July 30, 2013

Micah & Sharks & Gators, Oh My!


We visited the state's aquarium this past weekend. True to usual self, Micah was drawn to all things with sharp teeth. He spend a few seconds (his limit...the boy HAS to move!) at the shark tank and then was entranced (for another few seconds!) by the albino alligator exhibit.

His first question upon seeing the real gator (and again repeated when he saw this plush costumed one): "Can I smile at him?" Because we all know you Never Smile at a Crocodile!

Gators and crocs look so similar. What's the difference? Crocodiles have V-shaped snouts and their teeth stick out when their mouth is closed. Alligators have U-shaped snouts with no teeth showing.

Geographically, alligators are only found in the US and in China while crocs can be found all over the world.

The aquarium's rare albino alligator is white with pink eyes. He lacks pigments to give his skin color. In the wild he would be an instant target since he can't blend in with his surroundings; the aquarium staff provides a as-close-to-nature-as-possible indoor environment with ample UV lights and vitamin D to maintain his health and safety.

Alligators lose 2000+ teeth during their lives. I think Micah is a bit jealous! He keeps wriggling his own teeth, hoping one will fall out. But until then, he just have to admire the gator's pearly whites.

July 26, 2013

Friday Favorites

In an effort to stay on top of documenting my family's life, I'm gonna start a new weekly blog post outline some of our favorite activities, items, adventures, musical tastes, etc. If we like it, then it will probably show up here. You know, things like...


Say the word "favorite" and my brain instantly cues Julie Andrews singing My Favorite Things. Truly, The Sound of Music is a family favorite! As youngsters the girls sat mesmerized by the nun turned governance turn step mother to the von Trapp family. They sang along and continued singing days after we watched it. I do believe that this movie--and Mary Poppins, of course!--helped produce the drama loving vocalists in my house.




July 22, 2013

Feeling bloggy

It's been a looong while since I've published anything on this blog. I have several drafts that are half written; I'd come up with something to write, and then either be distracted or dissatisfied by my writing. So nothing has been posted in the past two years.

Hopefully that will change. Because I have missed documenting my family's life.

Life is understandably different than it was a few years ago.

My kids are growing. Cayli is now 13; the twins are new 12-year-olds; Micah is 6.

I work almost 20 hours a week as a private music teacher. Matt still works full time as a courier and is also a pastor of a small rural church. The girls have more mature interests than they did a many months ago; our conversations are deeper. Micah participates in family life more and more each day as he interacts and humors us with his crazy antics.

Still some things are the same.

We still homeschool. The girls still twirl and sing every chance they get. Micah is still a tornado. They still love ice cream.


Yes, some things never change.