It's Wild Here

Baking day

For those of you wondering how my baking day went on Saturday, we can just go with Ryan's words as he shared with his friend on the way home from school: "Don't worry, they look like barf but they taste really great."

A is for Antioch School

December update

Earlier in the month, we attended the annual Santa/Pancake/Craft breakfast at the Methodist Church.  It's a sweet tradition.

I've spared you the alternative photo, in which Kellen makes his favorite new face (nostrils sucked in with power vacuum force --  he looks very odd).  

It was one of those years when Santa could make a long-time wish happen. Ryan has been asking to play violin for several years. I really love his expression in the very first seconds of the video.

The boys' school went roller skating during the week before break.  Kellen was quite daring on wheels, and had a great time with his pals (below the video).

 

Jeremiah's Christmas looked like this: 

Before the break, Jeremiah also joined the Mock Trial/Debate club at school, and has been enjoying that a lot. Some cruel fellow assigned homework over their vacation, so he'll be working on that soon, and these games will get a break.

Next quarter at Sinclair, I'll be teaching three sections of SOC 112, and Kellen will be switching to full day kindergarten twice/week.  I think he'll enjoy the extra time at school, as he'd been complaining of a lot of boredom in the mornings.

Christmas miracle: all 5 of them looking at the camera with smile-like expressions, probably earlier than 8am.

HEX BUGS with Uncle Troy!

Uncle Bill is a cruel, cruel ear-lifter.

Jamie has enjoyed a very long break from classes at Sinclair.  He's taken the time to write songs, bond with the cat, look for jobs, do a little work for a local builder, and play some shows.

W heels and S port F ishing USA (not really wanting fans of the bands to find this blog on google)

As it turns out, Ryan can play basketball very well. He's having a blast with it. Here is a very short clip of his awesome.

Happy 17th!

 

I have no idea. 

Kellen's newest talent. 

Visitor

Ryan soccer

Ryan enjoys every sport he's tried. He had a great fall soccer season, and has recently begun the first session of indoor.

 

Ryan

 

Ryan, Kellen, and I were at my mom’s on Saturday. Ryan said, “I’m strong enough to crack open a 5 year olds head.”

“What?” I say. “How about talking about splitting a log with an axe?”

“That’s easy,” he said. “I bet I could chop down one of these walls.” (looking around the kitchen area)

Grammy said, “But you wouldn’t do that, right?”

“Why would I do that? Besides, you don’t have an axe,” he said.

“Actually, we do,” said Grammy.

“Well, its a good thing I don’t know where it is.”

Let's pause for a vocabulary check

R: I'm bored.
Me: Let's go read some books or put on a movie
R: I want to do something more fun.
Me: Well, it's an hour until bedtime, and you're sick, so we can't really go out and get rowdy.
R: Let's do something rowdy *inside*
pause
R: What's rowdy mean?

July

Fourth of July at Uncle Doug and Aunt Barb's house has been a tradition for several years. Before that, we had decades of Fourths at my grandma's.  Marshmallow topped brownies, balloon toss, cooking out. 

 

All summer, we've been attending the summer reading programs at the library. This one was really wonderful, engaging all the children completely.

Hanging out downtown at the first (annual?) Cirque Carnival

Ryan is finishing up a clay class - they are creating an under-the-sea scene.

 Ryan attended Bulldog Basketball Camp and had the best time.  They were long, hot days and he wanted to be there every minute. He says it's more fun than swimming or soccer.  I'm thinking, wait until he can get the ball into the net - how fun will it be then?

 

 

4-H Camp Clifton - Jeremiah's first week away from home. He did the high ropes course, a zip line at night, and a few activities that he described as "do it yourself..."  They weren't terribly prepared. Think ice cream eating contest with no bowls, spoons or cones.  Just kids and a tub of ice cream. 

Ryan was better just in time for soccer camp, although he was definitely not fully recovered until the second day. During the first day of camp, he came walking over looking incredibly pale and flopped down into the grass.  It took some peanut butter and rest in the shade, but he was back at it before long.

Next week, he wants to try out swim team. 

He seems to be making some strides in reading and writing - practicing a little each day through summer.  He has one lost tooth and another couple of loose teeth.

He wants to play violin.  We're looking into it.

 

Jeremiah is teaching himself ukulele. Thank you, youtube.  I imagine we'll get some real lessons after fall soccer.  Right now, he's busy with Brasilian Jiu-jitsu and summer. 

 

Uncle Doug, Uncle Gavin, Dad.  Memorial Day/Dad's birthday.