No Running

I finally made a No-Running-In-The-House Rule...yes, it took me twelve years to figure out that would be a good idea. Now, Ryan and Emma are skipping quickly through the house, chasing each other. This, I guess, is why there are so many tiny, seemingly silly law on the books.

By the way, I finished my paper this afternoon, which was the last thing I had to do for my fall quarter class, so you might actually see a post or two by me in the next month.

Ryan's Haiku

My son, who love fireworks, shoots guns, and draws skulls-and-crossbones, wrote this haiku this morning:

Kittens are playing,
Playing in the lovely sun,
Kittens having fun.

...and then he went out and tore up the yard on his motorcycle.

Emma's turn!

Little Honda

Here's a movie-clip Ryan, Jake, and their friend Ian made this afternoon.

Farm Vacation, 2009

Father's Day 2009

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Hide and Seek, at the Farm

Can you spot the kids, before they appear?

Mother's Day 2009

Happy Mother's Day Mimi!

Lego Designers

First, the inspiration: http://powerminers.lego.com/en-us/Movies/function-movies/functions-thunder-driller.aspx

Next, watch the interpretations:
first Jake -



Then Emma -

Then Jessie (get that girl a kleenex!) -

Jessie's Driveway Walk

Jessie Cathleen, taking a walk up my parents driveway, in Friday Harbor. A fun glimpse into the mind of a three-year-old.

Friday Harbor Firewood

Dad, Ryan, and I - cutting down a dead tree for firewood.

Jake's Cabin

Jake has been begging me to build him a "shack" for about a year now. He became interested after watching the ferry workers in ticket booths, thought their space looked just about right for his needs as a 9 year old introvert.

It continued from the ferry booths, to latte stands, sheds outside Home Depot, etc. He'd say - "Dad, if that building was about half the size, it would be perfect for my shack!".

He very specifically wanted a small footprint; enough space for a small desk, chair, some shelves, and that's it. Originally he was hoping to have his shack near the road, with a window to sell candy to passerby's. That got vetoed by Mom and Dad, sorry Jake.

Then, I got the idea to use logs, since we were clearing the back yard out a bit anyway (always extra downed trees around our place, Lord knows...). So we started last Friday, with the revised Log Cabin project:

A couple logs, nestled outside the back door under a cedar tree..

Most of the work was done last Saturday and Sunday, but I have to tell you, Jake is a slave driver. He was frustrated that I wouldn't work past dark (midnight, to use his term), and every day of the week, after work, he'd ask what the plan was for the cabin.

To be fair, it's an exciting project for me too, but I have been surprised at Jake's dedication. We finished the electricity yesterday, after a day of troubleshooting tripped GFI outlets (I wired the light switch backwards)... Here's Jake at his desk, sometime before "midnight".



We just need to finish the back window, and fill the cracks a bit, and then we're done! Although, Jake REALLY wants me to add a stone fireplace out the back of the cabin. Or if not, can he take the electric space heater out there? Please Dad!?!...

Ryan's Life

Ryan has decided to do some online journaling - his blog is http://www.ryan-and-jake.blogspot.com/

He'd love your comments!