First day...

Silas woke us up at 7:40 (hey, we're on a summer schedule) and said, "I heard someone say class was over, but I haven't even been to class yet." School anxiety dream for a three year old??! We stuffed some cereal in his pockets and he rode on the back of Daddy's bike to school (three blocks away). There are five kids in his once a week 3yr old pre-school class. I will say that they are some of the sweetest kids in town...and they are all almost four years old. So, they are older for the class. He learned how to play duck, duck goose; played a computer game with a fireman; and sang "the wheels on the bus." Next week: Calculus and 18th Century French Lit. 

Priya cried her eyes out when he left and said, "Silas is running away from me." He said, "Don't worry, you can come next year, when you're 3 and 1/2." 

We're going over to Christian's sister's house for the following menu tonight: beer battered and fried squash, zuccini and eggplant and catfish and chicken. Sweet potato and regular fries. Baked tuna steak. Custard and cookies. Peaches. If you don't hear form me, I've probably had a heart attack.

August in a nutshell

We went on a two week vacation and it has taken at least a week to recover. We left on August 3rd and went to California via Utah and Nevada. We were in Cali from the 5th through the 14th, then we headed home. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take too many photos. I will borrow some from Christian's family to post later. I can't give a detailed account...but here are some highlights of our trip:

For Silas, the trip was a bugcation. He found the strangest, largest bugs everytime we stopped the car (which with a nursing baby and a potty training 2 year old was OFTEN). He found a caterpillar of a hummingbird moth. He even got to look for grasshoppers in 110 degrees in the Mojave dessert.

We stayed in the San Bernardino Mts near a town called Lake Arrowhead, off a road called Rim of the World Highway. We were basically on a cliff about a mile (seriously) up above LA. We were able to sit on the edge and look over the LA area lights one evening. Amazing. 

The wedding of Christian's cousin was also pretty spectacular. The rehearsal dinner was on the viewing lawn of a restaurant overlooking Dana Point Harbor. As we toasted the couple, a huge harvest moon rose over the bay. David, the cousin, married one of the most striking brides I have ever seen (photos to follow). Priya called her the princess and kept looking for her from our hotel balcony.

We loved the Santa Barbara and Morro Bay areas. Beautiful beaches and cool towns. We found all the cool playgrounds in Santa Barbara, one like a castle, and one with whales you could climb. We had some tasty playground treats: corn on the cob on a stick with mayo, cheese, chili, salt and butter...and a mango on a stick made to look like a flower with lemon juice and salt (I skipped the chili). Silas met a girl who knew how to catch turtles in the pond.

We camped out in San Simeon for a few days, near Hearst Castle. Silas and Priya played at the campsite with Kaya and Kayo a girl and boy from LA who had a Japanese mother and a Dutch father. We showed them how to make s'mores. Silas wants to go back and see them someday. 

Priya's brightest moment, "Look, mama, I see somepin on that rock. It's, it's a....bear. Uh, it's kinda like a fish." Of course, she had seen her first seal. We also found a starfish and some sea urchins in the waves. 

We drove back through hot, smoky central California and stopped at James Dean's last stop to buy some chili lime almonds, before driving all day and getting a flat tire in the middle of the sweltering dessert and arrived in Las Vegas, where we saw two of Christian's uncles. 

Since we've been back, I've had the "home-grown-tomatoes" song stuck in my head because our greenhouse is producing the sweetest, reddest ones you've ever seen. I scrapped most of the skin off my right leg when I tripped while running. My children are suffering the effects of too much local sweet corn and peaches. I have washed 1500 loads of laundry. I've had company over for a meal at least five times. We went to a good-bye party for our friends Jordan and Charity, who took their beautiful little red head baby and moved to Utah. We went to a Green Party (the whole town came and everyone wore green) for our good friend Lucky, from Ireland, who f-i-n-a-l-y got his greencard, after marrying our other dear friend two years ago.  I've been weaving up a storm for an Art show coming up next month and Christian has been sawing up logs into siding for a guy in town. Deep breath in....exhale. 

still humming....."home grown tomatoes, home grown tomatoes, only two things money can't buy, and that's true love and home grown tomatoes....."

What's that in the truck, under the tarp?

Oh, a phone booth. I see. What are we going to do with it? 

Despite my initial hesitation about this large addition to my kitchen, it is growing on me. This phone booth was originally in the Lake City Bank in the 20s or 30s (whenever phones first made it here). We live a block from the bank in one of the oldest houses in town...I guess that makes us good candidates for loving this old thing. And, the glass doors block out some of the kid noise when I'm on the phone.

"Where's my baby?"

...this is what Priya says when she can't find Levi. I am sharing him with her, as I vowed I would do. Thankfully, he's a hefty little guy so she can't try to walk around with him. 

I better get to my chores...today I ran 5 miles, walked 2, and stood in my doorway for way too long talking with a Jehovah's witness. I found a bunch of info on a great website about their absurd teachings...so, I'll be better prepared next time. Needless to say, the laundry is piling up and we're eating leftovers for dinner. Stay tuned...coming soon...why my husband is not allowed to drive a truck to Gunnison anymore...

ok, alright

For all ye who thought the last post was decidedly lacking in kiddo pictures (ahem, grandparents), here are a couple I lifted from a friend. My camera is up and running, so as soon as the kids wake up tomorrow, I'll be filling their eyes with flashes and your email accounts with updated faces. 

P.S. Silas didn't run that bird down...it hit the window and we let him whisper to it until it was ready to fly again.

We love the night life, we like to boogie....

First a few random photos, then I'll tell of our latest late night adventures...

Christian and Kyle, the kid he mentors, before a recent rafting trip.

Priya on July 4th, selling Colorado cherries from her wagon. 

We've had some late nights lately. Poor Silas, the firstborn was subjected to 7:15 bedtimes his first 2 years of life. With three kids, we've gotten a lot more relaxed about a lot of things, including bedtimes, which frees us up for a little more summer fun in the evenings. We've been going to at least one softball game a week in town. There are more knee-braces and designated runners than I care to mention. July 4th included late night fireworks. Priya was spouting adorable things like "Can't get 'em. Too high up. OOO a green one". Of course to her, they were all green. 

On July 5th, Levi and I went on a date to see Sweet Sunny South, the bluegrass and old-time band pictured below. They are one of my favorites and are based out of Paonia, CO (where we pick our cherries). They sing and play around a single microphone and therefore must dance around one another to blend the sounds. I love their sound and they are each such amazing performers. Do yourself a favor and check them out at www.sweetsunnysouth.com. Or check them out on youtube to see them in action. 

Silas went to see his first movie at theater on Friday night. We took him to see UP, which, yes, just made it to our local theater. He was excited about the big screen and the movie, but probably missed most of the meaning. I, by the way, loved the movie. Let me tell you a little about the Mountaineer Movie theater. I'd be surprised if it seats 100 people. Don't even ask if there is more than one screen! "Lake City's living room," offers a unique movie experience. Phil, the owner, stands in front of the screen before each showing and explains the upcoming movies, tells bad jokes, and even gives out door prizes. Yes, folks hold on to those ticket stubs, he just might call your number. Last week, there was a free pie form the local bakery, a pen, a poster, and, ahem, a bag of potatoes for the door prizes. We didn't win, but I think it was rigged for a local birthday girl to win that night. I love this town!

Then on Saturday, we saw this dude (Wylie Jones), who is a friend of a friend, at Mean Jean's coffee house. He played reggae music and was amazing. How a white guy from Virginia can sound so Jamaican, I'm not sure. He was joined by some local drummers on the second set as our children fell asleep in our laps. (This photo is from the web, he played a more mellow scene with an acoustic guitar for us.) We're looking for some late night weaving and vacation planning this week. 

Quick Update

We had a great July 4th, though I'm sorry to say, I didn't have my camera out that day. We've been using the sunscreen/mosquito spray combo almost everyday. (A wet spring and a blazing July.) We sold lots of rugs and even more Colorado cherries at our booth on July 3rd. 

Christian's milling business is taking off, he has four orders to fulfill between tomorrow and wednesday. He has had the mill parked in town and he can hardly work because so many old dudes keep stopping to watch, chat, and say "I always wanted one of those."

We're currently planning a big family road trip to California in August, which according to my calendar is right around the corner. I'll keep you posted on our plans.