The Indian Prince

Today we had a Halloween parade at preschool. The kids looked so cute, they had a little movie theatre set up where they showed "Where the Wild Things Are" which is one of Porter's favorite books. He likes me to read it to him when he's in a certain mood. "Show me something mean!" he says. Then I put away the bunny books and I bring out Max and the monsters. It doesn't happen very often but it's so adorable when he does.
Today each child had to stand up and announce what they were at school as they sat in a circle. He didn't see me come in and it was his turn. He stood up and said, "I'm an Indian Prince" very matter-of-factly. He walked around the pumpkins looking so beautiful I couldn't believe it.

Halloween roses

We got a pumpkin, carved it, and two days later it was moldy, and melting on our counter. I carried it outside where I was going to gingerly place it on the ground when it started to completely collapse and I had to drop it quite suddenly and it smashed into a million pieces on the ground. It was raining and I looked to the window where the boys were watching my every move faces pressed against the glass. They were confused. I went back inside and they said "what happened to the pumpkin mom?" I searched my brain for an answer and every explanation seemed too long. They were something like this: You see the shipping takes so long to Juneau that most fruit and vegetables are on the verge of being moldy when they arrive. Then, your father insists on keeping the thermostat set at 70 so things melt quickly....I looked at their quizzical faces and just cut to the chase and said "it died." They seemed satisfied with that and have told anyone that will listen that our pumpkin died. But isn't that what Halloween is about? Skeletons, ghosts...

I went to the store and decided to start a new tradition, a dozen orange Halloween roses to remember and honor people that have died, since Halloween is the day that the veil is lifted between life and death. A rose for each person. I will tell a story to someone that remembers their life. This rose is for my grandmothers Alice and Margaret. I will tell stories to the boys about their great grandmothers they will never meet, but that a part of them lives on in me.
Happy Halloween Alice and Margaret

India

Grandma just went to India and rode camels and elephants. She slept under the stars in the desert, stayed in an ashram and sang with monks. Then she sent us an amazing care package from India that we just got today! Tomorrow is a parade for Halloween and I think we're going as Indian royalty.

Playdough playdough everywhere

The big thing around our house right now is PLAYDOUGH. It's really fun, and it is a pain in the butt to get out of the carpet. I posted a couple pictures.

Playdough Playdate

Friday, Porter had a play date with a girl from his preschool class that he can't stop talking about. Ivy. He insisted on dressing himself in his nicest button up shirt. Ivy walked inside and he ran up and gave her a full body bear hug. She announced that she was "looking pretty for him." He just laughed, not getting it.
He giggled and wanted to show her everything in his house. I bought tons of playdough and playdough toys because they both like playdough a lot. Then we carved a pumpkin. Ivy modeled good eating by asking to eat oranges and strawberries. Porter was coming off two weeks of being sick and hadn't been eating. He started eating because Ivy was! It was great. Bodhi just observed his brother acting a little goofy and had a knowing smile...

The University

This morning started with pancakes, eggs and Gene frantically getting ready for his flight to Kake, Alaska. He's a big native rock star being flown in to play for one night. I took the boys to the pool, to the University (they want to go in my classroom), and to the Sandpiper for dinner.
Porter drew his first "F" on the chalkboard. we walked onto the dock, saw the totem pole and went home. We saw two glaciers today so we feel pretty lucky to be living here in Alaska.

The watsu massage

We have a new family ritual. We go to the pool every Sunday night then go out to dinner as a family. There is something so wonderful and cleansing about going to the pool together and then eating together when we are all in a good mood and super clean.
The boys are so happy at the pool. Gene floats around the shallow end with the boys, relieving stress and getting ready for his busy week ahead. I practice my diving board dives. Every night I add a dive or element that I've lost since my college diving days. I got my back layout rotation back this week and last week I got my inward dive back. My goal is 16 dives including the dreaded half and full twists. I also dread the reverse somersault I will eventually attempt again.
This week, I supported Gene while he floated on his back and tried to recreate a watsu massage I had while 8 months pregnant on the cliffs at the Hana Maui. He really got into it. Then he shocked me by returning the favor. A watsu massage in the kiddie pool in Juneau. I felt like we were at a Ritz Carlton when he was done. Wonderful.

The Football game

While I studied on Sunday, my husband watched the boys and football. This morning there was a rousing football game happening at the house before breakfast. A little tattered yellow foam ball with chunks missing was the football and they wore socks on their hands to help with diving touchdowns and tackles. Normally they wear one of papa's baseball caps on backward as helmets. I lectured them on the fact that this was only to be played at home with people who know they are playing. Do not play anywhere else I sternly said trying to keep a straight face. "Okay" they said. "Throw the ball Bodhi, throw the ball!" He threw it then they ran and tackled it and slid together laughing hysterically. All I can say is Aye yi yi! I smell trouble.
Too see clips of the game, see links on right side of page.