Frawwwg Frawwwg Frawwg

One day in the past week, we found a little tree frog. Every child delighted with the little guy, about the size of a quarter, screamed and jumped in delight. Squeals and dancing a froggy dance.

Nobu, who really is not speaking yet, repeatedly said, "Frog." Of course it sounded much more like frawwg. Once calmed down he really took some time to carefully and quietly observe this fascinating creature.

Frawwg started off with a small gatorade bottle with the twisty drinking top, then upgraded to a rectangular clear plastic spinach container with leaves, a mossy branch and hopefully edible things. Now Frawwg is going with the lease/option to buy gigantic cookie container.

What does a tree frog eat?? Omni Google. bring me answers.

Warriors at Deep Blue

As the years pass, these guys will be growing and learning together. May they find places of beauty and together conquer the fears they may have.

We are here at Crater Lake. See the island in the background? On the south side of this island with the right light is the most beautiful shade of blue-green in the water. As I recall it can be viewed from the Crystal Spring campground which, by-the-way has no spring at that campground.

Attila just finished taking the peak at Scott's Point. Athena and Nobu played in the snow. He was quite proud, as well he should be. It was my understanding that the last part was a bit of perilous rock climbing. Wish I was there with him.

Food news. I have learned the basics of making kim chee and am quite pleased with the results. Now I work on perfection.

Chickie Having Fun and on the Run

As most children seem to have nicknames, we call her Chickie. As you can see she has quite the impish look just deciding on her next course of action, and that happened to be running fast and away with great glee. Imagine hearing laughter and you have the picture. Do these work Jenn?

We were at the California Science Center. Very wonderful place to visit for kids of any age. Many wonderful and interactive displays.

Nobu enthralled with the water displays. We also saw live baby chicks. Nicely done I would say. Personally I was having some difficulty with TESS (an acronym for something), the 50 ft. woman. She was very grey and a bit odd, with her lips moving way to much for the words she was saying.

So what would you make if you had a science display? I think,,I would have a little ride, real or virtual of the circulatory system. Imagine yourself as a red blood cell. It could be fun or am I too nerdy?

Bonds of Brotherhood

Attila is the Best Big Brother and he takes his role seriously, even if that means he always gets the bigger "half". He loves Nobu and shows him many things. When we picked up Bu from school one day Attila held his hand, looked at Nobul's artwork, and said, "Wow Nobu, you did a good job."

Nobu often likes to play chase with Attila. They are getting so much faster. Here they sit on a redwood exploring, climbing, and running. In this photograph they just finished looking over the edge of a cut redwood tree that had fallen.

It is my wish that they grow up very close, so I foster that relationship. One of the movies I really appreciate is Legends of the Fall. It is the relationship of the young brothers that seems so romantically nostalgic. I once had a brother where I felt we were close, yet those times were so long ago. We pretended to be James West and Artimus (sp?) Gordon and used my father's junk mail as important correspondence from the government.

My boys will not only play, but one day hopefully, really regard each other's strengths as ones they benefit from and be proud of the other. Boys will be boys, and one day these boys will be men. Good, strong and loving men.

Beautiful Bu

This "Little Man" has an amazing spirit. When I was 4 months pregnant with him, his father was in a severe motorcycle accident. He cried more as an infant, and as a toddler, he did not want to be hugged. For almost 3 years he did not even turn when his name was called. He did graduate to coming up and giving hugs, but not necessarily wanting one back. Now he gives strong bear hugs and loves to be embraced himself.

Nobunaga is on the autistic spectrum and is in many ways still like a baby. He loves balls and gravity, and jumping from high places into waiting ( or not quite waiting, more like here he is) arms.

He still lays flat when upset, turns away when he does not want to hear what you are saying or feeding him, but has the purest heart melting smile and giggly laugh.

He has been given carnesine and probiotics daily for a few weeks and there is vast improvement in his repetition of words and recall such as sitting by himself, saying, "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,... or counting 1,2,3,4,5.

Redwoods Rule

Attila stands proud and ready surveying his domain. Not the best photo, but the light changed so rapidly. Recently we visited the beloved Redwoods of California and found the most beautiful campground. Usually the Elk Prarie is a favorite, but we decided to drive further and explore a new place. I think it was 77 on the AAA map, but I am not sure. It was something like Hidden Springs. Lovely, eerie ( I told Attila a bear story) and wonderfully haunting, but peaceful, solid and it spoke of many years past.

At the end of the story, while he is gazing into the firepit and listening intently, I grabbed him from behind. After the initial scare, he laughed. He truly has a strong, yet loving spirit. He is bold and bright. He reads rather well so sometimes he will read a paragraph and then I will.

Back to the Redwoods. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to peek at prehistoric times? The large ferns and quiet of the woods sure lead to some good day-dreaming.

The Next Morning

Athena, last Spring, is picking the wildflowers in the backyard. She took great pleasure in this. She and Attila often bring me flowers. He also brings me special rocks. Attila thinks I should type another sentence about a whale, so here it is.

Once upon a time there was a whale. It was a grandma whale with a boy whale.

Attila is 4.5 years old.

Still 1st night. Here they are.

The first night

Ok! Finally after much ado, not so much about nothing, here is the first of hopefully many and consistent blogs. How does one raise kids in pure Nirvana? We live in one of the most beautiful places with so much to look forward to. Nature has a full bounty of flora and fauna.

Now personally my home-grown pumpkin patch was a failure this year, especially compared to last year. We had moved from California and had been here maybe 2 weeks when I planted a hurried pumpkin patch. We had quite a few beautiful orange orbs with very cool stems, so of course I thought the next year would be even better. Ha ha, laughed the pumpkin gods, because I might have 3 little pumpkins, as of this moment, ready for the big day. Now we have to go and buy them, which will be fun as there are very cool pumpkin farms (so I hear), but I was really hoping.

Computer saavy is not something I call myself, but I will try to figure out how to post photos, so here goes for now.