This spring break we mastered the Staycation. We played a lot, relaxed a little, and worked just enough to avoid feeling guilty. Trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings. Tubing at Arctic Valley. Lots-o-board games. A poker party, a vet appointment for Rosie, and Alyeska ski school for the kids. Maggie and I whipped up a batch of homemade lotion – when else do you have time … Continue reading Staycation
SEASON 2 May 24-25, 2015 How crazy that we headed out for the first trip of Season 2 on our boat exactly one year from our maiden voyage . We live about two miles up a curvy mountain road, so pulling the boat up and down is no easy feat. We made it halfway down when Clark realized he had forgotten his wallet. Should we … Continue reading Boat Log 8
It’s baseball season again, and this year Sam and Maggie are on the same team. Boy does that make life easier! Last year we hardly ever got to attend games as a family, since we were always split between two different fields. This year it’s so nice to cheer them on at the same time! Here are some pictures with Sam on 2nd base, and Maggie … Continue reading Our Little Angels
Today, finally, I am grateful for time. It’s the first day of winter break, and for the next two weeks life gets to slow down. Even amidst the craziness of the holidays, there is more time for the things that matter. Time to cook real breakfasts and eat better dinners. Time to take walks before the sun sets. Time to read, and time to write. … Continue reading Gratitude #10: Time
Friday, October 24, 2014 Today felt like a gift. Each moment was wrapped in a shiny bow, and I untied every second. Due to a late parent-teacher conference night earlier in the week, I only had to work until 11:00. The kids didn’t have school at all, so Clark took a vacation day. As soon as the work day was done (okay, maybe 10 minutes early) … Continue reading Gratitude #9: Today
There aren’t enough days in the weekend. ~Rod Schmidt Oh how I love the weekend! The kids and I ventured out of town the past few weekends: two weeks ago we went to Hatcher Pass, and last weekend to Girdwood: This weekend we stayed home. And when I say “stayed home,” I mean it quite literally. Today I didn’t even change out of my fuzzy … Continue reading Gratitude #4: Weekends
It’s soup season in Alaska, but we seem to have a carrot crisis in this house. Last weekend it was the beef stew. The meat was already tenderizing and veggies half chopped before I realized we were out of carrots. Apparently the kids are devouring them in their lunch boxes. Last night it was chicken noodle soup. Once again my children had inhaled 5 lbs … Continue reading Purple Noodle Soup
Well, we did it. After years of dreaming, we actually bought a boat. It’s a 24-foot 2003 Bayliner Ciera, pictured here in Prince William Sound on our Maiden Voyage: There are more sensible ways to spend money, but this will be a great way to unplug and explore as a family. We have a limited amount of time to pack in childhood memories with the … Continue reading Boat Log 1
Last week a language arts teacher at my school asked me to write an elegy to share with her students. At first I thought she meant a eulogy, but she set me straight: an elegy is a poem honoring a deceased person, whereas a eulogy is a speech that is read at a funeral. Who knew? The hardest part was coming up with a subject that … Continue reading Seussical Celebrations
This world is full of both good witches and bad witches. I would like to introduce you to one of the good ones: This witch has one mission: to create magical memories for children. She’s pretty good at it too. Every year she plans a Halloween party that most families would pay to attend, but by some stroke of luck she invites our children for … Continue reading A Witch’s Dream
