Micro-soccer league game four

Evan scored the Gators' only goal yesterday. Unfortunately, they lost the match. But fun was had by all.

He likes it! Hey, Mikey!

Big news! Willie the Wiggler (aka "the Whizzer") enjoyed his first meal in captivity this weekend!

I told Evan that we'd have to let the garter snake go if he didn't eat. Last week, we left a defrosted pinkie (baby mouse) in his food bowl for a couple of days, but he didn't touch it. Then, it was suggested that we try to tempt the snake by moving the meal around as if it were live prey. Evan wiggled a second, freshly defrosted pinkie with a pair of tweezers -- and Willie ended up biting Evan's knuckle. But the second strike was successful and Willie scarfed down the tasty morsel.

Evan says, "I guess we can keep him!"

Madalyn, Evan's playmate from next door says, "Girls don't like snakes."

Evan's aunt Carla proves Madalyn wrong.

new bike, old bike

new bike, old bike

Yep, Evan was definitely outgrowing the old red bike.

Hardcore

Saturday afternoon, we attended the dedication ceremony for the new Jamaica Trail, south of town. The festivities included music by a local steel band group made up of high school students, mardi gras beads and lots of sunshine.

Afterwards, we took a little family ride on the trail and through a small stretch of Wilderness Park. Poor Evan was spinning his legs as fast as he could and it was apparent that he had definitely outgrown his first bike (as he proudly calls it, the "Gary Fisher Gamma Ray"). On the way home, we stopped by the very cool Recyle bike shop on South Street. Though they have a lot of neat vintage bikes, there wasn't anything exactly Evan's style. Well, he did make us check out a rockin' Stingray style with metallic flecked banana seat.

Scott ?) at Recycle did give us the name of an older gentleman who buys used bikes and repairs them, so we got a sweet deal on a 5-speed 20" with front shocks and hand brakes. Evan is also stoked on the kickstand and water bottle cage.

No doubt dad will start training him for the kids' class mountain bike series.

Evan and Emory

Evan and one of his friends, Emory, were tenacious in there attempt to win the musical walk game. It took about 10 rounds, but they both finally won.

Fun night

Friday evening the weather cleared just in time to enjoy the Holmes Elementary School Fun Night. At least, I think Evan and his dad had fun. Mom was a volunteer and had a little bit less fun.

Evan's first second cousin

We forgot to announce the newest addition to the Kelley clan:

Maggie Grace was born to Evan's cousin, Heather, on Friday, March 16, 2007. She's quite the cutie and we're anxious to go meet her in Tulsa.

All together now: "Aaaaahhhhh"

(Maggie's the one on the right).

Uncle DK's a punk rocker

Wednesday night's show at Duffy's wasn't an all ages event, so Evan had to stay home. And since we didn't have a babysitter, Dad had to stay home, too. But Mom did get to go out and she and Evan's Aunt Carla got to play like groupies and witness the reunion of the DK'd Willies. Three members of the original early 80's band: Uncle Daniel, Bill Bored, and Eric Peterson, kicked out the jams with buddy Brooke Taylor on vocals and the next generation -- DK Jr. (Daniel's son Damon)-- filling in on guitar. It was loud, it was punk, and the crowd was appreciative. The DKW even inspired a small contingent of able-bodied youngsters to mosh. I'm sure Evan would have loved to see his cousin on stage and his uncle drumming up a storm in his boxer shorts (you had to be there).

It was also great to see Heidi Ore and Jon Taylor's band, Domestica, play last night. Oh, to be 28 again.

For more video from the DKW show (don't expect much in the way of sound or video quality), go to YouTube.

meet the Willie the Wiggler

Snake #3

Evan's dad came home from his Saturday morning bike ride with a treasure for Evan. He found this nice-sized garter snake on the trail in Wilderness Park, secured him in a plastic bag recycled from a trash can, and peddled home with his catch in his jersey pocket. Oh boy.

He's a feisty fellow and we'll see if he eats any better than the last two snakes (#1 was let free, #2 died in captivity). We made a trip to PetCo last night after work to pick up some tasty frozen pinkies (baby mice).

Thanks a lot, Dad.

Soccer-to-me

Evan started playing YMCA micro-soccer this month and seems to really enjoy it. For a kid who is really into reptiles, it was a stroke of luck to be assigned to the Gators (although Evan said it would be better to be on a team named the Snakes). He's a speedy guy and has a natural talent for staying on the ball. He's played t-ball for the past two summers and is signed up again this year, but I think soccer's activity level is a better match for Evan.

And he scored his first goal on Sunday. Woohoo, Evan!

Easter

Easter was a little chilly this year, hence the corduroys and fleece. At least we didn't need to worry about Easter eggs going bad in the sun.

Dragon time

Dragon time
Originally uploaded by katkimchee.

More art from Evan. This was created in his kindergarten art class. Evan's really into Pokemon cards right now, so the 100,000 HP reference is something that appears on the cards (and shows up in a lot of Evan's artwork).

Spring is on the way? Really?

Spring is on the way? Really?
Originally uploaded by katkimchee.

We woke to a snowstorm this morning and are staying in our pjs -- school's cancelled!

Warning sign

Another example of Evan's written messages.

Several weeks ago, Evan was angry because he had been sent to his room. He created this warning and posted it on his bedroom door.

I especially appreciated the mixed media - the use of ball point pen, markers, pinking shears and a plastic lizard.

Says it all.

Heep o' Blon

I think it's good practice to make note of possible band names, for the future when you and your posse get together and prepare for your first gig. Evan brought home this cryptic art/note that he'd created. So just what does "Heep of Blon" mean? Sounds like a perfect band name to me, but to what does it refer?

"Heap of Blood?" -- definitely a metal band

"Heap of Blondes?" -- all grrrl group

"Heap of Blowin'?" -- lots of horns

With kindergarden-level authorship, you learn quickly to use phonetic tools for interpretation. However, I was way off with this one. According to Evan, it's: "Heap of Balloons." Ahh, so it's a pop group.

More snow on the way

This winter has certainly graced us with much more snow than in recent years. Of course, I'm reminded by family in Colorado that we have nothing on them (but hey, tell it to the Northeast). The forecast is for another "instense winter storm" beginning with rain tonight and continuing tomorrow with 6-8" of snow.

The skateboard that Evan received from Santa isn't getting much use, but the sled, snowboard, and snow shovel have been getting lotsa action.

Scritch scratch

Evan's aunt Carla returned yesterday evening from her annual trip to Florida. She visits friends and gets in some winter golfing and shopping. And each time she returns, she brings cool-o gifts for Evan.

This year, it was a gator claw back scratcher. Yep, that's a real taxidermified alligator paw. I can't decide whether it creeps me out or satisfies me when those out-of-reach itches strike. It will nicely complement the preserved gator head and foot Carla brought Evan as past gifts. Just a few more trips, and he'll be able to build his own gator . . . Frankengator.

I did enjoy the "Gator Droppings" that Evan also received: tiny chocolate and green-candy-covered sunflower seeds. Yum!

Evan's Airplane Day!

Evan's Airplane Day!
Originally uploaded by katkimchee.

Each year on February 22, we celebrate Evan's Airplane Day - the anniversary of his arrival from South Korea. Six years ago, Evan flew from Seoul to San Franciso to Denver (where he was greeted by his Gami and Grandpa George, aunts, uncles, and cousins) to Des Moines, where his mom and dad waited for their son to join his family.

This blog has been reluctantly on hiatus for the past several months.

After Evan began kindergarten last fall, his family experienced some highs and lows. in early September 2006 we traveled to Colorado to attend Aunt Jeanine's wedding to Kelly. It was a lovely, joyous event with family and old and new friends. Sadly, that celebration was the last time we saw Evan's Grandpa Rog, who passed away in late October. The following months, including the holidays, were a blur, but we're all doing fine and staying busy.

We'll try to post more frequently! Promise!

First day of school!

First day of school!
Originally uploaded by katkimchee.