A Wish List for Santa

Halloween has come and gone, and apparently Christmas is on the brain. 

Kaj wasted no time compiling a list of requests for Santa. 

A translation for those who need help interpreting Kaj Guy's phonetic spelling...

1. 1 pack Sky Landers Giants

2. the Shark Hot Wheels

3. Halloween costume (for next year, Mom)

4. 1 of your reindeer bells

5. Marshmallows 

6. Mad Scientist set

7. Free trip to Thailand

8. Dino Lego Set

Di's New Room

And for my three loyal readers who may be wondering about my new teaching space, take a peek... 

I LOVE IT! 

Happy 6th Birthday, Kaj!

Happy Birthday, Kaj! 

Your 6th birthday has brought me out of hiding, 

ready to compose a blog entry worthy of such an important day. 

 The festivities began a week ago when both sets of grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins gathered for tacos (Kaj's request) on the deck. It was a beautiful day with family!

 Kaj and Leif take advantage of the dining room sans table. 

 Uncle Doug joins in the fun. 

 Cool! Thanks Aunt Sara, Uncle Chris, Annika & Kristen! 

 Have we mentioned we like to do experiments? We like to do experiments. 

 Look at these happy cousins! 

We celebrated Faun's 18th birthday (WOW!) on Sunday. 

Where does the time go? 

 Uncle Sam & Jonus

 What? What! A Pirate's Cove Mini Golf shirt? YES!

 Tom and Kaj looked through some cookbooks, and and Kaj chose this plum cake recipe. 

 Yesterday a group of friends from Kaj's Kindergarten class 

and the neighborhood celebrated at our house. 

Good times with many new friends from Lemme Elementary! 

Made in Thailand 2007-2008

You've got to love deadlines!

Apple has been reminding me for the last several months that our Mobile Me account (which hosted my original blog) would be closing at the end of June. With forty-six minutes to spare, I've reformatted all of my entries into a relatively impressive 41-page pdf.  Now I  am ready to share what I have found to be an enjoyable stroll through yesteryear, thanks to youblisher.com.

Made in Thailand: November 2007 - June 2008

If you'd like to know more about our lives in 2012, you may have to wait a few more days.  Priorities, folks.

Our Spring-like Winter/Our Summer-like Spring!

With such beautiful weather, we have been keeping ourselves quite busy and in good spirits during the last month. We've hopped around the Midwest a bit (Di also snuck away for a few days of fabulous professional development in San Antonio) and have started enjoying the fruits of Tom and Doug's patio-building labor by spending most late afternoons and early evenings outside. 

Who knew March in Iowa could be so lovely? 

Di & Kay at TMEA  

I went to Orff sessions, she to band, but we managed to snag a photo on the Riverwalk. 

Stonehenge or Court Hill Park? 

"Mom, look! L is for Leif!"

 Kiwi + Peanut Butter + Celery + Sprinkles = Why don't you want more, Mom? 

Kaj with his neighborhood buddies, Matthew and Kenji          

Di and Jenia showing off their half-marthon medals and beautiful children -   Our fan club at Mile 10 kept us going!

Adventures in Chicago with the Larsen/Reik crew

"Sue"

Leif flying a "Red Tail" at the African-American Museum in Cedar Rapids

Walking to 60th and Portland Dairy Queen from Uncle Doug's house - this needs to become a tradition

And we returned home to flowers, flowers and more flowers!