June 21 2025

Today I had coffee with my two dearest Kodiak friends Jami and Kim, who each have birthdays this week (Kim yesterday, Jami the day before). I took them out to Bean and Bloom, an adorable coffee shop right on the water underneath the Near Island bridge. We had coffee (obviously) and Jami made a Reese’s PB and Oreo cheesecake which she brought with. We stayed there a good three hours and just chatted. 

I got home and played Final Fantasy for a bit, then we headed to the base movie theater with our bonus child (Cam’s best buddy Gibson) and saw the Kodiak premier of the new live action Lilo and Stitch movie. It will never compare to the original animated film, but it was still very well done and cute.

We came home and Brad and the three boys started playing Minecraft together, and I tucked into the garage to play Diablo III. About an hour in I had a thought - I should work out. But I really didn’t want to, since it was my day off. BUT I really should, because I had cheesecake for lunch and pizza for dinner. And then I had another thought.

The exercise bike is here in the garage. Diablo is a hack and slash that requires button mashing and little dexterity. So, I hopped on the bike and played Diablo at the same time.

Work smarter. And maybe a little harder too in this case.

June 18 2025

Going to the beach is different than it used to be with little kids.

It USED to be, we’d have to pack for an entire expedition. Endless supplies - umbrellas, lunch, snacks, drinks, more snacks, sunscreen, a change of clothes, towels, beach toys, buckets, floaties, boogie boards, sweatshirts, and who the hell knows what else. And a wagon to haul it all, if it all even fits.

The beach would be an all day excursion, and the kids would never want to go home. The adults would take turns building sand castles or wading in the water with them. It was an entire to do.

The beach with teenagers is SO different. Even just convincing them to actually GO is the biggest challenge of it all these days. They’re not really into sand castles and whatnot anymore, and Kodiak beaches especially are challenging when water games, boogie boarding and swimming aren’t really an option.

However, it’s also easier, in many ways.

Now, we pack a best friend for each of them (in lieu of toys), lunch, a blanket, and whatever they “feel” like bringing. In today’s case, they armed themselves with airsoft guns, a ball and a baseball bat. 

And that was all they needed. They even hauled it all to the beach without me.

Then, I plopped myself on the blanket, opened a book, and completely ignored the boys for two hours. No worrying about water rescues, or even being out of sight. They wandered up and down the beach, shooting rocks, running in and out of the water, and tidepooling and screaming like little girls when little baby halibuts nibbled at their toes. 

It’s certainly not as fun an exciting as when they were little, but it’s WAY less stressful, they carry all their own stuff, and there’s no over-tired post-beach meltdowns.

I approve of teenage beach days.

A Few Of My Favorite Things (Summer Edition)

Today was a great day. It was one of those days where the weather was perfect, none of us had to work, we had quality time together AND I hit almost every favorite hobby of mine all in one day.

We started the day with summer school, which is really just Science Fiction/Creative Writing Class. We (almost) finished War of the Worlds, which we finish tomorrow (and then watch the movie). I had my morning coffee outside on the back porch (checkbox favorite hobby #1), because it was already warm and sunny. Which is rare here, I might add.

Also rare are mid-week days off for both Brad and myself, and since the weather was so spectacular, we dropped everything and the four of us went on an outdoor adventure (checkbox favorite hobby #2). Since it was WARM and the wind was nonexistent, we opted to take the kayaks out to Buskin Lake, which we crossed and had a picnic lunch on the far shore, one of our favorite places to go. The boys climbed trees and skipped rocks while Brad and I lay on the sand and chatted.

Once we got back, I plopped in my favorite swing on the sunny back porch and read a chapter of my book (favorite hobby #3), then went inside and played some video games (favorite hobby #4). Currently I’m playing Final Fantasy X on the Xbox, and when the Xbox is occupied, I go in the garage and play Diablo III.

Dinner tonight is taco potato, and we are watching a family Disney movie (favorite hobby #5): Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Since it’s the land of the midnight sun, after dinner I went on a walk around the peninsula, listening to my audiobook (tandem read of Tower of Dawn and Empire of Storms - Throne of Glass series) while Brad and the boys play Minecraft. 

The absolute perfect day. 

The Day You Turned 14

Gosh, we have been doing these birthday blog posts for a WHILE now. I started this blog about a month before Calen’s 3rd birthday. Which means, this blog has been active (more or less, there are some missing chunks in there where I abandoned it for a few years) for THIRTEEN YEARS. And as much as I hate to do it some days, I’m so thankful to look back into these little windows of my life. Especially when they were little.

Today is Camden’s 14th birthday. Fourteen. FOURTEEN-UHHHH!!!

Can you effing believe it because I can’t.

I feel like birthdays were so much more exciting when we lived in the Lower 48, because it was. We always went out to dinner of their choice, and then had a family fun day adventure, like mini golf or a baseball game or something. But there’s certainly no such entertainment at our doorstep here on this island in the middle of the Bering Sea. So, we make it as fun and exciting as we can, even though there isn’t much to do.

Birthday breakfast has been the one tradition that hasn’t changed over the course of the last fourteen years - Dad’s pancakes! I have no shame: I suck at making pancakes. I know how to make them, but they never turn out round, or unlumpy, or weird. The kids never say anything, but we all know Dad makes better pancakes. No hate. I’ll just sit and drink my coffee in peace. Cam requested chocolate chips in his pancakes this year. And then of course traditional whipped cream, sprinkles, and number candles. The best way to start your birthday.

After that, Cam was in charge of the day. And much as I predicted he would, he elected to play video games all. Day. Long. Fine by me, that’s easy entertainment, and let’s face it, I’m EXHAUSTED after Cake Day yesterday. So I just hung out while he and Calen gamed all morning.

Cam’s lunch of choice was Tostitos pizza bites in the air fryer to go with the snack board of his snacks of choice - Nerds gummy clusters, Whopper eggs (since Easter was two days ago), red vines, and Sweet/Spicy Doritos, with Orange Crush to drink. Easy, easy, easy.

Brad came home for lunch hour, which means it was time for the scavenger hunt for presents! The last couple years we’ve done as many clues (and presents) as their age, since we aren’t spending that money on fun events or doing out to eat. So, 14 (smaller) gifts for the 14 year old! To go with his cake and current enthusiasm for Dungeons and Dragons, we made the hunt/clues DND themed. Gifts included a lot of DND figures (many that I had painted over the last couple months), two new video games, two video game controllers, a new shirt, and some dinosaur figures that he collects.

Then, back to video games! I didn’t mind because by that point I was so tired I just wanted to lay on my bed and watch true crime (and so I did). His best friend Gibson came over for a bit too to join in the fun.

Dinner of choice was the same as Calen’s - spam masubi, made by dad. It’s a labor of love, and it takes a long time to make, but it’s soooo worth it. With dinner we watched Camden’s all time favorite movie - Wall-E. And how fitting is it that the Earth Day Birthday boy, who wants to be a garbage man when he grows up, loves nothing more than a Disney movie about a trash compacting robot that saves the earth? I love it.

Gibson came back over for cake and ice cream, and then they played Roblox until bed while I walked a quick 2.5 miles around the neighborhood to round off my daily 5 mile goal.

Yes, I was so busy today, I clocked 2.5 miles worth of steps before even trying.

As for Cam, I think he had a great day. He said it was “the best birthday ever.” That’s all I wanted to hear.

Day 310: Hockey Saturdays

 It was freakishly cold this morning. 

With the wind chill, it was a balmy 18 degrees. 

I found Camden outside, hanging out on the back deck. Upon asking "what in the world are you doing out there in the cold?!" to which Camden said:

"It feels AMAZING out here. It's too hot in the house and I was ROASTING."

If he isn't a true hockey player, I don't know what is. 

Day 309: A Lovely Cheese Pizza Just For Me

 We declared tonight Home Alone night!

Luckily the boys still fit in their Home Alone shirts from last year, and, paired with new pajama pants, made for "newish" Christmas pajamas for the occassion. 

Calen had a moment and launched himself off the couch as soon as the scene from his shirt came up. 

Day 308: Sliding Into Thursday

 It was cold today. 

Finally, because usually by now we have snow on the ground or something, and it's been unseasonably warm as of late. 

For biology today we were talking about photosynthesis and today's "lab" was to go outside and find a leaf on a tree in the sunshine. 

This of course caused an impromptu "ice skating session" on the sidewalk. 

That was the excitement of the day, but at least it got us out of the house for a moment. 

Day 307: Dinner at 3:45pm

 Mondays and Wednesdays are suddenly absolutely ridiculous. 

Swim team for Calen is from 5:15 until 6:30.

Hockey for Camden is from 6:30 to 8. 

I mean, it's outrageous. 

My mom sent the boys a Subway gift card in their Halloween card, and we cashed in today!

So, we declared dinner at 3:45pm for both boys today, before we ran an errand or two before dropping the kids off at all their practices. 

Footlongs are the best for such nights. Half a sub now, half a sub after. 

Day 306: You Can't Take Him Anywhere

 Before hockey practice tonight, Cam and I stepped into Walmart to grab a few more boxes of red lights, because you can never have enough Christmas lights, you know. Cam didn't really want to go in, but reluctantly agreed. 

And good thing he did, because he spent the next twenty minutes showing me literally every single Christmas decoration and how we need this, no we really really need this. And pretty soon it was me dragging him along, telling him it was time to go. 

When you take a young Griswold into Walmart, can you expect anything less?

Day 305: A Boy Called Christmas

 I'm on borrowed time and I know this. 

The boys are still delighted (or at least pretend to be) that I read a chapter of a story of some sort most nights. Obviously earlier in the fall we finished the extensive 7-book Harry Potter series, and I kind of thought that was that, to be honest. 

But, as the Christmas season has come around and the amount of chapter books available for the young adults is neverending, I thought maybe I could convince them to read another. 

And they were, surprisingly, very enthusiastic about it. 

So this evening we put on Christmas pajamas, sat around the tree and started a new book: A Boy Called Christmas. 

This is one of my favorite newer Christmas movies on Netflix, and the book, so far, is just as good, and the boys are loving it. 

Borrowed time, I'm telling you. I'm appreciating every moment. 

Day 304: A New Generation of Griswolds

 Today was all about the outside of the house. Brad employed the boys, thus officially training a new generation of Griswolds. It was freezing cold, the wind was blowing, and it rained here and there, but that's all part of the experience. 

Builds character, and all that. 

After that, it was time for Sunday family night, which, since the kids were too exhausted to play a board game, we made Grinch pancakes and rice krispie treat trees instead, and watched The Grinch (Jim Carrey version). 

Totally counts as family night. And to all a goodnight!

Day 303: Decking The Halls and Short People Jobs

 Cam had the early morning game today, which is good, because it left the entire day to do other things. Important things. Like, decorating Christmas trees. 

Yes, it's that most cherished day when the Christmas tree is chopped down from it's hanging place in the garage rafters, put in it's designated corner, and ceremoniously plugged in (because it's prelit, of course). 

For the last couple of years I've relented my OCD tendencies with the tree (well, relented by about 80%) and (after putting up my five or six favorite ornaments in very specific places), have let the kids have at it, decorating the tree on their own while I may or may not come from behind them and rearrange and "fix" various holes, while Brad sat on his chair and supervised. 

This year, since Calen is officially 5'7" (last we measured), I had him do a lot of the higher parts of the tree, announcing that it was a "tall person job" and for once, not needing to bring out the step stool. 

Camden, clearly offended at his being NOT tall, asked if there were any "short person jobs" for him to do. 

As a matter of fact, yes there are. 

So, Cam was in charge crawling under the tree and fixing the tree skirt, and then climbing out to the corner where none of us can reach and filling the back of the tree with ornaments. He was delighted, and I'm glad I could conjure up a short person's job. 

I know I'm biased, but I really, really love my tree. 

But does your tree have a Disney monorail going around it??

Of course to celebrate we had to have hot chocolate, put on their new Christmas robes and watch Polar Express!

Day 302: Date Night

 I give Brad one official military fancy function a year. 

Only one. 

Not because I don't want to go out and do something with him, because I do, but I really despise dog and pony shows of military to dos. 

But, tonight was the one, and honestly, one a year is fun. And, prime rib dinner was $25. Come on. 

So, Brad and I dressed up to the Nines and left the kids with a frozen pizza and the Nintendo Switch and went to base for the semi-annual Chiefs Call To Initiation graduation dinner. We sat with friends, had a great meal and some laughs, and then promptly went home at 9pm (with the party still going) to put on pajamas and watch a Christmas movie together. 

I'm glad we agree on basically everything. 

Also, I really like a guy in uniform. 

Day 301: Pick Six

 During a scrimmage tonight, Cam on defense broke up a breakaway and stole the puck from the opposing player. 

Then went on his own breakaway, took a shot, and scored. 

That's a pick six, right? Wait, wrong sport. 

But it was fun to watch. 

About to make the steal 

Off he goes!

Day 300: The Best Time Of The Year

 It's November the First, and you know what that means?!

It means, by tradition, THIS very specific song is blasting, full volume, at 8am:

If it's not Mannheim Steamroller on Nov 1st, you're doing it wrong

We had a full day of school today so I didn't get as much done with decorating as I planned, but I did get all of Halloween torn down and most of my (many) villages up!

Just the inside Christmas decoration totes

Then I had to take another break for hockey practice, but tomorrow the inside will be finished! It's the best time of the year!

Day 298: Halloween 2023

 It's a big day around here! 

Halloween 2023 has arrived!

Since I consider this a National Holiday, we decided not to have a full day of school. The boys dressed up early and we went outside to our favorite little "tunnel of trees" behind the house to take full costume photos. 

I present to you the "official" Halloween costumes:

Calen - The World War II paratrooper. 

Camden: The Hitchhiking Ghost (from the Haunted Mansion). 

Cam decided he didn't like the beard. 

Beware of hitchhiking ghosts Calen!

Before the big show happened this evening, I made sure to set up an early snack board to make sure the boys actually eat some healthy-ish food before the absolute diabetic coma that is sure to come. On the menu: corn dog bites, meatballs, kenai dip, apples, and spiderweb taco dip. 

And then, the clock struck 5pm, and trick or treating began! 

Camden took his ghost costume a step further by rolling through our neighborhood on a hoverboard, making the illusion of him "floating" like a real ghost. 

Brad and my favorite thing to do on Halloween is to sit on the bench on the front porch drinking hot apple cider and hand out candy to the kids, especially the little itty bitty ones in their super cute costumes. 

As darkness fell, the boys and their buddy asked if they could trick or treat on base, so I played chauffeur and drove the trio to base and dropped them off, telling them to call me when they were ready to be picked up. 

It's really fun being able to give the boys the independence to trick or treat alone. And meanwhile? Brad went into the garage and pulled down all the Christmas totes, because he knows that when the clock strikes midnight, the pumpkin turns into a Christmas tree, as it were. 

It began to pour down rain so the boys called me after a short 45 minutes on base, and then came home and began the Annual Great Candy Trade while watching Nightmare Before Christmas. 



 

Obviously as shown in the photo above, this is an obscene amount of candy. As we did last year, I told the kids to fill a gallon sized ziplock bag with as much candy as they can hold (and the bag must be able to close), and the rest is donated to the children in the small villages in rural Alaska. 

Funny side story: After explaining how the villages in Alaska really have NO money for things like candy and that's why it's good for us to donate, Camden suddenly went on a complete, emotional crusade. 

"We aren't giving enough!! There must be MORE we can give!! What about toys?? WE HAVE TO GIVE MORE!!" And then he marched up to his room trying to find things to donate. 

And then there were tears from my giant hearted little Gryffindor (see my previous new obsession with Harry Potter), which I attributed to staying up too late and eating far too much candy, but I'm glad that his heart is in the right place. 

It was a great Halloween! And now, on to the best time of the year!