DID YOU SEE? Phelps has a BULLY!

The kids were so excited last night to show me Herman on the DVR. He looks a lot like Gilligan, and snores like Gilligan too!

Celebrating the Rings!

Opening Ceremonies were celebrated at the Kern house with a special menu. Seeing that I'd be the only one eating Chinese food, we went with a "ring" theme instead. We had tortellini pasta, pineapple rings, bread sticks shaped in rings, licorice sticks spun to rings --thanks to a few toothpicks, life savors and more! Karly made an olympic flag to decorate our dessert and we even took the time to learn a little too! Why five rings? Where is China? What is it like to live there, etc.

After dinner we watched the ceremony. To Kyle's disappointment, there were no sports in the ceremony. Apparently I didn't explain that part very well. He wanted the action--it was too funny! When announcers start talking about artistic themes and China's culture, Kyle just sank further into his dissatisfaction with these "ceremonies". Who needs art and culture--bring on the races! Let's compete. Kent just laughed recognizing the sentiments of this eight year old boy and knowing that he would have been the same way when he was little.

The Kerns are following swimming the most thus far, like every other American. But, we're watching it all here and loving the DVR and the fast forward button --Kyle is done with the drama and culture--Kent not far behind. It's all about the games, the heart of athletes, and the battle for the win!

Rebelling the Summer Doldrums

Call it Summer fun, call it Mama sanity--the Kern kids had a blast this week thanks to our fabulous local Rec programs.

Kyle enjoyed a week on the courts. For six hours each day, he ran drills, dolled out the defense, competed in tournaments and relished in the joys of the "swoosh" factor. He's exhausted and guzzling the water, but more than happy to just be playing ball! I'm guessing he'll be sleeping quite a bit this weekend!

Karly completed her third art class for the Summer. This one was a cartooning class, and her pictures are not traced--she actually completed these using a step by step process her teacher demonstrated. Karly also created her very own comic strip and a few clay cartoon originals. All week she's been talking of alligators in tuxedos-carry suitcases and cows that fight crime. Originality for cartooning is in full supply!

Now I have to figure out what to do with the remaining 18 days before school starts! Gulp!

Just Add Water & Sunshine

An extended weekend at Lake Almanor was just the ticket to get the Kern kids away for a change of pace and also help Pop and Grammy while they cared for cousins Zach and Reagan. (My sister and her husband are away traveling to Ethiopia to bring home their adoptive baby boy--child #3 for their family.)

The lake has long proved it's ability to zap the energy out of little ones with the sunshine, sand play and cool mountain water. Add touch football, smores, bubbles, and a little dirt and imagination --then it's official: we call the trip a success!

Due Representation

So the kids and I were talking today that Gilligan has not had fair representation on the KernTeam family blog. He usually snores at my feet-- lulled by the dancing of my fingers across the keyboard, but the blog is all about life and well frankly Gilligan sleeps through much of it. Sure, he can still be spry, but a walk around the block or trip upstairs to give the kids kisses at night, sends him right back to his favorite sleeping chair.
He's inherited a variety of nicknames around here, many thanks to Karly and her creativity: Gillamonster (this was popular when he was still chewing everything), Chubby Butt, Mime Kern, Gill, Gilly, Gillybaby, and a few others that make absolutely no sense at all.

Gilligan is a part of the KernTeam. He can sound mean with his throaty bark at the door (especially if Kent isn't around) and the highlight of his days are when he gets to ride in the front seat to pick up the kids from school. All I have to say is, "want to go get the kids?" and he's at the garage door whining. He sits tall in the front seat, truly, I think he thinks he's human. He also has discretion with the kids. He sits so sweetly with Karly, he'll back right in (yes bottom first) to her lap, but with Kyle it's all playing ball. Gill plays sports. He now has his own football, basketball and baseball so he can carry his own around when Kyle plays. Otherwise he's right in the mix. Human I tell you.
All this to say he is adored and I do doubt we'll ever have another breed. He's a 65 pound lapdogs who require very little from life, and makes people smile with his crooked teeth and social spirit! He fits right in I think!

Budding Artist

Our budding artist, whose love language is clearly the giving of gifts, was pleased as punch to offer her two oil pastel projects to Grandpa and Pop for their July birthdays. Over only four days of lessons, Karly created these two pieces of art and knew right away what she would do with them. Not for Mommy, not for Daddy, but for two of her biggest fans! It was a no-brainer for her. She just knew they would make great birthday gifts! What a kid and an art class that came with a life lesson too! Giving so freely, of what one works so hard to create, is rewarding!

One Great Fit

15 years together has proved to be one great fit. Kent and I truly complete each other and I would have to get TOO mushy for the blog to really explain the phenomena of the "US" factor. Traveling together is a passion and a catapult for continuing to embrace life together and living in the now. We are hopeful that Karly and Kyle are watching and will find the same joys in their future.

When people ask about our trip, even with it's few bumps in the road, Kent is offering a fabulous response that can only brighten a girls day. He says, "On a scale of 1 to 10............it was a 68."

Yes, I think that about sums it all up!