Back in the Game!

I have felt so out of it with out a camera but I fixed that problem yesterday. Best Buy matched Costco's price, I couldn't believe it. Here is the first picture I took.

Sean Eats Pears

I was eating a pear yesterday when the phone rang. Sean was screaming at me because he wanted in on that pear so I handed it over while I answered the phone. I was gone only a matter of minutes when I came back in time to catch the core before he swallowed it. He inhaled the entire pear and still screamed when I took the core away. Rest assured this kid is a Porter. He eats like no other I have seen before (with the exception of watching Tom eat).

I would have taken a pretty adorable picture if my camera was working.

Memorial Day in Point Reyes

It was a fun day today. We drove 1 1/2 hours north to Point Reyes where we hung out a the light house, watched the Elephant Seals at Chimney Rock, and then played at Drakes Beach. The Hanaike's went with us and we are tired, but what a day to remember.

Here are the pictures I took just before I dropped my camera and broke it. I had to catch Sean mid-air as he was crawling off a bench. I saved Sean, but threw the camera in the process. I will now be purchasing my third camera since starting this blog. Any suggestions for a good camera to buy?Watching the Elephant Seals.

Hiking up and down the 300+ steps to the light house.Waiting for the cows to move so we can get to the light house.

Science Project Time

In Andrew's 2nd grade they are doing science projects and Andrew chose to make ice cream out of dry ice. Aside from the scary fact that Andrew was let loose in my kitchen with a rubber mallet, it was a fun project and the ice cream was yummy. The first time he made it, he didn't get the dry ice crushed enough and there were chunks of dry ice in the ice cream. We had to eat around the chunks and I was hesitant to send him to school with that to share. Last thing I need is to feed a poor kid a chunk of dry ice. The second time around we got the dry ice crushed fine and avoided the chucks.

Here is the recipe if you want to try it.
2 cups cream
2 cups half and half
3/4 cup of sugar
2 tbsp of vanilla
any flavoring - we did mint extract and chocolate chips
crush the dry ice with a mallet to a fine powder. Mix all the above ingredients and then add the dry ice while stirring. We ran our dry ice through a fine strainer and that helped avoid the chucks. It really is fun to make and the ice cream comes out carbonated.

Sean's First Good Bleeder

Just when I start thinking there is nothing more I could possibly blog about, Sean takes a dive and splits his eye open on something.  Not sure exactly what he hit, I didn't see it.  Stitches were not necessary but our favorite Dr. Berston did a good glue job on the open wound.   I took this picture before we went to the Dr.  

This is what happens when you have a 7 month old that thinks he is a 7 year old. 

My Dad Can Beat up Your Dad

Andrew is 7. At this age it is common to share how strong your Dad is. Often you hear on the playground, "My Dad can beat up your Dad."

While Tom probably could beat up most Dad's if needed, Andrew has taken this to a whole new level. We found out that he is telling kids, "My dad is a lawyer, and he will put you in Juvy."

A Solution

Sean doesn't sleep, still.

Apparently I have been going about it all wrong. I am now trying the jump till you can't jump anymore technique.

Because Crawling is Not Enough

Sean has discovered he can stand up. What is the hurry with this kid?

My Mother Juggles

As like many, I have thought of my mother a lot today. She is a great woman, but I have concluded that one of the best things I learned from my mother is the art of juggling. She is and will remain the master, but I like to think I am getting as good. With 6 children, one with special needs, a husband that is a little old fashioned and likes his dinner hot, and a family business, no one did it more smoothly, and while looking better, then my mom. When we were young, none of us went with out a creative Halloween costume, an event was never missed, and we all felt the love and attention we needed. There were always creative activities, home made play dough, and yummy treats in the house. I like to think it was all easy for her because she was so convincing, but I am sure there were times when her faking skills were in full swing.

Now that I have my own family and my own juggling I can see how hard it might have been for her. She never gave the impression she was yearning to escape, or in need of time for herself. I know all of us felt like we were the center of her world and we are better adults for that. I think of this as I sometimes yearn for a break. There will be time later to slow down. For now, I will keep moving forward, juggling, stressing, enjoying, and basking in the moments of complete joy I get as a result of the juggles.

I have enjoyed watching Tom take over the juggling today. I got breakfast this morning, lunch after church, and the yummiest dessert. All the kids are sick, including Tom yet I still got to sit and read my book, blog a little, and have food served abundantly. He did a great job with the juggling, but I can see in his eyes he is glad it all ends tonight.

Blue Footed Boobie

This is our current favorite animal in the house. Mainly because it is an excuse to be able to say the word Boobie.

Star Testing

The kids did STAR testing this past week in school. Kira especially takes this very seriously, bless her heart, and she always does excellent on these tests. She has been getting good sleep, eating protein in the morning and chewing gum to help her focus. I remember taking these state tests in school. I was the kid just filling in random bubbles so I could be done early to do the word search, while everyone else finished. I was not so serious about it.

Last week Kira came home with the word hyperbole written on her arm several times. When I asked her about it, she said it was the word hyper bole and she didn't know what it meant. I told her that it was hyperbole and she was quick to say, no hyper bowl. I paused and asked her, are you sure it is not hyperbole, and she was quick again to say it was hyper bowl, so I left it at that. At dinner, Tom saw her arm and asked, why is the word hyperbole on your arm? Kira then said, it's hyperbole, oh.

This is more evidence that my children think Tom is way smarter then me. He could tell them the sky is falling and they would believe it. I tell them what time it is and they have to go look at the clock to make sure I am right. Someday, they will wake up and realize which one of their parents really is the smart one.

A Friend You Wish You Had

Meet Nancy Hanaike, my friend.

The friend that I call when I am in labor in the middle of the night. The friend that picks up my kids from school when I can't. The friend that baby sat Kira and Andrew a lot when Tom and I were dating. The friend that bakes the best chocolate chip cookies and leaves them at my house. The friend that feeds Tom's cat when we are out of town. The friend that cleans up Andrew's puke when he gets sick at her house. The friend that can always keep a secret. The friend that I can always get on the phone, and the friend that will always go see a "girly" movie with me.

Even though I think my kids like her better then me, I don't mind that they tell me, "Nancy does it like this" all the time. Nancy makes her own pizza dough. Nancy bakes, Nancy throws the coolest parties, and Nancy has the best movie collection. I know I can't measure up but I can only hope and pray that I am the same kind of friend to her.

This afternoon, she yet again saved me by calling to remind me I had committed to do something with Relief Society. Yes I had forgotten, but because of her call you would never know, until you read this blog that is.

Sorry I cut you out of the pic Reggie.

Piano Recital

Tonight was Kira and Andrew's piano recital, and both of them played brilliantly. It makes me so proud to see them practice daily and have it pay off. I often reflect on the many pairs of designer shoes I could be buying with the monthly piano money, but I am glad I have chosen the lessons. They both keep getting better and better, and Kira has recently started playing the prelude in church. I told her the other day that this officially makes her a pianist. Andrew over heard and got a strange look on his face. He reaction was, "I don't want to be a private part."

Regardless, they are the amazing kids and I love them tons and tons.