Parrrrty!!!

Last night, Josh's work celebrated their 20th anniversary. It was little boy, scratch that, BOY heaven! There was a bouncy house and laser tag set up on the lawn with big inflatable boulders, tubes, and X's to hide behind, along with a band, the rock climbing walls in their rec center, the basketball court, pool table, foos ball table, the campfire and marshmallows, and all the yummy food-ok so it was Mindy heaven too! They loved the laser tag. I only talked to Jordan once the whole night and that was when they had too many players so he took a round off to jump in the bouncy house. He and Elan looked so funny in their headbands running around carrying their laser guns. Luke loved the bouncy house, the band and chasing after basketballs. Josh got to show everyone his fire poi spinning. He didn't even light himself on fire once.

E.L.M Adventures 2

Today we visited Central Park in Huntington Beach. It's one of the bigger parks in socal. We didn't find the playgrounds yet. Elan found some garbage cans, which each had different tones, and a metal pole to play with his stick (which could also be used to slow his assent on the steep slopes in the park-he's been watching "Man vs. Wild" ) We followed the path and found a stream that Elan played by for a little while with another boy. (Elan has dowsing rods for legs-he always finds water) He inevitably attracts playmates wherever we go. He's just doing such interesting things. He's the guy that doesn't look to see what everyone else is doing but surveys what's around him and comes up with his plan. I really, really want to go inside his head for a day. I imagine wandering paths, jungles, lots of water, strange cities, and then a bunch of other unimportant stuff like "oh shoot-mom's barking at me to put my shoes on and I don't remember where they are and if I tell her I've lost them she'll tell me again to put them in the closet next time, and all because when I came home last time I was so excited to build a new knex gun that I forgot to take them off...hmmm wonder what's for lunch? There's Luke-must-steal-ball". Our car was 2 great sticks heavier on the way home but our moods were lighter. :) Awwww-how cheesy!

Elan, Luke and Mom Adventures 1

Jordan has chess classes on Wednesdays in Huntington Beach so it's just the 3 of us for an hour and a half. Last week, we went to a duck pond and a park. Luke loves birds so he was thrilled. Elan found some rocks to walk on to the edge of the water and a little beyond. I mostly tried to avoid bird poop and mud since I had wore flip-flops. Then we ventured to the park across the street where Elan found a great stick, we played with "helicopter" seeds, and Luke mastered the funny tunnels. It's really nice to have Elan on his own sometimes. His sweet side really comes out and it's easier to really listen to what he is saying.. It was wonderful to spend an hour and a half outside with no plan, no where to go and 2 happy boys.

Budding Photographer Profile: Elan

Jordan and Elan have taken an interest in using the camera lately. (Actually Luke too-he sees them having a turn and wants one too) I love that they notice more of the details in the world around them and find interest and beauty. These are some Elan pics from the duck pond.


A big turtle Elan snuck up on. The camera doesn't have much "zoom" so he was pretty close. Luke was thrilled and wasn't happy to leave until we waved good-bye to Mr. Turtle. (We always have to tell his turtle night-light "nigh-nigh" before bed too)









He wanted to get a picture of the birds flying, so he ran and chased the ducks while snapping pictures. He also got some cute pictures of the toe of his shoes and the blurry ground passing by underneath-probably one of the pictures which would define the essence of Elan.










"You've gotta see this mom. The mushroom looks giant!"

Art Miles

Last week, the boys participated in a world-wide mural project to be completed in 2010. Children paint murals on canvas and by the time the project is finished, the murals will cover one of the great pyramids. Elan dove right in. Jordan was a little upset and unmotivated at first (Elan had just pulled him off a pole he was climbing, hurting him and then got in trouble for hurting Elan back-which comically all happened as this other mom was telling me about this peaceful-type play group she and her son attended. Why didn't we get an invitation????) Jordan really started getting into the painting. He drew angler fish in dark areas of the ocean. Elan really liked covering the second canvas in blue for ocean water. Luke liked smacking paint on the canvas wherever he could, and on mama whenever she wasn't watching his paintbrush. Luke got filmed and his picture taken a whole bunch. One of the directors had a photographer take her picture with Elan afterward because she was so in love with the way he was covered in paint. Such a wonderful day. I feel so lucky we were able to participate and enjoy each other's company.

*Here's a link to the project: http://www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org/
If you click on the Aquarium of the The Pacific project picture at the top, it takes you to a whole screen of pictures. There is one of Jordan, Luke and I on the right side down 4 or 5.

Real Castles

This morning we went out to pick up daddy's valentine's day present. The boys were pretty patient for awhile but I was extremely tense- 3 boys in the...never mind...I don't want to give away Josh's present. Then we went to buy valentine cards for their friends at park day. Elan found some acceptable Lego ones. Jordan was very upset that all the cards were "just advertisements". He was looking very much for independence and that feeling of power today. He wanted to make all the choices and was upset when there was only 1 flavor of vitamin water in the beverage case. After a quick stop at home to make pb & j sandwiches, we went to the castle park. It is an actual cinder block castle with stairs and turrets. The big boys immediately began a game with another little boy that involved secret meetings, rushing around and hiding. Soon they were joined by the kids from the after school program and had quite a spy network for awhile. Luke had his own little posse of a 3 yr old and 5 yr old boy following him around. We are now home after a long day of playing in the sand, swinging, sliding, climbing, espionage. It is so nice to feel hungry, cozy and free.

More Yes, Less No

Our new period of experimentation is saying "yes" more and "no" less. I was tired of enforcing all sorts of rules that didn't really seem to matter so much. I wanted to spend more time with my boys and less trying to control them. Our first day went amazingly well. We removed the video game time limit and it was amazing how quickly Jordan and Elan were finished with their chores and schoolwork. Their time spent playing wasn't much more than usual because we still had quiet time, tai jutsu, their friend over to play and story time. I actually had time to play little people and draw with Luke. The house was so much more peaceful and tonight I feel peaceful and the boys are all happy.