A Big, Big Day

Campbelle got her very own library card today. I told her that when she was able to memorize her phone number and our address that I would take her to get her own card. That kid has worked like crazy memorizing and practice writing all the information... it has been her 'homework' as she loving refers to it. And today was the day -- we went to the library and she asked the librarian for the form and she filled out all the information (I only had to clarify a few numbers for the librarian) and she picked out her card. She checked out 4 books and used it to login to the library computer so she could play games. Now she is very concerned about remembering when they are due back - she'd hate to get a bad record. :-) You'd swear the card was gold. She has been so protective and careful with it- I wouldn't doubt if she had it safetly tucked under her pillow tonight. When did my little girl get so grown-up?? First her own library card, soon school, next thing she'll be moving out on her own..... Which she's already told me I could come visit her anytime I wanted, "Or better yet," she said, "You could just have another baby when I move out than you'd have someone else to hug and kiss all day." Oh lordy!!

Leif has too much time on his hands

So not only did he spend a lengthy amount of time on the computer creating the 'Ghost' image of Christian on our front porch - he actually set up a tri-pod to do the initial photo shoot. Crazy computer guy!

Oh, and that's our friendly spider Charlotte - I've had to come up with a nice, happy story about her being the protector or our house (yadda yadda yadda) so the kids wouldn't freak out and scream everytime we walked outside. They've grown quite fond of her - may be sad to see her go on Thursday!

Pre-Halloween Fun

Seems like this weekend has kicked-off the Halloween festivities, as we had alot of fun activities filling our days.

To start, we had a fun Halloween party with our friends the Keyes on Friday morning. The kids got to decorate Halloween cookies and colored some Halloween pictures. They got yummy goodie bags filled with loads of fun stuff.

Campbelle is a cheerleader this year, and she totally has all the moves down. Its a bit scary to say, but because she herself is so bouncy, pretty bubbly and a bit scatter-brained - it fits her really well.

Christian is a Liverpool soccer player. He is very proud about it too. He's constantly telling Campbelle to cheer louder for him as he scores a goal. The jersey he's wearing has the team's endorser on the front - Carlsberg beer - I'm just hoping as they parade around our church at preschool on Tuesday - none of the ministerial staff will recognize the beer endorsement and wonder's whose kid he is. Now if it would have said 'Bud Light' I would have found a different costume - nobody recognizes Carlsberg in the US, do they??

Saturday afternoon Campbelle decorated a Halloween cake at our local grocery store. She was very serious about her decorating. What may appear to be haphazardly squirt frosting was indeed strategically placed spiderwebs. (Duh!)

That evening, we went to the Seattle Woodlawn Park zoo's Pumpkin Prowl with all our friends. It was a bit hectic as there were tons (I mean tons) of people. The combination of lots of people, near total darkness, somewhat scary Halloween stuff, and a group of 18month - 5 year olds that we are trying to keep track of makes for a bit stressful situation. It was fun though, especially since we didn't lose any of our kids; and we got to see some really great pumpkins. Christian thought he'd like to see the gorillas handing out the candy .... maybe next year.

This afternoon we carved our pumpkins. The weather was absolutely perfect and so we took advantage of it and did our carving outside.

The kids had a great time, although they weren't all that crazy about cleaning the insides of the pumpkin.

Christian did NOT want a scary one. So he drew a very happy guy. Kinda looks like him??

Campbelle drew a beautiful girl pumpkin - complete with long, lucious lashes, glossy lipstick, and all the rage big fanciful hat. What more could a girl pumpkin desire!!??

More Halloween fun to come over the next few days. At least they are really getting their use out of their costumes.

Our Tribute to Uncle Bill - Happy Birthday!

My House the Ale House

Leif started a new hobby this weekend - home beer brewing. Its really quite scientific and my kitchen resembled a laboratory for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. There were beakers and flasks, thermometers and gauges and very high tech looking measuring devices. Who knew brewing beer could be so nerdy!

Leif's hopes are to serve his very first batch at our Thanksgiving gathering in November. We'll see.

This is Cliff, a buddy of Leif's who was here for the brew-fest. His job was suppose to watch that the big pot didn't boil over. Unfortunately, he wasn't very good at it.

You never knew beer could be so chunky did you?

After lots of ingredients - foul smelling ingredients - straining, draining and cooling - it now sits fermenting in my pantry. Leif is ever so concerned about the bubbles that it is creating and has even raised the temperature of our house in hopes of activating the yeast (I guess pleas from a chilly wife have never been enough to dissuade him, but the thought of bad beer will do it). It will remain here for a few more weeks.

Here he is sampling a very first taste. I don't think it should really be sampled at this stage in the process, as the taste was positively horrible. But it has left me with the idea to make sure I have a backup drink on hand for our Thanksgiving party, just in case the taste stays the same.

I'll keep you posted.

Spamalot

 

Leif and I went to the musical Spamalot last night at the Paramount Theater.  It was so so much fun.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at a play in all my life.  You certainly don't need to be a Monty Python fan to enjoy it, but it was fun to see the Black Knight, the Killer Rabbit and the obscene Frenchman come to life on stage.  The musical is a spin off of the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail with some added Broadway elements with showgirls, and glitzy sets.  But yes, those classic scenes from the movie are there and yes, the Frenchmen will still "fart in your general direction!!"

The Shot that never was

I know my friends with kids understand the difficulty of trying to get more than 1 child to look in the same direction of the photographer at the same time... it's nearly impossible at our house. So much, that I can't believe we even try anymore.

Take a look at what I thought would have been a very beautiful, picturesque shot.

"I know the flowers is big and smells nice, but can you look at me for just a second."

"Yes, right direction, now smile. Please smile. Please"

"Lovely Campbelle. I got a picture of you picking your nose. Gross."

"Cool" said Christian

"Great job Campbelle, Christian look here. Do you want some candy when we get to the car? Just look here and smile nice and we'll get some treats."

"I want candy too, I was smiling nice. Do I get some too? Please."

"I want some candy NOW! NOW!"

"Me too, let's get some candy now. What kind of candy do we have, I'm not sure if I would like some red candy or some halloween candy, or make pumpkin candy... hahahah"

"Just forget it Jill, it's never going to happen - let's go" says Leif.

Bon Appetite

I don't think myself a good cook, but I do like to try new recipes and experiment a bit.  Last night, I believe I made the most exotic meal I have ever prepared.  It was not particularly an easy meal to prepare is it required a trip to the Asian market for lime leaves, Thai bail, Thai bird chilies, unsweetened coconut milk and mussels, but the actual cooking was very fast

The verdict on the Spicy Seafood Curry with Pumpkin was favorable.  I think we'll add it to our "Make Again" list.  If you want the recipe, just ask and I'll photo copy it and send it to you. 

It comes from a great cookbook - The Best of Vietnamese and Thai Cooking. 

(I think I could start a job in food prep photography!  Mine looks just like the pictured photo!! ) :-)

Salmon Days Fun

It was Salmon Days in Issaquah last weekend.  We braved the weather and made it out Saturday afternoon.  The kids had a blast... there's always tons of kids projects for them to do... and I'm pretty sure we did them all!

Campbelle got pulled up on the kids stage with the Jump Rope girls.  She didn't jump quite high enough to make the trick work really well, but she did a great job.

Acupuncture

Last Thursday I did something I've never done before.... I went to an acupuncturist. The entire experience was a bit surreal and I do believe I answered the most obscure questions I've ever answered aloud to anyone in my life as she was doing my consultation. She was very curious about every aspect of my physical being as well as my spiritual life - almost like a psychic physician with needles. After about 45 minutes of questions.... Do you eat pears, if so how often? Does your home evoke calmness (ummm, did you hear the part about having a 4 and 2 year old)? Please describe in detail your bowel movements...... she finally concluded that my problems (which consist of shoulder/neck pain; heel pain) could only be the direct result of not having a gall bladder!! Blasted! I knew I was missing that damn thing. (And to think you laughed about it Kristi Strang- for shame!!) So yes, the root of my problems stem from living the past 6 years without a clear channel for my body to properly rid itself of toxins that once was the gall channel.

So she practiced the ancient 5000 year old Chinese secret that is acupuncture. And surprisingly, it worked. My gall channel feels totally clean. Ok not really, but amazingly when I was done I was totally free of the stiff knots in my neck and shoulder and my headache that I had going in there was gone.

They would have liked to sign me up for 9 more sessions, but I found out - while lying on my stomach with about 50 needles in my back, head, hands and feet that contrary to what I thought, our insurance company doesn't pay for it. Do insurance companies not understand the complications that can arise from a 'gall bladder-ectomy'? And then why don't they allow proper treatment to be covered? Can you imagine my panic (again visualize all the needles sticking in me) as I pondered how much this service was going to cost me and how I sheepishly ask while me face is buried in the head rest of the table.

Acupunture, it could have been the cure I was looking for. Damn you Blue Cross.

Birds

Video: Birds

She plays dress up even in her sleep!