Endless skies

Memory

What do you remember about your grand parents' house?  Curtis and I were talking this over, and I specifically remember digging potatoes at my grandparents' in Wilsall.  I don't know if these memories stem more from photos of Steve, my dad, and I, along with one of my grand parents.  In the photo, the "pit" where my grandparents kept potatoes for the winter figures prominently.  I remember the fact that this was a pitchfork job, and my dad is usually holding it.  I can even remember the feel of dusty, fall, mountain dirt.  Wilsall is high, and one would never dig potatoes there in May. 

Which brings us to Missouri in May, where Curtis' dad's potatoes were already big enough to both dig and eat!  

L, J and E were thrilled by the lift of the pitchfork to reveal the potatoes beneath.  Curtis' dad would find the father potato to show them, then let them pick all the babies from the dirt.  There is something purely magic about putting a pitch fork in the ground, turning the soil, and finding an actual food there.  

Of course we ate them for dinner. And, brought some home ;) 

And, if you dig the potatoes, you really should get to ride out to the mail box in the bed of the truck, right?  I hope they remember ;) 

Four from Missouri

All these people to hold the Super Si, make him one happy boy.  He has his charm meter set on high ;) 

It might be snowing at your house (Hi Grannie!), but it has been HOT here.  There has been a whole lot of water playing. 

There is a reason for this enormous smile, aside from the fun of fort building with cousins... but it is a post in itself ;) 

And, then, there are the tractors... 

Je ne sais quoi

Do you see the 'inexplicable something' about this garden?  We were watching South Dakota Public television and heard it described this way... tee hee. 

The original idea is actually from a book I read about this time last year called Caleb's Crossing where the early US settlers are described as doing it.  Supposedly, the 'three sisters' idea dates back to Native American planting. 

Maybe it's all magic, then, right?  

In an effort to have a more successful garden (because last year lacked success), Curtis used the rotetiller, fertilized, and otherwise prepared the ground.  Then, we decided to plant corn, beans and squash in hills (see them?), experimenting. 

If you look closely, the gamble is hedged with starts of pumpkins, tomatoes, zucs and peppers.  Of course, if we don't keep the evil bunny empire out... 

Nothing says gamble like gardening ;) 

The team posing after planting.  If I remember, I'll post one at harvest time too ;) 

Spring Program

This is the first year PreK 3 has had a spring program.  Jonah, for all that he is usually reserved, was so excited.  He loves singing, and sometimes at night or quiet time, we can hear him singing to himself.  His teacher taught them some old school Child Evangelism Fellowship songs that I learned in Sunday School and at AWANA... I can still remember all the words to this one, "10 and 9, 8 and 7, 6 and 5 and 4, call upon the Savior while you may, 3 and 2, coming through the clouds in bright array, the count down's getting lower every day. " Of course, 'array' is a great rhyme, if perhaps advanced vocabulary... tee hee. 

The boy on the left is Jonah's opposite, and the boy on the right is his good pal. He has learned so much this year about being a friend and about being a student.  It's hard to even remember how different he was in September compared to who he is now. 

He would probably tell you this was his favorite part, even better than ice cream. 

This is my favorite ;)  The rainbow you see behind him is his sister... tee hee. 

Kindergarten Graduation

I've never been to a kindergarten graduation ;)  In fact, recently, most graduations I've attended have been for college students!  It was fun to see another side... and maybe a little disconcernting too. 

I am not sure who told L that a low pony tail was the perfect hair style for mortar boards, but she informed me that it is.  And, I wonder if somewhere ages and ages hence, her little girl will ask about that black board behind her, wondering what kind of ancient technology that is ;) 

The whole situation is ripe for wondering... will she still want to wear high heels when she graduates from high school?  Will she still be confident enough to put them on when she towers over her classmates? ;)  I had to giggle because the boy next to her on stage, he literally came up to her rib cage! 

Will she still want to have red and glitter toe nails?  I didn't realize the gowns were red when she picked a color I usually think is too old for her 

I hope she still has really good friends, who both support her and who encourage her to grow. 

And, her stair step brothers who both idolize and entertain her, where will they be?  Yes, Elijah SHOUTED no, more than once. Everyone knew who it was too, because even though he isn't at school yet, he's sort of famous for his loud personality. 

One other aside... she is so proud of her freckles ;) 

A Favorite

We may have had a couple of long, challenging afternoons around here lately.  At the end of one, I suggested the big kids play Library Storytime.  It was one of those suggestions that just happened to work.  

L was the story lady, and the boys were the audience.  Note their special blankets (both the ones they sleep with and the ones they sleep under.  I love L's expression.  She is reading a book about quiet and loud sounds, which she mostly has memorized. Later they made monkeys out of paper, because there is always a craft at story time, mama.  

Year 3: Run to Remember

One of Curtis' legacies to Detachment 610 will be the Run to Remember, and we've done it each year in early May, in Fargo.  This year, Jonah rode his bike with Curtis on the 5K, and Curtis pushed Elijah for the distance.  Everyone crossed the finish line in a respectable time. 

There was also a kids' race, which the fastest kid ever always wins.  This year, Jonah finished second, which this photo doesn't show.  It's nearly the finish line, but Laurel slowed down.  Jonah didn't. 

I had thought, last year at this time, I'd prepare for the 5K in May 2012.  You know, I'd go out on a high note, or whatever.  Instead, Silas and I finished near the back of the pack with Elijah. 

Jonah and Laurel were impressed by their medals.  Elijah wasn't so impressed by his participant ribbon.  The mama did some fast talking about that, whew.  It just wasn't a stellar weekend for Elijah, what with a hotel pool and a cast, coming in out of the medals, and picking the mini-corn dogs at the Hu Hot. 

But, we did stop at Barnes and Nobel, where everyone wins ;)  It is painful to me that the nearest book store is 85 miles away. I can't explain the crown L is wearing, or the wedding toasts book, E is holding.  I can tell you there was great rejoicing over Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons which we really couldn't leave without.  Oh, Pete.  He is so groovy. 

12 on the 12th: May Edition

1. What day isn't best begun with donuts?  Lots of celebrating, as there are two new babies in C's offices, and these were leftovers.  With sprinkes ;) 

2. On May 12, 1949 the Berlin Airlift began.  On May 12, 1990 Curtis was commissioned into the Air Force at NMSU.  On May 12, 2012 Curtis commissioned his last set of cadets at UND, and his shadow box flag was flown at the Pentagon...  It is weird to think that 22 years from now, Silas could be one of those commissioning cadets. 

3. UND President Robert Kelly, a man whose shoes I would not care to be in, but who is an extremely kind, personable and intelligent leader.  One interesting part of this job has been getting to know him. 

4. Newly commissioned cadets do many things, but one of my favorites is singing the Air Force fight song a cappella.  It is moving.  

5. After the ceremony, we posed outside for photos because while lovely, the Empire has truly awful inside lighting for picture taking. 

6. It was pretty emotional, this commissioning, and nothing revives the spirit like a family meal at Five Guys.  heh. 

7. Jonah usually has a hot dog, but tried a grilled cheese. 

8. Elijah tried out his lungs.  And, peanuts.  He is such a weird eater. 

9. Cherry Berry is practically next door to Five Guys.  It is a place with a whole bunch of flavors.  You pick one, then add the toppings you want.  I haven't found anything hard to resist there until now, Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel.  Yum. 

10. Laurel and I took a long bike ride while the boys slept. This was my first bike ride so far this spring because the time just flies past somehow. 

11. Almost all the trees here have leaves, and the sunset light turns them golden.  When the sky is very blue, the effect is stunning.  The picture doesn't quite capture it, but you get the idea. 

12. Silas has learned that his fingers work for soothing, which may lead to a more peaceful baby.  Of course he looks especially suspicious and monkey-like here... 

Ballet: Year 3

We finished another season of ballet this weekend.  

Ballet which is at once order and grace, and...

passion and enthusiam. 

It is a glittery, scratchy outfit, and a big hair piece.  It is learning how to create a bun out of twisty, wavy, do it's own thing hair (at last).  It is watching the big girls rehearse and loosing track of time because it is so interesting to the small girl. 

It is realizing that her arms go on forever. 

It is only being able to take photos at dress rehersal, and capturing strange lights. 

And, it is going on the official recital night, with the oldest of the brothers, wondering why he wants to go so badly, but appreciating that he does... 

The (Mini) Avengers

It started with a conversation with Deb... which lead to a conversation with Curtis about stuffed toys for boys, their availability, and reasons to get them when they appear. 

Which lead into a conversation with Uncle S via email about which Avenger each child at this house might be... 

Which lead to some internet research into the Funkos (and their price)... 

Which ended at the intersection of a rare Barnes and Noble trip (B & N is in Fargo) and a great deal. 

So, I present:

Jonah as Captain America (Don't violate the rules of the road or any others... )

Elijah as The Hulk (This goes without saying, doesn't it?)

and

Silas as Thor  (You've heard about those big feet, right?)