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Jason and the boys are currently out for Round II of The Great Candy Grab. Round I ended with shivers, followed by a halftime with a giant pizza and the first half of The Sorcerer’s Stone, our usual Halloween night movie. The boys donned hoodies under their costumes and hit the streets to see what else they could haul in.
How about those blasters? I saw this tutorial linked on Geek Dad this week and immediately sent it to Jason. (Not that I couldn’t – or wouldn’t! – make them myself, but he did ask what he could do to help. He had fun with it, and he rarely gets to be involved in the Halloween costuming.)
In an effort not to pass Hamthrax H1N1 onto the entire neighborhood, we decided to leave our candy out on the porch for the neighbors. In an additional effort not to let the first three kids get all the candy, I did this:
The boys are back, not-so-patiently waiting to restart the movie, so off I go. Once they’re in bed, Jason and I will cross our fingers and hope AMC is showing some wonderful old Vincent Price movie.
Have a safe and spooky Halloween!
Today, the one I’ve seen several times is “Hamthrax.” Heh, cute.
Whether you go all clinical (like we have around here), calling it H1N1, or can’t quite let go of the original, media-hyped Swine Flu! (OMG, PIG Flu! Like Bird Flu, only with hooves and a funny snout!), we seem to have welcomed it into our household this week. The evidence is there, and I can only say we’ve been blessed with a pretty mild case. It’s sure a lot more mild than the flu I had while pregnant with Nicky nearly ten years ago. Now, that was a flu to write home to the sty about…*
But back to the Hamthrax H1N1. Nicky came down with A Fever Sunday night, so of course he stayed home from school the next day, and I cancelled my Monday trip to Costco and my volunteer time at the library. (Mondays = excitement. Yeah.) Kalen skipped happily off to his first grade class. (From my car in the school parking lot. I’m not quite ready for him to walk to school alone. Give me a few years.) Nicky watched some movies.
Tuesday morning at 2:00am, Nicky’s Fever broke. He stayed home, though (that pesky “24-hours fever-free” rule), and The Fever returned mid-day. We watched the Real Star Wars trilogy. That evening, Jason and I came down with Fevers (both of us), chills (me), and a sore throat (him). Wednesday through Friday found me missing the school bus stop in front of our house in Georgia desperately, as we took turns getting a surprisingly healthy Kalen to and from school. It also found the remaining three of us holed up in the living room with an odd assortment of The Today Show, Jason’s work lap top (he’s still contracting = no paid sick time = EARN, Baby!), Phineas and Ferb, books, quilts, pillows, The Deadliest Catch, and I really can’t remember what else.
Everyone seems to be improving in time for at least some of us to hit a street or two for Treats tomorrow night. (Sans adult-sized Jedi robes for Jason et moi. *Sob* The sacrifices one makes for illness.) My pesky Fever lingers on. It’s little more than an annoyance, causing wooziness whenever I stand up long enough to, say, load the dishwasher, take a shower, or walk into the school to pick Kalen up from his after-school Nature Club. Given its obvious efforts to keep me from accomplishing anything beyond becoming addicted to the adventures of Sig Hansen and crew, I’m tempted to christen our version of h1n1 The Sloth Flu.
See? It even sounds less menacing. The Sloth Flu. Sloths are slow. (Who among us has ever seen a sloth race at the county fair?) Certainly we can all outrun this pandemic before it gets off the ground.
*Yes, yes, I know this flu can be very dangerous and deadly. It hasn’t been for us, though, and we are grateful. Seriously, that ‘99-’00 (I had it over The New Millennium New Years, for crying out loud! And our anniversary! And I was pregnant!) flu really knocked me for a loop, so that’s my basis for comparison.
So, each week, I see this graphic on a couple/few of the blogs I frequent, and today I think, “Hey, that’s just what I need to eek out a blog post today!”
- I now have first-hand proof of the validity of the “wait until your child is free of symptoms for 24 hours before sending him back to school” rule. Nicky’s fever broke at 2:00 this morning, and as much as I wanted to send him to school, so he could participate in his final drum circle group, I did the right thing and kept him home. Several hours later, he looked miserable, and the thermometer registered 101.
- The house is still a wreck, but Jason took down the LCD TV mount the previous tenants left behind (which was likely only making him feel deprived, anyway) and replaced it with framed artwork. Awesome.
- The art (a tea towel from Bayeux, which my mother thoughtfully had framed for us), inspired me to clean off the mantel underneath it and spookify at least a little of the house. (Sorry about the shoddy photo.)
- My toes are cold. (Surprising to no one who knows me, I’ll wager.)
- I think I might just try NaBloPoMo again this year.
- The black light bulb we put in our front porch fixture every year always makes me think of Space Mountain.
- Bench Monday makes me happy.
Oh, to have the energy of a six-year-old when I don’t feel my best!
Kalen has a stinker of a head cold. Sleep last night was intermittent, and given the paranoia reasonable concern about germs these days, we decided a day home was probably best for everyone involved. The kids at school would have less exposure to the nastiness Kalen’s carrying, and he would have less exposure to potentially worse viruses while his immune system is run down. Win-win.
Today has reminded me a lot of when he was in preschool. Cuddle time on the couch, PB&J’s in front of a movie (old-school Pooh Bear, complete with blustery days and little black rain clouds!), and coloring.
There is one notable difference between four-year-old Kalen and six-year-old Kalen when it comes to coloring, however. The stories…the really, really destructive nature of them, to be exact. I was just treated to an hour-long (at least it felt that way – perhaps it was only about five minutes) explanation of certain “Vulture droids”* in various stages of exploding. Pre-explosion, impact of missiles and other droids/ships/somethings, actual explosion and/or crashing into what I observed to be a flame-engulfed planetoid of some sort.
He didn’t start the explanation in a seated position…this was only after a lengthy dancing/jumping/arm-waving speech that had me nodding and “uh-huh-ing” in a confused, sort-of-listening manner. (I’m sorry, after a while, I just have to tune it out.) Once I pulled him in for a hug and explained that perhaps Daddy would find this much more comprehensible, after all, he’s the Mythbusters-style explosions addict, the Vulture Droid Annihilator gave me the same sort of “uh-huh” before settling into the chair to expound a bit more. Touché, kiddo.
Incidentally, it was the bottom center photo that clued me into what he really needed, besides a semi-listening ear and a hug or two. Another difference between four-year-old and six-year-old Kalen: he now understands it when I explain the need for nap time when he’s sick.
*And with this, we have proof that the boys’ Star Wars knowledge has officially surpassed my own. Sigh.
Of all the words I don’t like to hear my kids say, there’s a certain four-letter one that really gets my goat. Any guesses?
It’s the c-word.
Can’t.
Can’t is a four-letter word. It’s the most limiting word in the English language. It drives me nuts.
At the park near our house yesterday, the boys decided to make an attempt at a great tree. It has a long, low, horizontal trunk, perfect for beginning climbers. And Nicky and Kalen are definitely beginners. For some reason, the climbing that comes naturally to so many kids has never been something they’ve been interested in. They’re actually pretty timid about it. A few seconds into the process, I heard shrieks and that dreaded c-word. Kalen was clinging to the the trunk, unable to move forward or backward in his panic. (Which, honestly, was rather hilarious, given the fact that he was about two-and-a-half feet off the ground.)
After helping him back off a bit, we strategized, and I informed him that he was not giving up, and he was not to use the word “can’t”. And what do you know?
Less than a minute later:
Look at the pride on that boy’s face! Love it.
Nicky began, and right off the bat faced a huge problem – this tree has been climbed by thousands of children, and it is slippery. His shoes are old, with zero tread, so I suggested removing them. The look on his face as he processed his mother suggesting shoe removal at a park was priceless. (I’m a stickler for shoes and socks at playgrounds. One too many run-ins with mulch and sandal-wearing feet. Ouch.)
Toes make great grips.
Boy, it’s humid in Atlanta in August. I know, I know, it’s a given, but I really do forget just how bad it is out there when I’m happily ensconced in my air conditioned home.
This morning, we had a playdate with our neighbors…from our old neighborhood, that is. Their oldest son is Kalen’s age, and they were in the same Kindergarten class last year. These boys have so much fun together, and they were troopers this morning! I needed to replace the logbook in one of our most popular letterboxes, so I recruited them to accompany us on a mini-hike to take care of it.
Of course, I took my camera…and you know it’s Monday.
So today, I did my part to educate friends about Letterboxing and Bench Monday. Both make me happy!
Getting together with friends we don’t see often enough makes me even happier. Thanks for a great day, guys!
(Right, Barbie?)
Tomorrow, we’re meeting a friend and her daughter for lunch. Maybe I should backtrack…
Last week, Mom mentioned that she’d like me to take all of my sister’s and my old Barbies with me when we move. Um, I don’t really want all my Barbies, but I really don’t want to get rid of them, either.
Then it hit me: what am I saving them for? When I was a little girl, I kept them looking so nice – I lost almost no shoes, I kept their hair combed – all because I knew that someday my daughters would want to play with them. Well, that’s certainly not going to happen. My boys couldn’t care less (they just like to race the Corvette alongside their dumptrucks), and even if they wanted to play with the dolls, I don’t think I could watch them play rough with the toys I kept so carefully for so long.
Did I mention the friend I’m meeting tomorrow has a daughter? Who likes Barbies? *Lightbulb*
So today, Mom and I played Barbies one last time as we set up for a fashion shoot. I decided to give all of them to Haylee, and relive my memories of my favorite childhood toys through my camera. Ready to climb in the time machine with me? Instead of a Delorean, we’ll be taking the pink Corvette…
Let’s start with a night on the town with Ken and Crystal Barbie. She was my favorite. I remember removing her from the box. That dress! That stole! And the earrings had crystals in them!
Next, a trio of favorites. On the left is Twirly Curls Barbie; she belonged to Heather. Twirly’s poor neck is beyond the help of any chiropractor – her hair is so heavy that her head lost the ability to stay upright years ago. In the center: Kissing Barbie. This Barbie has a button on her back that pushes her lips out – she really kisses! She came with a little tube of “lipstick,” and letters and envelopes to S.W.A.K. The envelopes quickly ran out, though, and the backs of our hands got the brunt of the kissing. On the right: Golden Dreams Barbie. If this outfit doesn’t scream, “Bridging the gap between the 1970’s & 1980’s!” I don’t know what would.
Next, make way for Western Barbie and her horse, Dallas! This beautiful lady also has a button on her back, but instead of kissing, she winks at you, displaying a nice, heavy swath of blue eyeshadow. Stylish!
Barbie wasn’t always out riding the range. When she hit the city, she did it in style! Here she is in her ‘79 Dream Vette. (Complete with mobile phone and television in the dash.)
So we know Barbie winks, kisses, rides and drives. Did you know she can also rock out in the most 80’s way? Yep, in the mid-to-late-80’s Barbie fronted her own band, Barbie and the Rockers. One year Heather and I saved up ALL of our money to head down to Toys R Us and buy their tour van. What could be cooler than a purple splatter-painted camper with its own working tape deck? Absolutely nothing.
Now what Barbie girl worth her salt would have such a fine collection of dolls without the threads to go with them? Our girls were oh-so-fashionable back in the day. Take a gander at this 70’s halter dress. And how about the Sergio Valente denim duds? Don’t you miss the 80’s?
The very best Barbie clothes, however, were not to be found on the shelves of the toy store. Pattern makers have always capitalized on our love of fashion dolls, and Mom provided our dolls with the greatest array of fashion choices. My favorites are the two outfits on the left – how awesome are they? (The house dress…meh. However, it brings back so many memories, I can’t not love it.)
And of course, Barbie had to be prepared for her wedding. Here we have a double ceremony, complete with bridesmaid.
Once I got old enough, I started following in Mom’s footsteps and making my own outfits for the girls. Most were still held together with straight pins when I found them in storage, but these two are great. I didn’t even realize until I found them that I’d known this much about crocheting at such a young age! I forgot it somewhere along the way…
So tomorrow, all these ladies and gents, vehicles and animal, clothes and accessories get passed to the next generation. I’m excited to have them once again fulfilling their purpose, rather than sitting in boxes in the basement. Thank you, Barbie, for the endless fun.
As I promised on Twitter last week, I can finally reveal my latest crochet project. Saturday was the shower for some dear friends, who are due next month with a little girl. Since I have so few opportunities (that is to say, no opportunities) to dress little girls, I had to go for a garment.
Pattern: Lacy Cardigan by Hilary Mackin, Sue Whiting
from The Big Book of Weekend Crochet
Yarn: Knit Picks Risata
Hook: 3.5mm (E)
I’m very happy with it, although I didn’t find the pattern too easy to read. I got it done though, and it’s adorable, and that’s the point! The yarn matches embroidery on the little dress I picked out for her, and it was a dream to work with. It has some stretch to it, and it created such a nicely-draping fabric.
Today, the baby fun continued when I drove out to meet a good friend from high school and her new baby boy. She and I had lost touch for a number of years (12!) before we met again at her baby shower this summer. Talking today, it was like we’d just been hanging out together last week. Good friends like that don’t come a dime a dozen.
Remember the Sólás Caomh blanket? That was for Little Baby Thomas:
Babies are so cooperative when they’re napping, aren’t they? Thomas, like both of my boys, was born prematurely due to preeclampsia. He is thriving, though, and ate like a little piggy while I was there today. (And his mommy is doing well now, too.)
He continued napping long enough for us to grab lunch…
…and then woke up to let me capture my favorite photo of the day. I love the look on Monica’s face.
(How freaking adorable is this baby?!?) Of course, when Thomas heard about Bench Monday, he got really excited and begged his Mommy to play along.
The tips and tricks have been flying in the Jessica Sprague class I’m taking! Over the past week, I’ve been more and more excited by learning the little things I’ve missed out on by self-teaching.
Kalen helped with this one – titling and colors. (Hint: photo fun, whether with a digital camera or in Photoshop, is a great way to distract a cranky kid! They love seeing photos of themselves!)
Believe it or not, Jason snapped this shot with his camera phone. These were my Mother’s Day flowers from him.
Selective coloring – I’ve done this before, many times, but this technique is much easier. Well, by easier, I mean it allows me to mess up more often, with less frustration. How could I not love that?
And now, my favorite…
This one just may get printed and framed. What do you think? Office? Guest room? Living room? Although we tend to have browns in our living room…I guess I could change the tone. Thoughts?
Happy Birthday, Kalen!
