The Winning Ticket

Yesterday was a rather exciting day in the life of our 4-year-old. He received a call from Wasilla Waste Management (Ooooo...ahhhhh....are you getting excited?!) to inform him that he held the winning ticket from their recent give-away. We had gone to the Mat-Su Home Show last weekend, and all the boys signed up for this particular drawing. Eaglet had stared wide-eyed at this truck, clearly dreaming about what it would be like to own such a treasure. Some dreams come true!

Easter Joy

Of Boys,Trees, and Snowboards

As one can easily see, we're still in the throes of winter. It's continued to be well-below-zero for days and days (-10 this morning) but at least we've got sunshine...and boys with smiles.

A Dog's Life

It's been below-zero for days and days...and our old man Laska has been a little stressed. Consequently, we brought him inside for a few days and nights. Spunky is thrilled. It's amazing what our sweet old dog will put up with....
...but then again...Spunky makes it worth it!

Repeat Offender...

Despite this poor-quality photo, you can see our little guy was at it again today. I wish I could say this is only the second time he's taken off on a solo outdoor adventure, but it's not. If only he would start talking, perhaps our budding ornithologist would tell us when he was about to ascend on another of his field trips! We could at least help him attain the proper gear--I'm not sure why he insists on wearing only Daddy's shoes when he takes off bird watching??
His objects of affection are shown below. We had several of these gorgeous Pine Grosbeaks at our feeder today and yesterday.

Fitting for Valentine's Day...

Wise Bobcat asked to put my ring back on my finger after we made valentine cookies today. We started talking about marriage; here's what he has to say on the matter of weddings:

"So...my wife will buy me a ring....and I will buy my wife a ring....and we will offer them to each other. It reminds me of science--about how the birds, when they mate, offer each other food!!" (Picture him giving me an "eskimo kiss" as he states the last part of that.

Oh dear.

Picture This...

I didn't have the heart to take the time to shoot a photo of this morning's excitement, so you'll have to picture this:

It was a rare few moments of peace. I was taking care of some desperately-needed, deep-cleaning in the kitchen, as the older two boys were happily drawing at the table. Spunky, I thought, was playing in the living room. Suddenly, one of the boys exclaimed, "MOMMY!! Spunky is outside!!" "What?!" I asked, as I hurriedly went to the window to check out the situation. Sure enough--there was 2-year-old Spunky--tears streaming down his face, standing in the snow in his socks by the bird feeder, clutching his beloved "Lambykins", with Daddy's hiking boots toppled over nearby. It would have made a GREAT blog photo...but I couldn't justify prolonging his suffering in the name of blogging.

Good intentions

We went down to our friends' (who just became our new neighbors!) home this afternoon to play around on their snowmachine. Their daughter really wanted to "pull the sled with Baby Spunky in it" and walk home with us. About 25 yards in, she explained that she had a wonderful idea: We should put all the kids in the sled! I helped her add up all their weights, and then asked her, "Now, M, do you suppose Auntie JJ can pull 125 pounds comfortably?!" "No," (duh) "...you and Uncle Tony together!!" Guess who pulled the sled home?

Free Entertainment

Our view out the window this morning...not a rare sight this time of year.

Edible Culture Study

Last week we finished up our Jewish Culture study. We baked Challah, traditional Jewish bread. Here the boys are getting ready to eat their Challah, along with some apples. This is traditional to the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah.

From the Mouth of an Environmentally-Conscious 6-Year-Old

The boys and I do a devotion/Bible story most mornings during breakfast. Today we were talking about "seeing the work of God" and what it tells us about Him. Eaglet mentioned that the things people make are very different than the things God makes. I said "Yes, and how are the things people make different? What happens to everything made by humans?" I briefly waited for what I thought to be the logical answer--that eventually everything made by people falls apart, becomes destroyed, rusty...what-have-you. Instead, Wise Bobcat replied, "They are made of harmful chemicals."

This makes for an interesting topic...

It's been quite a week. On Christmas vacation, we have so far:
1. Spent a day doing crafts
2. Spent a day shopping 'til we (literally) dropped (Spunky fell asleep on the Christian bookstore floor)
3. Spent a day baking
4. Spent above day's afternoon observing toddler for drunkenness

WHAT??! Yes, Spunky got hold of the mint baking extract. I called Poison Control immediately. After doing the calculations for his bodyweight, the nurse explained that the amount he'd possibly ingested was enough to intoxicate him. After hanging on the line while I fed him a cookie with juice, she gave me further instructions to keep him with me at all times, and observe for signs of drunkenness--staggering, slurring of speech, stumbling. OK, so how exactly does one observe for signs that normally encompass a toddler's life anyway?! The child does not speak a word, and he wipes out for fun on a regular basis. As it turned out, I did not notice anything different with his demeanor. Apparently, he didn't ingest much, if any, after all...though he smelled like a little after-dinner mint for the rest of the day.

Mothers beware!

How a Toddler Makes Breakfast

While I was in the shower...

One Good Reason Not to Set Your Toddler Loose With "Dot Art"

So it begins.

Today was the day--we woke up to our first official snowfall. Like a good friend (You know who you are!) recently did, we mostly blew off school and went out to play. It was a very happy birthday surprise for Eaglet, who turned 4 today! Like his older bros, Spunky Cub was right at home in the white stuff. It's a good thing--we're looking at about six months.

Something's Missing!

The first tooth came out today! After much scrounging, chair-moving, carpet-feeling, etc., it is safely tucked inside the little helicopter. Miss Stephanie, our hygienist, gave this to Bobcat last Spring. Finally, he got to pull it out and use it today.

A Memorable Ride For A Certain 3-Year-Old

Eaglet went off to Grandmom and Grandpa's last evening for his "special time." (The boys take turns going over for an evening of serious grandparental spoiling each week--lucky boys!) Grandpa took Eaglet for a ride on the Rubicon down to the river. The moment they returned from the ride, Li'l E wanted to know if there was time to draw. He ran into the house and produced this artwork. Notice the BIG smiles on both the faces. We are still hearing about his memorable ride...

Jodi's Challenge

Here it is--my version of Jodi's "Have You Ever" list. Laugh, enjoy, and don't forget to check out the add-ons.
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain Many! It’s great to live in AK!04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards) Yah, but the worst “crush” had to have been Billy Graham in the Metrodome
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper Way too many, thank you!
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment Mr. Scott’s history class…oooo did I get in trouble.
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster Six Flags Texas—woohoo!
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking Always. Oh, and I do remember one instance which included both pregnancy and “walkin’ like an Egyptian”

02. 37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment

39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales This has to be one of my favorite things—ever.45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip The Al-Can!
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow Well I am from Wisconsin!
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke Those who were present are still traumatized…
59. Lounged around in bed all day60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children - still raising!
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane For like, 2 seconds….does that count?!
109. Touched a stingray Come on Jodi…you did too, didn’t you? SeaWorld band trip?
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth Well I’ve assisted many puppy c-sections…I guess that’s helping to give birth, though not in the pure sense…
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours A few months ago with Strep Throat. 123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents I wish.
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi It wasn’t too bad, but I can do without it.
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read Working on The Well-Educated Mind
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating no thanks; I’ll just eat it.
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life - I used to be a lifeguard.

And, here's a few Alaskan add-ons:

151. Had a close encounter with a Grizzly Bear
152. Drove a dogsled
153. Got drug behind a dogsled
154. Pet a moose
155. Administered shots to a Reindeer herd
156. Endured 40-below-zero for several days in a row
157. Touched the Alaska Pipeline
158. Panned for gold
159. Lived for a week in a remote cabin with no running water or electricity (Outhouses don't smell so bad after you've used one for several days--the nose goes numb.)
160. Seen/heard a tidewater glacier calve
161. Eaten just hours-old Alaskan King Crab legs (mmm mmm mmm.)

And just for fun...an add-on from Wisconsin:

162. Been chased by a Woodchuck. (He must've been at least 10 pounds--haaaaa!)

Silent Flight

I had a cool experience last night. I went for a 2-miler at dusk, and was captivated by the idyllic, Fall evening--crisp air, breeze in my face, leaves dancing across the dirt road ahead of me. On my last 1/2 mile, I heard a whoosh! just to my right. As I looked, I saw a huge shape gliding gracefully and silently beside me, and then cut across diagonally and upward in front of me--a Great Horned Owl! It landed high in a Spruce just a few yards ahead of me. I slowed my pace, and ran up to the base of the tree. We sat there, just staring into each others' eyes for a long moment (about a full minute.) Then with one whoosh! it took off silently through the trees and into the night. What an amazing sight. Interestingly, the boys and I had had another encounter with such a raptor earlier in the day. We'd gone to our local library's "StoryTime", and the subject today was "Owls." Instead of a story, Ms. Peggy had invited a volunteer for the Alaska Raptor Center to visit us. It was amazing to see one of these gorgeous creatures so up-close-and-personal. We learned a couple of interesting facts: Owls are the only birds who fly silently, and, they are very quiet all year long until Fall, when they begin hooting. They are very plentiful, and so, I encourage each of you to step outside some evening this Fall and listen carefully!

12 YEARS!

We celebrated 12 years this past weekend. Taking an overnight trip (just the two of us--ahhh the freedom!) down Kenai Peninsula to Soldotna, it was fabulous to have the time and freedom to do what we pleased. We went jogging, visited the Kenai National Wildlife Reserve Center, hiked the Keen-Eye, Centennial, and Bear Mountain trails, and popped into Portage Glacier Center on the way home. There is much to say about the weekend, way too much to blog at the moment. Overall, though, we just really loved the uninterrupted time together to reconnect. The setting was incredible, as the leaves were at "peak color" and the silence indescribable. Wildlife Report: Not much for big critters this time around (I'm not complaining after seeing that Brown Bear up so close a few years back!), though we did see a Moose cow with her calf on the way to KNWR. The most noteworthy siting--we were blessed to obseve over 30 Trumpeter Swans. They must have been congregating and preparing to migrate. What fascinating and gorgeous creatures. Our God is very creative.