Some of you may find the following story to be disgusting, as did I, but in retrospect (after everything was cleaned up) I found it to be rather comical:)
I walked into our room yesterday to find Logan "watering plants(toys)" with his watering can (thank you Kim...I think I blame you for this!) Owen was pouring "tea" out of his teapot into little cups. I glanced around the room and didn't notice any cups of water that Jacob or I had carelessly left lying around, so I asked, "Where did you get the water from?" Logan replied, "Oh. Me pottied in me pottystool. Then, me poured it into me watering can and now me watering me plants Mama!:)" He was so very proud and then Owen continued. "And me needed tea for me tea party!" Yuck!!! We had a little discussion about liquids and their proper use!!! Ah...me(my) beautiful creative children:)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Random Pictures
The Internet is moving rather quickly for a change, so I thought I'd post some random pictures from the past few weeks to make up for my lack of posts for awhile.
This is Logan with Marissa(camp counselor who stayed with us). Logan went upstairs and dressed himself...a boy with great fashion sense I think:) Jacob's aunt and uncle brought back the chinese attire for the boys a couple of years ago.
I love this picture! They got themselves ready to go outside. Marissa thought maybe they should put on some pants in the upper 40 degree weather, but I figured the sun was finally shining and they seemed happy:)
Happy Day! Jacob performed another wedding last week and they had icecream at the reception!!! An incredibly special treat in Savoonga.
Owen, on his "boat".
Owen built a boardwalk out of his books and then the bus and firetruck got in an accident, so Logan flew the airplane in to med-evac the hurt people to Nome. They made that story up themselves:)
This is Logan with Marissa(camp counselor who stayed with us). Logan went upstairs and dressed himself...a boy with great fashion sense I think:) Jacob's aunt and uncle brought back the chinese attire for the boys a couple of years ago.
I love this picture! They got themselves ready to go outside. Marissa thought maybe they should put on some pants in the upper 40 degree weather, but I figured the sun was finally shining and they seemed happy:)
Happy Day! Jacob performed another wedding last week and they had icecream at the reception!!! An incredibly special treat in Savoonga.
Owen, on his "boat".
Owen built a boardwalk out of his books and then the bus and firetruck got in an accident, so Logan flew the airplane in to med-evac the hurt people to Nome. They made that story up themselves:)
A Dream Come True?
It was a memorable day when I was teaching 4th grade at North Hills and discovered that I was pregnant. I had always wanted to stay home with my children, but I had never dreamed that I would love a job so much that I'd be sad to leave! I found myself dreaming up ways of combining teaching and mothering, but in the end, I realized that I was not in a cultural context that would be favorable to me bringing my baby (soon to find out 2 babies!) to work with me and then I finally realized that wouldn't be the best option for the baby either!! But I really loved teaching...and...I really wanted to stay at home with my babies. I don't regret my choice do stay at home with the boys and I do miss teaching, but I have found teaching opportunities here and there.
So, as of yesterday, I think I've become a full-time mother and a full-time teacher (volunteer, of course!) Uncle Sivoy is 19-years old. He dropped out of school 4 or 5 years ago and over his summer of growth decided that he wants to graduate. I told him I would help him, but I would not homeschool him! Yesterday, we met with the principal, special ed teacher, and a lady from the district. I won't go into the details of the meeting (let's just say the educational system here is a sad joke), but by the end, it was clear to me that if I didn't teach Sivoy, he would be placed in an empty room everyday to do what?...I'm not sure. That didn't seem like an incredibly effective way for him to achieve a diploma. So they gave me the material that he needs to complete to graduate and I was up until the wee hours of the morning figuring out how to teach a 19-year old who is at a 4th-6th grade level, depending on the subject. The perk is...I can teach those grades:) I had so very much fun getting into the teaching mindset again. On other teaching notes, I'm creating a Sunday School curriculum that fits the needs of this church. Also, Logan and Owen have reached preschool age and I'm sure you can tell from the stories I post to the blog, they could use a little direction:) Logan currently counts 1,2,8,9,7 and when I ask Owen "How many...?" he faithfully replies, "Lots." I don't think it's too late, but I should probably start being a little more intentional in their learning! So, am I realizing a dream come true in taking on these teaching responsibilities alongside being a full-time mama or am I just insane? I'm content for now:) Now, if only my students would show up for class!:)
So, as of yesterday, I think I've become a full-time mother and a full-time teacher (volunteer, of course!) Uncle Sivoy is 19-years old. He dropped out of school 4 or 5 years ago and over his summer of growth decided that he wants to graduate. I told him I would help him, but I would not homeschool him! Yesterday, we met with the principal, special ed teacher, and a lady from the district. I won't go into the details of the meeting (let's just say the educational system here is a sad joke), but by the end, it was clear to me that if I didn't teach Sivoy, he would be placed in an empty room everyday to do what?...I'm not sure. That didn't seem like an incredibly effective way for him to achieve a diploma. So they gave me the material that he needs to complete to graduate and I was up until the wee hours of the morning figuring out how to teach a 19-year old who is at a 4th-6th grade level, depending on the subject. The perk is...I can teach those grades:) I had so very much fun getting into the teaching mindset again. On other teaching notes, I'm creating a Sunday School curriculum that fits the needs of this church. Also, Logan and Owen have reached preschool age and I'm sure you can tell from the stories I post to the blog, they could use a little direction:) Logan currently counts 1,2,8,9,7 and when I ask Owen "How many...?" he faithfully replies, "Lots." I don't think it's too late, but I should probably start being a little more intentional in their learning! So, am I realizing a dream come true in taking on these teaching responsibilities alongside being a full-time mama or am I just insane? I'm content for now:) Now, if only my students would show up for class!:)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wots Dat?
I've decided that since Logan and Owen spent the first 3 years of their lives in three different regions of the country, they have developed their own unique accent. They've entered the stage where their most common phrase is "Wots dat?" (What's that?) Yesterday, after a walk to the beach, I found myself laughing at how useful their vocabulary will be if we ever live anywhere except Savoonga. Our "conversation" went something like this:
Boys: Wots dat?
Me: A container (from the barge)
Wots dat?...a whale bone. Wots dat?...baleen (whale "teeth") Wots dat?...an oil tank. Wots dat?...graffiti (now, that might be useful elsewhere!) Wots dat?...a Honda (ATV) Wots dat?...a snow machine(snow mobile). Wots dat?...a piece of broken boardwalk. Wots dat?...a fish tail...don't touch that. Wots dat?...rotting walrus...don't touch that either. Wots dat?...a rock(I'm pretty sure they knew that one already:)
We spent some time on the beach. Then some seagulls visited us. Owen said, "Hi. Me Owen. Want some fish tail for deenor(dinner)?" I'm sure that with their vast vocabulary and wonderful social skills, they will have no trouble making friends if we ever move back to the lower 48:)
Boys: Wots dat?
Me: A container (from the barge)
Wots dat?...a whale bone. Wots dat?...baleen (whale "teeth") Wots dat?...an oil tank. Wots dat?...graffiti (now, that might be useful elsewhere!) Wots dat?...a Honda (ATV) Wots dat?...a snow machine(snow mobile). Wots dat?...a piece of broken boardwalk. Wots dat?...a fish tail...don't touch that. Wots dat?...rotting walrus...don't touch that either. Wots dat?...a rock(I'm pretty sure they knew that one already:)
We spent some time on the beach. Then some seagulls visited us. Owen said, "Hi. Me Owen. Want some fish tail for deenor(dinner)?" I'm sure that with their vast vocabulary and wonderful social skills, they will have no trouble making friends if we ever move back to the lower 48:)
My Vegetarian Leanings
Since college, Jacob and I have wavered on being vegetarian, mostly because I don't like to deal with raw meat. If someone else cares to prepare it for me, I'll happily consume the meat, but I'd rather not bother with it myself. I learned quickly that Savoonga is not a good place for someone who doesn't like to touch raw meat. First, I was delivered a hunk of whale...but it was clean, so I managed. Then, I was given a hunk of reindeer. Let's just say, it was not clean and I did not manage. I tried, but had to pass it off to Jacob. This summer we were blessed with a bit of salmon and halibut. I managed...the salmon were small and a friend prepared the halibut. But one day, two of these (Pacific Cod) arrived on my doorstep! Lord have mercy!!:) (Notice the cookbook nearby that is walking me through the cleaning experience!)
Jacob took this action shot.
I have to say that the pictures don't do justice to the real experience...you can't experience the slime and the smell and the...I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving here a strict vegetarian!:)
Jacob took this action shot.
I have to say that the pictures don't do justice to the real experience...you can't experience the slime and the smell and the...I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving here a strict vegetarian!:)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Happy 3rd Birthday
Our little boys turned 3 years old on August 8th! We celebrated by opening gifts throughout the day from our lovely family and friends. The boys requested broccoli quiche and blueberry muffins for dinner...a common request from most 3 year olds I'm sure:) Uncle Sivoy joined the party and brought us fry bread...another favorite.
Logan above and Owen below with their birthday cakes.
Owen finished off the day with a bubble bath. He asked for bubble bath for his birthday present:)
Happy Birthday Logan and Owen!
Logan above and Owen below with their birthday cakes.
Owen finished off the day with a bubble bath. He asked for bubble bath for his birthday present:)
Happy Birthday Logan and Owen!
VBS and Friends
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. We have had some Internet issues lately, but mostly I've just been very busy! After returning from camp, we were prepping our own Savoonga Youth Group to put on their own VBS. This was a first, at least in recent years. Usually, groups come in from Anchorage or beyond and spend the week doing VBS. We saw this as a way to involve and empower our own youth. It was somewhat effective and extremely exhausting!:) We averaged 8-9 youth helpers (3 of whom actually helped) and around 45 energetic children. Overall, the program went well and we saw much growth in leadership skills in the 3 active youth helpers. They are excited to help with Sunday School throughout the year and put on their own VBS again next year.
Over the last couple of weeks, we had Marissa (camp counselor from Fairbanks) stay with us and then return to Illinois, but we also had many teacher friends return for the new school year that begins tomorrow. It is so good to have them back. And we are very excited to become friends with a new teacher and her husband who have a 2 1/2 year old son as lively as our own! His name is Levi and he has already made good friends with Logan and Owen. This may not be such a long lonely winter as the last one:) No, we are glad to have our teacher friends here, but we also know many more people within the Savoonga native community now, so I don't foresee many lonely days ahead. Hooray!
Other news...we had our first heavy frost last week, the grasses are turning red to brown, and I think fall is here...but I'm still waiting for summer...what happened?:) Also, I was slowed down with the blog because our computer/camera stopped uploading photos in the usual manner, so I'm sad about that but before I seek outside help for my computer illiterate self, I'm going to make one last attempt.
Over the last couple of weeks, we had Marissa (camp counselor from Fairbanks) stay with us and then return to Illinois, but we also had many teacher friends return for the new school year that begins tomorrow. It is so good to have them back. And we are very excited to become friends with a new teacher and her husband who have a 2 1/2 year old son as lively as our own! His name is Levi and he has already made good friends with Logan and Owen. This may not be such a long lonely winter as the last one:) No, we are glad to have our teacher friends here, but we also know many more people within the Savoonga native community now, so I don't foresee many lonely days ahead. Hooray!
Other news...we had our first heavy frost last week, the grasses are turning red to brown, and I think fall is here...but I'm still waiting for summer...what happened?:) Also, I was slowed down with the blog because our computer/camera stopped uploading photos in the usual manner, so I'm sad about that but before I seek outside help for my computer illiterate self, I'm going to make one last attempt.
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