practice

This is Kooka's Mary Poppins practice . . . . it is mine too, I have never uploaded video before - hopefully it works.

cat out of the bag

I suppose it is about time . . . not that we are ashamed of the fact, lots of people do it, but there is a very strange feeling about finally announcing this:

Kooka is going to public school.

This was completely her idea, and for the record I have been more than supportive. Personally, I loved school and all it entailed - school shopping, student council, sports, projects. I think Kooka will love it too.

But man I will miss that kid.

Stay tuned for the diatribes to follow . . . because even though I am 100% behind this experiment - even though I just consider it another homeschooling experience - much like a trip to the zoo, I have puh-lenty to vent about already . . . and class doesn't even start for another three weeks.

what the . . . ?

What is this?
It was on the swingset at an event Kooka had to go to.
Kids were going crazy for this thing - and every single one of them looked like they were riding piggyback on an a-bomb to Hiroshima.

Seriously - what is this?
And who puts this kind of stuff on a kids swingset?

six days

Less than one week before Kooka's big day. She has already planned her talent portion for next year - she is prepared - but still, she is Kooka, and she is so hard on herself.

She's had a great time with all of the other candidates, and is very excited to perform her Mary Poppins song. Her accompanist is amazing, her friends will be there to watch, and there will be cake afterwards - so it promises to be a pretty good day no matter what.

Here are the details, if you care to join us:

2:00 - 4:00pm: Coronation at the Middle School Auditorium (We still have tickets if you need them)

Cake and tea afterwards at our house

7:00: Queen's coronation

summer

This is what summer looks like for us . . . .
Big dives in Katies pool for Kooka.
As many amphibians as Punk can hold.
Thankfully, we have discovered that bullfrogs are an invasive species. It's illegal to harbor one unless you intend to use it as bait.
Punk is harboring one. He says it is bait for making friends.
He's found six so far this year - only managed to catch one, but it is soooo much cuter than the two toads he insists on keeping.





These are the very best days of all - when he is nine and she is six, and we are all so lucky. (Well all of us except that bullfrog who's new home is sitting on top of Punks dresser).

djjd

The long wait will soon be over. On Saturday August 16th, Kooka will participate in the DJJD junior royalty coronation.

She has been practicing daily and hopes you will all come to watch her Mary Poppins song. (And if you do - we respectfully demand you buy your ticket/button from us - as we are required to sell the entire stack we were given). Buttons are $4 and tickets are $3.

She is a bit nervous, but I think I am more so. With Punk - it was all about the performance . . . Kooka actually wants to win. We'll see - I haven't had a chance to assess the competition yet. Hopefully they are all tone-deaf, lazy-eyed ragamuffins who swear in public, and smoke backstage. It would also be great if they had tatoos and showed up drunk - not only would that help Kooka's chances - but it would make the talent portion soooooooooo much more bearable.

finally

OK - we didn't totally fix the picture situation - but at least have a temporary solution. Sorry these pics are old - but at least they are here.

Punk recorded his cartoon about two weeks ago - he had a blast, even though the client and the sound guy did not always agree on what direction to give him. He did a fantastic job and we can't wait to see the finished product.

While he was in the booth - Kooka was hanging out at Club Libby Lu - getting a makeover with Aunt H. She chose the rocker look - and man did she look cute.

new

New Chad Vader - I am so so happy.

not

I am NOT lazy, it's just that our computer/picture thingy is broken, so I can't get the stuff I want on here.

Speaking of not being able to get what I want - why can I not buy this album anywhere? It is ticking me off.

4th of july

Last day of horse camp • A trail ride for Kooka • Baking a firecracker cake • A visit from grandma, grandpa, and aunt h • lots of sunscreen • a dead chicken foot • wild raspberries • Medea, Schroeder and Treats help us light off smoke bombs and firecrackers • Laying in the front yard• Fireworks over our head • Bug spray - lots of it • Falling asleep on the trampoline

what i am

Tonight's diner conversation goes something like this:

"So, if I were going to assign everyone in our family to be a sea animal based on their personality, it would go like this:" (one guess who starts this thread) "OK, umm, I would be a squid, Kooka an angelfish, mom a sea turtle, and dad and octopus."

"Wait - why am I the octopus and not the squid?"

"Because you have a round head."

"So - you said this was personality. Why do I have to be the octopus?"

He was not happy with any of his assignments actually. Next round put him as a manatee then a pufferfish, Kooka got baby dolphin and clownfish, Punk an orca whale and eel, and me a starfish and seal.

Then came tropical version - he got lion - don't know why he's complaining about that one. Kooka got scarlet mccaw, Punk a red eyed tree frog, and I got koala.

Overall I think I fared pretty well. But still, I am not sure how I feel about being a combination turtle, starfish, seal and koala. It either makes me wise, beautiful, fun and snuggly - or old, lazy, loud and fat.

kooka's best thing

My mom said I could pick a camp to do this summer - and my best thing is horses, so I picked horse riding. On my first day I met my horse, his name was Bernie. He looked like a white horse with black spots. My teacher's name is Annie. First I rode him bareback with just holding on his mane. Then Annie told me to put my hands on my hips and ride, second she told me to put my arms out. She also told me to do around the world (like in the picture). Pretend that you are regular on a horse, then you have to stay on the horse and put your leg over so you are sitting like ladies did in olden times, then you turn again so you are facing the back, then to the other side so you are olden times again, then back to the front.

So far my favorite part of horse lessons was when I got to ride by myself with the reigns and also ride in the field. I love my horse lessons.

by kooka