still in utah

We had intended to head back to California on Sunday, but a big storm hit, and some nasty viruses hit too. So we're still in Utah.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

packing

When we were packing to come to Utah, I told Juma he could pick a couple of toys to put in his suitcase. He rummaged around in the toy room under the stairs and came out with a Star Wars rebel blaster, three light sabers, and a talking C-3PO head.

Last he came out with an object I couldn't see and he said apologetically, "Mom. This might be a little disturbing...but I'm bringing this." He held up a dollar store recorder, the kind that makes piercing screeches when 5-year olds blow into them. Joy.

I snuck it back out of his suitcase before we left. But he hasn't noticed because the three light sabers have kept him quite busy.

traveling

About a week ago, Juma announced to us that he had "president's week off school." I asked him if he meant President's Day. "No, the week!" So I checked the schedule and realized he did have the whole week off, after all. How's that for involved parenting?

Thinking about that week of no school, I thought of my family in Utah...and convinced Justin he loved me enough to make the drive out from California with us. So we're in Utah for this week, and visiting my family--parents, 6 siblings plus their spouses and children--as well as some of Justin's relatives. Juma is having a blast so far with his cousins, with more playing to come.

My plan had been to surprise everyone at Sunday dinner by just walking in to my parents' house, but I found out everyone is sick over at my parents' place, so most people weren't going to be there (besides the 8 people who live there now). Too bad that didn't work out. Still, it's fun to be here.

Charlie bit me!

This video was just too funny to pass up. Kids are hilarious.

mondays

Last night when I was putting Juma to bed, we had our usual discussion about whatever is on his mind.

Juma: Mom, I hate Mondays.

Sarah: Lots of people hate Mondays, honey.

Juma: But, Mom, I really hate Mondays.

Sarah: Why?

Juma: Because on Monday, that means that there's another day I have to go to school, and then another, and then another, and then ANOTHER!

Sarah: Yep, that's true. Good night, bud.

Juma: But wait, Mom.

Sarah: What?

Juma: Just kidding, I mean I love Mondays.

Sarah: How come?

Juma: Because that means I get to go learn stuff the next day, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day so I can grow up to be a scientist!

geocaching

Over Christmas break, we discovered a new game, geocaching, known better to Juma as treasure hunting. The game involves following satellite coordinates on a hand held GPS device (we use the one from our car, which isn't perfect, but works well) to spots around town and wilderness, where others have hidden items, or caches.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that there are numerous sites around Merced, and we've found several so far. Some of the caches are nothing more than paper logs to sign--the reward is the search itself--but some have larger containers with trinkets that Juma calls pirate treasure. Once he found a jewel, another time a fruit roll-up, and once a yellow-green paint ball. Geocaching courtesy dictates that if you take something, replace it with something else--we've left coins from Tanzania, small toys, etc. Caches are listed online, and when you've found one you record it there, so everyone can see the "finds."

Here are some pictures of our first geocaching search (one success, several failures).