now that my headache seems to have passed

So I can finally tell you about Aidan's 11th birthday party. He loved his family gifts. The bike and Ireland/shadow box I made him was a big hit. as were the very, very cool brother gifts. He was SO sad that it was raining and we would not be able to go through with his birthday wishes but pulled it together and spend the morning putting together games. Sports trivia, charades, what is the worst, best, etc. questions seemed to be a hit. funny anyway. Here's a list of the trivia questions:
When was the first World Series played?
Who competed in the 1903 World Series? Who won?
Who was the first African American person to play in the MLB?
Who holds the record for most home runs (career)?
What did Ted Williams hit @ his last at bat?
What football player guaranteed his team winning the super bowl?
True or false? Before 1859, umpires sat in a padded rocking chair behind the catcher.
What was the first hockey puck made out of?
In the 2005 NFL season, what team stops the Indianapolis’s chances of having a undefeated year?
In ancient Roman wrestling what was the only way to be disqualified?
What cool toy started out as a weapon in the Philippine Islands?
In ancient Japan, public contests were held to see who what the loudest and longest. Winners were awarded many prizes and received great recognition.
What do all these athletes have in common? Hank Aaron, Billie Jean King, Robert Parish, Joe Namath, Lawrence Phillips, Carl Lewis.
What is the most attended or watched sport in the world?
Which is the only sport played on the moon - on 6 February 1971 by Alan Shepard?
What do these sports have in common? basketball, volleyball and American college Football?
Why do many baseball players spit into their hand before they pick up their bat?
what color do many tennis players avoid wearing thinking it’s bad luck?
What is the most poplular sport in Thailand?

If you think you know the answer e-mail us and we'll let ya know.

Here is Aidan testing his friends














and not cheating @ the donut game

Who's 11???

Aidan is!! (that's what he is walking around the house singing)


It's raining... how could this happen to him?! How can this happen to me?? 13 10-11 year olders in my house. Why oh why???

Henry's exciting weekend

For a dog who once would vomit if he was in the car more than 20 mins Henry has become quite the traveler. This last week he made it through the White Mountains and to the Cape and back. Go Henry sans the vomit!

Mr. Owl, how many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

Today we found out. For Max it was 630 licks, Aidan, 574. Aaron and G choose a different method and sucked. It took Aaron 373 sucks and G 450. Ethan alternated between the two and yelled out random numbers.

Chris and Aidan

I wanted to get photos of Chris and Aidan next to each other. We always make a big deal of how much they look alike (it's also the first thing Grandma said to Aidan when she saw him) I wanted to get a photo of the two of them. Here is one of the shots I took.

When they didn't know I was shooting

these are shots I took of the two of them reacting to being told how much they really resemble each other. you tell me...

One Kingdom

is now available !! Deb wrote and photo illustrated this amazing book. go Deb!!

climbing and mining

We had an amazing time in New Hampshire. Best time ever I think. We started off by taking the boys to Lost River gorge & caves where the boys explored caved and panned for minerals. Driving on the Kangamangas was a slice of hell though.

Finally, Ari was able to mine for gems






Max somewhat conquered his fear of heights







Aidan was able to climb every availalbe surface. The little monkey that he is.







Gabriel said it was better than Storyland

I am not going to try to add text to go with each picture. not that it's so hard but I don't have a lot of time AND I am lazy. I figure you can figure out what we did by the photo's anyway.

I would like you to notice the bulit on this Children At Play sign. Guess they grow buff children in the mountains.

We're back!

Still dont' have my head on straight. We got in...Karin called from China...Aidan off to camp...Chris working 'til at least 9pm tonight.

So good to hear from Karin though.The China/food situation is really amazing to me. I figured that as a vegetarian Karin would have tons of options. turns out even the tofu has meat in it!!! Karin said she is happy when sees a McDonalds since there will SOMETHING she can eat. bizarre.

will be back middle of next week. Then off again.



This is fascinating.

Good Morning

While it is not a glorious display I am thrilled to see that my Morning Glories are spreading. I am finding that I am really enjoying photographing flowers this summer. very meditative....forces me to stop.

don't ya hate it when people tell cute kid stories?

your fault for visiting this blog then....

Gabriel has an awful habit of biting his nails (fingers and toes). Yesterday while trying to remove a sticker from an apple I mentioned that having nails comes in handy for such tasks. he gloomingly agreed and said that he has been thinking of stopping. When I suggested that he look at his fathers nails (Chris not been nibbling lately) his mood brightened and asked if that meant he could bite his dad's instead.

Anyway.. I thought it was funny.

So damn hot today. We have no expectations of accomplishing anything.. I did have a meeting this morning and the Portland book is almost done!

know how to send an avacado?!

Poor Karin

I am off to work in the store today and Chris and the boys left for the beach @ 8. They just called to say they are pulled over to the side of the road to watch two deer. nice. :)

I'll remind you as we get closer but...

two readings in MA to look forward to:

Deb will be reading from Angel and Apostle on October 12, 2006 @ Newtonville Books 7:30 p.m. She'll be reading with our friend Lisa Carey, author of Every Visible Thing.

Also,
Sunday, October 15, 2006 @ Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA 2:00 pm Deb will read from One Kingdom.

Deb will read from Angel and Apostle at Harvard Bookstore too (and a few more..not sure which but you can check it out on her site.
She will also make it up here again as part of the stores reading group but we havne't pick out a date yet.

Was a BUSY BUSY week. a few b'day parties, The Shaks and mom and Ethan. I actually went to bed @ 8pm last night. me...before 11. shocking.

hello

G @ Papa's house

I am reading a galley of "The Lady in the Palazzo" by Marlena De Blasi. She is an American woman who is making here home in Italy. I am finding this book both inspirational and troubling. Questioning both my nomadic desires and comfort of my western ways. I picked up this book because the back page stated, "... will appeal to anyone who delights in travel and shares the fantasy of beginning a new life in a very different place".

In truth I really do not think I could live so close to the earth as the author has. Though the statement, "The less there is, the more important it all becomes" echo's in my head. She also put my nomadic desires eloquently, "I'd thought, you see, that one of the best things about going to live in another country would be the chance to be ten years old again. Or for the first time. Everything fresh, untested. Learn to see how the new people sip their tea, break their bread, treat each other. Not just passage through, not a wander among the natives but settling up with them. that to be at home with the world was the to grow rich. The way I wanted to be rich".

the funny thing is that what I find troubling is the amount of meat they eat. I completely understand why but realize that I could never do so.

I do not seem to be stating much here. But there is really a lot going on in our little world....
making a lot of headway with the Saturday Market idea. The Portland book is almost done. The boys are having lot's of fun and there has been tons of visiting family. And family to visit. Chris is working most of the time and all is well there. I think I am a bit worn down so I post silly things.... feeling the need to hibernate.

The Office

Thanks for Moira and David we have been able to enjoy the full second season of the
Office.

Karin

I haven't heard from Karin in a while. Was getting nervous so I visted the website of the school she is currently teachering at.

whew.....

Happy Planet Index

My friend Matt sent this:

Here are my results

The Cape

We had a wonderful time with Papa. It was hot but between the beach and sailing we managed just fine. The boys LOVED boating. They all want a motorboat now. I was not able to get any photo's since I didnt' want to risk ruining my camera. good thing we were soaked!

Aidan, Ari and G did love that they could scooter down the streets of Papa's neighborhood.

slow to the start line

it took me a while but I finally put together why Karin cannot read anyone's blog, even hers. (to comment on a post you have to e-mail her directly). In case you are as slow as I am, remember all that google/China/censorship buisiness that was in the news a while back? that's why.
back to my little bubble .....

isnt' it crazy

that we are at war and most of our lives have not changed. I am packing for the Cape for a mini vacation. I am thankful my children are safe though I know it is unfair.

funny AND scary

http://www.overheardatthebeach.com/archives/000089.html

I must now say that a few years back a woman told Aidan that he was going to be a lady killer he began to cry and replied that he would never hurt anyone.

Karin

is in China. I miss her already.


This is my favorite photo of Karin

finally...

For me this has been a summer of disappointing reads. I started The Girls last night and am loving it!!!
I must admit though that now I am so hyper aware of jacket art I am saddened to say that the cover is a bit misleading. Though the girls are conjoined they could not soak their feet in the water at the same time.

Sammy is magic

Last week at the wading pool I took some photo's of Sammy and the boys. At first Sammy wasn't too thrilled with the cold water that was squirting him from below but he ended up having a blast.

Check out the close up his hand cutting through the water.. the water beads made from his fingers... the stream of water above his hand... coolio.

Italy!!!

I know what Emmy is doing right about now!!!

The boys, donned in the shirts Papa brought them from Italy were screaming @ the top of their lungs too.

I think our neighbors love us.

how not to secure your bike

Why I may never shoot again...

If you get a chance check out Laura McPhee's show at the MFA. Amazing Amazing Amazing



more of her work http://www.lauramcphee.com/photoindex.htm

big sigh.....

Summer Time

the living ain't so easy but it could be worse.

I have been doing a horrid job updating this blog. We've been busy, random jobs keep popping up for me, and these full days leave me to exhausted.

I found it amusing that of all the "big" things we have done thus far. I think they had the best time at this playground.

hmmm

not that I have a say. I think I like the first one better. I heard from Deb that at the big library conference in New Orleans the book jacket was blown up HUGE on a banner. pretty cool.

Go Brett!!!!

some of our most favorite Portland people:


http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid16270.aspx

mark your calendars

the air date for the Mayflower movie is Sunday, November 19 at 8:00pm. There will be screenings in Boston, Plimouth and NewYork. I know it's really early but I did want to share with you the promo ad. I am really excited!

never mind

we altered our plans...where going anyway. whew.....

Rain Sucks

so... our weekend plans have been ruined by a forecast of rain. Would be hell for the boys to be stuck in Karin's apartment. grrrr.....

the other day there was an amazing thunderstorm here. (Not just because they cancelled the dreaded closing ceremonies!) The clouds were literally rolling in. absolutely gorgeous. that evening the lightning was so fierce it lit up the sky.
this photo was taken @ 10pm.