God's sense of humor

Spent some time at the Monterey Aquarium today. I took so many pictures for the kids, I know they will enjoy looking at them. Like me, they can't get enough of sea life. I think I stood and watched the otters for an hour, they are just so funny.
I am always amazed at some of the creatures we see at aquariums. Like the leafy sea dragon.


This tank showed how garbage incorporates itself into sea life and the animals that live around it.


And jellyfish, just plain weird.

Meet Joe

Our first hatch! Friday night we heard loud peeping and scratching and we knew one of the chicks was close to hatching. Saturday morning the kids all watched Joe hatch out of his shell and fumble his way around the incubator.
Stumbling over what we hope will be siblings (no other hatches yet) he learned how to stand up, but spent most of his time sleeping from his difficult journey.
This is Joe in the incubator shortly after hatching.



The kids and I went over to our Southern States store to get all the essentials for raising chicks. Heat lamp, feed, containers to hold both feed and water.
This morning we moved Joe from the incubator to his brooder (fancy for cardboard box with a newspaper lining). The kids all held and pet him before placing him in his new home. Following our chicken "bible" we dipped his beak in water so he knew where to find it and also threw feed on the floor. Stephen thought it was pretty disturbing for Joe to be walking around on a grocery flyer with chicken breasts on sale.
Joe seems to be doing really well in his new home, we have about 24 hours for the other chicks to hatch, if they will. Avery is hopeful, Stephen and I are just very ahppy to have one healthy chick here. Here is Joe in his brooder. Isn't he cute?

I am in love

With spring and what it brings to where we live!
This morning

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.