Language

Every child goes through stages where what they want to say doesn't come out right.   Kai's classic happened this morning, as he was calling out for the cat.

"Cleo, Piss, Piss, Piss!  Cleo".

Kai's Preschool Concert

On Thursday night, Kai's preschool had their Christmas concert.

He was excited to go, as he was going to sing a song with a truck in it.   Although I have no idea where the truck came into the songs.   As Ben said "He didn't sing though, so perhaps the truck song wasn't sung".

Sunday School Christmas Performance

Yes.   It's that time of year, when all the kids are involved in Christmas concerts.   On Sunday it was their Sunday School performance.   Isaac did great - you can hear him singing unashamedly out of tune.   Kai was typically a cute three year old.   He was willing to go on stage for the first performance but refused to sing.   He refused to go up for the second performance, until he saw everyone on stage.   He still refused to sing but at least he got up.   However, afterwards he told me "I didn't want to go up!"    Poor Elizabeth had a hard time though.   She was to be a "wise man".   In her 9 year old knowledge, she knew there were 3 wise men.   However when everyone was in costume, there were 5 children who were dressed in wise men costumes.   This was a terrible occurance, and resulted in so many tears that she was unable to perform.    Between the two performances, the kids went to Sunday School, where she managed to get hit in the face and now has a black eye.   She bravely went on stage despite the burgeoning black eye, and played her part.

As a result, I have 3 videos for you.  The first video is just the preschool class.  Kai is the youngest in his class, so maybe next year he'll join in!   Kai is 4th from the left - directly behind the manager.

The next video has Isaac & Kai.   This is Isaac & Kai's best performance, but of course Liz is missing because she's feeling too upset.    Isaac is the cow, in the back left.   Kais is an angel down the front, in the middle.

And last of all, the final performance with all 3 children.   However, it's pretty obvious that Kai doesn't want to be there, but it's Liz's only appearance.    Isaac is still the cow, in the back.   Liz is a wiseman, and enters during the song.    Kai is an angel down the front, playing with the microphone.

Bikes and Dreams

Kai has just learnt how to ride a "big boy" bike.   I took this video today, in which he stopped and told me about a dream he had about bikes.   This is such a cute age.

A Christmas Concert

Tonight was Isaac's Christmas concert for Orchestra.    I know that you would have loved to have come along, but as it was just a touch too far to travel I thought I'd bring a song to you!

 

New Doors

I've been spending Ben's money again!   This time we have been replacing the old 70's look doors throughout the house.   The new doors are swing doors,  so we have easier access to the cupboards.  We are also adding a door between our bedroom and the master bathroom.

 

 

This first picture is the pantry doors in the kitchen.   They still need handles and trim down the left side.    That should be done by the end of the week!

 

This one is the doorway into the master bathroom.   The white doors are sliding doors into our cupboard, as they are 3 paneled doors.    The door will swing towards the cupboard door.

 

And last of all, this is Isaac's room demonstrating the swing doors.

 

 

Hopefully everything will be finished by Friday.

Sleep

Both boys have been sick over the last few days. It has thrown out their sleep schedule.

Last night, around 10.30, Ben and I suddenly hear a loud voice calling out from the top of the stairs. "Dad, I'm done with sleeping".

Let's just say Kai was rather disappointed to be put back into bed.

Hair

Kai has inherited some strong Armstrong genes.    One of them is the gene that causes him to mess up my hair every time I'm helping him get dressed.  

Time Lines

Kai hasn't quite mastered time yet.    Some of today's quotes:

"I don't want to brush my teeth this week"  and when asked to use the toilet "But I already went last week"

"This week" or "this morning" is really irrelevant, isn't it?

Kisses

Kai and I were at Kindermusik today.    Kindermusik always follows a pattern where the children arrive with a parent and play with toys.   After about 5 minutes it's kissing time - when all parents leave and children are left with their teacher.

Kai knew this was coming, and kept on giving me lots kisses (which are actually more blows than kisses right now).    After about 10 kisses he said "I love you lots, so I'm kissing you lots".   

I think he's been forgiven for any naughty behavior over the last few days.

Musical Memories

Today I went looking for some sheet music at our local music shop.   I never did find what I wanted, but I came home with something better.

As I browsed, I suddenly spotted a book that looked familiar.   It was Bach Eight Little Preludes and Fugues for Organ.  It looked just the same, however the one I remember is much more faded, tatty and yellowed inside.    For a moment, I doubted that it could be the same book but I quickly flicked through the pages and found one of my favorite pieces from my childhood, the Prelude and Fugue in F Major.   I then flicked to the front and sure enough, this book was first published in 1912 and then in 1940.    It really was Mum's book, albeit a new copy.    I have happy memories of listening to Mum play this piece and then attempting to play it myself as I got older.

I came home and fiddled on the piano, only to hear Elizabeth comment "I love that piece".     I wonder if, in 30 years time, she'll wander into a music shop, find her own copy and have wonderful memories too.   I'd like to think so.

Italian Prune Jam

Today I made jam for the first time.   I remember Mum making jam when I was younger, but I have never done it myself.   However, our Italian Prune tree is laden with fruit and there are only so many fresh prunes that you can eat fresh.

 

The kids picked two large containers of prunes, and then my work began.

 

First I had to pit the fruit, and then chop it into quarters.   When I was done I had 7 pints of chopped Italian prunes, with about 1/2 a container of fresh fruit left over.

 

 

 

My recipe called for 2 quarts of italian prunes, 6 cups of sugar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 1/2 cups of water.   I increased it to allow for my larger amount of prunes.    It took almost an hour for my jam to reach it's setting point (it was supposed to be 220F, but I only bought it to 215F because I was doubtful on the accuracy of my thermometer and it passed the "setting" test of putting a small amount on a cold plate).  

Elizabeth was fascinated with how the color changed from yellow to a deep red.

 

The final step was processing my jam.   I filled my warm jars with hot jam,  and then put them in a water bath for 5 minutes.    Some websites recommended completely covering the jars, while others said to only cover 1-2 inches.   I went with the second option, although I have since read that this is no longer recommended.   The purpose of a water bath is to remove the oxygen remaining in the jars and to kill any bacteria which may be in the food.    If you want further information about water baths, here is a good site:   http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/348/348-594/348-594.html

And finally, I have 12 jars of Italian prune jam.     Tomorrow will be the true test though, as that's when we get to try it.

In case you ever have a tree full of Italian prunes, or come across some at the markets - here is the recipe I used  http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_07/plum_jam.html

Photo Book

Each time we go on a vacation, I create a photo book.    I just noticed that I'm actually able to share my photo books on my blog.   So if you'd like to take a sneeky peek into my favorite holiday photos, here it is:

Click here to view this photo book larger

The new way to make a photo album: photo books by Shutterfly.

Readjusting

These days I have no problems switching between driving on the left and right side of the road,   except in one area.    I keep on turning on the windscreen wipers instead of the indicators.    I do it in Australia and then do it again when I return to America.

Super Guppy

Today, the kids and I went to The Museum of Flight to watch the arrival of the Super Guppy.   The Super Guppy is an oversized airplane, used for carrying large components which just can't fit into a regular plane.   It is owned by NASA - not surprisingly because NASA tends to have large things that are difficult to transport :)    Today's delivery was part of the Space Shuttle Trainer - the crew compartment to be precise.   

The Super Guppy was running late so we had some time to kill.

Kai played with his plane, while Isaac became engrossed in a book.

Our first view was an odd shaped airplane appoaching.

Once it was closer, we could see the odd shape much better.

It did a fly by first, and then came back for it's landing.     Any guesses why it's called The Super Guppy ;-) 

And finally, the Super Guppy landed - with Seattle born astronaut Greg Johnson, at the controls.

The plane opens in half, allowing for the cargo to be removed.     We also had a chance to explore the museum but ran out of time due to the fact that we wanted to get home in time to greet Ben - back from his trip to Amsterdam.    We will definately have to head back on another day when we have more time and there are less people there - perhaps on one of the days when Elizabeth is at Summer Camp because my two boys were definately more interested.

Race Results

Tonight, at church, the boys had their Pinewood Derby.   They have all been making cars for the past few weeks and the big race happened during our Kids Club breakup.    It was a very close match, but Isaac ended up getting second place.    As you can see in the photo below, Isaac & Joel tied for second place by only .001 of a second.   They had to have a tie breaker race for 2nd position, which he won.

He was so very excited and very proud of his achievement.   

Here is Isaac with the other finalists, in eagar anticipation for the first heat.

Unfortunately, it's out of focus but the blue car which is crossing the line first is Isaac's car!

Kai & Elizabeth also had fun.

The girls had a Derby Fashion Parade.   They all created hats, and modeled them during the races.   Elizabeth won "Most Creative Hat".

Kai had fun watching the cars race for a time, but when that became boring he went visiting his friends or playing with Ben or I.

Grade 2 Spelling

I love our schools grade 2 spelling program.   During the year, a group of volunteer parents come into the classroom and work through spelling lists with the children.    Any words they get wrong go onto their weekly spelling lists - so it's personalised spelling for each child.

Elizabeth's class are amazing spellers.   There are some children who are lagging behind but a large number of them are into the harder spelling lists, our girl included.

This week Elizabeth's words are:
eventually
flies
foreign
formerly
fortunately
guarantee
almost
hilarious
imagination
impatient
inference

I've got to admit that I'm impressed with her spelling ability.

I've had the joy of marking the spelling tests weekly this year.   It's been a volunteer job that I have loved doing.    I get so excited when I see a student who was previously stuggling, find their way.   And I get all concerned when a student suddenly goes from getting perfect marks and then only just passing, then suddenly doing well again.    What just happened in their life, to go through such a dramatic dip?

I think I'm going to miss spelling next year.

My Organized Boy

Isaac is my organized child.    He works especially well with lists - and if there is a list of tasks to complete you can guarantee that he has done them.   I am not a morning person, so I really appreciate this every school day.    Quite often, by the time I've dragged myself out of bed and had a shower, he is dressed and has already made his lunch and is eating his breakfast.    I know it only seems like a small thing, but him having made his own lunch really makes my morning :)

A Different Child

It often amazes me how three children from the same parents can be so different.    Kai is definately our most social child.    Maybe it's because he has two older siblings and from his first breathe he had to deal with much older siblings.    Maybe it's just his personality.

Today I was struck with how different Kai was from Isaac & Elizabeth.    While I am at the gym, he goes to their child care room.    When I picked him up, he turned to the other little boy in the room and said "Bye Shaun" and started walking towards me.   Suddenly he stopped with an "Oh!"   He then ran back to Shaun, gave him a hug and said "It was good to see you today".   

It's been 3 years!

I know it's a cliche but the past 3 years have really flown by.   We really can't call Kai our baby anymore.    We had a birthday filled weekend - starting yesterday when we went on a train ride on an old restored train in Snoqualmie.    I'm pushing my memory here, but I think this was Kai's first real train ride.   Let's just say he was a little excited.

And today, we had presents and a little family party.    Monster Trucks was the chosen theme - although there was a moment of doubt when he declared yesterday that he wanted a Blue Shark party.    This was conveniently dealt with when we wandered into a candy shop and found blue shark candies.   He was indulged and satisfied.    He doesn't know it yet - but for preschool celebration I'm going to make sharks in a cup (ie candy sharks in jello translated into shark lollies in jelly).

We also decorated ginger bread men (aka monster truck drivers). The decorating was fun but not much eating was done by the kids. Ben & I liked them though.

And the remote control monster truck was a hit.   Later in the evening, he set up ramps and caused the truck to jump of the end.   We're not sure how long it will last, but it will definitely get it's moneys worth of play.

This was Kai's face when he realised how it worked!

And the other hit was the truck which came with a car on the flatbed.   We love this brand of trucks - they are USA made, from recycled plastic.   They're very sturdy and well constructed.   Plus Kai plays with them alot!     The car which goes with this truck had the unfortunate fate of acting as something for the remote control truck to crash into.    It really is a good thing that they are so well constructed!