Friends & Fun

A lost/unfinished blog from November.

So you think slugs are gross? How about giant 8-inch-long FAT slugs that hang out on your back porch (right where you walk) or climb up the walls of your house or the INSIDE walls of your hallways? I'm not a big fan, but the kids think they're great. Miles's second unit of study in grade one was "Wings, Stings and Wiggly Things." They grew their own silk worms, went on "insect safaris," and learned to be fascinated instead of grossed-out by all the little creatures.

Yeah, that's a slug.

Our pool is nice but FREEZING cold. It's funny how so many houses have pools in this country, but I have never been swimming. It just doesn't get hot enough here. One day, I will find affordable insulation to cover the pool. The kids, however, like to spend a sunny day on the weekend, playing in the pool for as long as they can.

This is our tortoise, Cindy, who we inherited from the family we replaced. She's very low-maintenance, just eating what she finds in the garden. We see her only occasionally when she ventures out of the thickest parts of the bushes.

Eliza & Cindy

Everybody loves Mambo. When the kids wake up or just get home from school, first thing, they need a good old snuggle with the cat.

Mambo & Miles

Our children got into the terrible habit of watching TV while eating dinner when their mother realized that "Aang, The Last Airbender"- the Nickelodeon animated series - was the best show on TV for kids, as far as she was concerned. OK, there's fighting. But there's a war going on! And Aang must travel to the Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes and the Air Nomad temples to learn how to bend the four elements so he can save the world. And by the way, Aang, our hero, is a humble, fun kid who wisely finds a way to battle evil without ever killing. The show has philosophical and stylistic similarities with anime, but it's more accessible for an American audience.

Anyway, after Halloween, Miles decided one day to dress up as Aang.

Focused meditation.

Panache and Miles with the day's avocados.

Aang, the last Airbender