Checking Out the Neighbors

Marlon and I hit the flats to wade around on Sunday afternoon. Armed with a tako box, he was out having fun seeing what lived in the sand on in the coral rubble.

Rockets and Hatchlings

Marlon and La had been preparing for the Hawaii State Science Olympiad for several weeks, and today was the culmination of their work. Marlon placed FIRST in the rocket competition!!!! He also placed in Experimental Design and Fossils - but my sense is both La and Marlon got the greatest sense of accomplishment from the rocket launch!!! After a long day at the HSSO, we came home to a betta hatch out party. The betta pair we bought a few weeks back went through a mating cycle (yes my kids have had the 'talk' - so this is more science and less 'ewww') and the fry are swimming about. We'll see if the bio load in the tank is enough to feed the fry once their egg sacks have been used up. Great day!

Crabs, Barnacles, and Snails/Man o' War Oh My

While we were waiting to snorkel, we caught two species of crabs (acropora crab and a ghost crab). We also noticed a bunch of man o' war jellyfish on the beach. Upon closer examination, we saw purple bubble blower snails on the beach also (last time I saw these shells was back in Diego Garcia). La and I were discussing the presence of the jellyfish and the mollusk and the relationship they have - and I actually can't remember. I think I ended up saying the snail eats the jellyfish. I do know the snail blows bubbles to stay near the surface and ride the same winds that the jellyfish use. I look these up in more detail later. And last but certainly not least, Marley - the buoy head pirate!!! Complete with barnacle hair.

Family Multi-sport Saturday

I brought La and the kids out to Hickam Flats to go fishing, shelling, observing and snorkeling. Mission accomplished!!!

All Together Now!!!

Finally!

Second to the last post

This is last post. I made a hat for Marlon - K1 P1 for 8.5" then K2tog + P2tog decreases each of the four needles. This was made of worsted weight yarn - I'll make one for myself out of thinner yarn in a beanie style.

Finally - An "Amphibious" Tie

Ducks, African Penguins and a Marlon

Impulse Waves

Marlon checking out science!!! Oh yeah... impulse waves on a slinky. He even figured out destructive wave interference.

DC Strolling

We took a stroll to see the LBJ Memorial and the drainage between the Pentagon and the Duck Pond. Pink granite from the Hill Country of Texas. Lots of crystals in the matrix. We also saw some cool aquatic creatures... check the next couple of posts

Release the Kraken!!! And Release the Hello Kitty Cooking Spoon Holder!!!!

It's a common occurrence to fear the Kraken - why who would want to die a watery death of impalement by spiked squid suckers followed by being ripped apart by an aquatic parrot beak??? But the real fear factor should be in avoiding the magnetic attraction of the Hello Kitty Plate transformed into a skull sucking Stove Top Cooking Spoon Holder... Oh the humanity!!!!!! Seriously - this is more evidence we thoroughly enjoyed painting ceramics again this weekend!!! We actually spent 3.5 hours painting - don't knock it until you try it (and plan well - if you are going to make awe-inspiring pirate paraphernalia, make sure you know how to spell "Kraken" and what the color of "Hello Kitty" eyes are (brown))!

More Fun

Proof that the 3.5 hours in the truck was worth it!

Ready for the Christmas Season

Marlon and Noe spent the better part of today working on their self proclaimed "Christmas Marine" art project. It combines several of the aquatic life forms they enjoy with the elements of the Holiday Season. Here's Marlon's versionAnd here is Noe's (she spent the entire time looking over at what her brother was doing so she could faithfully replicate it - although according to the guide on the back of their work, she ended up with more discernible objects that needed numbering so the casual observer could identify all the items in the picture. I love these two kiddoroosters!

Kung Fu Fighting

Head Bands from Lolo!!! Salamatpo!

Iguana Ice Cream Snack

Marlon and Noe recently got pets - they each got a green iguana. No hair to shed on the couch. No need to run them around the block and pick up the poop. We can leave them for a weekend vacation (with proper planning of course). I haven't posted much on "Iggy" and "Brownie" - but here's one of them chilling. And here's Marlon downing some summertime snacks - although he eats these "mochi" ice cream balls year round.

Saturday Fishing Scorecard

I was going to drive to the Chain Bridge and walk the C&O Trail to try my luck against some Shad, but the wind was way up and the bed was too warm. I did take a look at the Lake and the wind was blowing in a favorable direction for the kids and I to cast some flies. I caught 1 crappie, 12 bluegill and 3 bass. Marlon caught 1 bluegill and an awesome large mouth bass. I say awesome because Marlon sight casted to one he saw and worked the fly - he had to do it several times but he eventually got the bass to take the fly - he waited a second to make sure the fly was in the bass's mouth and WHACK - when he set the fly, the fight ensued!!! He kept the rod tip up and got the fish to shore!!! That was the best part of it all for me - watching Marlon focus and accomplish his objective!!!! That's fishing!