The party commenced with the pinning the Spiderman on the web:


After searching for the hidden kryptonite (those sneaky bad guys!), everyone turned into superheros, actually, they put on superhero t-shirts (thank you Old Navy super clearance tables). Then it was off to the first mission: Get the BAD GUYS! Tie them up with super powers rope (toilet paper) and reveal their true identities!





Famished from their first mission, our superheroes come in for some "Hero" sandwiches, super fruit and the birthday ice cream cake.

Here are our heroes in action:






One overzealous superhero assists in the blowing out of the cake candles.



His assistance turns out to be unnecessary. So, there is a "Do-over".


The two superheroes make up.


On with the action.






Our superheroes had to unwind a spider's web to get their treat bags.



In the end, Lucas really does become his most favorite superhero of all:

IRONMAN!

And all my boys can say is...

Wow Mom. YOU'RE Super!

Christmas was low key for the Deaton Family this year. We attempted to keep Christmas simple, but like this snowball, it just grew and grew...


So it began.

A week before Christmas, the east coast was his with a major snow storm. This affected us, in that we were snowed in for a few days. It ended up being quite fun. The neighbors all came out for snow fights, sledding and the building of a gigantic snowman and impressive snow forts with connecting tunnels. In the evenings, the adults got together to socialize and spread the holiday cheer.

Christmas Eve was an exercise in hyperactivity. See demonstration below:

The following morning, Christmas Day:

Diego's forced smile

Happy Birthday Uncle Luke!

Blurbs in the blog

Birthday Boy!

The months have flown by and keeping up the blog has fallen by the wayside. I've committed however to make an attempt, however poor to keep loved ones informed and for us, a record of our adventure here in Virginia and here in life.

Lucas celebrated his 2nd birthday January 18th. He wanted a chocolate cake and a tricycle. He got both.

Lucas is growing into a child with a huge personality. He often has us laughing with his wit. He calls pine trees "poke-U-pines" for obvious reasons. Thanks to his brother, he has remarkable potty humour, that I'm afraid we sometimes encourage with our laughter. It may come back to haunt us I'm sure, but it sure is cute. He is a bubble of sweetness, two-year-old sweetness (all parents know what I mean), but sweetness just the same.

The happy baker has a sample

The new semester brought a new load of work for Juan. Needless to say, he is very busy. He makes it home for meals and sometimes takes the evening off but mostly he is at the lab working. Juan is getting through his course work, but finds it very challenging; intellectually, emotionally and physically. He is superb at balancing his life the best he can, and I know, by how he acts, that his family is his first priority. The boys adore him. When Daddy is around, Mom is 'chopped liver', not even able to zip up a coat as good as Daddy, and I don't mind it a bit.


"Once there was a snowman..."

I am keeping the home together, and am coming to enjoy motherhood in a way I haven't before. I'm enjoying them more and I expect the bumps in the road, so that when they do occur, I'm not as bothered. Those who know me well, may be surprised to know that I'm improving in domestic activities (by my own choice even!); I cook more/better, I bake bread (though nothing I would ever give away or take credit for to those outside my family), I've begun a vegetable garden (we'll see how that goes), and I . . . SCRAPBOOK! Actually, I've finally had printed four years worth of photo and am putting them in albums, nothing fancy, just the photo and some writing.

Diego is still in preschool and doing well at it. He has been taking Kung Fu at our gym and loves it so much, we are considering private lessons for him. Diego is growing and learning well. He is my sensitive, passionate and intense boy , that I think may do big things in life or at least will do things in a big way.

At a restaurant

Future blackmail material

The saga of 'Bird Killer Kitty'

When we first visited Shadow Lakes Village in July of last year, scouting for a place to live, we saw, as we drove away from seeing what was to become our future home, a cat walking up the street with something bright colored and bulky hanging from it's neck. We slowed down the car, and looked closer. It appeared that someone had fastened what looked like to us, a ridiculous bib around it's neck. We discussed that maybe someone was teasing the cat, "Could it be dangerous for him?" we asked. "Maybe we should take it off?". We finally chose the path of apathy and drove away with Juan quipping "Just ask it what it had for dinner." Ha Ha, we had a good laugh at that one.

Fast forward to November, 2008:

Due to a large amount of bird feeders, (which go hand in hand with bird watchers) our de-clawed, rescued pound cat, turned mouser (in Idaho) has turned bird killer (in Virginia). This crime carries a heavy penalty; the politically correct version of the 'kitty stocks' (see photo above). It's a punishment of shame really. Max became quite fit and svelte after we moved here. He roamed Shadow Lakes with as much of a swagger as a cat can. He was cool, yes, even a 'cool cat'.

Now, he's embarrassed to go outside. He has gained weight and when he walks around with his "cat bib", as it's called, he really seems ashamed. He steps timidly and keeps a low profile, skulking around in the shadows. He does all he can to escape without the bib, so we have to put the law on him (see video below).

The bird watchers are happy and so I figure it not worth asserting my cat's rights (Shadow Lakes Village does have a Pet Task Force to whom I can appeal). Juan vows to paint a lobster on the bib. In fact, when we see Max bibbed, we have a whole list of jokes that get us going; "How was dinner Max?" is always the first. I don't think this helps his self esteem very much.

So, if you're ever in Virginia, near Shadow Lakes Road in Blacksburg, and you see a cat or two wearing bibs (ordered from Australia by the way), know they have committed heinous acts that have requesitioned them to their punishment so that they can kill no more. And if you happen to see one with a lobster painted on it, slow down, roll down your window and say "Max, did you enjoy your dinner?"

Why I no longer put them in time out in the same room:

Diego shows off on his scooter

The boys being silly

We send our love to you all. We are busy and life, though not perfect is good.

Love, The Deatons ( & "Bird Killer Kitty")

Christmas Everywhere!

Diego on his new scooter (Spiderman of course!)

This Christmas was celebrated twice in our family this year. Once in Virginia on December 18th and again on the real Christmas day in Silver City, New Mexico at Juan's brother Richard's and his wife Amanda's home.

Cristina made an impromptu pinata (MacGyver has nothing on her)

Fun was had by everyone and the big surprise was a photo given to Juan's Mom from Richard and Amanda for Christmas that Cristina could not figure out. She showed everyone and finally, Richard said "It's an ultrasound". Juan's mom said "an ultrasound? ...of what?" (I don't think Cristina had actually seen an ultrasound of a fetus before). It was a great surprise and what good news to bring in the new year.

The boys were spoiled rotten and ate way too much sugar. We're just now beginning to reign in control of Diego again. All the change, excitement and bad eating seemed to affect him (and I think Mom and Dad were getting a little lax too).

Christmas in New Mexico

Juan is still on break from school, though he went on a business trip this week to D.C. He said the city is starting to seem surreal as it gets ready for Obama's inauguration. Traffic is already terrible, Juan's adviser lives on Capital Hill and says he will not be leaving his home on inauguration day, even for a walk. I guess its something you have to experience to see how crazy it gets. Juan still is busy with his research during what is left of break and he is gearing up for next semester.

I'm busy of course and trying to lose a few holiday pounds. They come on quick and leave ever so much slower as time goes on (I suppose I should be doing the happy dance if that is my main worry).

We are still doing well and hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year!

Lucas in Truck Heaven

...and What did Santa Leave?

'knock knock' jokes on Christmas Eve

Scary Politics and Halloween

Shadow Lakes Village

Ahhhh the serenity of our little neighborhood in Blacksburg. We call ourselves Shadowlakes Village. Below is a view of a main portion of the community. We have a common owned building where the community eats meals together twice a week. We have children's activities, work days in which the community cleans up the "common grounds". I sign up for a weekly cleaning chore at the common house. The homes are built close together and cars are not allowed to drive up to the homes, requiring neighbors to walk in front of each others' homes and actually interact. The development, or in actuality a 'co-housing community' (feel free to google it if you're curious), has preserved some of the native forest in which we are located, hence the woods directly across the walkway from our house (see earlier entry), which backs up against a local preserve called 'Brown's farm', and Brown's farm sits directly across a street from Brush Mountain's hiking trail that leads one to Pandapas pond up this small mountain side. It is really ideal for us as we have been so welcomed by the community and have already made friends here. It is like a small church town, like Menan, within the town of Blacksburg. People who want to be connected to people as they live their lives. People have commented on how well we have transitioned into activity in the neighborhood and how comfortable we seem here, so I tell them stories about Menan and they understand because it is places like Menan, in terms of small town helpfulness, know everything about you, say 'hi' to seven people as you go for a walk, and don't tell anyone your sick or you'll get a casserole type of community that the founders of this place were trying to replicate. Those who have relocated here have done so specifically for the connections and enriching relationships they feel they get here. Sounds a little hippy-ish? Hhhmmmm. Maybe a little mormonish? Double hhmmmm. When people relate closely like this, there can be bumps and it seems to work only as well as the general kindness and generousity of the people (in my great Sociology-as-a-minor-in-college opinion) who live here. I can truthfully say, it works well here and we love it.

View from the Common house

Interestingly though, in this time of political ferver in our great state of Virginia (where my presidential vote actually matters - sorry Idahoans), one would have to be postmortem not to sense the political flavor of our Shadowlakes community. I'll give you two guesses. Nope. Not Republican (good try though).

In all of the thirty three homes in Shadow lakes Village, there is only one non-Democrat besides ourselves. Meet Larry.



Larry let me take his photo on halloween night as he sat outside his home in his robe and sleep apnea mask to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters. It was the closest thing he had to a costume I think. I wonder how he'd feel if he new it was now posted on the web (I guess there's a lesson there about bathrobes, sleep apnea masks and letting neighbors take photos of you -oh good, none of that applies to me).

Not only is our community nearly totally Democrats (of which I have no problem with), they are extremely and actively politicized and a highly educated and informed bunch (which makes me concerned that they may come to have a problem with me). Consequently, through a series of passive non-actions and deciding to keep my mouth shut (hard to believe I know) in many a conversation, Juan and I have inadvertently become what we call, 'closet Republicans', or maybe the more truthful term would be 'closet non-Democrats' as we formally belong to no particular political party. It has gone so far that if I let it out that I may not vote Democratic in the Presidential election tomorrow, that there will be those who will be embarrassed about the comments they have made about conservatives and Republicans, at the time not realizing that I was a wolf was among them in Democratic wool. Oh, I have been a fly on the wall, and at times have wanted to fly, fly away. Though I seriously take no offense, because I think those speaking most genuinely (or is it just generally) like me and I too have been known to put my foot in my mouth a time or two (or three).

Yesterday, I was asked by a fellow SLVer (that's our acronym, cool huh?) if I was a Democrat. I think I mumbled something about swing voter and started to talk about Larry. I think I skated out of that one, but I'll be glad when it's all over tomorrow night and the intensity drops a couple of notches. Though if McCain wins, I fear it will be rough going for a while as frustrations will be vented, events put under verbal microscopes, and every hypothesis examined again and again. The community is going to watch the voting returns tomorrow night at the common house. I think I'll stay home.

Now that I've gone on and on about things you don't really care about, lets get to the real show; the grandkids!

Here are a bunch of photos of our goings on.

Diego helping me make cookies.

How Diego and Lucas REALLY help me make cookies.

Halloween night was great. The whole community makes it so much fun for everyone, adult and child alike. No trunk or treating. It was like the Halloweens I remember as a kid. Neighbors out visiting and laughing, a spook alley of sorts set up between houses. People tended to be health conscious too. The kids got more wholesome treats and people (including myself) made homemade goodies and put them in baggies labeling who made them so that the parents knew they were safe. Diego was given a glow stick and he and a neighbor's visiting grandson went around after trick-or-treating was over and yelled "Happy Halloween" to everyone they saw out visiting on their porches. People wished them Happy Halloween back.
Lucas mastered the trick-or-treating ritual after a couple of run throughs and everyone said "aahhh" at how cute he was saying "twitertwit" in his bear costume.

Diego was a very dangerous ninja with many "cool" ninja moves. The ninja tricks that Diego does is not to be confused as "fancy", or "neat", or "hard", or "tough". If you say one of these terms, or any other, in describing Diego's ninja mastery, you will be corrected in a manner that makes you feel you have missed the obvious. They are "cool".

(I fear for the bear)


Here are some photos of us in our wanderings on a Sunday drive.

We found two old covered bridges.

Pictures of the boys at Brown's farm

I'm threatening sleep deprivation, so I better sign off. Love to you all. We enjoy any email or phone call we can get. Keep us posted on how you all are doing.

Love again,

The Deaton clan

Fall Happenings

Time is moving faster than ever before. A week goes by, and I wonder "Wow, how did that happen so fast?", and then another week and another with all the same resulting feeling that I'm just hanging on to the hands of time, trying not to get spun around too much.

Juan is working hard at school of course. It has been very demanding for him both intellectually and mentally. It is a continuing adjustment for him to be a student and to catch up on his math skills. He is seeing the results of his hard work though and I'm sure he will continue to do well in the future also.

Diego is loving Preschool and the head teacher tells me he has made some good friends. One little girl in particular thinks Diego is the 'Cats Pajamas'. Mrs. Putnam, Diego's teacher, says he is pretty popular among the children. It makes me pause and wonder "Whats going on here?". Not that I doubt his lovability, but any of you who know Diego know that he can be, shall we say wound up a little tightly. It wasn't until I went to his preschool to bring his Birthday cupcakes for snack that I saw the master in action. I was impressed and aghast all at the same time. Diego was so well behaved, I thought someone performed a personality transplant when my back was turned. At first I WAS pleased and then I realized that he could be doing this at home, a little more often at least!!! Then entered the aghast emotion. I guess when it comes to good behavior, we take what we can get.Cassidy and Grace are two of Diego's good buddies in our neighborhood

Diego had a great Birthday I think. He was sung Happy birthday to four different times, presented with cake or cupcakes three times and blew out two sets of candles. This all between preschool, home and a party. I've decided that from now on, I will simplify birthdays. This one felt more like a two day festival or holiday rather than a birthday.
Still, we are sooo happy to have Diego. He is fun and generous and huge ball of energy keeping Dad and I going all day and sometimes into the night. He is learning and growing well. How grateful I am to be a participant and observer as this happens.

Lucas. Lucas still makes the most sour face crack a smile with his "Hi" and "Bye". He is a favorite around the neighborhood among children and adults alike. He constantly wants to be running and so I have brought out the old baby sling to keep him fastened to me and less inclined to fight to run away. He actually has developed a love for the sling. He will bring it to me and say "ride". I go on long walks with him in the evening sometimes, when Diego is spending some time with Daddy, and Lucas will tuck his arms into the sling and burrow his head against my chest. It is really very sweet and makes me regret that he has to grow older.

The leaves are turning beautiful. We are not at peak color yet, or so the locals tell me, but I wonder how more colorful we can get. It is something to behold. I will try to get some photos in the blog when the fall foliage is full on so you can see.


Love to you all,

The Deatons

Diego opening presents