Beautiful

My first try at PhotoHunter. The prompt was "beautiful". This was easy for me - after years of trying to get William on a bicycle we learned for sure this summer that that would not happen - at least not without first addressing his gravitational insecurity. The physical therapist recommended William get a trike - so... we did. And for this mom, seeing my son at age eight finally able to ride a cycle - even if it is one with three wheels - is beautiful... that and well - he is so darn cute! :D

Simple Magic

Hopping back in on the Weekend Wordsmith Challenge this week... the prompt is "Laughing Baby". Couldn't resist a couple cue pictures of William giggling - he was such a happy smiley baby... Anyway - here is my poem, Simple Magic... Enjoy!

Simple Magic

Simple, magical laugh
Erases sorrow,
Distracts pain.

A reciprocal joy
In innocent eyes
Responding with glee
to my giddy gaze.

It's all worth it
In the end.

So. Wow. THAT was a busy weekend...

Let's review a little bit... Here are some things I learned.

• Never ever EVER go anywhere NEAR the Schuylkill Expressway on a Saturday Morning on a nice day. We suspect the Philadelphia Zoo to have been the culprit - but it took us forever to get to my mother's on Saturday morning and we blame both the zoo and the TomTom (since it was her idea to go that way...) If by any chance you want to go to the Philadelphia Zoo - don't go on a Saturday. Seriously. Horrible.



• The listing price for my childhood memories is $59,900 in case anyone is interested. My grandmother's house is for sale. They had an open house and I went inside. Let me tell you - you know how in movies they show someone walking through a place and memories flash in front of them... that really happens. At least it did to me. I walked in and saw that horrible orange and brown floral wallpaper with my grandfather hanging up his coat and singing - it was very emotional and actually a little strange to realize how SMALL things are in that house. I have been in that house as an adult - so it isn't the "things always seem larger as a child" thing. Something else. My aunt and Ron both said they think it is because our house is fairly large and wide open. I guess that makes the most sense.



• Even if someone makes an incredibly tasty bean salad with garbanzo beans and even though it is very good for you, you must limit your intake. Seriously. Do not have six servings. You will have horrific gas pains. And that is all I'm gonna say about THAT.



• Hail storms are freaking scary to drive through. If Ron hadn't been there and I was driving home I would have turned around and stayed there until this morning. We were in the Suburban and I seriously thought that a hail stone was coming right through the windshield at any moment. Awful. I have never experienced anything like that in my life. Hated it.



• Sooner or later it pays off to RSVP promptly. I won a prize at the shower I went to because I was the first to RSVP. I have a policy. Decide right away if you are going or not, respond immediately and mark details on your calendar and throw out the invite. Done. No room to forget. Finally - my madness pays off!

Coming up this week is a trip to the vet because my baby puppy (not - but I call him that all the time even though he is 11 years old) has had two accidents in the house this week - NEVER has accidents - and seems to be drinking a lot. I am hoping for a UTI and not diabetes. :(

I also have to get William to do all this work that teachers feel compelled to assign to children over the summer. Which leads to my rant (for another day of course) about why not just have school all year long??? If they "need" a break why not let them actually have it? If you are worried they will not retain info what makes you think three or four assignments is going to do them any good? Hate this mandatory will be collected and count as your first grade crapola they send home at the end of the year. Ick.

So - there it is... Will keep you posted.

Finally... William has wheels!

My son, William is eight. He is super-cute and quite smart in his own quirky unique way. He also has some rather significant gross motor challenges that have, up until this point, prevented him from really riding a bike. At.all. Of any kind. A little more than a week ago a physical therapist suggested we get him a trike. That's right, a big giant tricycle. At first I was reluctant - worried about someone making fun of him - but the PT reminded me that his friends will not and the other kids will likely just find something else to pick on him about. The value of him developing leg and ankle muscles and self-esteem and just feeling the thrill of propelling himself through space will outweigh any potential teasing.

So - after many many calls to different bike shops we found one that had one in stock that he could try. He was a little reluctant to get on it initially - he has severe gravitational insecurity and worries about falling - doesn't like to be up high at all - but once we convinced him to try it, that the trike was just like the tricycle that we had to pry out from under him last year because he looked like one of those clowns that ride tricycles he took to it instantly and loves it. It is fabulous to see him so happy peddling around, quite pleased with himself.

Bravo, William! We are so proud!

OMG - How cute is THIS?

Scene: I am sitting out front on our steps supervising while William rides his (small electric) dirt quad out front. I hear him stopping periodically, but don't look up for quite a while. FInally he stops right in front of me. I look up. He grins...

William: Bet you don't know why I keep stopping!

Me: Nope - no idea - why DO you keep stopping?

William: Just to smile at you.

OMG - I so love this kid!!!

Gone Camping...

Okay - so there is no tent and I have my very own bathroom - but it is still camping. If it will make all you hard-core granola bar types feel better, you can call it "glamping" (that's glamorous camping, 'case ya didn't know). In any case we are off but we will be back sometime on Thursday.

Why do this? I haven't a clue. Other than William is so excited he can barely breathe. It stopped being fun for me quite some time ago. But that's what parents do, isn't it? We suck it up for the precious few years that our kids give a crap about us and actually WANT to spend time with us. So off we go -

See you in a few!

What's been going on?

So - I have been very busy with - well, life! Apparently there is a LOT you can do in the summer when you aren't struggling to avoid a nervous breakdown and pulling your hair out.

I have loosely been following the flylady's schedule/plan (she and I part company on the shoe issue. I don't even HAVE shoes that tie, but I DO have a shiny sink!) while William has been going to the recreation program sponsored by the township. In the afternoons we have been going for walks and to the library and to Johnson's Farm and just hanging out watching a LOT of movies in our little theatre. Oh yeah - and board games and card games oh my!

William and I drove to Wildwood Crest to visit my mother at her beach house for the fourth. We had a great day, visited the boardwalk, rode the tram car and even spent some time at the beach. We came home the next morning because Ron wanted to change the oil and rotate the tires on the Murano.

Last Thursday we went swimming at Atsion Lake - what a tremendous deal that is! $5 for a carload for the whole day. The water is cedar water so it looks like you are swimming in a big vat of iced tea. We went with BlackBeltRecProgramCounselor and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely be doing that again! No doubt about it. I did burn though - in spite of my best efforts.

This week coming up we are going camping. As far as I know there is still no WiFi there - so there will be no posting, except possibly by cell phone. So everyone enjoy yourselves - I will try to get an episode of Rebecca's Saga up before I go.

This week

So I haven't really posted much other than about Aldi, LOL! So I thought I would give a rundown on some of what ELSE has been going on (lest you think I hang out at the Aldi all the time).

• TaiChiInstructorFriend has decided to teach me the sword form and I am just beside myself excited. Suffice it to say that he is a brave and patient man to take this on. It took me a year to learn the Yang Style Long Form. Who knows how long this will take??


• William has started swimming lessons. He did great and is very excited to give this a try. We are happy because really with William this could have gone either way - either he would do great or he would come completely unglued. Happily - it seems to be the former.


• I am finally starting to feel like a real person. I no longer feel like I am on the verge of an anxiety attack 24/7. I am happier and calmer and this is a good thing. I am also working hard to whip this house into shape. It is not a pigsty- don't get me wrong - but it definitely needs tweaking.


• I am also taking the Martial Arts Fitness Class with TaiChiInstructorFriend on Fridays. I made the mistake last week of mentioning that I sweat more in TaiChi. He fixed my ass this week, LOL. I really only meant to point out that TaiChi makes you work more than people think... it wasn't intended to be a challenge to make MA Fitness HARDER, LOL!


• We went to a concert in the park this week. It was perfect. Beautiful weather - kids dancing and chasing lightening bugs. We even ran into SchoolTeacherFriend and his wife and son. A big fat thank you to the Waterford Township Recreation Committee and anyone else involved in making that happen!

Well - I think that about does it from here... What's new with you??

Cute Idea...

If I must say so myself! William is going to a birthday party tomorrow for a classmate. I thought it would be cute to make him some bookplates since he has four siblings - I figure he would like to have something to identify his books - he is a reader, I am told... So I went to the Avery Website and found a handy little label designer! I selected 5164/6164 and used some of their clip art (which isn't fantastic - but it is okay) and tweaked the font - and voila! a sheet of custom bookplates for an eight-year old!

Oh - and no. This isn't the ONLY thing we are giving this child in case you are wondering. I am told that he likes to play school with his sister so I am going to buy him some school supplies and stickers and stuff like that... I think he will love it!

Happy Birthday Sweet Son of Mine

Almost didn't get this in today = had a super busy day... Eight years ago our sweet baby son was born. I never thought for a minute that I would make it as a mom. Turns out I was wrong. Doesn't hurt that I was blessed with the best boy ever!

As it goes in the book: "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be." From Love You, Forever by Robert Munsch

Parachute Games

Did you play parachute games when you were in grade school?? I thought everyone did. Last night I found out that my dear husband never played parachute games as a child. This just floored me! Parachute games were the highlight of phys ed in grade school - at least for me!

I just bought 2 smaller, 6 foot parachutes so that I can use them for the end of the year party at William's school and also for the kids to play with at Karate Camp... I am so excited! I can't wait to get them!

The aftermath - William and I

These pictures show the extent of our injuries... I would say the little beetle did a fine job of protecting us. Not bad. Not bad at all. Pictures of the beetle will likely follow shortly... If you, for some reason, don't know what I am talking about - the post about the car accident can be found here: Clicky!

The one about the car wreck.

William and I were in a car accident this evening. A lady ran a red light and hit the driver's side of my sweet little red beetle. The police tell us that they will be issuing her a citation. Right behind us, serendipitously, was the woman we bought out house from. She was fantastic and stayed with us until we went in the ambulance. Poor thing - I hugged her so hard! She was also the one who recruited me to be a room mom this year...

We are okay - William's face is burned from the airbag (yeah - I know. don't go there.) He went to the hospital in the ambulance on the board with the head restraint and all that. They x-rayed him as a precaution and sent him home. He is SUCH a trooper. Never lost it. Never broke down. Didn't even cry. He is so rock solid. Everyone was amazed. On the way home I told William how very proud I am of him - that he was so brave etc. He said "Well, I'm a karate student. That's how we are."

My hand is burned. My neck is bruised and burned. I will go to the chiropractor on Monday to let them check me out. I am sure I will be sore. But all in all I think I am okay. I never tensed up. I never froze. I stayed relaxed. The only explanation I have is - Tai Chi? I don't know. So - I can't relax in my day to day life but I get in an accident - and - hey! I don't pretend to understand! LOL!

Of course, I spent the better part of last evening washing and armoralling my car yesterday. This morning I filled it up, yup $40! Figures. I am thrilled that we walked away virtually unscathed - still - there's an hour of my life and $40 I will never see again! :(

The Wii is Coming!!!

Shhhhh... no one tell William's gym teacher.

We ordered a Wii. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Now - normally I am the LAST person to be excited about a game system - but this is truly the exception to the rule! I just think we will have so much fun and I have heard that one can get quite a bit of exercise playing...

If you have one and can recommend any games that we should rent, please do! Even Grandma is excited - I think she is just chomping at the bit to kick my ass at bowling, LOL!

Bowling and Playdoh Fun!

Yesterday, William and I went to visit friends in Burlington, where we used to live... we went bowling. It was great fun, if not horribly embarrassing. Okay - maybe not HORRIBLY embarrassing, but damn close. I can't bowl to save my soul. I suck. No doubt about it... I don't so much care - but when a seven year old beats you with the bumpers up... well - 'nuff said.

Let's talk about Pat's van...

JK...

;)


Here are some pictures (not of the van!)...

Playdate XL

Today I had the privilege of watching William's friend Alexis and her sister, Hara while their father had surgery on his paw... well - hand, but we always call hands and feet paws here - that is another blog altogether though isn't it??

We had a great day! I wasn't sure what to expect - Hara is two and very active, they arrived at 5am. - might have gone badly, instead - we really had a great day! Hara and I spend some time reading together and playing on the computer (heaven help me I can NOT remember the website I found for her - she really enjoyed it.) Then they all played together outside, we ate lunch, Hara napped - truly a great day. I remembered why I love the age of two - but I also realized it was wise of me to stop at one child. Being nearly 42 with a two year old, especially when one has been up since 4:30 - is a bit tiring.

I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It was fun!

Nearly Instant Gratification

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with William's second grade class. I was asked to do a spring craft - heaven forbid I just have them make spring chicks out of paper plates - nope - not me.

WE talked about the history of origami - and I read Lissy's Friends by Grace Lin to the class. The I taught them how to make a dog and a swan. I wasn't really sure what to expect - would the oh-so-sophisticated youth of today turn their noses up at the simple joys of making an animal out of a piece of paper? Would they thing the story too childish?

They loved it! I gave out so many extra pieces of paper and showed them how to make a square out of a regular sheet of notebook paper. It was so much fun. (BTW - I purchase my paper from Kim's Crane. I highly recommend it! Shipping was prompt, but they are moving across the country now and will be closed until the end of April.)

Are we coming up on the nearly instant gratification part yet??? Yeah - we're there - chill...



Today my dear friend and fellow room-mom called me to tell me that her son has not stopped making swans since yesterday afternoon! This morning she woke to a room full of beautiful colored swans. This made my heart happy! I wonder what it is about the mind of a child that they will make a bazilllion of the origami animal that they have learned - adults usually make a few until we master the folds, but then grow weary of it - children will just keep on making them - I love that about them. They are not afraid of excess...

Family Bingo Night

Hi from bingo

Sent this from family Bingo night - William and Grandma getting ready for the game to start... We had fun - WIlliam won a styrofoam airplane - actually Grandma won for him. I have retained my all-time losing streak in Bingo, but mad a legion of Origami Swans out of the discarded Bingo papers! :)

Today's Worm.

Today we learned that the easiest way to come even close to an enjoyable time at Chuck E. Cheese is to get there early. We arrived at 10:00 am (they open at 9:00) and had the place basically to ourselves. Allow me to say, at this point, that I loathe and despise CEC. It is loud, lights flash everywhere - it is crowded... but basically I learned today that they actually play music at CEC. I was never able to hear it before this.

AND I did not spend a lot of money. I downloaded a coupon for 100 tokens for $10 - bought two refillable sodas for about $3 - so for less than $15 we were set. Additionally - we still have at least half of the tokens left for next time.

SO: To make the best of CEC: Sign up at their website for coupons and GO EARLY!! Next time we decided we would go to breakfast first and then arrive at 9:00 AM when they open - allowing us a full two hours before anything even STARTS to get ugly! This is handy to know because there CEC is a powerful motivator; as much as we hate it, the kids seem to love it. This way - everyone wins.

As a Post Script: we were originally supposed to go to Johnson's Farm this morning, but were deterred by the cold weather and the fact that one little girl in our party is recovering from Pneumonia. CEC was our plan B - but we all had a great time anyway...

Snow Day Cake

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William and I decided to make a snow day cake yesterday, instead of cookies. Turned out reasonably well - too bad I don't have a cake saver. The leftover cake resides in the microwave. (William, who is a huge fan of the Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" said to me the other day "Hey, Mike Rowe... wave! - Get it mom??? Mike Rowe... wave???" Where DOES he get this stuff?? LOL...