The Stylish Way to Nap

When you have the undivided attention of your Harmony and your Emo, and you're unquestionably cute, you can get away with a lot. That luxury extends to picking the "location" of your afternoon nap.

Old Friday Photo

Yesterday was the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Grand Canyon as a National Park. It was noted in our local paper this morning (the Arizona Republic) that more than 5 million people visit the park each year. That's up from 44,000 in 1919, when the park opened.

We planned on visiting the Grand Canyon today - showing the beautiful state of Arizona to Woody's aunt. We'll be delaying it until Sunday. After that, we'll head to Sedona to spend the night take in the beautiful red rock formations. It's only a two day trip, but I'm certainly looking forward to it.

Today's old photo is a picture of Woody visiting the Grand Canyon shortly after moving to the U.S. from Korea in 1976.

Lawn Games

It's great weather season in Arizona. Blue skies, light breeze, 75-80 degrees, great sunsets.

Woody's mom and aunt arrived today from L.A. for a weeks' visit. Woody's aunt flew in from South Korea on Sunday.

Our first outing was to Annika's golf team lesson. Annika's thoroughly enjoying the practices and was excited when she saw Harmony and Emo (rhymes with Nemo, meaning Auntie). After practice we arrived home and the girls wanted to play outside. Dinner was slightly delayed in order to take advantage of the superb weather. It didn't go unnoticed that Winona, MN was under a winter storm warning with school cancelled for the day.

The afternoon quickly changed into evening and the girls switched from bike riding, to badminton, to hula hoops. BBQ brisket from Dave's BBQ made a great late evening dinner.

Many Years Ago Today

Here's a photo that was taken a few years ago today.

Spring Cleaning Time

Yes, with temps in the low 80's we are going to be spending most of it in the house or around the house - washing windows, dusting, packing and storing, and all of the other boring cleaning jobs. We are gearing up for out of state (and out of country!) visitors in the next few weeks!

Happy Birthday Tom

Happy Birthday to my cousin, Tom. This is going to be a fabulous year for Tom, celebrating the birth of his second child this summer. Happy Birthday.

Old Photo Friday

Hwan-Gap!

In this season of birthday celebrations, this photo stands out as a good example for a Friday photo. This is a picture of Woody's paternal grandfather, Chung Sun Jin, celebrating his 60th birthday. The photo was taken around 1968 or 1969. Woody's parents are in the back row on the right. Woody is the second youngest in the photo standing in front of his grandfather.

The 60th birthday is one of three most celebrated birthdays in Korean Culture. Called Hwan-Gap, the milestone is marked that a person reached a high age (not always common before the advent of modern medicine) and the person had completed the full Zodiac circle.

Hwan-Gap is a big celebration with family and much food. The pilars of candies and rice cakes in this photo are real.

Taking the Time for Something Small

I'm trying to write another list in my head to keep for a future blog post. I'm not retaining it very well so I thought I better write some of it down and then add more later. Consider this post to be draft in thought.


I'm trying to write down some of the simple pleasures I observe through the eyes of my children and husband. Here's an example. On Tuesday, we ate dinner out and stopped in the grass park across the street. There is lots and lots of running room. And that was exactly what our three children did, until they stopped. Morgan had picked up a dandelion and was showing her sisters. We caught up with them and picked one for Ingrid, simultaneously showing her how to blow dandelion seeds into the air. This was a first for Ingrid. Her eyes lit up as the soft "cotton" seeds were swept into the sky.

What other simple pleasures come to mind?

• Annika's joy when her golf club connected with the ball on the tee producing a high loft chip shot. The sound and her smile were joyous.


• Morgan singing "Hey There Delilah" in the back of the car.


• Woody saying, "Let's go Fishing, " and have three eagar children rush to the door.
  

There are so many more simple joys I have witnessed and said, "Oh, I want to remember that." It doesn't always happen and memories fade. It is still a wonderful blessing to be a witness to the little things. Thank you for the gift of senses to embrace and enjoy, even in moments of stress and busyness.

Annika's 2nd Annual Valentine's Day Party

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

This morning was filled with excitement as we prepared for Annika's Valentine's Day party with some of her kindergarten friends and her longtime preschool friend, Megan. We prepared cookies for decorating, made gift bags of pencils and stickers, and set out this years aprons. Gone from our minds was the thought of last year's attempted party and the laptop fire.

The girls had a great time. The noise level was a lot less than Morgan's Christmas party, but the sprinkles, sugar, frosting and other decorating accessories was EVERYWHERE. The girls were absolutely focused on their cookie decorations.

We colored pictures and made headbands and played in between for a fun filled morning.

Morgan had a double dose of Valentine's Day parties. She attended a classmate's party in the afternoon complete with jewelry making and cookie decorating.

Old Photo Friday

Newpaper Carriers.

About three years ago, we gave up newspaper delivery at our house in favor of the Internet. The newsprint doesn't get on our fingers and we have less paper to recycle. In addition, I felt bad for any day where we hardly opened the paper. One less expense was an added benefit.

I really didn't think about the newspaper carrier that lost one more customer. I never knew him/her. They throw the paper from a car into the driveway. So impersonal!

So for this Friday's photo, I'm including a scan of a newspaper article, about newspaper carriers, from 1966. Grandma gave it to me, saying, "Look, your grandfather was a carrier too!" I didn't know that until she showed me the article.

Todd and I were newspaper carriers in Winona, MN for five years. It was a lucrative route - good tippers. But it was a morning route and we did it on foot. Placing the tri-folded paper in front doors, in boxes, inside the back door in the garage - wherever the customer wanted the paper, was a must. There was no bike riding, although I remember pulling the papers in a red sled after a snowstorm and walking in knee to thigh deep snow. I remember doing my route counting the steps and folding the papers with my eyes closed - still holding on to the dreamy state of slumber, only walking outside in the dark and cold. How I did it, I don't know. We collected for the route, too. That was an afterschool chore. And, as Grandpa mentioned in the article, there were those customers who didn't answer the door when we rang, even in our day.

So enjoy the musings of past newspaper carriers and ponder how long the profession will last. It seems to be slowly fading away.

Annika-isms

In this house barely a day goes by that we don't hear some quip from Annika. We chuckle, we shake our heads, we smile, and sometimes we run to hide our sniggers.

On Monday evening we opened Annika's backpack and found a certificate from the school made out to Annika. She was awarded a certificate for practicing Trustworthiness, the character trait of the month for her school.

We pressed for details because the certificate came with no note or explanation. Annika shrugged. We asked if her teacher gave it to her. She replied, no, it was just in her cubby and she found it.

We asked if she understood "Trustworthiness". Annika replied yeah, in a tone that said I'm really not in the mood for continued discussion. But we pressed. Nothing.

Later I asked again about the certificate. She huffed. What's up with that? I asked if she recalled what she did to be given the character certificate for the school.

She said she remembered. "What was it?," I asked, a little up pitch in my voice, reflecting enthusiam with Annika's williness to finally share. Annika said she got the certificate because she got a hair cut on Sunday. Huh???, my shoulders sagged. She continued, "Now Mrs. Thompson can see my eyes. That's why I got the certificate for now being Trustworthy. "

That's my Annika.

Busy Sunday with Good Results

Today was action packed, but fun.

I decided to get professional pictures of Ingrid after looking at Annika's and Morgan's baby books. We had more professional pictures of the older two than Ingrid. Crazy, maybe, considering our last visit to the studio. But, I took a relaxed approach and it paid off. Besides, it is close to Valentine's Day, and I had an outfit that I didn't want her to outgrow before enjoying.

We stopped at the kids hair place and got cuts for Annika and Ingrid. Morgan stayed home with Woody as he worked on a paper. After the hair cuts, complete with curls and ribbons for Ingrid, we headed to Portrait Innovations for our noon appointment.

Ingrid has a Norwegian festdrankt, a fancy word for mass produced kids' bunad dress. We ordered it from Iowa in a size one last year. It was the biggest size one I've seen. It fit perfectly today with the new patent leather shoes. Ingrid's other outfit was a Valentine's jumper that was in the closet.

Once inside, it appeared Ingrid was going to be O.K. with today's photographer (the same one from Christmas). She got apprehensive when our names were called and I thought we were in for another day of missed pictures. Tossing the football a few times loosened her up (and was caught on film). Who would've thought? Then ,the laughter started and didn't stop. 76 pictures later and we had TOO many to choose. Luckily, the store includes a CD of every photo, not just the ones printed.

So here is Ingrid, in some of the best poses, and some of the funniest poses. Yes, they asked her to throw the petals and jump in the air. The football pose is just funny. The underlying "Viking"/"Vikings" theme of that picture didn't go unnoticed. Prints are on the way tomorrow to the grandparents in MN and CA. Enjoy.

Friday Family Movie

This evening's plan changed several times. After picking up Ingrid, we stayed and talked to the preschool director for what seemed to be a short time. But in reality, we had a mere five minutes left to get Morgan and Annika who were playing at their afterschool program. A quick decision to have a sushi dinner followed.


The movie idea was to watch Wall-E and have snacks. We decided to wait until Sunday to watch because we got a late start after the yummy sushi (Tako and Masago are the family favorites). For now, everyone settled into one long laugh watching Mr Bean's Holiday. Rowan Atkinson is a master of body humor.

Old Photo Friday

Walking to School.

My older girls like walking to school. Because Ingrid's preschool is in one direction, and my office is in another direction, it is not always possible to walk the older girls to school and then get to preschool and work on time. We usually end up joining the gaggle of cars entering the neighborhood elementary school parking lot for drop off.

On some occasions, we have walked to school and home from school. I enjoy those moments. The girls get a chance to look at things and we have a longer time to talk. My parents have visited on school days and love to walk the girls to and from school.

My dad told me about his elementary school - located straight across from his bedroom window. He could roll out of bed, eat breakfast, dress and be at school before the final morning bell. I never had a chance to see his school and it never occurred to me how close he lived in relation to the school until I found this photo. Here's the family standing in front of the house with the school in the backgroud. My dad is the cutie in overalls in the middle. His older brother, David is on the left and his mom is holding my aunt Jane.

Now that's an easy walk to school!


Dennis Stevens standing with older brother David Stevens, mom Ann Stevens, and sister Jane (Stevens) Schilmoeller.

Annika joins Golf Team at School

"You're Annika, right?"

Yes.

"Did you know that's a good name for golf? If you have the name 'Annika', you're going to be a good golfer."

Well, that IS my name!

So begins Annika's first golf lesson held at her elementary school. Annika was very excited. And because Woody's schedule changed slightly, he was home to watch. I left a meeting and came down to the school to catch the second half. They worked on parts of the club, grip, and rules and etiquette for the first lesson. Then it was on the mats to tee up and show off what they learned.

Annika did great and wore a smile the entire time. We'll keep working on switching the hands and keeping the elbow straight.

Taking one of her first swings.

Annika reacts to her shot.

The golf class in the back of the school. A 36 hole championship

golf couse surrounds Annika's school.

5,000th Visit

Our blog counter recorded its 5,000th visitor to our two year old blog. I can't believe its been two years since I started this.

Currently, I'm working on the 2008 Blog book for our family using the online publisher Blurb. It takes about 40-80 hours to "slurp" the blog, edit each page, arrange photos, cover, etc. After that it is a three week wait for the book. Last year I was very excited to get the first book, one copy for each set of grandparents and one copy for us.

So who was the 5,000th visitor? The ISP hit came from the Pasedena Art Center - James and/or Insun!

The Cardinals are in the Superbowl - But Which Cardinals?

After the Arizona Cardinals won the NFC championship, my middle child asked for a shirt so she could wear it on fan day at school. I was ready to relent and get her a shirt. I rationalized the purchase because we have no other sports memorabilia (besides some 24 month cheerleader outfits) and she could wear it next year, too.

At the same time, Grandma had decided to make the girls shirts for the Superbowl and called to get my input. Yes, the girls would like them, and it saves me the purchase. The shirts were made, with some socks. After they arrived, I noticed something that made me hit my forehead and say, "oh no". The shirts said, "Go Cardinals, Superbowl XLIII." But the logo was the old St. Louis Cardinals baseball logo. If the girls weren't to wear the shirts to school, I would have let it go and not said anything.

We called Grandma back and pointed out the different logo for the Arizona Cardinals. My gracious mom said, "no problem" and went out and got two more shirts for the older girls and made socks and shirts and got them in the mail in time for the girls to wear to school and for the Superbowl. Thanks Mom!!!!

Our Superbowl party was a family affair, but that didn't stop us from making it fun. Inexpensive crepe paper pom poms added to the excitement. The girls liked the food, but soon left the game for other activities. Annika had asked the day before if Grandpa would take her to a game. No, Grandpa, not the Vikings, my red team. They're playing tomorrow. I don't think she realized where they were playing and the cost of that particular game.

So we weren't so happy with the outcome, but it was a fun evening. Kudos to Morgan who was finished and ready for bed only 15 minutes after the conclusion of the game, which was 8:15 out here in Arizona.