The Albemarle Sound

All good things from Liverpool

2012-01-18T11:24:00.000-05:00

I love that I keep realizing how much great music came from Liverpool and I'm not talking about the Beatles.
That is all I have to say.

Today at 2pm

2012-01-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

Things are changing and I"m taking on a new challenge.
I'm not sure what to expect.
I'm not sure how I feel.
I'm excited but scared.
I'm anxious but curious.
I'm totally looking forward to it and planning my support system to do this change and challenge.

It happens at 2pm.

Wish me luck.

Don't Zig when you should Zag...

2012-01-12T11:19:00.000-05:00

I have a torn hip flexor muscle.
The diagnosis was I must have zigged when I should have zagged while playing with Wylie or while stepping off the train. Both are real possibilities.

Symptoms:
Pain while sitting on right side
Pain while sleeping on right side
Pain while getting up
Can't cross legs
Walk with a bit of a weird waddle.
Think it doesn't hurt and then WHAM it does.
UGH

Treatment:
Rest
Naprosyn
Physical Therapy for 6 weeks (2 times a week)

Worst Part:
Side effects from Naprosyn: These include increased bleeding so paper cuts take ten minutes to stop bleeding, Upper GI ditress meaning everything feels like heart burn and a bit stressy, Slight interaction with Topomax so I get a dizzy effect for the first three hours the drug is kicking in, and Lower GI distress which means well Lower GI distress.

Most Amusing Part:
My CRNP Beth Intermill knows me well enough to totally ask me three times if I'm sure I didn't fall down randomly on my right side.

Wylie 5 years

2012-01-12T09:04:00.000-05:00

Height: 43 3/4 inches
Weight 40lbs (just barely)

Eyes: Perfect
Hearing: Perfect
Attitude: Incredible

Kindergarten Assessment: Look for a K-1 program

Weather Forecast January 9, 2012

2012-01-11T10:23:00.000-05:00

Monday Morning Weather Forecast 7am
The weather will be turning a bit cold from the nice weekend we had but dipping only into the 40'sF. It will be dry and cold.

Monday Morning Weather Forecast 9am
The temps will be warming up to the mid 40s we might see a raindrop or two due to an upper level disturbance that is passing far to the west of the city and region.

Monday Morning Weather Forecast 11am
Temps aren't as high as we thought today but you still might see a raindrop or two as the disturbance is closer than we thought but nothing will hit the ground.

Monday 12noon
Currently snowing HARD outside the Don Beyer Volvo Dealership. Wyatt called to let me know. It was completely dry in Baltimore.

Monday Afternoon Weather Forecast 2:15pm
There is some cold air mixing with a bit of moisture in the upper level disturbance causing a few flurries and some light snow to fall. There is no expected accumulation from this and all will pass by 5pm.
Currently it is still snowing hard and 1/2 inch is stuck on the grassy areas in Burke.

Monday Afternoon 4pm
Currently snowing HARD in Burke. Wyatt and Wylie are snow tubing in the front yard (a bit more than flurries I think)
I get on the train in Baltimore to head home and it is dry and cold but not anything out of the ordinary for January. Fall asleep on train. Wake up at 4:40 in DC to BIG WET snow flakes and more than flurries. Wonder if I got on the wrong train.

Monday Evening 5:05 pm
Snowing HARD in DC and in VA. Train conductor warns of slippery platforms and the snow piles up as we get further and further west. Wyatt calls to tell me the forecast is still just flurries with little to no accumulation.

Monday Evening 5:50pm
Arrive at VRE in Burke. 1 inch of snow on car and on platform at station. Roads are slushy but completely drivable. Listening to weather forecast and road conditions on WTOP in car sounds like this...
"Some of the listening areas may be experiencing light snow flurries and possible sleet with wet weather conditions causing the roads to be slick. Our biggest concern with the passing disturbance which should be completely through the area by 6pm is the freezing of the roads overnight" NO mention of accumulation. None. Did they go look outside?

So what do you do when you get this wonderful and beautiful suprise snow? Make a yummy dinner and go play of course. Wyatt and Wylie had already changed clothes once due to their playing in it and getting their jeans wet from the snow but we bundled up a second time to go play while it still snowed. Much later than 6pm mind you.

House with outside greenery and snow.

Snow covered bushes

Okay so I just love the fact that snow makes everything pretty

iIn the middle of a cool spinning run

Starting a run that went quickly

Air Head snowtuber in the front yard on 1+ inches of snow.This is one of the snow tubes we bought in 2009 for the massive storm that hit the DC area at Christmas time.

Christmas 2011

2012-01-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

The massive tree

Santa! Wylie was showing his picture of himself as St. Nicholas

The Thinker on the bench. Sculpture Garden, DC

EMMA!!!!!!!

Birthday Celebration

2011-12-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

It is December 5, 2011.
Tomorrow is Wylie's Fifth Birthday!
What am I doing right now?
Working from home in Virginia while helping Wylie making a Lego Rocket ship and launch pad and listening to him sing his own little song about rockets and pirates with a bit of a deedle de dum da laa a ponga da linga da jinga thrown in for good measure.

The birthday party was on Sunday. We had several of his classmates over and his cousin Carliegh. It was good fun and the least expected last minute idea was the biggest hit of the party.

Let the pictures speak for themselves.

The Birthday Banner

The Dinosaur Birthday Cake

The Balloon Room
There was a 4 foot dinosaur hidden under these balloons. The kids had to find the "bones" in order to put it together but it was indeed hidden in there.
The door knob to the room on the left of the picture indicates the balloon level.

Halloween and All Souls Day

2011-11-11T14:20:00.000-05:00

The Wolfman on All Hallow's Eve

St. Nicholas of Myra on All Soul's Day

Something about the Abby Normal BRAINS on All Hallow's Eve
(Actually peach and orange and a touch of blue jello with pineapple chunks)
I personally couldn't taste it.

Liverpool England in October

2011-10-26T11:29:00.000-04:00

Spent the week of October 16-22 in Liverpool England at the University of Liverpool discussing many different aspects of international education. It was enlightening, exhausting, fun, and most of all rainy and cold. Then again it was northern England and I was surrounded by academics.
My colleague Brian and I spent the last evening there snapping some shots of Matthew Street for our colleague Matt who is a big Beatles fan. The other shots were just me being well, ME!

I wanted to share some snapshots taken from the trip with everyone.

I would swear there are many parts of Liverpool that look just like Baltimore, MD. This is just one example.
This is the Liverpool Museum. Quite a neat place.

The Three Graces
Royal Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool
Again, I think these are also in downtown Baltimore

Lobster Pot Specials Sign
Spam Fritters and something that I first read as Downer meat but then realized it was Donner meat (kebab)
Some of the BEST fish and chips I've had ever came from here. No need for major advertising or signage

Every city seems to need a ferris wheel.

The Italian Club
Great coffee and service with warm cozy spots to sit
and escape the rain and the cold

Firefighter Memorial
This is on the University of Liverpool Campus

As if we needed further proof that all decent architectural design went haywire mid-century.
This is the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool-also known as The Spaceship.
While technically not on campus it is surrounded by campus buildings

The beginning of Matthew Street, Liverpool England
otherwise known as Beatle Street

Brian and the proprieter of Lennon's Bar
Also obviously a place to get Pizza, Fried Chicken and Beer

Brian hanging at the Cavern Club's original entrance

Replicas of all the gold albums and singles

The World Famus Cavern Club where the Beatles became World Famous
Supposedly the CASBAH is where they first played.
YES the same as "Rock the Casbah" from the Clash.
Of course I couldn't find the Casbah club or bar in my free time.

There was a wall with photos of folks who played or premiered at the Cavern Club.
This one is for Wyatt who is a huge George Harrison fan.

Liverpool has an AMAZING international selection of restaurants.
No stuffy and boring and bland English food to be found. Trust me we looked for it!
This is the entrance to Bistro Pierre on a back alley in Liverpool.

French country pate that was fantastic.

University of Liverpool (from July)
Congratulating both Campus and Distance Graduates

White Feather and Peace poem from Julian Lennon

Another View of Liverpool that again I would SWEAR makes it seem like Baltimore

Cain's Local Ale and Bitter. I personally really like the Raisin.

Pirate Pops

2011-10-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

Pirates Ahoy! A scurvy lot that are soon to lose their tasty heads!
Made by Nanny P and Wylie.

Pirate Frenchie!

Just some thoughts

2011-10-10T12:05:00.000-04:00

I have been having some pretty vivid dreams lately. I've also been sleeping pretty well lately mostly because it has been perfect sleeping weather meaning cool temps in the evening needing to snuggle and have a warmer blanket.

So my dreams have all involved my mom telling me very important things about my life and her decisions about my life. She was answering the big questions I had as to "WHY" she made the choices she did or "WHY" things turned out the way they did and not always in my favor. Sometimes her answers were not what I wanted to hear "you didn't need me, you didn't deserve it, look at how other people suffer etc" We talked about my sister and how there weren't answers there.

My mom also has now brought two of her best friends in these dreams. AND YES I say she brought them into my dreams.

First my Aunt Eileen who was in her middle age years which was when I was a teenager. My mom was pointing out how they made some sacrifices, had a few hard years and then made the changes that made their life much more interesting. She also kept refering to her in a manner that made me wonder if something was going on with Aunt Eileen and I needed to make sure she was okay. The dream stuck with me. I reached out to my cousin who admitted she hadn't reached out to her mom and it made me reach out as well. Aunt Eileen indicated she was doing well and that at 75 years of age was getting along as well as expected.

Second dream was Aunt Tea who was in her younger years which was when I was a child. My mom again was pointing out how Tea was very independent and lived simply but also pointed out how she kept her dignity. There were also parts where she just showed me glimpses of their lives together. It was as if I was getting let in again to some answers to questions I've had. I'm still not sure why these are coming to me now. The dreams are sticking with me. Oddly, yesterday I received a letter from Tea with photos of my mother and Tea together when they were young. This was AFTER the dream...

Last night I had another dream that involved my mom. I'm just not sure where all of this is coming from.

It's Halloween Time

2011-10-05T11:00:00.000-04:00

The quote to Wylie...
"If you want brains for dessert you must eat your beans."
Here is Wylie with his dessert.

Brains on a plate

Worms in the abby-normal brain

Wylie and Carliegh

2011-10-03T11:53:00.000-04:00

Wylie and Carliegh--3 months apart in age, 3000 miles apart for the first 4 years of their lives, and 3 seconds apart in their memories and their play. It takes 3 seconds for Carliegh to convince Wylie that whatever she is doing is the right and cool thing to do. It takes 3 seconds for Wylie to convince Carliegh that even if it's a food that looks weird it might be worth a taste. Holding hands, knowing looks, running wild, and of course loud and vocal statements of utter hatred for each other followed by immediate tears over having to leave each other are all part of their lives.

Carliegh and Wylie
Aged 1 month and 4 months

I am amazed at how they just pick up where they left off. My son is blessed with some amazing friends in his life and I am blessed with some amazing friends as well.

Carliegh and Wylie
Aged 4.5 at the County Fair

What to do on cold and dreary and rainy weekends...

2011-10-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

Read on the couch while Dog Holliday listens

Make a spooky cemetary cake with Nanny P

Wear PJ's on your head to look like a pirate

Excitement for a Thursday

2011-09-22T15:17:00.000-04:00

I've been working on a project that has a tight deadline and some tough work. So I've been at home for two days trying to get it done. This means I have had to do the following:
1. Take Holliday to the vet to find out if the lump on her throat/neck was cancerous or just some odd lump. Only to find out it was one of her lymph nodes and was perfectly normal but we need to be better about brushing her teeth.
2. Lose the envelope with my flexible spending receipts so spent a significant amount of time on the phone finding exactly what I need to support/send to get reimbursement for prescriptions.
3. Get a call from school that Wylie has had a fall in the bathroom (He is already taking after me in the KLUTZ factor) that no one saw and was unconsolable for 10 minutes. The last part is huge in his life. HUGE. The bonus the school is exactly 5 minutes from home and 5 minutes from the pediatrician and they both were very understanding. Wylie got a clean bill of health but I will be sleeping with him tonight. Well, the clean bill of health is ignoring the fact that his spots went haywire because of the crying and stress which is normal but still stressed out the teacher.

Is my project done yet? No. Do I have other stuff to do? Yes.
Are my children fine? YES.
Is the previous statement the most important? YES.

Overzealous Flossing

2011-09-15T13:34:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I have to admit this but I am the victim of Overzealous Flossing!
I am very adamant about flossing and brushing with Wylie because he's allergic to all types of anesthesia so I don't want him to ever need to have a cavity filled. We brush and floss his teeth almost religiously.
As a result so do I.
Unfortunately so do I.

On Monday I was flossing and the floss got stuck. So I yanked. HARD. The floss broke. So did a filling.

Tuesday tooth hurt quite bad but I would have said it was one closer to my front teeth.

Wednesday hurt worse.

Thursday I went to the dentist fearful that I had the need for a root canal or something worse.

Overzealous Flossing requiring a filling to be replaced!

So by flossing I created an issue. But it got me into the dentist I now have a cleaning appointment.

GO FIGURE.
Overzealous Flossing!

My Sisterhood

2011-09-02T10:40:00.000-04:00

We all have a sisterhood.

Sometimes it was developed when we were children and it's the girls we grew up with in our neighborhood or at our beach/mountain/lake house or at camp. Sometimes it was developed in middle or high school as we worked our way through adolescence and the initial development of our belief system in life, love, morality, and personality. Many times it was cemeted in college/university or early 20s as we began to forge our way into the beginning of the life we would continually look on with wonder and awe.

For some of us it was a pick up of many of these people throughout and keeping them to help us through the good and the bad, the happy and joyous, and the difficult and ugly.

So I thought I would take the time to introduce you to my sisterhood. They know some of the more important things about me such as my love of the color orange, my ability to fall flat on my face for no apparent reason with nothing in the way of my feet, my complete addiction/obsession with food that is healthy and at the same time my utter love of ice cream and moon pies as well as my crazy tendency toward going "silent" when I have something I really want/love/desire/ in the works. Each in their own unique way has allowed me to be me, evolve, and has given me a piece of life and perspective on life that I wouldn't necessarily have found otherwise.

This is not in order of how we met or of importance rather it's in order of how the photos uploaded! I may have the ability to upload and blog but not necessarily the technological savvy to organize it.
GWEN:

Gwen and I on St. Simon's Island

We've been pen pals since 2006 and met in person in 2009. I was introduced by Holly by way of Wyatt.
Our lives have been lived in parallel. We both grew up in Northern Virginia. We both summered in Delaware picking aluminium cans out of the trash for recyling money. We both lived in the Huntington area of Alexandria when first married. Our sons are 6 months apart and have the same first and last initials.

Gwen was cloth diapering her daughter and had more open ideas about birth and raising of children. She was willing to be a sounding board for me through email initially and then we just naturally started writing letters via snail mail. What started through a question about children has grown into a relationship about two women. We discuss everything and anything--marriages, lifestyle, food, vegetarianism, raising a son, spirited and smart children, moving, mental health, physical health, economics, books, parents, siblings, the environment, and just about everything else.

Gwen gives me a sense of peace and understanding in the midst of a hectic and crazy life. I look forward to her letters in the mail. Sometimes they are just a few lines on a beautiful card and sometimes they are four to five pages scrawled in her print on notebook paper written during a free coffee run that she had while her children were in school.
Ultimately without knowing it Gwen has given me courage to expect more from myself and from the world around me.

KATE:

The Original Estrogen Soup!

Imogen, Jennifer, Carmen, Colleen,

Katie, Jen, Kate, Me

Kate and I met through a random connection but our connections to other people in our lives is a crazy story of 6 degrees of separation. She is another one of my sisterhood that I believe strongly was meant to be in my life and came at just the right time. She challenges me on a regular basis and makes me laugh in ways no one else can. She can also listen to me cry when I don't allow the rest of the world to even know I am in pain.
Before I go further I must explain the 6 degrees at the time I met Kate in 1996:
I had met Katie Kutra Mahoney's brother in high school through a friend who introduced me to my prom date who introduced me to a guy named Hutch. Hutch and Tim were working at a local cable access station with another guy named Eric who was dating Colleen (who's sisters all went to grade school and high school with me) who went to high school with Kate. Hutch had people over, Kate had just graduated from Boston University and I had just moved back to DC. Oddly I met a guy E.W. who was was a fraternity brother of Eric who ultimately dated Jen and then introduced me to Wyatt (another fraternity brother).

Back to Kate: Kate and I have done many things in our years together. We've gone to graduate school, we've bought cars, we've moved, we've loved, we've hated each other, we've taken HUGE personal and professional risks, we fell in and out of love, we got married, we had children, and we both grew up.
I know if I ask Kate she'll give me the answer I need. Not necessarily the one I want but the one I need. She'll show up with her husband to help me move for the gazillionth time.
She'll show up on a rainy Saturday the day before Christmas to stand next to me and be Wylie's godmother. She will wear a bright orange dress to be my bridesmaid because even if it's something she thinks no one else in the world should wear she will happily wear it, smile and laugh and then tell me my garter for my stockings are showing through my dress and wouldn't it be better if I just slipped them off all together!
She knows just what to say in one word to make me snort the proverbial milk out my nose. NO ONE ELSE CAN DO THAT.
Her hugs make it seem better.
Kate has this way of being brilliant and youthful and wise and vulnerable and caring and truthful and everything that you want in a best friend and a sister. I have tried to walk away but somehow I can't. If I can't admit it to myself I know I will admit it to her.

STEPHANIE:

Stephanie at Disneyland

Celebrating Emma and Wylie's birthdays

If she reads this she will be wondering but it's true! She is a part of my sisterhood. She made a point of finding a few hours to visit with Wylie and I here in VA while on vacation. So that everyone could visit and it was a tough visit. Wylie was off, Emma was tired, and well Wylie and Emma both decided the cool toys in her cousins basement were better than the water park. But in the end they were happy.
We met because her daughter Emma (yes, Wylie's dear and precious Emma) means the world to my son and by their friendship I met an amazing woman. We spent 2.5 years passing in the morning and evening at USC child care. We finally spent a day at the zoo after several attempts and I am so glad I persisted.
Stephanie is real. We both have husbands who prefer their quiet and personal lives (with very few words) to the busy life. She is into movies and books and chocolate about as much as I am which I love AND she is into letting Emma explore the world around her. In doing so she is exploring which I enjoy.
Life can be a total pain but for some reason Stephanie always has a smile. Always. She was telling me about work issues and she smiled. She was telling me a personal issue and had a smile. There was always the honest pain but the joy of life behind it too. Or maybe it's just that she sees the importance of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the right amount of chocolate. Maybe it's both.
Stephanie has definitely taught me in a short amount of time that it's about being comfortable with who you are and accepting of what you are. Perfection doesn't come all the time and most of the time it won't but when you least expect it...You go to the Oscars!

MELISSA

Melissa and Brian

Virginia Beach, VA

July 2011

Melissa and I met at a working moms breastfeeding support group in January 2007. We were both working insane hours, had our first born children and were trying to figure out parenting and breastfeeding and life and all sorts of other things. This was a group that ended up being more about surviving the first year than about just breastfeeding. I learned much from Melissa about juggling life, work, family, pets, and being healthy. We started our non-child based friendship with a child based playdate with two other brilliant and neat women--Irene and Nadya.

Something about Melissa being an animal lover and her lack of a sense of direction and the fact that she was a vegan meant we were to be friends. I have a soft spot for all animals but can only have one and to know someone who will help me find a way to be kinder to animals, respect them more and learn to love all through them. I think Melissa's lack of a sense of direction not only made me laugh at times but it also made me really learn how to get around without my GPS. I don't like not knowing how to get where I am going. I like maps. In a weird way, Melissa helped me find a sense of direction. Finally, someone knew I was going to need Melissa and Brian's vegan lifestyle and cooking knowledge when I met her. Melissa was a fantastic source of information and recipes and ways to swap out milk and eggs when we found out Wylie was allergic. She also helped me balance protein and vegetables and fruit with Wylie when I found out that Wylie really didn't like protein that wasn't in the form of tofu or cheese. He did like yogurt plain so we were good there.

Melissa also stepped in and listened-really listened when she didn't have to-giving advice and trying to help me find legal solutions to my house/neighbor situation and then when she told me she was leaving the area to move to Virginia she gave me the strength to make the changes I needed for my family. Her ability to acknowledge the difficulty of her move, the MASSIVE personal and professional change she was making in her life and in general the fact that while pregnant she drove up to DC from VA Beach just to spend the day with Wylie and I was eye opening to me. She again gave me strength without knowing it.
In the past two years Chase and Wylie keep picking up where they left off at their last meeting being silly and fantastic boys together. Melissa and I just manage to keep the conversation going with thoughts, ideas, craziness and in general life.

JESSICA

Olivia, Evan, and Jessica

Playa Vista

First things first--Are those smiles just amazing or what? I poached this photo off Jessica's site but that smile is one of the two main reasons I knew within minutes of just saying hello to her that I WANTED to be friends with her. I mean someone with a smile that radiates and generates warmth like that can only be a good and amazing soul. Not to mention that her daughter Oliva has the same smile and an amazing flair for the dramatic that Wylie really loves so Jessica and I had many chances to hang out and talk and learn and live together while our children used their imaginations in ways I can't begin to describe.

Jessica introduced me to the idea of the afterschool/dinner playdate. This freed my evenings for time spent with a grownup and with Wylie. We spoke of job woes and life woes, we spoke of families and trying to be the best mom possible without throwing our funky prejudices into the mix. I learned what it was like for Jessica to be straddling a mixed race world with a child that was also mixed religion and heritage.

Jessica is my find peace person. She doesn't promote finding it, she doesn't preach it, she just somehow manages to demonstrate ways to find it and when it doesn't happen and it is explosion time she shows that side too. Which to me is the proof that peace is in there because she is willing to show her emotions and be honest. Peaceful people are willing to do that and accept change. My favorite thing is that on a very very very rainy morning in the spring we spent a very long time blowing up balloons and laughing when we could have just said no let's not do this.

KAREN:

Karen in Australia in her typical pose!

I have known Karen since I was born. She is two years older than me but we have spent the majority of our life in tandem. Making choices and doing things at similar times with me being the younger and following the trends. I lucked out because I was the country mouse to her city mouse life. Our mothers were roomates in nursing school and through life. Karen and I along with our siblings were raised as cousins.

Karen and I wrote very adolescent poetry and prose together, wrote letters back and forth from grade school through highschool. In college we kept up but slowly went our ways still touching base as we could even though separated by miles and miles--Okay Karen moved to Germany and I was living the life in NYC. But we still caught up with each other when we could.

Karen and I both had the mea culpa in 2001 when we decided to go to graduate school and were deciding where to go and what to go into. We announced at the same time. When I announced my engagement and subsequent desire for her to be in my wedding I realized she was going through emigration process to Australia which meant writing a letter explaining I couldn't get married without her there. Which is true!

Karen has influenced my music, clothing, art, design, and everything else in between throughout my life. I have learned from her about being open and honest and also learned from her about how being apart isn't necesarily the end of the world. She made a point of trying to catch up with me and the boys when she was flying through Los Angeles which in turn taught me to make a point of trying to catch up with people I wouldn't normally think I had time to do so.

Karen is all about making connections and celebrating the opportunity to explore when you have even a short amount of time. She is also all about taking photos of the little things that make up memories! :)

My sisterhood.

There you have it. I have more in my life than these women but these are the ones really affecting me right now and have in the past few years. I do have the women from RMWC who will always have an affect on me and my decisions. Those women are from all walks of life, are all ages and backgrounds and industries but they are there when I need them.

So tell me, who is your sisterhood?

First Day of Pre-K

2011-09-02T09:06:00.000-04:00

Thinking about this going to school thing....

Yes I'm definitely excited about it.

So excited about my first day of Pre-K

Earthquakes

2011-08-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

In 2006 when we moved to California within a few weeks of our move there was an earthquake. Not a big one only about a 4.0 but still it wasn't my first but it was my first in CA.

In 2009 when we moved to the condo in Playa del Rey we had three earthquakes during our moving weekend which amounted to a 2.1, 3.4 and 4.9. The 4.9 came while Wyatt and I were at the Star Trek movie during the scene in which Vulcan explodes. While a very a cool special effect it was a bit disturbing.

It is now 2011. We moved into the house in Kings Park on 8/13 and spent our first night there exactly one week ago. Guess what happened yesterday...
A 5.9 here on the east coast. The disturbing part was that being on the 8th floor is a bit more shaky than on the main floor or in a movie theater.
Trains were running very slow as the tracks and tunnels needed to be inspected which meant my commute that should have started at 4:50pm didn't start until 6pm and ended at 9pm. Slow but I did get home.

New Home!

2011-08-18T11:58:00.000-04:00

I received my first snail mail yesterday at the new house. :)
Thanks to Melissa for making my day.
Which made me realize I needed to document the following:

Yes we moved into a house finally.
Yes we are no longer squatting at Nanny P and Grandpa Fred's.
Yes I am riding my bike to the train in the morning and evening
Yes Wylie picked the smaller of the two bedroom choices meaning we need to buy a twin mattress for yet another bed frame.
Yes We do know our credit score.
Yes I did tell several people the whole story about 2009 and the subsequent medical story of 2010. It made a difference.
AND
YES OUR PLACE IS DISORGANIZED RIGHT NOW!
BUT
We have the following:
a front and back yard
a dance hall
a rec room
three bathrooms
three bedrooms
a living room
a semi formal dining room
a back porch
a laundry room
2 washing machines
2 dryers
2 refridgerators
1 freezer
fireplace
LOTS OF WORK TO DO.
But we have a place for the next 18 months to call home.
We can walk to school if we want,
We can walk to the grocery if needed.
We can walk to the train if needed.

Arthur Davis 1972-2011

2011-08-11T21:31:00.000-04:00

I met him as Art in 2001 about two weeks post 9/11. He was coming into town for the wedding of one of the Gressang Brothers "super Dave". I knew he was a kindred soul with a desire to see the world. Wyatt and I played host to Art and his date that weekend and in return Art sent me a copy of a Nabokov memoir.

It would be a year later when the Gressang brothers would again be in town this time for business trips and we all ended up at a Russian restaurant doing vodka shots and then at Camelot. It was me and the Gressang Brothers and Brian. Ultimately a fun evening and Art in the middle convincing us to live life to the fullest.

The next time I would see Art would be in 2004 at my Wedding. He made sure to be there and the Gressang Brothers were united once more. I understand this brotherhood that Wyatt is part of in a way that no fraternity can replace. These men were boys together and learned to be men together even as they moved all over the country they stayed in touch.

In February of 2011, Art and his wife Natasha were in San Diego on business. The McCanless clan and the Poist clan headed down to spend the weekend with them. We wondered around Balboa Park. Art was a bit slower than the boys (Charlie, William and Wylie with their boundless energy) but he managed to keep them entertained and keep in good spirits. We had the joy of spending an afternoon with Art walking through the gaslamp and then having dinner. Wylie had fun and when we left he gave Art a hug that almost knocked him down.
In May 2011 we passed through Houston on our way to VA. Wylie quickly remembered Mr. Art and again nearly knocked him over with a hug. Wylie has kharma that way with people.

It is August 11, 2011
Tonight the Gressang Brothers are together to say good night and good bye to Art.We will all miss him. It was tough to tell Wylie that Mr. Art is gone.

He would have been 40 next year.
Photos from his life and his obituary are here.

Dear Whole Foods...

2011-07-15T12:08:00.000-04:00

Dear Whole Foods,

Ten years ago I thought you were great. I could find many sustainably grown, sustainably packaged and produced, healthfully raised (for animal, earth and human) meat and fish, non-GMO/non-Antibiotic produced milk and dairy and I could find seasonable vegetables. I was very willing to pay higher prices for my groceries and drive slightly further to do my grocery shopping. I will admit that I did not buy cereal from you nor did I buy pasta or pretzels, for those I went to a local grocery store.

Five years ago I moved to a concrete jungle. I thought I would still be enamored with you. Over those five years you lost your sparkle and you lost your street credibility. I admit I moved to an area where there were farmer's markets every day of the week. I admit I moved to an area where I could go to the butcher see the side of the cow from which my cut of beef was taken, I did not get to see my chicken get plucked but I was well aware my chicken was never frozen and had been killed and plucked within two days of my purchase and cooking.

This year I moved from the concrete jungle to a political jungle with a shortened growing season. You have all but lost me as your customer and your street credibility and your "mission" credibility is completely lost on me. I do not see you as supporting environmentally sustainable growth practices. I do not see you supporting local farmers and local markets. I do not see you supporting healthy whole food choices and most definitely do not see you supporting whole earth renewable energy/sustainability sources.

My experience with your mission and stores is as follows:
1. There is a store at the base of my office building making access pretty darn convenient.
2. At the front of the store are individually plastic wrapped spoons, knives, forks and straws that are not recyclable or biodegradable.
3. It is currently summer time which in the mid-Atlantic and East Coast translates to fruit and vegetable explosion season. As I walk into your store I am inundated with fruit and vegetables that are from states more than 2000 miles away and mainly from other countries.
Where are the peaches from all the local farms? Virginia and Maryland are growing 10 different varieties of peaches, plums, and nectarines. Supporting local farmers who use sustainable practices and use less gas, diesel, and in general energy to produce and deliver the fruit.
Where are the berries and melons from the local areas? This is the time and the season to relish in the local "lopes" or melons. There are so many different one than the bland and boring muskmelons that you deem acceptable at your stores. The local ones are sun kissed, of 5 or 6 different local and heritage varieties with flesh ranging in color from almost white to bright orange and green. Some so juicy they have to be eaten with a spoon.
The berries are amazing. WHY are you importing cherries and blackberries from Washington state? They aren't even organic? Why Why Why?! Especially when you are still charging $6lb?
4. Your vegetable choices keep getting further and further out of season and closer and closer to the traditional grocery store. I see less organic and more prepacked junk. More single container crap.
5. Like America I've noticed your middle is expanding significantly. Why all the processed junk in the middle? Do you really need to bring in "organic" pop tarts? Do you really need to bring in Cheerios? Do we really need one more aisle of "organic" soda? This is getting to look a lot more like marking foods rather than whole foods.
6. When I do get past all the hype to the meat department I am again inundated with labeling that boggles the mind and makes me wonder if I'm actually in a Whole Foods. The beef now is labeled with five levels of humane treatment from a 1 meaning the animal was kept on pasture, only given organic feed or grass, and weaned when appropriate to a 5 which my guess is that it was deemed organic because it was given organic feed in a CAFO that was organic but then slaughtered and mixed in with all the other cows as per usual.
I am inundated with labeling on the meat that indicates grass fed, range fed, free-range or cage free (in relation to chickens), and organic. What I really would like to know is who is the farmer that raised the animal I am about to purchase? What breed is my chicken, cow, pig or lamb?
7. Finally as I get to the other side of the store I encounter essentially a food court. Four to five different buffet areas of hot and cold prepared foods. Oddly not what I expected from a whole foods store. Again with plastic lined non-recyclable non-reusable containers.

The worst by far and the clincher for me in saying good bye to you Whole Foods, was going to a suburban store and experiencing the following:
I happened to make it to a suburban Whole Foods on the weekend. My son needed a bathroom break and I knew there was one near by our route. We parked and were surprised by the fact there was a FARMERS MARKET in the parking lot (lots of local, fresh, affordable, and yummy fruit and veg) and there was a local CSA group making it's meat delivery (local meat and milk share delivery) meaning the purchasers knew the exact farmer who raised their beef, chicken and pork.

So in closing,
Whole Foods, you are no longer Whole, you are no longer clean, and you are pretty much one step above the regular grocery store at a higher price point. If I am willing to spend more on my food to eat healthier and more sustainably then I am most definitely not going to shop at your store.
Good Bye

Just thinking...

2011-07-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

Some thoughts on this Friday
1. I leave for Liverpool England tomorrow for four days of business
2. I learned about a Pie, Cookie and Card ministry that a wonderful woman conducted in her small home town for over 40 years. I like the idea and am considering it a possibility to try.
3. I'm waiting for Wylie's school to start so he can have more friends to play with in the area.
4. The more I ignore my tomatoes the better they do.

Remember Wylie's Recipe...

2011-07-10T20:41:00.000-04:00

So last night we made one of Wylie's recipes...
Peach graham cracker ice cream pie.
Ingredients:
Firestone and PF1 peaches.
Vanilla Ice Cream just the ice cream no funny stuff
Graham Crackers
Butter

Directions:
1. Let ice cream melt a bit.
2. Peel peaches and chop up one into small pieces. Mix with some melted ice cream.
3. Smash up graham crackers and mix with melted butter. Smoosh into bottom of pie plate to make crust
4. Slice up two peaches and put slices on bottom of crust.
5. Put mixed ice cream and peaches on top of peaches.
6. Put another layer of sliced peaches on top of ice cream and top with more ice cream
Garnish with peach slices and freeze.

It was really really good. We didn't take photos. We ate it. Everyone had at least one slice.
It was served with home smoked BBQ.

Today we made his orange juice pie. We omitted the tomato and chicken leg. We served the pie with a rotisserie chicken, fresh picked tomato and cauliflower.
The pie was delish.
Orange juice, sugar, zest, and oranges mixed together over heat with a bit of cornstarch then added egg to thicken. Removed from heat and added butter and lemon. Put into graham cracker crust. Topped with meringe and baked for 7 minutes. Absolutely fabulous.

Our weekend-July 1-4 2011

2011-07-04T20:18:00.000-04:00

This was such an interesting weekend that I had to get it down in writing and in pictures.

Friday July 1, 2011
I worked from home after getting home quite late from San Jose, California business trip. Managed to handle a few budget snafus that still are bothering me, found out that a conference I really wanted to attend had the dates changed to piggyback on another conference I'm attending in November in Orlando AND that friends of Wyatt and I will be speaking at it! (Can you say Family Vacation!)
Wyatt and Wylie headed downtown for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival featuring The Peace Corps, Columbia and Rhythm and Blues. They also visited the Natural History Museum. Wylie received a Jr. Peace Corps Member pin and passport along with the desire to visit China.
I got a great haircut by my favorite guy

Saturday July 2, 2011

Wylie and I went to the Burke Farmers Market again.
We spent more than $11 this time but we got the haul again.
Flaming Fury Peaches 3
P1 Perfects Peaches 2
Ugly Heirloom Purple and Red tomato 1
Red Tomato 1
Purple Pepper 1
Orange Yummies Tomatoes 1 quart
Farm raised and grass finished maple sage sausage and anduille sausage
Triple Ginger Cookies
Salted Oaties Cookies
Purple Eggplant 1
Local fresh picked spicy mix lettuce bagged by Wylie
All were fantastic

Wylie and I dropped Holliday off to get all but shaved as she was dropping enough fur to vacuum up a spare dog every other day! We were literally picking up massive amounts of balls of fur every day! So the short haired Labrador version of Holliday is perfect for the summer.
We also made Blueberry Soup which Wylie has been bugging me to make. While it was cooking it smelled very much like a jelly donut. When it was cooled and served with plain yogurt or with vanilla ice cream it was very very yummy! We really liked it.

The Blueberries and oranges and zest bubbling away.

Wylie carefully stirring the blueberries before processing it into soup!

Wyatt and I after dinner decided to go see Super 8 the movie which was a fun homage to the 80s movies where kids save the universe by thwarting the government and military bad guys.

Sunday July 3, 2011
Wylie and I had every intent to go swimming with friends but he really needed to go poop and his belly was killing him and needless to say I didn't want to risk a pool problem. He also has been having some allergy issues and it was humid so we held off. It was overall a very good decision!

We walked over to the fireworks stand later in the day to get our sparklers, flaming crackling cactus, and morning glories and then due to heat and humidity stopped at 7-Eleven to get a slurpee. Wylie was complaining of the heat and a bit sluggish but not completely off when we got back. He liked his slurpee. He went back out played with Fred and Frank for awhile and then came in and cooled off while we got dinner ready.

He finally went poop but it was incredibly painful and he went for about 10 minutes. He then went again right before dinner. It was then that he started to seem really really off. I washed his hands and face and we went and sat at the table. He was initially excited about the cheeseburger and watermelon. But upon completion of grace and looking at the watermelon he kind of made this face and then...
It was the scene from the Exorcist including the green color and red chunks. It made it all the way across the dining room table which means THANK GOD everyone had already served themselves and there were no full serving bowls near him. He continued to get sick in the bathroom for another 10 minutes. Oddly he was all but fully recovered 1 hour later. Within 2 hours he was asking for his cheeseburger for dessert! I didn't have the heart to tell him we had to chuck it due to his vomit! Poor buddy. He slept well.

Monday July 4, 2011

We headed over to the Lego store this morning to pick up Lego plates for his pirate sets and to get a carrying case for the lego people. We also picked up his first pair of croc shoes that have pirate pieces on them.
Below are photos of the pirate rocket ship he built with his legos. I'm really impressed.

Blackbeard, Cursed Cap'n Jack, Barbarosa, Skeleton

Frontal View

Another side view with cups for drinking from the space water

Wylie proud designer!

Fruit and Veg of the week

2011-06-29T17:58:00.000-04:00

We went to the Burke Farmer's Market on Saturday. We were very very very impressed with the selection. We even were able to try things we've not had before and HOW EXCITING IS THAT!????
So with exactly $11 in cash we spent every penny and came home with the following:
2 green zebra zuchinni
1 yellow with green bottom zuchinni (I have no idea the variety but it is cool looking)
3 Rich May variety peaches (they are ready for harvest mid June through mid-July)
1 large sunflower
1 large bagette made with regionally milled flour! :)
and one other vegetable that I am totally forgetting. :(

We also bought a yummy Kiwi for Wylie to try which he liked once it was very ripe.
He also decided that red and orange peppers are quite yummy when served with green juice.
Favorite veg is still cauliflower!

Richmond Children's Museum

2011-06-25T18:45:00.000-04:00

Important Question First!

How many tries does it take to get four children all under the age of five to sit for a picture? See below for the answer...

One

(with an intermittent run to make sure Leah stayed on the chair)

Two

(Something was far too exciting for Kira to stay seated)

Three

(Leah and Wylie were ready for this one!)

Clowning around after making their cars

Collecting apples from the apple tree

(Can you believe that these two were just tiny babies when they met?)

Nefarious Dinosaur Scheming

(Excusing the fuzzy images as they were moving so fast I couldn't get a decent focus)

Cameraman Wylie

The stars of the show!

Showing off their cars

The water play area

Explaining the dino dig area

The hatching of the dinosaurus wylieous

In the digging just like old times

The answer is 4
Or actually we aren't sure. At this point we gave up and went with they never stop moving but they made us laugh and smile. I was so impressed with Leah as she is determined to be a big kid!

Yellow Grape Tomatoes and Yellow Bell Pepper

2011-06-13T12:37:00.000-04:00

Wylie and I decided (mostly his decision) to try a new vegetable or fruit every week this summer. I decided to see if we could make sure it was locally grown.
Yesterday we picked up yellow grape tomatoes and a yellow bell pepper. It was all I could do to keep Wylie from taking a big bite out of the pepper in the grocery store.

He likes both.
He does not like the skin on the pepper.
He ate a mini salad with the tomatoes, pepper, cucumber and basil. He was excited to go pick the basil from our plant.

Our menu for dinner last night:

Wylie meatballs--handmade by Wylie and cooked by me
Broccoli
Mini salads as described above--Created by Wylie
Parrano cheese and French bread--Picked by Wylie
Short grain brown rice
Dessert was Chocolate Chewies-picked out by Wylie

Five Years

2011-06-13T10:19:00.000-04:00

The more things change the more they stay the same. I'm still me only a bit older, a bit wiser, with an additional love in my life, and another state under my belt.

It's been five years that I've been with Laureate Education. I can't believe it!

Today's Secret Recipe brought to you by Hobbes

2011-06-08T11:47:00.000-04:00

(As dictated to mama at 11:45am Wednesday June 8, 2011)

Today's Secret recipe is Orange Juice Pie'
Brought to you by Hobbes
Found in the book Art and Max by David Wiesner

Ingredients
This is the list so we can go grow them.
3 teaspoons of a cup of milk of soy milk so Wylie can have it
(all said while flipping the pages of the book)
1 cup of hot water
Some eggs (about 1)
Some sugar (about 4 cups)
3 tomatoes
Some ice cream (one scoop)
Some orange juice (about 2 cups)
Note: There are a lot of ingredients because it's a good recipe (?)
Soda water
Chicken legs
A cup of cactus juice (possibly to cut the taste of the chiken legs)
Banana (1)
Grapefruit (1)
(while checking out the fruit bowl..)
A couple of craisins.
That is all the ingredients.

Directions:
1. Mix the ingredients all together in a white bowl with tall sides
2. Pour into a pan and cook for awhile.
3. Then freeze.

That is all.
The rest is up to you.

The Emerson Project

2011-06-06T11:51:00.000-04:00

My friend Starla at Outwrite Living and her own blog posted the challenge and I was interested enough and have the time on the train to do the brief writing it takes. You will find my responses to the prompts on my Library Report blog. It is my way to keep that page going until I actually make the effort again to get Wylie to the library here in Fairfax County.

A little about the project.

The Inspiration
Trust 30 is an online initiative and 30-day writing challenge that encourages you to look within and trust yourself.
To celebrate Emerson's 208th birthday, The Domino Project is republishing a work of art that's especially relevant today. Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson urges readers to trust their intuition rather than conforming to the will of the majority.

Loudon County Spring Farm Tour

2011-05-23T12:54:00.000-04:00

Wylie and I joined Barbara, Anatoly, Liam and Cameron for a day in Loudon County, Virginia visiting four of the farms participating in the Loudon County Spring Farm Tour.

Stop One:

We first visited a Children's Garden at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg where Wylie and Liam planted the Three Sisters in newspaper planters. The three sisters are corn, beans, and squash. The corn gives the height for the beans to grow and be supported, the squash grows around the corn and the beans protecting the plants from weeds as well as giving the soil vital nutrients. We will be transplanting them into a pot soon.

Wylie wants to go back to this park as well because there is a HUGE cemetary next to it that "looks old and interesting" and he wants to visit.

Stop Two:

We then visited an Alpaca Farm that was a small family farm with about 10 Alpacas. Wylie and Liam spent about five seconds checking out the Alpacas and then found a bocce ball set that was much more interesting.

Stop Three: Ballentine Farms

The Ballentine Farm was a horse farm and a teaching farm that also housed chickens, pigs, an orchard and several growing fields. Wylie and Liam continued their interest in all things farm here by starting out with an exploration and comparison of the bruises on their legs! We visited with horses in the barn and in the field. Watched the chickens in the hen house lay eggs and even one that mistakenly laid a golf ball.

We sampled some very yummy home made peach and strawberry ice creams, sat on the porch of the barn house and in general enjoyed a hobby farm.

Deciding who had more bruises on their legs.

Chickens all lined up!

Learning to feed the chickens grass!

Pigs!

Barbara and Cameron meeting the horse

Liam petting the donkey

After a long run around at the farm it is only fitting to have homemade ice cream on the porch. The best part was they shared with each other and with Barbara.

This is Casper. He's a dapple grey diabetic horse. His nose came right out of the window when the boys sat down with their ice cream!

Stop Four:

Chicama Family Farm was our last stop. We had a picnic lunch of yogurt, veggies, fruit, cheese, and crackers interspersed with the excitement of a gravel mound the boys kept running up and down.

This is a CSA certified farm with meat cows, goats, pigs, and chickens as well as milk cows and goats and egg chickens. Wylie and Liam collected eggs from the coop which was amazing to see and they fed the chickens as well. We learned about the different breeds of chickens and the ones that are specifically for eating vs. eggs. We also learned about the types of goats that are for milk vs. meat. Wylie really enjoyed this farm.

A side note: Wylie was identified as being highly allergic to feathers in January through skin prick test. We thought it odd but he's never been around feathers. The few minutes he was in the chicken coop proved he is indeed allergic to feathers. Eyes and nose running instantly!

A moment of quiet contemplation New friends and shared ideas

Collecting eggs from the coop!

So proud of his eggs!

"I'm surrounded by chickens"

Meat chickens

Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

2011-05-20T09:39:00.001-04:00

Sunday is our 7th Wedding Anniversary The past few years have been a bit crazy on our anniversary to say the least. This year... Well according to some christians the world is going to end on the 21st meaning we won't get to celebrate our 7th. I wonder though...

Wylie at 4 1/2

2011-05-20T09:28:00.000-04:00

We met the new pediatrician on Wednesday Dr. Nicole Jennifer Lee at Vienna Pediatrics. This is the same practice I went to as a child except I had Dr. Barsanti who has since retired. Overall the visit was great and Wylie was very compliant with all requests including the eye and hearing tests. His height and weight are in the 46% for his age which is interesting because I thought fresh air, exercise and the amount of food he's been consuming would have pushed him up at least into the 50th. He was 39lbs at his 4 year check up and he was also 36lbs at his 2 1/2 year check up. He is though totally normal. Weight: 37lbs Height: 42 inches

Wylie Pirate Hat

2011-05-17T09:39:00.001-04:00

In his interview last week Wylie was asked the following question:

1. Draw or describe something you would like to tell us about:

Wylie: Pirate Hat Day. You have to put on a pirate hat and build a ship. BUT you need to steer the dingy too.

Photos 5-16-11

2011-05-16T12:12:00.000-04:00

Eli, Wyatt, Colm, Marcy

Ronan, Wylie, Joe

Colm, Ronan, Wylie

Joanne, Susan, Arthur Eileen, Arthur

Wyatt and Eli

(Wylie as photographer)

Joe and Marcy

We are in VA--Driving Recap.

2011-05-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

WE made it across the country in our zig zag way.Wyatt documented the mileage on his facebook page. Day one was LA to Flagstaff- Total Mileage 547 miles arrived 2:10am La la land didn't want to let us go and sent us off with the worst traffic ever taking over 90 minutes to go 30 miles. Wylie was fantastic reading books, playing with stickers and in general being happy. We made a brief detour in Lake Havasue Arizona to see the London Bridge. We arrived in Flagstaff on my 40th birthday. Day two was Grand Canyon to Tucson--1,029 miles arrived 12:28am (only 500 or so miles from Playa del Rey)

Drove up to the Grand Canyon in the morning and then headed out to Tucson, AZ. It was very windy but we enjoyed the drive up to the canyon looking at the trees and landscape. Wylie loved stopping at the multiple sites along the canyon. The drive down to Tucson was along the high desert and canyon with us arriving in Tucson around 9pm. Day three was Tucson to Tombstone to Carlsbad NM--1,594 miles We drove down to Tombstone in the late morning after a trip to the camera store and drug store so that we could get a filter for the camera and hand lotion for me. We purchased a gorilla tripod and filter for the camera along the way as we realized with the broad vistas and bright sunshine we needed a polarizing filter. The tripod was a hit with Wylie as he played with it continuously for the entire drive. The drive from Tombstone to Carlsbad, NM involved one boarder crossing check (all they did was ask if we were US citizens), one trip to Sonic on the way out of Arizona, and a long 215 mile two lane road but beautiful drive through White Sands and a small village at the top of a mountain in New Mexico. We arrived in Carlsbad around midnight tired from the drive but pretty impressed with the fact that we took almost 2 hours off the drive time while going through the mountain roads. We also opened the sun roof to just marvel at the stars. I don't think I've seen them that clear in a very long while. Day 4 was Carlsbad to San Antonio, Texas. 2,099 miles This was the second shortest distance to travel and what should have been relatively easy. We arrived in San Antonio in time for dinner but ultimately it was the toughest drive and both Wyatt and I had a margarita at dinner. 80% of the drive was on a two lane road from Carlsbad to Ft. Stockton, TX (mile 1,775). The first two lane road was through open range and it might as well have been unpaved. The second two lane road lasted for almost 200 miles and induced the worst case of highway hypnosis I have experienced. The road was orange and open range on both sides. No traffic lights, no other cars, no stores or gas stations. There was nothing. We kept switching drivers to combat the hypnosis. Once on Rt.10 we began to combat serious winds that would push the car into the other lane. Once again there was nothing except massive trucks and mesas. It looked like the mesas were cut in half to make way for the road which ultimately created wind vacuums that would suck the car in and then push it about until you were spit out at the other side. Day 5 San Antonio to Houston/Beaumont--2,309 miles This was our shortest day and the coldest by far. We did a short drive to Houston to visit a dear friend and had one of the treasures of traveling through some odd small towns. It was late afternoon by the time we found lunch at a BBQ place in Columbus, TX that had more dead animals on the walls and throughout the restaurant than I could imagine. We stopped for dinner and hanging out in Houston followed by a 90 mile trip to Beaumont so that our trip in the morning to New Orleans could start a little later. Day 6 Beaumont to New Orleans, LA--2,672 miles (this is almost the exact milage we would have covered if we had driven straight to VA) First rain we experienced as part of the cold front that we were keeping pace with or bringing it with us. We managed this drive pretty quickly and easily as Wylie slept for the first few hours after enjoying a texas shaped waffle for breakfast. We made it into NOLA by noon and we expected that traffic would be easy. Unfortunately it was the first roadwork we hit BUT with the GPS and Wyatt googling the city we were able to create a detour around the traffic. Wylie loved looking at all the houses and the street car. We also found street parking right in front of the house and our car stayed there until 6:30am the following morning.

Day 7 New Orleans to Morganton, NC--3,400 miles

This was our longest day of travel with no stops anywhere fun. We managed over 700 miles and it really didn't feel like the longest day. Wylie again slept for a few hours in the morning and then we stopped for Waffle House and gas. We stopped again in Auburn for lunch. We finally got off the highway in Spartanburg South Carolina and heading north on 221 to Morganton. It was a nice treelined and beautiful drive. We arrived around 7:30pm at Wyatt's aunt and uncle's house knowing we would be leaving early the next morning for VA.

Day 8 Morganton, NC to Burke, VA 3,849 miles

Our final day in the car. Miraculously at this point Wylie still hasn't decided to mutiny the car or have anytype of crazy meltdown. We stopped in Statesville making the decision to get off the 40 and go up the 77 to 81 to 66 route instead of staying on the 40 to 85 to 95 which would be unbearable highway driving in comparison. We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Statesville to visit with a friend for breakfast. We hit our first major traffic issue on 81 in VA where the highway went down to one lane for over 16 miles due to a sinkhole. We tried hopping off 81 and going up Rt. 11 but it seemed like everyone else had the same idea. We managed to get back on the 81 right at the sinkhole which meant we slipped into the line of traffic drove slowly by the sinkhole and then were up at speeds of 75mph again. Once nice thing was we were able to stop in at the rest areas on 81 and let Wylie run wild.

That was our drive. I would do it again for vacation but most likely fly out to a spot and then drive back OR better yet drive out to where we wanted to visit and fly back. All in all Wylie was a trooper and really great travel companion.

Wylie Interview May 6, 2011

2011-05-07T13:18:00.000-04:00

I was asked to interview Wylie for his pre-K graduation, even though we will not be there. His friends want to have his interview included and we are quite excited to have the interview done. Here it is without any edits: 1. If you could institute one rule in the world what would it be? Wylie: I would ask everyone to watch television everyday. Because I want them to. 2. What one thing would you like to do when you grow up? Wylie: I would like to do laundry when I grow up. 3. What are you looking forward to in kindergarten (or new school)? Wylie: Meeting new friends who will be bigger than me. 4. What did you like most about Temple Akiba? Wylie: Having pizza lunch on Friday and playing with friends. I especially liked superhero day when I can jump off the stage and my cape will fly behind me. 5. Where would you like to go that you have never been before? Wylie: I would like to go to Disneyworld because we have already been to Disneyland. 6. What one wish would you like granted if you knew it would come true? Wylie: I wish I could stay with Nanny P and Grandpa Fred forever. 7. What do you like about Shabbat? Wylie: I like singing the last song in Shabbat--Thank you God. 8. What was your best day at Temple Akiba? Wylie:...um, well, um, the best days were all of the days. 9. When is your birthday? Wylie: DECEMBER! December 6, St. Nicholas Day 10. Draw or describe something you would like to tell us about: Wylie: Pirate Hat Day. You have to put on a pirate hat and build a ship. BUT you need to steer the dingy too.

Moving

2011-04-20T17:12:00.001-04:00

We have our driving plan and hotels. The motorcycle gets loaded up tomorrow. The house is in complete disarray with boxes and stuff everywhere. The moving company calls on Monday to let us know which day they arrive. 4/27 or 4/28 we vacate the condo and head east. I can't believe it's here already.

Thoughts on reaching 40 years of age

2011-04-15T22:36:00.000-04:00

I have already been clear that I am embracing 40.Here are some thoughts as that day approaches... 1. I don't fear my age, I do slightly fear the lowered metabolism 2. I don't fear the loss of fertility, but I worry about approaching menopause. 3. I don't fear the loss of my youth or looks, I know my mother was still beautiful as she aged and hope the same happens for me, HOWEVER I do fear the bleeding lipstick look. 4. I don't fear the change in relationships or the ever increasing talk of Wylie's achievements instead of mine, I do have concerns about reaching a point where the death of a friend will be ever more painful. 5. I don't fear being the oldest mom around as I know plenty of women with children Wylie's age who are older than me. I do wonder sometimes what it would be like to be a full time mother without a job but don't know if I could do it now. Here are some other thoughts about my 30s... 1. I entered my 30s having purchased my first house on my own. 2. In my 30th year I met Wyatt and realized that I would spend the rest of my life with him for better or worse. 3. Was published in a peer reviewed journal. 4. I was awarded my MBA in International Business at the age of 33. 6. I traveled to Canada, France and Monaco in my 30s. 7. I spent a significant amount of time visiting, learning and enjoying several states in the US (North Carolina, Tennessee, New Mexico, and California). 8. Traversed the continent of North America by car. 9. Gave birth to a wonderful son. 10. Handled the death of many dear friends and extended family members. 11. Worked in the financial, pharmaceutical, and education industries learning much in the process. 12. Made many new friends from all walks of life who have enriched mine beyond words. 13. Stopped being a home owner choosing family over money. 14. Took the challenge of moving to a new state with a new job and learning new ways to view the world. 15. Realized that I still have the opportunity to be an evolving person. So those are my thoughts.

Wylie as Pharaoh

2011-04-15T12:12:00.000-04:00

Wylie was Pharaoh in the Passover Play. These kids are amazing, especially Moses.

An update on a theory of mine...

2011-04-12T13:44:00.000-04:00

So I had this theory that children get a taste for foods based on frequency and timing of the introduction to the foods. Here is where I think I am right... 1. Wylie only had plain whole fat yogurt for the first three years of his life. As a result he only really likes the non-sweet stuff and readily accepts yogurt over mayo based sauces/dips. He has friends who were only introduced to the sweet sugar infused bright color tubed stuff who won't touch plain but might try it and most definitely were led to believe the only way to eat yogurt is to have the colored stuff. 2. Because of allergies, Wylie never had a peanut or peanut butter or any nut for that matter prior to January 2011. Again as a result, we've tried cashew butter, almond butter and even offered full peanuts and almonds to him. He does.not.like.them. NOT ONE BIT. I think this is really because in his first few years of life he didn't gain a taste for them or really ever learn that this is childhood. So the kids who only eat peanut butter most likely were introduced early and now have the taste. Not a bad thing but I believe if not introduced it doesn't become the only food as well as when introduced it doesn't become the only food. 3. Wylie love most veggies and will try most veggies. This doesn't mean he won't make an awful gagging sound and face with some of them but he does try them. Oddly he really has a personal thing against white potatoes--this includes chips, mashed, and as part of other items. He does like fries though. He has friends who are never offered (or forced) to eat green veggies and were not offered them early on as a result those friends do not like them. 4. Wylie prefers whole grain bread. I like whole wheat and assumed he would too which he does. He doesn't know much about nor does he like white bread. I like that. So what do I believe it is about early introduction and experimentation. We got Wylie to try a bunch of stuff just by having him have a "no thank you bite" which he found introduced him to foods he never thought he would like. White chicken chili being one of those items. What he doesn't eat often and like much but will try again and again: Fish sticks/catfish nuggets Salmon or Tuna Eggs-he keeps trying these thinking they will get better but he's not keen on them. Any new fruit-no matter how weird it looks some are great some are not so great. But he is more than willing to try Any new veg-same as fruit Sandwich meat and steak and hamburger--keeps trying still doesn't really like it. I will continue to offer to him. He will continue to try.

California Science Center

2011-03-21T14:29:00.000-04:00

The Rainbow classes from TANS had a field trip to the California Science center on St. Patrick's Day. It was a fantastic adventure including time in a REAL LIVE LABORATORY CLASSROOM! The kids made a neat chemical compound and learned about the different labels, tests and ways you can be a scientist. Everyone had a great time and I have to save EVERYONE learned something!

Welcome to my lab.

Learning and Making the Scientists Oath: Do not feed or give this to anyone.

"So, what do you think of this compound? We measured and poured and stirred."

The Chemical Compound "Well, after some stirring, it's slimey, cold, and gooey. It doesn't smell though"

We then put a lid on it to keep it from spilling and escaping.

Super light sensitive goo being exposed and tested...

"It Glows!!!!"

Emma and Wylie

2011-03-21T14:21:00.000-04:00

General Mayhem and Craziness on a Couch. Nothing more than plain and simple fun.

Ready?

Wait! Emma you were supposed to Jump!

Can we try this again?

Whooooo Hoooooo!

YEEE HAWWWWWW!

General Mayhem and Craziness on a Couch. Nothing more than plain and simple fun.

Recent Projects

2011-03-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

As part of turning 40 and part of admitting I need to continue to learn new things, I've started crocheting. It is something that requires thought and learning a new task. Wylie begged me to make him a hat and then a scarf and then mittens. He picked the colors.

The set!

Mittens!

Hat!

Scarf! (Please ignore the little strands of yarn on the sides)

Modeling Craziness More craziness See No Evil (That means ignore the chin) Speak No Evil Hear No Evil

Something I made...

2011-02-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

Wylie and I made Owls for Wesley for Christmas. He loved them. His mom Gwen loved them too. So much so that she asked for Wylie to design one for her. Well, I was also decided to participate in a potholder design contest and I thought... Gwen=Owl + Eli=Potholder = Owl Potholder. The tutorial on Prudent Baby for a regular square potholder was great help in the mechanics of making one but the design is all Wylie and me. Of course I have to thank Wyatt too in helping me get the size right. Oh what the heck it was a family project and adventure.

Front view of our owl! We had fun making the quilting look like the feathers.

Back view of our owl!

Wylie suggested that we have a way for it to hang.

Parks and Birthday Parties

2011-02-07T13:10:00.000-05:00

This post is going to be a confusion and chaotic as I try to figure a few things out about Wylie. First: Birthday Parties We were invited to three birthday parties in two weekends. This equated for celebrations for five kids. The boys were given superhero capes designed by Wylie. The girls received crochet bow barrettes with the colors picked by Wylie and crocheted by me. Wylie made/designed and signed the birthday cards for each kid. This was by far the most fun for me for the birthday events. The run down of the parties: Saturday January 30-Sammy and Solomon at the local bowling alley-40+kids. 1 hour of bowling followed by 1 hour of lunch and cake. The reality was this was an hour of CHAOS. I'm not talking typical birthday party chaos but this was kids crying, parents getting hurt, and lack of water/juice/snacks. Wylie and his buddy Olivia were doing fine until the attendants told the kids they needed to stand in line and pick up a ball only when it was their turn. That was fine but one of the birthday boys has issues with space and is mildly autistic which means as it was Wylie's turn and Olivia's turn they picked up balls. The child then poked/hit Wylie telling him to put the ball down and yelled at Olivia! So I tried everything to get Wylie to calm down and if it weren't for a few parents trying their best to make Wylie laugh and play (THANK YOU JACOB's parents!!!!) I might have started crying. At last count at least 6 other parents came up to me in the week since the party to let me know their children has multiple meltdowns and were crying. Aftermath: 1. Wylie has specifically asked NOT to go to Sammy's house ever again. He has also asked that we not participate in events with Sammy. This party totally affected him. 2. Sammy's father had the GALL to ask me if we've had Wylie tested for Sensory Disorders! He said "His behavior at the birthday party indicates a sensory disorder and should be tested." I guess all the kids that have to be around Sammy have a sensory disorder. I'm pissed. Wylie was a mess because it was loud, it was completely chaotic, SAMMY HIT WYLIE, and there was nothing to escape to and Wylie was not the only kid. Also they didn't serve food until 1:30pm and then it was grown up food not kid party food. Saturday February 5-Mica and Lexi at Los Angeles Gymnastics-12 kids. 1.5 hours of gymnastics including trampoline, balance beam, rope swing, tumbling, and others. We then moved upstairs for a healthy snack, juice boxes, and then birthday cake. The reality was this was an utter blast for Wylie. There were three instructors helping out with the events all of them super kid friendly. Mica was much more used to the equipment so he on multiple occasions hopped out of line to help a friend. Wylie learned to walk on a balance beam and then bear walked on the parallel bars! Every kid had a seat and the cake was wonderful. We then headed out the door with the birthday boy and girl handing out goodie bags and giving Thank you hugs. So wonderful. Aftermath: Wylie went to bed super early and was so happy with all his fun. Sunday February 6-Mical at Wade St Park-15 to 20 kids. Playtime at park, music in the recreation room and then...I don't know. Wylie was most excited about this party. His friends were there and we were playing outside until the worst possible thing happened...Wylie puked or rather I should say HOSED DOWN his friend Nico. Wylie was a mess and just wanted to go home. He had been playing on a tire swing going in circles and then boom he puked. Felt so bad for him and his friend. I felt like the worst mom ever. Aftermath: 1. Wylie took a nap, woke up and asked to go back to the party. I felt horrible that we couldn't so we played instead and did "party" things at home. 2. the parents of the child that Wylie puked on and the other dad asked how Wylie was doing today at drop off. They were so sweet to him and to me. :) Here is the park thing...this is the fourth time we've been to this park. Each time we go something awful happens to Wylie. The first time a big kid purposefully caused Wylie to bonk his head on a baby toy. The second time we were potty training, Wylie was begging to go home and then boom he peed his pants. The third time was just a few weeks ago and Wylie came running to me and boom peed in his pants. (I must admit the bathroom at this park is downright icky!) This time he puked. We aren't going back to that park. EVER! Here is my other thing. I know that big massive birthday parties run by parents who are supremely disorganized are not for me or Wylie. I know that small parties in general are just more fun. I also do not accept every party invite Wylie gets mostly because he's not interested or doesn't play with the child. I also do not give big parties. I let Wylie invite the number of friends he really wants (this year it was Emma, Olivia, Benji, Charlie, and William) and then organize around it. Everyone has fun. So WHY did I accept to go to the first birthday party knowing what it would be like?

Holliday

2011-02-02T13:14:00.001-05:00

So we had so many things going on with health lately I figured I would update you on Dog Holliday too. She gained 8lbs while in Virginia visiting with the grandparents. She got a bug when she came back that required a week on Flagyl and a chicken and rice diet. Holliday was improving but soon appeared to relapse. She actually has a bacterial infection that could have come from anything! She is now on another antibacterial drug as she has clostridium-deficene which effects the large intestine. Her diet for the next three weeks which will make her so so so so so Happy is the following: Boiled chicken breast Steamed white rice Pureed pumpkin Acidopholus What won't make her happy is no treats, no bones, no nothing like that. I'm so glad I didn't go buy the dog food that was on sale because it would have sat around for too long. I'm thinking we might be moving up to a sensitive formula dog food.

Allergy Testing

2011-02-01T18:48:00.000-05:00

We did the dreaded skin test allergy testing yesterday. I'm glad we waited, I'm glad we listened to both our dermatologist and the pediatrician in deciding to wait, and most of all I'm really happy we picked the allergist we did! Wylie has Mastocytosis or Uticaria Pigmentosa whichever name you prefer. This skin disease is extremely rare and is essentially an allergic reaction to his skin in certain areas. Those areas are extremely sensitive to histamine reactions. When one of his "spots" gets irritated it can get to the size of a walnut or bigger. So allergy testing especially skin testing is very difficult and most dermatologists recommend against it with "masto kids." The allergist we found was familiar with mastocytosis and had an allergy test just for these kids! NOTE: The allergy testing device was a very soft disposable plastic rectangle with little pricking pieces on it. The pricking pieces were soft like one of those WISP disposable toothbrushes. VERY SOFT. These devices are disposable because mastocystosis patients are very susceptible to reactions near their spots and they are so soft they cannot be washed and reused. This is great until it comes time to check out. (I admit we were warned!) Insurance companies do not cover the cost of the device because it is disposable. Now I'm all for reusable things and being good to our planet but this is an exception. I'm not complaining though because it cost only $15. The results were intriguing to say the least. Previous results: In December we did the traditional RAST blood test for allergies which was utterly traumatic for Wylie. He came up with negatives across the board! This from a child who gets double ear infections when he drinks cow milk and used to get a massive facial rash followed by gastrointestinal issues when he had eggs. Current results: Wylie is allergic to feathers, cow milk, tree pollen, weed pollen, grass and has a very mild reaction to peanut and tree nuts. Oddly this means we can actually try cashew butter and then peanut butter. We were given a prescription for an epi-pen junior. This is for the first introduction of cashew butter and because the protein can be a tolerance thing. What does all this mean? To quote Wylie: "I AM OLD ENOUGH TO EAT EGGS" He was so excited that when at IHOP for dinner (the day was traumatic and it's what he wanted) he ordered pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs. Sadly he wasn't as impressed with the eggs as he expected. Oh well. What does allergy testing look like? See below:

Calm before the storm watching "Finding Nemo" while waiting for the nurse to come do the skin prick. Five minutes post skin prick. To be honest there were tears immediately following the skin prick. Mostly because the doctor had to write on his back and it felt weird to him.

10 minutes in and you can tell what he's allergic to based on how big the wheals and redness spots are to him. #8 is histimine (which he is allergic to in the sense he has mastocytosis), #5 is milk. The ones on the left of his back had #1 and #5 get really big a bit later on and those were feathers and the pollen/mold/grass things.

At the end having watched the beginning of Finding Nemo for a second time, having his back cleaned off, and knowing he can now eat eggs.

We did bring a nice soft sweater to wear home just in case his back was still irritated. The doctor had swabbed his back with topical benedryl just to protect him from gaining new spots. All in all I'm glad it's done.

So...

2011-01-28T12:51:00.001-05:00

Monday morning we see the dermatologist. Dr. Fox! Wylie is very excited about this and I'm not sure if it's because of her name or just because he likes her. Monday afternoon we see the allergist for Wylie's allergy skin test. One designed specifically for Uticaria Pigmentosa patients. I'll be happy to get those results. If for no other reason then to understand if we can give Wylie a peanut butter sandwich without fear! On another note, I'm also looking forward to the day because I get to spend it with Wylie. He's a great date and we'll get to eat lunch out which he likes.

Antibiotics and Ears

2011-01-13T12:46:00.000-05:00

I'm a firm believer in no antibiotics unless a culture comes back with definite bacterial infection. Our pediatrician is too which is nice to have a pediatrician who I can trust. Wylie has had two confirmed bacterial ear infections in his life. The kind that need antibiotics. How did we find out? After he spiked a fever, puked and then had a febrile seizure with the first and became lethargic with the second. He never complained of ear pain or any type of pain at all. Wylie was administered antibiotics in the ER with the seizure as the attending pediatrician identified a massive double ear infection. We went to see our pediatrician the next day and he confirmed the diagnosis but also did a nose culture to confirm the need for antibiotics. After three rounds of antibiotics that did nothing but give him side effects and not clear up the infection we stopped giving him cow's milk (per our pediatrician's recommendation). The ears cleared up in days! DAYS! The second confirmed ear infection was again a let's do a culture and administer antibiotics only when the culture comes back positive. DONE. We did a round of antibiotics and the ear cleared up. We had given him a small saucer of cow's milk two days prior to the onset of the ear infection. So why do I care about telling all of you this... Because after 6 years of wait and see the APA may be reversing the trend of NOT giving antibiotics to kids with ear infections. Here is the CNN article on it. Two studies show a whopping 6% difference in length of infection and clearing of infection for children given a placebo and those given antibiotics. AND the one thing many parents are begging for with ear infections is something to ease the pain which antibiotics do not offer. I'm glad my pediatrician does not go antibiotic crazy.

Head Cold

2011-01-11T13:50:00.000-05:00

I got the tickle in the back of my throat on Saturday and started coughing Sunday afternoon. I woke up feeling pretty yucky on Monday but still went to work. Came home at noon after meetings where I was compared to a dying whale and was hacking up a lung. Wylie had the day off from school so I was employed to play with him and erect his tent in his room. We then napped in the tent. Last night I was not feeling much better and today is not better. Only bonus, my nose is running like a leaky faucet. So I am working remotely and really trying to get work done. Big minus--my blackberry died during the second conference call and we had an earthquake to boot.

Ella Mae Carraway Beck

2011-01-06T12:19:00.000-05:00

Wylie's Great Aunt Ella Mae passed away this morning at 12:53am. Wylie had an instant bond with her when he met her. Ella Mae was one of the first to call me on being pregnant with Wylie. She was a wonderful and amazing woman. We will miss her greatly.

Wylie and Great Aunt Ella Mae.

Cowboy Wylie

2011-01-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

Wylie as we all know is all about cowboys and pirates. I'm absolutely happy about it and like his role playing in those modes. A few things about the cowboy part that is tough and I have a very mixed emotions about is the gun part. Wylie and his Grandpa Fred do so much role playing and imagining about cowboys, westerns, and good vs. bad. We discuss that Wylie is never to point a gun at anyone and shoot that person or aim to hurt that person. Of course ghosts, pirate cowboys, and imaginary animals are a little more acceptable as long as he understands he is not to be mean. Wylie has toy guns to play with when he is in Virginia with his Grandpa Fred and knows that this is play. It is VERY interesting to listen to their conversations while in the role play. The good guys are gun toting defenders of the dogs. The bad guys are ghosts and pirates. As cowboys they run in the back yard, hunt with their trusty Dog Holliday, build cowboy restaurants that serve beans and meatballs and in general the guns are an accessory. So when Wylie came to me and asked for me to tie his scarf around his waist like a cowboy how could I say no?

Wylie as Sheriff Wylie

At the ready

Life on the range is hard but gunslinger Wylie is there.

40 for 40 in 2011

2011-01-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

I turn 40 this year. I've decided to embrace and celebrate it. I will be doing multiple things throughout the year to celebrate 40. On my library report blog I'll be reviewing the 40 books that I read. Here I will be telling you all about the 40 for 40 events and such. Valerie challenged me to move 30 minutes a day for 100 days. I decided to make this into a 40 minutes a day for the year I turn 40. Today was day 1. I took a nice long walk with Frog in Burke. We were gone for more than 40 minutes but it was a great walk. Invigorating.

1 plus 1 equals

2010-12-15T11:41:00.001-05:00

Wylie: "Two mama" Me: "That's right" Wylie: "What is three plus two?" Me: "You tell me" Wylie: (with attitude and holding up hands) "Five!" Me: "You are so smart that's right. What is five plus five?" Wylie: "Um eight?" (then looking at my hands) "Let's count to find out" Wylie: (counting my fingers first and then just looking at my hands) "Let's see, TEN! YAY!" Me: "Wow!" Wylie: "What is five plus one?" Wylie: "Six" Wylie: "Isn't this fun?!" While I am so proud of him right now I have a feeling I can no longer convince him that a handful of m&m's is only five!

St. Nicholas Day

2010-12-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

Today is St. Nicholas Day. Today is Wylie's 4th Birthday. Today is still one of the most amazing days in my life. Wylie celebrated with his best girls and boys yesterday with a pirate party, treasure hunt and homemade pizza. We celebrated today: 1. We woke up to birthday kisses and hugs 2. We drove Wylie to school with promises for a great birthday celebration at home. 3. We picked Wylie up early to go to the pediatrician with a crazy rash on his ankle. 4. We bought dark chocolate mint and green mint chip ice cream for the cake. 5. We had reindeer pasta, broccoli, and garlic bread for dinner. 6. Presents galore! Quotes: "It's a book about Christmas!, Read all the little books"--This was upon opening an advent calendar from Great Aunt MaryKay. "Wow, Mama look at this it's a scooter" "THIS IS THE COOLEST GIFT EVER"-Upon opening the criss cross crash hot wheels set from the Godfather Monty

The Pirate Cake -Completed

2010-12-06T12:36:00.001-05:00

There are a lot of pictures but I really want this documented.

First I made fondant and colored it blue and yellow to simulate the beach and sea. We covered a box with it because we didn't need that much cake.

Classic yellow cake recipe. We made two 9 x 13 cakes (1/4 sheet) Cut triangles off front of one and then cut the other in half to create the bow and poop deck.

Assembling the cake. Classic White icing for the "glue"

Wyatt putting the crumb layer of icing on

The crumb layer complete. We used Pillsbury canned chocolate icing.

Using sugar crystals to create a sandy beach

Iced decks! We used two cans of icing. I STRONGLY recommend opening both cans to confirm the color is the same! Wyatt used a knife to create the slates on the decks.

Windows, water, railings and other items added. I am so happy I'm married to an artist.

Other side of the ship

Sails and poop deck assembled

The Pirate Birthday ship! I think we did a wonderful job and it's just as good if not better than the store bought kind.

The Pirate Cake Part 2

2010-12-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

So here is the kit we ordered to make the pirate ship cake. Wylie and I went to Michael's to buy the pre-made colored tube icing to decorate the cake. I will post photos of the finished product when I've made it. The cake will have to be made the day before. The party plan... 1. Make your own pizza 2. Treasure Hunt 3. Cake and cider 4. Play as hard as you can.

The Pirate Cake

2010-12-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

We promised Wylie a pirate cake for his birthday. HUGE MISTAKE I will now be making a pirate cake for his birthday. If we can get the pan ordered. If I can get the parts that go with it. Why oh Why did I promise him the cake?

Thankful for...

2010-11-30T11:48:00.000-05:00

Starla (click on her name for the link) wrote a wonderful post about what she was thankful for in just 5 minutes of thinking. I commented on it and now after a very long holiday break I realized I wanted to post what I was thankful for here. Here was my five minute list...(with commentary) Sunshine-Even if 10 degrees out it's wonderful to have sunshine Health-Life is very tough without it Children laughing-Have you ever noticed you can't help smiling when a child laughs Friends listening-So many this year listened and listened and listened. In-laws who love me unconditionally-Did you know I have the best in laws? Dog Holliday sleeping-She'll be on her back having puppy dreams and completely at peace. Saturday adventures-Take a chance at what you will learn with a child. Adventures to free places or scary places. Sometimes the adventure is in your neighborhood and sometimes it's in another county. Do we really have the time to just say another day? Faith-Simple and honest Belief in the goodness of people-There is more good than bad. Freedom-I have the right to make the wrong choice and vote for who I think should lead this country. I have the right to make choices about how I raise my child. I have the ability to educate myself further to change the world around me. My ability to sew Christmas gifts-A little bit of Eli to share. My ability to keep learning new things-This is just from Wylie alone that I keep learning. People who believe in me-I don't know what I would do if I didn't have at least one person this year who believed in my ability and my life. My unwavering husband-There are days I wonder why he sticks around. There are days I'm so lucky to have someone who believes in himself. My brilliant Wylie-He is just amazing. Patience to know that I’m constantly evolving-Realization I'm human, fallible and changing all the time. So what are you thankful for?

Owls for a friend

2010-11-29T01:17:00.000-05:00

These are owls for a certain little boy who likes owls.

The owl that started the whole project. Wylie designed this one.

The garland laid out to make sure we like the sequence.

More of the owls that Wylie designed

More owls. I think the orange one is my favorite.

Recent Projects

2010-11-29T00:57:00.000-05:00

If you are Kate or Gwen do not read further. Do not look at the post. Otherwise here are come of my recent projects...

A tea party idea that I learned from Prudent Baby. This is a fantastic idea because it pulls from the string to create a bag!

The placemat or plate and napkin from one tea set.

The tea set laid out.

Pulled together as a bag!

A lunch bag/purse for certain tween found on Pink Penguin.

International Silks and Woolens!

2010-11-23T14:09:00.001-05:00

I am most definitely going here this weekend! Just look at the button wall. Or how about the ribbon wall? Or just look at the bias tape selection! Look at the fabrics! I'm in love with the store and I haven't even been there yet!

Home projects this weekend

2010-11-22T15:55:00.000-05:00

Lots of lounging on the couch

Turkey Apple Tart Tatin--Wylie made this one.

Turkey Apple Tart Tatin-need to work on the curling of the edges

Vegan "Hamburger" cupcake.

Ingredients: White cupcakes (these are the 1/4 cup batter size) Cocoa cupcakes (these are also 1/4 cup batter size) Rolled fondant-dyed pinkish-red to make tomato Rolled fondant-dyed yellow to make cheese slice Yellow and Red decorator frosting-drizzled to look like mustard and ketchup White classic frosting-used as glue between each layer

christmas present update

2010-11-20T17:36:00.001-05:00

So I now have three Christmas gifts made. :) Only three more to go I think... I am really wishing I could post photos because they are sooooo cool. But I can't or it would spoil the surprises.

Just some thoughts...

2010-11-17T12:48:00.001-05:00

Just some thoughts on customer service by area and product. Anaheim, California 1. Good Service: In May 2009 our bugaboo stroller was stolen at Disneyland. We had the Disney mafia taking care of us immediately. They looked for the stroller, they gave us a rental one, they made sure we had pull ups for Wylie and ultimately took us to the on site police station. 2. Great Service: The detective who handled our case was very good. He understood and handled how upset I was with the situation. We were asked multiple questions by the responding detective and he made sure we were very descriptive in our report. He also helped us put dollar amounts to things I couldn't even begin to consider the price on. As a result of our report and details, the police/disney mafia made an arrest later in the year and even recovered our stroller! Another result of our report was that the stolen items made it grand theft which meant that our report in combination with several others made prosecuting the thief easier. 3. Poor to crappy followed by great: I had a business trip one week post the theft. I had no identification of who I was and really thought I wasn't going to be able to make the trip. I called the Anaheim police department and records multiple times that week to get a copy of my police report. Multiple people told me that it wouldn't be available for several weeks and then I had to wait for it to be mailed to me. there was no sympathy that I couldn't do anything about my identify until I had a police report detailing the crime. I called our detective and asked him what to do. He gave me the name of a woman to call who expedited the report AND made sure it was available at the desk in anaheim. In other words, she went out of her way to help me. She understood completely the issue of not having proof of identification. Los Angeles-Ralph's 1. Poor Customer Service: We have several Ralph's grocery stores near us. We select which one to shop at based on our grocery needs. The quality is not consistent across the stores. Our experience at the one on Lincoln means we will never buy meat there again. EVER. We bought three boston butt pork shoulders for bbq in July. We had to return two as they were definitely not fresh or safe when we opened them up. The manager at the store gave me so much grief in returning them I was shocked. He wouldn't refund my money in cash or onto our check card. He acted as if in some way shape or form I had managed to make the meat go bad. (it was less than 12 hours from time of purchase and they went from store to fridge). He finally relented and gave me a Ralph's gift card to cover the amount. 2. CRAPPY CUSTOMER SERVICE: Another Ralph's we shop at is in the Marina. It is nicer in the upscale grocery store way. It does not have all the items we normally purchase so we tend to go there only when it's convenient. Last night we did the weekly grocery shopping at that store. Mostly because it was on the way home and we needed to pick up meat which meant the Lincoln store was out of the question. One of the items we purchased was soda pop. We only buy it when it's on sale. Only when it's 4 for $10. (Interestingly the Lincoln Ralph's did not have the soda listed as 4 for$10) So we bought 4 12paks of soda. Coke Zero, A&W, Sunkist, and Squirt. All had the tag identifying the sale price. The ad in the paper indicated that we had to buy four in one transaction. We did that. What the ad, the tags in the store on the shelf AND the big sign on the big display DID NOT SAY was that they had to be of the same manufacturer. Needless to say when I went to the store to return the soda or get the 4 for $10 price I was treated like an idiot. I pointed out to the manager the price difference on my receipt, the ad in the newspaper, AND then I had to walk him to the aisle to show him that the tags just said $4 for 10 in one transaction. I also pointed out that the A&W and Sunkist were in the same display as the coke with the 4 for $10 sign. SO what did he tell me? That I should be more aware of the fact they are different brands and that no one else felt it was misleading! Well, I bet no one else noticed it until they were home and didn't feel like dealing with it OR just don't read their receipts as carefully as I do. I didn't make a mistake the store had misleading ads. He finally relented after I pointed out to him that Vons had the sale as well and would be more than happy to follow their ads. I also told him I would be returning the soda and going to Vons. He then gave me the $8 refund onto our check card. Los Angeles-Walgreens 1. Great Customer Service: We have many options for drug stores in our area. CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Pavillions. We choose to go to Walgreens even though it is further from our place. Why? They are incredibly helpful when it comes to prescriptions and products. I have a daily medication that I can only get refilled once a month. I also have a tendency to lose the paper prescription. The pharmacy willingly held onto the paper prescription for me and made it so much easier for me to pick up every month. They also helped identify where I could get a product that was no longer available at their store! They didn't have to but they took the time to do so. CRAPPY-Blue Cross Blue Shield 1. CRAPPY CRAPPY CRAPPY-We have BCBS PPO. It is a national account. We have access to a great pediatrician, a great GI, and two great hospitals. We don't have in-network access to mediocre or better GPs, mental health providers, or OB/GYNs. Why? Because BCBS has such a low usual and customary rate in CA for those things that most don't take BCBS. If you actually find a physician in network that takes it, you can be sure they aren't taking on new patients, that they aren't answering their phone, and in some cases that they are actually in the midst of being reprimanded by the state medical board. I'm not kidding. I have had to change OB/GYN's 3 times since Wylie was born. We have been through 3 GPs because they keep dropping the BCBS coverage or feel it necessary to bill the difference from what is the allowed amount. As for mental health, the allowable amount is less than half the going rate. There are also very very few who take BCBS or insurance at all. If they do take insurance they bill for the difference. How does this make for crappy customer service? Let me tell you! 1. 30 days to process claims. Average time right now is 90 days. 2. Ability to reach the person who is handling your claim on the phone with less than a one hour wait time? Slim to none. 3. Ability to escalate the problem? Takes five to six phone calls demanding a manager or supervisor. Then if you are lucky the problem is taken care of. Otherwise you send a letter to the complaints department. The place is a black hole and they also have you between a rock and a hard place because you can't easily change insurance providers because your physician most likely doesn't participate in more than one. So in general, if people were willing to take an extra minute or two to realize that sometimes you need to show compassion, sometimes you need to make sure you keep a customer happy (when did the philosophy the customer is always right go out of vogue?) by recognizing a mistake was made then the world would have better customer service. It doesn't take much just a simple attitude change. Oh and in case you think I'm the woman who comes in raging about things I'm not. I ask politely, explain the situation and then ask how to best remedy it.

Preparing for Christmas Part 1

2010-11-14T23:35:00.000-05:00

I have many ideas of gifts to make for christmas. I also have my plans for what I will purchase. So far I have three gifts purchased and one made. So much to do before the actual travel to the east.

Really Hating Antibiotics A TON

2010-11-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

So we are on day 8 of antibiotics. Side Effects: 1. Peeling right foot. I mean peeling as if he was in the pool for more than 24 hours straight and then walked all over the roughest sand known to man. 2. Nightmares followed by a severe amount of vomit and spiking fever. On the side effect warning list for the medication it says to call the doctor if either of the two things above occur while on the medicine. When it comes to allergies, with the exception of cows milk, we know that Wylie is a built up resistance allergy kid. That means the first exposure might not be severe but with continued exposure it gets severe. So this is his 8th day on the antibiotic. It was on the 5th day the foot issue turned up. We are using Lotrimin for the foot. Have a call into the pediatrician about the vomiting.

Hating Antibiotics

2010-11-09T12:49:00.000-05:00

I know they are good at saving lives. I know that many work in a short amount of time. FAR TOO MANY have... 1. Side effects that are difficult 2. Dangerous life threatening allergic reactions 3. Crazy amounts of people who use them inappropriately creating resistant bugs. Why am I complaining? Wylie is on a bactrim generic that for the most part didn't create the side effects we worried about such as diarrhea, anorexia, and thrush. YES he has had all of those on the other antibiotics he's been on. He does have a rash on one foot. It started as peeling skin on the bottom of his foot and has now moved to his entire foot and is creeping up his ankle. Waiting to hear from the pediatrician.

Halloween Pumpkins

2010-11-01T15:35:00.000-04:00

We went to a fun pumpkin patch with Wylie's preschool on the 16th. Lots of fun in the petting zoo, jumper, train and other games. We also picked out three really great pumpkins with awesome faces. On Sunday the 24th we carved the pumpkins thinking they would last the week as it has been cool and perfect pumpkin outside weather. Sadly they started attracting fruit flies by Thursday and then on Saturday morning we woke up to a rainstorm that pushed them over the edge. So Saturday morning Wylie and I took an excursion to the pumpkin patch to get more pumpkins. We came back with three more. Sunday morning Wylie, Wyatt and I worked on carving two of the pumpkins and will be cutting the little one up for pumpkin pie.

Mama, Wylie and Papa pumpkins.

Wylie's pumpkin. Brian took design advice from Wylie and helped him carve.

Mama's pumpkin. Mine are always white with a relatively basic face.

Pumpkins on Halloween Night. Wyatt carved the big one and Wylie and I carved the less artistic one.

My attempt to capture the creation process

2010-10-25T19:11:00.000-04:00

Okay so this is my attempt to capture and document my creative process spurred on by Wylie's request. I'm not telling what we were creating until the very end. So it started like this: 1. Wylie on the way home from school asked me "Mama, can you make a walkie-talkie?" My response was I think we can try. Let's see what we have on hand to do it. 2. Items on hand: A straw, an empty frozen waffle box, some felt in burgundy, green, yellow, white and brown, Glue gun, and scissors. Clear packing tape about two inches wide. Directions follow picture by picture. Keep in mind this was a plan it as I go kind of thing. First: Cut the frozen Waffle box in half width way. Second: Cut the half of the box in half length way. You should have 2-three sided pieces of the box. Third: Nestle the two halves together to make a rectangular box. You should have box flaps at each end.

Initial Nestle

Checking out the opening at each end make sure there are flaps at both ends.

Fourth: Tape the halves together and tape the box closed at the flaps. I used clear packing tape on the side and top and bottom. You don't need much just something to keep the halves from coming un-nestled. Fifth: Pick your color of felt and measure out a piece by width and length to cover the box completely. I did this by using a long piece of felt that was the right length of the box and rolling the box up in it. I marked and then cut. Sixth: If not already plugged in and turned on (Yes we had ours plugged in but not turned on!), get your glue gun ready. Put a thin line of hot glue along the edge of the box and then put the felt edge on top of it. Continue putting a thin line of glue on the edges of the box as you wrap the box up in the felt. Seventh: Cut your straw in half so you have two pieces like shown below. Eighth: Cut white and brown pieces of felt. 1. The white should be cut into a square about 1/2 the length of the box and the width of the box. You should also cut two small circles out of the white. 2. Cut two brown squares to cover the top and bottom of the box. 3. Cut two brown rectangles about 1/3rd the width of the skinny side of the box and about 1 inch long.

Brown squares to cover top and bottom of box.

Ninth: 1. Glue the brown squares to the top and bottom of the box with the glue gun. It works best to make an X on the top with the glue. Make sure to leave a small space on the top rear right corner. 2. Glue one of the straw pieces to the rear right corner pushing down into the box between the brown and box felt. Tenth: Glue the brown felt rectangles on the right hand skinny side of the box toward the top. Glue the two white circles at the top front of the box. Glue the white square toward the bottom of the box front.

Eleventh: Embellish with drawing to make your Walkie Talkie as cool as possible.

A date with Emma

2010-10-25T17:53:00.001-04:00

Wylie and Emma or Emma and Wylie depending on the day. These two seem to have some connection and love of each other. I'm not sure what it is but they are kindred in some way shape or form. We met them in a small town in Los Angeles on Sunday for a bit of wonder around town fun. Some of these snaps are from inside a toy store, some from the store next door, some from just the middle of town. We had a great time. Wylie and Emma both had their moments but they are just so into each other that they try to console each other too.

Emma at the bat mobile. I wonder who she is looking at?

Wylie in the helicopter. I wonder who he is looking at? Oh right, the helicopter was on the left and the bat mobile on the right.

Contemplating the awesome slide!

Whoa Whoa There!

Get your motor running....

Head out on the highway... (commentary from them both after this was "I wish I had a motorcycle!)

Walking hand in hand with his sweetie

Firehouse Museum

2010-10-25T17:22:00.000-04:00

Wylie and I took an expedition to the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum this weekend. Wylie nicely reminded me first thing Saturday morning that it was indeed open on Saturday and we should go visit. I'm glad he reminded me. Very comprehensive, very kid friendly, and well there is no polite way to say this but it's run by some very old men. VERY OLD. I'm talking not one of them didn't have a walker! But it was FANTASTIC. One guy walked with us throughout the main floor showing Wylie all the different parts of the engines (one is an original horse drawn ladder truck), how the old sirens worked and let him try it! We saw the dormitories upstairs with uniforms dating from 1850s in each locker. We saw but didn't test the Stop, Drop, Roll Mat they use for school field trips. We checked out the gift shop and bought a toy ladder truck and a present for Uncle Joe. When we left, the engine company next door was doing a drill with some new recruits. They were practicing hooking the hose up to a hydrant, opening the hydrant, flushing it and some other things. With no one else around but us, Wylie and I stopped to watch. The next thing I knew Wylie was being ushered in to be part of the drill. He got to try the hydrant wrench, hold the hose, open the nozzle (no water in it), and then read all the gauges. He kept telling everyone his Uncle Joe was a fire guy. All I can say is for the hour we were there, Wylie learned a ton, I learned a ton, we had fun, we had giggles and everyone was really nice. Here are the snaps from the adventure:

The Los Angeles Fire Museum Engine company 27 next door Testing out a 1914 engine siren.

The China Town Pumper

A 1957 Cadillac Ambulance Our guide used to drive one of these. He also pointed out in Los Angeles all paramedics and EMT1's are also firefighters.

A haz-mat suit. I have to admit that if I was kid and one of these came at me during a fire or any other time I would be incredibly scared. The guide explained to Wylie if he ever saw one of these guys during a fire he was to go with him no questions asked.

Some really cool fire call boxes.

In front of the memorial to firefighters in Los Angeles and everywhere. Wylie really liked it and was practicing his hose pointing and holding.

Spider Pavilion

2010-10-22T12:25:00.000-04:00

Wylie's class took a field trip yesterday to the Natural History Museum. Full disclosure: I had to leave Wylie and AJ in this spider pavilion with a teacher. If one of these things had moved (which one did) in any way toward me I would have run screaming and flailing out of the pavilion like a mad woman. When one started munching on a butterfly I had to leave. Just an observation: In September this same pavilion was the butterfly pavilion with beautiful moths and butterflies flying around. Now I know how they get rid of the butterflies and moths...

Yum. Butterfly for lunch

Just hanging on a very thin thread

Getting ready to munch on the butterfly

Taking the time to smell the roses

Way cool gourd

Wylie and AJ learning about Woolly Mammoth

Working the zoetropes to understand how humans walk

Waiting to hear the badger honey story.

Wylie's class took a field trip yesterday to the Natural History Museum.

Mickey's Halloween Party

2010-10-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

Just a teaser...

Briefly Overheard

2010-10-19T13:29:00.000-04:00

On our walk with H0lliday last night: Wylie: Dear God, please please please make the ambulance people okay. and a little while later Wylie: Dear God, please make it two books tonight.

A blast from the past

2010-10-19T12:44:00.000-04:00

This is a blast from my past. This is from 2005. I miss Virginia desperately sometimes. Motorcycle camping

The Dragon Costume

2010-10-19T11:56:00.000-04:00

It's done! He wanted a black dragon. Then he wanted Spiderman but still wanted the dragon too. So we made a spiderman dragon costume. This took some logistical planning of wings and tail and some serious re-reading of the directions but in the end it turned out just fine. I should have documented each time I added a new part. It took about two weeks spending an hour or more each night on it.

Front View with hands and feet attached

Rear view with twisted tail and wings

Wing positioning

Trying it on and positioning the tail

Spiderman Dragon Wylie!

The best part about this, he doesn't know we are taking him to Disneyland tonight for Mickey's Halloween Party. Cannot wait!!!!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-18T17:32:00.000-04:00

Wyatt and Wylie entering the spooky pumpkin patch.

We met up with some school friends at the pumpkin patch on Saturday. What started as a drizzly morning ended up as cloudy and humid but not totally rainy. We came home with three great pumpkins that will be carved next week.

Wylie and AJ riding the train together. So excited that they got to sit by themselves!

Pretending to be on a ride.

Wylie thinking about what to have for dinner.

The Carrot Mummy

2010-10-18T17:22:00.000-04:00

This is the carrot mummy at 1.5 weeks in it's wrapping. Something crystalline is coming out. Odd white crystalline powder is concentrated at one end. Interestingly this is not where there are any seams in the foil. The white crystalline powder doesn't smell but has a slight greenish tinge. The wrapping appears to be shrinking

Wylie the archeologist unwrapping the carrot mummy. It was difficult to do carefully.

The carrot mummy.

Wylie and I had a discussion/interview about the unveiling of the mummy. We discussed sight, smell, feel, scent and overall expectations. Here are Wylie's observations: 1. It's wrinkled and black spotted 2. It has a spongy feel to it. 3. It doesn't smell bad. 4. Can I taste it? NO!!!!! 5. It's not a natural mummy. It's more like a wrapped mummy. (smart kid knows that natural mummies are ones that are made by sun, sand, water, peatmoss). 6. The Natron feels damp. So when we have the time we'll get back to our sand encased mummy.

Mummies Part Two

2010-10-11T15:08:00.000-04:00

Study of decoration of the mummy and the types of worship to it. Bones! The initial breakthrough to the bones.

Oops. The initial breakthrough was truly a breakthrough! Wylie removed two bones from the mummy so far...

The sarcophagus for the carrot mummy Can you see the weird white stuff on the foil? It's coming out from the carrot mummy.

Update on the mummies: We've been working on both mummies this past week. Wylie has made some interesting observations on the process. 1. It's hard to wait for the carrot mummy to be ready to unwrap. 2. He really likes using the brush of all the tools for the mummy. 3. He needs a sarcophagus for both mummies and is currently using a treasure box as one. 4. The sand does not taste good. 5. Carrot mummy is developing some type of white crystal looking stuff on the outside. Really curious about the inside.

The New Year's Resolution

2010-10-08T13:11:00.001-04:00

Photo from August 2010. This is the before photo so add another inch to the length of my hair

This is the after photo. 10 inches removed. Very short, very easy, very fun. Wylie took this photo as we waited in line to apply for our passports!

National Day of Service-Walden

2010-10-07T14:37:00.000-04:00

Wylie and I participated in the Laureate Education National Day of Service on October 2, 2010. The project was in partnership with Heal the Bay. Wylie and I helped clean up the beach at Dockweiler State Beach. It was amazing some of the trash we found on the beach. Barrette Band-aids (YUCK) Batteries Bottle caps Beer Cans Plastic condiment cups Plastic plates Styrofoam plates Balloons Matches and tons of bits of styrofoam. Overall the event in just 2 hours picked up 95 pounds of trash! Wylie was a great help by pointing out the trash to me and I picked it up.

Something I did...

2010-10-05T18:50:00.001-04:00

In February I made mention of something I was considering. Here is what I was considering. Details to follow...

Mummies

2010-10-04T13:10:00.001-04:00

Wylie has a mummy thing. All types of mummies are of interest especially the blue ones. YES blue ones. We spent Sunday morning at the California Science Center going through the Mummies of the World Exhibit. The exhibit covered the different types of mummies (natural-bog, dessert, salt; ancient-Egyptian, Peruvian, Roman; and modern-European.) and the different regions in which they can be found. We also learned about the items that were stored with the mummies and the reasons why those items were there. The really neat thing that we found out about are the different textures of mummies! Bog mummies are very rubbery while dessert mummies are very bumpy. Upon leaving the exhibit we were invited to make a mummy and then at home document the change after 2 weeks. We also purchased a mummy encased in sandstone to uncover. We decided to document that work as well.

The Carrot Mummy--Documenting size and shape The Mummy we will be uncovering. Documenting the size of the mummy case and mummy color exterior. (Sandstone exterior) Comparing carrot mummy and sandstone mummy size and covering Working to remove the sandstone covering with chisel and hammer. Also use a small brush to remove additional sand.

Halloween

2010-09-30T13:02:00.001-04:00

Wylie wants to be a black dragon with red and blue wings. This weekend will be dedicated to designing and making a costume for him. We are also going to Disneyland for a Halloween event. What should Wyatt and I be? Do we match Wylie? Or do we go as a couple? Hummmmmmm

On a random Tuesday

2010-09-29T10:12:00.000-04:00

Time: 4:15pm Where: Work What: Phone call from Jessica Why: Last minute dinner playdate for Wylie, Olivia and Evan. Answer: BUT OF COURSE! What we did... 1. Met at school and then went to Jessica's house 2. Opened a bottle of white wine while Wylie and Olivia did puzzles on the table 3. Jessica made yummy noodles while the kiddos played some more. 4. Ate dinner 5. Went outside to blow bubbles and play on bicycles 6. Headed home at 7:00pm. What a great way to spend the evening.

My son is not the soup nazi

2010-09-15T20:42:00.000-04:00

We are having soup for dinner tonight. Wylie told me on the way home "I have soup for you" in that same voice as the soup nazi. He then told me the type of soup he would make and the ingredients. Egg soup One egg egg noodles put it in pot serve That was it. Our soup tonight is chicken, sweet potato, and zucchini with wagon wheels.

Second day of Pre-K

2010-09-15T12:07:00.000-04:00

Wylie's second day of the 4 year old group which is essentially pre-K for most of the kids as they go directly into kindergarten in the fall of 2011. Things he can totally do right now that he's proud of: 1. button and unbutton his pants 2. identify most letters on a page and sound out the word that goes with it 3. brush his front teeth really well on his own 4. ride a tricycle 5. dive into a pool 6. be polite So here is to a little guy who is ready to be a big kid.

Cowboy Training Camp

2010-09-10T14:54:00.000-04:00

2006: If you remember when Wyatt and I first moved to California we went to Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard, CA. We even had a photo taken with my belly showing indicating the next Cowboys fan. The training camp was back this year and we made a point of bringing Wylie to participate in the fun. Here are some snaps from the day:

Hoping to see 2010 on that sign.

Some of the new recruits

Wylie testing his hit strength

Checking out the size of his hand to the ball. His comment "I'm still small"

Look at that throwing arm! He thought he had to keep his other hand behind his back (like when fencing (and YES, Wylie does understand the correct form for sword fighting)) when throwing the ball. I was impressed.

Paradise Found

2010-09-01T02:01:00.000-04:00

Waterfalls in the forest

Endangered Kauai chickens

Sleeping giants on beds of grass

Where the rainbow ends

Smiles while out on the Napali Coast

Wyatt and I headed west over the pacific ocean for a week. We landed in Kauai. Otherwise known as paradise or if you prefer the tourist moniker "The Garden Island." It was paradise to be at a beach resort where if all we wanted to do was sit at the pool and drink Mai Tai's while watching the waves and experiencing the trade winds we could do just that. We also could explore outside of the resort. Our week in short: Monday: Flight to Kauai followed by mai tai's at the sand bottom pool while cooled by the trade winds, dinner at the hotel Highlight of the Day: Being on holiday in a bathing suit and relaxing Tuesday: Kilohana Plantation Train Ride and Rum room. Exploration to the towns and booking our adventures, finding the grocery store and mai tai's at the pool. Dinner at The Eastside Highlight of the Day: Just enjoying the different towns, noticing the green everywhere and the chickens too. Wednesday: Early morning (heck all mornings were early) Kayaking the Waiamea River then hiking to the Secret Falls followed by a Laua at the Smith Family Gardens. Highlight of the Day: Lunch at the Secret Falls and kayaking Thursday: Morning Lei making class followed by a Hula lesson. Afternoon exploration of the south and north shore. Lighthouse, Hanapepe, Princeville, as well as exploration of the island. Dinner at Bushido Sushi Highlight of the Day: Finding a really cool lava tube on the north shore Friday: Napali Coast expedition on a coast guard outrigger. Hike in protected land followed by relaxation at the pool and mai tai's. We skipped dinner due to the filling lunch on our adventure and snacks post adventure. We had wonderful appetizers and drinks at the hotel bar then back to the room early to sleep. Highlight of the Day: Seeing a monk seal taking a rest on the rocks near the beach. Saturday: Recover from the adventure by exploring more of the island and having lunch at Bubba's Kauai raised beef burgers. Swimming and mai tai's by the pool. Highlight of the Day: Recovering from previous adventure. Sunday: Our last day in paradise. We headed out with the goal of finding several waterfalls, wondering on roads we might not have had the chance to explore which included driving up the mountain to find the arboretum but had to turn back due to rain, driving to find a chocolate factory but again turning around because it was closed, finding Kauai grown, roasted and sold coffee, and finally visiting the Plantation one more time to buy and taste Kauai rum.

Salt Lake City

2010-08-16T17:45:00.001-04:00

We were in Salt Lake City for Kier and Maria's wedding. Considering the timing of flights and my ample vacation time we took a few days to show the state to Wylie. This means he now has 8 states he's visited. We went up to Ogden to the Union Station Museum and then to the Dinosaur Park. We stopped for lunch at the Prairie Schooner for lunch, eating in a covered wagon (super cheesy and fun!) and then stopped by the Great Salt Lake on the way back into SLC. On Tuesday we visited the Wheeler Pioneer Farm, lunched at Lamb's Grill , followed by a tour of temple square.

Pioneer Schooner Restaurant

Exterior of Pioneer Schooner Restaurant

Wylie and Eli at the Great Salt Lake

Wyatt at the Great Salt Lake in between rain and sun

Wylie testing the salinity of the Great Salt Lake. The water is amazingly clear.

Wylie driving a tractor at the Wheeler Farm

Testing out a western saddle at the farm

The table lamp at Lamb's Grille, SLC This is a super cool c.1930s diner. The food was good and the people very friendly.

A cool chalk drawing in SLC and Wylie in his finery!

The view of the capital (a smaller replica of the Capitol in DC) from the top of the LDS offices

Eccles Dinosaur Park

2010-08-12T15:08:00.001-04:00

In our Utah travels we also visited the Eccles Dinosaur Park. Wylie is obsessed with dinosaurs and Utah is dinosaur hunting ground. We didn't make it to the Dinosaur Lands in eastern Utah but this was a nice substitute. The museum was very informative and hands on. The outside walking park was amazing. The number of dinosaurs in their "natural" habitat and the information about each dinosaur was fantastic. Wylie was enthralled with the whole adventure. There is also a playground and activity center on the property. We took the time to participate in the whole adventure.

We should go this way to find some dinosaurs

Poistasaurus Learning to see just like the T-Rex (They only had peripheral vision not stereoscopic) Stand only in front because they can only see to the sides

Watching a miasaura catch a fish

DINO!

My what big teeth you have!

For some reason dinosaurs are attracted to Wyatt

In the wild

Lunch!

This T-rex was behind electric wires.

Union Station Train Museum

2010-08-12T14:56:00.000-04:00

We visited the Ogden Union Station Museums in Utah.The station had three museums and an art gallery along with some very friendly people. We toured the train and rail museum extensively then breezed through the car and then gun museum. Very interesting.

The big black engine

Driving the train

Working the telegraph

Blowing the horn on the diesel

Working the handcar

Driving the track repair car

Putting the brakes on the caboose

Wylie the Cowboy Photographer

2010-08-11T14:47:00.001-04:00

Photography by Wylie Union Station, Ogden, Utah

Wedding, Salt Lake City, Utah

Toy Story Mania

2010-08-04T16:32:00.000-04:00

We took Wylie to see Toy Story 3 in 3D at the El Capitan theater in Hollywood this past weekend. Some benefits of going to see the movie there:

1. Reserved seats with popcorn and soda 2. Show up ten minutes before movie without having to worry about seats 3. Toy Story Fun Zone after the movie and open only to those who were in the theater. The fun zone was behind the theater on the Hollywood High football field. The Toy Story Fun Zone was a blast! There were midway/carnival type games, foozball, air hockey bungee jumping, a Ferris wheel, tricycle races, photo opportunities, mazes, slides, a show, and if you needed more snacks after the movie there was an ice cream stand. Wylie participated in a tricycle race against two bigger kids. He rode well. It was the first time I've seen him really ride a tricycle. He came in dead last but he peddled hard and tried his best. The race managers gave Wylie an ice cream as a prize for being the youngest, smallest and completing the race when he could have just quit. He was a proud little kiddo.

The organist in the theater who plays the overture to the movie. The organ and organist then go into the floor when the movie is starting. Entering Toy Story Fun Zone Pea in the pod game. Air Hockey! Wylie was great at this game! Foozball! Xbox 360 Toy Story Game room. This was also where the photo opportunities were to be in a Toy Story promo picture. Getting ready for bungee jumping. Getting pulled up to start jumping and he's too small to hold down the bungees. Catching some serious air.

Just hanging around Winning smile of a tricycle racer

Saying Good-bye

Emma and Wylie

2010-08-03T17:22:00.001-04:00

Emma

Wylie doing his I'm an old man funny run

General silliness while sitting together

Something very contemplative about this and it captures Wylie's quiet very well

Testing to see how a water slide works

Pretending the side of the pool is a horse

Bread Baking

2010-08-03T17:14:00.000-04:00

Wylie has totally been into making bread lately. He's really into vegetable breads and suggesting some crazy flavors. Considering it is vegetable bread I cannot say no.

The Proud Baker with his Zucchini bread!

The height of his Zucchini bread. Egg free!

Can you see the specks of Zucchini in the bread? Wylie had me add more for great zucchininess.

An odd but yummy and overly moist combination of vegetable and fruit.

Carrot-Blueberry Bread

See how moist and dense it is on top. This one has eggs. Thinking I need to get rid of the eggs and add something else.

Carrot Blueberry Muffins

2010-07-31T01:24:00.000-04:00

Wylie thought it would be interesting to try carrot blueberry muffins. Received a recipe out of the blue and tried it out. A bit too moist for my liking. Wylie loved them. Will have to mess with the recipe to figure it out.