This was just too good not to pass on.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Honest Parenting
One of the rules we have around here is that if you are sick and/or have to take medicine you get to have ice cream before going to bed. This came about from our on going quest to add extra calories to Max's diet. He gets to have ice cream three times a day- breakfast, snack and before bed. His siblings started to get a bit miffed with all this ice cream passing them by (they only get it at snack time) and wanted to know why Max could have it all the time and not them. Larry and I settled on the two part explanation that Max 1) needs to be rewarded for all the nasty medicines and treatments he takes and 2) he needs the extra calories.
This was deemed acceptable when we added the aforementioned ice cream rule. Life is not fair, but we do need to make a reasonable rules.
So anywho, Miss Rebecca has a bit of a cough ( all right, a really annoying and persistent cough) and I dragged her in to see the doctor today. It turns out there is a bit of a wheeze in her lungs so she was prescribed a course of steroids for five days and albuterol nebulizations for three. (note: When the doctor mentioned nebulization as a possible treatment we told her it was no problem, we have the pump- two in fact- and enough albuterol on hand to sink a ship. She was a bit surprised until I explained that Max has CF. For once having an extensive pharmacy at home paid off.)
Tonight Rebecca asked about the ice cream and after a bit of thought I remembered the rule and said yes. I gave her a small bowl of chocolate ice cream shortly before bed. Rebecca was a bit disappointed with the quantity and needled me for more. I flatly said no. When pressed why I wouldn't give her more I explained "Because I'm mean." Oddly enough that seemed to satisfy her and ended her search for more ice cream.
This was deemed acceptable when we added the aforementioned ice cream rule. Life is not fair, but we do need to make a reasonable rules.
So anywho, Miss Rebecca has a bit of a cough ( all right, a really annoying and persistent cough) and I dragged her in to see the doctor today. It turns out there is a bit of a wheeze in her lungs so she was prescribed a course of steroids for five days and albuterol nebulizations for three. (note: When the doctor mentioned nebulization as a possible treatment we told her it was no problem, we have the pump- two in fact- and enough albuterol on hand to sink a ship. She was a bit surprised until I explained that Max has CF. For once having an extensive pharmacy at home paid off.)
Tonight Rebecca asked about the ice cream and after a bit of thought I remembered the rule and said yes. I gave her a small bowl of chocolate ice cream shortly before bed. Rebecca was a bit disappointed with the quantity and needled me for more. I flatly said no. When pressed why I wouldn't give her more I explained "Because I'm mean." Oddly enough that seemed to satisfy her and ended her search for more ice cream.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Artist of the Week: Blowin' His Horn
This week's artist is Jake and he's pictured here blowing his trumpet. Technically he is not the one bragging about himself, but I couldn't resist.
This has been a very big summer for Jake and we are barely halfway through. He applied to and successfully garnered a slot at the summer Governor's School, had his Bar Mitzvah, turned thirteen, entered an essay competition at the Governor's School and won, and completely nailed the placement exam for the Gifted program.
The last two items I haven't mentioned before because we had just found out about them this past week.
The essay competition was open to his class at school and was for a chance to attend an event at the Newseum in DC commemorating the 40 th anniversary of Apollo 11. This is part of the press release from the Newseum website:
Now how cool is that. He gets to attend an event with the very first two men that have walked on the moon and, hopefully, ask them questions about their experience. I so wish I could be there too, but it is just not possible. The best part was that he really did write the essay himself. He did get some coaching from his Aunt Meryl, but she made sure it was his own words.
We got word of his winning a slot on Friday. That morning I was very busy getting his train ticket and making sure it was coordinated with the teachers that were chaperoning the six winners.
On Monday Jake had an appointment to be retested for both Math and Verbal skills. Last February was the official testing period for the Gifted program. He nailed the History, Science, and Reading Comprehension portions, with scores of 99%. Math and Vocabulary were another story. He pretty much bombed both with the respective scores of 74% and 79%. This precluded him from the Gifted program and dumped him from honor's math.
My reaction to this was Heck No!
He has been pulling down A's and B's in Math with a final grade of A. There was no way he was getting dropped from accelerated math. I called up and found out that he had missed answering 10 of the thirty odd questions. They had been duly marked as wrong and had torpedoed his score. The guidance consular then told me that there was an appeal process and that we had a very good case.
Larry and I wrote a letter and faxed it off to the central testing office appealing the decision. Initially we were told that the period for appeals was long over, but Larry informed them that we had just found out about his denial. So instead we had to wait another week until the person that handled appeals was back from vacation.
The following Monday, just as Larry was about to do a follow up phone call, the person handling our appeal called Larry. She agreed that the test scores really didn't match the data they had on Jake. She asked if they could retest him in both Math and Vocabulary. We were all for it. After a bit of calling back and forth and consulting schedules we settled on 11:30 am on Monday the 13th.
Jake was in fine form that day. I made sure he was well rested and had a big breakfast. He went in with confidence and totally kicked some testing butt. He got a 97% on Vocab and, drum roll please... 100% on Math.
When he was brought back to the front of the office he was chatting with the woman in charge of his appeal. She informed me of his scores and told us right then and there that he clearly qualified for the Gifted program. She would start the paper work immediately. She them commented to me privately that Jake had some amazing math skills.
Well yes, that is what we have been saying all along.
This has been a very big summer for Jake and we are barely halfway through. He applied to and successfully garnered a slot at the summer Governor's School, had his Bar Mitzvah, turned thirteen, entered an essay competition at the Governor's School and won, and completely nailed the placement exam for the Gifted program.
The last two items I haven't mentioned before because we had just found out about them this past week.
The essay competition was open to his class at school and was for a chance to attend an event at the Newseum in DC commemorating the 40 th anniversary of Apollo 11. This is part of the press release from the Newseum website:
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of this historic flight, the Newseum will host a special program on the future of space discovery. The July 20 program is a public event honoring Apollo 11’s anniversary and NASA’s ongoing exploration of space.
Veteran journalist Nick Clooney moderates a panel discussion with Aldrin, Charlie Duke of Apollo 16, John Grunsfeld, of the recent Hubble mission, and Goddard Space Flight Center deputy director Laurie Leshin.
The discussion will air on NASA TV and will be simulcast to science centers across the United States. A question-and-answer session will follow the program.
Now how cool is that. He gets to attend an event with the very first two men that have walked on the moon and, hopefully, ask them questions about their experience. I so wish I could be there too, but it is just not possible. The best part was that he really did write the essay himself. He did get some coaching from his Aunt Meryl, but she made sure it was his own words.
We got word of his winning a slot on Friday. That morning I was very busy getting his train ticket and making sure it was coordinated with the teachers that were chaperoning the six winners.
On Monday Jake had an appointment to be retested for both Math and Verbal skills. Last February was the official testing period for the Gifted program. He nailed the History, Science, and Reading Comprehension portions, with scores of 99%. Math and Vocabulary were another story. He pretty much bombed both with the respective scores of 74% and 79%. This precluded him from the Gifted program and dumped him from honor's math.
My reaction to this was Heck No!
He has been pulling down A's and B's in Math with a final grade of A. There was no way he was getting dropped from accelerated math. I called up and found out that he had missed answering 10 of the thirty odd questions. They had been duly marked as wrong and had torpedoed his score. The guidance consular then told me that there was an appeal process and that we had a very good case.
Larry and I wrote a letter and faxed it off to the central testing office appealing the decision. Initially we were told that the period for appeals was long over, but Larry informed them that we had just found out about his denial. So instead we had to wait another week until the person that handled appeals was back from vacation.
The following Monday, just as Larry was about to do a follow up phone call, the person handling our appeal called Larry. She agreed that the test scores really didn't match the data they had on Jake. She asked if they could retest him in both Math and Vocabulary. We were all for it. After a bit of calling back and forth and consulting schedules we settled on 11:30 am on Monday the 13th.
Jake was in fine form that day. I made sure he was well rested and had a big breakfast. He went in with confidence and totally kicked some testing butt. He got a 97% on Vocab and, drum roll please... 100% on Math.
When he was brought back to the front of the office he was chatting with the woman in charge of his appeal. She informed me of his scores and told us right then and there that he clearly qualified for the Gifted program. She would start the paper work immediately. She them commented to me privately that Jake had some amazing math skills.
Well yes, that is what we have been saying all along.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Government
With all the idiotic spending and what not going on now, I'm in complete agreement with the Tick.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Max's Words For Max
We have been spending a fair amount of time at the library this summer (currently we have over 30 books checked out). Max needs a bit of a boost in his reading skills so he is meeting a reading specialist from the school for a couple half hour sessions a week. She signs out one of the study rooms and Max gets some good one on one tutoring.
The best part is that she was recommended by Max's teacher and the two of them were able to map out a good strategy on what Max needs to get up the speed. Max's teacher even passed along a reading list with the books grouped by reading levels. Finally I had something to work with. I am now able to pick books for Max at his level or just a bit above. I'm getting a feel for what is appropriate for him and I can branch out and get other books off the shelf.
A few weeks ago I spotted a book at the library that first caught my eye because of the title, Max's Words. I cracked it opened and discovered a marvelous book within. The Max in the story has two older brothers that collect things, namely stamps and coins. Max decides he'll collect words. His brothers scoff and refuse to share their collections until Max's collection grows and he discovers he can make stories.
My Max at first wanted nothing to do with the book, but in the end I got him to sit down with me. As Max started to read he was drawn into the story. He discovered the importance of word order and just how much fun words can be. The illustrations are delightful with the words Max has collected in someway reflecting their meaning in their form. By the end of the book my Max thought is was a terrific read.
I think Max's Words is a wonderful addition to a young child's library. Get it, borrow it, read it.
The best part is that she was recommended by Max's teacher and the two of them were able to map out a good strategy on what Max needs to get up the speed. Max's teacher even passed along a reading list with the books grouped by reading levels. Finally I had something to work with. I am now able to pick books for Max at his level or just a bit above. I'm getting a feel for what is appropriate for him and I can branch out and get other books off the shelf.
A few weeks ago I spotted a book at the library that first caught my eye because of the title, Max's Words. I cracked it opened and discovered a marvelous book within. The Max in the story has two older brothers that collect things, namely stamps and coins. Max decides he'll collect words. His brothers scoff and refuse to share their collections until Max's collection grows and he discovers he can make stories.
My Max at first wanted nothing to do with the book, but in the end I got him to sit down with me. As Max started to read he was drawn into the story. He discovered the importance of word order and just how much fun words can be. The illustrations are delightful with the words Max has collected in someway reflecting their meaning in their form. By the end of the book my Max thought is was a terrific read.
I think Max's Words is a wonderful addition to a young child's library. Get it, borrow it, read it.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Pied Piper
That's me, on the floor with not one, but two red oafs on my lap.
Wherever I go in the house the dogs will often trail after me, Dell's chin often bumping my heels. To say they want to be with me is an understatement.
Oh they love the rest of the family. The red boys are always up for a romp outside with Nate, but... I'm the Pied Piper. I just call out to them and they come a runnin' unless there is something far more important like a chipmunk trapped just out of reach. If I sit on the floor they swarm over me, desperate for my attention.
Even after I trim their nails they still want to be with me. Quite the opposite of Ms. Rally, she would disappear when the clippers came out. I had to be quick and snag her before she sequestered herself in her crate. The red boys are just a couple of big lovable goofs that want to be with Mom.
It's nice to be wanted, but 50 plus pounds of dog in your lap can be a bit much. So don't spend too much time on the floor with them in my lap.
Wherever I go in the house the dogs will often trail after me, Dell's chin often bumping my heels. To say they want to be with me is an understatement.
Oh they love the rest of the family. The red boys are always up for a romp outside with Nate, but... I'm the Pied Piper. I just call out to them and they come a runnin' unless there is something far more important like a chipmunk trapped just out of reach. If I sit on the floor they swarm over me, desperate for my attention.
Even after I trim their nails they still want to be with me. Quite the opposite of Ms. Rally, she would disappear when the clippers came out. I had to be quick and snag her before she sequestered herself in her crate. The red boys are just a couple of big lovable goofs that want to be with Mom.
It's nice to be wanted, but 50 plus pounds of dog in your lap can be a bit much. So don't spend too much time on the floor with them in my lap.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Capitalistic Parenting
I love Rebecca very much. She is a fiercely independent child and very passionate, but that independence and passion comes with a price.
She wants to do things for herself all the time and she wants to help me at the same time. As a result I have a seven year old sous chef. She happily chops peppers at dinner time and will stir the pots on the stove. This part of her is a delight.
However if I pick something out for her in a catalog, in a store or even a book in a library she flies off the handle. Shouts, tears and an angry stomping child soon follow theses imagined transgressions. I find this behavior to be truly appalling and for the most part, downright rude.
So now we have instituted a new policy. If she has been deemed to be significantly rude a dollar is deducted from the running tally on the allowance chart. A new category has been added to the sheet titled Rudeness.
Today she has already lost $2. She was rude to Max this morning. He wanted to sing along with his favorite song, she did not want him to and showed her displeasure not with words, but by shoving him. At the library she blew up at me for touching a book when we found the section (horses) we were looking for. I hauled her aside and told her that her behavior was unacceptable and she had now lost another dollar. She was sat sullenly for the rest of our visit and the ride home.
When I wrote up the deductions on the sheet she was horrified to see the new category. She thought that the money was to be discretely deducted, not publicly tallied. She begged and pleaded for me to not write it all up. My response was tough, you were rude and now you have to live with the consequences.
It'll be intrersting to see if this teaches her to hold her temper and to use her manners. I know she hates losing the money (at best she earns $3 to $4 a week), but the fact that it is writen plainly for all to see might be the bigger incentive to straighten up.
She wants to do things for herself all the time and she wants to help me at the same time. As a result I have a seven year old sous chef. She happily chops peppers at dinner time and will stir the pots on the stove. This part of her is a delight.
However if I pick something out for her in a catalog, in a store or even a book in a library she flies off the handle. Shouts, tears and an angry stomping child soon follow theses imagined transgressions. I find this behavior to be truly appalling and for the most part, downright rude.
So now we have instituted a new policy. If she has been deemed to be significantly rude a dollar is deducted from the running tally on the allowance chart. A new category has been added to the sheet titled Rudeness.
Today she has already lost $2. She was rude to Max this morning. He wanted to sing along with his favorite song, she did not want him to and showed her displeasure not with words, but by shoving him. At the library she blew up at me for touching a book when we found the section (horses) we were looking for. I hauled her aside and told her that her behavior was unacceptable and she had now lost another dollar. She was sat sullenly for the rest of our visit and the ride home.
When I wrote up the deductions on the sheet she was horrified to see the new category. She thought that the money was to be discretely deducted, not publicly tallied. She begged and pleaded for me to not write it all up. My response was tough, you were rude and now you have to live with the consequences.
It'll be intrersting to see if this teaches her to hold her temper and to use her manners. I know she hates losing the money (at best she earns $3 to $4 a week), but the fact that it is writen plainly for all to see might be the bigger incentive to straighten up.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Skink A Dinka Doo
I'm a county girl at heart. I grew up in an extremely rural area, surrounded by woods and cow pastures.
I once rented a house in the middle of the woods and the owners asked me point blank if I could handle being up on a hill with deer and raccoons as my closest neighbors, a previous tenant had freaked out when raccoons tipped the garbage and deer would peek in the windows. I assured then I was an old hand at all that. Which, was born out when a raccoon came into the house through the cat door. Luckily it was a room shut off from the house and I was able to shoo it out with a broom.
However, I just can't get used to the lizards around here.
I have seen both the Eastern Fence Lizard and the tiny Little Brown Skink (which was really cute once I got over the initial shock of finding it under the wading pool). Mostly we have five lined skinks. They are down right pretty in their juvenile form with their electric blue tails. But, and there is always a but, they grow up and get rather large. Well maybe not huge, but they are a heck of a lot bigger than any other non-mammal I've encountered in the wild short of a snake.
The one pictured here is at a fairly good size and that's with most of its tail missing. These babies decidedly do not creep quietly about. They plunge into the underbrush with a large rattle of leaves and scare me half to death. every. single. time. Of course it doesn't help when a gamy dog decides it must follow it.
At least the deer are quiet.
I once rented a house in the middle of the woods and the owners asked me point blank if I could handle being up on a hill with deer and raccoons as my closest neighbors, a previous tenant had freaked out when raccoons tipped the garbage and deer would peek in the windows. I assured then I was an old hand at all that. Which, was born out when a raccoon came into the house through the cat door. Luckily it was a room shut off from the house and I was able to shoo it out with a broom.
However, I just can't get used to the lizards around here.
I have seen both the Eastern Fence Lizard and the tiny Little Brown Skink (which was really cute once I got over the initial shock of finding it under the wading pool). Mostly we have five lined skinks. They are down right pretty in their juvenile form with their electric blue tails. But, and there is always a but, they grow up and get rather large. Well maybe not huge, but they are a heck of a lot bigger than any other non-mammal I've encountered in the wild short of a snake.
The one pictured here is at a fairly good size and that's with most of its tail missing. These babies decidedly do not creep quietly about. They plunge into the underbrush with a large rattle of leaves and scare me half to death. every. single. time. Of course it doesn't help when a gamy dog decides it must follow it.
At least the deer are quiet.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Artist of the Week: Clay
A very dapper Max is this week's artist.
I love how he looks when he has his coat and tie on. The little blue and yellow striped tie just sets the whole look off. Max likes how he looks too and is more than happy to dress up for any occasion. Which is quite a contrast with Nate, who has to be badgered into his bettered clothes.
We picked up this outfit for Jake's Bar Mitzvah. I had spent an afternoon shopping with him and he spotted this on the rack. They had just one left in his size and as I held it up he asked if he could have it, he thought it looked terrific. How could I say no.
On the day of his last piano recital he asked if he could wear his suit (the jacket came with not only a shirt and tie, but a nice pair of blue slacks as well). When he donned his clothes he announced that he looked like a miniature business man. I told him he looked even better than that. He is a handsome little devil and was the best dressed and cutest little boy at the recital. Just look at that smile, I think Larry snagged this photo of him just afterward.
Another little dapper fellow is this little blue jay Max made at school. It fits snugly in the palm of your hand and has a quite and self assured air about it. It is a pleasure to hold. The little tail feathers got a bit bent from the trip home on the bus, but otherwise it's perfect.
I think it may have been intended by the teacher as some sort of end of the year gift for the parents, but Max loves his little bird too much to give it up. In fact, it has been buried in his room for the past month. I had to do a bit of searching to find it for today. He'll be pleased to see it here, but I know he'll want it back. And honestly, I completely understand
I love how he looks when he has his coat and tie on. The little blue and yellow striped tie just sets the whole look off. Max likes how he looks too and is more than happy to dress up for any occasion. Which is quite a contrast with Nate, who has to be badgered into his bettered clothes.
We picked up this outfit for Jake's Bar Mitzvah. I had spent an afternoon shopping with him and he spotted this on the rack. They had just one left in his size and as I held it up he asked if he could have it, he thought it looked terrific. How could I say no.
On the day of his last piano recital he asked if he could wear his suit (the jacket came with not only a shirt and tie, but a nice pair of blue slacks as well). When he donned his clothes he announced that he looked like a miniature business man. I told him he looked even better than that. He is a handsome little devil and was the best dressed and cutest little boy at the recital. Just look at that smile, I think Larry snagged this photo of him just afterward.
Another little dapper fellow is this little blue jay Max made at school. It fits snugly in the palm of your hand and has a quite and self assured air about it. It is a pleasure to hold. The little tail feathers got a bit bent from the trip home on the bus, but otherwise it's perfect.
I think it may have been intended by the teacher as some sort of end of the year gift for the parents, but Max loves his little bird too much to give it up. In fact, it has been buried in his room for the past month. I had to do a bit of searching to find it for today. He'll be pleased to see it here, but I know he'll want it back. And honestly, I completely understand
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Doe, A Deer, A Female Deer
I don't think people ever really believe me when I tell them that I view deer as a nuisance in my back yard. Oh, they are pretty to look at, but in the end they are just tall rats.
Let's take this doe for example. She was less than five feet from the house during the middle of the day. It took the combined excitement of at least two kids and a dog right over her head to finally shift her to the woods. Even then, you can see by her body language she wasn't in that much of a hurry.
I've had a doe actually step towards me as I rattled a bowl of dog food to get the dogs to stop barking at her and come inside. Talk about nervy. Obviously somebody in the neighborhood has been feeding the deer.
Heck I've even found hoof prints under the deck and my husband has had to beep the horn to shift them off the driveway.
So yeah, they have become tall rats in my eyes. Very pretty, but annoying nonetheless.
Let's take this doe for example. She was less than five feet from the house during the middle of the day. It took the combined excitement of at least two kids and a dog right over her head to finally shift her to the woods. Even then, you can see by her body language she wasn't in that much of a hurry.
I've had a doe actually step towards me as I rattled a bowl of dog food to get the dogs to stop barking at her and come inside. Talk about nervy. Obviously somebody in the neighborhood has been feeding the deer.
Heck I've even found hoof prints under the deck and my husband has had to beep the horn to shift them off the driveway.
So yeah, they have become tall rats in my eyes. Very pretty, but annoying nonetheless.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Bang!
I hope everyone out there had a happy and healthy Fourth of July.
We went to the county's firework display last night. It was the first time we had ever taken the kids to an official fireworks event. Before we had hung out in a local parking lot about a mile or so from the staging grounds. It was a lot easier and far less congested than going to the big show itself. With small children you never really know how much they'll like seeing fireworks up close and all the loud noises associated with them.
Meryl came along with us. She picked up green beans and tomatoes and came over before dinner. At our house we had a fine repast of home made bbq beef ribs, mashed potato, fresh green beans, marinated sliced tomatoes, and mashed sweet potato. It was one of those great happy tummy meals. The huge spread almost made it feel like a summer version of Thanksgiving.
At around seven we headed out to the fairgrounds where the fireworks were going to happen. Larry, sensibly parked on the road to the event, pointing the car towards home, and avoided the whole parking lot nightmare (he's so smart). We trooped up the road and found a nice spot on the grass not too far from the entrance.
There were a whole slew of things going on before the main event, from bouncey tents in the kid's zone, freebies from area businesses, to fair food classics. Meryl, being a very indulgent person, took the kids off to get funnel cakes. Unfortunately the line was huge, it looked like over a half an hour long for funnel cakes, so they passed. Instead, the kids got glasses made from glow sticks. I love this picture I got of the three boys. Rebecca, for whatever reason, got in a real snit and was appalled over the idea of being photographed with her glasses.
As twilet deepened a few stray firecrackers went up, causing a cheer from the crowd. The music changed to a more patriotic vein with America the Beautiful hearalding the start. All four were entranced. The county had a very nice display, my only complaint was that I would have like a few more of the noisier ones. I love it when there is a huge bang and the rockets go screaming off. Overall we had a great time and I think we'll be doing it again next year.
We went to the county's firework display last night. It was the first time we had ever taken the kids to an official fireworks event. Before we had hung out in a local parking lot about a mile or so from the staging grounds. It was a lot easier and far less congested than going to the big show itself. With small children you never really know how much they'll like seeing fireworks up close and all the loud noises associated with them.
Meryl came along with us. She picked up green beans and tomatoes and came over before dinner. At our house we had a fine repast of home made bbq beef ribs, mashed potato, fresh green beans, marinated sliced tomatoes, and mashed sweet potato. It was one of those great happy tummy meals. The huge spread almost made it feel like a summer version of Thanksgiving.
At around seven we headed out to the fairgrounds where the fireworks were going to happen. Larry, sensibly parked on the road to the event, pointing the car towards home, and avoided the whole parking lot nightmare (he's so smart). We trooped up the road and found a nice spot on the grass not too far from the entrance.
There were a whole slew of things going on before the main event, from bouncey tents in the kid's zone, freebies from area businesses, to fair food classics. Meryl, being a very indulgent person, took the kids off to get funnel cakes. Unfortunately the line was huge, it looked like over a half an hour long for funnel cakes, so they passed. Instead, the kids got glasses made from glow sticks. I love this picture I got of the three boys. Rebecca, for whatever reason, got in a real snit and was appalled over the idea of being photographed with her glasses.
As twilet deepened a few stray firecrackers went up, causing a cheer from the crowd. The music changed to a more patriotic vein with America the Beautiful hearalding the start. All four were entranced. The county had a very nice display, my only complaint was that I would have like a few more of the noisier ones. I love it when there is a huge bang and the rockets go screaming off. Overall we had a great time and I think we'll be doing it again next year.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Still Lovin' Bunny Hop with Kung-Fu Fightin' Bike Action
Yesterday I stopped by our favorite bike shop, Bunny Hop, to get Jake's bike fixed up. His bike has a loose chain and the shifting in his opinion was wonky.
As always I got fantastic service. Not only did the bike fixed while I waited, they turned on the arcade game just for my kids to play with while we were there. They have the old arcade classic Paperboy and have it set for unlimited free play. In less than fifteen minutes we were good to go, with any charges waved off.
Before heading over to Bunny Hop I checked out their website. I wanted to make sure they were still around and open. It's now a blog and had a hilarious Kungfu bike fight clip as the most recent post. It was too funny not to share.
As always I got fantastic service. Not only did the bike fixed while I waited, they turned on the arcade game just for my kids to play with while we were there. They have the old arcade classic Paperboy and have it set for unlimited free play. In less than fifteen minutes we were good to go, with any charges waved off.
Before heading over to Bunny Hop I checked out their website. I wanted to make sure they were still around and open. It's now a blog and had a hilarious Kungfu bike fight clip as the most recent post. It was too funny not to share.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Chipmunk Cuteness
This morning I found out that chipmunks climb trees. Rebecca was the one to notice this little cutey in the tree that grows near the window by the kitchen table.
We got to watch it nibbling away on the fruit of our crab apple tree. It would poke its head out of the leaves and grab a crab apple and stuff it into its mouth.
Originally it was on the end of the branch near the window, but by the time I got the camera out it had moved. You can just make it out in its leafy bower. Another chipmunk was rooting about in the leaf litter at the base of the tree.
It was a very nice way to start off the day.
We got to watch it nibbling away on the fruit of our crab apple tree. It would poke its head out of the leaves and grab a crab apple and stuff it into its mouth.
Originally it was on the end of the branch near the window, but by the time I got the camera out it had moved. You can just make it out in its leafy bower. Another chipmunk was rooting about in the leaf litter at the base of the tree.
It was a very nice way to start off the day.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Artist of the Week: When I Grow Up
This week's artist is Rebecca. She was feeling a bit poorly today, unfortunately she is one of those people who are weather sensitive. Impending storm fronts make, as she puts it, her forehead hurt and sometimes even her tummy. She spent most the the morning asleep, rallying as the day drew to a close and the front started to break.
In this picture, however, the weather was bit kinder to her. It was the day before Jake's Bar Mitzvah when we were at the temple for a final dress rehearsal and a chance to take some pictures. Rebecca and Max had the very important job of handing out the candy to be tossed at Jake. A job that Rebecca took very seriously. Passing out candy, as any child will tell you, is serious business.
Anyway, if it was possible Rebecca would love to be a professional candy server when she grows up. However she does recognize that it is not a viable career path and settled on something a bit more plausable when she was asked in class.
I found this sheet tucked among her papers she dragged home during the last few days of school. It has a charming collection of animals at the top, a mama goose with her goslings, a dog (which of course is a dachshund), a large fox, a parrot, and a nice stripy cat. On the lower half she answers the age old question of what she will be when she grows up.
Here is the text complete and unedited, spelling clarifications are in parenthesis :
May 12, 2009
When I grow up I want to be a vechern (veterinarian). I like babys anmls. Some anmls are nice and some are sml (small). I like anmls. Some are big. Some are fun to play with. Some are mesee (messy).
In this picture, however, the weather was bit kinder to her. It was the day before Jake's Bar Mitzvah when we were at the temple for a final dress rehearsal and a chance to take some pictures. Rebecca and Max had the very important job of handing out the candy to be tossed at Jake. A job that Rebecca took very seriously. Passing out candy, as any child will tell you, is serious business.
Anyway, if it was possible Rebecca would love to be a professional candy server when she grows up. However she does recognize that it is not a viable career path and settled on something a bit more plausable when she was asked in class.
I found this sheet tucked among her papers she dragged home during the last few days of school. It has a charming collection of animals at the top, a mama goose with her goslings, a dog (which of course is a dachshund), a large fox, a parrot, and a nice stripy cat. On the lower half she answers the age old question of what she will be when she grows up.
Here is the text complete and unedited, spelling clarifications are in parenthesis :
May 12, 2009
When I grow up I want to be a vechern (veterinarian). I like babys anmls. Some anmls are nice and some are sml (small). I like anmls. Some are big. Some are fun to play with. Some are mesee (messy).
I love anmls.
The whole thing is so cute and adorable. She really does love animals and I think this is one of the sweetest assignments she has brought home to date.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A Modern Wonder
I learned about this modern wonder over at AMCGLTD.com in a post titled Boat Wheel.
The structure is an utterly ingenious solution to the problem of connecting two canals that are separated by an eight story drop. As Scott noted, if you go to this site you get to see a wonderful animated gif of the wheel in action.
I love the whole thing, it's a ferris wheel for boats. I think it's great that it is being promoted as a tourist destination. The whole thing makes me want to go back to Scotland and see the beast in action (I'm such an engineering geek).
The picture I have here I snagged off of Flickr and was uploaded by nomipare. I couldn't quite figure out how to load the animated version of the wheel in action here, so I had to settle on this poster.
The structure is an utterly ingenious solution to the problem of connecting two canals that are separated by an eight story drop. As Scott noted, if you go to this site you get to see a wonderful animated gif of the wheel in action.
I love the whole thing, it's a ferris wheel for boats. I think it's great that it is being promoted as a tourist destination. The whole thing makes me want to go back to Scotland and see the beast in action (I'm such an engineering geek).
The picture I have here I snagged off of Flickr and was uploaded by nomipare. I couldn't quite figure out how to load the animated version of the wheel in action here, so I had to settle on this poster.
Monday, June 29, 2009
So Proud and Another Milestone
Jake officially turns 13 today. I'm now the mother of a teenager.
And I must say I'm very proud to be that teenager's mother.
I was proud of him at his Bar Mitzvah. He did a great job and really stepped up to the occasion.
However that's nothing compared to how I felt last Friday.
The Rabbi has been out of town last week and this week. He sent an email around the congregation announcing his absence and an offer to help coordinate who will do what for the services. On a whim I asked Jake if he was interested and he (much to my surprise) said yes, he would like to help out on a Friday.
So on Friday my boy helped lead services with two other members of our congregation. Originally he was to serve in a helper role, but in the end he did most of the readings. He did a bang up job and, as one other member put it, he had a real presence up on the bimah.
I told him afterward that I was even prouder of him leading services after his Bar Mitzvah then I was during the Bar Mitzvah. He didn't have to do it.
His response was that he like doing it, it's fun.
And I must say I'm very proud to be that teenager's mother.
I was proud of him at his Bar Mitzvah. He did a great job and really stepped up to the occasion.
However that's nothing compared to how I felt last Friday.
The Rabbi has been out of town last week and this week. He sent an email around the congregation announcing his absence and an offer to help coordinate who will do what for the services. On a whim I asked Jake if he was interested and he (much to my surprise) said yes, he would like to help out on a Friday.
So on Friday my boy helped lead services with two other members of our congregation. Originally he was to serve in a helper role, but in the end he did most of the readings. He did a bang up job and, as one other member put it, he had a real presence up on the bimah.
I told him afterward that I was even prouder of him leading services after his Bar Mitzvah then I was during the Bar Mitzvah. He didn't have to do it.
His response was that he like doing it, it's fun.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Death Star Canteen
This is one of my very favorite Eddie Izzard/ Lego bits. He is a brilliant comedian, but I do have to warn you on the language. He drops an f-bomb at the beginning , but it's worth it.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Garden Update
It has been hot and very, very wet around here and my little freebie container garden has been chugging along.
The self-seeding basil has been growing like crazy. It completely fills one pot and is surrounding my three tomatoes in the other. And yes, that's right, three tomato plants. It turns out I have not just two, three of them.
Judging by their flowers it looks like two are of the Sungold cherry variety (interestingly enough it is not supposed to self seed, but my garden says otherwise) and the third is a slicing tomato. I won't really know until they set fruit.
And judging by how they are doing, it looks like that will be fairly soon.
Rebecca was very excited to report the other day that we have two baby tomatoes. Which is amazing since I have yet to water the dang things.
I love my little free garden.
And I really love the yummy things it produces.
The self-seeding basil has been growing like crazy. It completely fills one pot and is surrounding my three tomatoes in the other. And yes, that's right, three tomato plants. It turns out I have not just two, three of them.
Judging by their flowers it looks like two are of the Sungold cherry variety (interestingly enough it is not supposed to self seed, but my garden says otherwise) and the third is a slicing tomato. I won't really know until they set fruit.
And judging by how they are doing, it looks like that will be fairly soon.
Rebecca was very excited to report the other day that we have two baby tomatoes. Which is amazing since I have yet to water the dang things.
I love my little free garden.
And I really love the yummy things it produces.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Differences in Maturity
At dinner yesterday Jake asked why Max could add interjections into a conversation while he (Jake) would be told to stop. I explained to him the difference is that Max is just throwing one, maybe two stones while you hijack the truck and drive it off the cliff.
This then led to a comparison of the different maturity levels of Jake and his siblings. Jake asked if he was mature. Frankly he has matured a great deal this past year, he really and truly has become a Bar Mitzvah. I told him he was definitely driving down the right road. Jake then asked if Nate was mature which pretty much resulted in spit takes from both Nate and I.
No, I was able to gasp out. He's mostly doing doughnuts on the road, thus maintaining the car analogy we had going. Jake and Nate both thought that was a good answer and one of them, I don't remember who, asked if Nate was setting the car on fire.
I paused for just a moment ans said "No, that's Rebecca."
Everybody burst out laughing, even the Feral Princess herself. She loved the idea that she was torching the car. We joshed about this for awhile until Jake grew tired and irritated and stated that he and Max were the most mature people at the table, including Mom.
Well.
At least I don't do endless poop jokes in the car, though I do agree that Max is an old soul.
This then led to a comparison of the different maturity levels of Jake and his siblings. Jake asked if he was mature. Frankly he has matured a great deal this past year, he really and truly has become a Bar Mitzvah. I told him he was definitely driving down the right road. Jake then asked if Nate was mature which pretty much resulted in spit takes from both Nate and I.
No, I was able to gasp out. He's mostly doing doughnuts on the road, thus maintaining the car analogy we had going. Jake and Nate both thought that was a good answer and one of them, I don't remember who, asked if Nate was setting the car on fire.
I paused for just a moment ans said "No, that's Rebecca."
Everybody burst out laughing, even the Feral Princess herself. She loved the idea that she was torching the car. We joshed about this for awhile until Jake grew tired and irritated and stated that he and Max were the most mature people at the table, including Mom.
Well.
At least I don't do endless poop jokes in the car, though I do agree that Max is an old soul.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)