The 'Un-Usual' Suspects

We may have discovered a.... not so Noble side.

The Crime occurred somewhere between midnight and 7:22 am.

The victim was last seen intact at midnight when covered with a tea towel, which was tucked in at both ends and a small piece of lego was placed on top. 

Prime Suspect in the case. 

Miles Noble.  

Motive. (He likes brownies)  

Opportunity.  (He was awake at 5am, while everyone else still slept)  

Accused by a reliable source. (Emerson said he did it!)

Evidence.  While other suspects were questioned and booked he attempted to tamper with the evidence.

He couldn't keep a straight face and kept trying to distract the jury with ukelele playing and singing.

The Accomplice

Mackenzie Connolly

Motive.  She has professed that she would do anything for brownies.

Opportunity.  Limited... she sleeps like a log.

Evidence.  Aided and abetting the Prime Suspect during the booking and questioning process. 

Innocent Bystander.  Wrong Place.  Wrong Time.

 Perjured himself under oath. (Don't be fooled by his innocent act)

Emerson Noble

Motive.  He wanted one.

Opportunity.  He woke by 6am. 

Accusation.  His quote, "Miles had one.  He cut it up and gave me some.  He's my buddy."

The Vigilante.  (Judge, jury, prosecutor... and also a suspect)

Sarah Noble

Motive.  She made the brownies.
Opportunity.  Often is up later than most, and wanders in sleep in the wee hours, or 'says' she's up for a drink of water.
Did not wake until after 8am.  Developed theories and a scenario that would indict everyone but herself. (suspicious)

 The Crime Boss.  Attempted to bribe the jury after admitting to a similar crime.

Mother

Motive.  uhh... it was there. (no will power)

Opportunity.  only one who sleeps upstairs.  Awake at 7am, because the boys were too noisy in the kitchen and she couldn't sleep.. but she still didn't get out of bed.

Claims:  I'm the boss, applesauce.  Agreed with the Prime suspect that when she steals brownies she takes a little slice off the entire row so it doesn't look tampered with.  "Like I did last night at 2am when I finished my book.  BUT that's not the crime in question here!!  There is still a missing piece not being accounted for!  Everyone can have a stinking brownie... Can help themselves even... just own up to it... Just tell the truth!"

The Line up of un-usual suspects.

Although the Prime Suspect admitted to how he would have committed the crime IF it had been him, he maintained his claim of innocence even while struggling to maintain a straight face.  The jury struggled to believe him with all the mounting evidence.  

He was accused with a supposed witness. 

He attempted to take another piece with his accomplice during the booking.

He couldn't keep a straight face during questioning... booking... or most anytime.

He admitted to past offences.

He had the easiest opportunity and ability to carry out the crime and return the towel to it's position without notice.

Convicted but released on an insanity plea!

Whittaker Noble

Motive.  He wanted one.

Opportunity.  He was also awake before 7am.

Claims.  After all the questioning and booking and his claims of "I didn't steal any brownies this morning.  I promise!"  He finally whispered,  "I might have taken one when I blinked and didn't see myself do it, when it was still nighttime.  Maybe."

He comes by those chocolate eyes dishonestly I guess. 

Once the verdict was in, after almost an hour of interrogation and posturing, we all had brownies for breakfast.  It wasn't a lesson in healthy eating habits or the importance of not snitching after all.  It was about the value of our integrity.


It's worth more than a brownie.

Filling in the Details

Daddy worked in Hawaii for a few weeks and brought back a few fresh pineapples.  

While we gobbled away, slurping the dribble off our chins, we filled him in on all that had occurred while he was away this trip.

Friends went to Brazil and brought us back and new hammock as a thanks for taking care of their pets.

A neighbourhood cat has been stalking me.

It's quite disconcerting to be stared at while washing the dishes.

(I know the solution is to just stop doing dishes!)

Emerson became stuck in a bucket.

It took two people to get him out.

He got stuck a few more times before we confiscated the bucket.

Miles spent days and days in one spot finishing up his extra courses that he took this semester.  Fortunately he enjoyed them.  We often would peek in and seeing him grinning away and when we glanced at the screen, none of us saw anything amusing or pleasant... 

Chemistry, Graphic Design and Microsoft Office Specialist.

To each his own. 

Sarah claimed there wasn't enough space in her room for all her shoes.  Rather than pare down her shoe collection, she opted for opening up a wall and creating new shelves.

On a particularly quiet afternoon, I thought Emerson was napping and assumed Whittaker was playing legos with Duncan.

I was wrong.

Duncan was voraciously reading Harry Potter and the little boys... well, they were stripped down in the sandbox.

Having the time of their lives.

Until it began to rain.  Then they were dancing on the deck trying to rinse off the sand.

Emerson discovered that other people have water bottles identical to his.

He was relieved when we returned home and his was still on his hook.

We spent an ENTIRE saturday doing Scouts.  Miles performed his Native American Hoop Dancing.  Duncan earned two merit badges.  The boys and I played every carnival game known to man, and participated in the dance demonstration, and climbed rock walls, and played on bounce houses, and sawed a tree in half, and generally had a good time.

Unfortunately, as we told Daddy all about our activities... 

His red eye flight and jet lag caught up to him.

The best spot in the house

After stepping out of the bath.

Early on a winter morning.

Coming in with bright red fingers, toes and nose after playing in the snow.

Even encouraging bread dough to rise.

This magical spot is sought after.

The above photo is not a soft cushioned seat nor a pile of towels.

It is two boys snuggled against the floor level heater vent behind the bathroom door.

The tiles in front warm up toasty and nice and with the towels positioned just so to trap the radiating heat,

it is pure bliss.

How's it Hanging?

Miles is a professional sleeper.

He is also an avid scouter.

The combination does not always bode well.

Most scouts are typical teenage boys, who when given the opportunity to go camping, stay up until all hours playing in the fire pit and eating junk food.

Miles has an internal clock which must ring so loudly that he has to go to bed in order to silence it.  At 8:00pm almost every night, regardless what is going on around him, he prepares for bed.

Camping with a group of scouts is not an exception.

It is however difficult to maneuver when sharing a tent.  

After a few campouts, from which he returned bleary eyed after attempting to sleep in a tent full of rowdy boys, he decided to take his own one man tent.

This made a huge improvement on the enjoyment of camping.

Miles strives for perfection though.

For Christmas he requested a new tent. 

A hammock tent.

He was thrilled with it.

He was the envy of scouters at camp.

He slept peacefully.

Except when trees were scarce.

His tent didn't work so well then.

His attempt to hang it at home to enjoy it more ended... disastrously. 

(Bookshelf, bedroom, midnight earthquakes!!)

Clearly a solution was needed.

The design was deliberated on and the materials purchased.

The finished product exceeded expectations.

It holds two hammocks at a time and can be set up anywhere.

And by anywhere, apparently that means smack dab in the middle of the living room for over a week.

Apparently a double hammock stand doesn't accommodate everyone.  Miles rarely gets a turn.

Fortunately the rain fly isn't needed in the house. I wasn't sure why the mosquito netting was required though.

I must admit I also found it rather comfortable to lounge.

After a week in the living room I insisted it be taken down.

I must remember to be more specific.

It is now DOWN stairs.

Love multiplied

Love seats are intended for two.

Says who?

Our Friday night's have become an all ages party station.  Groups of eighteen between ages 3 and 16 are not uncommon.  This particular evening was what we could term.... A quiet night at home.  While there was plenty of seating available for a change.... 

What would be the fun in that?

Egg-stra special Hunting

Easter this year was simple.  As it should be.

We had the missionaries over for supper.

We had a traditional meal.

Not an Easter ham, but a traditional meal from the time of Christ's life.

Broiled fish, olives, flat bread, honey and yoghurt with dates, apricots and figs.

Some food went over better than others.

We had our lesson about the symbols of Easter.

Then the kids hid each others eggs.

Every year they are hidden more creatively.

Sarah's were very difficult to find.

Recently, after a lesson in gentlemanly like behaviour, Miles has taken it upon himself to hold the door for Sarah.  Every day.  Every where they go.  Even if it means having to race her to the door and practically shove her out of the way so that he can do it.  

This Easter egg hunt presented an opportunity for him and Duncan to put their gentleman skills to the test.

Sarah's eggs were out of reach and they dropped to their hands and knees to offer her their services.

While the gesture was thoughtful, she didn't feel the protection or security that their behaviour was intended to offer.  She claims it was terrifying and unnerving to stand on their backs and reach into the light fixture on the ceiling... And all for an empty plastic egg!

As for the egg in the skylight....  

The broom handle was all that was needed.

Odd how it Even's out

Some years we exhaust ourselves with one outing after another.  Partying from sun up to sun down.

Decorating without abandon and dressing up with party hats.

Then some years we relax.

Play at the park.

Take it easy.

And make a most unelaborate cake with candles stuck in the birthday boys piece after it's been cut and served.

Must be an odd year thing.

But it 'even's' out.

Dreaming of Summer Bliss

The first day of Spring arrived, blue skies, tulips emerging, a backyard hot dog roast and an afternoon outside resulted in some sunburned arms and happy people.  

The next day an inch of snow covered the ground.

Easter Sunday was the end of a four day spring break of delightful weather and relaxation.

Monday morning brought a drastic drop in temperature and .... more dreaded snow.

Soooo.. to combat.  

We remember summer days of bliss and contentment. 

An impromptu game of baseball at the ranch.

This is the all new workout regime that is making headlines!!

The Can Crusher.

A fabulous upper body workout.

It can be done solo or with your exercise partner. 

Best of all... water play.

(pants apparently optional)

It's the Year of the Monkey

Although it feels like it's always the year of the monkeys around here.. It's officially the year of the Monkey according to the Chinese zodiac.

For Cub Scouts we had our Blue and Gold Banquet and chose to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

At my district meeting I had been asked to come up with an idea to share for a Blue and Gold Banquet.  With the date of the banquet in February I thought the Chinese New Year would be fun.   My partner chose an Angry Bird's theme.  However she broke her foot and wasn't able to do hers but it was already on the schedule so the kids and I took on the Angry Bird one as well... Yes it was as much fun to plan an Angry Bird Party as it sounds!  We presented our ideas to the district leaders and had a lot of fun.  The leaders of my own pack saw that I already had everything planned out for a banquet and decided to use the Chinese New Year since I'd already planned it out for them.  We had a blast.

The only problem I ran into was that I could stop coming up with great ideas and had to stop at some point.

Setting up for the banquet was fun and it turned out well.  We dimmed the lights and had our glow stick Chinese Kirigami lanterns strung for fun lighting.  

Each table was ready for our evening.  We served Mandarin orange chicken, with ham fried rice, and egg rolls.  All eaten with chopsticks of course!  

For dessert we had a Chinese dragon cake.  Thanks to Miles for making him look authentic.  (He looked like a snake when I had finished.  Miles added a tail, some feet and tweaked the scales)

By far the best game of the night was a game we stole from my Angry Birds plans.  We had a 3 man slingshot to launch our monkeys at the target.  A calendar on the wall.  We were sending the monkey into the new year.

At the end of the evening when it was all cleaned up we went home pleased.  We also went home with leftover food and lanterns.  The boys immediately strung them up in their room and went to bed with the glow of the lanterns welcoming in the new year!

What's up? -Miles

Miles enjoys running, especially when it means he doesn't have to take a final exam.  

He still enjoys scouting and completed his Eagle project and learned valuable lessons in leadership, flexibility and the importance of being prepared for things to go wrong and what to do when they do.

We enjoy the smile that comes so naturally to his face.  In fact we enjoy it so much we tease that he can't keep a straight face... and he can't... This is as good as it gets... He's just a naturally happy guy!

Although, frothing at the mouth usually is in anger or rabid illness... this was all in fun.  He was gargling milk... not sure why... but he was.

Miles is mechanically minded.  He enjoys learning how things work.  He truly is fascinated by gears and pulleys and levers... He is helpful... all good scouts are, but he'd rather come up with an ingenious way of making it easier.

He's growing up WAY TOO FAST!  Handsome and happy.

His attempt at being a thug.  He was 'Hip Hop' for Halloween.

Style is not his strong suit... nor is this his idea of a cool suit.  He's a jeans and t-shirt, simple kinda guy.  The red leather suits he leaves to Duncan to pull off.

He enjoys creating.  This is a leather 'butt flap', loin cloth, he made for his Order of the Arrow costume.  

And this is a mirror board to go with the costume.  This time some beadwork and wood burning were applied.

He is suave and debonair.  Well... he's trying to be.

He still eats, sleeps and lives rubik's cubes.

His latest endeavor is to speed solve a cube blindfolded.  He can solve it blindfolded.  Just needs the speed now. This was just a portion of the solve.. his time was 6min. 10 sec.