And They're Off!

THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN: Today marked the last day of the week long yoga camp.

CJ and Annabelle have enjoyed it thoroughly. They looked forward to going each day and had lots of positive things to say about it after each session.

Today's theme was the circus, and the kids were supposed to wear red. CJ wore his Heinz Ketchup shirt (an old favorite - that reminds me of his kindergarten year). Annabelle wore her cute "The Grouchy Ladybug" shirt. (Note to self - when looking for a link to that book, I found a great resource - on author Eric Carle's official Web site, there are all sorts of ideas for using that book in the classroom.)

While waiting for other students to arrive, yoga teacher Nicole came over to me to tell me that if she ever needs a substitute teacher, she would just call Annabelle. ;) I laughed and said, "Yeah, she likes to be the leader and doesn't have any self confidence issues!"

Nicole agreed and told me that earlier this week while she was leading the class in a move, Annabelle suggested, "Why don't we try it this way?"

At that, Nicole asked where Annabelle had seen her variation - perhaps on the Internet or TV? - and Annabelle told her, "No, from you!" :)

THE LION KINGS: Dozens of times the kids and I have driven by the Columbia City Sound Transit station. It has lots of great public art, most notably a number of lion statues. Each one has a distinct look, and it's fun thinking about the elements that influence the styles.

Today, I finally took the time to take pictures of some of our favorites.

There's a green one that almost looks as if it's made from jade (it's not). I love its expression - it definitely looks like it's staring off into the distance.

And then there's a grand granite one grasping what I always assumed from afar was globe in its paws. Today, upon closer examination, it looks very much like a soccer ball. Hmm. ...

Then there's this copper-patina colored one that's highly stylized.

I was able to find out a little bit about the sculptures on Sound Transit's Web site. Specifically, that "stone lions guard the entrance of the station's south plaza, ensuring and a safe, welcoming journey for patrons. Each lion is customized to reflect the diversity of the Rainier Valley and Columbia City, creating 'conversations' between the lions evocative of the conversations between various cultures."

Perhaps the most unique lion is the one carved from brick. It appears to have an orange in its mouth. Why? I don't know ... the answer must be out there somewhere.

What I do know, from Sound Transit, is that it is hand-carved, made in collaboration with master-carver Mara Smith. I found an article that says artist Norie Sato carved them all. If that's true, that's pretty damn impressive - the statue's styles are so different.

OH BOY!: Shortly after 6 a.m. through a low-fi "baby" monitor speaker, I hear a little rustling followed by the words, "Oh, boy!" followed by the sound of Annabelle beating feet up to our bedroom.

As she climbed into our bed she trumpeted, "Today's the day we go camping!"

Oh boy, indeed!

This weekend Christian is taking the kids to Baker Bay campground - a site his family has been camping at every summer for years and years and years. So the last couple of days we've been in Camp Readiness Mode (lists and trips to the store and packing and lists and trips to the store and packing). Christian got Mogwai (our 1978 VW camper van) in prime running shape, and we all worked together to clean it up and get its interior road ready.

Christian picked the kids up from yoga camp and from there they made the supposed-to-be-6-but-due-to-traffic actually-was-a-7-1/2-hour (UGH) drive down.

Meanwhile, I'm holding down the fort - limping around on a bum hip and getting things in better order around here. This afternoon/evening, I spent 8 hours in the basement sorting and cleaning (and have the allergy attack to prove it, darn it). The Honda's stuffed to the gills for a Goodwill run, and there's lots more where that came from, I'm afraid.

I found some real treasure troves during my sorting today. So many of Rick and Ken's keepsakes from their high school years. Not just photos but award after award after award. Music, sports, scholarship, citizenship ... Honestly, at the time it seemed just pretty normal. Isn't that what all teenage boys do - rack up accolades? ;)

But tonight, as I was looking back over all of it, it seemed pretty darn remarkable. :)