Tennis and T-ball and Typhoons, Oh My!

Well, we do our best to keep things interesting around here.  It seems about the time I catch my breathe and think I've got it all under control, we get a curve ball.  Last week's curve ball was Typhoon Sanba.  No damage, just lots (and lots) of wind and rain.  It's the work up and the clean up that seem to wear on me.  Actually, that's not true.  I think it's the being stuck inside with two boys that really don't need to be stuck inside.  We built forts and the Onceler's house again and again.  Then we'd relocate our fort and start over.  We made headresses for our chief costumes, so we could fight against Davy Crockett.  And then we became Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone and we fought at the Alamo.  Throughout this typhoon, we "fought" in just about every battle known to man and more.  Sanba left us with no damage, so we're grateful (and no one was harmed during the battles either).  Having been cooped up all weekend, I couldn't have been more ready for Monday to come.  It was time for school and time for a little break for mommy.  Our school week was filled with homework, pool time, t-ball, and tennis.  We're counting down the days until Fletcher gets home and enjoying the slightly cooler weather. It's not a lot cooler hence we're still at the pool quite a bit, but the mornings and evenings show hopeful signs Fall is on its way. 

Obon Celebration

Its that time of year again and we love catching the local celebrations.  As we were driving home from the pool one afternoon we saw the Eisa dancers lining up in the street to perform.  After they dance for a bit, they all load up in the back of a truck and move onto their next destination just up the street.  The dancers make their way around to new homes to bless them for the families.  It's really an interesting thing to watch.  Later in the evening the neighbors come together at the community center and have a big performance.  We're so lucky to be able to walk to this celebration.  The neighbors are gracious and always invite the boys to dance with the locals.  They even urged (somewhat insisted) that Fletcher and I participate as well.  It reminds me of the old street dances we use to attend growing up.  The kids are running around playing, the elders are catching up, and the musicians are strumming.  I pray the boys remember getting to enjoy this culture. 

Back to School - Back to Everything

Even though the boys have gone to school most of the summer for Santa Monica's summer program, their school year just geared up this past week.  The boys were super excited to meet their new teachers and get this year going.  Bennett is really enjoying Ms. Christina and Beau is over the moon for Ms. Joanne.  Bennett had Ms. Joanne before, so Beau couldn't wait to get the opportunity to be in her class.  He's hopped out of the car every morning this week to go into school and no time-outs (he had the star on his hand to prove it).  It was back to tennis this week too.  As you can see, Bennett is right back into the swing of it.

Labor Day Fun

Fletcher had to labor on Labor Day, so the boys and I headed up to the aquarium to catch the dolphin show and check out a few new things.  We always love the dolphins and it had been a while since we'd paid them a visit.  We were not disappointed!  After the show, we decided to check out the butterfly garden.  The butterflies were beautiful and we loved getting to check out the caterpillars and cocoons.  Made one of our favorite books (The Hungry Caterpillar) come to life.