Feeling the need

I haven't written anything here for a long time.  I guess I feel like I use Facebook as my mini Blog.  But today I'm feeling inspired to write.  To share more about today than a brief status and sharing some pictures.

Today I took the kids to Jamestown Settlement.  4th graders study Virginia history and Jeff has been eating it up.  Erin is also loving her history class, although her focus is US history post-Civil War.  Neither kid has ever had a field trip to Jamestown.  I remember growing up in Central Massachusetts.  5th grade was where we learned Colonial US history, and I'd swear we went on something like 8 field trips that year.  We visited Boston several times.  We went to Concord and Lexington.  We climbed the monument at Bunker Hill.  Schools these days just don't have the opportunities we did.

These were formative trips for me.  I came away with such a passion for history and museums.  My parents continued to feed that passion.  They took me to visit Orchard House (Louisa May Alcott's home) and back to Concord and Lexington near home.  When we went on vacation we hit up places like Falling Waters, Gettysburg, museums along the National Mall, Colonial Williamsburg and even Jamestown.  I remember sitting and watching the glass blower at Jamestown for what felt like hours.  I was simply mesmerized.  It was these trips that convinced me to study history as an undergrad and get my MA in applied history to work in museums.  Although I've stepped away from working in museums, my passion for history, especially living history, hasn't faded.

So, when I get to take the kids somewhere that I connect to it means so much. Jeff is the one who originally asked to visit Jamestown.  We've got a mini break these 2 days so I decided just to jump on the opportunity.  Weather wise we had a gorgeous day.  Bright sun, sweatshirt weather.  We took our time to watch the introductory movie in the theater and then headed outside to explore the rest of the site.  Nearly everything there is hand's on, and the kids ate it up.  Aside from the museum and galleries there is a Powhatan village, a Jamestown fort, and replicas of the 3 ships that sailed to the New World.  I was amazed at how much time the kids wanted to take with everything.  We explored every house in the Powhatan village, cleaned hides and dug out a canoe with seashells.

The fort is where we spent most of our time.  Jeff was most excited about the musket demonstration, but we really spent the majority of our time watching the blacksmith.  The blacksmith was their comparison to my glass blower.  Part of it was that the interpreter was just fantastic.  He brought the kids right into his world.  Responded to their questions and asked them questions in turn.  Several groups came through and Jeff and Erin continued to stay and chat.  To ask questions.  To watch him make nails.

When we finally walked away from the blacksmith, Erin held a clinker in her hand. Apparently a clinker is a term for the waste material that builds up in the smith's fire.  We watched him clean the fire out, cool the clinker off and hand it around.  Erin looked up at me and stated -- I want to be a blacksmith when I grow up.  Go for it young lady.  Live your dream.

   

Birthday Celebrations

Just a couple of pictures from the birthday celebrations.  Both kids had days packed full of activities.  Jeff had school, followed by tech rehearsal for Charlotte's Web.  Erin got to share her birthday with my Mother's Day, head to church to serve as acolyte and perform in Charlotte's Web.  Yet we still found a little time to sit down and open presents and blow out candles.

Jeff got all his celebrating done first thing in the morning. Tom made him bacon and eggs for breakfast and we bought birthday donuts to hold his candles. He opened his presents before school (although had received his big present from mom and dad a day earlier in the form of a new hamster).

Skittly the hamster

Birthday Breakfast

Candles on his donut

Erin waited until after breakfast to open her gifts, although got special breakfast also. Her big present was her trip to see Wicked but she did receive some new clothes for her dolls, a book she's been wanting and a copy of Hunger Games on Blue Ray!
 

LOVES her kitty

 

American Girl clothes!

Birthday candles on a plate of cupcakes!

Where has the time gone?

Well look, your birthday post is a day late.  Hopefully it's not a dollar short.  Just like with your brother, the busy aspects of life got in the way and I didn't get to write to you before yesterday.  But oh, how I've been thinking about how you are growing.  And how many exciting things are just around the corner.  Just where has the time gone my little one?

Next August you're going to start middle school.  You are absolutely excited.  You've been talking about learning Spanish or French for several months now.  You will have different teachers and have to "move between classes".  Best of all, there will be lockers.  I'm absolutely terrified.  How will you reach your locker when you get a top locker.  Will your organization skills get you through the day? Who will watch out for you?

But seeing the exuberance in your eyes lets me know how much you're growing up, and how quickly. And it's not all bad.

You're finally tall enough to ride the big roller coasters at King's Dominion. The ones you've watched for years and years. You can now flip upside down at crazy fast speeds and drop down hills at almost 90 MPH if you want to (I think we're both rather crazy for loving that).

Last summer you spent your first week away from family at 4H Camp. Without a second glance back you hopped on to the bus ready for an adventure. You quickly found friends and loved learning to canoe and sing camp songs. When you returned 4 nights later you were exhausted in the best way possible, from growing and learning and making new friends.

You love your mommy time still, but it's different. You want to go out and get our nails done. Or go out to a nice dinner. Or watch a "big girl" movie (i.e. Hunger Games) together. We went to our first major theatrical production together. You loved choosing out the fancy dress to wear and were amazed at every second of Wicked.

I guess I will just have to face it. You're growing up. And I'll have to take it like you took your trip to camp.  I'm scared, and I don't know exactly what the future is going to bring. But it will be an adventure and I guess its time we face it head on -- together.

Love you, my big girl!

The Big NINE

Here it is.  10:55 the night before your birthday and I'm just starting your birthday letter.  That's just the way things have been this past year.  We've been so busy, doing so many, many things.

This weekend we spent all day Saturday outside, where you love to be.  After a morning of rocking as keeper at soccer we headed out to a family Cub Scout camp out.  What a gorgeous weekend to escape as a family. You spent a long time fishing, one of your new favorite things to do. You even wormed your own hook and then held your own fish to throw it back into the lake.

You've been coming into your own more and more this year as we are keeping busy. You've started taking your bike out and ride around the neighborhood with friends or your sister. Wearing a watch and making sure you are back in time for check-ins.

You love to help cook and can't wait for Kid's Cook night. And you always come up with something creative to make. Your own fancy hamburgers topped with shrimp or pineapple. Handmade dumplings. Meatball subs. When we are cooking you also like to help cut the veggies or measure ingredients.

Daddy took you on your first big boy hike. An overnight camp out with a scout friend. You carried your own pack. Helped set up camp. Slept the night under the stars.

But sometimes you are still my baby boy. You love your snuggle time. You want mommy to kiss your boo boos. You still need some help with your homework sometimes.

There are still more exciting things to come. This summer you and daddy will head off to a week of scout camp.  I know you will have so much fun, and I can't wait to write all about it next May 5th.

Enjoy your day big boy. Have fun. Smile. Laugh. Be you. The goofy, lovable, crazy you.

A "Wicked" Awesome Day

Remember this little girl?

Who sang "Wizard and I" when she was 8 (I'd post a link to that adorable video but it seems I had a mommy fail that weekend and don't have it recorded). She's been in love with the music from Wicked ever since.  Add in a special connection to anything Wizard of Oz (thanks Mr. Wills) and you've got one kid who should've seen Wicked numerous times by now, but nope.  Not until yesterday.

As an early birthday present, I bought 2 tickets to Wicked in Richmond last November. I've been anxiously awaiting the show since then. Erin had no clue, until we drove by the theater (in some crazy, insane traffic), what was going on. I'd explained a few weeks ago that we were going to do something special for her birthday on the 26th. I would need to pull her from her soccer game early and we would be spending the day together. She was convinced we were going to King's Dominion.

After soccer I explained to her that she needed to find her favorite summer dress and get all pretty. She was allowed to wear her makeup and should at least brush her hair. While she did that, I prettied up too, sneakily grabbed her Oz bracelet and knit Elpheba from Noni. We packed a little lunch and hopped into the car. We sang random show tunes all the way to Richmond.

Once inside she was in awe. We had cheap(er) seats in the balcony but were pretty center and Erin had a great view. I don't think she blinked the whole time. Jaw wide open. The majesty and awesomeness of it all was amazing. The music astounding live. The costumes fantastic (even from so far away). Both Glinda and Elpheba sent chills down our spines. I did have to remind Erin at the beginning of the show that this was not a sing-a-long though and she would have to keep quiet.

The audience was electric and I think that only added to the energy of the show. There were laughs and applause at places clearly not expected. Whistles and shouts of amazement. All deserved.

I caved and bought the girl an overly expensive t-shirt as a way to remember the day. I doubt she'll need it to remember it though. After the show we slowly made our way down from the balcony and outside. Traffic was nuts and I convinced Miss Erin to wander down the street to the stage door. A few minutes later an actor (Oz) emerged and graciously greeted fans with pictures and a pen for autographs.  Erin, feeling hungry was ready to go, but traffic was still nuts so I convinced her to chill. We waited about 10 more minutes and one last woman emerged from the stage door and walked to the small group waiting with a little wave. Not until I noticed the green in her hairline did I realize it was the amazingly talented woman who played Elpheba. Our waiting paid off. She chatted with fans, posed for pictures, admired a very special knit Elpheba doll and made for one fantastic birthday memory -- for mommy and daughter.

Erin and Elphy in her seat

When She Met the Wizard

All smiles with Elpheba

The Panda Family

The Panda family.  That's what Jeff calls it.  He got his first stuffed panda when he was 2 (almost 3) at the Memphis Zoo.  We had traveled to Memphis with Noni for work.  While she was at a meeting I took the kids to the Memphis Zoo.  It was a rainy dreary day in late March.  We were just about the only people there.  We spent a long time watching their pandas and the polar bear (Erin brought home Cranberry the stuffed Polar Bear).  Visiting that zoo is one of my favorite memories from when the kids were younger.  Having the place to ourselves allowed us to spend as much time sitting in front of an exhibit as we wanted.    

Jeff at 2 riding home from Memphis with Panda.  Also that's blankie in his lap.  It is not nearly that color yellow any more.  

Over the years Jeff has added to the "panda family".  A couple of Beanie Babies, a large panda from King's Dominion, a panda Webkinz and a panda beanie ball.  All of them sleep with Jeff every night (along with around 15 other stuffed friends).  He very carefully arranges them in bed and tucks them in.  Momma panda is the original panda.  This week at the National Zoo we spent more time watching the pandas.  We arrived nice and early, and the daddy panda was right up front eating some bamboo and then wandered the enclosure. We spent a long time taking pictures and watching Mr. Panda enjoy his morning snack.

Since it was spring break I explained to the kids that they could each pick one stuffed animal from the gift shop.  Jeff immediately ran to the pandas.  He handled them all, picking out the softest and snuggliest one.  At a reasonable price, it wasn't too hard for him to convince me.  He then kicked in to overdrive and grabbed a big eyed baby panda fussing that baby couldn't be left alone, separated from mommy.  Yeah I'm a sucker.  He got both.

When we got home and I was removing the tags I noticed that the tag of his new panda looked familiar.  The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced that this is exactly the SAME panda I bought Jeff almost 6 years ago in Memphis.  When we returned to C'ville he ran upstairs to get the rest of the family to introduce the new members.  Yep...this is virtually the exact same bear.  Same size, same weight.  Cleaner and fluffier but same one.

So we've added an auntie and cousin to the panda family.  I'm not sure how many more will fit in bed with the big boy.  But glad he still gets so much excitement from lovable, squishable stuffed animals.

Family Fun

Well, it's been a whole month since I blogged.  Sorry about that.  And I don't have a lot to share.  Mostly it was cold.  And snowy.  And cold.  And snowy.  I think the entire month we only had one full week of school.  This is why.




 I promise to be better about posting. Once it stops snowing.

Asking the important questions

Jeff showing off Dr. King's favorite meal

So, we've got the day off of school today. I'm rather impressed that both kids actually know WHY we have the day off (and it's not just for additional Wii time). They know that we are honoring Dr. King's birthday today. That he was a great man who preached peace and justice.  That intolerance was not to be withstood. On the way home from rehearsal last night Jeff asked the really important question...

"What was Martin Luther King's favorite meal? We should cook his favorite meal to celebrate his birthday tomorrow."

We hemmed and hawed. Dad joked that maybe it was chili, since chili was on the plan for dinner anyway. J didn't buy it. We tossed around the idea that it was probably traditional southern food (after we remembered that he was born and raised in Atlanta). J insisted we make sure by Google-ing it - because that's the only way to find any right answers. So the Google proved mom and dad right, his favorite foods were fried chicken, mac & cheese, greens etc...and pecan pie for dessert.

I told J that we'd make a special lunch out of Dr. King's favorite foods. Since I'm not really up on cooking southern food we stopped by our local small-town grocery store that sells some good fried chicken, mac & cheese in the back. No greens available so we grabbed green beans as a replacement. They didn't have mini pecan pies (and we eat pecan pie at the major holidays since it's my favorite) so we tried something labeled "Southern Coconut pie". It received a "meh" rating at the house as it was pretty sweet. I'm sure Dr. King had the real stuff.

I don't know if the kids remember our visit to the National Civil Right's Museum in Memphis. It's housed in the Lorraine Motel where King was shot. They were both pretty young (2 and 4 maybe) when we visited. I do remember the museum having some great displays for kids (though not as young as E and J). It's a pretty moving place. There's a burned out bus from the riots, and of course you can visit the balcony where King was shot.  Maybe they don't remember but it will always stick with me.

So we honor you today Dr. King.  We eat the humble and homey southern food. And we remember to "dream". Thanks Jeff for asking the important question and knowing why there's no school today.

Visiting Memphis in March 2008

Unplugged

Admittedly we all spend too much time plugged in. The kids both have iPods and DSs. They play on the computer and the Wii. And we feed the monster. Both kids received several Wii games for Christmas (I refuse to buy and more DS games since it takes them about a week to lose a $40 game). The weather this week has been extremely cold as we missed 2 days of school so there was quite a bit of extra electronics time around the house. At one point recently, when told it was time to unplug, I was informed that there was nothing to do in the house and that E was going to "bored herself to death." Amazingly she survived the next 2 hours.

So on Saturday the kids had a friend over.They headed straight for the Wii and plugged in, playing some Disney Infinity and mini Golf. And then I took the TV over.I wanted to watch a little figure skating combined with football (that's the way I roll).So the kids took to the toys.

Then next several hours encompassed some of the best imaginative play I've seen in a long, long time. An old toddler castle toy was broken out with all it's knights and dragons along with an army of Star Wars figures and Lego men.When they tired of that game the kids created a make-your-own angry birds style launching game. Little Dixie cups were turned into walls and towers and super balls were catapulted at them.

The fun of the evening continued to amaze me.  A huge indoor blanket tent was erected in the living room.The boys broke out the chess board.They dug out Battleship -- just plain old Battleship when electronic Battleship was sitting on the top of the pile.

 

What a blessing it was to watch them all play together. To explore their imaginations. To make their own little worlds. To pull out games that required some thinking. To abandon the electronics and just enjoy each other. To build. To simply play.

I'm not saying that we're going to become one of those unplugged families. We enjoy our video games, our apps, our music. But some days it's great to leave it all behind and break out those creative juices. Let's see what happens the next time. Thanks for coming to play C!  

Christmas Fun

Christmas was spent with Noni, Grandpa Donuts, Oma and Uncle Jonathan this year. It was great to get to spend several days together as we see each other often but it's rarely for more than a day or 2 at a time. We chose to chill together and take a few little excursions (one without the kids as they were in grumpy mode that day).

We continued our unintentional tradition of homemade pizza on Christmas Eve. I believe that for the last 3 or 4 years we've had homemade pizzas on Christmas Eve. We settled in at Noni's, unpacked our landslide of presents (and hung our stockings). Everyone managed to settle into bed by 10:30 or so.

Erin woke everyone up Christmas morning about 7:30. Our tradition is stockings followed by breakfast then presents under the tree. We take our time with presents and open one at a time. With 8 people in the house it took close to 2 1/2 hours to open presents but every second was worth it.

Lots of much desired gifts were received. A illuminating Hermione wand and sewing machine were the highlights for Erin. Jeff received Disney Infinity from his Noni and a new board game from Santa (as well as a collection of books from mom and dad). Tom continued his trend of consumable liquids (liquors and cooking oils) and I found a new Blueray player and Keurig machine under the tree.

Thursday was meant to be a family day at the museums but the kids woke up grumpy so we left them behind. Tom, my mom and I headed into the American History museum to check out this exhibit. There's a small section in the back of the exhibit that I had a hand in accessioning into the museum when I interned there in 1998. Definitely provided a sense of validation.  After the museum the three of us continued to walk the Mall and popped into a few other museums. It was a great adult day.

Friday the kids begged to go ice skating so we hit up a nearby outdoor rink.  Noni decided she wanted to try and skate for the first time. It was an absolute blast as everyone (except Uncle Jon) was together being silly. It was a small rink, and a little crowded but Noni made some great progress, and Erin and Jeff glided around the ice like little pros.

The rest of the time as Noni's was spent simply spending time together. Lots of games (Wii and table) were played. Baby dolls were enjoyed. A long time was also spent with Erin's new sewing machine. She and Noni made a beautiful blanket AND a skirt for Rebecca (Erin's doll). We can't wait to make more things here at home.

By Saturday afternoon we were gathering the presents and loading things into a car. Unfortunately as the saying goes "All good things must come to an end."