Ninja Warrior

I can't believe this is the first time I'm mentioning "Ninja Warrior" on my blog since it's such a big thing at my house.  Maybe it's because I don't have much to do with it.  Also, we didn't have any photos until today, only video footage.  Kayla took a public speaking class today and she had to write a presentation to share with the class along with a visual aid.  Jason snapped these photos when I wasn't around.  The basement is in an atrocious state but I'm posting the pictures anyway.  One of these days I'll put some video footage on here to show what Ninja Warrior is really like.  Here is Kayla's speech:

Hello everyone! My name is Kayla LaFroth and I would like to tell you about something neat we do in my basement called “Ninja Warrior.” This is my basement.  

 My dad has put up wood-structures, ropes, a castle, and more! At least twice a year we do something called Ninja Warrior. My dad got the inspiration for this from the Japanese show called Ninja Warrior! There are four stages of obstacle courses that you try to pass. Each stage gets harder as you go along. If you don’t pass a stage, you are eliminated.

There are obstacles such as the Cliffhanger, 

  

  the Swinging Bars, 

the Can Walk,

the Peg Board,

 and The Tarzan Swing.

We invite friends to come do it and only the best make it to the end. If you complete all 4 stages, you receive a medal and $20.00! My dad films us as we go through the stages and edits it into movies that we call seasons. We have done 5 seasons so far, each season getting harder than the last one. Doing this has helped to increase my strength, balance, and overall physical fitness. Ninja Warrior is challenging but also very fun. Maybe some of you could join us for Season 6!

Harpers Ferry

A few weeks ago we visited the historical town of Harpers Ferry, WV where Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet.  This town changed hands between Confederate and Union forces 8 times during the civil war.  It is also the place where the abolitionist John Brown led a raid.  The kids love to visit this place, not because they are interested in the history, but because they love to play in the river and eat ice cream afterwards! :)  The river is full of goose droppings and it is a painful place to walk barefoot, but if you can get past that and remember to wear your water shoes (I'll be bringing mine next time), you should be fine! 

Learn more about Harpers Ferry here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpers_Ferry,_West_Virginia

What a mess!

Have you ever accidently let a piece of paper slip into a load of wash? You open the washing machine and find tiny shreds of paper stuck on everything, it’s a royal pain. Well, today I did something a million times worse-- I somehow let a PULL-UP slip into my load of wash! The mess I found upon opening my washing machine is difficult to describe. A million—no, make that a billion—particles of super absorbent polymer all over everything. IT WAS A DISASTER!!!! I don't wish it upon anyone!

Book Review--Les Miserables

I just finished reading the unabridged version of Les Miserables, 1488 pages. I read an abridged version in college and thought it was absolutely wonderful. I imagined the unabridged version would only be more wonderful. This is what I expected when I began:

• To finish the book in less than a month and most likely in less than 2 weeks.
• To love, love, love it, as much as Jane Eyre if not more.
• To be moved and inspired.

 What was the reality?

• It took me almost 6 months to read. That sets a record for the longest amount of time it has taken me to read a classic.
• I loved parts of the book but I felt extremely irritated and annoyed at other parts.
• I was moved and inspired but not nearly as much as I expected and mostly because the feelings of irritation and annoyance heavily overshadowed the positive feelings.

What went wrong? How could I not love this book that is so beloved by so many people? The fact of the matter is, I do love the story. Jean Valjean is a character to remember and reflect on and try to be like. The story is a classic that everyone should read but please, READ AN ABRIDGED VERSION! It pains me to say that. This is the first time in my life I have recommended an abridged classic and I wish I didn’t feel that way but I do. As I read, I felt like I was pushing my way through thick forests of historical side notes and unnecessary diversions, trying to get back to the beautiful story, it was very frustrating. And I love history, I devour history books, I don’t know why it bothered me so much. As soon as I finished the book I went to the used book store to pick up an abridged version. Why? Because the story really is that good and I wanted to find a version that I could recommend to others. I was actually tempted to edit the book myself to make sure nothing important was missed. I so wanted to love this book but I didn't. (Big sigh).  Read this story, but try to read a version that is 900 pages or less.

I wrote this a couple weeks ago but never posted it.  I'm posting it now but adding that this book did affect me in a good way and I'm feeling its effects at the weeks wear on.  Every time I've been faced with the choice of doing the right thing even though it's hard and I don't want to do it, I've thought of Jean Valjean and it has inspired me to do the right thing, even when it's hard.  Wonderful story.

Mothers

I've been wanting to get on and post the happenings of the LaFroths lately but I just haven't found time to download photos and write the posts.  So, I'm just posting a clip to a little video I saw today and loved. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYLKVgwztY

I love being a mom, I really do.  It is a dream come true.  Some days are hard, some days are exhausting, some hours are exhausting, and sometimes I feel that I just can't do all that I should be doing.  But...I wouldn't trade this life for anything.  There are wonderful days, wonderful hours, and priceless moments to treasure forever.