Falcom Busking on the Spit!

Falcom is raising money for a cappella camp this summer!

Weekend

There are some moments when all things align and everything is perfect. This moment at the harbor is one of them. The sun is on my face. The cool but not cold breeze is blowing from the north. The sounds of Marina and Mac throwing rocks, men welding, decsel engines starting up are filling my ears. The smell is fantastic: the sea, the exhaust, the French fry grease coming from the restaurant that's just opening. Eagles are everywhere. And gulls. Don't forget the gulls.

We wait for Falcom and Aunia to return from their field-trip and then we head out to Anchorage. The girls are having as great of a time as I am and I realize that this is the beginning of a terrific weekend.

Dear Marina;

The year old sandhill crane is back in our yard this morning.  It gotten itself lost from it's parents again and is standing by the trampoline screaming to holy hell.  I keep walking over there to check on it.  It is making such a racket!  As I looked at it's sharp beak, wide open, hollering, it made me think of you.

It made me think of you because it is all of the things you are not.

This month has been incredibly busy for our family.   I know.  My school.  Dad's birthday.  My birthday.  Easter. Falcom being Falcom. Falcom's music.  Willie being Willie.  It may not seem like we have had much time for you. 

I guess that is what that crane made me realize.  Although we get busy with things other than you, you never just stand still and scream trying to get our attention.  Instead, you dig deep into your own interests.  You spend time with adult friends.  You make your own plans.  You help me. 

Those crane parents are busy too.  They are making a nest and getting ready to raise their next brood.  What do they get from their kid?  A screaming whining kid that they have to fly around for until they find.  You know, a lot of human children can be this way.  It is remarkable to me that you are not. 

I need you to know that although we might seem preoccupied with everything else in our lives, you are just as important to us as everything else going on.  We notice your thoughtfulness.  Your humor.  Your ingenuity.

We are very aware that there is nothing about you that is not absolutely remarkable. 

I love that you made your pushki boat.  I love that even though the pond is still completely frozen you did not let that get you down or cause you to not try to float your creation.  I love it that you decided to not call Rio (the pushki boat master) for building tips until you are completely sure your boat will not float (once the ice on the pond melts). 

You are an exceptional young woman.  Thank you for being patient with all of us.  We are very proud of you and love you very much. 

Mom and Dad

Falcom's 12th Birthday

Falcom's birthday started with ripping open his card from Grandpa and Grammy!  How fun to have a fully loaded birthday card to open first thing in the morning!

After school a few friends came over for a party.  I created a scavenger hunt.  This is them on their way to search for loot.

This is them at their first stop;  Valda's house.

Oh yea!  There was candy, and a clown nose, and some juice.  The rest of the hunt took nearly an hour, and when they got home there was Beezer making me a Caesar salad, and Maygen making pizzas.

Pricilla came over with Mema.  Jerami came was here.  I think my favorite part of the evening was when the kids made toasts to Falcom for his birthday.  They were beautiful!  They were about friendship and togetherness.  As I looked around the room at all of our friends and family, I thought, "These girls are expressing exactly how I feel about everyone in this room."

No cake for Falcom, only Ice Cream.  That is what he likes.  I made a cake anyway, because that is what I like.  It is also what Iris likes. 

We love you Falcom, Happy Birthday!

Prom

Prom was this weekend.  I don't know a lot of details from the night.  I do know that the Radeke girls were beautiful!  I know that Willie and Kaylene were nominated Prince and Princess and almost won.  I know that the limo ride to Wasabi's was fun.  I know that someone else arrived in a helicopter. 

I know that we all love you kids!

Jubilee, 2011

Falcom wrote in a scholarship application this spring, "My art is about theatricality..."  He proved it this weekend.  

It was an exciting night for him at the Mariner theater.  The house was packed. The Green Room was tingling with excitement.  Joselyn led the kids in warm ups.  This group of kids was full of encouragement and sweetness for each other.  It was a great night for all.

This is my friend Ella.  It was her first singing performance on stage.  She sang, "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" and she was fantastic: sultry, mellow, luscious.  Everyone was saying she was the next Ella Fitzgerald.  I was so happy for her, and her family was thrilled for her!

Falcom was excited.  He was having a tough time staying calm and focused before the show.  We had hot tea and things to do, but that didn't stop him from being a make-up and fashion consultant to every one else who asked.  At one point he snuck off and I couldn't find him!  I found him in the sound proof room practicing his song.  I was also thrilled at how giving he is.  He is so good at sharing and encouraging others.  He is a force of nature...this one!

Afterwords, we all rushed the stage and showered Falcom with our amazement.

Good Work Falcom, We Love You!