| You Are a Kinetic Learner |
 You learn best by doing, and you have a talent for complicated, physical tasks. You excel at athletics, drama, and fixing things. You would be an excellent Olympic athlete - or a Broadway star! |
Monday, July 31, 2006
Swiped from Sarah Louise:
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Hair, today.
The hair, which was washed, conditioned, styling misted and styled, for 30 minutes.
It takes that long to get it almost dry. Yes, my blow dryer is powerful and hot. Yes, I use metal core brushes - 4 of them, which get left rolled in the hair, smokin' hot.
I am hair inept. So, I blow dry my hair maybe once a month. The rest of the time? Air dried and then twisted up and held in a huge hair-clip thingy.
But it's not really my hair. It's hair I am growing for a little girl with alopacia, or going through chemo. Every 3 years, it is carefully brushed, banded into 3 big pony tails, cut above the bands, wrapped in thick plastic and boxed, and shipped to Locks of Love. Where it is combined with hair from 8 other people, and made into a wig for a child. Who doesn't have any hair.
So, I try to make it good hair, by eating good stuff and taking supplements, and not using too many chemicals and certainly not much blow drying. No siree - this hair has to be pretty pristine for that little girl who is patiently waiting. Which is mighty convenient for me - this hair of hers grows amazingly fast on this old head, and I then have the perfect excuse for not fixing my hair.
And honestly? I was All About Hair for so many years that this is just perfect.
If anyone you know is thinking about cutting off more than 10" of hair, please tell them about Locks of Love. Most salons will happily participate. And your hair can be colored. And the haircut is FREE!
Locks of Love
Friday, July 28, 2006
We are munching on grub from our garden!
Plump, juicy roma tomatoes.
Crisp, gleaming green peppers.
Luscious Cucumbers.
Fragrant bunches of basil.
Gobs of bok choy.
Just give me a shaker of salt.
Okay, and a steamer.
Soon we'll have beans, zukes and pickling cukes.
Watermelon? Maybe.
Pumpkins? YES!
And waist-high weeds. Which we will mercilessly attack tomorrow. The garden plot, initial plowing and tilling and all the water is provided by my K's employer. So K has done nearly all the work. Which is very much appreciated.
Crisp, gleaming green peppers.
Luscious Cucumbers.
Fragrant bunches of basil.
Gobs of bok choy.
Just give me a shaker of salt.
Okay, and a steamer.
Soon we'll have beans, zukes and pickling cukes.
Watermelon? Maybe.
Pumpkins? YES!
And waist-high weeds. Which we will mercilessly attack tomorrow. The garden plot, initial plowing and tilling and all the water is provided by my K's employer. So K has done nearly all the work. Which is very much appreciated.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Show & Tell Thursday: Sugar Bowls
Hey look! It's last week's Show & Tell - the Coffee Pot. And it's keeping company with the Dansk Sugar Bowl. The husband's bachelor pad china.
Next we have the Daily Raw Sugar. Oldest would point out that is his first Lego Bionicle in the background, which I could not quite get together properly, but which he loves anyway.
Next is the Lovely Coronado sugar bowl. It lives where it should; in the China Cabinet. With the rest of its kind. Away from hockey sticks and bats and flying objects.
Last is our frou-frou daily china sugar bowl, given to us as a wedding gift. I love it. The pattern is Noritake Royal Orchard. So pretty!
As requested by blackbird
and kitty cafe
And more affiant sayeth not.
Monday, July 24, 2006
A perfect day.
A hottish day.
A clear cool blue mountain water lake.
Lots of dappled shade.
The proper amount of sand.
Friendly, eager little sunfish.
I Huge, Rolling, free-floating, Slippery log.
4 kids, excited; 2 mothers, happy. 1 babysitter, athletic
Make that 2 mothers, really happy.
We spent 5 hours in the lake or on the shady shore. Not a cross word was heard.
The babysitter kept very close tabs of Dangerous Youngest. And played with all of them.
And Daring Oldest showed us his survival skills by floating on his back and kicking like mad for shore when he got into various pickles (Read: Over his head and lost his boogey board).
And me?
I spent hours; HOURS I'm telling you, floating, swimming, feeding sunfish, walking along the shore, snacking, visiting with my dear friend and just inhaling deeply an inch or so above the fresh, non-chlorinated lake water.
And thinking what a lucky woman I am most days.
A clear cool blue mountain water lake.
Lots of dappled shade.
The proper amount of sand.
Friendly, eager little sunfish.
I Huge, Rolling, free-floating, Slippery log.
4 kids, excited; 2 mothers, happy. 1 babysitter, athletic
Make that 2 mothers, really happy.
We spent 5 hours in the lake or on the shady shore. Not a cross word was heard.
The babysitter kept very close tabs of Dangerous Youngest. And played with all of them.
And Daring Oldest showed us his survival skills by floating on his back and kicking like mad for shore when he got into various pickles (Read: Over his head and lost his boogey board).
And me?
I spent hours; HOURS I'm telling you, floating, swimming, feeding sunfish, walking along the shore, snacking, visiting with my dear friend and just inhaling deeply an inch or so above the fresh, non-chlorinated lake water.
And thinking what a lucky woman I am most days.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Buying what You Buy.
First it was Joke's towels.
Now, it's shirts from Badger's favorite clothing store, Target.
What's next? Chocolate from Australia?!
Now, it's shirts from Badger's favorite clothing store, Target.
What's next? Chocolate from Australia?!
Friday, July 21, 2006
What flavor Ice Cream are you?
| You Are Chocolate Chip Ice Cream |
 You are kind, popular, and generous. You tend to be successful at anything you try. A social butterfly, you are great at entertaining a crowd. You are most compatible with strawberry ice cream. |
Show & Tell Thursday: Coffee Maker
Here is what serves the daily java around here
Coffee Maker
We also have a little espresso machine, which got moved out for a buffet dinner months ago, and I cannot now locate.
As requested by PJ via Blackbird.
Coffee Maker
We also have a little espresso machine, which got moved out for a buffet dinner months ago, and I cannot now locate.
As requested by PJ via Blackbird.
Dull
It's been SSDD here - but with the absence of the Dad. Who is visiting his parents out of State. And I have been having alot of medical checkups which were scheduled before we knew he would making the trips - yes; he's leaving town again as soon as he gets back. I haven't told the boys. I like to spring stuff on them.
And I've lost the handy-dandy cable that makes the digital camera talk to the computer, and share things.
Dull.
But - I'm reading and commenting. You guys? Are not dull at all! You're brilliant!
And I've lost the handy-dandy cable that makes the digital camera talk to the computer, and share things.
Dull.
But - I'm reading and commenting. You guys? Are not dull at all! You're brilliant!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Sunday Meme: Queer ?'s for the Queasy& Quaint
You are cordially invited to borrow this meme of queer questions for the queasy and quaint.
I stold it from blackbird who lifted it from stuff and junk.
GRUB-OLOGY
• What is your salad dressing of choice?
I love French vinaigrette. Preferable eaten in a Paris restaurant. The ones I make are pretty good...but never taste like the ones made in Paris.
• What is your favorite fast food restaurant?
Chik Fil A - it is nearby.
• What is your favorite sit down restaurant?
A restaurant called Bloom that is nearby.
• On average, what size tip do you leave at a restaurant?
15 - 20%.
• What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Mexican.
• Name three foods you detest above all others.
Organ meats, Spam, rutabegas.
• What is your favorite dish to order in a Chinese restaurant?
Garlic chicken.
• What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Kitchen Sink.
• What do you like to put on your toast?
Icy chips of sweet butter and raspberry jam.
• What is your favorite type of gum?
Don't chew it, but used to love bubble gum.
BI-OLOGY
• What do you consider to be your best physical attribute?
The right side of my face
• Are you right handed or left handed?
Righty
• Do you like your smile?
Yes.
• Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Tonsils, Fibroids, thyroid.
And sadly, 5 dead embryos or fetuses. Horrible.
• Would you like to?
Please - No more souvenirs for surgeons from my body! Enough!
• Which of your five senses do you think is keenest?
Smell - I am darn near neanderthal in this sense.
• When was the last time you had a cavity?
Can't remember.
• What is the heaviest item you lift regularly?
Our 45-pound youngest, regularly.
• Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
Yes: At 14, in a car roll-over, and then for 8 surgeries with anesthesia
MISC-OLOGY
• If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No.
• If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?
Depends on circumstances.
• How do you express your artistic side?
I create stuff w/textiles and yarn (sewing and knitting sounds boring!)
I paint and draw with my sons
I cook and plate beautiful arrangements
I write
• What color do you think you look best in?
Lime green or periwinkle
• How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison?
I hope to never find out.
• Have you ever swallowed a non-food item by mistake?
Yes.
• If we weren’t bound by society’s conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at?
No. I like my 70 first cousins, but not THAT much.
• How often do you go to church?
Never.
• Have you ever saved someone’s life?
Yes. My sister's. I pulled her out of violent surf by her hair and left arm in Creta, Greece. I don't know where I found the strength, but I THREW her up on shore. She was 15.
• Has someone ever saved yours?
Yes.
DARE-OLOGY
For this last section, if you would do it for less or more money, indicate how much.
• Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000?
I'd do it for less!
• Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100?
Yes, but no tongues.
• Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000?
Depends. Possibly if there were another 0 added to the number. Nah - probably not. I'd be laughing too hard.
• Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000?
No.
• Would you never blog again for $50,000?
No.
• Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000?
I've done it for much less.
• Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
No.
• Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000?
Yes. Pick any rapist or child sex abuser. But I'd need therapy afterwards.
• Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000?
Yes. And donate the hair off my head to Locks of Love.
Yes, easily. I'd give it up for $1,000.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Oh yeah, saving LOTS of time and $$$ here!
HA!
"I'll do Oldest's party and save us a TON of money!"
"How difficult can it be?"
How could I have been this ignorant?
I have spent PLENTY on this party.
I have done research for age-appropriate games.
For wily, clever 5, 6 and 7 yos.
Some of whom are autistic.
This wasn't easy. Why did I think it would be? WHAT PLANET HAVE I BEEN LIVING ON?
I said Drop Off so I would not have to entertain parents.
I think only 2 parents are dropping off!
And...
You know
I.
Hate.
Potluck.
EVERYONE is hinting that they will bring 'something'. I have repeatedly stated "That something better just be your child and possibly a gift."
If this turns into a 7 hour potluck I am going to be pissed.
It's happened before.
"I'll do Oldest's party and save us a TON of money!"
"How difficult can it be?"
How could I have been this ignorant?
I have spent PLENTY on this party.
I have done research for age-appropriate games.
For wily, clever 5, 6 and 7 yos.
Some of whom are autistic.
This wasn't easy. Why did I think it would be? WHAT PLANET HAVE I BEEN LIVING ON?
I said Drop Off so I would not have to entertain parents.
I think only 2 parents are dropping off!
And...
You know
I.
Hate.
Potluck.
EVERYONE is hinting that they will bring 'something'. I have repeatedly stated "That something better just be your child and possibly a gift."
If this turns into a 7 hour potluck I am going to be pissed.
It's happened before.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
More More Meme - 62 Things
1. How old do you wish you were? 35. I was in perfect shape, physically and emotionally.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened?I was home, with Oldest, who was 14 months old, our Nanny and her husband, who was our housekeeper. She screamed for her husband when I clicked through the channels looking for PBS for Oldest, and we all three sat down and hugged each other and the baby and cried.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? N/A
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes. But I rarely give 2nd chances. And I am a Really Mean person when and if I need to be.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? HAD TO?! I would hope to never have to join such a Club.
6. If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? Spanish.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Most of them. We have been really lucky in this hood.
8. What do you consider a vacation? Travel AWAY from home, with cooks, cleaning staff and gardeners lined up. Cruises work well.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? No.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Depends where. If it's an undesirable place, we would maintain 2 households. Our little one needs special ed - everything would hinge on what was available elsewhere.
11. Are you touchy feely? Depends.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? Yes. My husband and I are living proof.
13. Dream job? I'm doing it. Staying home with our sons and paying myself well.
14. Favorite channels? N/A
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? The mountains.
16. Showers or Bath? Long, steamy bubble baths. In the winter. Otherwise, Long, steamy showers. With top-drawer soaps.
17. Do you paint your nails? Nail tech does. French Mani.
18. Do you trust people easily? Not so much.
19. What are your phobias? Heights and me are not a good match.
20. Do you want kids? Just Two and I'm Through. And I love them to pieces.
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? No.
22. Where would you rather be right now? Getting a massage.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? Cold, Hard Cash.
24. Heavy or light sleep? Heavy.
25. Are you paranoid? No.
26. Are you impatient? Yes.
27. Who can you relate to? Other mothers, kids.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? No problemo. We are a bi-racial family.
29. Have you been burned by love? Usually the Burner, not the Burnee.
30. Whats your life motto? "Slow Down! There is no prize for finishing first."
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Whatever it came with 5 years ago.
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Snoozing away.
33. Who was your last text message from? Don't know nothin' about textin' no messages.
34. Who's bed did you sleep in last night? Ours, with Oldest, sans dh. (who was working)
35. What color shirt are you wearing? White Polo.
36. Most recent movie you watched? Can't remember! MI-5 series on tv (NetFlix)
37. Name five things you have on you at all times? Scars, freckles, hair, aches & guilt
38. What color are your bed sheets? This week they are Raymond Waites taupy floral.
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? $2.00? I never carry cash.
40. What is your favorite part of a chicken? Thighs.
41. What's your favorite town/city? US - Chicago, San Francisco or New York. Europe - Paris, Siena, London - depends on the time of year.
42. I cant wait till... We go to Hawaii for my sister's wedding!
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Isn't that TeenyBopper Heaven?
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Chicken Curry.
45. How tall are you barefoot? 5'5"
46. Have you ever smoked crack? Yes. Over 25 years ago. I inhaled, coughed, coughed, hacked, gagged and then puked. Then had diahrrea. Lovely!
47. Do you own a gun? Yes.
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water following by coffee w/cream.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My wit and sense of humor.
50. Do you have A.D.D.? Yes.
51. What time did you wake up today? 6:30 or earlier.
52. Current worry? My outta sight triglyceride levels.
53. Current hate? Parkinson's - it is killing my beautiful father in law.
54. Favorite place to be? Home with my boys.
55. Where would you like to travel? Anywhere. Although the Middle East and parts of Africa might be a bit dicey right now.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? Hopefully, right here.
57. Last thing you ate? Chicken Curry. Yes, 2 nights in a row.
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? I enjoy Peace and Quiet in the shower.
59. Last person that made you laugh? Oldest!
60. Worst injury you've ever had? One that hurt the most in the getting of it was dislocating my shoulder when I crashed a motorcycle I was learning how to drive. The one that hurt the most healing was a concussion I got rolling a car in a ditch when I was 14 and driving a bunch of drunk 21+'s yo's back from a liquor store. I am not kidding. They thought I was older. Yep - they were That Drunk.
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Both my sons want to marry me.
62. What is your favorite candy? I'm easy - make it Dark Chocolate and I'm Yours.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened?I was home, with Oldest, who was 14 months old, our Nanny and her husband, who was our housekeeper. She screamed for her husband when I clicked through the channels looking for PBS for Oldest, and we all three sat down and hugged each other and the baby and cried.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? N/A
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes. But I rarely give 2nd chances. And I am a Really Mean person when and if I need to be.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? HAD TO?! I would hope to never have to join such a Club.
6. If you could be fluent in any other language what would it be? Spanish.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Most of them. We have been really lucky in this hood.
8. What do you consider a vacation? Travel AWAY from home, with cooks, cleaning staff and gardeners lined up. Cruises work well.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? No.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Depends where. If it's an undesirable place, we would maintain 2 households. Our little one needs special ed - everything would hinge on what was available elsewhere.
11. Are you touchy feely? Depends.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? Yes. My husband and I are living proof.
13. Dream job? I'm doing it. Staying home with our sons and paying myself well.
14. Favorite channels? N/A
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? The mountains.
16. Showers or Bath? Long, steamy bubble baths. In the winter. Otherwise, Long, steamy showers. With top-drawer soaps.
17. Do you paint your nails? Nail tech does. French Mani.
18. Do you trust people easily? Not so much.
19. What are your phobias? Heights and me are not a good match.
20. Do you want kids? Just Two and I'm Through. And I love them to pieces.
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? No.
22. Where would you rather be right now? Getting a massage.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? Cold, Hard Cash.
24. Heavy or light sleep? Heavy.
25. Are you paranoid? No.
26. Are you impatient? Yes.
27. Who can you relate to? Other mothers, kids.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? No problemo. We are a bi-racial family.
29. Have you been burned by love? Usually the Burner, not the Burnee.
30. Whats your life motto? "Slow Down! There is no prize for finishing first."
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Whatever it came with 5 years ago.
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Snoozing away.
33. Who was your last text message from? Don't know nothin' about textin' no messages.
34. Who's bed did you sleep in last night? Ours, with Oldest, sans dh. (who was working)
35. What color shirt are you wearing? White Polo.
36. Most recent movie you watched? Can't remember! MI-5 series on tv (NetFlix)
37. Name five things you have on you at all times? Scars, freckles, hair, aches & guilt
38. What color are your bed sheets? This week they are Raymond Waites taupy floral.
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? $2.00? I never carry cash.
40. What is your favorite part of a chicken? Thighs.
41. What's your favorite town/city? US - Chicago, San Francisco or New York. Europe - Paris, Siena, London - depends on the time of year.
42. I cant wait till... We go to Hawaii for my sister's wedding!
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Isn't that TeenyBopper Heaven?
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Chicken Curry.
45. How tall are you barefoot? 5'5"
46. Have you ever smoked crack? Yes. Over 25 years ago. I inhaled, coughed, coughed, hacked, gagged and then puked. Then had diahrrea. Lovely!
47. Do you own a gun? Yes.
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water following by coffee w/cream.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My wit and sense of humor.
50. Do you have A.D.D.? Yes.
51. What time did you wake up today? 6:30 or earlier.
52. Current worry? My outta sight triglyceride levels.
53. Current hate? Parkinson's - it is killing my beautiful father in law.
54. Favorite place to be? Home with my boys.
55. Where would you like to travel? Anywhere. Although the Middle East and parts of Africa might be a bit dicey right now.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 yrs? Hopefully, right here.
57. Last thing you ate? Chicken Curry. Yes, 2 nights in a row.
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? I enjoy Peace and Quiet in the shower.
59. Last person that made you laugh? Oldest!
60. Worst injury you've ever had? One that hurt the most in the getting of it was dislocating my shoulder when I crashed a motorcycle I was learning how to drive. The one that hurt the most healing was a concussion I got rolling a car in a ditch when I was 14 and driving a bunch of drunk 21+'s yo's back from a liquor store. I am not kidding. They thought I was older. Yep - they were That Drunk.
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Both my sons want to marry me.
62. What is your favorite candy? I'm easy - make it Dark Chocolate and I'm Yours.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Planning a 6-year old's Party.
Well, I'm NOT actually planning Oldest's party right this minute. NO! I'm reading your blog and doing other avoidance behaviors. What's next? Washing the floors? Dyeing my hair? (No. Did it already. Never mind) Sorting through a closet? NO! I AM working on this party plan! Right Now! This very Minute! As in HEY! We have a plan, Cosmo!
Note: "Prizes" are a dip into the candy bowl
Theme: Sponge Bob
Arrival Activity:
Kiddy Bocce:
Each child gets 2 ball-pit balls with their names written in Sharpie. Adult lines up chilluns and then Adult tosses a bigger ball (the 'pallino' or "P" as it's usually called) a ways out. The children then sorta take turns throwing their ball-pit balls trying to get as close to the "P" as they can. Much measuring (BDay Boy will weild the measuring tape). Prizes for closest, furthest, worst throw, best attention, etc.
Everyone's Here! Activity:
Water Blasters, Bubbles, Water Balloons, Pistols, Pools, Slip N Slides. Prizes for tricks on the Slip N Slide. I think. Maaaaaaybe Not - don't want to encourage ridiculous behavior. Don't want to send them home bruised and bleeding...
Gone Fishin'! Activity:
The boys and babysitter will make an 'ocean' today -- Sheet painted with water, fish, seashells, Sponge Bob characters. Said sheet will then be hung across a clothesline placed Very Very High at the party. We will have a fishing pole rigged up from a broom handle, string and clothespin. The children will 'fish' using gummy worms clothespinned to the string, flung over the sheet. Adult will then replace worm with a fish or pool diving toy, and give the fisherman a bit of a fight for the reel back in, depending on the size of the fisherman. We will call out "Small Fry" so the Adult doesn't jerk a little one off his pins, forever traumatizing them for Party Games.
Rocket Dogs Rockets Activity:
We have two Rocket Dog rockets where you use your foot to Blast Off the rocket. We will line the children up in 2 lines and have 2 compete for highest rocket. Prizes for who is highest, best form, best attention, etc.
Sponge Bob Puzzle Race:
The children will draw numbers and then form teams of 2 or 3 to race to put a Sponge Bob puzzle together. We have a few 60-piece puzzles. This is the wind-down indoor activity waiting for pizzas to arrive.
PIZZA! Yes, we have Sponge Bob plates! Don't forget to Use Them!
Pin Sponge Bob on Shark Activity:
Prizes awarded for closest to jaws, furthest from jaws, highest, lowest, most spins; everyone gets Candy.
Decorate Your Own Bucket Activity:
We'll have permanent markers (GASP!) and doo-dads in an ocean theme to stick on small buckets. The kids will need the buckets for their next activity:
Treasure Hunt Activity:
Adult will read clues to where piles of booty reside. Booty includes yo-yo's (full size, not those ridiculous little things), bags of Jelly Beans, Hot Wheels Cars, Gold Fish boxes, Goofy tape dispensers, and other goodies I am ON A MISSION to discover today. Maybe 6 different things.
CAKE Activity:
Self-explanatory. Costco cake. Picked up ahead of time, I hope.
Sponge Bob Pinata Activity:
Self explanatory. Please say prayers that no adult gets delivered a death-to-the gonads blow.
Final Waiting-For-Parental Pick-up Activity:
Sponge Bob Movie in the Theatre Room. Supervised by Attila the Husband.
And feel free: Chirp in here with Any Ideas.
Really.
Note: "Prizes" are a dip into the candy bowl
Theme: Sponge Bob
Arrival Activity:
Kiddy Bocce:
Each child gets 2 ball-pit balls with their names written in Sharpie. Adult lines up chilluns and then Adult tosses a bigger ball (the 'pallino' or "P" as it's usually called) a ways out. The children then sorta take turns throwing their ball-pit balls trying to get as close to the "P" as they can. Much measuring (BDay Boy will weild the measuring tape). Prizes for closest, furthest, worst throw, best attention, etc.
Everyone's Here! Activity:
Water Blasters, Bubbles, Water Balloons, Pistols, Pools, Slip N Slides. Prizes for tricks on the Slip N Slide. I think. Maaaaaaybe Not - don't want to encourage ridiculous behavior. Don't want to send them home bruised and bleeding...
Gone Fishin'! Activity:
The boys and babysitter will make an 'ocean' today -- Sheet painted with water, fish, seashells, Sponge Bob characters. Said sheet will then be hung across a clothesline placed Very Very High at the party. We will have a fishing pole rigged up from a broom handle, string and clothespin. The children will 'fish' using gummy worms clothespinned to the string, flung over the sheet. Adult will then replace worm with a fish or pool diving toy, and give the fisherman a bit of a fight for the reel back in, depending on the size of the fisherman. We will call out "Small Fry" so the Adult doesn't jerk a little one off his pins, forever traumatizing them for Party Games.
Rocket Dogs Rockets Activity:
We have two Rocket Dog rockets where you use your foot to Blast Off the rocket. We will line the children up in 2 lines and have 2 compete for highest rocket. Prizes for who is highest, best form, best attention, etc.
Sponge Bob Puzzle Race:
The children will draw numbers and then form teams of 2 or 3 to race to put a Sponge Bob puzzle together. We have a few 60-piece puzzles. This is the wind-down indoor activity waiting for pizzas to arrive.
PIZZA! Yes, we have Sponge Bob plates! Don't forget to Use Them!
Pin Sponge Bob on Shark Activity:
Prizes awarded for closest to jaws, furthest from jaws, highest, lowest, most spins; everyone gets Candy.
Decorate Your Own Bucket Activity:
We'll have permanent markers (GASP!) and doo-dads in an ocean theme to stick on small buckets. The kids will need the buckets for their next activity:
Treasure Hunt Activity:
Adult will read clues to where piles of booty reside. Booty includes yo-yo's (full size, not those ridiculous little things), bags of Jelly Beans, Hot Wheels Cars, Gold Fish boxes, Goofy tape dispensers, and other goodies I am ON A MISSION to discover today. Maybe 6 different things.
CAKE Activity:
Self-explanatory. Costco cake. Picked up ahead of time, I hope.
Sponge Bob Pinata Activity:
Self explanatory. Please say prayers that no adult gets delivered a death-to-the gonads blow.
Final Waiting-For-Parental Pick-up Activity:
Sponge Bob Movie in the Theatre Room. Supervised by Attila the Husband.
And feel free: Chirp in here with Any Ideas.
Really.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
5 Things Meme:
Knicked from Blackbird, who stole it from elsewhere:
5 Things In My Closet:
A double laundry hamper, half empty
Four sacks of goodies from hither and yon, full of treasure hunt items for Oldest's upcoming birthday party
An ironing board and iron
My First Holy Communion Dress and Veil (we were living in Okinawa for that momentous event, and my mother had to send to New York City for one that wouldn't itch me - every seam is French seamed)
A big clear plastic box of medical remedies, all a-jumble and up Very High
5 Things In My Car:
Three tubes of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in different colors
Dental Floss
Two straw sippy cups
Rubberneckers - an "I spy with my Little Eye" type of deck of cards
A Transponder to use on tollways and HOV lanes
5 Things in My Refrigerator:
Kafir Lime Leaves, big sprigs of Rosemary, fresh sage and basil
Vegetables we may or may not eat
Rockfish fillets waiting to be prepared tonight (eta: They were okay, nothing great)
Pink Lady apples
Lotsa Pickles
5 Things in My Purse:
Credit cards
2 Stamps
Receipt for Target to return any unused goodies from Oldest's party
Grocery store card
Medical ID card
5 Things In My Closet:
A double laundry hamper, half empty
Four sacks of goodies from hither and yon, full of treasure hunt items for Oldest's upcoming birthday party
An ironing board and iron
My First Holy Communion Dress and Veil (we were living in Okinawa for that momentous event, and my mother had to send to New York City for one that wouldn't itch me - every seam is French seamed)
A big clear plastic box of medical remedies, all a-jumble and up Very High
5 Things In My Car:
Three tubes of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmer in different colors
Dental Floss
Two straw sippy cups
Rubberneckers - an "I spy with my Little Eye" type of deck of cards
A Transponder to use on tollways and HOV lanes
5 Things in My Refrigerator:
Kafir Lime Leaves, big sprigs of Rosemary, fresh sage and basil
Vegetables we may or may not eat
Rockfish fillets waiting to be prepared tonight (eta: They were okay, nothing great)
Pink Lady apples
Lotsa Pickles
5 Things in My Purse:
Credit cards
2 Stamps
Receipt for Target to return any unused goodies from Oldest's party
Grocery store card
Medical ID card
Saturday, July 08, 2006
We have a Yellow Belt in Residence!
Oldest has been taking TaeKwonDo since March. It's probably been the best thing imaginable for him - he is painfully shy, very quiet, a sweet boy. Sweet boys are great around the house, but don't fare so well in their peer group. Since he's a July baby (he will be SIX soon!), we felt well within our rights to have him wait to go to Kindergarten as a young six v. a Very Young Five. Then I found our TaeKwonDo place, and it has been heaven-sent for him.
Oldest worked himself into a bit of a lather worrying about the test ahead of time; I could cheerfully deliver a swift uppercut to his father for talking ad nauseum a few days ago about it being fine and normal if Oldest was nervous and upset about the test! And also, it would be perfectly fine if he didn't pass the test! IDIOT! Gee, thanks for putting that clever idea in the kid's head! Oldest immediately got eyes the size of luncheon plates and commenced fretting and worrying. He woke up this morning without a care in the world - only concern was what to choose for breakfast. Then, here comes Daddy, trotting downstairs after breakfast has been prepared, eaten and cleaned up, bidding cheerful good mornings and then loudly declaring "Hey! It's TaeKwonDo Testing Day!" Oldest immediately knitted his eyebrows together and started worrying. Lovely. It was 9 a.m. He had a full five hours to dwell on it. We practiced his creed, counting, what belt meant what, some other things I thought might crop up.
We got there a half hour early so Oldest could gallop off some steam. No other small fry arrived for 15 minutes, so it was Oldest with 20 BIG kids - like high school and college aged. He tried to make himself invisible. Master Kim worked with him a bit and that loosened him up. Then four other Little Dragons showed up (4-6) and they started tearing around like the devil was on their heels. Everyone Oh'd and Ah'd seeing these darling little guys zipping around in the uniforms. Rosy apple-red cheeks and gleaming pearly whites, giggles and shrieks. So Cute. And one of them was my Very Own. One of the youngest two there.
There were many black belts there. Four were judges, and were eventually seated at a long, draped table. Two Korean men, one anglo man and one anglo woman. Oldest's group was called first - 3 college students testing for yellow, and the two smallest students. They tested the group of 3 oldest first, and I was praying Oldest was watching them do their routines. It took longer and they did more than I dreamed they would! My heart started pounding and I started getting really nervous - YIKES! Oldest has severe anxiety during tests - and he didn't know the entire routine at practice. He is the only white belt during his practice, and there are yellow and purple belt routines to go over. Anyway, Oldest and the other little one were called up, and the other kid took off like a rocket with his routine - leaving Oldest looking lost and forlorn. They have more than a few near misses and start giggling. The crowd giggles with them. The other boy almost fell over backward and did a Speedy Gonzales backshuffle and Parker stopped to watch. They were both giggling. The crowd was laughing. The Lead Judge called a stop to the routines, and had the other child go first while Oldest was seated and waiting. I could see Oldest getting pretty flushed - the backs of his ears were magenta. I started feeling sick to my stomach! Great! I have turned into my worst fear - the mother who collapses and pisses herself during her child's presentations! Master Kim saw that Parker was losing it, so he offered some words of immediate encouragement, which I think backfired. Parker then lost all confidence and his routine flew out the window. He ended up doing parts of it alone, parts of it shadowing Master Kim. I am now dying for him - I just know this is going to cork his TKD career, which means so much to him. But then he has a burst of confidence, I see his dimples appear and then a big grin - he remembers what to do! He finishes nicely. His form is pretty darn good. His gives a big bow and his little feet practically twiddle in midair with joy! He Is DONE. He Did It. I suddenly hear the crowd again. They are ohing and ahing his performance. A dad leans over to me and says "That is the cutest kid I have ever seen." I realize I have tears in my eyes. They spill over. I leaned back into my chair and started breathing again. Then I sat straight up again - all 5 of them are now up by the judges, and they are holding up boards for the students to break! Their are two groups, 3 older students and the 2 young ones. The other boy went first, and took 2 tries to break his board. The crowd applauded. Then it is Oldest's turn. I started to sweat bullets - he hasn't done much of this, and never very successfully with the yellow practice boards. Oldest stared intently at his board, steps-behind-steps and WHACK! The board snapped in two. Oldest stared at it in amazement. The crowd breaks into tremendous appplause. The judges give him alot of praise. The grin on Oldest is dazzling; I swear his molars made an appearance.
They then line them up, and critique every performance. Oldest seems to have lost the ability to speak. They cannot find a report card for his last term, and he cannot seem to answer the question "What grade are you in?" The judge asks "Parents, what grade is he going into?" I warble "Kindergarten, Ma'am" and find my voice is two octaves higher than normal. I curse myself for not bringing in his 20-page Montessori report, then think of the trouble I had deciphering it, and reckon I did the correct thing by leaving it home. Later I find that they discuss every single student's report card or GPA, the significance of good attendance and excellent grades, the importance of balance in life, with emphasis on schooling. They ask Oldest "Who are your heros?" and he is silent. They ask an older student and he quips "My mom and dad, sir!" and they ask Oldest again. He say "My Mom and Dad?" and I felt him cringe. The judge says "YES!" and then asked "Why?" Silence again. The Judge reminded Oldest of all we do for him, and asks the other young student for his answers. Both little boys were told that they should love their fathers and mothers very much. And they were instructed to run and find us right then, and tell us how much they loved us! I was almost bawling at this point! The crowd went "AWWWW!" as the other boy and Oldest sped over and gave huge hugs and kisses.
I was mpressed that they gave many of the students difficult questions to answer; not only about the Korean flag, nation, meaning of different commands and creed, but "What would you do if another kid at school was taunting you, even pushing you, trying to get you to fight?" I was very impressed when the waiting-to-test students were brought up on a short leash when they burst out laughing at an older student's somersaulting fall (It was funny) and the lead Judge bellowed "Next one who laughs get 100 pushups! Next time laugh get sent outside. For rest of the day!" Not Another Laugh was Heard, but there was some choking. The higher belts (blue, red, brown) sparred at the end. I was open-mouth shocked at the amount of THONKS and THUDS (they were helmeted, padded on chest, legs and feet) and full contact they had.
I thought I was the Big Emotional Weirdo until I witnessed every single parent reacting as I did. One father hid bent over in his chair while his high school daughter did her routine. Every time he watched her, he giggled! The dad next to me audibly grunted and rose an inch or two off his seat during his son's routine, and stopped breathing altogether when his son was unable to break the board with more than 15 tries. His head was buried in his hands and he missed the shot of his son breaking the board. Everyone wildly applauded when that board snapped. I saw parents' lips moving in silent supplication, and saw more than a few tears - it wasn't Just Me.
Then there was the Belt Presentation. All the judges hugged or patted Oldest and his little chest was puffed out like a Capon. Other students hugged Oldest, too. The girls really hugged and patted him. I found his snapped board (they keep them - I didn't know that) and shoes while he was wrapping up. Then suddenly he was in my arms, and my heart burst.
And what was dh doing the entire time? Videoing and wrangling Youngest. Who was bored shitless and starting to misbehave. They ended up leaving and running a few errands. Youngest came back in and shrilly whispered "MOMMY! I HAVE A SPRITE!" which made me levitate about 3" off my chair. It was Dead Silent at that point. Then Master Kim's 18 month old son Daniel let out a shriek as he spotted Youngest (they are buddies - Youngest brings a portable DVD player and Daniel watches the train movies, too) so they were hustled back outside poste haste. It was actually a good tension breaker.
I am beat. We also went out to dinner and celebrated Oldest's victory. And Oldest got to call all the relatives and crow a bit. He was still sporting the Capon Look as he went to bed. He told me he loved me and said "This has been the Best Day Ever, Mommy!" I told him "For me too, my love." And I think it truly was.
Oldest worked himself into a bit of a lather worrying about the test ahead of time; I could cheerfully deliver a swift uppercut to his father for talking ad nauseum a few days ago about it being fine and normal if Oldest was nervous and upset about the test! And also, it would be perfectly fine if he didn't pass the test! IDIOT! Gee, thanks for putting that clever idea in the kid's head! Oldest immediately got eyes the size of luncheon plates and commenced fretting and worrying. He woke up this morning without a care in the world - only concern was what to choose for breakfast. Then, here comes Daddy, trotting downstairs after breakfast has been prepared, eaten and cleaned up, bidding cheerful good mornings and then loudly declaring "Hey! It's TaeKwonDo Testing Day!" Oldest immediately knitted his eyebrows together and started worrying. Lovely. It was 9 a.m. He had a full five hours to dwell on it. We practiced his creed, counting, what belt meant what, some other things I thought might crop up.
We got there a half hour early so Oldest could gallop off some steam. No other small fry arrived for 15 minutes, so it was Oldest with 20 BIG kids - like high school and college aged. He tried to make himself invisible. Master Kim worked with him a bit and that loosened him up. Then four other Little Dragons showed up (4-6) and they started tearing around like the devil was on their heels. Everyone Oh'd and Ah'd seeing these darling little guys zipping around in the uniforms. Rosy apple-red cheeks and gleaming pearly whites, giggles and shrieks. So Cute. And one of them was my Very Own. One of the youngest two there.
There were many black belts there. Four were judges, and were eventually seated at a long, draped table. Two Korean men, one anglo man and one anglo woman. Oldest's group was called first - 3 college students testing for yellow, and the two smallest students. They tested the group of 3 oldest first, and I was praying Oldest was watching them do their routines. It took longer and they did more than I dreamed they would! My heart started pounding and I started getting really nervous - YIKES! Oldest has severe anxiety during tests - and he didn't know the entire routine at practice. He is the only white belt during his practice, and there are yellow and purple belt routines to go over. Anyway, Oldest and the other little one were called up, and the other kid took off like a rocket with his routine - leaving Oldest looking lost and forlorn. They have more than a few near misses and start giggling. The crowd giggles with them. The other boy almost fell over backward and did a Speedy Gonzales backshuffle and Parker stopped to watch. They were both giggling. The crowd was laughing. The Lead Judge called a stop to the routines, and had the other child go first while Oldest was seated and waiting. I could see Oldest getting pretty flushed - the backs of his ears were magenta. I started feeling sick to my stomach! Great! I have turned into my worst fear - the mother who collapses and pisses herself during her child's presentations! Master Kim saw that Parker was losing it, so he offered some words of immediate encouragement, which I think backfired. Parker then lost all confidence and his routine flew out the window. He ended up doing parts of it alone, parts of it shadowing Master Kim. I am now dying for him - I just know this is going to cork his TKD career, which means so much to him. But then he has a burst of confidence, I see his dimples appear and then a big grin - he remembers what to do! He finishes nicely. His form is pretty darn good. His gives a big bow and his little feet practically twiddle in midair with joy! He Is DONE. He Did It. I suddenly hear the crowd again. They are ohing and ahing his performance. A dad leans over to me and says "That is the cutest kid I have ever seen." I realize I have tears in my eyes. They spill over. I leaned back into my chair and started breathing again. Then I sat straight up again - all 5 of them are now up by the judges, and they are holding up boards for the students to break! Their are two groups, 3 older students and the 2 young ones. The other boy went first, and took 2 tries to break his board. The crowd applauded. Then it is Oldest's turn. I started to sweat bullets - he hasn't done much of this, and never very successfully with the yellow practice boards. Oldest stared intently at his board, steps-behind-steps and WHACK! The board snapped in two. Oldest stared at it in amazement. The crowd breaks into tremendous appplause. The judges give him alot of praise. The grin on Oldest is dazzling; I swear his molars made an appearance.
They then line them up, and critique every performance. Oldest seems to have lost the ability to speak. They cannot find a report card for his last term, and he cannot seem to answer the question "What grade are you in?" The judge asks "Parents, what grade is he going into?" I warble "Kindergarten, Ma'am" and find my voice is two octaves higher than normal. I curse myself for not bringing in his 20-page Montessori report, then think of the trouble I had deciphering it, and reckon I did the correct thing by leaving it home. Later I find that they discuss every single student's report card or GPA, the significance of good attendance and excellent grades, the importance of balance in life, with emphasis on schooling. They ask Oldest "Who are your heros?" and he is silent. They ask an older student and he quips "My mom and dad, sir!" and they ask Oldest again. He say "My Mom and Dad?" and I felt him cringe. The judge says "YES!" and then asked "Why?" Silence again. The Judge reminded Oldest of all we do for him, and asks the other young student for his answers. Both little boys were told that they should love their fathers and mothers very much. And they were instructed to run and find us right then, and tell us how much they loved us! I was almost bawling at this point! The crowd went "AWWWW!" as the other boy and Oldest sped over and gave huge hugs and kisses.
I was mpressed that they gave many of the students difficult questions to answer; not only about the Korean flag, nation, meaning of different commands and creed, but "What would you do if another kid at school was taunting you, even pushing you, trying to get you to fight?" I was very impressed when the waiting-to-test students were brought up on a short leash when they burst out laughing at an older student's somersaulting fall (It was funny) and the lead Judge bellowed "Next one who laughs get 100 pushups! Next time laugh get sent outside. For rest of the day!" Not Another Laugh was Heard, but there was some choking. The higher belts (blue, red, brown) sparred at the end. I was open-mouth shocked at the amount of THONKS and THUDS (they were helmeted, padded on chest, legs and feet) and full contact they had.
I thought I was the Big Emotional Weirdo until I witnessed every single parent reacting as I did. One father hid bent over in his chair while his high school daughter did her routine. Every time he watched her, he giggled! The dad next to me audibly grunted and rose an inch or two off his seat during his son's routine, and stopped breathing altogether when his son was unable to break the board with more than 15 tries. His head was buried in his hands and he missed the shot of his son breaking the board. Everyone wildly applauded when that board snapped. I saw parents' lips moving in silent supplication, and saw more than a few tears - it wasn't Just Me.
Then there was the Belt Presentation. All the judges hugged or patted Oldest and his little chest was puffed out like a Capon. Other students hugged Oldest, too. The girls really hugged and patted him. I found his snapped board (they keep them - I didn't know that) and shoes while he was wrapping up. Then suddenly he was in my arms, and my heart burst.
And what was dh doing the entire time? Videoing and wrangling Youngest. Who was bored shitless and starting to misbehave. They ended up leaving and running a few errands. Youngest came back in and shrilly whispered "MOMMY! I HAVE A SPRITE!" which made me levitate about 3" off my chair. It was Dead Silent at that point. Then Master Kim's 18 month old son Daniel let out a shriek as he spotted Youngest (they are buddies - Youngest brings a portable DVD player and Daniel watches the train movies, too) so they were hustled back outside poste haste. It was actually a good tension breaker.
I am beat. We also went out to dinner and celebrated Oldest's victory. And Oldest got to call all the relatives and crow a bit. He was still sporting the Capon Look as he went to bed. He told me he loved me and said "This has been the Best Day Ever, Mommy!" I told him "For me too, my love." And I think it truly was.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Small-town parade - Most Excellent!
We beat a hot path out of here with breakfast bars to line up to watch our city's parade. It was great! Sports clubs, boy and girls clubs, politicians, companies, police/firemen and neighborhoods had floats or walked in the parade. The boys were ecstatic - candy and goody bags were tossed their way, and there was even a Shrek float, complete with steam hissing dragon and the donkey! There is also a pancake breakfast, but the one year we indulged in that breakfast we all suffered indigestion for hours - the pancakes spend more time in the air being flipped and tossed around, and they are therefore made to be tough enough to withstand the entertainment feature that they bring to the table, so to speak.
Did we get a single picture? NO! We had 5 minutes to get out the door and the cameras were forgotten.
Tonight? There are parties and many fireworks to choose from. Dh and oldest will participate. Youngest and I will have an early evening at home. He will have general anesthesia tomorrow to get dental work. I have to have him at Children's Hospital by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow - so no late night for us tonight.
Tomorrow? Will be a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day for youngest and me. Please keep a good thought for our sweet little one. Thanks.
Did we get a single picture? NO! We had 5 minutes to get out the door and the cameras were forgotten.
Tonight? There are parties and many fireworks to choose from. Dh and oldest will participate. Youngest and I will have an early evening at home. He will have general anesthesia tomorrow to get dental work. I have to have him at Children's Hospital by 5:30 a.m. tomorrow - so no late night for us tonight.
Tomorrow? Will be a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day for youngest and me. Please keep a good thought for our sweet little one. Thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)