grey out and I was hankering for those good fire smells. Then we got hungry and I remembered I had SPAM! So we cooked some up. The boys loved it with ketchup!

I think this is where it got busy and I just lost the plot – didn’t grab time to share the photos because memories were racking up too quickly. This is how we spent Spring Break – really without a plan. Kids came over from all directions to shoot hoops and run around on trails with their walkie talkies. It was so great to see kids we don’t get to see enough of because they’re busy in sports during the week. I started a fire because it was grey out and I was hankering for those good fire smells. Then we got hungry and I remembered I had SPAM! So we cooked some up. The boys loved it with ketchup!

One of the boys ran home and raided the marshmallow supplies :) Ben is unhappy with his marshmallow.

One of the boys ran home and raided the marshmallow supplies 🙂 Ben is unhappy with his marshmallow.

Ian put chocolate chips in his...hmmm!

Ian put chocolate chips in his…hmmm!

Snoqualmie Falls

A trip out to Snoqualmie Falls with the family! We've been meaning to go here forever. It's about 30 min east of Seattle.

A trip out to Snoqualmie Falls with the family! We’ve been meaning to go here forever. It’s about 30 min east of Seattle. The spray was hitting us all the way up here, and there was a tremendous thundering sound. Lots of water due to a wet March. Down to the bottom right you can see a little hole where water comes out after it is done driving turbines to generate electricity.

Ben is reading to us - I loved his little finger pointing out the words.

Ben is reading to us – I loved his little finger pointing out the words.

Thanks for taking this picture, Sam!

Thanks for taking this picture, Sam!

Spring Break

Beachcombing - thinking we might find agate at AGATE PASS! Ben is throwing a rock into the water while the rest of us hunt for rocks. Later he discussed a detailed "technique" for making rocks colorful, bordering on "magic." The technique goes like this: "Wash them off for 20 seconds, then wash them again, then put them in the shell to dry off for 16 minutes, then look at them."

Beachcombing – thinking we might find agate at AGATE PASS! Ben is throwing a rock into the water while the rest of us hunt for rocks. Later he discussed a detailed “technique” for making rocks colorful, bordering on “magic.” The technique goes like this: “Wash them off for 20 seconds, then wash them again, then put them in the shell to dry off for 16 minutes, then look at them.”

Emmy and I after a workout :)

Emmy and I after a workout 🙂

 

Waterfall hike and roadhouse eats

We had a great first day of Spring Break today. A waterfall hike in Quilcene followed by late-lunch-early-dinner at a roadhouse (doesn’t that just sound great?!). The waterfall and rushing river were really peaceful, and we caught a patch of sun out there in the woods. Then we laughed and made “a spectacle” of ourselves at the roadhouse (even though I pointed out to Dave that the only other couple there was not watching so it wasn’t really a spectacle, right?). You’ll see below why I was laughing so much.

Falls View Trail

Falls View Trail

Picture by Ben

Picture by Ben

Ben loved this spot.

Ben loved this spot.

Falls were pretty tall and full due to very rainy March.

Falls were pretty tall and full due to very rainy March.

Roadhouse clams - proclaimed the best ever. I think he is dreaming of these clams right now.

Roadhouse clams – proclaimed the best ever. I think he is dreaming of these clams right now.

Ah yes, first clam bite.

Ah yes, first clam bite.

"Pizza, I don't UNDERSTAND you!"

“Pizza, I don’t UNDERSTAND you!”

This is his normal eating face. Does he look like this at school do you think? Why do we have the messiest eaters, STILL?

This is his normal eating face. Does he look like this at school do you think? Why do we have the messiest eaters, STILL?

Ah! Help!

Ah! Help!

Yup, that's butter on my lens. Look at how Dave has to manhandle Ben to clean him, like a 2 yr old. Or a baby?

Yup, that’s butter on my lens. Look at how Dave has to manhandle Ben to clean him, like a 2 yr old. Or a baby?

I cleaned this up for our nice waitress.

I cleaned this up for our nice waitress.

Funny time at the commissary

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I had so much stuff in my car they could not believe it.  I suggested we take bets so I bought candy for the winner.  This lady was so funny – she kept revising her bet as the stuff came through.  She started with $150-170 then she noticed the subtotal was $201 already so she said “Ok!  $150-250!”

Miraculous recovery for hen

This poor hen got really picked on after a blissful first afternoon integrating 4 new hens into the flock. The first afternoon I carefully monitored “recess” and let the hens mingle. Roosting time went without incident and all four new hens managed to get a roosting spot just fine. Wow, I thought to myself, this is why people integrate several MATURE hens at once. It was super easy compared to my usual experience trying to integrate pullets (which takes a good 4 days of high-maintenance managed segregation then integration with separate pens, food, water and coop apartments).

Anyway – when I opened the coop the next morning I thought all was fine until I found this poor hen had one eye closed. I quickly scooped her up and put her in my infirmary in the garage to rest, eat and for observation. I came out a couple hours later to check on her, gave her a walk in the grass and noticed the swelling in her eye was pretty good. I couldn’t even tell if she still had an eye, unfortunately. I felt so badly. Humans should not let this happen to animals. I gave her some yogurt, water and grass time, and hoped for the best. That night I built an apartment for her in the coop so she wouldn’t get too out of sync with the others (it would only make reintegration even worse because she’d be new all over again vs. part of a pack). More careful watching, feed, rest, and care…swelling was going down. I still couldn’t tell if she had an eye.

Skip to three days later – I see the eyelid is opening and part of an eye is visible! It’s a little low, maybe damaged tissues, maybe displaced by swelling…I didn’t know but was so glad she could see a little out of that eye! She was flying out of her separate run and roosting with the others, too. What a scrappy little bird she is. By the fourth day her eye had nearly completely filled the socket just like normal. She just had a bit of a black eye left. Here are a few pictures of her out on a little jaunt. She is a fearless little bird, and seems to like us humans because we are a source of safety and protection for her now.

Little hen with hurt eye on day 1, out getting yogurt and grass.

Little hen with hurt eye on day 1, out getting yogurt and grass.

Day 3 - can you see her eye now? Doing better already!

Day 3 – can you see her eye now? Doing better already!

Is anyone home?

Is anyone home?

Seriously...I know you're in there!

Seriously…I know you’re in there!

Rolling Bay Romp

Thank you to the friends who joined us on this incredible spring day (it’s the Equinox or something, right?) for a long walk to a road end and the beach, rock cracking, mineral hunting, and some mischief. We walked 5.2 miles from our house, down to Bay Hay and Feed, raided a friend’s house who we thought might be joining us, walked along the beach rock hunting, then back up hill with our loot to Jiffy Mart for ice cream and then back home. It was a great time!

Here are some pictures (click on the picture below to see more).

Rolling Bay Romp - started with 8 boys then were joined by 2 more at Bay Hay, and another 2 more later on the beach. This was a long walk broken up by snack stops, rock hunting and cracking, and ice cream. We had a great time! Notice I have "patrols" with flags to help with street walking, and that Ben is spending a lot of time with the whistle in his mouth :)

Rolling Bay Romp – started with 8 boys then were joined by 2 more at Bay Hay, and another 2 more later on the beach. This was a long walk broken up by snack stops, rock hunting and cracking, and ice cream. We had a great time! Notice I have “patrols” with flags to help with street walking, and that Ben is spending a lot of time with the whistle in his mouth 🙂

Setting up camp for rock cracking at Skiff Point, halfway through our walk.

Setting up camp for rock cracking at Skiff Point, halfway through our walk.

Boys very happy with their finds!

Boys very happy with their finds!

Some agate and rare blue sea glass!

Some agate and rare blue sea glass!

On the way home after ice cream :)

On the way home after ice cream 🙂

Cubing Competition!

Practicing

Practicing

Speed cubing!

Speed cubing!

Hanging with the cubers. This part was the most fun for Sam, I think, just hanging out with other cubers and trying different puzzles.

Hanging with the cubers. This part was the most fun for Sam, I think, just hanging out with other cubers and trying different puzzles.

Abbey Road!

Abbey Road, anyone? The boys are off to the third and fourth grade talent show!

Abbey Road, anyone? The boys are off to the third and fourth grade talent show!

Sam is solving a Rubik’s cube relay with his principal, Sheryl Belt, assisting in the act. Ben is providing accompaniment on the ukulele. It was a wonderful show and took quite a bit of coordination by the principal to preview all the acts and ensure there was high quality. Sam did a very good job – very business-like, not rattled at all by solving in front of 200 people, and made sure his brother came with him at the right time to arrive at the stage entrance on cue. This was a third and fourth grade show, so some older students were asking Ben what he was doing with an uke, and did he really know how to play it. Well…see for yourself 🙂 It was a great show! (I was soooo relieved it went off ok!)

I’ve got a controller!

We went for a nice walk today because the sun was out (!) and Ben found a rock on the beach which seemed to work as a good controller. He made Daddy and Sam do many (MANY) kinds of walks: left, right, up, jump, split toe walk, beard walk, run, skip, etc. You get the idea. Daddy was very cooperative. It was so funny we were laughing out loud. Here’s a smattering of pictures.

Sam doing basketball on skates! It was really funny.

Sam doing basketball on skates! It was really funny.

Ben entered an art contest. His work was all original - he really loves to draw. Many of the other contestants entered what they had made in art class. I told Ben artists don't draw to win. They draw to share. Good for him.

Ben entered an art contest. His work was all original – he really loves to draw. Many of the other contestants entered what they had made in art class. I told Ben artists don’t draw to win. They draw to share. Good for him.

Some sun sneaked out today!

Some sun sneaked out today!

Ben beginning his work with the "controller" he found on the beach.

Ben beginning his work with the “controller” he found on the beach.

Little guy loves to control big daddy!

Little guy loves to control big daddy!

It was so funny!

It was so funny!

What does this face say? This woman is the mother of my children. I love her. Because I must. Or maybe I really do.

What does this face say? This woman is the mother of my children. I love her. Because I must. Or maybe I really do.