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Hi! Our family blog is: http://hoopscardscrafts. I like all sorts of crafts including card-making, sewing, jewelry, knitting and crochet.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Book Report: James and the Giant Peach


Retold by Jordan Minamide
Original story by Roald Dahl


James Henry Trotter lived with his mother and father. James was about four years old when his parents were eaten by a rhino. So, James had to go live with his Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, who constantly beat James for no reason.


On one hot summer day, while chopping wood, James starts to cry, he could have been at the beach, playing in the ocean. Aunt Sponge tells Aunt Spiker to beat James for not working. But, Aunt Spiker says she will do it when it’s not that hot.

James then goes behind the bushes and cries some more. Then an old man comes out from behind the bushes. He gives James a while paper bag with green crystals in it. He tells James that if he put the crystals in a jug of water with 10 strands of his hair and drinks it, he won’t be miserable again.

When James runs toward the kitchen, he falls and all the green crystals go in the ground. Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker find him on the ground and yell at him to go back to work.
Before James could go back to work, Aunt Spiker called Aunt Sponge to see something. It was a peach, on a peach tree that never grew peaches.

Aunt Sponge wanted to eat it, but Aunt Spiker stopped her. Aunt Spiker said it was growing, she was right! When the peach grew until it was as big as a house, it stopped growing.

Aunt Sponge wanted to eat it, but Aunt Spiker said they could charge people who want to see it. The next day, people came to see the peach.

James’ two aunts made him stay inside because he would get in peoples way. After everyone left, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker made James pick up the garbage outside.
He went to the peach and found there is a hole in it. James crawls in, and he finds out it’s a tunnel to the peach stone.

Inside the stone are large insects. The insects were a grasshopper, ladybug, centipede, earthworm, spider and in the corner, he thought was a silkworm, but it was sleeping.

The Grasshopper said he was glad James was here. The centipede then made James take off his boots. While James was taking off the centipede’s boots, all the creatures went to sleep.

After James took off Centipede’s boots, Centipede yelled to turn the light off. This was the first time he looked at the ceiling. There was a glowworm. She said “Hi James.” And the light turned off.

James awoke to everyone yelling. Ladybug told James what was going on, she said that the only thing that prevented them from rolling off the hill is the stem of the peach, so Centipede is biting the stem of the peach.

Then the peach started shaking. Centipede said he cut through the stem of the peach. Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker had just got to the entrance table, so the peach ran over them.

It rolled all the way to the ocean. Then sharks came and started lunging at the peach. James said they could fly out of the ocean by using seagulls.

Everyone except Earthworm went inside the peach because birds like worms. Everyone woke up the silkworm and told him to spin string with Miss Spider. So when the first seagull came, James pulled Earthworm down and put a loop of string on the seagull’s neck and the other to the peach stem. They did this about 500 times before they came out of the ocean and flew in the clouds.

They ran into a lot of clouds, and on it were people. James said they were Cloud Men. The Cloud Men were dropping hail stones practicing for winter.

Centipede started taunting them because it was summer. Then the Cloud Men started throwing hailstones at them. Two of the hailstones hit Centipede. Everyone then retreated into the peach.

When everybody got on the top of the peach, there were no more Cloud Men. Then they saw an arc. They didn’t know what it was, then, Centipede pointed out that there was Cloud Men on it. He wasn’t going to take any chances so he went inside the peach. James noticed the Cloud Men were painting the arc. Then everyone knew it was a rainbow. They called Centipede to come up and it was safe. Centipede then pointed out that there are lowering the rainbow with ropes, and they were going to crash into it!

The silk strings got tangled with the ropes. The peach also broke the rainbow.
The Cloud Men were mad and they threw anything they got their hands on. One Cloud Man poured paint over the edge of the cloud and it landed on Centipede!

When the seagulls pulled them away and they wondered what they should do with Centipede. Earthworm said that if Centipede stuck his tongue out really far, they can pull it and he will have new skin.

Then a big glob of water came rushing down on the peach. When the seagulls pulled them away Centipede was normal, the water washed off the paint. Then they saw New York.

Out of nowhere, an airplane sliced through the silk strings. The peach fell toward the ground. Then the peach landed on the needle of the Empire State building. The police and fire department went up to the peach.

People looked up and wondered what it was. After James explained how nice the insects are and that there not aliens, they helped them down.

The city had a ticker tape parade for the visitors. A girl asks James if she could have a bite of the peach. James said everyone can.

At the end of the parade it was just the stone. The peach stone was made into a house and put in Central Park for James to live in.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Russian Spiral!

I finally finished my Russian Spiral necklace that I started in my class last week. It took a lot of beads...but, I am interested to see how it would look with Swarovski crystals...hmmm...looks like I need to make another trip to Joanie's shop to place a special bulk order.

On another note...looks like Mother's Day weekend is a flop. Jordan told me on Thursday night that he has a book report due...a picture book report. He's known about it for about 2 weeks. BTW: he forgot the book at school. Luckily, Jeff's mom has a copy...since all of the library copies are checked out...except for the one library that is closed until Tuesday. I won't even go into the other homework he needs to do this weekend....and that he forgot at school. He did remember to bring home his extra credit assignments....

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Yeah!! It's here!!!!

Last November my friend Julie and I were BABEs....hee hee...to be accurate...we went to BABE (Bay Area Bead Extravaganza). At BABE, we took a PMC (Precious Metal Clay) class. Unfortunately, the teacher's kiln was not working...so, she ended up borrowing a kiln...which took forever to get to the proper temperature and to cool down. By the end of class I still had one piece that had to be fired (I couldn't torch it because of the crystal)...so, Beki took the piece home with plans of firing it after she repaired her kiln.
TODAY, I finally got the piece back...Beki polished, tumbled and antiqued the piece for me. Isn't it pretty? It is a large piece and the crystal looks WONDERFUL!!! I do think I need a jump ring or something so that it lies flat...but, besides that, I *LOVE* IT!!!
(I can't wait to see Julie's pieces on Friday! Darn...I forgot I won't be there...I'll see it on Wednesday...or, maybe, I will go during the 2nd grade P.E. session....hmmm.....)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Naked Man Coffee...almost

I knew I could get your attention. Okay, the background story to "Naked Man Coffee"....when I was working in Pleasanton, I would carpool with my friend Lori (aka Auntie Canada). Her husband would make us coffee in the mornings. (I think I had something "special" in my coffee the days I didn't drive....I was really happy at work). One morning, Nick overslept, but he jumped out of bed and shouted..."COFFEE!!!" For some reason, the coffee was "nick"-named (ha ha ha) "Naked Man Coffee". I felt it best not to ask details...besides...the coffee was really good.

This morning I stopped by to pick up some information and supplies for lavendar eye pillows...for Lori's yoga class....and I was treated to "Naked Man Coffee"....luckily everyone was dressed....
Today, we went to the dentist. Neil is getting x-rays. He has a little cavity which he will get fixed...in a few weeks. I also need to get some old cavities replaced...so, it will be a "fun" day...not!

Okay, so my boys used to argue about who got to sit in the dentist chair first...they like going to the dentist...or, Jordan did...until he needed to get a tooth extracted. He fought with the dentist and Marisol (above). Dr. Ortega ended up getting pricked by the needle...AUGH! I think I jinxed myself after talking to Michelle and Kathy about how difficult it is for them to take their girls....JEFF gets to take Jordan in the future.

I needed a glass of wine with my dinner tonight....and Jeff wasn't home...he had another dinner meeting....sigh!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Bathroom and a rant...

Jeff taped and covered the seams on the drywall today. It's not too pretty but it will all be covered up by a pretty paint....sigh, that's my job. But, I can't start until he textures the new drywall boards. Another seam....aren't you excited? I am...not....
RANT for the day: So, today was the first day of swim class. Neil didn't do too well...partially because it was his first class since last summer...so, the manager spoke to him. When Jeff asked Neil what the manager said....Neil said, "I don't remember..." Jeff told him to stand there and think about it. We went to the car and then called Neil over....it was less than 10 seconds...he was one car length from our van. Jeff wanted to cool down before we got in the car. Then this Indian woman walks over and states "In this country, you can get arrested for that..." Please note that Neil was already in the car. It was less than 10 seconds...Luckily, I answered before Jeff screamed at her...but, really, "In this country..."? After all, this is the woman whose child was in the building and had to open a heavy door (that I swear can cut a kid's finger off) while she chatted and walked to her car....we ended up holding the door open for the kid....ok...rant is over with..but, if you want to set Jeff off...start a sentence with "In this country..." and then duck!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Burp Cloths and Bathroom....

Last night I was up a little late...I decided last minute...(Saturday night) to make burp cloths for a baby shower I can not attend in LA this weekend. (Hmmm...I hope Jazel isn't reading this...)The boys picked out the blue ocean material...it has a tiny blue/white stripe material for the back. I picked out the moon and bows material...I used tiny blue and yellow polka dot material for the back. Today, I was really productive, (esp. considering I got out of the house so late....) I wanted to pick up a little toy and gift card to go with the burp cloths - (done). Jeff also wanted me to get the paint and sheetrock joint compound at Lowes - (done). Stop by and check on Grandma - (done). Drycleaning - (done). Box and mail off Jazel's baby present - (done, done and done ---I stopped at the post office...the line was too long and I didn't like the boxes. I went to the Hallmark shop, the post office there...closed and I didn't like their boxes...ended up at Target (gotta love it there!) found a box and mailing tape...and back to the original Post Office, BUT I used the self-service kiosk. I hope it gets to LA...)

Last, but not least, I washed all of the walls in the bathroom. Yes, I know it doesn't look like it...but, yes it was washed...and we won't talk about how NASTY the walls were...
Jeff has put up sheetrock on the wall!!! YEAH! It has been "open" for over 18 months. I am such a patient wife! yeah yeah yeah....I am doing the happy dance!!!! I don't even care if it gets painted...um, maybe I shouldn't have said that....hmmm...I think it's my job to prime/paint anyways...

Lastly, Lori won the challenge. She called me today at 10 am.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

SACBC, Girl's Trip Goodie and more about the bathroom....

Jordan, Neil and I went to Dharma (Sunday) School today at SACBC. It was Jordan's turn to ring the bell (kansho). Here he is with Shoyo Sensei...Jordan needs a little more practice... unfortunately, we haven't been able to go to services much this year...but, we did go to Hanamatsuri in Salinas...the Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America was speaking!

Neil is leading Metta Meditation...."I care about myself. I am peaceful. I'll be peaceful. I care about everyone. May everyone be peaceful. Namo Amida, Namo Amida, Namo Amida Butsu."

Now for the fun part...I made these fun little "Girl's Trip" albums. Actually, it's just a little scrapbook with about 8-9 pages in it. I thought it would be cool to put a picture or two from each of our upcoming (and last year's) Girl's trips as a momento. I am waiting for some pictures to come in from Shutterfly for last year's Ko'Olina trip.

What's the fun part? I wanted to see who is reading my BLOG...WHOEVER calls me first...gets first pick...of the albums. (Sorry, this is only for Kathy, Michelle, Lori and Betty ---but, I don't think Betty knows about my Blog...so, Kath, Chelle and Lor have an advantage!)

This year's trip is LAS VEGAS, baby! WHOO HOO....I wonder if I can talk the girls into going to see Donny and Marie ;-)

Some people may have wondered why Jeff didn't go to church with us today...he was a busy man tearing out the linoleum and baseboard out of the bathroom...he even replaced some of the greenboard.

Tomorrow, I am tasked with buying paint, and wiping down "everything"...lovely....I do need to finish up some sewing...more about that tomorrow...

Oh...did you notice something different about my BLOG? I noticed that my friend Betty had music on her BLOG...so, I added a music player....I hope no one gets in trouble at work! =-D