I learned an important lesson this morning - that I am either too old or too out of shape (or, most likely, both) to be jumping like a kid at BounceTown. Man, I used some sort of muscles in my arms that clearly had not been used in some time (the out of shape portion of the equation), and my knees and neck ache (the too old portion of the equation). But I'll recover, and we had so much fun! All the cousins plus 2 friends and a sibling from Morgan's class joined us for an early birthday bounce party at BounceTown yesterday. An hour of bouncing (and a bounce obstacle course, which I have to believe is where the arm muscle using got me) followed by pizza and hostess cupcakes. It was even more fun than it sounds!
Then today was Jesse-Mommy day, which involves (like it did for Jocelyn back in February) a trip to the movies and a shopping spree at Target. We went to the 9:30am showing of Cars 2, which may or may not have been a good movie. I really couldn't say because we made it through all the previews but then proceeded to take 3 trips to the bathroom and miss some apparently critical points in the plot. At the 4th bathroom request I offered that we could just leave and Jesse jumped at the chance. I guess he just wasn't ready for a full feature, though he's also not used to having to watch TWENTY MINUTES of previews - geez!
So we headed to Target. Shopping list: socks for Josh, underwear for Timothy, and a toy and bike helmet for Jesse (his skateboard arrived this week!). We managed to add a few more impulse buys of course, including tech-decks and holders for each of Jocelyn, Timothy, and Jesse. Jesse had picked blue for himself, orange for Jocelyn, and green for Timothy. When we got home Jocelyn wanted blue and Timothy wanted green. So Jesse happily obliged and kept orange for himself. My sweetie pie!
He and Jocelyn took turns with the skateboard and bike for a while (don't worry, we got Jocelyn a helmet too), and then they played tech-decks with Timothy for a bit. Now Jesse just came to have his helmet buckled and he's off to play skateboard again. I think we have scored a successful Jesse-Mommy day :)
WE ARE SPECIAL, WE ARE WEIRD, BUT WE ARE NOT ALONE
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
June 18, 2011
Thought I'd recruit some help from Jocelyn and Jesse for today's email. A little interview...
What is a fun memory you have of Daddy?
Jesse: When I went shopping with dad I helped him.
Jocelyn: We went shopping and he let me have the king sized M&Ms but they weren't actually M&Ms because they were all chocolate. And another fun time was when we played outside and sometimes when we play outside I hug daddy too much even when I hold his hand sometimes, I think all the time. That's a big answer mom.
Jesse: When I was outside with daddy, and when I played with him a lot. We played bingo. Then we were playing catch together. And then when me and dad were going to get the mail and then we were going back to play ball. And then I did something called baseball. Then we played baseball with me and dad and Timothy and then daddy kicked the ball I even caught it and then he kicked it so high it went in the street so he went to get it. Said Jesse. Did you spell said Jesse? That's all.
Jocelyn: I think when I was 2 dad made me a little hair style that was like a baby hair style like a little kid pony tail with my hair a little up. I have a picture of that. And another fun time when Grandpa was here he had to go to subway. Before that we were playing basketball and I had a fun time.
What are some things Daddy says a lot?
Jocelyn: Clean up your room.
Jesse: You can have a break from cleaning.
Jocelyn: Clean up the toy room.
Jocelyn: I love you too Jocelyn.
Jesse: Can you go get my chh chh (inhaler)?
Jocelyn: Get out of my way please.
Jesse: Today on Father's Day he told me you look funny sweeping the game room. And that's all. Said Jesse.
What does Daddy like to eat a lot? (Jocelyn is now doing the questions)
Jocelyn: Some things jewish and his favorite cookies.
Jesse: Ribs.
What does Daddy like to watch a lot that's kids?
Jocelyn: Tough Puppy
Jesse: He likes to watch football, which I like to watch a lot. Said Jesse. Me and dad like to watch Dare Devil. Did you spell said Jesse? Are you spelling said Jesse?
What day does Daddy like to celebrate?
Jocelyn: I know that he likes Father's Day. That's today. 2011. Even one holiday he likes to go to celebrate on is Christmas and even Hanukkah.
What does Daddy read a lot?
Jocelyn:
What does Daddy like to watch that is super awesome?
Jocelyn: Hockey. AND Tough Puppy. AND don't forget Dare Devil.
Jocelyn: now it's Jesse's turn to do it.
What does Daddy like to play with?
Jesse: Daddy likes to play games like bingo.
Jocelyn: and Daddy likes to play with Jocelyn and Jesse and play video games with them
Jesse: that's what I was just gonna say
Jocelyn: awesome
What does Daddy like to do?
Jocelyn: Dad likes to watch TV shows even hockey even he likes to read books. Now Jesse's turn.
Jesse: Daddy likes to play video games like Mario Bros but he played the whole family one day but we have to get new controllers then we can play 4 people. Can I go play video games now?
What does Daddy know that the kids do?
Jocelyn: sometimes they play with each other nicely and he likes to see them playing nicely. You like that too, right Mom? Even he likes to go shopping with Jocelyn because she's nice and quiet. I really am. AND he knows what the kids do all the time because sometimes he hears or see or... yeah. And every time he knows what kids do, he kinda does his own thing sometimes. The End.
**************
Josh was kind enough to buy himself his own Father's Day gift (Dare Devil #1), so the only thing I could add to that was to do a little cleaning before he got up. Timothy and Jesse did the toy room while I learned how to use the dishwasher, and then Jesse did the game room all by himself and got all the trash and dishes out of the living room. I mention this because I decided to reward him with $3, which just happened to be the exact amount he needed to have enough (thanks to a recent cash infusion from Uncle Aaron and Aunt Abbe) to buy the skateboard he's been talking about for a month or so! He was SUPER excited and handed over his money to me so I could order it off the computer. Josh will go out this week and get him a helmet (since I have a feeling he'll need it!), and then he already has all the knee and elbow pads and such that he got for Hanukkah with his roller skates. I'll be sure to take a picture when he rides for the first time!
That's the news from here - happy father's day to all the dads!
Rhonda
What is a fun memory you have of Daddy?
Jesse: When I went shopping with dad I helped him.
Jocelyn: We went shopping and he let me have the king sized M&Ms but they weren't actually M&Ms because they were all chocolate. And another fun time was when we played outside and sometimes when we play outside I hug daddy too much even when I hold his hand sometimes, I think all the time. That's a big answer mom.
Jesse: When I was outside with daddy, and when I played with him a lot. We played bingo. Then we were playing catch together. And then when me and dad were going to get the mail and then we were going back to play ball. And then I did something called baseball. Then we played baseball with me and dad and Timothy and then daddy kicked the ball I even caught it and then he kicked it so high it went in the street so he went to get it. Said Jesse. Did you spell said Jesse? That's all.
Jocelyn: I think when I was 2 dad made me a little hair style that was like a baby hair style like a little kid pony tail with my hair a little up. I have a picture of that. And another fun time when Grandpa was here he had to go to subway. Before that we were playing basketball and I had a fun time.
What are some things Daddy says a lot?
Jocelyn: Clean up your room.
Jesse: You can have a break from cleaning.
Jocelyn: Clean up the toy room.
Jocelyn: I love you too Jocelyn.
Jesse: Can you go get my chh chh (inhaler)?
Jocelyn: Get out of my way please.
Jesse: Today on Father's Day he told me you look funny sweeping the game room. And that's all. Said Jesse.
What does Daddy like to eat a lot? (Jocelyn is now doing the questions)
Jocelyn: Some things jewish and his favorite cookies.
Jesse: Ribs.
What does Daddy like to watch a lot that's kids?
Jocelyn: Tough Puppy
Jesse: He likes to watch football, which I like to watch a lot. Said Jesse. Me and dad like to watch Dare Devil. Did you spell said Jesse? Are you spelling said Jesse?
What day does Daddy like to celebrate?
Jocelyn: I know that he likes Father's Day. That's today. 2011.
What does Daddy read a lot?
Jocelyn:
What does Daddy like to watch that is super awesome?
Jocelyn: Hockey. AND Tough Puppy. AND don't forget Dare Devil.
Jocelyn: now it's Jesse's turn to do it.
What does Daddy like to play with?
Jesse: Daddy likes to play games like bingo.
Jocelyn: and Daddy likes to play with Jocelyn and Jesse and play video games with them
Jesse: that's what I was just gonna say
Jocelyn: awesome
What does Daddy like to do?
Jocelyn: Dad likes to watch TV shows even hockey even he likes to read books. Now Jesse's turn.
Jesse: Daddy likes to play video games like Mario Bros but he played the whole family one day but we have to get new controllers then we can play 4 people. Can I go play video games now?
What does Daddy know that the kids do?
Jocelyn: sometimes they play with each other nicely and he likes to see them playing nicely. You like that too, right Mom? Even he likes to go shopping with Jocelyn because she's nice and quiet. I really am. AND he knows what the kids do all the time because sometimes he hears or see or... yeah. And every time he knows what kids do, he kinda does his own thing sometimes. The End.
**************
Josh was kind enough to buy himself his own Father's Day gift (Dare Devil #1), so the only thing I could add to that was to do a little cleaning before he got up. Timothy and Jesse did the toy room while I learned how to use the dishwasher, and then Jesse did the game room all by himself and got all the trash and dishes out of the living room. I mention this because I decided to reward him with $3, which just happened to be the exact amount he needed to have enough (thanks to a recent cash infusion from Uncle Aaron and Aunt Abbe) to buy the skateboard he's been talking about for a month or so! He was SUPER excited and handed over his money to me so I could order it off the computer. Josh will go out this week and get him a helmet (since I have a feeling he'll need it!), and then he already has all the knee and elbow pads and such that he got for Hanukkah with his roller skates. I'll be sure to take a picture when he rides for the first time!
That's the news from here - happy father's day to all the dads!
Rhonda
Friday, June 17, 2011
June 17, 2011
Seems fitting that with Father's Day this weekend, I share some various pieces of advice/sayings/theories from my own father.
1) "If it were up your nose you'd know it."
This was the typical response to "I can't find my." I think it was my dad's version of "not my problem" or "figure it out". I actually struggle with this with my own kids. They come whining to me about something and really I just want the whining to stop so I try to help them, but then the next time, cue the whining. I really need to just start using this phrase more.
2) "Never lie. Unless it's really important."
I remember this advice very specifically. I was 7 years old and it was a weekend in early summer and I was sitting on the porch with my dad, just the two of us. It was a breezy day and my hair was in 2 ponytails. My father was in the phase where he was wearing running shorts OVER sweatpants, which he had decided was both stylish and functional since the shorts held up the sweatpants. For all the detail I remember, I don't recall how we got onto the subject of lying. But I remember the conversation that started with these words.
Dad: Never lie. Unless it's really important.
Me: I don't lie.
Dad: Good. Because some day you are going to need to lie, and when you do, you'll need people to believe you. If you have never lied before, they will.
Me: Are you going to lie to me?
Dad: I will if it's really important.
Me: ok
3) Number 1 rule of driving - stay out of the way of trucks
The lesson here was two-fold. First, on the highway, big trucks are large and less nimble than cars. The lesson was to be polite and not make them move around unnecessarily. Second, on the back roads, look out for pick-up trucks and don't irritate them. I think this was more of a "the truck is bigger than you and you will lose" type of lesson, but I didn't really question it.
4) "The winner wants the ball."
We were watching the movie Hoosiers (SUCH a great movie!). I must have been 12 or 13. I made some comment near the end of the movie, during the big game, that if I was on the team, I would so not want them passing the ball to me and I felt bad for the player who ended up with it. Dad just turned his head to me and said firmly "The winner wants the ball." Then he turned back to the movie. Conversation over. Interestingly enough, I think years later this was an actual line in a football movie - perhaps The Replacements?
5) "What about it?"
This one was a staple in the dad go-to responses. Here would be just one example of how it would work:
Dad: Go outside and play.
Me: But what about dessert?
Dad: What about it?
Me: Can I have dessert before I go outside and play?
Dad: It's "May I" and why didn't you just say that first. Don't make me think of your arguments for you.
6) "Consensus breeds mediocrity."
So here's the theory - the more people you have making a decision, the less likely you are to truly mess anything up. The side effect is that you are also materially less likely to produce anything really spectacular. I actually hesitated as to including it in today's list because I'm not totally sure I agree with it. I would say the majority of the time, it's right-on. But when you have a high-performance team (like ours!) and have open-minded players (like us!), I think it is possible to create a sum greater than the parts.
Related frequently used variations:
Never up, never in. (Apparently this is some sort of golf reference? Something about putting and not leaving it short?).
No risk, no reward.
Always bet on yourself.
If your friends jumped off a bridge…
Who cares what I think, what do YOU think?
Why are you asking me - it's not my life.
7) "You just worry about you."
General response to tattling or to asking my mother why she got to eat in the living room was dad breaking in with this gem.
8) Play until someone cries.
This wasn't a quote, it was just a rule. I have two sisters; they are 2 and 4 years younger than I am. My dad would always be happy to play with us, until someone cried. I think our record was 2 whole minutes. When the crying began, he would stand up, put his glasses back on, and leave the room.
9) "Yeah well, life isn't fair."
Another staple. I would guess that about 90% of complaints were met with this one. I should really use this one more too.
10) "Don't ever play poker for money."
This was not generic advice, this was very specific advice meant for me personally. My dad had knee surgery when I was 16 and spent a week or so on the couch. I played chess with him and beat him for the first time ever, which was the last time I ever played chess. I played poker with him and lost terribly. When it was over he said, "I thought I was the worst poker player I knew, but you're worse. Don't ever play poker for money."
So there's a little insight into my upbringing for you on this Friday afternoon. Perhaps it explains a little bit about me. Or perhaps you are just thinking I should have put the word "random" in all caps today. In either case, happy Friday and have a great weekend!
1) "If it were up your nose you'd know it."
This was the typical response to "I can't find my
2) "Never lie. Unless it's really important."
I remember this advice very specifically. I was 7 years old and it was a weekend in early summer and I was sitting on the porch with my dad, just the two of us. It was a breezy day and my hair was in 2 ponytails. My father was in the phase where he was wearing running shorts OVER sweatpants, which he had decided was both stylish and functional since the shorts held up the sweatpants. For all the detail I remember, I don't recall how we got onto the subject of lying. But I remember the conversation that started with these words.
Dad: Never lie. Unless it's really important.
Me: I don't lie.
Dad: Good. Because some day you are going to need to lie, and when you do, you'll need people to believe you. If you have never lied before, they will.
Me: Are you going to lie to me?
Dad: I will if it's really important.
Me: ok
3) Number 1 rule of driving - stay out of the way of trucks
The lesson here was two-fold. First, on the highway, big trucks are large and less nimble than cars. The lesson was to be polite and not make them move around unnecessarily. Second, on the back roads, look out for pick-up trucks and don't irritate them. I think this was more of a "the truck is bigger than you and you will lose" type of lesson, but I didn't really question it.
4) "The winner wants the ball."
We were watching the movie Hoosiers (SUCH a great movie!). I must have been 12 or 13. I made some comment near the end of the movie, during the big game, that if I was on the team, I would so not want them passing the ball to me and I felt bad for the player who ended up with it. Dad just turned his head to me and said firmly "The winner wants the ball." Then he turned back to the movie. Conversation over. Interestingly enough, I think years later this was an actual line in a football movie - perhaps The Replacements?
5) "What about it?"
This one was a staple in the dad go-to responses. Here would be just one example of how it would work:
Dad: Go outside and play.
Me: But what about dessert?
Dad: What about it?
Me: Can I have dessert before I go outside and play?
Dad: It's "May I" and why didn't you just say that first. Don't make me think of your arguments for you.
6) "Consensus breeds mediocrity."
So here's the theory - the more people you have making a decision, the less likely you are to truly mess anything up. The side effect is that you are also materially less likely to produce anything really spectacular. I actually hesitated as to including it in today's list because I'm not totally sure I agree with it. I would say the majority of the time, it's right-on. But when you have a high-performance team (like ours!) and have open-minded players (like us!), I think it is possible to create a sum greater than the parts.
Related frequently used variations:
Never up, never in. (Apparently this is some sort of golf reference? Something about putting and not leaving it short?).
No risk, no reward.
Always bet on yourself.
If your friends jumped off a bridge…
Who cares what I think, what do YOU think?
Why are you asking me - it's not my life.
7) "You just worry about you."
General response to tattling or to asking my mother why she got to eat in the living room was dad breaking in with this gem.
8) Play until someone cries.
This wasn't a quote, it was just a rule. I have two sisters; they are 2 and 4 years younger than I am. My dad would always be happy to play with us, until someone cried. I think our record was 2 whole minutes. When the crying began, he would stand up, put his glasses back on, and leave the room.
9) "Yeah well, life isn't fair."
Another staple. I would guess that about 90% of complaints were met with this one. I should really use this one more too.
10) "Don't ever play poker for money."
This was not generic advice, this was very specific advice meant for me personally. My dad had knee surgery when I was 16 and spent a week or so on the couch. I played chess with him and beat him for the first time ever, which was the last time I ever played chess. I played poker with him and lost terribly. When it was over he said, "I thought I was the worst poker player I knew, but you're worse. Don't ever play poker for money."
So there's a little insight into my upbringing for you on this Friday afternoon. Perhaps it explains a little bit about me. Or perhaps you are just thinking I should have put the word "random" in all caps today. In either case, happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 11, 2011
Last night when Jocelyn and I were leaving the recital rehearsal, we were a few steps behind her teacher (Miss Amy). Jocelyn was practically exploding telling me how much she loved ballet.
Jocelyn: I love ballet SO MUCH!
Miss Amy (turning her head around): I'm so glad
Jocelyn: I love it so so so SO much!
Miss Amy (smiling and choking back a giggle): yes, you mentioned that
Jocelyn: I want to do it forever!
Miss Amy: that will be great!
Me (loud whisper to Miss Amy): she loves EVERYTHING
She really does. She loves EVERYTHING. Mom and Elisabeth and Reese and I dropped her off at ballet today at 11:45 and went to kill about an hour before the show started. We went over to Burlington Coat Factory so I could get Jocelyn some new dresses. "Is there a certain kind she likes?" my mom asked. "Nope, she likes everything," I replied. So I grabbed 6 dresses, knowing she'd find a favorite but they'd all get worn.
She looked very happy on stage and did a great job. Then she was back stage until the end of the show and turns out she loved that too (some of the older girls played simon says with them, and they colored and got stickers). Then we picked her up and Grandma gave her flowers, which she loved. When we got home she got more flowers and to show everyone her costume and to give us a fashion show with her new dresses and see baby Reese - love, love, love, love.
For how much I spoil these kids, they still seem so happy about everything. I love it :)
Jocelyn: I love ballet SO MUCH!
Miss Amy (turning her head around): I'm so glad
Jocelyn: I love it so so so SO much!
Miss Amy (smiling and choking back a giggle): yes, you mentioned that
Jocelyn: I want to do it forever!
Miss Amy: that will be great!
Me (loud whisper to Miss Amy): she loves EVERYTHING
She really does. She loves EVERYTHING. Mom and Elisabeth and Reese and I dropped her off at ballet today at 11:45 and went to kill about an hour before the show started. We went over to Burlington Coat Factory so I could get Jocelyn some new dresses. "Is there a certain kind she likes?" my mom asked. "Nope, she likes everything," I replied. So I grabbed 6 dresses, knowing she'd find a favorite but they'd all get worn.
She looked very happy on stage and did a great job. Then she was back stage until the end of the show and turns out she loved that too (some of the older girls played simon says with them, and they colored and got stickers). Then we picked her up and Grandma gave her flowers, which she loved. When we got home she got more flowers and to show everyone her costume and to give us a fashion show with her new dresses and see baby Reese - love, love, love, love.
For how much I spoil these kids, they still seem so happy about everything. I love it :)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June 5, 2011
me: wow, even your eyebrows are going gray
Josh: yeah all of me is going gray
me: funny, my dad didn't go gray until he was in his 50s
Josh: he didn't stay home with 4 kids
Josh: yeah all of me is going gray
me: funny, my dad didn't go gray until he was in his 50s
Josh: he didn't stay home with 4 kids
Saturday, June 4, 2011
June 4, 2011
We watched home movies from 2001 this morning. We knew what we were looking for - Timothy's third birthday. On the way to it we saw him taking our Burger King order and doing karate in his underwear in front of the over (using it as a mirror). But we were really looking for his birthday. The one where he sang Happy Birthday Butt and ate his soda with a spoon (blowing on it first of course) and spit on the cake because he was blowing so hard. It was also the one where I asked him if he'd still love me when he was 13, and still let me tuck him in, and he promised he would. And then he gave me kisses and hugs. I was holding him at the time.
Fast forward 10 years. I can't pick him up any more, and looking at the picture of the two of us together today, I think he's finally taller than I am. He wears deodorant and men's clothing and his feet are bigger than mine. But if I squint real hard, not that much has changed. He still gets pretty excited about cake and presents, he's still a good kid,he still thinks the word "butt" is funny, and he still says he loves me and gives me hugs.
I cried when I watched the videos, emotional over the little man that's all grown up. But I'm proud of what he is now and I look forward to what he'll become.
Fast forward 10 years. I can't pick him up any more, and looking at the picture of the two of us together today, I think he's finally taller than I am. He wears deodorant and men's clothing and his feet are bigger than mine. But if I squint real hard, not that much has changed. He still gets pretty excited about cake and presents, he's still a good kid,he still thinks the word "butt" is funny, and he still says he loves me and gives me hugs.
I cried when I watched the videos, emotional over the little man that's all grown up. But I'm proud of what he is now and I look forward to what he'll become.
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