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!

Piano Lessons

Elizabeth learnt a new song today, and wanted her grandparents to listen. So sit back, relax and pretend she's giving her concert.

Adjectives

Kai loves his adjectives. He'll often say things like "Can I have a juicy apple or can I have cheesey eggs?". However the new one tonight was one that we could do without. "Mummy - I have to do a brown poo!"

Ahh - what a delight he is!

Articulated Buses

I had to look up the word for an "articulated" bus today. I've always called a bus with a pivoting joint a banana bus. We used to catch a banana bus to school, and that name has stuck with me.

This all came about when I pointed out the banana bus to Kai yesterday.

His response was to giggle and say "No Mummy, it's a people bus".

Of course! Silly Me. That bus doesn't carry banana's. It carries people.

Two is such a fun age.

Line of the Night

The best line said during dinner tonight.

Ben: "Kai - you're such a character"
Kai: "No! I'm not a carrot"

Which then, of course, led to all sorts of silliness.

Al Naturale

When someone has a minor ailment in our household, I tend to explore natural options before I look for strong chemical/medical options.

Hence, when Elizabeth told me that her head was itching and I discovered large clumps of dry skin through her hair - I looked for a natural remedy as our first step.

Last night, we tried a honey & banana scalp mask. It certainly smelt good when we put it on, and she wore it for 30 minutes.

What I did not realise was how hard it would be to get banana out of her hair! We rinsed, and rinsed and then rinsed some more. Then we brushed and rinsed even more. Finally, I decided to try drying her hair - hoping that banana wasn't going to get cooked onto her hair. Luckily, that seemed to do the trick. Once the banana and hair was dry, it was much easier to brush out.

The good news - her scalp is definately looking better today. Although, if we do a natural remedy for dry scalp again, I think we might try the yogurt instead.

Mimic

Kai is our little mimic. If you say a new word, it's often repeated back very quickly.

Tonight our conversation went like this:
"Mummy, get out bath. Go see Daddy".
"OK, you can go see Daddy?"
"Yeah! Go play Daddy."
"You're such a little chatterbox."
"Datterbox?"
"Yes - a Chatterbox"
"Ooooh" (as if that explained everything).

Most of the time it's cute. It's not so good when you suddenly say "Darn it!" and it's repeated by a little voice.

Weekend Away

We went camping this weekend to South Whidbey Island. It was a great weekend, spent with some friends.

We played on the beach



went to the Loganberry Festival...

and on Sunday went to a Jazz concert at the Rhododendrum Gardens, where Lizzy found evidence of fairies.

In all, it was a great weekend and one we'd like to repeat this summer.

Alarm Clock

I have a great alarm clock. Every morning, without fail, it says "Hello Mommy! Out! Come on Mommy! Out!"

And I stagger out of bed, make breakfast, put on Dora the Explorer and fall asleep on the couch again. But like all good alarm clocks, 20 minutes pass and I'm woken by my alarm clock again when he says "Mommy, Dora all done. TV again?".

Family Resemblence

I got a wonderful photo in the mail the other day, which is now up on my fridge so the kids can see their cousin every day. However, the photo reminded so strongly of another photo I have in my collection that I couldn't help digging through my old photos.

Home Made

I recently decided to pull out my sewing machine again. As soon as Elizabeth saw this, she put in a request for a dress. She chose the material and the pattern. This is the end result...

And from the side...



And just to throw in a smile for you..

New Rose

The other day I bought a new rose for my garden. It's called Enchanted Evening and it's a lovely lavender rose with a beautiful scent.

As planting flowers involves digging, Kai wanted to be involved in the process. And of course, Lizzy just wanted to be outside.



I love this time of year!

Boasting

We are growing strawberries. I planted them last year, and this year they have returned with no effort on my behalf. I told Elizabeth that I'd have to call Granddad and boast to him about my bumper crop of strawberries. She very seriously told me "It's not good to boast Mum". To which I replied that sometimes it was appropriate.

So Dad, I just need to let you know that I have the most awesome crop of strawberries, and I think you'd be jealous :)

To Bring A Smile To Your Face

Today Kai & I went to the farm, and I took these videos. I can't help but smile when I see them.

Our Artist

Lizzy is our creator in the family. If she's not making a craft, she's writing something. This was her "creation" from the weekend.