Yes, we have time alone together every Tuesday and Thursday morning, but we had some unexpected time together when Julianna went over to Alyssa's house for lunch.
Nick got to choose what he wanted to eat for lunch, and he decided on scrambled eggs, and asked if he could help make them.
I don't usually have the kids help prepare the food, just because I don't think I can keep tabs on them well enough; but with only one, it's really fun to have them help make the meal!
Nick cracked the eggs and beat them with the whisk. While I tended to them on the stove, he did a very careful job cutting up cucumbers!
We sat down to enjoy our lunch together, and as you might guess, this time he didn't resist eating anything on his plate! He was excited about those cucumbers!
A simple thing can be really nice.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Progress
Here is where things stand today:
Definitely coming along!
The first few days, Dino just hissed at Turbo and then left the room, giving us the cold shoulder and his patented glare of disapproval.
Then, he started to hiss and swat at Turbo. (Turbo seemed unfazed.)
The next step was Turbo starting to swat at Dino (mostly trying to get him to play & wrestle). Then Dino would bait Turbo with his tail, get him to pounce on his tail, and then hiss and swat at him when he did!
Finally, Dino consented to being in the same room without any drama.
Turbo still wants to get him to play!
____
Here are a couple of other cute pictures:
That's a tired kitty!
Definitely coming along!
The first few days, Dino just hissed at Turbo and then left the room, giving us the cold shoulder and his patented glare of disapproval.
Then, he started to hiss and swat at Turbo. (Turbo seemed unfazed.)
The next step was Turbo starting to swat at Dino (mostly trying to get him to play & wrestle). Then Dino would bait Turbo with his tail, get him to pounce on his tail, and then hiss and swat at him when he did!
Finally, Dino consented to being in the same room without any drama.
Turbo still wants to get him to play!
____
Here are a couple of other cute pictures:
That's a tired kitty!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Now I've Gone and Done It
There's a three-month-old baby living with us. He is a present for Dino, although Dino is not yet seeing it that way! I think he'll come around...
We'd like you to meet him!
He may look familiar to you (Mom and Darell)...
(drumroll...)
This is Turbo!
He is from the pet store, and I met him there about a week ago. I thought he was sweet and friendly (and yes, I was a sucker for his coloring). Eric and I had been talking about getting a kitten for a few months, thinking that Dino would enjoy some companionship (I should now change that to "hoping," though). We also thought it would be fun for the people in the family!
I told Eric about this kitten, but then I hesitated, thinking that I should go to the Humane Society instead. I thought about it for a few days, and decided to go back to the pet store, since I knew he was friendly and since he had been an abandoned kitty and would end up at the Humane Society anyway if no one bought him.
I wanted to surprise the kids. So, while the girls were at gymnastics class on Monday, Nick and I went to the pet store and got him. Then, when the girls came out of class, I was holding our pet carrier and Nick was shouting, "we got a new kitty!" It took a minute to sink in, but then there was much jumping up and down and cheering!
It was hard to concentrate on homework (or much of anything) the rest of the evening. The New Kitten did a lot of exploring, and a lot of LOUD purring. I remarked to Nick, "he has a loud motor!" and Nick liked the idea of a cat having a motor.
We couldn't focus enough to think of a name that night, although Katie wanted him to have a name before she went to school in the morning. But we didn't want to rush into anything!
Katie asked everyone at school for name ideas, wrote them down, and came home with a long list of suggestions. I came up with a list of ideas, too.
Catherine, Henry, and Violet came over to meet The New Kitten after school. They wore him out chasing the laser pointer, and he slept most of the evening! This gave us a chance to talk over the name ideas and come to a consensus! Can you guess why "Turbo" seems to fit?
Our list of ideas included:
Coloring-inspired:
Mischief-making-inspired:
Loud-motor-inspired:
Little Cute Bug
If you're ever wondering what Turbo is doing "right now," chances are it's this:
Julianna is very good at picking him up and holding him, and seems to be doing just that during 99% of her waking hours.
He seems to like it too... so much that he has been known to fall asleep in her arms, as captured in this photo:
This is a snuggly kitten who loves people. Can you tell?
We're all committed to giving Dino extra love, because he is our #1 man! He's been getting lots of hugs and scratches!
We'd like you to meet him!
He may look familiar to you (Mom and Darell)...
(drumroll...)
This is Turbo!
He is from the pet store, and I met him there about a week ago. I thought he was sweet and friendly (and yes, I was a sucker for his coloring). Eric and I had been talking about getting a kitten for a few months, thinking that Dino would enjoy some companionship (I should now change that to "hoping," though). We also thought it would be fun for the people in the family!
I told Eric about this kitten, but then I hesitated, thinking that I should go to the Humane Society instead. I thought about it for a few days, and decided to go back to the pet store, since I knew he was friendly and since he had been an abandoned kitty and would end up at the Humane Society anyway if no one bought him.
I wanted to surprise the kids. So, while the girls were at gymnastics class on Monday, Nick and I went to the pet store and got him. Then, when the girls came out of class, I was holding our pet carrier and Nick was shouting, "we got a new kitty!" It took a minute to sink in, but then there was much jumping up and down and cheering!
It was hard to concentrate on homework (or much of anything) the rest of the evening. The New Kitten did a lot of exploring, and a lot of LOUD purring. I remarked to Nick, "he has a loud motor!" and Nick liked the idea of a cat having a motor.
We couldn't focus enough to think of a name that night, although Katie wanted him to have a name before she went to school in the morning. But we didn't want to rush into anything!
Katie asked everyone at school for name ideas, wrote them down, and came home with a long list of suggestions. I came up with a list of ideas, too.
Catherine, Henry, and Violet came over to meet The New Kitten after school. They wore him out chasing the laser pointer, and he slept most of the evening! This gave us a chance to talk over the name ideas and come to a consensus! Can you guess why "Turbo" seems to fit?
Our list of ideas included:
Coloring-inspired:
- Rocky
- Dusty
- iNKy (New Kitten)
- Smokey
- Cloudy
- Misty
- Storm/Stormy
- Thunder (see also: loud motor)
- Bo (Bojangles) (white tap shoes)
- Boots
- Sox,
Mischief-making-inspired:
- Rascal
- Roscoe
- Tuggy
Loud-motor-inspired:
- Thunder (see also: coloring)
- Diesel
- Harley
Little Cute Bug
If you're ever wondering what Turbo is doing "right now," chances are it's this:
Julianna is very good at picking him up and holding him, and seems to be doing just that during 99% of her waking hours.
He seems to like it too... so much that he has been known to fall asleep in her arms, as captured in this photo:
This is a snuggly kitten who loves people. Can you tell?
We're all committed to giving Dino extra love, because he is our #1 man! He's been getting lots of hugs and scratches!
Pictures from Disneyland
We love the Dumbo ride!
This giant Mr. Potato Head tells jokes while you wait in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. Very amusing!
Look who "marched" in the parade!
This giant Mr. Potato Head tells jokes while you wait in line for Toy Story Midway Mania. Very amusing!
Look who "marched" in the parade!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Hightailing it to Adventureland
This weekend, we spent a day at Disneyland. Eric's company had arranged for everyone to go. After arriving and picking up our tickets, they handed everyone a cap with the company logo on it. The company is very secretive and does not put their name on anything -- just the logo which is a simple shape.
So ... there were thousands of us roaming around Disneyland and California Adventure that day, wearing identical caps embroidered with the simple shape. Like some sort of Cult of the Square had come to melt the minds of everyone waiting in the lines.
We had a Disneyland Day Full of Firsts!
We went on the Finding Nemo ride for the first time, as well as the Toy Story Mania ride (which was definitely the winner out of those two new ones).
We discovered that Nick measures right up to the line, as in the You Must Be This Tall To Ride This Ride line! That was a very exciting discovery!
With this new knowledge, we decided to take everybody on Space Mountain. Yes, this would be a first for all three kids... BUT ... there is a story. First of all, to understand the story, you must remember that the cars on Space Mountain are three rows of two seats. And that we have two parents and three kids in our family. OK, and ... scene: We are getting close to the front of the line. The girls are getting nervous and both say they will only go on if they can sit next to Daddy or Mommy. Nick is saying he wants to go on the ride, but 1) he is three, and 2) he doesn't know what he is getting himself into (he has no idea what this ride is). So Mommy and Daddy want him to sit next to one of us. We suggest that the girls sit together and have Mommy and Nick in the row in front of them, and Daddy in the row behind them. The ride attendant sends us to Lanes 1-3. The girls say NOOOOOOOOOOOO! THEY EACH NEED TO SIT NEXT TO A PAAAAARRRRREEEEEEEENNNTT! The car is ready for us to board. It is decided (real fast) that Mommy and Nick need to hop in and Daddy will wait with the girls for us to come out and then go on. So Mommy and Nick hop in.
Well, what do you think? Did Nick enjoy his first time on Space Mountain?
No, he did not.
I couldn't see him in the dark during the ride, so I held his hand and shouted "Wheee!" the whole time so he would feel me in the dark and hear that I was having fun, in case he was feeling scared, but I had absolutely no idea if he was liking it or not. He wasn't making any sound. At the end, I asked him if he liked it, and he very calmly said, "No, I didn't like that one. I do not want to ride it again." He didn't seem upset, but he definitely stuck to that opinion.
Now it was time for the rest of our group to ride. When we saw Daddy and the girls, Nick informed them that "That ride is too scary." Julianna decided she did not want to find out for herself, which was perfect because Daddy could go with Katie and I could wait with Julianna and Nick.
So what do you think? Did Katie enjoy her first time on Space Mountain?
OH, YES. Yes, she did!
She was exhilarated and declared it her favorite of the day! Way to go, Katie!
Another first was on Soarin' Over California. This one is a big family favorite, and since Nick was finally tall enough, we could all go on together for the first time! It was fantastic, of course, and Nick loved it!
We also got to eat dinner at the Blue Bayou restaurant. It was everyone's first time except for me (growing up, my family ALWAYS ate dinner there, every time we went to Disneyland). Since the Company Day at Disneyland had been planned quite some time ago, I had been able to call ahead and make reservations, and I was very excited to eat there again, like coming home after all these years! When we walked in, the darkness and mood made Julianna nervous, but I assured her that we would just be enjoying the peaceful nighttime river scene with the pretty lanterns strung above our heads, watching the boats go by... we would not see the boats go down the waterfalls to where the Pirates of the Caribbean are. After reassuring her that we did not have to go on the Pirates ride, we could just eat here and then walk back out the door, she was fine and we all enjoyed our yummy dinners and our dessert shaped like a pirate ship.
There was another first, an unfortunate one that I could have lived without.
The last thing we did was go to the Enchanted Tiki Room, even though Nick had already said he was tired and wanted to go. Since both Julianna and Nick looked like they were sleeping with their eyes open through the Tiki Room, and Main Street was filling up with people sitting and waiting for the fireworks, we decided we had better book it out of Disneyland or we might not be able to get out until after the fireworks.
We got out of the park and I realized that I did not have our bag. I had left it sitting in the Tiki Room. Eric and I looked at each other, trying to figure out if we could leave anyway, not wanting to deal with how to get it. When we realized the car keys were in it (and since we preferred to keep our camera), we knew I had to run back inside.
And RUN I did. Swimming upstream against the flow of the crowds (after waiting in line to get in the gates - ugh), I hightailed it into Adventureland. At the Tiki Room, I told the guy "I left my bag in there!" and he pulled it out of a storage closet! Huzzah!
I called Eric to tell him SUCCESS! ON MY WAY BACK TO PARK EXIT! and ran back out to the family. Eric was Shocked, Shocked I Tell You that I had been so fast. "You must have run!" he said.
OK, so first time leaving the bag inside Disneyland and having to go back in for it ten minutes before fireworks. AND THE LAST TIME.
So ... there were thousands of us roaming around Disneyland and California Adventure that day, wearing identical caps embroidered with the simple shape. Like some sort of Cult of the Square had come to melt the minds of everyone waiting in the lines.
We had a Disneyland Day Full of Firsts!
We went on the Finding Nemo ride for the first time, as well as the Toy Story Mania ride (which was definitely the winner out of those two new ones).
We discovered that Nick measures right up to the line, as in the You Must Be This Tall To Ride This Ride line! That was a very exciting discovery!
With this new knowledge, we decided to take everybody on Space Mountain. Yes, this would be a first for all three kids... BUT ... there is a story. First of all, to understand the story, you must remember that the cars on Space Mountain are three rows of two seats. And that we have two parents and three kids in our family. OK, and ... scene: We are getting close to the front of the line. The girls are getting nervous and both say they will only go on if they can sit next to Daddy or Mommy. Nick is saying he wants to go on the ride, but 1) he is three, and 2) he doesn't know what he is getting himself into (he has no idea what this ride is). So Mommy and Daddy want him to sit next to one of us. We suggest that the girls sit together and have Mommy and Nick in the row in front of them, and Daddy in the row behind them. The ride attendant sends us to Lanes 1-3. The girls say NOOOOOOOOOOOO! THEY EACH NEED TO SIT NEXT TO A PAAAAARRRRREEEEEEEENNNTT! The car is ready for us to board. It is decided (real fast) that Mommy and Nick need to hop in and Daddy will wait with the girls for us to come out and then go on. So Mommy and Nick hop in.
Well, what do you think? Did Nick enjoy his first time on Space Mountain?
No, he did not.
I couldn't see him in the dark during the ride, so I held his hand and shouted "Wheee!" the whole time so he would feel me in the dark and hear that I was having fun, in case he was feeling scared, but I had absolutely no idea if he was liking it or not. He wasn't making any sound. At the end, I asked him if he liked it, and he very calmly said, "No, I didn't like that one. I do not want to ride it again." He didn't seem upset, but he definitely stuck to that opinion.
Now it was time for the rest of our group to ride. When we saw Daddy and the girls, Nick informed them that "That ride is too scary." Julianna decided she did not want to find out for herself, which was perfect because Daddy could go with Katie and I could wait with Julianna and Nick.
So what do you think? Did Katie enjoy her first time on Space Mountain?
OH, YES. Yes, she did!
She was exhilarated and declared it her favorite of the day! Way to go, Katie!
Another first was on Soarin' Over California. This one is a big family favorite, and since Nick was finally tall enough, we could all go on together for the first time! It was fantastic, of course, and Nick loved it!
We also got to eat dinner at the Blue Bayou restaurant. It was everyone's first time except for me (growing up, my family ALWAYS ate dinner there, every time we went to Disneyland). Since the Company Day at Disneyland had been planned quite some time ago, I had been able to call ahead and make reservations, and I was very excited to eat there again, like coming home after all these years! When we walked in, the darkness and mood made Julianna nervous, but I assured her that we would just be enjoying the peaceful nighttime river scene with the pretty lanterns strung above our heads, watching the boats go by... we would not see the boats go down the waterfalls to where the Pirates of the Caribbean are. After reassuring her that we did not have to go on the Pirates ride, we could just eat here and then walk back out the door, she was fine and we all enjoyed our yummy dinners and our dessert shaped like a pirate ship.
There was another first, an unfortunate one that I could have lived without.
The last thing we did was go to the Enchanted Tiki Room, even though Nick had already said he was tired and wanted to go. Since both Julianna and Nick looked like they were sleeping with their eyes open through the Tiki Room, and Main Street was filling up with people sitting and waiting for the fireworks, we decided we had better book it out of Disneyland or we might not be able to get out until after the fireworks.
We got out of the park and I realized that I did not have our bag. I had left it sitting in the Tiki Room. Eric and I looked at each other, trying to figure out if we could leave anyway, not wanting to deal with how to get it. When we realized the car keys were in it (and since we preferred to keep our camera), we knew I had to run back inside.
And RUN I did. Swimming upstream against the flow of the crowds (after waiting in line to get in the gates - ugh), I hightailed it into Adventureland. At the Tiki Room, I told the guy "I left my bag in there!" and he pulled it out of a storage closet! Huzzah!
I called Eric to tell him SUCCESS! ON MY WAY BACK TO PARK EXIT! and ran back out to the family. Eric was Shocked, Shocked I Tell You that I had been so fast. "You must have run!" he said.
OK, so first time leaving the bag inside Disneyland and having to go back in for it ten minutes before fireworks. AND THE LAST TIME.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Written by Julianna: A Report From Kindergarten
A boy named Michael made friends with the girls at recess. That was fun!
The next good thing was Katie H. shared her birthday cupcakes at snack with me, Alyssa and Nicolette.
And the next good thing was today wasn't so boring.
I have fun in P.E.
We have been learning the alphabet. That's fun because the lower case letters are easy for me. I get stickers for working very quietly. And so does Alyssa.
We have Centers when the afternoon kids are in P.E. There is Computer center, Reading center, Building center, Dramatic Play center, and Coloring center. I wish Centers was every day.
Today we had music. I made friends with a girl named Jennifer from the afternoon class. And a girl named Mia.
Today I gave one of my stickers to my mom. It looks like a nickel.
My mom helped in my class on Monday! That was FUN! She read a cute story. I felt very very happy.
The End
Love, Julianna
The next good thing was Katie H. shared her birthday cupcakes at snack with me, Alyssa and Nicolette.
And the next good thing was today wasn't so boring.
I have fun in P.E.
We have been learning the alphabet. That's fun because the lower case letters are easy for me. I get stickers for working very quietly. And so does Alyssa.
We have Centers when the afternoon kids are in P.E. There is Computer center, Reading center, Building center, Dramatic Play center, and Coloring center. I wish Centers was every day.
Today we had music. I made friends with a girl named Jennifer from the afternoon class. And a girl named Mia.
Today I gave one of my stickers to my mom. It looks like a nickel.
My mom helped in my class on Monday! That was FUN! She read a cute story. I felt very very happy.
The End
Love, Julianna
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
That weird fungus
It's back, and it opened up this time:
I've been getting them out while they're still really small, but apparently this one grew and opened up quickly.
It's in a pot! How am I going to get rid of it?
And why am I putting up pictures of a weird fungus when I still haven't put up the Oregon pictures? Because there are just 2 fungus pictures, and over 300 Oregon photos! Ack!
I've been getting them out while they're still really small, but apparently this one grew and opened up quickly.
It's in a pot! How am I going to get rid of it?
And why am I putting up pictures of a weird fungus when I still haven't put up the Oregon pictures? Because there are just 2 fungus pictures, and over 300 Oregon photos! Ack!
Monday, September 8, 2008
The First Day of School
Today our girl had her first day of Kindergarten! She was cheerful and excited this morning as she got ready to go.
We were quite a group walking over to the school! Julianna had her little snack in a little lunchbox.
You know what? Julianna has the same desk that Katie had on her first day of Kindergarten! I think she was a little nervous when she got to the classroom, although she hides it well when she's out in public.After our (much smaller) group left the school, we took Nick over to the preschool for his first day!
There were some tears at drop-off time, so I stayed to watch for a little while. Nick was shy during circle time, his hands fiddling with his mouth, but did speak out loud and strong when they asked them if they knew their teachers' names! He played by himself in the bike yard, and I found that a little hard to watch, so I headed home. When I came to pick him up, he was enthusiastically participating in Story Time. He saw me, ran over for a hug, and told me "I like Room 7!" Then we took the picture you see just above!This is Julianna when she got home from Kindergarten:
Doesn't she look happy?She had a good first day and is looking forward to tomorrow. Maybe I'll hear more about her day tomorrow!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Speaking of my firstborn...
It is hard to believe my baby is in the third grade!
And yet...
...she sure has grown up since the first day of kindergarten!
And yet...
...she sure has grown up since the first day of kindergarten!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Happy Birthday, Malia!
You are one today, you little charmer!
We love you!
I remember when my firstborn turned one. It was so hard to believe that a whole year had gone by, yet my life had changed so completely that my pre-motherhood days seemed like a distant memory. I certainly couldn't imagine my life without her!
We love you!
I remember when my firstborn turned one. It was so hard to believe that a whole year had gone by, yet my life had changed so completely that my pre-motherhood days seemed like a distant memory. I certainly couldn't imagine my life without her!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Since we've been home
Neighborhood Water Balloon Fight!
Weird fungus growing in my front pots
Playdates! and Swimming!
(Not pictured)
Took Nick to the dentist!
(Not pictured, but if there were a picture, heavenly light would be emanating from it. Six months ago, this boy was so afraid of the dentist that he wouldn't sit in the chair and wouldn't open his mouth and the dentist gave up and told me to just forget it and come back in six months. This time, he wanted "shiny lion teeth" and clambered right up into the seat and opened his mouth wide before the hygienist was even ready! He was CALM and followed all directions! Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!)
Drop-in Day (the girls carefully chose their outfits)
On Tuesday, we took the girls over to school for Drop-in Day. We brought all of Katie's school supplies and she put them in her desk in the third grade room. Julianna got to see her Kindergarten classroom and some of her friends who had dropped in at the same time. (I thought this would help with her nerves, but it was minimal.) Katie was having a great time in the third grade room and didn't want to leave, but Nick was VERY insistent that he did not want to be there anymore and we needed to come home! He was hoping that the girls would stay at school and he would have the house to himself, but no such luck.
The First Day of School for Katie
A very happy third grader has headed out the door for two mornings straight! She is so excited about the year, her teacher, learning cursive and multiplication (after January)... She's feeling very big because "we're the oldest on the playground!"
When she came home from school yesterday, I noticed that her new jumper is pretty long. So I took the waist up and hemmed the skirt last night (on both jumpers). Now, when I wash them, they'll probably shrink and I'll have to take it back out. Maybe not the best planning ever.
Julianna's first day will be Monday. She was wishing that she could start when Katie did. She's nervous about Kindergarten and wants to just get started so she can stop worrying. I agree!
Weird fungus growing in my front pots
Playdates! and Swimming!
(Not pictured)
Took Nick to the dentist!
(Not pictured, but if there were a picture, heavenly light would be emanating from it. Six months ago, this boy was so afraid of the dentist that he wouldn't sit in the chair and wouldn't open his mouth and the dentist gave up and told me to just forget it and come back in six months. This time, he wanted "shiny lion teeth" and clambered right up into the seat and opened his mouth wide before the hygienist was even ready! He was CALM and followed all directions! Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!)
Drop-in Day (the girls carefully chose their outfits)
On Tuesday, we took the girls over to school for Drop-in Day. We brought all of Katie's school supplies and she put them in her desk in the third grade room. Julianna got to see her Kindergarten classroom and some of her friends who had dropped in at the same time. (I thought this would help with her nerves, but it was minimal.) Katie was having a great time in the third grade room and didn't want to leave, but Nick was VERY insistent that he did not want to be there anymore and we needed to come home! He was hoping that the girls would stay at school and he would have the house to himself, but no such luck.
The First Day of School for Katie
A very happy third grader has headed out the door for two mornings straight! She is so excited about the year, her teacher, learning cursive and multiplication (after January)... She's feeling very big because "we're the oldest on the playground!"
When she came home from school yesterday, I noticed that her new jumper is pretty long. So I took the waist up and hemmed the skirt last night (on both jumpers). Now, when I wash them, they'll probably shrink and I'll have to take it back out. Maybe not the best planning ever.
Julianna's first day will be Monday. She was wishing that she could start when Katie did. She's nervous about Kindergarten and wants to just get started so she can stop worrying. I agree!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Song About Oregon
by Katie (and her collaborators)
(sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
There are things that must be done when you go to Or-e-gon.
See the animals at the fair, look at Mount Hood way up there.
Drive up the river to see the falls, go to OMSI and play with little balls.
Oregon City is where the Trail ends, go to the museum and tell all your friends.
A trip to the seaside can’t be beat, feel the sand beneath your feet.
Pictures are coming!
(sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
There are things that must be done when you go to Or-e-gon.
See the animals at the fair, look at Mount Hood way up there.
Drive up the river to see the falls, go to OMSI and play with little balls.
Oregon City is where the Trail ends, go to the museum and tell all your friends.
A trip to the seaside can’t be beat, feel the sand beneath your feet.
Pictures are coming!
Friday, July 25, 2008
We're not the only ones
There's another Chabot 5!!
Congratulations to the other Chabot 5 - Ryan, Sarah, Lucas, Cole, and Jacob!
Jacob Ryan Chabot was born at just before 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 23.
8 lbs, 11 oz
22 inches
Congratulations to the other Chabot 5 - Ryan, Sarah, Lucas, Cole, and Jacob!
Jacob Ryan Chabot was born at just before 6:00 pm on Wednesday, July 23.
8 lbs, 11 oz
22 inches
Saturday, July 19, 2008
My second week of UPSTAGE!
HIYAfolks! I am in GOOD MORING BALTIMORE, MAMA I'M A BIG GIRL NOW, WELCOME TO THE SIXTIES, and YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT so far. I'm a business man in GOOD MORNING BALTIMORE. I poke my head out of the curtains and say "hey mama, say mama" in MAMA I'M A BIG GIRL NOW. I'm a little girl playing on the streets in WELCOME TO THE SIXTIES. I'm a reguler person in YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT. Don't forget my performance is next week!
I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME AT UPSTAGE!
I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME AT UPSTAGE!
Where have you BEAN?
Why, hello there. Helloooooo? Hello? It sounds very echo-y in here. No one around for miles. Well, then no one will mind if I just talk to myself a bit.
So, self, whatcha been up to this summer?
Well, self, I went on a trip to Quebec with my husband, and since then I've been home with the kids doing not much at all. Except, doing so much that I've been too busy to visit this here blogger homepage.
We are ALL OVER this summer thing, yo. We are doin' it up right!...
...
Julianna lost her second tooth! It was really wiggly for a pretty long time, and when it finally came out we saw that the big tooth didn't come in directly underneath. It came in behind the baby tooth. So, a)no wonder it had trouble pushing the baby tooth out, and b)oh dear; this girl's going to need some dental work someday...
We've been doing lots of swimming! With kids ages 3, 5, and 8, that definitely means I'm in the pool with them, hence the difficulty finding time to sit at the computer. Julianna and Nick are coming along with their swimming. Julianna started out the summer by staying on the big step, then started swimming around wearing a floaty vest, and now is working on her dog paddle with no flotation device! Nick started out the summer by staying on the big step, and now he's using the Turtle Floaty to JUMP IN and motor all over the pool! He extends his legs behind him and kicks those little-boy feet, kick kick kick kick kick kick kick kick, and looks like a little motorboat! It is so adorable. Katie's goal right now is to figure out how to retrieve toys off the bottom of the pool. She's still working on it!
Along with all the swimming, we've had lots of friends over to play and swim with us! I've been providing lunch for lots of our buddies, and sometimes dinner as well. We even had a visit from Kim, Stuart, and Quinn from Sydney!
We also have been playing with the kids next door. If both families are at home, the kids are probably playing. It's great living next to them!
We went over to the beach to visit Darell & Kathryn and our friends the O'Learys and had a really fun day. The kids loved playing in the sand and running from the waves! We have not done this with them before, but I think we will try to do it more often now that we have people to visit over there.
Katie has been going to her theater camp. It is 5 days a week, 9 am - 3 pm, and they have finished the second of the three weeks. They are putting together a review of scenes and songs from "Hairspray," and we'll go see the production next Saturday night. She is thoroughly enjoying it, although she had a few days of frustration last week over the assignments of solos. But we had a good talk about it, and things are looking up. At the end of the first week, she was given the part of "businessman" in one of the numbers. Breathlessly, she told us "I get to wear a suit and a hat and carry an old-fashioned briefcase! I'm so excited I get to be a businessman because it's really playing a different person from who I am!" She told everyone we saw that weekend or talked to on the phone. It was SO CUTE! It's fun for her to be able to do this with her best friend Emma, since they don't go to the same school and don't usually get to spend this much time together.
Julianna and Nick are still attending their preschool's summer school, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. This is Nick's first session of preschool, and he is so proud of himself! He tells people, "I go to school now." An extra bonus is that his favorite friend Sean is in the class with him and they have a ball together. (Literally.)
You may wonder what I'm doing with my time now that I actually have a few hours when all three kids are at their summer activities. Well, I'll tell you: it's very exciting. I got some fillings at the dentist and went to Home Depot for some errands. Wah. Hoo.
I'm also trying to finally work on the basement and have made some progress. But like most projects of this nature, it gets more messy before it starts looking good. It's quite messy right now.
Julianna, Nick and I have also been busy during the time when Katie's at camp. In addition to the playdates, we've gone to the zoo, the aquarium, and the Hollywood Bowl. The aquarium was strange for me... Many things are the same, several things are new, and the people I used to work with have moved on to other institutions. It's weird to go back to your old stomping grounds and feel like the place doesn't know you anymore. OH! and there was this one volunteer who was making me a bit crazy with his misinformation. He told Julianna that "blue whales eat little fish named krill." "That's right, honey," I said, "they eat tiny shrimp called krill." Then later, that same volunteer was at the bat ray touch tank speaking on the microphone and said "Do you know what we call animals that breathe air? We call them mammals." (Cough) (Hack) (Cough) Oh, brother. So birds, reptiles, insects, etc. are all mammals, then, genius?
Summer Sounds at the Hollywood Bowl is probably our favorite activity each summer. This is my eighth year in a row! It's a musical performance for kids, and you can also buy a ticket to do an art project related to the theme for that day. Unsurprisingly, since it is the Hollywood Bowl after all, the talent is top-notch. Back when I started attending with just Katie, you could show up and buy tickets for that day's performance. Each year, it became more and more popular, and for the past few years it has sold out in April a day or two after tickets went on sale. This year, they changed it so that weeks 1-2 are the same, 3-4 are the same, and 5-6 are the same. Good News, there are lots more tickets available; Bad News, only three shows to go see instead of six. Oh well. Julianna, Nick and I had a lot of fun at the first show, which featured Incan musicians and dancers from Peru, and at the art workshop we made small mosaics after looking at Peruvian examples for inspiration. Next week, Zimbabwe!
One night, the kids went over to Tall Katie's house for a sleepover! Eric and I got to enjoy dinner out together, then we went to pick up Nick and bring him home to sleep in his own bed. I think that night was a treat for everyone!
In addition to all of the summer-special activities, the girls have continued their gymnastics class and Katie has been taking private violin lessons. She is progressing nicely! She is working on rhythms that mix eighth notes with quarter notes.
...
So what's coming up?
Katie finishes her theatre camp and we'll all attend the performance, and Julianna and Nick have their last week of Camp Calvary (a full T & Th, with Water Day and BBQ Party).
I have rehearsals for my August 3 Music in the Park gig (the wedding that hired me as a soloist for Mass was today, so that's over).
We're going to the zoo for dinner and World Music Night next week.
More friends coming over!
And then, at the end of this next week, we leave for Oregon. We'll see lots of family, including the new baby cousin/nephew who will be born on Wednesday! The main item on the Oregon agenda is Quality Time with Family. I'll wait until we get there to figure out specific activities...
But I've got one week to get us all packed for the visit and the car trip up there (and figure out what to sell to earn some gas $$$?)!
I've already done most of the Back-to-School shopping - there are only a couple errands left, so we'll be ready to get home and start school one week later!
...
And now, the reason for the title of this post:
We have beans! Nick's bean plant made beans!
So, self, whatcha been up to this summer?
Well, self, I went on a trip to Quebec with my husband, and since then I've been home with the kids doing not much at all. Except, doing so much that I've been too busy to visit this here blogger homepage.
We are ALL OVER this summer thing, yo. We are doin' it up right!...
...
Julianna lost her second tooth! It was really wiggly for a pretty long time, and when it finally came out we saw that the big tooth didn't come in directly underneath. It came in behind the baby tooth. So, a)no wonder it had trouble pushing the baby tooth out, and b)oh dear; this girl's going to need some dental work someday...
We've been doing lots of swimming! With kids ages 3, 5, and 8, that definitely means I'm in the pool with them, hence the difficulty finding time to sit at the computer. Julianna and Nick are coming along with their swimming. Julianna started out the summer by staying on the big step, then started swimming around wearing a floaty vest, and now is working on her dog paddle with no flotation device! Nick started out the summer by staying on the big step, and now he's using the Turtle Floaty to JUMP IN and motor all over the pool! He extends his legs behind him and kicks those little-boy feet, kick kick kick kick kick kick kick kick, and looks like a little motorboat! It is so adorable. Katie's goal right now is to figure out how to retrieve toys off the bottom of the pool. She's still working on it!
Along with all the swimming, we've had lots of friends over to play and swim with us! I've been providing lunch for lots of our buddies, and sometimes dinner as well. We even had a visit from Kim, Stuart, and Quinn from Sydney!
We also have been playing with the kids next door. If both families are at home, the kids are probably playing. It's great living next to them!
We went over to the beach to visit Darell & Kathryn and our friends the O'Learys and had a really fun day. The kids loved playing in the sand and running from the waves! We have not done this with them before, but I think we will try to do it more often now that we have people to visit over there.
Katie has been going to her theater camp. It is 5 days a week, 9 am - 3 pm, and they have finished the second of the three weeks. They are putting together a review of scenes and songs from "Hairspray," and we'll go see the production next Saturday night. She is thoroughly enjoying it, although she had a few days of frustration last week over the assignments of solos. But we had a good talk about it, and things are looking up. At the end of the first week, she was given the part of "businessman" in one of the numbers. Breathlessly, she told us "I get to wear a suit and a hat and carry an old-fashioned briefcase! I'm so excited I get to be a businessman because it's really playing a different person from who I am!" She told everyone we saw that weekend or talked to on the phone. It was SO CUTE! It's fun for her to be able to do this with her best friend Emma, since they don't go to the same school and don't usually get to spend this much time together.
Julianna and Nick are still attending their preschool's summer school, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. This is Nick's first session of preschool, and he is so proud of himself! He tells people, "I go to school now." An extra bonus is that his favorite friend Sean is in the class with him and they have a ball together. (Literally.)
You may wonder what I'm doing with my time now that I actually have a few hours when all three kids are at their summer activities. Well, I'll tell you: it's very exciting. I got some fillings at the dentist and went to Home Depot for some errands. Wah. Hoo.
I'm also trying to finally work on the basement and have made some progress. But like most projects of this nature, it gets more messy before it starts looking good. It's quite messy right now.
Julianna, Nick and I have also been busy during the time when Katie's at camp. In addition to the playdates, we've gone to the zoo, the aquarium, and the Hollywood Bowl. The aquarium was strange for me... Many things are the same, several things are new, and the people I used to work with have moved on to other institutions. It's weird to go back to your old stomping grounds and feel like the place doesn't know you anymore. OH! and there was this one volunteer who was making me a bit crazy with his misinformation. He told Julianna that "blue whales eat little fish named krill." "That's right, honey," I said, "they eat tiny shrimp called krill." Then later, that same volunteer was at the bat ray touch tank speaking on the microphone and said "Do you know what we call animals that breathe air? We call them mammals." (Cough) (Hack) (Cough) Oh, brother. So birds, reptiles, insects, etc. are all mammals, then, genius?
Summer Sounds at the Hollywood Bowl is probably our favorite activity each summer. This is my eighth year in a row! It's a musical performance for kids, and you can also buy a ticket to do an art project related to the theme for that day. Unsurprisingly, since it is the Hollywood Bowl after all, the talent is top-notch. Back when I started attending with just Katie, you could show up and buy tickets for that day's performance. Each year, it became more and more popular, and for the past few years it has sold out in April a day or two after tickets went on sale. This year, they changed it so that weeks 1-2 are the same, 3-4 are the same, and 5-6 are the same. Good News, there are lots more tickets available; Bad News, only three shows to go see instead of six. Oh well. Julianna, Nick and I had a lot of fun at the first show, which featured Incan musicians and dancers from Peru, and at the art workshop we made small mosaics after looking at Peruvian examples for inspiration. Next week, Zimbabwe!
One night, the kids went over to Tall Katie's house for a sleepover! Eric and I got to enjoy dinner out together, then we went to pick up Nick and bring him home to sleep in his own bed. I think that night was a treat for everyone!
In addition to all of the summer-special activities, the girls have continued their gymnastics class and Katie has been taking private violin lessons. She is progressing nicely! She is working on rhythms that mix eighth notes with quarter notes.
...
So what's coming up?
Katie finishes her theatre camp and we'll all attend the performance, and Julianna and Nick have their last week of Camp Calvary (a full T & Th, with Water Day and BBQ Party).
I have rehearsals for my August 3 Music in the Park gig (the wedding that hired me as a soloist for Mass was today, so that's over).
We're going to the zoo for dinner and World Music Night next week.
More friends coming over!
And then, at the end of this next week, we leave for Oregon. We'll see lots of family, including the new baby cousin/nephew who will be born on Wednesday! The main item on the Oregon agenda is Quality Time with Family. I'll wait until we get there to figure out specific activities...
But I've got one week to get us all packed for the visit and the car trip up there (and figure out what to sell to earn some gas $$$?)!
I've already done most of the Back-to-School shopping - there are only a couple errands left, so we'll be ready to get home and start school one week later!
...
And now, the reason for the title of this post:
We have beans! Nick's bean plant made beans!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Katie's day at UPSTAGE!
My day at Upstage was absoulutly FABULOUS! First Kate (one of my friends) showed me around. Second of all we stretched before we got started. Then, we learned some of the dances for one of the songs. We learned the catseye, jerk, swim, dive, mashed patato, twist. Then, we had snack. Then, we learned the pony, the grape vine, Chennae Turns (Mom looked it up: it's spelled Chaînés). Then, we had lunch. Then we auditioned.
Then, we learned the whole chorus for YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT! in 40 minutes. Then, we stretched before our parents picked us up.
I've had a wonderful day at UPSTAGE!
Then, we learned the whole chorus for YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT! in 40 minutes. Then, we stretched before our parents picked us up.
I've had a wonderful day at UPSTAGE!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Scenes from a Fourth
We had a very nice Fourth of July in these parts, with both community and family celebrations.
On Thursday, Julianna and Nick had a little parade and sang a few songs for us at their summer school.
On the Fourth of July, our little town has a nice celebration, which includes a Pancake Breakfast in the Fire Station, a parade down our main street, food, games and music in the park, and a fireworks show at night.
This is our second year living here. Last year, we left town on the Fourth but did the Pancake Breakfast before we left.
This year, the girls and I went to watch the parade. They were hot and were not shy to let me know about it (again and again), but we all enjoyed it. It's a small and ragtag little parade, but it fits our town well.
Katie dressed up as Betsy Ross for the occasion, but quickly became too hot and lost the outer layer.
We saw musicians from the high school,
AYSO families and the YMCA girls' basketball league,
the local chapter of Neighbors for Peace and Justice reminded us of our rights,
the volunteers who help the city put on the Clean Air Car Show & Film Festival reminded us to B! Y! O! B! (Bring Your Own Bag!)
The Chamber of Commerce said, "Save Gas, Shop Local!"
The neighborhood preservation group dressed up as historic homes and trees,
town officials got to ride in vintage cars, and residents drove their own interesting vehicles,
The high school spirit squad performed for us,
as did the local square dance club,
and my favorite? The Scottish Pipe & Drum corps!
After the parade, we decided to forego the park and go home for some time in the pool!
We felt so lucky to have family in our home! It's new for us, but we loved it! We all enjoyed a hearty meal of baby back ribs, corn on the cob, and fruit salad.
After dinner, we headed over to the high school stadium, where my band played as the opening act for the fireworks!
It was the kids' first fireworks show, and they loved it! It was a great show, with musical accompaniment that really added to the spirit. I had trouble looking away from the kids' awe-struck faces to watch the fireworks!
Happy Birthday, America! We are so lucky to live here. I have several hopes and wishes for this country as we celebrate our 232nd birthday!
On Thursday, Julianna and Nick had a little parade and sang a few songs for us at their summer school.
On the Fourth of July, our little town has a nice celebration, which includes a Pancake Breakfast in the Fire Station, a parade down our main street, food, games and music in the park, and a fireworks show at night.
This is our second year living here. Last year, we left town on the Fourth but did the Pancake Breakfast before we left.
This year, the girls and I went to watch the parade. They were hot and were not shy to let me know about it (again and again), but we all enjoyed it. It's a small and ragtag little parade, but it fits our town well.
Katie dressed up as Betsy Ross for the occasion, but quickly became too hot and lost the outer layer.
We saw musicians from the high school,
AYSO families and the YMCA girls' basketball league,
the local chapter of Neighbors for Peace and Justice reminded us of our rights,
the volunteers who help the city put on the Clean Air Car Show & Film Festival reminded us to B! Y! O! B! (Bring Your Own Bag!)
The Chamber of Commerce said, "Save Gas, Shop Local!"
The neighborhood preservation group dressed up as historic homes and trees,
town officials got to ride in vintage cars, and residents drove their own interesting vehicles,
The high school spirit squad performed for us,
as did the local square dance club,
and my favorite? The Scottish Pipe & Drum corps!
After the parade, we decided to forego the park and go home for some time in the pool!
We felt so lucky to have family in our home! It's new for us, but we loved it! We all enjoyed a hearty meal of baby back ribs, corn on the cob, and fruit salad.
After dinner, we headed over to the high school stadium, where my band played as the opening act for the fireworks!
It was the kids' first fireworks show, and they loved it! It was a great show, with musical accompaniment that really added to the spirit. I had trouble looking away from the kids' awe-struck faces to watch the fireworks!
Happy Birthday, America! We are so lucky to live here. I have several hopes and wishes for this country as we celebrate our 232nd birthday!
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