I Am From the Orange Door

I am from the orange door and the barn,

I am from the apple tree in the back yard,

the red and orange tulips whose long gone petals

I remember as if they were my own,

I'm from a together and close family, from Hannah and Lea,

 I'm from eating cereel and doing my homework,

 I am from my tooth brosh, from flossing and water. 

I am Anders.

 

This Spring Anders' school embarked on a pretty incredible photography project.  A local arts organization hired a photographer to photograph the entire school.  It's a pretty diverse school with over 30% of the population from other countries; refugees who have fled their home countries to find safety and a better life here in the United States.   The school also happens to be in the poorest section of town and about 60% of our population receives free or reduced lunch.  We also attract families and students from though-out the city because of our focus on the arts - graphic designers, architects, artists, writers, and  dancers who want an arts based educational experience for their children.  You can imagine the spectrum of our demographic.  The photographer for this project tried to reflect the visual beauty and the diversity of all 300 students.   Teachers in the school had their students write about themselves....and the writing paired with the photo is profound.  The individual handwriting and the word choices were just as poignant, just as revealing as the photograph.  I love Anders' piece so very much. 

 



Abominable Abdominals

It's been a very long week.   It all began last Friday when Kuba came down with some ugly stomach bug and was awake most of the night....he woke up on Saturday seemingly better.  That is until about 4 pm.  The cycle of hell returned and  he was up all night writhing with stomach pain.   Better and well enough on Sunday to eat French toast and take a trail hike.   Until about 2 pm.  Again, severe stomach pain and a visit to the ER where they just sent us home to watch and wait.  Sleepless night and more vomiting.   Monday came and left with a trail of wakefulness, and Tuesday followed.  Anna and I were walking ZOMBIES.  Finally on Tuesday he fell asleep at a reasonable time and slept for the first time through the night without moaning, tossing, turning, or vomiting.   Wednesday arrived and Kuba was TA DA....BETTER!!!   And then Anders came home from school....with stomach pain.  Vomiting boy round 2.  Sleepless night round 5.   Exhausted moms round 2 million.   Thursday, no school and lots more vomiting.  Anders did manage to sleep that night and woke up today a bit better.   He is asleep now and I am so hoping tomorrow is a brand new sun shiny day!

One of a Kind

Rock Powder

The boys are at it again.  Rock smashing. 
Luckily this time around the rocks are small, the mess is small, but the fun is still BIG!
Plus, this is a team effort.  They worked and played together for hours today.

Bye Tooth, Hi Money

Kuba lost his second baby tooth today, 4 months after losing his first one. As he went to bed tonight he said, " Bye tooth, hi money".

Volcanoes in the Snow

I wanted to be sure to post this video clip I took about three weeks ago of a volcano Kuba made on a recent snow day.  Anders was in the house on the couch with a fever of 102, and Kuba and I were busy building out of doors.  It was the kind of snow that stuck....thick, wet, and perfect for snow sculptures.   This was our volcano, but you will see our snowman in the background too.  I especially like the end of this clip when Kuba is gently petting the "good" cooing chickens - who were bravely facing the snowy,  wet weather.  You can see the thick flakes falling.  Snow in the Spring is not to be missed, even by a chicken.

Mor Mor Moves to Town

It's true!   Mor Mor, (Anders and Kuba's grandmother) has moved to town!  This is exciting and thrilling news because we are going to love having a grandmother so close to home.   We have been anticipating this for years now, and she finally sold her home and is setting roots here.  She has bought a condo in a co-housing complex and is so happy and eager.  She'll be moving there in a month or so, and then will immediately be leaving for Sweden for a three month visit.  I am so happy that the boys will have her nearby.   
Welcome Mor Mor!