Big Friends Forever

I haven't written much about my family lately.  I'm so behind usually, and I'm always posting about pictures I take.  But some of my favorite posts from the past are the ones when I just talk about what's going on, or what everyone is up to.

So for an update...

BA is loving music.  And while I am still able to indoctrinate my taste of music, I love this new passion of hers.  She has always loved music, but it's different now somehow.  When I'm making dinner, I usually turn on music.  She will pull over a big comfy chair close to the speakers, get a blanket, get something to do like a Calvin and Hobbes book or something to do with her hands, and just enjoy.  She recently told me that it was the best place to be because she can also talk to me and smell the food.

Speaking of Calvin and Hobbes, all the girls have been loving it lately.  All those random books I've bought Nate over the years have never seen so much use.  The have been reading them over and over.  And of course, Nate gets involved in the fun.  I don't think the boys get it yet, but that's probably a good thing.  We don't want to give them any ideas.  I love that Dare studies the drawings.  She and Rhon love all the faces Calvin makes.

And speaking of music, as a family, we've been listening to A LOT of The Aquabats.  I think we've converted  all the families with young girls in the vicinity to being Aquabats fans.  The rest of the parents aren't thrilled, but I think it's cool.  All of the girls' friends are singing Hey Homies! and Shark Fighter!.  I have to admit, even though I've not been a huge fan in the past, this new album is really great.  It's awesome that all the songs have an exclamation mark.  In fact, I think they should tour here.  We deserve it for creating such a large fan base in Jakarta!  Also, CAKE has had a lot of play recently.

Rhon writes.  She writes stories.  It is so cool.  She recently wrote a story about a girl who loses her arm to a shark.  It was tragic but funny all at the same time.  It was exactly what I would expect from her.  She also has been playing basketball at recess.  This is significant because it is only her, her good friend M, and boys.  At first they told her and her friend that together they were as good as one boy.  Ugh.  It didn't take long for them to realize she could hang.  She was getting passes and making shots.  She and M are going to each other's houses once a week.  Rhon has never had such a great friend.  I'm happy for her.  Now she has two!  E has been joining them and they are an awesome threesome.

Dare started gymnastics.  I'm pretty sure she was created to be a gymnast.  It makes me proud.  And worried.  I'll worry more when she becomes more serious about it.  She recently borrowed a pair of rollerblades from our neighbor.  When she is home, she has them on.  Our house is perfect for rollerblading because of the tile and lack of rugs.  And she takes full advantage.  Rhon likes them too, so when she is wearing them, Dare settles for the Heeleys.  So she is always on wheels.

Mads paints.  Since he is satisfied with watercolors, he can paint anytime he wants.  In one sitting, he will paint 5-10 sheets.  He is becoming a great artist.  In fact, he asked me if he could bring colored pencils to church instead of crayons.  That made my day!  Crayons are great, but when you want details, they will just not do.  A lot of his creations lately have been computers, DSs, or iPods.  He will make them with a video game picture on the top and ask me if I want to play.  He knows what all the drawings of buttons mean, so I can't fake anything.

G's new obsession is X-Men.  He watches the show, pretends he is characters (mostly Evan), and tries to recruit his friends to play with him.  They mostly look at him like he's crazy.  Dare will play with him though.  She's awesome.  He also loves Scooby Doo.  He really likes going to his friend T's house.  Who wouldn't?  It's like a carnival over there.  Mads is his best friend.  Sometimes when he wakes up late and realizes Mads is already at school, he will sigh and his head sags for a while.  And Mads likes G just as much.  I'm happy they have each other.  Also, I can always count on G to go eat sushi with me for lunch.  He's a great sushi eater.