Riley's First Camp

Riley has been looking forward to this summer for quite awhile.  She has spent the last couple years watching her older sister go off to various activities and has had to impatiently wait until she was old enough to also participate.  She is four years old now which means that she gets to choose which activities she would like to participate in and one of her choices was Camp Habitat.

Last day of camp.  The kids circle around for a final Hoo-Rah.

The camp director, Elisabeth (in blue), and Riley's camp leader, Katie,
are trying to get the kids to imitate animals they have seen on their daily walks
through Creamers Field.

Riley attended her first camp this year.  Camp Habitat is a wonderful week long program at Creamers' Field for kids ages 4-11.  The kids are split into smaller groups with their assigned  group leader and helper.  The younger kids are only in camp for a few hours in the morning but for many of them, that is more than enough time away from their family.  The kids go on daily hikes, exploring the fields, forests, and ponds, and learning about the animals, insects, and their ecology.  Morgan attend the same camp when she was 4 and 5 and loved it.  We also spend a lot of time at Creamers Field walking or skiing the trails which made it an excellent first choice for camp.

One of the many exciting discoveries the kids made during the walks.
A birds nest filled with little birds born that week of camp.  

It has been a wet and cold summer and rained most of the days they were at camp.  I never once heard Riley complain.  She looked forward to going each day riding in Ms. Ali's car with her friend, Mason, headed to camp.  It also helped that she had other friends from other activities in the same group.  On her final day, family and friends get to gather around their make shift day camp to see and hear what the kids have been up to during the week.  Riley excited ran around trying to show us everything she had created.  They end the day with their usual song, "Habitat, Habitat, have to have a Habitat".  A pretty catching song which we find ourselves singing off and on as the summer goes on.

Controlling My Addictions

Don't worry, i don't have anything to crazy.  I gave up smoking almost twenty years ago and haven't looked back.  I like to drink a good beer or a glass of wine.  I still dabble in making liquors and wines.  My addictions these days are those darn fancy, high calorie espresso drinks and.....Facebook.  It sounds innocent enough but i dislike the time time spent playing on mobile devices, especially, when i realize i don't read much anymore except a kids book before bedtime or for their school assignments.

I allow myself one fancy espresso each week...okay maybe more if i make them at home.  The money is more of an irritation than the calories as i don't make them with all that syrup.  As for Facebook, i have tried just deleting the app but i still manage to spend my free time on there by accessing thru the internet.  My only choice was to deactivate.  Extreme, i know.  I was also wary of the security of the site when i posted my mobile pictures.  Not being able to post picture daily using my phone was really difficult so deactivating helped.

My family has expressed sadness at my sudden and, most likely, lengthy departure from Facebook.  I know they miss hearing about my daily activities and the many pictures i take of the kids as we go about our day. Therefore, i am returning to my blog.  I do enjoy documenting and sharing both the trivial and the ground breaking aspects of our crazy life here in Alaska.   The kids grow fast and i want to make sure they...you are get to see these changes in them.  I also miss taking photos with my fancy camera.  I feel like i have lost a little bit of photography knowledge from my time away.  Getting back to these basics won't be easy and don't expect daily posts.  I will do my best to post pictures and some rambling a few times each month.

I won't guarantee that they will all be current posts.  It is probably kinda of like cheating but i have a back log of old posts and some wonderful pictures i have wanted to share for quite awhile but never published. I am hoping to work my way thru them and throw in some current stuff, too.

Some quick news -

As of this month, i am officially back to working full-time with the same company.  Jeff is back in Fairbanks working for the government.  He worked in Anchorage the first half of the year.  Morgan started second grade this fall.  She continues to play piano and will begin competing this year.  I am not sure what it all entails but she is excited for the opportunity.  She continues lessons with hockey, swimming, and skiing.  Riley will begin pre-school full-time next month.  She continues with her swimming lessons and will start hockey and ski lessons next month. The girl amazes me, she can put all of her hockey gear on all by herself, minus the skates.

I am definitely looking forward to a busy winter with my girls.

Goodbye Summer 2012.....

We have had a whirl wind summer.  It has been such a fun, busy summer that i have not been able to capture it all on my blog even though i had great plans to do so.  Rather than dedicating a page here and there to highlight the summer, i better summarize it the best i can in one posting.  Even this task will prove to be difficult as i rarely have the time to sit at my computer these days.

We planted another garden this year with the girls helping with the planting and harvesting....i almost forgot the munching.  It was not a rare sight to see the girls snagging (the poor plants, its a wonder they survived my kids) a snack of sugar snap peas in the garden.  We planted many of our usual: peas, tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, lettuce, squash, cukes, and a variety of peppers.  The cooler summer temps and stretches of over watering from the rain did decrease the amount we were able to harvest this year.  We also tried some new veggies like vine beans and asparagus.  It is recommended to wait to harvest asparagus a year or two so i just stared at my scrawny little asparagus plants dreaming of a time when i can harvest them fresh from my garden to make one of my favorite Filipino dishes.  As for the vine beans, while it made a beautiful tee pee in my garden, the beans were sparse and i did not like the the variety of beans.  They had a rough furry exterior and did not taste nearly as good as the bush varieties we have planted in the past.  While i enjoyed the experimentation, i am missing my green bean casserole.  With fall in full swing and experiencing numerous frosts, gardening is almost finished for the year.  We just need to harvest the rest of the potatoes and turn the garden to prep it for spring again.

Another summer delight is our rhubarb and raspberry plants.  We only have one rhubarb plant but next year i hope to have a few more as i have been experimenting with a variety of new recipes.  This summer, i not only made my usual rhubarb bread and cakes, but i also found a wonderful lemonade and wine recipe.  I was able to freeze some rhubarb for winter use thanks to a friend who gladly exchanged some of hers for a bottle of rhubarb wine.

Wine...i have been trying my hand at making wine.  Besides the rhubarb wine, i decided to try a zucchini wine, too.  We harvested some rather large zucchini which would normally be destined for more bread and freezer storage but then i had this wild idea of making wine.  The Internet is such a wonderful tool.  I was able to find a zucchini wine recipe.  I am hoping to make a sugar snap pea wine next but i may not have enough peas.  We will just have to wait and see.  I will be making another batch of zucchini wine  along with some liqueurs (Raspberry and Coffee for starters) this winter.  If my local friends are interested in trying some and/or if you have any wine bottles or jugs that need a new home, give me a call.

I spent the first part of the summer training for my big hiking trip on the Chilkoot Trail.  At least twice a week you could find me hiking with my fellow Chilkoot Chicks and/or the local hiking club.  I started off slowly with 20lbs on my back and by the time we were ready to leave for our adventure, i was ready to don my near 40 pound pack.  The hike was amazing, beautiful scenery, crazy climate variations, wonderful people, and a three wonderful and supportive hiking companions.  I look forward to more future hikes with my gal pals.

After my great hiking adventure, i jetted down to Washington state the following weekend for my 20-year high school reunion and some random fun in my old stomping grounds.  Reunions are hard mentally and emotionally.  Most of us have changed physically over the years making it difficult to figure out whose who.  And, of course, my mind is not what it was (ha, ha) or maybe some folks just did not make that much of impact on my that i would remember them twenty years later.  I am sure the same could be said about me and i am okay with that.  I have not spent the last twenty years dwelling on my high school years but look back on them fondly.

Outside water dome at the Pacific
Science Center in Seattle.

A boy sliding down concrete
towards the dome.

It was a great year and one of the best summers....EVER!

Christmas and Family Traditions

Christmas morning.

The few weeks before Christmas can be stressful   We already have a hectic schedule with work, school, extracurricular activities, and trying to fit in family time.  Now, i have to make plans for Christmas:  finding a tree, figuring out what fun yet educational gifts to give the kids that will also keep their attention (does such a thing exist , figuring out a gift for Jeff (harder than the girls), Christmas day meals, visit Santa, the list goes on and on.  At the same time, these stresses are my favorite parts of Christmas.  These stresses are the beloved family traditions we celebrate and build upon year after year and spending time with family which involves all the craziness that leads up to Christmas and the big day itself.

The Tree.  Jeff and i have been married over 17 years.  We have had a Christmas tree every year of our marriage except one when we were out of town for the holiday.  In Fairbanks, each year we go to the Kiwanis Club Annual Christmas Tree Sale..  The girls and i will point out a tree, Jeff will drag it out, stomp the tree a few times to get the branches down, and twirl it around for us.  Finding the perfect tree can sometimes take a few minutes, other times, closer to an hour.  Afterwards, we load the tree up in our vehicle, drive it home, and toss it in some water.  The tree decorating usually happens the same day or the following day depending on our schedules.  We decorate with unbreakable ornaments like stuffed animals and wooden nutcrackers while the kids are still young.

Father and daughter playing with the new tablet.

Santa Claus.  This tradition started when Morgan was 18 months old.  We have been visiting the same Santa every year since.  At each visit, Santa recognizes both my girls and even knows their names.  We visit him at least 2-3 times during the Christmas season and a couple more times the rest of the year.  This is when the girls disclose what they want for Christmas.  Once they tell Santa what they want, they are pretty much locked in so i encourage them to really think about what they want and then try to make it happen.  This year, Morgan asked for a computer or iPad   I told her that even Santa knows when a gift is inappropriate for a child and that she will most likely not get that if she asks.  She ended up asking Santa for a pretend computer or iPad and a gold bracelet.  Riley asked for Spider-man underwear but quickly added an iPad to her wishlist to be like her big sister.  

Flashing the camera her new underpants.

Advent Calendar.  I had a nice balance of activities and little gifts for the kids each day leading up to Christmas.  The girls looked forward to finding out what was hidden in the 24 little mittens hanging by the wood stove   Sometimes it was just a piece of candy, a little toy, or tattoos.  Other days, they would find gift cards for lunch the next day, or a slip of paper for an activity like snow painting, a movie, sledding, or a visit to the ice park or other local event.  I had a lot of fun figuring out what to put in their calendar each day and planning different activities for them.  The calendar really helped Morgan keep track of her days, too.

Homemade Gifts.  The girls and i painted a beautiful frame for Jeff and i made a superhero pillowcase for each girl.  The girls had fun painting and writing (both girls signed their names, one not so legible but made my heart swell).  I tried to remember how to use my sewing machine (as i only use it a few times each year) and then tried to remember how to sew the pillow cases.  I must say they each  have a lot of character and are made with a whole lot of love.

Community.  My wish for my kids is that they are safe, they stay true to themselves, they thrive, and that they have the same expectations and encourage the same of others.  I also believe it is our duty to integrate ourselves into the community, to help others in need.  I want my girls to have that same sense of community even at such an early age.  Last year, Morgan helped Soroptimist of Fairbanks deliver presents to the residents at the Senior Center.  This year i had hope to continue the community service but it ,unfortunately, coincided with her piano recital.  Instead, the girls helped sort their toys and clothing to donate to local charities and the hospital.  It was not an easy task for them and it was hard work but i am proud of my girls.

Googly Eyed.

Christmas Eve.  We usually attend Midnight Mass (at the Catholic Church) but this year opted for the 11:00 pm Methodist services at the church down the street.  Afterwards, we came home to look for the Christmas Pickle.  Previously, i believed the tradition to be German (no we are not German) but now i am not sure where the tradition originated.  I think i found it on a shopping trip or flipping through a catalog.  Normally, the person who finds the pickle gets a special gift from St. Nick and is blessed with a year of good luck.  In our home, the kid who finds the pickle gets to open the extra gift which is a present from us and is either a gift for the whole family or one the kids can share.  We started the Christmas Pickle tradition when my nephews, Eli and Edward, came to visit one year and resurrected the holiday tradition once Morgan was born and could toddle around a tree to find it.

Gift from Grandpa Lyons.

Prior to going to bed Christmas Eve, Jeff and the girls will set out a plate of fresh baked cookies and a glass of milk for Santa and, of course, a plate of carrots for the reindeer.  The kids will dress in their Christmas pajamas and head to bed.  Once asleep, Jeff will eat the cookies, drink the milk, put the carrots back in the fridge (hmm, i wonder why he does not eat them, too), and place the Santa gifts under the tree.  The gifts from Santa are always the best wrapped gifts under the tree and they sit front and center for the girls to find Christmas morning.

Christmas.  Morgan and i were the first to wake Christmas morning.  Morgan was impatient to open Christmas presents.  To distract her, i had her help me make breakfast.  Morgan has always been a helpful child except when it comes to her cleaning up her room :).  Jeff and Riley are finally awake.  You could feel the excitement in the air as the girls headed for the tree and held the gifts from Santa.  I was excited.  The girls received so many presents from grandparents, friends, teachers and mentors, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  It was hard to keep track of all of them.  It took us a few hours to unwrap all the gifts.  We took a much needed break, halfway through, as we were losing control and did not want total chaos.  We were also very hungry.

Thankful.  I love that my girls can be so giving to family, friends, and each other yet struggle with the idea of giving away their "worldly" possessions to help others.  I love that they believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas.  I love their excitement and impatience as we try to get them to slow down and enjoy the day, everyday.  I am humbled at their capacity for love and that they love us unconditionally, even when we falter.

I enjoyed the holiday traditions and the many wonderful memories we created.  This time of year, and many times throughout  i think about what our life was like before kids and our life now.  I could not imagine my life any different, good or bad.  I am blessed.

Morgan's White Shoes

Too Funny. Morgan sang this great song for me over dinner. I loved it so much that I recorded her so I could share it with everyone.

Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

Bunk Beds...a work in progress

I spent hours researching beds for the girls.  I almost purchased a bunk bed set from Sam's Club, painted an espresso color.  Alas, we passed on it because Morgan insisted she on a pink bunk bed.  Why, when there are a gazillion other colors out there, would my child pick the one color i am least fond of.  How could i deny that sweet child of mine.  We decided to make our own bunk beds to honor her request.

We downloaded the bunk bed plans for a simple twin bed from Ana-White's web site (a homemaker turned amateur carpenter from Delta, a town two hours west of Fairbanks).  We altered the plan slightly by making all headboards instead of two headboards and two foot-boards.  After much negotiation (with Morgan), we decided to paint the beds pink and green with an ivory crackle.  I know it sounds funky but i had painted a dresser using this method but with a blue base and it turned out beautifully.  Morgan helped pick out the colors which were based on a shirt the girls had worn when they were 18 months old.

We are months behind schedule.  We should have started this project in May but, of course, we put it off as we had the whole summer ahead of us.  Now Fall is upon us and we are in a mad dash to get the project finished and behind us.  Of course, now we have Mother Nature to contend with and i am not talking about the beautiful fall colors we have as a back drop for project.  It is more planning the days we will paint around the rain and picking the leaves and birch seeds off of the fresh paint.  Grrr!!  Will we never learn.

With that said, Morgan and Riley's bunk beds are coming along.  The first two headboards have a lot more character than the last two as we really had no idea of what were doing.  The bugs were horrible, taking advantage of us as we were hunched over the sawhorses, nailing and gluing the boards together.  Don't get me started on the sanding....as i slaved away, i recalled a comment by a couple we know who made the same bed.  They used their date night to have a quiet dinner out and then rush home to sand because "it is hard to find time to sand".  I now understand the comment.  The sanding took a few days as my hands hurt from the vibrations of the sander.

These comments are not to deter anyone from making these beds.  I encourage you to check out Ana's web site.  She has many wonderful plans that are relatively simple to do.  This just happens to be Jeff and my first project together and it is a bit of work.

I initially thought the colors were quite shocking but i have since warmed up to them.  I have a final coat of the colors and will then start the antiquing process sometime this weekend....assuming the weather holds.  I am hoping to continue painting outdoors but with the cooling temperatures, it is taking the paint too long to dry and the winds are adding an unwanted rustic touch to the paint job.

I will try to post pictures once we the project is finished but until then, enjoy the work in progress.

Arrgh!! It's a Pirate's Life, I Want.

Arrgh!!

Ahoy me hearties.  Back in May, Captain Morgan and her trusty first mate, Riley, celebrated their 5th and 2nd birthdays together.  While Riley enjoyed the festivities, the party was more for Morgan and her motley crew of scallywags. A great day, indeed, for pirate activities/games, delicious grub, and a treasure hunt.

As the kids arrived, we fitted them with pirate hats.  Morgan likes color so rather than having just black hats, we let the kids choose the color hat they wanted and adorning skull and feathers.  They also got to pick a patch and grab their newspaper swords.  Arrgh, they unleashed their inner pirates as they ran around the yard.

I had 6 stations for all the kids:

• Shark Bay - A body of water made of blue nylon with card board shark fins sticking out.  The kids used rope taped together, forming rings, and tried to toss them onto a fin.  Sounds cool but the rings were not large enough to fit well over the fins and shark hunter, Riley, plucked the fins off the sharks when people were not looking.  Luckily, we had the staple gun still handy.

• Sink the Ship - I took Styrofoam balls and painted them black to make cannon balls.  I taped pirate ships to plastic bottles and piled them high.  The kids would throw the cannon ball at the bottles to see how many they could know down.

• Walk the Plank - I placed one board on the ground (easy) and another elevated 6-8 in off the ground (hard).  The kids were forced to walk the plank, they got to choose which one.

• Plunder for Treasure - The kids would dig for large acrylic diamonds and exchange them for a ring sucker.  Unfortunately, Morgan had been playing with the night before and misplaced half of them  We still had enough for the game, though.

• Arrgh - Picture taken with a bonafide pirate's parrot.

• Scallywags - Pirate Tattoos makes the outfit complete.

Joaquin, Elias, and Ceder
trying to Sink Ships.

Captain Logan at Shark Bay

I divided the group of kids into smaller groups and with the aide of parents, the pirates were off on their adventure.  The games had their flaws but i don't think the kids paid no never mind and a lot of fun.

After the games, i handed the kids a scavenger hunt.  They looked for pictures that matched the pictures on their paper and wrote down the corresponding letter.  Solving the puzzle would lead them to the buried treasure.  They unearthed a box filled mini paper mache treasure chests for each of the kids.  The treasure chests were filled with pirate coins, jeweled rings, beads in the shape of jewels to make bracelets or whatever they wished, and, of course, chocolates.  

Morgan painting the sword hilt or guard.

The mini treasure chests.

Morgan was a lot of help in the planning of her party. She helped make a lot of the game pieces (painting the fins and gluing the pirate ships on the bottles).  She also helped paint the swords and treasure boxes, glued the gems on top, and helped make all the beautiful rings.

We ended the party with singing Happy Birthday to both girls and devouring a mix of red velvet, chocolate, and white cupcakes with either chocolate or cream cheese frosting.  Yum.

She is already excited for next years party.  The theme...Barbie.  I know, gag.  No worries, i am already putting my spin on the theme so i stomach planning it.  I am thinking, Barbie meets Mad Scientist.  I have a wonderful book on science experiments.  Hmm, i wonder if i could get my hands on some liquid nitrogen to make ice cream.