New Year's Eve Play

On this New Year's Eve, we let the kids enjoy the day by taking them to Out Of This World Pizza & Play, an indoor play area with lots of indoor play structures for kids to play in and on. They played for hours until we left for dinner. With the kids playing so hard, they'll probably fall asleep quickly tonight, and it'll be left to me and my wife to watch the New Year Ball drop down for the countdown to the new year.

Panda Food

When it comes to getting a quick bite to eat, I like Panda Express. They usually get you through the line quickly, and they have a wider selection of healthy food than hamburger fast-food joints because their dishes include vegetables along with chicken and beef and other food items.

Snow Day

It snowed a lot today and it was fun to watch. But it got scary when my wife had to drive our daughter to swim practice. The drive to practice was manageable, but the drive back was near impossible. A relatively short trip turned into a four-hour inch-by-inch slog through the snow and congestion. Abandoned cars were everywhere. But my wife and daughter got back safely and so all's well that ends well.

Hollywood

We enjoyed a George Clooney movie today. He is a big star who has been around for a long time in film and television. My wife told me he did some stints with television shows including Roseanne and later ER. I suppose it takes a while to "make it" in Hollywood and that probably most Hollywood stars have humble beginnings in the film and television industry.

Home-Made Food

Home-cooked stuff tastes great. I just added home-made meatballs (that included carrots and other ingredients cooked by relatives) to our spaghetti dinner and it tasted great. For dessert, we ate home-made bread pudding made by a friend and it also tasted great. We also tried home-made sweet potato pie and, of course, it was great.

Still Christmas

Today is the day after Christmas, and we're still in the Christmas spirit. We're still listening to Christmas songs, and we went out for dinner at a nice affordable family restaurant. We enjoy Christmas festivities and the love and sharing that goes with the Christmas season.

Christmas Day

DEC. 25 (FRIDAY)-CHRISTMAS:
Merry Christmas to all! I'm late with my blog today because we just got back from a Christmas dinner with the family. The kids had a great time with gift exchanges and playing the WII video games. It was a late night for the kids, but I'm willing to let them stay up every now and then for special occasions.

OMSI Eve

I am glad OMSI stayed open today on Christmas Eve because I wanted to get the kids out of the house. Outdoor activities are more limited during the winter, so OMSI and similar places provide a great alternative. The kids had fun inside OMSI where it was warm and dry.

Spacing Out Gifts

To ease the kids' anticipation, and to not have them have too much presents on one day, I am allowing the kids to open one gift per day leading up to Christmas. They just opened one gift tonight. They'll open another tomorrow. Now, their gifts are spaced out in a way that allows them to enjoy all of their gifts.

Christmas Countdown

We're doing our form of countdown to Christmas by reading a bedtime story book that has a short story for every day until it gets to Christmas. The kids enjoy the daily stories and their anticipation, I'm sure, increases with every passing day. But we always remind them of the reason for the season and try to have them remember that it is better to give than to receive.

Proper Ground

The water that is seeping through the crawl space vents is a vexing problem. I tried researching the issue and found sites that talked about the need for "perimeter drains" and "French drains" and other items. One site talked about the need to have the ground slope away from the house. I guess this is something I will have to do--maybe tomorrow. That is, I might need to get a shovel and start shoveling a lot of dirt to create the proper slope.

Zoo Lights

We had a lot of fun seeing the Zoo Lights tonight. We rode on the zoo train that lasted about ten-fifteen minutes. The wait took awhile--maybe an hour. But it wasn't too bad because the weather, although lightly raining intermittently, was not freezing. We ate dinner at the Zoo Cafe and then walked around the zoo before heading home.

Create Own Pasta Dish

My family and I ate at an Italian restaurant tonight that allowed customers to create their own pasta dish. I liked this option because I always look for pasta dishes that contain sun-dried tomatoes and could make my own dish tonight containing sun-dried tomatoes, which I did. I enjoyed my pasta meal immensely.

Christmas Program

The kids performed in a Christmas program and did a great job with the other kids singing and performing. They sang Christmas songs and recited poems. Of course parents attend these events to see their kids. But the event was enjoyable and meaningful.

Pools of Water

Water is pooling around the outside of the house instead of draining away. I checked the downspouts and they seem to be working because water is flowing through the downspout. So what is the problem? I'm not quite sure. I'll have to continue investigating.

Winter Warmth

The weather warmed up just a bit which is nice because freezing weather means freezing pipes leading to potential massive water damage. So for this reason, among many, I am glad for above-freezing weather. More warmth equates to more joy in the winter season.

Dealing With Water

I have to check out the problem with water pooling around the house when it rains. The downspouts are working. I think the problem is with the part after the downspout that is supposed to divert the water to the street. I checked the street and found that where the water is supposed to exit, that area is all plugged up. In fact, there is no connecting tube to the street as far as I can tell.

Turkey Chili

I tried cooking turkey chili in a can for dinner and my kids really enjoyed the meal. I cooked up the chili and ladled it over hamburger buns to create my own version of sloppy joes. This dinner provides a lot of protein and the kids ate it, so I'm happy.

Marketing

Marketing is prevalent in society. Yesterday, because I was in a rush, I bought a lunch for my kid at a fast-food drive-through. The lunch box included a plastic dinosaur that lit up in various areas when pushing a button. My kid liked the toy. This is marketing--making a product attractive to the customer. In this case, making fast food attractive to kids (and thus to the parents).

Quick Events

I attended my child's swim meet and was surprised at quickly some of the events and meets can be. I was waiting for my child's event and left the area for a few minutes at most and when I came back, I found out that my child's event (and the single "meet" for that "event") had already taken place. I then had to wait for my child's next event, and I made sure I stayed in the area for that event.

Cardboard Sandals

The kids again spent a lot time indoors because of the cold weather. They kept busy by cutting cardboard to create cardboard sandals. For the straps, they tried using thin sewing yarn, but I suggested using painter's tape. It still broke, so we switched to duct tape and that worked great.

Indoor Play

With the weather so cold, the kids have to stay indoors more. My son plays with Play-Doh more now. He stopped a while back, but now has restarted due to being indoors more. Play-Doh is fun and is a creative outlet for young kids. They make things and work with their hands. It is a good activity.

Cold Experiment

With the temperature below freezing, my son conducted a science experiment whereby he filled a plastic cup with water and placed it outside to see if it would freeze. My wife told him before he placed the cup outside that he had to make a prediction about what would happen to the water. He predicted the water would freeze, and the next morning when he checked, the water indeed was frozen.

Climbing

I was looking at rock climbing gyms around town and found a few. They seem to charge around $10 to $15 dollars just for a kid to do a little rock climbing for a day. They also provide camps and full programs. But I just want to take my kids to a few hours of rock climbing. I'll look around and see if there are more competitive prices for just some simple rock-climbing fun.

Cold Wind

The weather is below freezing and the chilly wind infiltrates every crack in the house. This makes me think about weatherstripping our doors, especially the backdoor where I can really feel the cold wind sneak through the door.

Chili Dogs

My daughter for some reason wanted to eat chili for dinner so I bought a large can of chili (I couldn't find any bottled chili) and cooked it up along with sausages and hot dog buns to create chili sausage dogs for dinner. We ate up the whole can of chili. I had a fun time making this dinner because this was the first time I made chili dogs for dinner.

Nice Window Shades

My kids created a wonderful craft item today at the local library. They created decorative window shades using a stick, a white piece of cloth, and ribbons. I thought it was a very creative idea on the part of the library staff to have kids make this craft item.

Great Football

A great football game was played yesterday between the Ducks (Univ. of Oregon) and the Beavers (Oregon State Univ.) in their annual Civil War game. The lead kept changing and the final score was close. The Ducks won and will go to the Rose Bowl, but both teams gave a great performance.

Hospital Food

I was at the hospital today and I liked the modern look within. It seems that hospitals do consider the decor and layout so as to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for patients and family members, in contrast to a cold and sterile environment. I also ate at the hospital cafeteria, and I thought the food was quite good despite jokes about how bad hospital food is.

Picking Up Leaves

During the cold season when the leaves start falling, I think the city should have their compost drivers come around once every week instead of just once every two weeks. The leaves are falling from every tree and that means a lot of leaves on the ground around the yard, too much for the compost bins to hold. So the compost drivers really need to come around more often during the cold season.

Memory Foam

I will try the memory foam pads that supposedly provide for better sleep at nights. If memory foam does let a person sleep better, then it would be a great benefit for a person to be comfortable during the one third time of a person's life.

Winter House Work

So much house maintenance work needs to be done during the cold season. The leaves need to be raked. The gutters need to be cleaned. The wood deck needs wood preserver applied (I know--this should have been done during the summer). The house exterior needs touch up painting. The list goes on.

Stuffed Animals

My kids have quite a few stuffed animals on their beds. At times, I feel as though the stuffed animals are taking up most of the bed. So I bought some shelves and brackets to create a place above their beds for the stuffed animals.

Thanksgiving

FRIDAY

We went to a friend's home for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time enjoying the turkey dinner. Our friends also have kids and so the kids looked forward to getting together for dinner. As they say, the holidays is the perfect time to get together with friends and family.

SATURDAY

We had a great time with the family and friends for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids played video games and other things while the adults chatted and caught up on the latest family news. I enjoyed the turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, the wine, and peppermint ice cream. It was a nice gathering where everyone enjoyed each other's company.

Pumpkin Ice Cream

For our Thanksgiving lunch today, we tried pumpkin ice cream. I happened to come across it at our local supermarket and bought it to try it. We all liked it, especially with whipped cream. This might be the first time I ever tried pumpkin ice cream and I enjoyed it.

Blazer Game

Our family had a great time watching the Blazer game tonight. We went out for spaghetti and then drove to the Rose Quarter to watch the game. I thought parking would be difficult, but it was not too bad because we parked in the nearby parking structure. The kids had a wonderful time shouting "Defense!" and getting into the spirit of the game.

Ideas

The kids are starting their Thanksgiving break and that means parents will have to find constructive things for the kids to do. This shouldn't be too difficult with all the good ideas floating around easily accessible through the Internet. Having a lot of ideas from others always makes a job easier.

Mashed Potatoes

I was at a Thanksgiving meal where turkey, stuffing, potato and gravy and other items were available. I ate lot of mashed potato and gravy. I stuffed myself with mashed potato. It tasted great. But one has to be careful. I read that mashed potato contains a lot of carbohydrates. Still, mashed potatoes every now and then is fine.

Constructive Time

My kids like playing free online computer games such as those provided by PBS (Public Broadcasting System), although at times I wonder if they are too eager to play computer games at the expense of other simpler activities. So today, I told them they could not get on the computer yet until they studied, read a book, played with puzzles, and do other non-computer-related activities. They did all of the above activities and then also played with their Lego set. I was pleased.

Dim Sum and More

We ate some take-out dim sum today for lunch. As usual, the kids liked the dim sum, especially the sticky rice and shrimp dumplings. I enjoy dim sum too, but my wife and I like to add a vegetable plate or two to the meal. As they say, one has to eat a balanced meal that combines the various food groups.

Early Swimming

My daughter has a swim meet tomorrow. I'm glad she has the opportunity to compete, but these swim meets are held early, perhaps too early, in the morning. Parents have to wake up around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. to be on time for these early swim meets. Why can't they have the swim meets just a little bit later?

Good Sandwiches

I made my kids almond butter and jelly sandwiches. At times, I think these are too sweet for them because of the jelly. But the almond butter (and other peanut butter-types of spread) has quite a bit of protein, so there is nutritional value to these sandwiches.

Flashlights

The power went out the other night leading me to get our flashlights in working order. I replaced a few batteries where needed. My kids helped out by giving me their toys with lights including some sort of a wand toy that lights up at the tip when turned on. I appreciated their help and hope that none of these flashlights and toy lights are needed.

Reading About Swimming

My daughter began receiving a swimming magazine and read it all night. She loves to swim and a swimming magazine is just the thing for her. This is another way to keep her reading. Whatever interests a young kid can probably be found in some writing somewhere and so that writing will be what gets the kid interested enough to read.

Chicken Wings

My son couldn't get enough of the tasty chicken wings my in-laws cooked tonight for dinner. He ate a lot of the wings and then some more. This shouldn't be surprising--after all, doesn't everyone love tender, juicy chicken wings?

Pink Panther

My kids laughed uproariously while watching a Pink Panther cartoon on DVD. I recall watching Pink Panther cartoons on television when I was young and also enjoying them. The antics of the Pink Panther and the bumbling inspector seem to appeal to kids and to tickle their funny bones.

Zoo Fun

I took the kids to the zoo today despite the cold weather because it was not raining and the kids needed to go outside rather than stay cooped up in the house. The kids had a great time running from one animal exhibit to another. At one point, my son was very interested in watching a scorpion. But there were many animals and exhibits to capture their attention.

Persimmons

I've been eating persimmons picked from a local tree. They are delicious. I do not usually buy persimmons, but because they are fresh from a local tree, I will gladly eat them. I think they are healthy fruit with a lot of vitamins. My kids don't eat them. I will try to get them to eat some.

Whole Apples

My son and daughter wanted to eat their apples whole today. Usually, I cut apples into slices for them. But with these small-size apples my wife bought, I thought it was fine for them to eat the whole apple, and they did. I guess eating apples whole is another benchmark showing the kids are getting older.

Chess Fun

The kids and I are having fun playing chess. They know how to play checkers, and I think chess is a good next step because chess is more complicated and presents more of a challenge. They will get better as they play more. Perhaps they will join a chess club at school in the near future. That would be great.

The Reckoning

I saw "The Reckoning," a film about how the International Criminal Court was established to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The film at times showed graphic images of victims who suffered from violence, war, and abuse. Far too often, people in this world are brutalized in various ways. One can only hope that all of us try to reduce in whatever way we can individually and collectively to try to reduce the amount of suffering in the world.

Own Little Libraries

My kids have built up a nice little library for themselves. My wife and I have been buying books for them periodically at school and library sales. Now, they have their own little library to call their own with books that they can pull out from their shelves to read anytime.

Miniature Bowling

My son was playing with his miniature bowling set. He got it as a prize at one of these bowling alleys with video games where points are given on each video machine and the accumulated points can earn prizes. For the miniature bowling set, I created little bumper guards made out of cardboard. I also created a small cardboard slide for the bowling ball to roll down. It was fun watching the kids have fun with the little bowling set.

Carbs for Energy

I remember years ago that we used to believe in eating a high-carb meal right before running a marathon in the belief that the carbohydrates were needed to fuel the body. I am not sure that what athletes still believe in. Still, I was okay with my daughter eating mac-and-cheese for dinner tonight after her swim meet thinking she could use the carbohydrates.

Sweet Tomatoes

We ate dinner tonight at Sweet Tomatoes. The kids always like it. I think they enjoy the variety, the freedom to get up and get their food, and of course, the abundant ice cream. I like the salad variety and the soup variety.

Mock Trial

There is a Mock Trial competition that is held for high schools students allowing them to practice being lawyers and witnesses. This is a great event to teach student about the law. One truly learns by doing, and this moot court competition allows students to do those things that a lawyer does.

Moving On

Kids do grow up. One indicator is when they won't watch the "kiddy" cartoons anymore. They move on to "bigger kid" cartoons. They also move from "kiddy" story books to chapter books. They mature, advance, and move on. This is the way it is, and the way it should be.

Rubik's Cube

I recall years ago when I was in high school how Rubik's Cube was the craze that everyone was into. It seemed everyone had one. There were Rubik's Cube contests and tournaments. Now we look back at that period as another fad that came and went. Does anything endure? Is human nature constantly buffeted by impulses and situational circumstances? One wonders.

Out of Sight

My kids have lots of candy after Halloween. They've been carrying around their big bag filled with candy and small toys and exchanging items with each other. Invariably, they will ask me if they can eat some candy. I finally had to put their candy in smaller sandwich bags and then place them away from sight in the food pantry. Out of sight means out of mind, or so I hope.

Warm November Day

With the beginning of November, the days get colder and shorter. But today was quite nice with the sun out and the weather relatively warm. So when my son wanted to play outside, I agreed. How many more days of nice weather will there be? Probably not too much.

Full Halloween Day

Today is Halloween and it will be a full day. My daughter has swimming practice and a party to attend. I took my son to his favorite game--bowling. Then he played outside. Next, we will enjoy Harvest Festival fun at church. But throughout, for the adults, there are dishes to wash, clothes to fold, and everything else that makes up a household.

Dorm Trick-or-Treating

Someone told me that for Halloween, kids could go to some university dorms where the dorm students have candy and treats for kids. I never knew this. As I kid, I went trick-or-treating out in the neighborhood going from house to house. But I like the idea of trick-or-treating inside dorms where it is dry and safe for the kids.

Variety Dinner

We've been eating a lot of spaghetti lately because the kids love it. But we've got to have some variety in our diet. Next time for dinner, I'll make some hot dogs. But this isn't your everyday hot dogs. My wife bought some healthy sausages (organic I think) and I'll cook these up for a sausage dinner.

Dried Apples

My wife bought some dried apples (from New Zealand I think) and the kids liked the taste. I'm glad because the kids do not eat as much fresh apples as I would like, and so dried apples is another way for them to get more fruits in their diet instead of eating pasta and more pasta every day.

Cheerful in the Winter

It is the end of October and the rainy season is upon us. It rained quite a bit today around the Portland metro region. Also, I think daylight saving time will end soon and this means we move our clocks forward one hour thereby losing the amount of daylight we have in a day. This could make for gloomy days. But it is all in the attitude, and if we maintain a cheerful spirit despite the gloomy days, we can make it through the dark winter days.

Indoor or Out

I am glad there are a lot of trick-or-treating alternatives where instead of going house to house outdoors for candy, kids can stay indoors at a mall or a church or some other place to get treats. This seems like a much safer alternative in this day and age, sad to say. But whether indoors or outdoors, what is most important is that parents keep an eye on their kids.

Simple Fun

During Halloween season, some parents might fret over getting the "best" costumes for their kids and the prices for these costumes might be quite hefty. I've heard of parents paying lots of money for Halloween costumes. But I think simplicity is the way to go. Kids can have fun without the need for an expensive costume. In fact, kids probably don't even care for a costume as long as they have fun playing games, being with friends, or doing crafts, all things that could be done on Halloween night.

Bowling and Pizza

My young boy still loves bowling. He had a great time recently bowling all night while eating pizza (and lots of it) at a fundraiser event. We had to stop eventually, but I think he would have bowled practically all night if permitted. But it was all for a good cause and I did have a great time with him, so a few extra pizza slices for one night is okay.

Kid Kitchen Food

My kids today were playing with the toy kitchen set. When I served dinner, the kids wanted to eat at their small table. I gave them their food. They added their own toy dishes cooked up from their toy kitchen set. They had a wonderful time. In turn, my wife and I enjoyed a nice dinner with a lot of space at the dining table.

Tea Tree Stuff

I have Tea Tree Shampoo for my kids. I think I also have some Tea Tree soap. It seems that there are many bath and kitchen items containing tea tree ingredients. I heard tea tree ingredients are a natural disinfectant. If so, it makes sense to include tea tree parts in bath and cleaning products.

Doing and Learning

I have a collection of arts and craft items produced by my kids over the years. They include drawings, paintings, paper cut-outs, and many more items. The sheer volume indicates to me that kids actually engage in a lot of simple but necessary activities that help them learn. By doing, they learn. If they merely watch television passively, they do not learn.

Big Lego Yoda

At the mall over the weekend, we saw a Lego event where a Lego Masterbuilder was creating a 12-foot Yoda made out of Lego blocks. It was quite fun watching the giant Yoda being constructed. The kids participated by building small rectangle-shaped Lego blocks that they handed to the Masterbuilder to use in building the big Yoda.

Hello Kitty

We have a big Hello Kitty blanket given to us when our kids were babies. It appears that Hello Kitty items are a big hit nowadays. There is a Hello Kitty store at our local mall. It makes sense. Who doesn't like kittens, so having a little kitty as the brand seems like a smart move.

Classic Arcade Games

It is interesting that many of the old arcade game is now online free. Games such as PacMan, Pong, and Space Invaders are available. So those who want to hearken back to the 80s can by playing an old arcade game on the home computer. I recall as a teen going to bowling alleys with school friends and waiting to get on our favorite arcade games. Back then, when they first came out, everyone wanted to play on them. Times have changed, with Wii and other sophisticated video games. But those old arcade games will remain classics.

Swimming Magazine

I was surprised by a large chain bookstore not having a swimming magazine that my daughter wanted to buy. The bookstore had magazines for diving, running, surfing, but nothing for swimming. A swimming magazine must exist. I'll keep looking.

Wheels

My kids had fun today with their push scooter. They took turns playing with it and exchanged the one helmet that was available. The scooter made me think about the various recreational items that use wheels including roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, and bicycles. Ever since being invented, wheels are an integral part of life.

Hulu

Someone recently told me about a website called Hulu that allows people to watch TV and movies. I looked at the site and it does provide a service that I think viewers will appreciate. It has the latest episodes of popular TV shows and also includes a selection of movies.

Shark Stories

We read a funny bedtime story tonight about baby sharks. The book is titled, "Don't eat the babysitter." I like reading humorous kids' books to the kids. This sets an enjoyable tone at night allowing the kids to fall asleep easily.

See the Universe

There is a show on PBS tonight about the space shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. I will try to watch it because I love looking at photos of planets, stars, and the cosmos. I'm glad we repaired Hubble so that it can scan the universe for at least a few more years. We should examine the universe because it is full of wonders and mysteries.

Whole Family

My kids are hiding my belts because they think it is a fun game to watch me look around the house trying to find my belts. I play along because I want them to have fun playing these "family" games. It is a silly little game, but I think these silly little things in life can add up to create a series of important moments that constitute a whole family.

Vegetarian Option

I attended a social tonight at a pub where the pizzas included a vegetarian pizza with tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, and more. I enjoyed it, and it probably was quite healthy for me. There is a trend towards more vegetarian options nowadays. When responding to a formal dinner invitation, I have noticed that there tends to be a vegetarian dish option provided. This is good. As they say, the more options, the better.

Archery

I saw some kids learning archery today. I think this is an opportunity that should be made available to older kids if they are interested in this extracurricular activity. Of course, there should be adult supervision along with clearly stated safety rules. Also, there should be a safe area where archery practice can occur without mishap. Given these conditions, archery is a fine skill to learn.

Tea

I ate dinner at the mall food court with my kids. After dinner, we walked around and my kids nowadays like getting free samples of tea at the tea shop. The tea is very tasty. More people should drink tea. I think tea might have less caffeine than coffee. Also, I heard that green tea provides a lot of health benefits.

Lots of Noodles

I made too much spaghetti noodles last night and had to use several food containers to save the noodles for future meals. The good thing is that noodles store well and can be turned into a variety of dishes later on. Also, my kids love eating noodles so the noodles will be consumed quickly.

Notepads

My wife picked up from somewhere a notepad that says Oregon Society of CPAs. I have seen other notepads (along with calendars, refrigerator magnets, and more) with other businesses and organizations named on those items. It seems like a simple way to advertise.

See the Dam

I've been thinking about taking my kids to see the Bonneville Dam where one can watch the fish swim against the current and see the big turbines. This should be a treat for the kids. Although it is winter, Bonneville Dam should still be open. Also, it is not too far away. It could be a nice day trip for the family

Believing in a Thing

My wife is teaching our young son to play the piano. He is doing quite well. It is true that kids at their young age are able to pick up new skills quite easily. But I think even adults can learn new skills. It might be harder, but I wonder if this is in part because we adults "believe" it will be harder and we "believe" we are less capable of learning new things. They say, after all, that perception counts.

More Fun in the Sun

My kids and I rode our bikes around the neighborhood and to a nearby park. We had a fun time, although the blackberry bushes are devoid of blackberries at this time of the year. Still, we enjoyed today's warm weather and wanted to make use of every last second of sunshine.

Overly Trendy

I noticed the mall food court nearby recently placed big-screen displays around the table areas to show music videos. The problem is that some of the music videos are not really appropriate for young children, but young children do eat at the food court. The area is no longer "kid friendly." It is a shame that the mall management is attempting to be trendy without realizing what a disservice they are doing to their customers.

A Mobile

After much insistence from my son, I finally got around to helping him create a solar system mobile from The Solar System book. We took out the mobile parts, connected some of the parts together, and with string hung the sun and some of the planets on the mobile. My son was very excited. We did not finish today, but will resume tomorrow. I know my son is looking forward to completing the mobile.

Astronomy Book

My wife got our son an interactive book on the solar system today and my son wanted to set up the model of the solar system provided in the book. We had to say no to him because it was late at night. He wanted to create the solar system that he cried briefly. I was glad to see that he really cared about books and astronomy and creating things. These are things kids should be interested in.

Parental Reminders

My kids got the sniffles so we're trying to get them to dress warmly, eat their vitamin C chewables, and wash their hands thoroughly. It's a matter of constantly reminding them to do this and that, especially washing their hands thoroughly with soap instead of just getting their hands wet momentarily. I think constant parental reminders help kids learn. Otherwise, a lesson merely goes in one ear and out the other.

Writing History

I am reading a book on how writing began. Most people think writing began with hieroglyphics. But writing actually began with numbers, according to the author. From pictorial representations came our system of writing. This is an interesting thesis. It sounds logical and credible. It makes sense that humans counted using numbers and from there developed more complex writing systems.

Seasonal Adjustments

I rolled up the badminton net in our backyard to prepare for fall and winter. The seasons are changing. The weather is getting colder and wetter. There might still be a few warm days left, but these will become rare. Humans for countless generations have adjusted to the changing of the seasons. They have noted the difference in the seasons and adjusted their lives to respond effectively to the seasonal changes. We continue to adjust.

Sugarless

I looked around for some ice cream for tonight's after-dinner dessert and found a variety including some without sugar replaced by Splenda. I initially thought the sugarless ice cream was a good choice. But then, I thought about Splenda and other sugar replacements and how healthy these sugar alternatives are. I'm always wary of something too good to be true, and I wondered if "sugarless" food are too good to be true. In the end, I bought some yogurt blend ice cream with the least amount of sugar.

Community Festival

There was a festival at the Uwajimaya store today with food and vendors and singers. It was a nice community event where adults and kids could enjoy the various festival events. These events add to the "livability" of a place and enriches the neighborhood.

Comic Books

I recall growing up reading comic books by Marvel and DC Comics. They told great stories with superheroes such as Thor, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Daredevil, AquaMan, Dr. Doom, the Silver Surfer, the Justice League, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and more. Now, I think comic books are called young animation books, and many of these superheroes have been turned into blockbuster films.

Doing Some Painting

I spent the morning finishing painting the outdoor play structure before summer ends and the rains come. I noticed that most home outdoor play structures with wood are not painted. But I felt I needed to paint mine because I bought it used with some wood pieces rotting away. Now I feel somewhat prepared for the onset of winter.

A Friendly Social

I had a wonderful time with others at a small get-together tonight at a home with a back deck that looked out over tall trees. We enjoyed pizza and local beer and chatted about this and that including the weather in Phoenix, swimming in the Willamette River, rock climbing, sprain ankles, life in Arkansas, the safety of trucks, and the best type of beers.

The Aviator

I am finishing up watching The Aviator DVD about Howard Hughes. I thought I would not be that interested in the movie, but I actually enjoy the movie a whole lot. I think it is because the movie talks about little known aspects of Howard Hughes. Also, the acting is great and the screenwriters did a good job. So it is a fine movie.

Modern Lights

After work tonight, I walked into a totally dark parking lot because the lights were out. It was completely dark. I could hardly see my car and ended up trying to open the door of a wrong car. I finally found my car and got into it. This shows how dependent we are on modern technology such as electric lighting. Without modern technology, we become helpless.

A Good Cause

My wife and daughter walked in the Portland Komen Race for the Cure to do their part to find a cure for breast cancer. They left early for downtown Portland to join in with the thousands of other participants. This is a wonderful chance for people to join together for a good cause.

Friendship Reunion

My wife and I had a great time tonight celebrating with all of our friends at a wedding dinner. It was wonderful seeing our friends who got married, and seeing all our other friends in a joyful get-together. We do not see each other as often as we wish because of kids, busy work schedules, and everything else that makes up a busy life. So time available to come together for friendship reunions are times to be treasured.

For the Love of Books

My kids were reading astronomy and science books and were enchanted by them. They discussed with each other what they were learning and were so entranced in their discussion that they did not hear me tell them several times that we were leaving for dinner. I could not get angry at them for being so taken up with reading books, so I just waited and told them again it was time for dinner.

Winter Ills

It seems that the swine flu is getting closer and closer with each new reports. They say it will be worse when winter arrives and school kids get sick. I hope the new vaccines arrive soon and are effective. In the meantime, we have to wash our hands, stay home if sick, and just be careful.

Types of Milk

We are trying different kinds of milk for our kids. My son used to drink a lot of soy milk. But I read some reports suggesting too much soy can affect a person's hormones. There are alternatives such as almond milk and rice milk. Of course, there is regular cow's milk.

Self-Sufficient

My daughter wanted spaghetti again, so I said yes. My son wanted to help me cook the spaghetti, so I said yes. He helped me break the noodles in half and then put them in the pot of water. When it was time to eat, they both dished out their own amount of spaghetti to eat. Later, she refilled her own cup of milk. He refilled his own cup of water. I am so glad they are becoming self-sufficient.

Taking Things

I just heard a news report about a thief stealing diamonds from a diamond store. The video shows a person wearing a baseball cap walking out with the stolen diamond. What brazen action this is. It is regrettable a person must feel the need to steal the hard work and efforts of another.

Volunteering to Help

I took advantage of the sunny weather this weekend to paint the house, patch the roof, and basically get the house ready for the winter season. As I began raking the leaves, my kids wanted to help. I said okay to let them be part of the the raking team. In any case, I think it is a good idea to let kids help out when they actually volunteer to help. I wonder if this sort of volunteerism will occur during their teen years. I hope so.

Doing Something

My daughter just cut her long hair to send to Locks of Love, an organization that cleans and modifies the hair to give to young cancer victims without hair. This is a great idea. I see this as an example of the "good" side of human nature. There are enough examples of the "bad" side. It is heartening to know there are people out there who still care about others and will try to do something for them.

Tiny Bowling

Now that summer is ending, the bowling center I took my kids to have ended its reduced prices for kids. So we go bowling less often now. That's too bad--my kids really enjoyed bowling. But as an alternative, the kids now bowl with a tiny toy bowling set complete with a little bowling ball and little pins.

Full Schedule

I am again thinking about kids' schedules in modern society. Some say that parents nowadays pack too much into their kids' schedules. My kids just went through summer and they did swim and play soccer among other things, but I don't think they were too highly regimented. I realize, though, that this could happen to some kids. Maybe the solution is to have a balance where some events are scheduled, but also scheduled within the schedule is "free" time or "play" time or just good ol' "let kids be kids" time.

Measuring Cup

My son likes drinking from a measuring cup. He enjoys drinking from a cup that measures the amount of water or milk in the cup. He will drink, then measure, then drink, and so on. I'm fine with all this. I suppose he is learning how to measure liquid amounts.

Lullabies

I am looking at a Traditional Lullabies CD I used to play when my kids were babies. I used the CD to try to lull my babies to sleep during those days as a new parent when I was sleep starved. Now the CD just sits on the CD rack, a reminder of those earlier parenting days. Now the kids are bigger and in school. How time flies.

Back to School

The kids start school tomorrow (right after Labor Day). I'm sure this is a relief for many parents after spending the entire summer with the kids. Such time is well spent when used to create family time together. But kids also need teaching and instruction so back to school they go.

Lesson Imparted

I read my kids a bedtime story about a tortoise giving up its shell for speed and then realizing it needed the shell for protection. I think the lesson is that what we sometimes think of a hindrance is really a benefit, or that what is best is not always speed. Either way, I like little lessons from these bedtime stories that can be imparted to children.

Summer at the Beach

My family and I went to Seaside today for a family trip to the coast before summer ended. While it rained in Portland, it was warm and dry at the coast. What a wonderful day. We walked on the beach, played at Funland, and ate home-made ice cream at the ice cream shop.

Old Tunes

I sang the old tunes to old television series like Batman and Spiderman, and my kids were greatly amused. Somehow, I was able to recall the old tunes after all these years. I guess I enjoyed the old shows so much they remain imprinted in my memory.

New Computer

I recently saw a new type of computer screen that is wider and thus allows one to see two pages of a document. I thought this would be very helpful to a person writing a paper. I'm sure the new computer and screen could do much more, although at times I wonder how much of the new features a user actually uses. Perhaps most of these new features are never used because a person has developed habits that are hard to break.

Crossword

My kids like doing crossword puzzles. One workbook they are using is Garfield's Word Seeks. I am happy with the kids spending time doing these word games because I think they learn something about words in the process.

Science Class

My kid went to a summer science class and was very interested in the science projects dealing with carbon dioxide, water vapors, and other scientific processes. Kids should be taught science. This helps them understand the world in which they live.

Educational Variation

There seems to be a lot of home-schooling material being produced. This probably reflects the fact that many more parents are homeschooling their children. Also, there are probably more charter and magnet schools. Educational variation seems to be increasing, thus giving more parents more choices.

Wash the Car

One way to keep the kids occupied is to have them help wash the car. Today was a sunny day so it was great to wash the car with the kids' help. I made the soapy water and they washed the car with a sponge. Then they rinsed. It kept them busy for quite a while.

Chess

I think kids would benefit from playing chess. They would learn how to think ahead, to plan, and to follow rules. Plus, chess is a safe activity that engages the mind. So all I have to do is get some chess pieces and we're ready to go.

Good Resource

After a very active day, I'll let the kids watch a DVD for a brief period. We borrow them from the library. The library is such a good resource for DVDs and other items. Whoever started libraries in the past--hooray for them

Liking Reading

My daughter is reading "Bad Kitty Gets a Bath." It seems like a very cute book with an interesting plot that kids would be interested in. If kids develop an interest in reading for themselves, then this is a big plus that will serve them well in the future.

Handbuzzers

My kids went to a fun center and won some prizes including a handshake buzzer that they kept using on me. They thought it was hilarious. I recall as a child seeing these handbuzzers advertised in comic books I read. I probably ordered some of these.

To Etch

My daughter is enjoying her "Sketch and Etch Safari" book by Scholastic. It includes a wooden scratching stylus to be used like a pencil to etch I think. The book is about Africa and Africa's wildlife. It is a good book.

Learning Games

I let my kids play PBS games online at times. But recently I have allowed them to only play "learning" games online. I want them to learn while using the computer. One website had a lot of "learning" games including math questions that if answered correctly allowed the runner in a baseball game advance to first base (and so on with more correct answers).

Waning Summer

It seems like the days are getting shorter now that summer is nearing the end and fall is approaching. There will no longer be days with sunshine even past 9:00 p.m., at least not for another year. Now we attempt to wrest that last bit of vacation from summer before the kids go back to school.

In the Back

It is a good thing to have a backyard where the kids can play. Having the kids play on the front yard is fine if I'm out there with them, but I find it difficult to leave them alone in the front yard with cars whizzing by and everything else. Now with the play structure in the back yard, the kids can have fun out there and I can take care of things in the house with a secure feeling.

Camera

My kids are having fun with an old baby toy that mimics the features of a camera. The toy has a button that when pushed sounds like the whirring of a real camera. I guess the kids want to play "camera" after seeing Mom use the camera all the time to take family photos.

Initial Advantage

I've been reading the Outliers book and it begins with a provocative finding--that many talented star athletes are "talented" not only because they are good, but also because of their birthdays. Any young person signing up for some sports will have to be a certain age by a due date such as January 1. A person with a birthday close to the due date that makes him or her a bit older than others will have an advantage because of his or her older age and larger physique. Trainers and coaches will gravitate to these "older" youngsters to give them more attention and resources. This places these "older" youngsters at an advantage that follows them throughout their lives.

Good Food and Conversation

I had a wonderful time today going to a barbecue and eating grilled chicken and shrimp outdoors with friends and colleagues. It was a hot day, but it was made bearable with good food and fine wine, along with casual conversation and tasty brownies.

Electricity Experiment

My kids received a gift from a friend. The gift was an experiment set that included a battery and other electrical items. One experiment involved connecting wires to the battery and to a light bulb to light up the bulb. Another involved connecting the battery to a buzzer. These and other experiments help the kids learn about electricity and currents and other related issues.

Water and Mount Hood

I'm still thinking about our drive up to Timberline Lodge the other day. I'm thinking of the tons and tons of ice and snow accumulated on the mountain during the winter, and how all those tons of ice and snow melt to become tons of water that flow down into reservoirs, lakes, and elsewhere. That is a massive amount of water. It accumulates; it melts. The cycle repeats itself.

Timberline and More

SUNDAY

Instead of going out to buy ice cream cones, I told the kids they could make their own ice cream treat using the low-sugar, low-fat Umpqua ice cream in the refrigerator. I told them they could take an Oreo cookie, crumble it up, and make an ice cream cookie topping out of it. They did this and had a nice ice cream treat they made themselves.

SATURDAY

My family and our out-of-town friend had a great time going up to Mt. Hood on a nice summer day. We drove up to Timberline Lodge and had an exhilarating view of the mountain and the surrounding area. It was overcast on the way to Timberline, but once we ascended, we drove through the cloud cover and rose above the clouds to enter into the direct sunlight on top of Mt. Hood. We also rode on the chairlift, not to ski, but to get an untarnished view of the entire area. We got off at the top and we walked on a stretch of snow that still remained despite the summer weather. Up further, we saw little figures of skiers still skiing on larger patches of snow/ice that endured. The kids had a great time riding the lift and walking and playing on the snow.

Treasure Island Restaurant

We went to Treasure Island, a Chinese buffet restaurant in Beaverton, for dinner tonight. There was a wide variety of food including fish, bok choy, fried rice, hot and sour soup, beef with broccoli, chow fun, clams, and much more. The food tasted great, and there was plenty of seating for everyone. The service was fine, and we all had a tasty, enjoyable dinner.

Timberline History

One nice scenic activity is going up to Mt. Hood during the summertime and riding the ski lifts to get a panoramic view of Oregon. I did not know this was possible until I checked out information about Mt. Hood. In addition, there are tours of Timberline where one can learn interesting information about Timberline, including the fact that it was built during the Depression era as part of the works program, and that President Roosevelt (FDR) came and helped open up Timberline Lodge after it was built.

Reading Poetry

For bedtime stories, we've been reading a book full of poems. This is a wonderful way to get the kids thinking about expressing themselves through poetry, and perhaps later writing poetry. There are various forms of writing, from science reports to essays to novels and more. Poetry should be another form of writing that young people are exposed to.

Yogurt

We made the milkshakes and they were good, real good. The difficult part was choosing between ice cream or yogurt. I wanted to go with vanilla yogurt because it was fat free; it did not, however, have reduced sugar. The other choice was vanilla ice cream that had reduced fat and reduced sugar. I finally chose the ice cream with reduced fat and sugar. We added nectarines, grapes, and soy milk to the vanilla in the blender, mixed it all together, and had a great home-made shake.

Milkshakes

My kids asked me to make milkshakes. I suppose summertime is the time to make them, although I am wary of the kids consuming too much fatty foods. Maybe I can use low-fat milk and low-fat ice cream (with reduced sugar). Perhaps I can blend in a few carrot sticks while still making the milkshake tasty.

Sports and Academics

There are many sports available to college students including rowing and lacrosse. This is a good thing. Being physically active is good for the body, and college should promote physical fitness. Of course, this should not be at the expense of academic and scholarly work, but both sports and academics can be complementary and one can strive to do well in both.

Rock Climbing

It seems like rock climbing is becoming more popular with young kids. At today's Hillsboro Celebration event, there was a rock-climb wall where young kids could try our their rock-climbing skills while staff held onto the ends of the ropes. I've also seen rock-climbing walls at other family events. This is a good way for young people to exercise their arm and leg muscles, and to develop their agility and flexibility.

Asian Grocery Markets

It appears there are more Asian grocery stores opening up. There are seemingly quite a few small Vietnamese or Chinese or Korean grocery store here and there. Then there are the bigger Asian grocery stores like Uwajimaya and H-Mart. From a free market perspective, this is a good thing because it increases competition, satisfies demand, and allows consumers more choices.

Fruits

With the hot weather, my kids and I have been eating a lot of fruit--blackberries, cherries, blueberries, and grapes. I'll probably have to restrict this intake to reduce the sugar we consume. Still, eating fruit seems much better than eating ice cream and popsicles all the time. So more fruit it is (in moderation).

OMSI

I like taking my kids to OMSI because of the science. Girls and boys should be exposed to science at an early age, and OMSI helps accomplish this in a fun way. Of course, it costs money to go in, but we have a yearly pass. I think this is more economical given the multiple times we go, especially during the too-hot days during summer or too-cold days during winter.

Seeing the Moon

There is a bright moon nowadays during the summer. Regrettably, there are a lot of tall trees around the house that impairs my line of sight, thus making it difficult to use my telescope. I like the trees when they block the hot noontime sun, but they also block the moon at night.

Water Filters

My family uses Brita water filters to filter our drinking water. It seems like a prudent expense considering all the pollutants that exist, especially in our modern age full of chemicals, drugs, toxins, factories, corporations, manufacturing processes, and more. Some chemicals and pollutants are odorless, colorless, and tasteless--in effect invisible. Again, filtering water seems like a prudent precaution.

Root Beer Float

At a friend's barbeque today, I drank something I had not tasted for quite a while--a root beer float. This brought back memories of my youth when I thought vanilla ice cream combined with root beer float was the coolest drink around. I had great fun as a kid creating my own root beer float drinks. Those were the good ol' days.

Severing

Mt. Tabor had a "centennial" celebration replete with fun events such as a kids' parade, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, a rock-climbing wall, and more. I noticed some kids in the kids' parade wearing signs on shirts saying they were 5th generation Mt. Tabor residents. I thought it is good that one can trace such family history and anchor one's existence to a specific period and place. And yet there are those bereft of such history--of such anchoring. Many Americans forcibly abducted and kidnapped to be slaves in the United States have had their connections to a place severed. Family connections that had gone back countless generations in one's land were uncoupled. That which had been one's entire life, land, existence, was no more.

Cooling Off

Because of the heat, I took my kids to a water fountain play area where water shot up from the ground. Many other parents and their kids were there also playing and cooling off in the water for a brief respite from the hot afternoon sun. The ice cream truck found this spot and also found a lot of eager young customers. Cooling off with ice cream and blasts of water was effective.

WEDNESDAY

During this heat wave, news stations have provided safety tips to parents to not leave their child in the back seat. It is unfortunate that parents do endanger their children in such way so that these safety tips are needed. Hopefully, these safety tips will eventually protect children who would be otherwise harmed.

THURSDAY

This economic recession has forced people to change their spending habits in an attempt to be more frugal. One frugal habit is to check out books from local libraries instead of buying them. I have been checking out books more often. Another frugal habit is to borrow DVDs from public libraries instead of paying for rentals from video stores.

Heat Wave

This summer heat in incredible--over 100 degrees today, and still in the 90s tonight. In such heat, everyone seeks cool relief by going to the mall or other air-conditioned locations. I even heard of people without air conditioning staying in hotels until the heat wave dissipates. I understand. A heat wave makes everyone lethargic and unable to work or sleep. A respite, even if only for a while, is needed.

Summer Reading

I like the Summer Reading Programs put on by libraries. A kid signs up to read a certain amount of books during the summer, and after reading those books, gets rewarded. The prizes include free games at fun centers and sporting event tickets. Yes, a child should read just because she or he likes to read. But having incentives every now and then is also fine.

Theatre

I love live theatre. My wife and I just saw The Producers comedy. It was a blast. When presented on the stage (as opposed to the big screen), it is a hilarious romp. There is so much to admire in theatre--the sets, costumes, actors, lights, and everything else. Comedy, drama, the human condition--all can be experienced in the theatre.

Fun in the Park

I like these free festival days in the park they're hosting during these summer days. At one park, there was a triathlon competition for kids. For even smaller kids, there were big inflatables the kids could play on. Also, there was a rockclimbing activity for the kids. It was an enjoyable morning (before the sun got too hot) for the whole family and community.

Sushi

My wife and I like sushi and so we like sushi restaurant Todai, especially when we have a birthday and the birthday person can eat free. Otherwise, sushi is somewhat expensive. Still, sushi is a nice treat every now and then and is a definite improvement over hamburgers and fries. But one has to not overdo the sushi because there is quite a bit of white rice. So moderation will make for a tasty and healthy sushi meal.

The Reward System

It is well known among psychologists and others that a reward system can be a powerful motivator. That is, providing a "reward" (rather than, say, a "penalty") can greatly affect a person's behavior. I see this with my kids when they go to some fun center where they pay a token (or nowadays swipe a card) to play games that reward them with tickets that spew out. They later take the tickets to a ticket counting machine to find out their points, and with the points, get all sorts of trinkets. The trinkets are low-quality items that break easily or are easily forgotten. But the kids are motivated to play the games because they get the reward of points and trinkets.

Kids' Vaccines

I read a newspaper report saying some kids' vaccines went bad because of improper storage temperature. Vaccines need to be stored within a certain temperature range, and some were not but had been given by clinics to children. I feel for those children who need repeat shots because of this problem. Of course kids need to be vaccinated, but it is just too bad that they have to repeat the discomfort.

Shady Trees

Shade from trees around the house during hot weather is a blessing. I like trees less during fall when I have to rake the leaves and clean the gutters. But during summer, I like the trees a lot. When I take my kids to a playground, I always look for ones shaded by tall trees. When parking my car, I look for a shady spot. Trees are indeed a blessing in the summer.

Crater Lake

Oregon has many scenic places to visit, from the coast to Mount Hood. Another place is Crater Lake. My wife and I visited Crater Lake years ago. I still recall the blue water. The idea of a volcano with an enclosed lake just fascinates me. Hopefully I can find time this summer to revisit Crater Lake.

Water Toys

My kids received water "gun" gifts and had a lot of fun with them spraying things and each other on this hot, sunny day. Some people, though, object to kids playing with toy guns. I do too, actually, especially with toy guns that look exactly like real guns and have similar parts. But water toys that have bright colors, are not shaped like a gun, do not produce "bangs," and spray water instead of shooting bullet-like projectiles are more permissible, I think.

Summer Hours

These summer days with lots of sun into the late hours allow my kids lots of time to play. I've got to start making them clean up much earlier. For example, tonight they played on the outdoor play gym until the sun set. I didn't realize it was late because the sun was still shining even into the late hours.

Wood Work and High Temps

THURSDAY
I used to not care much for saving scraps of wood. That's because I do not do much outdoor work. But I've learned (or relearned) the benefits of saving scraps of wood now that I'm working on the wooden outdoor play structure. I bought it at a garage sale and most of the parts work well, but some parts rotted and need replacing, which is when having pieces of wood laying around can be very handy.

FRIDAY
The temperature is into the 90s and the best thing to do is to stay indoors where there is air conditioning. I ventured out momentarily with my kids to walk to a garage sale a block away. But even that was a chore in the heat. For dinner, we decided to go to the mall because it would be air conditioned. The main thought during this hot weather is just staying cool.

Extreme Weather Work

Working in the sun is exhausting. The heat and dehydration take their toll. They took their toll on me as I continued setting up the kids' outdoor play structure. I had to stop frequently to rest in the shade, take a drink of water, eat some watermelon, or munch on some snacks before getting back to work. Then again, working in freezing weather would also probably be just as difficult and tiring. On either end of the extremes, work becomes difficult.

Working The Land

Doing things the old fashion way by hand takes a lot of time. I was leveling the backyard by using a hoe-type tool to peel off the top layer of grass, and then using a flat shovel to level the bare dirt. All of this took the entire day for a small piece of ground. Using machinery would have done the job in probably half an hour. But then again, working the soil with one's bare hands does bring us closer to the land, I think, and that is worth something.

Helpers

My kids helped me out in the yard today when I was removing the grass to put in an outdoor play structure. They helped me shovel and remove the grass and dirt all day. Maybe they were motivated by the installation of the play structure, or by my wife's point system that allows them to earn points for good deeds. Whatever the motivation, it was enjoyable working with my kids on a common project.

Lowe's

I was at a Lowe's building supply store looking for wood pieces to replace the rotted wood of an outdoor play structure. Lowe's has all the material necessary for do-it-yourself homeowners. I like the free wood cutting service they provide. The downside is that they do it only for thin pieces of lumber (and not 4 x 4 pieces, for example). For thicker pieces of wood that are long and will fit into a non-truck vehicle only if cut, I guess one could always bring one's own saw to do the cutting at the store. I think I will have to do this.

Outdoor Play Structures

Those kids' outdoor play structures are heavy! I helped break down a play structure today and it took a lot of work to unscrew the screws and separate the various large pieces. These play structures look like easy "ready-to-build" items. But even with cut-out wood pieces, pre-drilled holes, and pre-packaged screws and bolts, it still takes a lot of work to build (and tear down) these play structures. How true it is that appearances can be deceiving.

Telescope

I bought a simple telescope at a garage sale for the kids. I tried looking at a star tonight, but it was difficult. The kids and I will try another night when the moon is out. This should make an easier target. Through the telescope, I hope to get my kids to discover the wonders of astronomy.

Car AC

I've heard some car buyers in the Pacific Northwest purchase cars without air conditioning thinking they can save money because of the cooler Pacific Northwest temperatures. But actually, summertime in the Pacific Northwest can be quite hot with temperatures in the 90's. I certainly would want air conditioning in my car, and not just for my own comfort, but for my kids (and for my newborn babies when my kids were babies).

Duct Tape

I just picked up a used, rusty wheelbarrow that was being given away. The front part that is held in place by two screws has rusted a bit, but I think that a bit of duct tape in the area will fix the problem in a snap. Yes, duct tape can fix many problems. With duct tape, I'll add a few more years to that wheelbarrow.

Media Focus

The media extensively covered Michael Jackson's funeral today. One could say this is not surprising because he was the world's greatest entertainer, according to some. This might be true, but still, one wonders if the "news" media could do a better job of staying true to its mission of providing comprehensive news that affect our communities, our nation, and our world. By this, I mean news about the current economic crisis, the renewal of the Cold War with Russia, the outbreak of violence involving the Uighurs in China, the continuing war in Afghanistan, and other news events that substantively shape our lives and affect our future.

Summer Events

I was looking at opera and Broadway tickets and realized there were none during the summer months. I was disappointed, but realized that summer is probably a slow time for opera and Broadway shows because people are doing summer things like going to the beach and taking vacations. Plus, these opera and Broadway performers and directors need time to recoup and to get ready for another season.

July 4th

Friday/July 3

We drove to Seaside for the July 4th holiday. The road into seaside was clogged probably because many others were thinking of also going to the coast to celebrate. We heard there were probably more people going to see the Seaside fireworks probably because Vancouver canceled its fireworks show.

Saturday/July 4

The July 4th weather at the coast was perfect--not raining, but also not too much sun due to a slight overcast every now and then. Seaside is packed with people, but it is understandable. They're here to enjoy the fun and games, the 4th of July parade, and of course the fireworks at night. The kids loved the fireworks. It was bright and loud and exciting. At the end of the night, we were tired from a full day of excitement and ready for bed.

Sunday/July 5

Before leaving, we went to Funland where the kids could play the games. We ate a pizza and salad lunch, and then drove back home. The drive home was also slow due to an accident, but the ambulance arrived to take care of the situation. We drove home to await our next adventure--vacation bible school (VBS)!

Fort Vanouver

We visited Fort Vancouver in Washington State with friends and saw how early life was lived in a fort setting. We learned how people traded beaver pelt and other items. I asked if people could get items on credit. The fort volunteer said no. But I think he is wrong because I read that credit was extended at certain frontier posts. In any case, we saw more an we learned about woodworking and other crafts. It was an educational experience.

One World

We have friends visiting from Canada. They said that there are difficult economic times in Canada also. This shows again the reality of globalization. With the economic downturn, every country is affected. No country is immune from the global economic downturn. As the years pass, the world will continue on the path of globalization.

Apricots

Summertime means fruits, and my kids now are into apricots ("angelcots" according to the brand name I think). I wonder if this infusion of sugar during summertime due to eating lots of fruits is something to be wary of. I will probably limit their amount of fruit. Still, eating fruit is probably better than eating candy or ice cream.

Badminton

My kids love playing badminton. I set up the net at the start of summer and now the kids love playing it every time we go outside. The reason is probably because the rackets are light enough for kids to hold, and the birdies are light enough to hit. In fact, badminton is probably a great game for kids because they can really can hit the birdie and participate fully in the game.

Salem Day Trip

We took a day trip to Salem's Bush Pasture Park where the kids rode their bicycles on the trails. The park is near Willamette University's track and we saw track and field competitions for grade schoolers and high schoolers. One athlete we saw was during the javelin throw. He threw it quite a distance on his second try. Then we went to the Salem downtown mall area for lunch. Afterward, we spend some time at the Woodburn Outlet Center and then at the Wilsonville Family Fun Center. For dinner, we headed home where I cooked up some fried rice and we ate it outside. It was a wonderful day trip.

Transition

Transitions that involve a person leaving are always hard. Today I attended an event for a pastor who was leaving for to teach after serving at a church for over a decade. There were heart-felt well wishes mixed with sadness over memories of friendships, acts of kindness, and everything else that constitutes a journey together in life.

Swimming

My kids are watching reruns of Michael Phelps' swimming victories during the last summer Olympics. Hopefully, watching the skill and grace and Phelps and other Olympic swimmers will motivate my kids to excel in swimming. I'm sure these Olympic swimmers do inspire a generation of kids to aspire to be their best.

Subtlety

The differences between "overt" and "subtle" can be discussed in various ways. One is through the prism or racial bias. I read that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was deeply frustrated when he shifted from battling overt Southern racial discrimination to battling subtle Northern racial discrimination because the subtle Northern discrimination was more entrenched and intractable. This shows that what is more hidden in the subtle can therefore make it that much more formidable, whether it is subtle arguments or subtle racial bias.

Make a Difference

I heard Jo Ann Bowman give an inspiring talk about following one's passion and making a difference. She is executive director of Oregon Action and the former representative who served three terms in the Oregon legislature. I respect Rep. Bowman and others who have that "fire in the belly" that motivates them to run for office. It takes a lot to sacrifice privacy and more to try to make a difference.

Trees

Trees get big. I'm specifically referring to the tree in the middle of my backyard that has grown large and tall with branches that go up and some that go out. It takes a lot of work to trim tree branches. Falling branches can break wooden fences and other things. My kids want to climb trees. But the ones in the backyard are too large for them to climb. So perhaps a play structure in the backyard is an alternative.

Cherries

Someone gave me a big bag of fresh cherries picked from Washington State cherry trees. They were sweet and delicious. Fresh fruit is always the best. I know this is not always possible in this day and age when so much of our food is handled by large companies that reside in distant parts of the country or globe. So I like the "grow and buy local" trend where local growers produce local fruits and produce for the local consumers whose local purchases sustain the local economy.

Cartoon Tattoos

My kids have begun playing with tattoos for kids that depict cartoon characters. The tattoos go on the skin by pressing the wet tattoo against the skin for about 15 seconds. I'm okay with the kids playing with these tattoos because I recall playing with these when I was a kid. It's just something fun to do, and after a while the tattoo wears off.

Communal Gatherings

I went to a church today to hear a student giver her "senior recital" on the cello. Other people use churches for other reasons. Of course, the main reason is to congregate and worship. But other reasons include marriage, concerts, sports (when the church has a gym), and playground (when the church has a play structure for parents with kids). These various uses show how churches (and other houses of faith) are integral to community building because these houses of faith allow the community to come together for various communal goals. Houses of faith allow modern-day people to still find ways to get together when other community institutions (e.g., bowling) are falling by the wayside.

Thursday:

Simple things add up. I mean that a small expense can add up. For example, I pack my own lunch for work. But if I bought a lunch every day, let us say a $6.00 per lunch, which is $30.00 per week, which then becomes $240.00 per month, this becomes a lot of money. I know many have already made this point--that a little expense can add up over the long haul. But it is so true that it is always good to remind ourselves of this truth every now and then.

Friday:

Private schools can be expensive. I'm talking about private elementary and secondary schools, not even college. For example, I heard one private K-12 school charge about $20,000 per student per year. This is an incredible amount. This kind of money could pay for college tuition. But I also realize that education is important, and that for some parents, a good education starts from the very beginning, so that all that money is an investment in a solid education from the very beginning.

Hurdles

I heard a female judge of color give an inspiring talk to a group of students. The judge recounted how she grew up in the South where racial prejudice caused people to not view Blacks as capable of succeeding, much less succeed to be a judge. But she overcame racial prejudice and other obstacles to become a judge. So in life, there are numerous hurdles, including racial bias hurdles, but hope remains because of the stories of those who ran through and over those hurdles.

Civil Rights

Oregon's new Attorney General John Kroger is proposing restoring the Civil Rights Enforcement Unit at the Oregon Department of Justice. This seems like a good idea. The Unit had existed but was cut in the 1980s because of budgetary reasons. It seems unlikely that the Oregon Legislature this session will approve funding to restore the Unit. This is too bad. Enforcing the laws to ensure equality seems like a high-priority item that should take precedence over other items.

Food

I heard a news account of a child getting E. coli from eating a hamburger, and that must be careful about eating hamburgers because the average hamburger patty is a combination of a multitude of slaughtered cows. This once again shows the need to be vigilant when eating food, from salads to fruits to hamburgers. Food safety has improved since the 19th century, but there is always more that can be done.

Downpour

Yesterday, in the middle of summer, it started to just pour down rain. It came down so hard for a short while that the rainwater overflowed my gutters and started pouring down the side of my window and wall. My son saw this and said it was neat. I didn't think so. Luckily, the downpour ended shortly thereafter.

Sales

My wife took the kids to a huge warehouse sale that included books. There were great deals everywhere. Some prices were cut fifty percent. These are great sales for teachers and others wishing to get school items at reduced prices, especially during tough economic times when budget cuts abound. These are tough economic times, and sales and discounts help relieve the economic burdens.

Family

We attended a birthday/graduation party for my niece. It was a wonderful event that included family and friends. My wife enjoys these big family gatherings where everyone comes together for at least a little while to see each other and get updated on family occurrences. Family gatherings allow us to connect and to share. These are good things.

Voodoo Donuts

I finally ate some donuts from the "Voodoo Donuts" store today. They were tasty. Voodoo Donuts is known for creatively creating all sorts of donuts from cereal-encrusted donuts to bacon-topped donuts. I like their original offerings. Donuts should be fun, and Voodoo Donuts puts the fun back in donuts.

Public Sector

My wife went to the post office to get stamps and noted that the line extended to the entrance because only one postal worker was working at the counter. The postal worker called several times for more help, but did not receive help until much time had passed. My wife remarked that this is an example of why the U.S. Post Office is losing money. I think this is also an example of government indifference to the needs of customers. I'm not saying all government employees are indifferent (I used to be a government worker after having served in the military). But there does on occasion appear to be a difference between private sector and government employees in the promptness of meeting the needs of customers.

Field Day

My daughter's school had its "field day" today to mark the end of the school year. A fun time was had by all. There were hot dogs, games, and a tug-of-war between the staff and the students. This was a nice way to end the academic year--with fun and friends.

Accent

I have been looking into the issue of accents and the studies are quite interesting. Many studies show that listeners are biased against people who speak with an Asian, Spanish, or Arab accent. The studies also show that listeners are biased against Black English speakers. Additionally, listeners are biased against regional accents such as the Southern accent. Accents can trigger negative stereotypes. All of this shows that people find various ways of distinguishing between "us" and "them" (the "others"), and accent is one of those ways.

Park Patrol

I took my kids to the park today to play while mom got some "alone" time to do her thing. The kids had fun at the park--no surprise here. What did surprise me was seeing a "Park Patrol" vehicle drive by. I guess some locales have park patrols that are akin to police patrols. I like the idea. Kids need safe places to play, and it is too easy for people to use parks for other than their intended purposes.

Rose Festival Parade

My wife and the kids and friends went to the Rose Festival Parade to see the floats. They had a good time and had less of a crowd to contend with because they found spots near the end of the parade route. Some people camp out to days before the parade to save good spots. That shows dedication, but I lack the devotion needed to wait 24-48 hours for a parade spot. I'll just have to see the parade on the news.

BJ the Clown

My kids saw BJ the Clown and his show at the library today and they laughed uproariously with the other kids even though having already seen BJ at birthday parties and other library events. BJ the Clown is funny and he makes use of funny props. But it isn't that easy to keep kids entertained for a long time absent electronic games nowadays, so I respect those who can get and keep the attention of kids without technological gizmos.

Supreme Court Picks

Does the average American really care about a president's nominee for the Supreme Court? I've been following a discussion regarding this question. Certainly some groups do care such as academicians, right-wing groups, and left-wing groups. But do average Americans care? Maybe they care less when the economy is not doing well because they care more about their jobs? I guess I'll need to look at survey data to find the answer.

Social Engineering

Our choices in life are at times affected by "social engineering" government policies that we are sometimes unaware of. For example, I am thinking of buying a new water heater for my house. I might ultimately choose to buy the water heater because the government will provide me with a tax break. Also, I might choose to buy a particular brand because that brand is energy efficient and is on the government-approved list. Now I like these tax breaks and hope they continue. But my point is that government tax breaks, like other government acts that seek to affect our decisions, are a form of "social engineering" because these government acts seek to push society towards a certain path.

CE

Many toys are made of plastic, and my wife and I found out a while back that CE plastic is the safest for kids (and presumably adults). Thus, we are careful now to buy toys and cups and other items that are made of CE plastic. This is another duty of parents nowadays--to ensure the plastic that our kids touch is safe. At times, the need to be vigilant can be draining. But it is worth it for the safety of our kids.

Lost In Time

The most recent game I play with my kids is holding their feet while they walk on their hands. They act like a wheelbarrow using their hands. I used to do this as a kid and forgot all about it until recently. There are probably many more games and activities I did that are lost to the mist of time. Once we "mature," all those fun things we did as kids are forgotten to be replaced with "adult" responsibilities. Then, with kids, they come back for a new generation.

Yard Work

It is true what they say-that one knows about something only when one does it. I know about being a homeowner because I have "done" it; I know about yardwork because I have "done" it; and I know I would rather be a renter without needing to do yardwork than being a homeowner needing to do yardwork. I had to do yardwork today. It took a large part of the day just to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and rake the debris. All this just to maintain the yard. There has to be a better way. The answer is a rock garden. This is my goal now.

Driving

The recklessness of some drivers amaze me. Today, at Multnomah Falls with my wife and kids, I had to shout at a driver to slow down and stop as he sped past a pedestrian crosswalk with parents and kids waiting to cross. Everyone knows drivers must stop for pedestrians waiting at crosswalks. This is the safe thing to do. Some people should not be driving. They are a menace to others. The car is basically a 2,000 pound hammer when it is misused. Regrettably, cars are misused often.

Sugar

I bought some Krispy Kreme donuts today. I must admit they are very, very tasty, even though I realize a diet full of processed foods is not very healthy. Most everyone likes sweets, especially kids, and so there might be an evolutionary component to this. Is it that humans need a certain amount of sugar in their diet and so we have developed a liking for sugar? If so, why is this "liking" more like a "craving"? I do not know. I'll need to research this further.

Sleep

We all need a minimum number of hours each day for sleep. The lack of sleet leads to all sorts of short-term and long-term problems. For my young son, the short-term problem that is quite evident is irritability. When he does not sleep at the appointed time, he gets irritable. This is but one of many consequences of sleep deprivation for both kids and adults. Studies show that long-term sleep deprivation harms the body. Accordingly, I try to get a decent amount of uninterrupted sleep every night.

Growing Up

The kids today looked at their baby photos and found them interesting. I then told them about the various places around the house where they slept. Many memories came back to me as we talked about their baby days. Now, they are older and going to school. They will be in school for many more years, all the while growing older, as it should be, because kids have to grow up despite our desire at times to "freeze" them and hold on to them and their days of youth.

Nominee

President Obama today picked a Latina for the Supreme Court position-judge Sonio Sotomayor. A critic might say this is not right because the choice should go to the best nominee rather than to any group based on gender or race. But the premise behind this statement would be wrong because the unstated premise assumes the following:

1. There is a "best nominee" waiting to be picked versus
2. the "less than best" nominee that was picked.

But this is assumption is unfounded, and it assumes the nominee is not best because she is a woman or person of color or both. Instead, the premise for this nominee should be

1. This nominee has every possibility of being the "best nominee" just like any other nominee picked.

Memorial Day

This being Memorial Day, I explained the significance of today to my kids. I told them this holiday is intended to remember the people who served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and other part of the U.S. military. I said those who served in the military, and those who died in service to their country, are remembered through this day of remembrance. Hopefully, they will remember some of what I said and will better understand the meaning of Memorial Day as they get older.

Tillamook

Our family went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory today and tasted some fresh cheese and tasty ice cream. Then we drove to Oceanside Beach where the kids played in the sand and got their feet wet in the ocean water. For meals, we went to the Shilo Inn Restaurant. If we had time, we would have gone to the Tillamook Air Museum and the Tillamook Forest Center. But we already had a full day so we headed back home after dinner to clean up and get ready for another day.

Birthday Gifts

My kids today filled up shoeboxes with gift items to give to underprivileged kids as part of a church effort. The boxes are birthday gifts to present to kids whose disrupted family lives have resulted in no birthday gifts. This is a wonderful effort to help these kids. More of such efforts are needed. There is no shortage of pain and suffering in this world. Those who can should do what they can.

Job Worries

I spoke today with students who worried about finding jobs after finishing school. I said to disregard the statistics and to do whatever is needed to land that job. But it is disheartening to read about layoffs and rising unemployment. The economy is in trouble. Many are to blame. But at this point, the focus is on getting the economy going again. For the individual, it means finding or holding on to a job and weathering the storm.

Red Meat

I read recently that a study showed eating red meat created more health risks than eating other types of meat. This study should not be surprising because many have already identified red meat as problematic. But the study does make me wonder about all those people consuming hamburgers from fast food restaurants throughout the United States, and indeed throughout the world. That is a lot of red meat being consumed on a daily basis. With such widespread consumption of red meat, it is unlikely this habit will change anytime soon. But for myself and my family, we will eat less red meat.

Good Cookies

My son wanted to eat some alphabet cookies that I just happened to have in the kitchen. I said yes thinking that if he is going to eat some cookies, he might as well learn the alphabet in the process. But I'm not so sure of feeding him cookies every day. I don't want him to learn the alphabet at the cost of a mouthful of cavities. Still, alphabet cookies do have some redeeming value.

Online

I was trying to make a payment online and was referred to PayPal, a website that allows one to make electronic payments. It seems everything is going "online," from buying and selling to looking for a job, looking for a spouse, or looking for a long-lost friend. One might wonder if there is anything that cannot be done online. Of course, the answer is yes because because "real" life consists of face-to-face encounters and being at an actual location for certain events such as a concert. I realize one can see and hear a concert online, but the experience would not be the same. It would be different. In the end, one doesn't need to say one experience is always better than the other--rather, they are just different.

Counting Pencils

As my son ate breakfast this morning, I played a counting game with him by holding some pencils on one hand, asking how many I held, then holding more pencils using my other hand and asking him how many pencils there were all together. I would hold up three pencils, and then add two more, for example. He enjoyed the game so much he wanted me to continue when I said I would stop to let him finish breakfast. We played until he finished breakfast. This game is a "keeper."

Mood

With summer approaching, the days are longer with the sun not setting until late. This means more positive feelings and less dreary days for those whose moods are affected by the amount of sunlight available during the day. I think the moods of most if not all people are affected to varying degrees by the amount of light present during the day. For those affected to a greater degree, I think the term is Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD). I know my mood is more positive when there is more sunlight. I wonder if I need one of those "sun lamps" for my house. I might look into it.

Star Trek

I saw the latest Star Trek movie directed I think by J.J. Abrams. The movie is a "thumbs up" because of not only the special effects, but the characters. We see the Star Trek crew when they were young and just getting into Starfleet. There are personality conflicts everywhere--between Kirk and Spock, Kirk and Uhura, and Kirk and the enemy. We see also conflicts within each character--with Kirk and Spock both attempting to deal with their past and the their family dynamics. Star Trek is here to stay.

Memorable Years

At a dinner tonight, I spoke with someone who also grew up in Portland. We talked about how things had changed, and then we talked about the high schools we went to including Wilson, Benson, Washington-Monroe, and Franklin. It seems that one's high school years are always memorable years, probably because we were such impressionable kids at that age trying to deal with self-awareness, self-esteem, innocence and maturity, friendships and arguments, teachers and administrators and parents, extracurricular activities, dating, learning to drive, and a whole host of other items. Yes, those are memorable years, and then we move on.

Derivatives

I heard an author being interviewed on OPB (Oregon Public Broadcasting) radio say that J.P. Morgan helped create financial derivatives that eventually caused the economies of the world to tumble. The creators purportedly had worthy goals such as economic efficiency and financial innovation. If so, then I think this proves once again how good intentions are not enough and that good intentions can easily go awry. The author also explained that financial "derivatives" are things that derive their value from something else. For example, the author explained, if there is a bar of gold, one can create a contract that mimics the expected gold price fluctuations, and this contract would then derive its value from the actual gold bar. Regardless of this author's attempt to explain derivatives, it is a complex instrument that has created a financial mess whereby nobody really knows the actual value of these derivatives that caused the economic crisis.

Menu Options

I had lunch today at Lauro Mediterranean Kitchen. The food was wonderful. But I noticed that Lauro, like many other similar restaurants, have a relatively limited menu, whereas many Asian restaurants I have been to have a more expansive menu. That is one reason I like Asian restaurants--the wide variety of menu options that are available. However, either model (limited or expansive menu) can work as long as the food is good.

Math Grids

To help my kids learn multiplication and addition, I created math "grids" for them. A simple example is below. One has to write in the correct answers in the empty squares. My mom used these grids to teach me math when I was a kid. If it worked for me, I figure they can work on anyone including my kids.

-----------------
x | 1 | 2 |
-----------------
1 | 1 | 2 |
-----------------
2 | 2 | 4 |
----------------

Medium

We went to Red Robins for dinner and I ordered a Banzai Burger just for a change (because I do not eat a lot of hamburgers). I asked for it to be "medium" cooked, thinking the meat would be cooked all the way through. But the meat patty was pink inside when I bit into it. I actually wanted it well-done, so I asked for another burger that was "well done" while explaining to our server that it was my fault and I should have asked for "well done" the first time. I guess the saying "use it or lose it" is true. Not having ordered a hamburger for such a long time, I forgot what "medium" and "well done" meant.

Lawn and Fish

Saturday:

Spring is the growing season with everything growing including grass. This means mowing the lawn. I had to mow the lawn. It seems to me like a huge waste of time (and a nuisance because of my allergies). Some homeowners love their lawns. I have come to realize that I'm not one of those homeowners. Soon enough, I'll turn my backyard into a rock garden. Until then, I'll be doing a bit of mowing.

Sunday:

This Mother's Day, my wife and I (and the kids) decided to make dinner for Grandma and Grandpa (my in-laws). I bought salmon, some sauce, a lemon, and celery. The salmon was expensive, costing me over $20 for 4 slices, and it wasn't even very fresh salmon, having be pre-frozen according to the tag. But it is hard to find good, fresh, high-quality seafood at a local grocery market. I looked at two others before purchasing at the third market. I wonder if all grocery markets have the same mediocre quality of fish, or whether some markets are better. I think I will do some more research. After all, fish is expensive and one should receive fresh seafood if one is shelling out the money for it.

Learn

The other day, my son and I played with toy wood pieces. We used them to create simple vehicle lanes to push our Hot Wheel race cars around. Tonight, I passed by the play area and saw a complex race track. My son had used the wood pieces to build parking garages, long lanes, and arches through which the cars could pass under. I was amazed. This shows how we humans can learn, refine, improve, and improvise. We can take a simple thing and make it more complex the second time around. Our brains can see what is and also what might be.

Variety

My young son used to sleep with the hall light on. Recently, he has asked that the hall light be turned off. My daughter is fine either way. Some kids always need the light on. Some kids like blueberries, others don't. Some like carrots, others don't. Kids are all different. Adults are all different. Likewise, animals are all different. Gorilla researchers, for example, tell us that each gorilla within a group has his or her own distinct personality. Variety is the spice of life.

Code

My four-year-old's latest interest is doing the "Code" worksheets in funbooks. These Code worksheets require the child to break the "code" and to write out a sentence by filling in the letters. For each letter, there is a number assigned to that letter in a code matrix, and the child matches up the number in the empty letter slot with the corresponding letter from the code matrix. A code worksheet is another fun way to teach the alphabet to kids.

Xylitol

I did some research on xylitol because it is found in sugarless gum that I sometimes give to my kids. It seems safe. It is an all-natural sugar substitute. Some online sources report that xylitol is sometimes used as a sugar substitute for diabetics. Some kid vitamins include xylitol. Some sources say that some studies show xylitol reduced tooth decay. But one study reported that a person developed eczema on the skin where the xylitol came in contact with.

Friends

My kids' friends came over to play and they all had a great time. They played hide-and-seek, watched a DVD, played with wooden blocks, ate strawberries, and more. I am glad my kids are able to form peer friendships easily and play well with other kids. Being able to form relationships now will allow them to form relationships later as adults. As with many other things, what they do now prepares them for life as adults.

Lord of the Beans

After watching the Veggie Tales' Lord of the Beans DVD (by Big Idea), the kids wanted to see the entire movie again. Instead, I showed them the "extra" features including the "Sing Along" and "Trivia Game" parts. The kids had a great time with these "extra" features.

This shows how technology has changed. I recall growing up with videocassettes and the great competition back then between Sony's Beta version and the VHS version with the VHS version eventually winning out. When the video discs entered the fray, these discs were as large as record albums. Mentioning record albums can take us even further back. But let's just stick with DVDs for now, and again, when these initial DVDs came on the scene, they were huge. Now, their size is quite small. Perhaps they will get smaller as the technology improves. Even if they do not get smaller, they are light-years ahead of what videocassettes can do--better picture, better sound, more features, easier to move from scene to scene, and more. Who would ever want to go back?

Trips and Music

April 30

My blogging was postponed because I had to attend an out-of-state conference in Washington State. I told my kids I had to be away for a night and they responded well. When I departed, they said good-bye and that was that. There was no fuss and no crying. This no-fuss departure made me happy (along with the fact that the kids are mature enough to handle a short separation).

May 1

On my drive back from my one-day business trip, as I approached home, I thought about taking the family out for dinner. But because of the present "swine flu" scare, I thought perhaps we should all stay in for dinner. It can be hard to determine the exact amount of risk involved in going out when an epidemic occurs elsewhere. It might be rational to err on the side of safety and not go out, but not going out at all might be difficult to do in practice and might be an overreaction. I guess the best thing is to stay informed and to do what one feels is in the best interest of the family.

May 2

My wife and my daughter attended a concert by young musicians. My wife and I thought this would be a great chance for our daughter to see young musicians at work producing wonderful music. Hopefully, she will be inspired by watching young people play music well. I know I always am when I watch youngsters play music by Bach, Beethoven and the other master composers.

The Lord of the Rings

After finishing her homework, my daughter asked if she could watch just a bit of The Lord of the Rings. I hesitated because there are some violent scenes and mature themes in the movie. At the same time, the movie addresses virtues such as friendship, courage, and love. Because of this (and because my wife had warned me that denying too much to our kids could cause them to do exactly the opposite in later years), I decided to let my daughter watch the "good" parts of the movie. She saw the first part of the movie discussing the Shire, the home of the Hobbits. This is an enchanting, scenic part of the movie showing a gentle people living in small dwellings within green fields.

Brain Quest

As my daughter practiced her violin, I wondered what to do with my young son now that he could not play with her sister. My wife suggested going through some Brain Quest cards with him, so I did. My son enjoyed the cards immensely and was disappointed when I said we had to start cleaning up for nighttime. Brain Quest consists of a set of cards with age-appropriate questions that tests youngsters on various topics. Answers are provided on the card after the questions card. This is a wonderful way to keep young kids occupied. We're keeping them handy for the next opportune moment.

Speaker and Listener

I tried to explain to my son what I was doing when I faxed a sheet of paper. He asked me what was happening. I said I sent the same sheet of paper to another office far from our house. I tried to explain that the fax was like a telephone, but instead of talking and sending our voices over the lines, we were sending sheets of paper. I am not sure he fully understood.

If not, it would be easy to say the reason was because he is just a young kid who lacks the maturity to understand. But is the listener at fault? Could the speaker instead be at fault? I, as the speaker, perhaps might need to be more clear in my explanation. Perhaps the problem is with the speaker rather than the listener. As speakers (and writers), we should always keep this in mind.

Sounding Out

We adults take for granted our ability to look at a word and pronounce it. We forget that this is an ability learned through years of practice. I was reminded of this when I showed my four-year-old some word flashcards (Readiness cards by School Zone). He sounded out each letter of the word, put the sounds together, and then pronounced the word. He did this for the words "left," "wet," "full," and others. It seems like a slow process when a child does this, but I was actually quite amazed because it shows how flexible and adaptable our brains are. We can create symbols (letters and words), assign meaning to them, memorize them, and use them to communicate with one another at a high information-transfer level to discuss poetry, philosophy, theology, and other fields of knowledge. But all this begins with a child sounding out letters.

Strawberries

Grandpa and grandma brought over strawberries for the kids and the kids could not get enough of them. They were very large, very red, and very sweet. My wife told me strawberries have a lot of vitamin C, and I thought this was a good thing because the kids have colds and the vitamin C should benefit them. The kids kept asking for more, but I had to limit their amount because too much of anything is not good.

Modern Business

I read from a Curious George book for tonight's bedtime story. There is a whole series of these books. There are also Curious George videos and cartoons. In fact, there is a Curious George film and video game. Such widespread commercialization is probably true of many kids' characters (e.g., Dora the Explorer, Cliff the Big Red Dog, Elmo, etc.). This should not be too surprising in an age characterized by sophisticated advertising, the prominence of Madison Avenue, and a global media. But that sense of innocence is lost when a seemingly simple childhood character turns out to be part of a conglomerate business entity.