ReDefinitions

I found these new takes on old words quite amusing for mothers:

Amnesia: The condition that enables a woman who has gone through labor to make love again.

Feedback: The inevitable result when your baby doesn't appreciate the pureed carrots.

Full name: What you call your child when you're really mad at him.

Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderful even though they're sure you're not raising them right.

Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.

Impregnable: A woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.

Independent: How we want our children to be as long as they do everything we say.

Ow: The first word spoken by children with older siblings.

Puddle: A small body of water that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes and socks into it.

Show off: A child who is more talented than yours.

Sterilize: What you do to your first baby's pacifier by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.

Two minute warning: When your baby's face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.

To the Beach

Not wind or rain, the threat of thunder, sand or cold could keep us away from the beach! We packed up the kids, the baby, the car and headed off to the beach with Renee. The weather report was gloomy, the skies were darkening around us, but we persevered, and found ourselves on the white sands, enjoying a day by the water. But considering it was early April, the wind was high and the air nippy, and so we spent the day mostly with our feet parked in the free hot bath right on the sand's edge.

Here we are in high spirits on our way early in the morning!

Renee ready with her new sunglasses in her new car!

After trying to keep three tents from floating away, and nearly losing Jordan in the process, we settled for one tent anchored down with all our things and whoever wanted to get out of the wind.
The kids jumped into the blue waters for a grand total of 5 minutes, then made their way up to the sea-side free hot pool. They made friends...
Played a variety of water-attacking games...

And generally had a good time...

Not to mention making goofy faces at the camera...

I opted to forego fashion in favor of a dorky hat that works wonders in keeping the sun off my face.
Jordan actually didn't enjoy the beach that much, maybe it was the constant wind blowing sand in his face, or making him choke?Later on Janina made a treasure hunt for the kids...
And here they are inspecting the hole, not that thrilled about the treasure.
The day ended with a beautiful sunset, and we had to admit it was a great closing to our spring break!

Julia's Unicycle

It's very popular for younger girls to ride unicycles, here's Julia's on hers. She got it for her 5th birthday from Papa, but just succeeded in gaining her balance on it last year.

Happy New Year 2007

I just found these pictures hidden in one of Art's folders, from our New Year's walk to the local shrine.

Here's the shrine, you pull the rope to ring the bell two times, then clap your hands two times, then close your eyes to say a short prayer. I think you throw in your small donation before ringing the bell.

This is the little shrine well, with clean water you can use to wash up with, or even drink.

The little box filled with white things is special rice wrapped in a small paper, probably blessed by a priest, for you to take home and add to your New Year's meal.

Daddy and the kiddos. It was a pretty warm day for being January.

About 1-week to due date.

The kids' school viewed from the area around our local shrine.

Some of the rice-patties that surround our area.

Quilt is Finished

I finished off the scrappy flying geese quilt, and it now has a place of honor on my bed, adding a large splash of summer color to the room. I chose a very thing polyester batting, and white cotton backing material, very simple quilting. Most of the quilting was done by machine (my machine) but the flying geese around the border were done by hand. All is in-the-ditch, and there is no decorative quilting done on it. I may add to it over time, but for now, it is finished. Oh yes, the binding is a scrappy binding, made from the leftover material, and I really really like it, it blends in so nicely with the overall look of the quilt. I can't hardly wait to start on the next quilt!!