Just another day in Paradise.

Just another day in Paradise.

Friday, August 26, 2011

What's Blooming







I may have 8 foot tall quinoa plants growing in the garden but I am really most excited about the flowers. Makes me forget about the sad state of the tomatoes.

Top to Bottom:

Begonia*
Begonia
Fuchsia - "Blackie"
Cordyline, aka Hawaiian Good Luck Plant, aka Ti Plant
Hydrangea - Peegee 'Limelight'
Rose
Stargazer Lily

*I HATE the look of Begonia leaves but I love the flowers, they have the craziest stamens!

Poor Man's Piano Lessons


Like most parents, I want to give my kids every opportunity to develop talents and learn discipline all without over scheduling the little dears and going bankrupt at the same time. The Y gives us the chance to explore all varieties of dance, gymnastics, swimming and martial arts as part of our family membership, but it doesn't do music. And I would really hope that each of my kids can have a basic understanding of and read music (like their dad), instead of squandering away the opportunity to do so by cheating and playing by ear (like their mom).

Miles has the concentration and desire to sit and try to play from books I bought them. But we didn't have a good system for him to be able to learn new songs on his own, and I only have so much time/patience to dedicate to "Here we Go Up a Row". I was wishing that there were some stickers that I could put on the piano to indicate the notes but not ruin the keys. But I found something better than that - dry erase markers! Hopefully that will get him through a few low level piano books and buy me some time (and $$$).

Looking rather gay!

At church a few weeks ago, during the Sacrament (the quietest and most reflective time of the service), Avery leaned over to me and says:

"Mom, I know there are two meanings to the word gay...and I don't know what one of them is... but I do know the other and boy Cruz sure is looking gay right now. (Cut to Cruz who is looking extremely extremely happy).


Here he is looking the other meaning.




*Note: It is very surprising to me that Avery, ever curious and wanting to know all, would not want to know (or insist on knowing) what the other 'gay' is. That wasn't the moment to discuss it (although I'm sure that the two lesbian sisters a few rows back wouldn't have minded) and I tried to bring it up another time when it seemed appropriate but she didn't seem interested. So, I guess we will shelve that conversation for another day.