Jokes by Levi


What did the ice cream say when the banana asked when it could come over?
Only on a sundae!

What does a drama king wear to bed?
Pa-dramas!

What do you call a swashbuckling rat?
A pi-rat!

What do you call a shoe that has a problem?
An is-shoe! (An issue)

What do you call a video game that you play with more than one person?
A "we!"

What do you call it when someone listens in on Christmas Eve?
Eves-dropping!

And one contributed by a friend:
What's brown and sticky?
A stick!

Levi called me into his room saying, "Oliver's a quarterback." Oliver was on the bed on his tummy with 4 quarters on his back.

What does a crocodile say when it wants to be a rooster?
CROC-a-doodle-do!

Monday, April 21, 2008

We Made It

The past few weeks have been a bit of a frenzy--setting aside things for our temporary shipment of household goods, remodeling two bathrooms, canceling services in Baltimore and arranging the same in Boulder and, of course, saying goodbye to friends. But I must say that in some ways the frenzy actually kept me distracted from the reality of leaving. I feel like the absolute true reality of getting on a plane with a one-way ticket didn't start sinking in until yesterday. Our drive to the airport today was surreal.

And now here we are in Boulder, CO! Our travels were uneventful--planes left on time, kids were happy, the baggage all arrived and our rental car was ready. The day was cool and cloudy so the mountains were hidden until we got closer to Boulder. And then there they were, even snow-capped ones in the background. It really feels like the west, expansive landscapes, even a few tumbleweeds blowing across the highway!

We spent this afternoon getting settled into our suite at Boulder's Residence Inn where we'll stay until our rental house is ready at the end of the week. They have a compimentary appetizer and cocktail hour from 5 to 7. We made dinner of appetizers then played tennis on a small sports court in the middle of the complex.

Tomorrow we'll explore. The weatherman has promised sunny skies. Top on our agenda is a park day with the NICHE, a local homeschooling group at a park adjacent to the Boulder Public Library. So far, so good!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Okay, So Maybe I'm A Little Stressed

Our move approaches rapidly--a bit too rapidly. There is suddenly so much to do and so many people to see before we go.

The photo here shows the fragmented state of my mind. Earlier in the day yesterday, I did some errands with the kids and also picked up some dinner for Adam and I. Later in the evening when I went to the fridge to get our food out, I discovered not only our food but also the 4 DVDs I'd rented at Blockbuster and Levi's new swim goggles. I guess this is like Mother Brain (see earlier posts) but is Mother Brain combined with Moving Brain. Rough!

My current task (besides paying attention to my children and generally keeping the household running) is to set aside everything I think we'll need for the next 6 months while we're in temporary housing--the bare essentials. I have exactly one week to accomplish this. I get bogged down in questions like whether we should put the snap circuits in the first shipment or not. What about Candyland? Play dough? (The kids have recently had a resurgence in their interest in Candyland, one of the most boring games on earth for an adult once you've played it a few times. This could be reason enough for it to go into storage.) Also, how many crayons and markers does one family need?

This could be another opportunity for weeding out--except I don't have time! I actually fantasize about getting a huge dumpster and just shoveling things into it. We gave the kids shoe-box sized bins and offered an amount of money for each bin they filled with things to get rid of. We had high hopes. But each of them filled ONE bin. Sigh.

Well, it does provide a good chance on the other end to unpack things and realize you never missed them providing greater "permission" to get rid of them.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

For Those of You Following the Chocolate Obession

Well, I sent my dear friend, Lisa, some Chili Chocolate for her birthday. Here's an excerpt for the thank you note I got from her:

"You are evil. You are no better than the drug dealers and corner boys on the westside of Baltimore who sell their product to the dope fiends and scammers--not to mention all the upscale drug users who drive in from the 'burbs to buy a fix through the rolled down windows of the SUVs and Lexuses. Geez--I've got to stop watching The Wire. But that won't fix the real problem--my addiction to Lindt Dark Chili Chocolate. And it won't get you off the hook for having supplied me with my very first hit. . . .

I love it. My fantasy/nightmare is that one day I'll find the Lindt at Costco in a ridiculously low priced package of 24 bars. If so, I'll buy. Eat it. And then check myself into rehab."

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Maryland Zoo






We went to the Maryland Zoo on Sunday along with a friend of Levi's to celebrate her birthday. We were fortunate to have a sunny and warmish day among the cold, rainy days we've had recently.

We actually only saw a few animals! By the time we got there, took everyone to the bathroom, had lunch and let the kids each ride one of the rides they have there, we were running out of time! But all's well that ends well. The kids had a great time and the adults enjoyed the conversation together.

While eating his hot dog, Oliver said, "This is the BEST meal I've ever had!" Wow-- a hot dog at the zoo!

Westward, ho!

Well, it's official. We're moving to Boulder, CO--soon! It's bittersweet--I've made such wonderful friends here especially among home schoolers. So I'll be sad to say goodbye to you all. It's also sure that friends await us in Boulder. Some old friends await us too. Our friendship with Brad Fitch goes back 20+ years. He's in Estes Park, CO and along with his wife, Kathy, plays folk music around the area. Look him up at www.cowboybrad.com and hear some samples of his music.

We are very excited to return to CO where I went to high school and where my mom and step-dad still live when they are not traveling. There will be lots of things to explore in the Rocky Mountain State--with 300 days of sunshine a year!

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Laurie Berkner


On Sunday we went to see Laurie Berkner, a singer of kid's silly kid's songs. One of my favorites goes, "Laurie has a pig on her head, a pig on her head, a pig on her head, a pig on her head. Laurie has a pig on her head and she keeps it there all day!" On and on you go with whoever you know wearing whatever animal on their head.

After the performance, Adam said once you heard one of her songs, you knew what the others would be like (sorry, Laurie) but personally, I like them and the kids do too.

Anyway, Levi loved the concert. Oliver found it engaging for about the first 15 minutes and then spent the next 45 obsessing about the pastry in the lobby. He and Adam finally left to get food while Levi and I finished out the concert!

Oliver is a great lover of food but it seems to be especially alluring to him if it's food not-at-home--McDonald's, the snack machine at the library or gym, my food, or any restaurant. Maybe he'll be some sort of foodie someday--a cook, food critic or ice cream taster! Meanwhile he'll keep begging for snacks wherever we go!