dance party

Mike took a series of pictures of Marshall and Stewart dancing to the music on the Lawrence Welk show. There was "break dancing" involved and the usual male adjustments (clue: famous Michael Jackson dance move).

patio takoyaki

The weather was great for the last several days. I would define it as Quito weather. A nice temperature ("choudo ee kion" in Japaneese) of about 70 degrees with a nice breeze ("sugoku ee kaze" in Japaneese).
I was going to make sushi for dinner but I didn't have all the right things. Luckily, Kaori came home with octopus (tako) and red ginger so we were able to bring out the takoyaki plate and have our first takoyaki(octopus pancake balls) of the spring. It was delicious and so much fun to make. The boys played while we were chatting and preparing the next round.
Who wants to have takoyaki with us?

preparing the soil

Nigel got his fill of dirt at our first backyard picnic of the year. We expanded our vegetable garden and rock-picked. We even had surprise helpers in our neighbors Dakota, Lovely and Maya.

What shall we plant?

the orange room

Before our student, Kaori, returned I repainted our guest/student room. It is a vibrant yellow with orange and grey accents. It is our boldest room yet.

We are so happy to have Kaori back with us. She is such a pleasure to have around and has agreed to teach us some Japaneese because she will be with us for quite awhile.

For now, "ittekimas".

seven wheel train

I 'm posting some photos I took today on the way home from a nice, long bike ride up the White River Parkway (14 miles). It's Mike, with Marshall on the half-wheeler, Stewart & Nigel in the trailer and Marshall's bike tied on the trailer.
Marshall rode all the way past 16th Street and back to IUPUI , where we stopped at Mario's pizza. Then he was tired, so we strapped his bike to the trailer and headed home, with dinner. Stewart did great on the half-wheeler up until the switch, but was tired enough to fall asleep as soon as he was in the trailer.

easter

Marshall, Stewart and Nigel wore floral bowties and ate everything sweet and several easter eggs too.
The contrast from our Seder Dinner and Good Friday's service to Easter's service was splendid. The sanctuary was a sight, filled with the most amazing display of discarded instruments and a visual journey through Holy Week across the stage. You'll know how amazing it was just by knowing that it was done by Kipp Normand. I wish I had a picture.
For the service and brunch at the church, we were joined by Uncle David and Mom and Dad Sparrow.
Later, Stewart rode the half-wheeler behind Mike all the way to Mom and Dad Boring's house. First time. He held on tight, did not petal and never complained. Marshall rode solo, steering himself into bumps without fear or regard for the disaster that those bumps could mean.

desperate for coffee = first bike in the snow

I didn't plan well this week. We woke up to no caffeinated coffee in the house. Our options were for me to run out and bring some home OR go on a family bike ride to the coffee shop. We did the later.

It's called desperation & spring fever.

We didn't think it was that cold out when we made the decision, but by the time everyone was ready, and the trailer hooked-up, it had started to sprinkle. But the bikes were ready, and we were bundled. We added a few more layers and headed out, with Marshall on his own bicycle (instead of the tandem) for the first family bike outing.

We got to the coffee shop on the circle and warmed up with coffee and hot cocoa. It was 34 degees outside, but no one was complaining. By the time we were ready to go, it had started snowing. It didn't pose any problems, besides getting in our eyes a bit.

By the time we made it home, Nigel had fallen asleep. I let Stewart out of the trailer and Nigel and I returned some books to the library.