Category: Ethos

  • Scandinavian for a Day

    Scandinavian for a Day

    Genetically my family’s not Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish —nor even Finnish or Icelandic— but today we were honorary Scandinavians. Uffdah! We enjoy learning about and celebrating other cultures, and immersive experiences —such as Junction City’s Scandinavian Festival— broaden our world while placating our wanderlust. Save for Frozen’s Elsa & Anna, IKEA’s swedish meatballs, and our dear friends with…

  • Six Years & Six Thousand Miles

    Six Years & Six Thousand Miles

    Six years and six thousand miles ago our son was born. At that same time, in Oregon, Husband had just accepted a new job and was poised to relocate our small family of four to Montana. Taking a break from packing, we hosted an impromptu playdate with Firstborn’s sweet pal from school– a cleft-affected girl who…

  • R&R & Birthday Vibes

    R&R & Birthday Vibes

    Handsome Husband whisked the fam off for a restful, yet adventure-filled couple of days at the Oregon coast to celebrate my recent birthday. We hiked, frolicked in the sand and surf, ate heaps of great seafood, slept in, and I unapologetically binged on my latest novel to the soothing ebb & flow of the faithful Pacific. Even…

  • Bouncy Birthday

    Bouncy Birthday

    Smack in the middle of June busyness, on the last day of school, Center Sister turned eleven. Her current jam: Being a mermaid, making slime, watching silly YouTube videos, working on her splits, stretching, and contortionism; the mall, Starbucks, the library, Musically, gymnastics, and jumping on her trampoline. She opted to celebrate with friends and family…

  • Homeschool Yearbook

    Homeschool Yearbook

    We’ve put a bow on our school year, and what a year it’s been! 7th grade, 5th grade, and Kindergarten, respectively.  Field trips, read-alouds, pet-sitting, art classes, youth group, park dates, hot lunch, piano, flute, choir, slime, theatre, soccer, tball, dress-up, gymnastics, journals, verses, history, zoology, math, & library trips– oh my! We homeschooled the girls…

  • What to Read Wednesday: Bibliophile Edition

    What to Read Wednesday: Bibliophile Edition

    I love all books, but well-worn vintage books? They’re my favorite. I have quite the collection, I just can’t quit them… The history, the heft in my hands, displacement of air, they leave an invisible indent in their wake, inky print a flag in the ground stating silently, assuredly, “I was here.” I love brittle, yellow pages…

  • Chinatown

    Chinatown

    My extended family recently met up for a traditional Chinese feast to celebrate a birthday. The birthday girl loves Chinese food, and we’re lucky to live near an exceptional Chinese establishment. I love any chance to celebrate Little Man’s birth culture, and we always say he gives us “street cred” at such venues. Kwan’s is a…

  • March for Manatees

    March for Manatees

    Two years ago, as part of her birthday gift from her dorky parents, Firstborn ran the Save the Manatee Virtual 5k. To clarify, she actually ran, biked, skated, scooted, kayaked, and roller-bladed the race. With the support of friends and family she raised $100 to send to the Save the Manatee Club, of which she’s…

  • Village People

    Village People

    This silly meme is going viral in homeschooling circles: Frankly, I don’t get it… I love my village. And who doesn’t love The Village People?!* Last week alone we had two birthdays, a choir concert, two tball games, and a theatre production in addition our regularly scheduled programming… and our village RALLIED. I couldn’t believe how many…