Chicken Eggs

12 days ago Avery began her chicken egg hatching experiment. Arriving at our door in the hands of a very interested Fed Ex delivery person, 12 eggs arrived safe and ready for incubating. Unfortunately, the incubator only had room for 9 eggs. Gently marking each egg with an "x" on one side and an "o" on the other, Avery has been vigilant about flipping her eggs three times a day for best hatching results. She also keeps an eye on the temperature, keeping them nice and warm at 99.5 degrees. 9 days remain and we are all anxious to see some beaks breaking through the eggs.

Hi Ya!

Charlie at his Tae Kwon Do Tournament.

Showing the judges his forms.



Sitting in proper position, waiting for the judges to score the contestants.


Charlie with his trophies. Second place for forms, second place for breaking his boards by kicking and punching.


I will load video soon. Charlie came home yesterday with orange tape on his belt which means he is ready to test for yellow belt.

For the love of Mario

How do you know your kids play and watch too much Mario (as in Mario Cart on Wii and old Mario Brother's cartoons)?

The youngest, the two year old says "Are we going there to-mario?" "What are we doing to-mario?" Does Charde (his version of Charlie) have Hi-ya (Tae kwon do) to-mario?"

So cute, makes me laugh every time he says it (with a silent shutter that Mario has found yet another way to sneak into our daily lives).

The Difference a Day Makes

We spent at least half of our day outside today. Taking walks, going to the park, enjoying the beginnings of spring. All of us are much better for it, happier, healthier, hungrier, sleepier.
I love winter. Sweaters, fires, hot cocoa, a beautiful snowfall. Part of our reasoning for moving back from southern California included the need to see seasons change. 65 degree weather is so much more enjoyable and relished after several months of freezing temperatures.
And with that, the rumblings of thunder.

Skuut

Wins best Christmas gift in our house this year. We actually bought another one because the kids were fighting over it so much. Intentioned for Jackson, all three children ride the pair in circles around the house.
Why it wins awards:
1) The kids play on them for hours, in the house, getting rid of winter energy that has nowhere else to go.
2) The kids are practicing balance for their outdoor bicycles.
3) Skuut's are quiet.
4) They do not scratch the floors or leave any marks.
5) Since it IS a bicycle, of course it wins awards in this house.

His first boards

Stephen and I were a little disappointed when soccer didn't work for Charlie. Two agonizing seasons and we knew it just wasn't his "thing". After Christmas break, we decided to sign Charlie up for the Tae Kwon Do trial class at the studio here in town. We told him he had to try it three times and then we would make a decision on whether he would continue.

Very excited to wear his uniform and belt, he entered the class a little apprehensive, but within seconds he was laughing, smiling and enjoying the class. A little over eager to understand everything and be the best, he walked away from every class asking how many more he had to attend.

By the third class something clicked. And he has never looked back. Two big differences between this and soccer, he attends twice a week instead of one and he gets individual attention. He asks us every single day if he has TKD. He practices his kicks and punches around the house. He cleans up his room and is being more respectful to us as well as his siblings. Charlie has found his "thing".

Last night he broke boards for the first time. I asked him if he was scared before he did it and he told me no. Atta boy! Master Jo also told us that Charlie is ready to test for his next belt, next Tuesday.

It is so nice to see him excited about this, his confidence and self esteem is flourishing. Such a different boy than 6 months ago!

Happy Birthday Punkin

7 years old! Avery had a GREAT birthday. She came downstairs this morning to a huge pink butterfly balloon and a crazy birthday card singing "I like to move it, move it" to her.

When Jackson and I visited her at school for lunch, she was wearing the class birthday crown.

We went to McDonald's for dinner (her pick of course!) and then came home to open presents and have cake. With a lot of effort to get in bed and keep her eyes open, she told us she had the best birthday EVER.