A Change is a Comin!

It's time, people.  It's done BEEN time for years.  I feel like if I post it here then it becomes official and I can't quit.  So consider this my official declaration for OPERATION CHANGE 2013.  I must now go make arts and crafts on my fridge to resemble picture below.  Step 1 Complete.  Step 2 revealed tomorrow.  OVER AND OUT!

Port Townsend

Just wanted to share some pictures I took of the family  in Port Townsend while my parents were visiting.  My grandparents lived there for a couple of years when I was growing up and I have such awesome memories of taking a ferry and going to visit them. :)  Even though I enjoy crying like a little girl about how homesick I am for the Eastside, I DO really like the fact that all these places from my childhood are within a few hours drive.  Where else can you find a beach or be driving up the most gorgeous mountain in the world just 30 minutes from your driveway?  The PNW!  My photography skills are still a work in progress so please judge silently my slightly out of focus pics, blown out skies, and underexposed images...I'M ON A LEARNING CURVE!!!  GEESH!!!

 

We drove over to Fort Warden and down to the lighthouse and the beach.  What an awesome place!  It's also where they filmed the movie "An Officer and a Gentlemen", which ironically was on cable a few days ago so of course I had to watch it.  On a side note, Richard Gere was kinda hot back then...in a 80's pre-gerbilgate kind of way. ;) Yes, I went there.  Couldn't help it.  It's in my nature.  Plus, it's wasn't true.  So there.  TEAM RICHARD GERE!  

Love these people!  Koa has been the resident photo-bomber lately and I've just had to embrace it.  

 

Yes, we roll out in footie pajamas and a vest.  Is anyone seeing a pattern here?  

 Koa is also our resident go-go dancer.  He dances.  Everywhere.  Here is his showcasing his funky fresh dance moves.......beach style.

 

This picture makes me giggle.  Thanks for the face, Dad!  

 

OMG......LEWIS???  CLARK???  IS THAT YOU!?!?!?

 

 And there you have it.  Port Townsend.  Good times, good times.  I forgot to mention that on the way up we were stopped at the Hood Canal Bridge to let a nuclear sub go through.  It was pretty cool.  I wish I had pictures but it was too far way. :(  Steve and Isaiah were in Spokane so hopefully we will get the chance to take them up to P.T. sometime soon.  On a side note, if you ever find yourself in P.T., go eat at Waterfront Pizza.  It will NOT disappoint! 

 

 

Tornado in a Jar

Koa is reading "A Pair of Red Clogs" for his FIAR study so for our science day we decided to learn more about weather.  We began by reading "Flash Crash Rumble and Rumble and Roll" by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley.

Koa loved the pictures and enjoyed learning about how air pressure changes during a storm.  He's also an expert on lightening safety. 

To finish up the day we made possibly the EASIEST science experiment of all time, and it pretty much made Koa think I was the smartest mom of all times!!!  I'm not gonna argue with him because it's been my experience with some other unnamed children of mine, that this opinion will change with age.  Here is the original link I found on Pinterest.  http://elliemoon.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/tornado-in-a-jar-diy.html.

 

I present to you......TORNADO IN A JAR!  

 

Here are the magical ingredients.  Dish soap...check.  Jar with residue from an impossibly hard label to remove...check.  Jar lid...check.  Now fill that baby up with water!

 

Pour in a little dish soap, put on your lid, and SHAKE THAT JAR UP.  Here are some lessons we learned from this super simple experiment because in our house NOTHING is simple.  1.  Use clear dish soap or it will be a cloudy hot mess.  2.  Glitter is a bad idea.  I'm actually learning that glitter is ALWAYS a bad idea.  :P  

 

SHAKE, SHAKE, and SHAKE!

 

And then if you've shaken it enough, and you look at it with a super serious look of concentration.....a tornado will appear...like magic.  

And yes, we DO do school in footy pajamas.  It's our school uniform, and is functional as well as classy....CLASSy...get it!  HA! I crack myself up.    

 

  

 

Tacoma Museum of Art

Last week, why did you hate me?  I tried to make you happy but it seems we just couldn't be friends.  Oh well.  Maybe this week will go a little smoother.  I wasn't sad to see you go, but at least I was able to escape with the kids down to Tacoma's museum district!   We met up with some school friends and were able to learn about native Americans, PNW style! 

 

 Apparently vandalism is encouraged in downtown Tacoma if it's in the name of the arts. :P

  I would love to give you lot's of fun and interesting facts about the PNW Native Americans and their traditions, culture, and canoes, but I was too busy trying to keep Jaxy quiet in the Tacoma Art Museum.....and failing miserable I might add.  Note to self, toddlers and museums don't mix, especially if they carry the same DNA as SMW.  At least I was able to remember Linda's name and not have to name her like "Forester Brad". 

The kids did a great job of listening.  I was really impressed!  Way better then their brother!  Koa is wearing his "serious" clothes.  This is his outfit he wears when he means business.

How awesome are these!?!?

 

After hearing from Linda we were able to go into one of the museum's classrooms and were taught how to make beaded necklaces by some high school interns from SOTA.  They were awesome!  

 

So do you think I took pictures of my kids and their finished necklaces?  Nope, I was STILL chasing Jax, but they are hanging on my rearview mirror and they look pretty fantastic....guess you will just have to take my word for it. :P  We had a great time and can't wait to go visit the rest of the museums in the area.  

Google....if You Dare

There are very few things I wish I could reverse in my life, and seeing this is one of them.  I'm not going to say how I came across this little gem because I would be incriminating myself, but let's just say I will never be the same.  It was an emotionally draining experience and one I obviously need to share with you!  Follow these steps exactly.  1.  Google "New Zealand Weta".  2.  Click on images.    3. Commence visual assault.  4.  Look up your mental health benefits.   Go ahead....I'll wait for you.  

How did that go?  If you are anything like me, I literally threw my computer across the bed.  Seriously.  And when my loving spouse discovered what I was so freaked out about, he has spent the last week furthering my trauma by making creepy insecty (yes that's a word :P) noises and when he walks by he likes to make me think something is crawling on me.  Thanks, buddy.  Needless to say I will not be making a trip to the Southern Hemisphere....or leaving the state of Washington......like ever.

Hike in the Pack Forest

Last week we decided to break away from our school routine and meet some friends for a hike in the Pack Forest.  It was a little chilly, but was beautiful and clear out and the kids had a great time.

 

Why do I feel the need to post the pics of my kids making the weirdest faces.  Bad parenting?  I think yes.

Awwww.......he loves his sister.....or.....I caught him with his eyes closed.  You be the judge.

Mohawk hats are awesome.  That's all I have to say about that.

 I bought FB his first pair of shoes last week and he's been walking like Frankenstein for the past couple of days.  First pair of shoes at 17 months.  Bad parenting strike 2?  Yup.

This was the forester who was awesome enough to give us a guided tour.  I didn't catch his name because I was with FB in the car sacrificing getting to hear his plethora of knowledge......with my seat warmer on.  Somebody had to do it.  We will refer to him as Brad.  Forester Brad....and....I think he should consider changing his name.  It fits.

Seriously.....all I can say is he takes after his dad.

Look who graced us with his presence!  Mr. SMW.  <3 

Leopard print skinny jeans to go hiking?  Definitely!  It's called blending with the wildlife.  She is one smart girl.

  

Trail of Giants.

Hey.....Brad.

It's a GIANT!!!!

This is one of the oldest trees in the Pack Forest and is over 500 years old.  He was growing before the first explorers came to America!  Awesome. :)

Only picture of them all together and it was an epic fail.  My camera was on manual and I'm a crappy photographer.  Judge.  Judge away.

I feel this is may be a good time to make a confession.  I learned something about myself during the hike.  Something that has me doing some serious personal reflection.  Two words.  Zombie.  Apocalypse.  I better get cracking on my cardio or I'm a goner.

Do you know what this is?  Let me help you.  It's a mountain lion track.  Did you read what I wrote???  MOUNTAIN LION!!!!!  This, people, is why I prefer experiencing nature through my television.  PBS....NATGEO...DISCOVERY.  They don't make those shows for nothing.  Oh the sacrifices we make for our children and their educations.  Which just made me think of something.  All the cardio in the world couldn't help me out run a mountain lion...maybe I will re-think this exercise thing over a tray of brownies.  It will help me think clearly.  

And there you have it.  Nature, a few 500 year old giants, mountain lions, SMW running security, mohawks, and you have one pretty awesome day at our E.D.U.

FB FREE

I've been 20 days FB Free.  YIKES!  Who knew you could survive this long.  I sure didn't!  But apparently I'm living proof  that after the violent shakes are gone, and you stop talking to yourself in "FB status updates".....there really is life after FB.  It's a miracle, people.  Now, I will be spending all my time perfecting the "Pinterest" versions of myself, my home, and my kids..which are all AWESOME. ;)