Published!

Ok, not me. Darnit.

But good for Emma!! We entered one of her poems in a kids poetry contest & it was chosen to be published in an anthology of 100 poems. Fun!! You go, girl!!

Hummingbird

This little guy was flitting around our crabapple tree a few days ago--until he saw the nectar bonanza in our neighbor, "Mr. Garden's" yard ...then he was history!! But fun while it lasted!

Field Day

The girls had field day at their school today. It was really fun--everyone got good and wet--and tired. Their gym teacher really outdid himself with opening ceremonies this year. They played the Olympic theme song over the loud speaker while 'torch' runners passed the torch and ran in. Emma was chosen as a torch runner...that's her in the blue sweatshirt
(you're all in trouble now that I know how to do videos on my blog!!)

Then the local high school band played the National Anthem and various sporting-event songs while kids from each class paraded in with class flags. Finally, there was a fly-over by a Blackhawk helicopter...very impressive...and most excellent!! Emma beneath her class flag

Sophie's Shoe Kick--mostly just went UP instead of OUT but good effort!!
Tug of War Emma at the jump rope station Soraya & Sophie Ever see a rubber chicken fly?
That Kid Can Run...Sophie running the 50 yard dash

Class of 2021

Man, these tassles tickle! Class of 2021 Receiving a reading award from Miss Deb Surrounded by goofy boys, Julia did us proud and kept her calm, cool composure during her entire Pre-K graduation ceremony--and still managed to have a great time!! (That's her front and center)

(Click on the lower left triangle to play video...Frankly, I'm just in awe of myself that I even got this video to upload properly!!! Yay me!)

Finally...the most important part of the whole night...cookies!!

Celebrating afterwards with best friend, Autumn

Graduation Day

Julia's Pre-K graduation day is today. Pass the kleenex, please.

Here is the song they've been practicing to sing at their ceremony tonight. (Sing to the tune of "Oh my Darling, Clementine":

"Graduation, graduation,
Graduation Day is here.
We had fun here at preschool,
So let's give a happy cheer.

Now we're older, now we're smarter.
We know some numbers and letters too.
To our teachers, and our families,
We give a bow, and say thank you."

Whew!

I just talked to the new foreman on our foundation job. He told me that the engineer was here this morning & inspected the repairs to our foundation. The engineer said it all looks great & they are clear to start back-filling holes & putting the basement back together. What a relief!!

And as a bonus, I figured out who our singing guy has been. As I closed the door after talking to the new foreman, he started singing "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" as it's pouring outside today...mystery solved & construction (mostly) complete.

Now they just have to put it all back together...then they'll start ripping out our driveway/garage slabs to redo them...but I'm trying not to think about that yet!!

kveðja bróðir

My brother Phil just completed his whirlwind US tour & is back in Iceland by now (after a quick stop in Paris for the weekend...tisk, tisk). What a nice visit we had with him...especially visiting the zoo.
Hope he can manage to come back more often!!
Or maybe we'll save our pennies to get to Iceland one day...

Sophie chatting in Chinese with Uncle Phil

Julia, Emma, Sophie, Philip, Karen Checking out the Hippos

Julia & other, more distant relatives

Phil & the girls checking out some monkeys

Resting after a quick race

Sophie Jumping

Julia & Grandpa R

My Happy Place

I just visited my handy Kauai Web Cam linked at the bottom of this page and noticed that at this moment, it's just as windy on Kauai as it is here. Mind you, their wind is not blowing yesterday's snow across the yard like it is here, and I didn't see any Sanolets on the brink of blowing over like the wind is doing at my house. I also didn't see any boards (which are meant to cover gaping, gigantic construction holes)almost taking flight...causing who knows what kind of damage to the neighbors' windows...

But if I close my eyes, and listen to my wind blowing outside, and then open my eyes just enough to see the palm trees blowing in their wind on my computer screen, I can pretend that my screen is actually my 5-star hotel balcony window and I'm nursing my new sunburn while sipping a strawberry daquiri....

What a long week it's been. Love that Kauai web cam.