magic hat

Joey's Birthday Was a BLOW Out!

2011-11-12T21:43:00.000-08:00

...a Nerf dart blow out!

We spent the day getting ready...

making the cake...

(a magical forest scene with tootsie roll trees and lego blow dart guys),

Then there was time for a little rest and reading time as storm clouds moved in.

Finally it was time, the 3 friends started arriving and Joey told them how they were going to make Nerf blow guns out of PVC pipe. On the dining room table was an array of colored electrical tape and duct tape, along with string, scissors, and 2 ft. pieces of 1/2 inch PVC pipe.

Each kid got busy designing their own pipe...each one unique!

At last we were ready for the treasure hunt to find the darts! The first clue was given in the kitchen but, all 7 others were outside. They took turns reading and then someone would have an idea and off they would run. (Maggie was a HUGE asset in the treasure hunt!)

read...

RUN!!!

read...

JUMP!

Oh, there was some searching to be done...

At last they found the darts and the target practice began!

I have to say, they were all quick to pick up on the finer points of good dart blowing.

...believe it or not, not one person was hit!

There were targets to hit.

Then they went for distance, clearing the roof and backyard fence.

The mighty dart athletes line up, ready to blow...

...and blow!

Ahhh, time for cake...

A good time was had!

These are a some great friends!

And now for a little look back to birthdays past with these friends...

Joey turns five!

hmmm...same cake....

good times!

Joey turns six!

Hmmm...similar cake theme, too!

Joey turns 7!

Basketball Season has Begun!

2010-11-22T21:07:00.000-08:00

For the first time, Joey is part of a basketball team. Saturday was the season opener. The Boys and Girls club was teaming with activity. Kids poured in from all around Corvallis wearing their new team T-shirts. It was picture day after all. Each team has its own color and sponsor's name. Joey's team is Team Ryan Sparks DMD (local dentist). The first game was sure to be a tough one against Papa's Pizza! (However, we thought maybe they would offer us some pizza if they won!) As it turned out, no such luck.

It was GREAT fun! Joey had a ball and he did great...hands upon defense, dribbling down the court, took some shots, made good passes....it was so exciting.

Here are some photos...

...gettting ready for the picture.

Look who gets to hold the ball!

game on!

Team talk with Coach Hailee.

Making a plan.

Matching up by size for serious man to man.

Serious chatting going on during the game.

...AND THEN THERE ARE THE DEVOTED FANS!

Little Worker Bees

2010-11-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

Learning is such a magical thing, whether it is learning to tie a ballet slipper, stop a goal, read, write or draw, it is inspiring.
Recently, I have been struck by how the kids are focusing on their work, concentrating their efforts to master new skills.

Here is a little tribute to their efforts...

Pen and Pencil

Reading

Physical Fun

There are so many ways to grow... I am inspired by the efforts around me.

Big hugs!

P.S. Here is a shout out to others who inspire me by their efforts...

Mother and son studying a new language abroad!
A man completing a labor of love and sending it off to the publishers!
A man constantly researching recipes and techniques for creating beautiful food.
People stretching their physical limits as they mountain bike, do yoga or try a hip-hop class.
A group of women meeting to practice meditation.
Students' efforts to keep plugging away at things that don't come easily.

Winter is here!

2010-11-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

I don't know what just happened but at about 8:45 AM winter arrived, dark, blowy and cold with a spitting rain. Maggie and I are tucked into our little house with our little wood stove burning away in the kitchen. She is coloring and I am trying to figure out medical insurance plans. Well, I was trying to figure out medical insurance but, now I am taking a break and trying to embrace the coming of winter.

Let's look back at winters past to get excited...

Funny, how it really doesn't snow much here in Corvallis but, those are the fun winter pictures. :)

I hope we get some snow this year!

I wish you all lots of fun in the winter months ahead.

Almost a full year later...

2010-11-14T20:54:00.000-08:00

It is true that this blog was started almost a year ago and I only posted 2 or 3 times. As a matter of fact I totally forgot the password so we had to create a new one to even get to the blog again...but I'm back and I am going to share a couple to goals out loud with you all so you can hold me to them.

1) Communicate with people I love more often. (For example: blog or email or call or hug...make the time.)

2) Don't worry about getting it all done at once, just start. (That goes for so many things.)

3) Take more everyday pictures again. (Mom just sent me a few older pictures and they were precious.)

OK that is a start...

Here are just a few pics to share...

A BOY AND HIS DOG

Joey's 7th birthday is coming up.

Peanut has seen it all!

Thanks for being such a trustworthy dog.

We love you!

how to

2010-04-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

how to make a giant cookie
mix butter and sugar
add flour and eggs
add salt
add lots of chocolate chips
bake in the oven
added by joe bones

while the cats away

2010-01-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

Well,
Mama bear is gone away to a girls only stag weekend with longtime gal pal mary sxxxx. It seemed the perfect opportunity to challenge the guiness book of world records "largest cookie baked in a home oven"
The resulting cookie was 12"by17" and looked like this.

The children couldn't wait till after dinner and I didn't have the heart to deny it.

"Allright" I said, "but only one."

Baby Charlie's Hat - first crafty project on the blog

2009-11-28T15:30:00.000-08:00

Part of the reason to blog, as someone first explained it to me, is that you actually have to do things to post them. Some people are those super achievers who home school 4 kids, make all their clothes from the cotton they grow and sheep they sheer, cook like pros for every meal and have a perfect spiritual ceremonies for every occasion...then there are people like me...who make something once in a blue moon and then are super pleased with themselves when they do. I figure blogging will also get me to take a look at my life as if I am having company visit. I always notice things a little bit differently when I am showing it to people who are not here everyday. Sometimes I appreciate things more and other times I finally fix the things that have been bugging me.

Anyway, here is my first creation since the blogging has begun....it is Charlie's hat. My sweet friend Deb had a baby boy about 6 months ago and I am finally getting a hat made for him. I could argue that it is now winter, but really it has just taken me this long. So here it is ...

Balls of yarn...

Lots of needles making crazy little knots (as I explained to Joey and Maggie)..

Et Voila!

Maggie has kind of adopted it but she knows it has to be sent to warm Baby Charlie's little head in the Vermont winter snow!

However, she did come in and start some sewing of her own.

Such great concentration!

I have to say a huge thank you to Claudia who delivered a care package extraordinaire last night. She had gotten a few things for the kids and I when we were in the middle of the flu.

She showed up with NEW CRAYOLAS! Ahhh, the smell is so sweet.

Then there were also new coloring books, Kleenex, cards, a puzzle

AND

People Magazine: 110 Sexiest Men Alive Issue!

(What could be better...although, I will have to make it 111 and tape JC in there!)

The kids got busy...

Here is one other art piece by Maggie I must share...

It is ''my family and Lucy."

Thanksgiving Festivities

2009-11-27T11:05:00.000-08:00

We are thinking of all of you far away. Wishing you were here with us, but knowing that no amount of love could make up for the amount of coughing that went into this delicious meal. We are truely thankful for the slow return of our health. We love you all very much!

The kitchen crew begins to prepare the feast...Will the real Chef please stand up!

Missed a spot!

Ahhh butter...

Scooping Dellacotta.

Homemade whole cranberry sauce...from stove top to the table!

Waiting for things to cook...talking to family and shooting pens across the room!
Then off for a hike in the RAIN...

Peanut is finally feeling better...the streak.

Time to try and post these.

2009-11-26T08:11:00.000-08:00

What a gift! Today is Thanksgiving and I just received my first Christmas present...my very own blog. So everyone in the family is sitting on my lap while I try to brush up my typing skills. I can just feel the love...OK, and a little pushing, too.
Let's see if this posts.
Happy Thanksgiving!

first tracks

2009-11-24T22:30:00.001-08:00

Good luck! we love you.