See You Ladder

On our visit to Sea World last month Laura walked by this and said "I've always wanted to try this". Eagerly I responded "then you're doing it". I didn't want to say anything but I knew she wouldn't get close but it was well worth being entertained.

So she gets off to a good start...

The person next to Laura (as she's struggling to keep her balance) is the lady who works there. She's slightly overweight and out of shape but easily walks up the rope and hits the buzzer without a second thought. Poor Laura and her six pack abs is struggling big time.

On further review it looks like there was a deep-fried Twinkie right next to the buzzer which explains the lady's quick and seamless jaunt up the ladder.

Laura meets her friend named Failure.

Black Panthers

 A couple of days ago Parker was given her first major school assignment, a report on an animal, her choice was the black panther. The report requires some research on the animal (habitat, characteristics, etc…). So in preparation I was talking to PJ about how to get some information on the black panther, including books and the internet. Another idea I had was to use Grandma Powers’ Encyclopedia Britannica, something that hasn’t been utilized since the rise of the internet. So last night Parker called up Grandma to tell her about her report and ask to borrow her encyclopedia.

PJ: Hi Grandma, I have a report to do in class and I’d like to use your encyclopedia.

Grandma: Of course. What is your report on?

PJ: Black Panthers

Grandma: Oh my goodness, they’re already having you do reports like that? But, you’re only in first grade.

PJ: Yes, it was my choice.

Grandma: Wow, I’m so surprised that you’re doing reports like this in first grade Parker. Well, let’s see they started in the early sixties as a radical Black extremist group…

Laura (interrupts): No Diane, Parker’s report is on the animal the black panther, not the black militant group from the 60’s.

Grandma: Ohhhhh!! I see.

(everyone laughs)

I'm afraid of having to explain how the term "Black Panther Party" doesn't having anything to do with balloons, streamers, music , cake, refreshments, etc...

In second grade maybe Parker can tackle the Weather Underground’s influence in the 1960’s. 

This and That

 To celebrate the '100th Day of School' the kids were told to dress like they were 100 years old.

PJ & Alora

Parker started running for the Ventura Tigres this year.  I guess I did a pretty good job of talking it up because she was so excited about it, she wore her track shoes to school everyday for 2 weeks.  We are halfway through the season now and she's been asking me often if she has to run again next year.  ( I hope she will want to because Georgia can run next year and I want to coach!)

Parker was chosen to receive a writing award.  She was too nervous to read her writing herself, so the principle did for her. 

Parker and Principle Wade

Proud Family

 Hopper has a special bond with Georgia.  She is a weird, timid cat but she always let's Georgia approach her and sneaks into Georgia's room at night so she can sleep on her bed.

Georgia was really afraid to go into the sea turtle exhibit at SeaWorld (as you can see from the picture).  Scott held her until she realized there was nothing to fear.

Georgia still sucks her thumb, but only if she's holding her blanket in the other hand.  We're giving her one more year to give it up before we intervene.

Easter 2013

Cousins (minus Cooper and Ezekial)

 We celebrated Easter at Julie and Geoff's house again this year.  Sadly this was the first year that Jack and his parents didn't celebrate with us.   A good time was had by all nontheless, despite the rainy weather.

Sylvia Dahl

Dad and Zoey

Mom & Me

Ike & Thorpy

 Daphne & Peyton (6 months apart in age!)

The Hunt

Parker Jo

PJ & Georgia

Lice Lice, We All Hate Lice. Who Hates Lice??

                            
                            ME! ME! ME!

Optional Titles:  

1.  Lice Lice Baby! 
2. Lice, to Know You
3. You're Once... Lice... Three Times a Lady

The brain is an amazing organ. The minute the topic of lice is brought up people start scratching their head. For example, right now I am typing with one hand and scratching my head with the other. The good news is that our house has never been so clean. 

The familiar family rite of passage known as head lice wreaked its small ugly head over the weekend. Luckily only Parker was the one with a small township of little critters on her scalp. The rest of us were spared, especially me (one of the many benefits of being follically-challenged). Laura has been working tirelessly on purging the little bastards. She is really good at it!! 

Unfortunately some important items have to go away for a while. Our favorite pillows as well as the girls' favorite stuffed animals. Also, it destroys romance...

However, we have been receiving some thoughtful cards from friends and family...

The good news is we learned some valuable lessons...

1. If you want to rid your house of annoying neighborhood children for several days, lice is the gateway to serenity.
2. Word that someone has lice spreads as quickly as the lice itself. 
3. Having lice in the house makes you do laundry, a lot of laundry!
4. Finally Laura has discovered a way to motivate me to vacuum.
5. Lice are incredibly productive hematophagic ectoparasites. Like the Duggar family, the female is constantly reproducing; laying 4 eggs/day! The Chinese that make Apple products at Foxconn can't compete with the productivity of lice.

After all of this I'm almost inspired to write a song about hematophagic ectoparasites. Sure, it's tough to rhyme but not impossible. 

The Powers of Two - Rock Duo

The girls are constantly scheming about creating a band. The conceptual part of the task they enjoy, the actual musical part of the task they ignore. It's alright, they've done enough damage to my guitars already. However, if they were to start a band and needed an album cover I've got a few ideas...

And if there's ever a time that Georgia wants to become a Gangsta we've got that covered...

The Prettiest Cake

For documentation's sake, I think this is the prettiest cake I've ever seen.  Julie made this flower garden cake for Ella's 3rd birthday.

Mr. Potato Chip Guy

Another one of our neighbors is moving from the neighborhood. He's the local Potato Chip dispensary for the kids. Parker and Georgia have been mooching free bags of potato chips for several years now. Unfortunately Ron and Beverly are moving away. 

They were good neighbors for us so we're bummed they're going. However, from a family cholesterol perspective we're saying "woo-hoo". Cheetos are dangerous.

Parker's Spelling Test

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So far Parker has received nothing less than 100% on every test.  Looks like they need to put "easy" on the next word list.

A Typical Saturday Night

I thought I would document a typical Saturday night at the Powers house.

The guys usually let me play band with them. Sometimes we come up with really funny song ideas or lyrics.   We've learned that if we don't turn on the computer and record them (no matter how bad), we can't remember how we played it the next day.

After a couple hours we usually end up on the couch playing Wii trivia.  

"Louscious" (Jeff) is always the winner.