School girl...

I finally bit the bullet and enrolled in a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher 200-hour training program. I equate it to a bachelor's degree of yoga. Right now, I have what could be considered an associate's degree or "an equivalent combination of education, training and experience." So while I'm sure we will cover many things I already know, I'm excited to go back to basics again. I'm excited to go back to school! I'm especially geeking out about all the anatomy we will study. Whee!! And it will be nice to have that little stamp that says I'm legit no matter where I go.

So for a weekend a month for the next nine months, I'll be heading here. The lovely thing is that it's only in Iowa City, an hour away, so I'll be able to commute and come home to kiss the kiddles before they go to sleep. Yippee!!

Another project...

Most of the walls in this house are white. So 2010 is about adding some color, starting with a fun project in the basement:



A US map on wall! It should come in handy for geography quizzes... Now I'm wondering what other things we could put on the walls? Other countries? Continents? Whee!!

First Project...

As you may know, I have some free time these days. Perhaps worried for my sanity, my knitting fiend...er, friend...Jenn gave me a "learn-to-knit" kit. I think I learned to knit when I was a kid (Mom? Did you teach me? I mean, who taught me?). Anyway, that skill was long dead until now! I am finding this knitting thing quite addictive!! So here is the beginning of my learning scarf:


Do you see the beautiful needles Jenn got me? And the yarn colors she picked?! Gee-yorgeous! And the prospect of being able to actually make something useful and cute is very, very satisfying. So look out, everyone! You may be getting knitwear for Christmas next year! Even if you live in LA!

Winter weather...

Crabapple tree yesterday (check the cool, spiky frost):

Crabapple tree today:

Hair cut!!

A few days ago, M3 was having difficulties brushing her hair. After being reduced to tears, she decided to get her hair cut. She was determined that she would get her hair cut like Satsuki in My Neighbor Totoro (ahem...thank you, Nick and Lauren):


M3 even went so far as to bring one of her Manga books to the salon. I did explain to M3 that probably her hair wouldn't end up looking like Satsuki's exactly, so how about a cute short bob? Well, we all know M3 is a headstrong girl. To the stylist's credit, she laid open the book on her little table and tried to copy the picture on M3's hair. But this is what M3 ended up with:


I am sorry to report that she was again reduced to tears the next morning, saying she didn't want short hair anymore. At which point, of course, my heart broke for her first experience of haircut regret, and I sprang into action with a comb and a headband. So while her hair may not look exactly like Satsuki's, at least it doesn't look like someone's mom's either:

Holiday fun...

Whenever we go to Indy, the kids beg to go to the Indianapolis Children's Museum. It is such an awesome place (although I noticed that after a couple hours most parents had a glazed look in their eye...including yours truly). We spent a lot of time in Egypt, because they have a new "Fly to Egypt" exhibit and the boy is into Egypt. I think he would prefer mummies, but it was neat to learn about contemporary Egypt, too:

"Oh, she sailed away on a bright and sunny day, on the back of a croc-o-dile..."

"I have a theory that hieroglyphics are just an ancient comic strip about a character named Sphinxy." (Can you name that movie?)

Wearing Egyptian clothing for a sebou, a ceremony celebrating a new baby.

M3 also tried the climbing wall.

And we all geeked out over the Star Wars paraphernalia they have...real props from the movies!! (Even if they are from the newer movies...ack.)

Oh Children's Museum of Indy...we'll be back!!

Snow day number III...

Another snow day! The kids are happily building a fort in the living room, so I'll take this opportunity to post a few more Christmas pics:

Christmas morning. The kids only got up about 5 a.m.

Retro Christmas.

Chef Mark.

M4 and his buddy S sledding in Indy.

All tuckered out!