in the genes

The Middle Carrotstick has also felt the urge to climb up tall tree trunks freakishly fast. He and PB&J did the high ropes course together today while Mom (me) watched from below -- a nervous wreck. I get that from my mom. Thanks, Mom.

spider monkey

all the Oldest Carrotstick's late night trips down mountain trails must have unwittingly led the her into a Twilight encounter. Today she went all Edw@rd Cu!!en on us, and though she protested mightily, she successfully completed the high ropes course! She scampered up that hanging tree trunk with no problem -- and no freaky looking computer animated enhancements ala the first Twilight movie.

I am glad to report that no other vampire-like traits have yet been exhibited. Though I wonder if I should be afraid for my safety, because PB&J did the same yesterday afternoon. I'll be on the lookout for unusual bite marks on my neck. If tomorrow I report that I have taken leave of my senses and climbed the high ropes course myself, you'll know what happened.

age appropriate

This family camp has been very different for PB&J and I than it has in years past.

can you see what is missing from this picture?

look closely.

give up?

I'll tell you. there is no Oldest Carrotstick. this camp has been a dream come true for her. it's all about hanging out with new friends 14 hours a day. we see her only briefly at meals and when she needs to change clothes. last night was the best! she was hanging out with a group of Young Adults (15 to college-age) and they asked her what college she was going to. Frighteningly, she played right along with it and told them she was going to go to BYU or Utah State.

I think I need to pull out the "I'm only 13" sign.

we first came here when she was only 4 and still needed and wanted us.

I miss those days.

orange crush

I love me some orange fanta.

it is my drink of choice for one week, every other year when we take our kids on our biannual trip to aspen grove family camp.

wish you were here!

really!

partly cloudy with a chance of mud

Here are the results of the Middle Carrotsticks Wednesday night slide into the homebase mud hole.
I am currently considering reworking my investment portfolio to include Spray and Wash stock. it is a commodity for so many moms.

spies like us

if you are going to drive a scooter, it's best if you do it in style.

(I felt very double-oh-seven trying to covertly take this girl's picture with my phone without her thinking I was a crazy stalker person. You should try it! It's fun! Hey, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take an undercover picture, post it on your blog, then leave me a message in my comments and I'll check it out! I'll be the "M" to your James Bond! Just don't do it in a creepy bad illegal way. That's my disclaimer. I am not trying to encourage delinquency in any way, shape, or form.)

this is what my kitchen looks like right now. aren't you jealous? looks like the only thing cooking right now is my brain on lacquer fumes.

the sandlot/dirtpit?

I would personally like to thank the grounds keepers of our fair city's parks and recreation areas for importing such a lovely red dirt for the baseball fields. if they had been satisfied with the natural brown dirt indigeneous to our area, I would be missing out on so much fun trying to get the red dirt stains out of the Middle Carrotsticks white baseball pants.

why is sliding into base such a thrill for 10 year-old boys????

soccer: a how-to

You thought I was kidding when I threatened to post 1 million soccer pictures. I wasn't.

For your enlightenment, here is a little tutorial on how to play soccer, presented by the Carrotsticks.

In the manner of all great books, it has few words and lots of pictures. (Be glad I didn't take the technical writing class when I went to college. Then it would be even harder to understand -- because I would have to write it in english, translate it into chinese, and once everything comprehensible was thoroughly twisted, change it back into the unintelligible dialect commonly known as "Reference Manual Modified ChineEnglish.")

(which she did. seriously. her nickname is now "bruiser".)

And, finally, in Reference Manual Modified ChineEnglish:

Many sad goodbyes as happy we are you visited us came.