Will Work for Donuts

. . . will poop for chocolate.  Tristan is virtually 100% for peeping in the potty and not having "accidents" in bed.  But for some reason he chooses to do the dirty deed in his pants occasionally.  We've been offering chocolate chips for choosing to do it in the potty, and that helps.  On a different note, he loves to go modeling, because that means he will get donuts.  He will devour three or four per session.  I let him, as that is the only time he gets donuts, and it is his incentive for "working".  The kids, mostly Tristan, have earned half the cost of a mission at this point.

Dean finally said the other day that at this point, there isn't anything in particular holding us back from buying the practice outside Seattle and moving there, and he even feels peaceful, if somewhat apprehensive, about it.  I am still cautiously optimistic.  It is a dreamy place to live for us - with warm but not hot summers, cool but not excessively cold winters, a smaller town (several thousand) near a big happening city, water everywhere, little to no humidity and only half the rain of Astoria, OR.  70 inches was a bit much in Oregon's rain forest, but half that would be great!  My dream is to build a house, using Ubuildit.  I spend way too much time looking at house plans online.  I'm attracted to the ones with real laundry rooms (big enough to double as a sewing room), walk in pantries, adequate closets, bedrooms bigger than a closet, jack and jill bathrooms - all on the main floor (especially the master bedroom), apparently a tall order as such is hard to find.  We would love to have enough land to have a cow - or maybe goats again, and all the fruit and nut trees we could handle, not to mention chickens and a garden, and room for the kids to roam and forage.  All I've ever wanted since Dean finished vet school was to settle down somewhere and raise a family.  We are looking at our sixth move since he finished school.  But if he is buying this practice - it will be the last for a loooooong time, if you don't count moving into a rental or whatever until we can build or buy (at least that would be the same area).  

Now that it is April, Kyler is eligible to go to the park again and has been spending hours there.  He happily goes to bed when he plays there, as he is worn out!   Early in March he was calling other kids names and picked a fight with a 12 year old kid from church.  So he lost his park privileges for the duration of March.  I think he is minding his Ps and Qs now.

Today was busy, with a district primary activity for the kids at the chapel on the temple grounds, as well as our district temple day.  Notice the Korean shingles on the back side of the temple.  Kyler attended his friend Cade's birthday party - while the rest of us went out for some Korean food.  I got my dolsot bibimbap fix, which I've been craving.

 The school had a fourth grade sock hop which Hunter attended recently.  He got an award for being such a wild dancer.  That's him in the green shirt.

 Dean and I had a lovely date recently - dinner and a show.  It was at the Korea House, having a dinner that would have been served to the royal court, which consisted of tiny tastes of many different foods.  They were all good.

 Then we went to the show.  It was every bit as beautiful as ballet or any other music or dance form.

 They were all highly skilled and practiced.

 We loved every minute of it.

 I was stunned to be pulled up on stage to have a brief lesson with these beautiful ladies.

 I'm the out-of-place one above on the right; the lady in the green top was also selected.

 We bowed (Dean took over the camera while I was up there)

 and I got this fan that I'm holding for doing it.  I love dates!

 I sort of hosted a little Easter activity for the ladies/kiddos from church, or the pre-school aged ones at least.  Sadly, Tristan came down with pinkeye the day before, so I got a neighbor/friend to open up her home to it that morning (whew - what a lifesaver!), but brought Tristan out to hunt for eggs at least; he has the green bucket in the center.

On Friday I was burning a scented candle to mask the smell of a ceiling repair, and happened to look over at Tristan just as he was holding this car over the flame.  It caught fire.  Not much later Hunter (9) came along and lit a napkin up.  Hello!?  What are you thinking, Boy?!  Then Kyler decided to take a turn and got a tissue from a box nearby and wafted it over the flame, also lighting it.  He freaked out and let the burning tissue fall to the floor.  I told him to stomp it.  He's really good at stomping from all that bug stomping as a toddler.  It singed the rug and left a black mark.  I swear these boys will be the death of us.  Tristan some time ago nuked a motorized car in the microwave.  The car was never the same after that, but the microwave was unhurt.  It's never dull around here!  

Happy Easter!

Toothless in Seoul

After several weeks thinking that there was no possible way he could ever put his shoes on the shelf in the entry way, Hunter finally made up his mind to do it for the required 30 consecutive days, and now is delighted to finally have the glasses he needs! He knows that he'll be buying the next pair, so here's hoping he takes this new-found responsibility seriously.

Now that the countdown is on, there are a few souvenirs I would like to take with us.  We are over our total weight allowance, however (storage + what we brought).  We actually brought less than was allowed here, but as always have accumulated more stuff, especially with having a baby girl.  Not sure what to do.  This coat tree is actually from Indonesia, and I strongly suggested it as an anniversary gift from Dean :)  Yep, we celebrated 12 years this month, and we're only getting better!  We went on a date and had a Dr. Fish treatment, where these toothy fish eat the dead skin off your feet.  It was delightful!

Our Lady Cambria is one hungry girl.  At her 9 month appointment last week she was down to the ~60th percentile for weight, from the ~90th at 6 months.  It's okay, but maybe she's not getting enough to eat - Dean thinks that may be why she seems more desperate and fussy lately.  Of course she is more active with all the crawling...  I've fed her more real food than any of the others at this age (tried to stick with just nursing as much as possible through 12 months to help avoid food allergies...), but she's always been big and hungry!  So more real food it is.  I actually gave her what Tristan didn't finish of his peanut butter sandwich yesterday (I know, cringe), and she ate it up.  She chews at the front of her mouth with all those teeth.  Kyler is still her biggest fan of the boys, and loves to ride around on Tristan's trike here in the apartment - they all do, even Hunter.  They also go 'round and 'round on the scooter.  We'll be happy when the weather is warmer and we have OUR OWN YARD again!  She does not like strangers, even kids.  She is a noisy handful now at church as well.

  The pinewood derby was on Saturday.  Getting Hunter to work on his car, or rather find all the parts to it that got thrown around, was like pulling teeth.  So I told Dean (and Kyler) to go ahead and go on the bass fishing tour they were interested in, where it was rainy and cold and no one got a single fish, sadly.  Hunter's car did as well as the effort he put into it, but he was delighted to get an award for the Best Stock Car.

 Tristan's stubbed toenail from months back is still discolored.

 Tristan has been waking in the night a lot lately, often hollering, or wandering into the boys' room (so they've been locking their door).  Somehow it usually doesn't wake Cambria.  But it can make for a tired and grouchy boy in the day.  He was fast asleep here, and I woke the drowsy Dean as well - oops!  I wonder if he is having night terrors?

 We had Bunny Beatrice for about six months, and have been concerned about what to do with her when we leave.  Saturday, a couple with no children inquired about her, and we made the match.  She'll get lots of holding, and no chasing.  Kyler is the saddest to see her go. 

 There was finally an opening for Hunter in Taekwondo.  The people who run the children's extra curricular activities are trying to make it as difficult as possible for us since he has mild hemophilia.  They harassed Dean into a meeting with about 8 ignorant bureaucrats.  As his parents who know all about his condition and have been dealing with it for all nine of his years, we made the judgment that at this level he will be fine until we leave.  He spends the day sparring with his brothers at home, after all, so this wouldn't be any worse.  We are sure looking forward to not having Uncle Sam breathing down our necks when we are done with the army, though Dean will still have four years in the "Individual Ready Reserves" after he gets out, which means that they could call him up at any time and deploy him, but otherwise he will be done.  The chances are slim that that will happen at this point, but still looming since anything can happen at any time, and there is always unrest overseas.  Hopefully Hunter will be able to stay in TKD, as we have to get a doctor to sign a letter saying it is okay.  The doctors at the army hospital won't, since they don't know anything about it and refuse to learn.

In class the other day Master Kim tested the kids and had them spar, all in preparation for advancing.  Kyler will be testing for black belt in May.  Kyler, currently a red belt, sparred with another red belt, and then moved up to the next opponent, yet another red belt.

 There were no other white belts for Hunter to spar with, so Master Kim paired him with Kyler.  Since Kyler is a red belt, he respected the rules and did not kick Hunter at all, only defended himself.  Hunter took advantage of that and was on the offensive the whole time, basically chasing Kyler around the room.

The boys have been losing teeth like crazy lately.  The tooth fairy in these parts apparently has Alzheimer's and can't remember to come around.  Hunter reminds us repeatedly, sometimes to no avail.  Poor Kyler had the misfortune of three coming out at school, so his teacher took them, saying he would give them back in a little box, but instead lost them all (all on separate occasions).  Kyler thinks his teacher must take the teeth home for himself to collect from the tooth fairy.

I should really get to work!  My agenda for the day, besides the usual, is to try to finish the Hunger Games, for book club tonight.  Since I only started late yesterday, it's not likely, but I'll at least not be completely in the dark.  Have a lovely week!

There and Back Again

Always such relief when Dean comes home.  He was quite due for some continuing education, and he even took a course (that he had to pay extra for) on acupuncture.  He's not sure that he will ever use it, however. 

The little ones were happy for Daddy's return.  The camera is apparently Tristan's cue to insert finger.

He visited his brother in Portland, OR, lovingly known as "Bro" or "Uncle Bro" around here, as well as Bro's lovely bride, "Aunty Patty".  Years ago I overheard Hunter and his cousin Isaac having a discussion about whether  he was "Uncle Bro" or "Uncle Dro".  Good stuff.  The "Bros" went to the traveling Body exhibit there, which Dean took the older boys to see here in Seoul as well.  He also checked out the Seattle area...  then went on to New Mexico.  Pancho, his beloved Blue and Gold Macaw, pulled his usual trick of turning violently on Dean's mother as soon as Dean walked in the door, just as Pancho did when Dean returned from his mission.  Shame on Pancho.

Hunter attended a boy/girl evening birthday party, with alleged dancing, though he said there was no dancing, but the party was "a blast!"

This party girl makes her way around more all the time, and pulls herself up to stand.  She now sleeps in Tristan's room, and it is working great, so long as they go down at different times.  Naps are more complicated, but otherwise we're thrilled to have our nights and sleep back! 

She has 10 teeth now, at 8 months.  All the kids have gotten their teeth rapidly.

We have artists among us.  They believe that the world is their canvas.

Windows are much easier to clean than walls.

Sometimes they sign their work.

  It is remarkable, compared to the older boys at least, how well Tristan speaks.  He started off calling both Hunter and Kyler "Dada".  That has evolved to "Lala", "Laler", and finally yesterday for the first time "Kyler".  He still calls Hunter "Hot-dar".  Today he actually called the baby "Cam-ia" for the first time.  She has been "Baby".  He often speaks in sentences, and is easily a year ahead of both older boys at this age.  Having olders who speaks surely helps with that.  Tristan has been a little jealous of Cambria lately, I think because she gets up and around and gets into things, such as his toys, my lap, etc, and seems less like a baby and more like competition.

I really wish that the Tristman could tell us what these are.  They multiply like crazy here.

Hunter did a self portrait in 3-D at school.  The nose is a few inches long.  The resemblance is uncanny.

I measured the boys on a wall hanging we've been using for a few years.  Tristan is 2 1/2, so if we double his current height, the thinking is that that will be his adult height.  He is right at three feet, so potentially he could be six feet.  I didn't know to do it with the other boys.  Kyler is currently taller than Hunter was two years ago; they are exactly three years apart.  Poor Hunter has always been on the smaller side, starting at four and a half pounds.  He asked what he could do to grow taller faster (he really doesn't think much of the idea that Kyler *will* outgrow him, and Tristan - maybe even Cambria?)  I said all he can do is hold his head high and shoulders back - no slouching. 

This little Asian-style dress is for a two-year old, but hardly covers an infant.  She probably won't wear it again, sadly.

Our exciting news that may or may not be is that Dean and a partner, a veterinarian that he once worked with and gets along wonderfully with, have been looking for months for a practice to buy together.  This is huge for us!  Emotions have been up and down here for months as they have pursued multiple clinics, and even began working on the possibility of starting one.  It is a sellers' market right now, so they are hard to come by, or at least bigger ones that would support two owners.  A fabulous one came up for sale recently in the Seattle area, but far out enough that it is a smallish community.  This would be dreamy for us in every way.  The only drawback is that it is so far from family, except for Bro, who would still be a few hours drive.  Out of four offers put in for it, "we" were selected, but still have a number of wrinkles to iron out, some of which could be deal breakers.  I, at least, am on pins and needles (and knees) hoping that it goes in our favor.  

When Daddy's Away

...the children will

torment play with the bunny,

develop their talents (at least a time or two),

learn to stand on their own,

and be precious angels,

except when they are wailing

and gnashing.

I don't remember what the offense was here, but Kyler is a very sensitive child, who enjoys besieging others, but doesn't like to be on the receiving end.  

In church on Sunday the children sang a song they've been learning in Primary.  Hunter, all on his own, danced gyrated (arms in the air, spinning around) throughout the song (he's nine).  Fortnuately, a four-year old sang as loud as the rest of the primary together (I'm relieved to report that Hunter has given up that role) so the focus was on that kid, who was a little off (ahead or behind) the rest of the primary.  It was all most entertaining.

Cambria and another babe like to hang together in church.

We are all over the flu, except for Dean and Hunter who were spared.  It took me the longest to recover, at nine days.  Cambria did the best with it, as she was the only one who got Tamiflu.  I've ingested more ibuprofen, acetaminophen, decongestants, etc. the last few weeks than I have in probably the last ten years.  As if the flu wasn't enough, my face started hurting like crazy toward the end of the flu, and I first thought it was a tooth ache (not another root canal?!), but alas turned out to be a sinus infection.  It took a week of antibiotics (after a four-hour wait in the ER during a holiday weekend) for the pain  to end.  I am not yet well.

Tristan is still working away.  He had to get a work visa some time ago in his passport.

Dean has been in the U.S. for a veterinary conference in Las Vegas, and then to attend to some business.  We may have very exciting news soon, but maybe not.  So when there is something to tell, I will.  Our time here is winding down with less than four months to go!  

Shut In and Stretched Out

 It's cold here in the winter.  Probably not any colder than Ramah, NM, but this is what Cambria wears outside.  She has started crawling now.  She's not racing around yet, but moseys her way along.

 It sure is fun having a little girl to dress up for church.  Her hair is getting long enough that I'm not sure what to do with it, as it sticks out of the little bands now kinda funny. 

 Sometimes it's easier to haul her upstairs with the laundry.  I long to not have to go up and down stairs.

 She eats lots of cheerios.  The trick is to keep the boys out of them.

 Criselda, our weekly angel, loves Cambria.

 I've made a few pillow cases of late.  A fun, simple project, especially with the fabric available here in Korea.

 Kyler found a use for his grabber toy when the ball stuck to the ceiling.

 Tristan and Cambria do entertain each other much of the day.

 2/3 of us have been sick of late.  The only one diagnosed is Cambria, who has the flu.  Not sure which was worse for her in diagnosing that - shoving the q-tip up to her brain to get a sample, or having to hold her arms straight up for chest x-rays.  She was not amused.  Tristan is rather ill as well, though I didn't take him in.  The doctor said it's probably the same thing.  And, sure enough, I started feeling achy and unwell around the same time as Cambria.  Kyler stayed home from school about 1.2 days this week - also not feeling good and croupy coughing over one night. 

You know these guys aren't up to par if they are willingly lounging around.

In Hunter news - apparently he hasn't been around for pictures much - he has decided he wants to have glasses, so is up to about two weeks now of putting his shoes on the shelf.  Hallelujah!  Maybe there is hope.  Also, the pills came and he has been taking them for a week.  It's probably too soon to tell if he is improving, but we're hopeful.  He doesn't want to lose his fidgety-ness - not sure why.  His second quarter report card came out (right about the time the pills came - so not because of the pills) and there was an A on it, and no Ds, which is much improved from straight Cs and Ds the first quarter.