We've created a GREEN Monster

Yep, our little boy is a lean green recycling machine. And he wants you to recycle too! Don't let our little boy see you throw something in the garbage that could be recycled. He will correct you!

The other day, I was doing laundry in our shared laundry room. Joel found a laundry detergent bottle in the garbage can. He promptly took it out and said, "uh oh!" He then went towards the recycling bins and asked me for help to open the recycling container. I noticed some lint on the bottom of the container and took it back to the garbage can to brush it off. As I was doing this, Joel threw a fit. A tantrum. An epic meltdown. That container was NOT to be in the garbage. I calmly told Joel what I was doing, but the meltdown didn't end until he put that container in the recycling bin. He knew it needed to be recycled and that's just what he did.

.....please don't let him see into the dumpster outside. The tantrums would never end. Apparently this building has a problem with recycling and everything is garbage.

He grunted and...

...when he lifted his leg, this is what we saw.  What looks like a turd on his seat. Gross!

Turned out it was a stray piece of steak that ended up underneath his bum.
Wasted steak! Certainly had us fooled for a moment.

The Case of the Missing Package

Last August, we sent a care package to the Philippines with some Dippity Do (requested item) and dried fruit in it.

Last week, it was sent back: return to sender! The Barkmans have explained the postal situation to us. A large room with hundreds of packages scattered about. Its a miracle that they have received anything so far! Darnell compares it to having a bomb go off in the mail room! Let's just say that the returned package was NOT in its original condition.

And that whatever animal ate through the package, definitely was particular about what fruit it liked. The strawberries were turned to dust, raspberries were nibbled on, but the blueberries were untouched (as was the Dippity Do for those who were wondering). We also received an added bonus with our returned package. Our fair share of animal droppings! Yummy!

Needless to say, the Dippity Do was sanitized and is awaiting your return to Canada. (You can pick it up at the McBarkmans). The fruit (and droppings) were disposed of.

Case solved!
 

Top 5 Worst Foods to Clean up off the Floor

(in no particular order)

1. Vermicelli Noodles
2. Quinoa
3. Rice (tip: leave it for an hour or so until it cools and it sweeps right up)
4. Wet Cheerios (although dry ones don't vacuum well)
5. Banana (especially overripe or half chewed ones)

Anything you would add to the list?

Dinner with Greg and Karmen

Last Saturday, Greg and Karmen joined us for dinner from Korea.  We had a lovely time chatting with them, you know between the screaming baby and Joel! It was noisy on our end, which made talking with them a lovely game of "What did you say?" and "Hold on a second!" (so sorry guys!) You two are troopers to make it through dinner at our place! Especially on such a loud evening. We had a great evening with you, regardless of our children. I guess they just added to the fun!

P.S. Did you ever get to hear Joel singing Soft Kitty?

Salmon Release

This past Saturday, we went to the Nikolmekl River to help release the baby salmon into the river.

Joel thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience

I mean, what kid doesn't like live animals and water?

Micah LOVED touching the fish

And even though it was raining, Dan and I enjoyed ourselves as well

Look Ma! Cute little fishys!

Get your hand out of the bucket buddy!

Releasing the fish into the river

 

Carrying the buckets back up to the tank to get more salmon

 

Enjoying hotdogs after the release

Bye Bye Salmon!

 

Enjoying the weather

Sitting at the fountain, with our toes in the water

Big Brother holding on to little brother so that he doesn't fall in the water

Chasing geese

Boo!

Hanging out in trees

Eating the cherry blossoms

Fountain Fun

 

"Look at Mommy!"

 

 

 

 

What we've been up TWO

Enjoying the flowers

Spending time at the fountain

Hanging out with friends
(Micah, Iben, Joel)

Watching the cherry blossoms bloom and fall like snow

Enjoying the baby ducks grow

Climbing and playing at the park

What we've been up to

We've been budgeting, praying, communicating and dreaming about this house. In July, it will be our new home! Anybody recognize the house? It belongs to our good friends, the Barkmans! We will be residing in it while they are in the Philippines. We are super excited about having more space, our own laundry room and a canning room!

The thought of moving has gotten us in to a cleaning and organizing mode (yes, Dan too). We don't want to move anything that is unnecessary. Somehow in living here for four years we have accumulated a few too many things and certain things over time have been rendered useless to us. Yes, we have two months to pack, but with two little ones it can take a while. We've already organized the boys clothes and donated the excess to friends. CD's, books and games have also been on the chopping block. Paperwork is half done and the rest shredded. We still have so much to do in the next two months, but we look forward to a new season of our lives.

We are grateful to the Barkmans for renting their home to us. We can't wait to have you over in August for dinner at your our home. Welcome to the McBarkmans!