Julia had some make up schoolwork since we were out of town over Spring Break. Below is a short story she wrote and typed on her iPad/Bluetooth keyboard yesterday at school. Amazing! You can tell that she likes to read and why she has been scoring so high in reading and writing at school. She has a gift!
Leprechaun in My Backyard!
Dear Aunt Michelle,
I intend to tell you everything when I visit Sunday but I guess I can tell you now. It all started when I was hula hooping in the field next to my house, and I saw this green hat laying there. At first I thought it was just my neighbors hat because they love to dress up for St. Patrick’s day. But about five minutes later the hat started moving! I Almost screamed but caught myself just in time. I realized that the thing might be a leprechaun.
Everybody knows that if you catch a leprechaun and let it go without harm then he will tell you where his pot of gold is. All I had to do was catch this leprechaun and I would be rich!
I silently walked over to the hat and picked it up but I felt like I was carrying twenty pounds! It was a leprechaun! But before I could react, the leprechaun jumped out of my arms, and started running away but after five yards he just disappeared!
I had seen this in movies before. I pretended to act confused but I heard the leprechaun teleport behind me so I dived for him but missed again! Then as quick as a mouse I dug a hole right where the leprechaun was going to teleport next.
Everybody knows that leprechauns are really short. I made sure that the leprechaun was not going to get out of the hole and raced to my house to get my cat carrier. When I got back I locked him in the cat carrier and he told me the gold was in the park under the slide.
It turns out he wasn’t lying. I plan to buy a mansion with the gold. I hope another leprechaun will come near my house soon.
Love,
Julia
03 April 2018
25 March 2018
Costa Rica - Other
Over the weekend we spent our time in Las Catalinas, which is a couple of beaches over from where we stayed. Julia got so tan on this trip that another family we met from Colorado thought she was a local!
The beach is called Playa Danta and although the bay is small, there is a hotel restaurant and equipment rental company located there. We used both, but primarily the equipment rental from Pura Vida Ride. Although they had all sorts of equipment we ended up renting a two person sea kayak for a total of four hours during this trip. The kids really liked the kayak and paddling around on the ocean. If you look really closely at the first picture you can see Stacey and Julia out in the water. Stacey and I took turns paddling and were able to go out on the water with both kids. We opted for only one paddle, but when I was out with Julia I was able to teach her the basics of paddling. We also had a great view of a very nice yacht that was anchored nearby. Of course, one of the most fun parts was when we came back to shore. You can catch a pretty good wave if you time it right.
We also had dinner one night at Coco Loco. We ate dinner there last year. It's always a nice place to enjoy dinner and the sunset since the tables are essentially right on the beach. After dinner we walked up and down the beach under the moonlight and stars. OK, we walked; the kids ran around chasing each other or playing a game that they made up. The second to last picture is the sunset we had at dinner. The final picture is a beautiful sunset we enjoyed one evening from the deck of our apartment.
All in all it was a great trip. We were ready to come home, but we also had a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to play with the kids without any real schedule. Oh, and I almost forgot. The kids both brought home matching stuffed animal souvenirs. The stuffed animals are Coatis, an animal found in Costa Rica, but since they look like raccoons I've stopped trying to explain to them that they aren't. The kids were both very happy and grateful to be able to leave Costa Rica with such great gifts. They kept saying thank you over and over, and they are the current stuffed animal of choice now that we're back home.
The beach is called Playa Danta and although the bay is small, there is a hotel restaurant and equipment rental company located there. We used both, but primarily the equipment rental from Pura Vida Ride. Although they had all sorts of equipment we ended up renting a two person sea kayak for a total of four hours during this trip. The kids really liked the kayak and paddling around on the ocean. If you look really closely at the first picture you can see Stacey and Julia out in the water. Stacey and I took turns paddling and were able to go out on the water with both kids. We opted for only one paddle, but when I was out with Julia I was able to teach her the basics of paddling. We also had a great view of a very nice yacht that was anchored nearby. Of course, one of the most fun parts was when we came back to shore. You can catch a pretty good wave if you time it right.
We also had dinner one night at Coco Loco. We ate dinner there last year. It's always a nice place to enjoy dinner and the sunset since the tables are essentially right on the beach. After dinner we walked up and down the beach under the moonlight and stars. OK, we walked; the kids ran around chasing each other or playing a game that they made up. The second to last picture is the sunset we had at dinner. The final picture is a beautiful sunset we enjoyed one evening from the deck of our apartment.
All in all it was a great trip. We were ready to come home, but we also had a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to play with the kids without any real schedule. Oh, and I almost forgot. The kids both brought home matching stuffed animal souvenirs. The stuffed animals are Coatis, an animal found in Costa Rica, but since they look like raccoons I've stopped trying to explain to them that they aren't. The kids were both very happy and grateful to be able to leave Costa Rica with such great gifts. They kept saying thank you over and over, and they are the current stuffed animal of choice now that we're back home.
23 March 2018
Costa Rica - Day 3
Today was another beach and pool day. However, it was fun in a different way because we were able to experience a couple of memorable things on the trip. I don't have many pictures of us playing on the beach or in the water, since I was busy playing and/or covered in sand and water during those times.
In the morning we found our way down a narrow dirt road to the beach below our apartment. It's the main beach we have are able to see from our balcony. In fact, in the second picture you can see our building perched high on the hill. When we got down to this beach we were greeted by a couple dozen brown pelicans that were having breakfast. Not living near the ocean much I have never been able to watch pelicans hunt for fish. Each bird would fly around or hover in the wind 10, 20, or 30 feet above the surface. When they saw a fish, they would tuck their wings against their body and dive bomb the water head first, creating a large splash on impact. Over and over again I watched different birds dive bomb, splash down, swallow a fish, and then fly off and do it again.
In the afternoon I rented a wave runner for 30 minutes the first time in my life. I wasn't too worried about learning on my own. At the beginning I took the kids with me; Jonathan sitting on the front and Julia sitting behind me. Jonathan had to hold onto the handlebars, which made him want to steer. Between that and the awkward weight distribution, the kids only lasted a few minutes. Even with life jackets they were a little afraid of the water since we live in the middle of the country. Only towards the end of the trip did they get more comfortable being in the ocean. It was just as well that I had to take them back to shore. After dropping them off I buzzed around the bay for 30 minutes on my own. The fun ended when I ran out of gas. The rental guy basically kept telling me to ignore the warning lights and noises and "run 'er dry".
In the morning we found our way down a narrow dirt road to the beach below our apartment. It's the main beach we have are able to see from our balcony. In fact, in the second picture you can see our building perched high on the hill. When we got down to this beach we were greeted by a couple dozen brown pelicans that were having breakfast. Not living near the ocean much I have never been able to watch pelicans hunt for fish. Each bird would fly around or hover in the wind 10, 20, or 30 feet above the surface. When they saw a fish, they would tuck their wings against their body and dive bomb the water head first, creating a large splash on impact. Over and over again I watched different birds dive bomb, splash down, swallow a fish, and then fly off and do it again.
In the afternoon I rented a wave runner for 30 minutes the first time in my life. I wasn't too worried about learning on my own. At the beginning I took the kids with me; Jonathan sitting on the front and Julia sitting behind me. Jonathan had to hold onto the handlebars, which made him want to steer. Between that and the awkward weight distribution, the kids only lasted a few minutes. Even with life jackets they were a little afraid of the water since we live in the middle of the country. Only towards the end of the trip did they get more comfortable being in the ocean. It was just as well that I had to take them back to shore. After dropping them off I buzzed around the bay for 30 minutes on my own. The fun ended when I ran out of gas. The rental guy basically kept telling me to ignore the warning lights and noises and "run 'er dry".
22 March 2018
Costa Rica - Day 2
We had a lot of fun in the sun on this trip. The first few days we did nothing but play on the beach, and when we were tired of sand, swim in the pool. On this day I went for an hour walk along our main beach, Playa Flamingo. Conveniently, two full laps on the beach is 5K in length. This beach was closest to our apartment and had great sand, few people, and great sunsets that we were able to enjoy. We made sandcastles, buried various body parts in the sand, collected shells, collected mini sea snails, fought the waves with sand balls and other techniques (Jonathan), and had fun getting tossed by and over waves by me (Dad).
A couple hundred yards past the northern end of the beach is Angelina's, our favorite restaurant for pizza. At the foot of the restaurant is also our favorite ice cream stand. For dinner this night we went back to Angelina's and ordered two of their delicious brick oven thin crust pizzas. Afterwards we walked down the steps and bought a couple of small homemade ice cream cups and an ice cream sandwich made out of two chocolate chip cookies. In the last picture you can make out a cone shaped straw roof. That's the ice cream stand. The ice cream is hand made by a guy from Calgary and his wife that have been in Costa Rica for about five years. They also own another ice cream stand and the miniature golf course in a nearby town. Talk about a different life.
It was fun to eat out, but I think we only ate out three meals on the entire trip. The food is a little different for the kids, and somewhat pricey. Plus, we prefer to buy all of our food from the local grocery store since we had a kitchen. In fact, the first night we arrived we went shopping and bought a fresh pineapple. It was the most juicy, delicious pineapple I have ever tasted!
A couple hundred yards past the northern end of the beach is Angelina's, our favorite restaurant for pizza. At the foot of the restaurant is also our favorite ice cream stand. For dinner this night we went back to Angelina's and ordered two of their delicious brick oven thin crust pizzas. Afterwards we walked down the steps and bought a couple of small homemade ice cream cups and an ice cream sandwich made out of two chocolate chip cookies. In the last picture you can make out a cone shaped straw roof. That's the ice cream stand. The ice cream is hand made by a guy from Calgary and his wife that have been in Costa Rica for about five years. They also own another ice cream stand and the miniature golf course in a nearby town. Talk about a different life.
It was fun to eat out, but I think we only ate out three meals on the entire trip. The food is a little different for the kids, and somewhat pricey. Plus, we prefer to buy all of our food from the local grocery store since we had a kitchen. In fact, the first night we arrived we went shopping and bought a fresh pineapple. It was the most juicy, delicious pineapple I have ever tasted!
21 March 2018
Costa Rica - Day 1
This year we decided to go back to Costa Rica for Spring Break. In fact, we went back to the same place we went the first half of our trip last year and stayed in the same complex. Given that we were looking for sun, warmth, and water, it made sense to go back to a place we already knew and cut out all the extra stress of finding our way in a new location.
This year we had a much better view because we stayed in the building higher on the hill. The unit worked really well...two bedroom, two and a half bath, internet and Spanish broadcasts on ESPN 3 of March Madness. Below are some pictures of the view from our balcony, mostly taken on the first morning (we arrived after dark).
This year we had a much better view because we stayed in the building higher on the hill. The unit worked really well...two bedroom, two and a half bath, internet and Spanish broadcasts on ESPN 3 of March Madness. Below are some pictures of the view from our balcony, mostly taken on the first morning (we arrived after dark).
28 February 2018
Dad Time
This time of year can be pretty dull. We've gotten through the holidays and back into the swing of things, yet there really isn't much going on in the month of February. At least in January you're still riding the holidays and getting back on track, and March brings a changing of the seasons and Spring Break! Even still, here are a few pictures of some of the things we've done lately.
I took Julia to the pottery painting store in the mall one Saturday afternoon. We had fun hanging out and painting together. Julia painted the cupcake and I painted the cat to look like Freckles. I don't want to brag, but the cat was a big hit with all the ladies at the store. They all thought it was really cute and one of the better ones they've seen.
Two weekends in a row now Jonathan and I have hopped on our bikes and made the five mile round trip down to the new park nearby. Usually we stop for coffee on the way and lunch at the grocery store on on the way back. At the park we play catch with the baseball and football and sometimes kick the soccer ball around. Jonathan's favorite activity is to play me in a game of tackle football. I don't really tackle him, but he sure goes all in when he tackles me. He has won both games by a touchdown. I think he's still a little bit too young to realize what's going on and honestly thinks he's beating me fair and square. Soon enough we'll be be able to go head to head and eventually he'll start beating me for real! I'm looking forward to the day when the roles are reversed and he tells me that he let me win that game. That'll be funny.
I took Julia to the pottery painting store in the mall one Saturday afternoon. We had fun hanging out and painting together. Julia painted the cupcake and I painted the cat to look like Freckles. I don't want to brag, but the cat was a big hit with all the ladies at the store. They all thought it was really cute and one of the better ones they've seen.
Two weekends in a row now Jonathan and I have hopped on our bikes and made the five mile round trip down to the new park nearby. Usually we stop for coffee on the way and lunch at the grocery store on on the way back. At the park we play catch with the baseball and football and sometimes kick the soccer ball around. Jonathan's favorite activity is to play me in a game of tackle football. I don't really tackle him, but he sure goes all in when he tackles me. He has won both games by a touchdown. I think he's still a little bit too young to realize what's going on and honestly thinks he's beating me fair and square. Soon enough we'll be be able to go head to head and eventually he'll start beating me for real! I'm looking forward to the day when the roles are reversed and he tells me that he let me win that game. That'll be funny.
17 February 2018
Cripple Creek Ice Sculpture Festival
This kids spent this weekend up at the cabin with grandpa and grandma. One of the days they drove up to the old mining turned casino town of Cripple Creek for the Ice Sculpture Festival. Apparently, the festival was pretty cool. Get it? Everyone had a great time, including mom and dad who were left behind!
15 February 2018
Family DNA Test Results
For Christmas this year my family had a spitting contest. I don't remember who filled up their tube the fastest, but everyone finished, which was most important. About a year ago I did my own 23 and Me DNA test and I was curious to compare my results to my own parents and to my sister, Michelle. In addition, we also had Stacey participate so that we will be able to compare our children's results to both of ours in the future.
After several weeks we got our results back. There really weren't very many surprises. My parents results were what I expected and consistent with what I had assumed I inherited from each. However, for me there were a handful of very interesting things that came up as a result:
1) After the results were made available, I was able to add my parents to my profile. As soon as I linked their accounts, I received a message saying that my own results were being reanalyzed. This technology is continually changing, so I think now they had more tools available to them. However, what was probably the biggest cause of this reevaluation of my DNA was that with my parent's results they were able to better fine tune their assumptions and smoothing of the data. In other words, they were able to get a better picture of me with more data at their disposal. This resulted changes to my own results. Specifically, about 2% of British & Irish was reclassified as Scandinavian (thanks Mom!), and about 13% of my Broadly Northwestern European was reclassified as French/German (thanks Dad!). Although the numbers are close, this switched the largest grouping of mine to Scandinavian.
2) My Dad is very strong in British & Irish at over 50%. No real surprises there as that was assumed based on family genealogy and my own results.
3) My Mom is the purebred at 70% Scandinavian. That was completely expected due to the recent immigration from Norway on her side of the family.
4) Michelle is actually the same proportions as me. Almost exactly the same numbers for Scandinavian and British, with a slight edge to Scandinavian. One really interesting advances in this technology is that they are now able to tell what country within these regions your DNA came from. On her results it lists Norway, which is accurate. Soon these country specific results will be pushed out to all users, even for people like me who took the test a year ago.
5) Stacey is 35% French and German. This was expected, but what wasn't expected is that this was classified as being from Germany, even though her grandmother was from France. It was an interesting development and something that would be interesting to look into further. However, given the history of this region, people and territory have flipped back and forth numerous times. For example, her grandmother came from France but her ancestors could have moved there from Germany. Stacey was also 30% British. So, the fact that both of us have a sizable chunk of British probably means that this will show up when we do our kid's tests in the future. We already suspected this, as we all vaguely resemble Hobbits.
After several weeks we got our results back. There really weren't very many surprises. My parents results were what I expected and consistent with what I had assumed I inherited from each. However, for me there were a handful of very interesting things that came up as a result:
1) After the results were made available, I was able to add my parents to my profile. As soon as I linked their accounts, I received a message saying that my own results were being reanalyzed. This technology is continually changing, so I think now they had more tools available to them. However, what was probably the biggest cause of this reevaluation of my DNA was that with my parent's results they were able to better fine tune their assumptions and smoothing of the data. In other words, they were able to get a better picture of me with more data at their disposal. This resulted changes to my own results. Specifically, about 2% of British & Irish was reclassified as Scandinavian (thanks Mom!), and about 13% of my Broadly Northwestern European was reclassified as French/German (thanks Dad!). Although the numbers are close, this switched the largest grouping of mine to Scandinavian.
2) My Dad is very strong in British & Irish at over 50%. No real surprises there as that was assumed based on family genealogy and my own results.
3) My Mom is the purebred at 70% Scandinavian. That was completely expected due to the recent immigration from Norway on her side of the family.
4) Michelle is actually the same proportions as me. Almost exactly the same numbers for Scandinavian and British, with a slight edge to Scandinavian. One really interesting advances in this technology is that they are now able to tell what country within these regions your DNA came from. On her results it lists Norway, which is accurate. Soon these country specific results will be pushed out to all users, even for people like me who took the test a year ago.
5) Stacey is 35% French and German. This was expected, but what wasn't expected is that this was classified as being from Germany, even though her grandmother was from France. It was an interesting development and something that would be interesting to look into further. However, given the history of this region, people and territory have flipped back and forth numerous times. For example, her grandmother came from France but her ancestors could have moved there from Germany. Stacey was also 30% British. So, the fact that both of us have a sizable chunk of British probably means that this will show up when we do our kid's tests in the future. We already suspected this, as we all vaguely resemble Hobbits.
04 February 2018
Daddy Daughter Dance 2018
Our third Daddy Daughter Dance at the community center was yesterday. Julia loves going, so although I was feeling sick we still went and had a good time. I am not sure what her favorite part is, but getting a new dress and fancy shoes is definitely near the top. This year's theme was masquerade, so Julia decorated her own mask. Other than the mask, there was a station to make glitter slime. It was mostly about dancing this year. Fun!
03 February 2018
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