Robin Hood

For today’s post Daniel brings you a night at the movies.  This is a stop-motion animation video that he created.  He has produced about a dozen of these little clips so far, and they are delightful.

The sound on this video is quite low, so turn up your speakers/headphones.  Notice the details such as the staff and hat floating down the river, the bubbles, and Robin Hood almost falling backwards but catching himself.  Enjoy.

By the way, this post allows comments.  If you would like to comment, click on the post title (“Robin Hood”) above, then find the comment box at the bottom of the page.

Peachy

There are some enormous pungent peaches on my dining room table. Their autumny smell shoots through my senses and clings to happy memories in my brain. And have you tried chocolate milk and fresh raspberries? That is a nice treat.

We’re almost finished with the first term of school. We enjoy a one-week break in autumn, winter, and spring. I’m going over ideas for autumn break activities. October is the perfect time to be outside. We have an amazing outdoor air and space museum, mountains, and some beautiful missions nearby. I’m thinking that a nice walk near Tumacacori or Tubac sounds good. Maybe we’ll take our sketch books and sit at the Sonoran Desert Museum for a day.

My doctor’s office recorded my age as 35 this week. Is it a sign of senility that hearing my age was confusing/surprising to me? I really wasn’t sure that it was true. But I guess it is. In fact, I’m almost 36.

Daniel’s birthday is next week. He has a new friend and this makes me happy.

What am I looking at in this picture?

A Desert Tortoise.

Mark-isms

“I’m sorry, Mom, but sometimes your breath smells really bad.”

“How do you spell, ‘Oo la la’?”

“Can I play computer, Dad?”

“I’m not sure, Mark. Have you already played computer today?”

“I’m not sure. WHERE (sigh) is Angela?” replies Mark.

“Do you want to play outside with me and each other?”

Summer Holds On

Just look at those long legs! Summer seems to make them grow.

We have 350 days of sun each year. I think of summer like I used to think of winter in Utah. It’s 5 months of having to stay inside. The mornings feel a little cooler, so this gives me hope that we’ll be down in the 80’s soon.

Last night I sat outside and looked at stars. We have a long covered patio and a view to the south. I looked at Sagittarius and Scorpio. Antares is fascinating for me with its changing color and brilliance.

I sent Paige to Youth Conference all weekend. I sent Richard on a temple trip by himself on Saturday since we had no babysitter. I cleaned the cars and became drenched in sweat and went shopping for Legos to pass the time with the boys.

Richard gave a talk at the temple at the Stake Temple Day chapel session. He talked about the Ross and Spencer ancestors who attended the temple in Nauvoo during those last days the Mormons were in Nauvoo. He talked about temple blessings extending through generations. These were sweet and humbling thoughts.

I decided that I’m going to keep looking at the stars each night and enjoy that cooling September air. It will give me hope for some milder Autumn days ahead.

Comfort food and lighting

Tonight I made croissants with ham and cream cheese for dinner. The smell of warm bread emanated from the oven to greet my boys as they came home from the pool.

I am home with Mark watching The Aristocats. Mark is a mouse. I am a mama cat. The rest of the family has activities away from the house.

On evenings when I am home sans everyone I turn off all of the overhead lights and enjoy lamplight. If it’s late, I’ll turn on a string of white lights in a tree in my bedroom. It’s deliciously dim in the house and soon the old laptop with its accompanying glare will be set aside, too.

Hoping your weekend is relaxing and refreshing,

-A

School notes: Day 31

It’s Day 31 of the Ross School Year.

Last night I sat down and read all the articles that were submitted last year for our monthly homeschool paper. I could finally read them without the baggage associated from already reading the roughest, rougher, and rough drafts. It was good for me. I was entertained and very encouraged. So many things are like that. You have to take a step back to see things clearly.

Paige is busy these days learning German, playing piano, writing essays, reading heavy books, and dancing ballet 4 nights a week. She gets up for early morning seminary, too. Half of her classes are away from home and she is surrounded by good friends and teachers each day.

Daniel sits down to play the piano probably 4 times a day. He’s composing a piece for his piano lesson as I write. Last week he read Microbe Hunters by Karl deKruif and The Double Helix by James Watson. He’s a scientist at heart. He spends his free time creating little stop-motion Lego animation movies and training for his athletic test for Webelos. He likes Latin.

Timothy remains most interested in science and math. I love his writing and tiny illustrations. He sits down to play piano several times a day, too. He takes a weekly P.E. class and runs like a cheetah.

Mark wants to read. He wants to know how to spell everything.

That’s the school report.

Health

I’m feeling much better. Thanks for your concern and prayers.

As for Ray, I wish his news yesterday had been better. I’m grateful for the progress that has been made, though. I wish all the energy and concern and love of relatives and friends could be turned into a medicine because I’m pretty sure that would be the cure. There would be no needles and no nausea and hugs and fun times would be the only therapy required.

However, I know that God has a plan for Ray and each of us and we can trust that plan.

Health is a blessing that I easily take for granted. I’m grateful for fewer aches and the good night’s sleep last night.

Summary

We had a wonderful Labor Day. We visited the Desert Museum and grilled steaks on a new grill. I think food is a link to our extended family on holidays. Naturally, we make clam dip (Sanchez) and baked beans (Ross) and pretend we’re with everyone, I guess.

Our week brought a new course for Paige in school and a talent show performance for Daniel. Timothy loves listening to Treasure Island each evening. Mark writes letters. If you are a lucky recipient, I hope you know he loves you. Also, I can’t think of a prayer offered by Timothy or Mark since May in which they haven’t mentioned Ray. We hope your tests this week show no signs of cancer, Ray.

I’ve felt terrible for about five days now and I hope to feel better soon.

Richard and Mark went tool shopping on Saturday. Mark came home with a hammer but Richard only came home with a duster for the ceiling fans and some welding gloves that don’t really work. Bummer.

I can’t sleep because I am so uncomfortable. Say a prayer that I feel better. Thanks.