Update on the homefront

Ana has a cold. Natasha is enjoying school. Adam is attending a planning meeting of the academic council for next year's classes this afternoon. Elias is his usual happy, inquisitive self. I would like some more sleep, but what's new?

Ana hasn't been sleeping well for a week now. Waking during the night after sleeping through for months. She's been working on learning to sit up by herself--actually getting into a sitting position from a crawling one. We've read before that babies sometimes sleep poorly before acquiring a new skill because they are practicing in bed instead of sleeping. Well, it's either that or teething or this cold. She's pretty clingy, fussy and sad. I know it might be par for the course for other babies, but it's rough on me because she's usually so happy.

Elias and Natasha are busy pretending to be Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House books--though it's a convoluted mix of Jack and Annie, VeggieTales, and pirates.

Welcome to Portland, Paper Source (I'm there in spirit!)

"Do something creative every day" has been a motto of mine for some time now. Whether I cut the kids's sandwiches in a new and interesting way (narrow strips are fun and easier to eat, by the way), or make a pencil box from a recycled cereal box, I like to do something to get the creative juices flowing. It gives me energy. It makes me happy. It's fun and entertaining. I think it's a nod to our Creator...and it's an idea that I totally ripped off these guys: Paper Source. I could go on and on about my love affair with paper, this store, etc....but the big news is they are coming to Portland, OR!!! (Which I suggested to them years ago...even specifically to the Pearl District!)

Grand opening is the 16th. Sure wish I could be there. I command all Portland vecinity dwellers to grab a mocha breve and browse the aisles for me. Smell the paper, touch the tools, Breathe in the creativity and take a class or two. (Grand opening class schedule) I certainly will the next time I'm in the area! Cheers!!

Today's project

I was inspired by friends on frugally green to use some of the things I would normally throw away. I also needed to find a pencil box for Natasha to use in her classroom at school--Adam wasn't having luck communicating that to the guy at the school supplies kiosco near here. So, here's what I came up with:

I started with this cereal box. I wanted the final product to stand up to a year of kindergarten, so I folded and glued and reenforced every side.

Natasha then picked out some of my scrapbooking paper that I brought with me. The 12x12 sheet wasnt' quite big enough to cover everything, so I added the strip of blue on the edge of the lid. My favorite part is the magnet closure I made by stealing a magnet from a pad of paper on the fridge. I attached it to the inside of the flap and put a strip of metal under the paper facing it (stolen from the cutter on my aluminum foil box.) I covered the entire box with contact paper when I was done--hopefully it will last the year. And it was pretty much free!!

Good Day/Great Day

I was wondering what made a day a good one for you? ...what made it great?
For example, a good day for me is that the house wouldn't be dirtier at the end of the day than when we started, a GREAT day would be getting all the laundry done.

Or, a good day would be if Elias didn't have any accidents (the potty kind), a GREAT day would be if he actually went by himself.

So, it looks like I'm being overcome by housework right now--at least mentally. What's happening in your life? What would make your day good and great??

Kindergarten, Frogs, and Spanish

Natasha began her first day of kindergarten today. We went to her school last week to visit her classroom and meet her teacher, Mrs. Jackson, a missionary from Billings, Montana. Natasha looks so cute in her uniform, don't you think?


It's been a bit on the rainy side lately, though a warmer 86 degrees is forecasted for today. We had one whole night and day with thunder and lightning on Friday. Adam was at the Seminary visiting classes and attending chapel while the kids and I hunkered down, unplugged all the appliances (see further blogs for more info. on idiosyncratic electrical things) and played. When I opened the door to shake out a cleaning rag, a froggie jumped on in. Yes, I did scream...actually it was more of an excited squeak of some sort--though mostly because our keys were hanging above our door and fell on my wrist when I opened the door and then somethings started hopping all over the place.


We like these little guys. After rain, they hop onto the outside of our windows and eat bugs. YAY for frogs!!! This guy was about 1.5 inches long. He was accepted into our frog relocation program and has made a successful reentry in to outdoor, civilian froggie life. Congrats, little guy!

Settling down...

The super short version--as to leave room for photos--is that we have arrived safely in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (the 17th of July); we've moved into our rental home (the 24th of July); we've figured out almost all of our appliances/showers/stuff; and we're working on Spanish language aquisition and visas.


Ana hanging out in our tub...used right now for everything: baths, laundry and of course, the pirate ship!


All the kiddos hanging out on our bed. They were all watching Clifford on our laptop.

One of our neighborhood friends...can you find him? It's a huge, green macaw that really likes the tree in the block in front of our house.

One of our friendly house geckos. This guy was about nine inches from nose to the tip of his tail. He was spotted in the living room one night.

Castles for princesses and family time

So, today we are building a castle and spending time with family in Clatskanie. The castle is a float for the 4th of July Heritage Days parade in Clatskanie this Friday. Natasha and our niece, Madeline, will be "Princesses-To-Be" in the community talent show tonight and in the parade--think dressy dresses, tiaras, sashes and princess waves. Should be fun and super cute.