It's a Thing.

It's called "Eastwooding" and it's like Tebowing but awesome because, Clint Eastwood.

It's telling an empty suit to move on over, it's time for someone serious to get down to business.

It's telling someone who thinks he owns the White House he temporarily occupies that no, in fact, WE own this. We own this country.

It would only be better if it involved a double barrel shotgun and a snarly lip curled "Get out of my house."

What I Love About Pooh

I never read the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories as a kid. My little sister loved the Pooh books. In fact, I think she read them aloud to her first fetus. If I had known when I had a fetus what she knew about Pooh, I might have read them to my boy in utero too. But then I would have missed the giggle fests we have together at bedtime.

All that to say I'm glad I discovered Pooh with my boy.

I love that the first thing Piglet says to himself each day is "I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?"

I love Pooh's philosophy on writing poetry:

But whatever his weight in pounds,

shillings, and ounces,

He always seems bigger

because of his bounces.

 

"And that's the whole poem," he said. "Do you like it, Piglet?"

"All except the shillings," said Piglet. "I don't think they ought to be there."

"They wanted to come in after the pounds," explained Pooh, "so I let them come in. It is the best way to write poetry, letting things come."

 

And I love Pooh's absent mindedness...

"Pooh was so busy not looking where he was going that he stepped on a piece of the forest which had been left out by mistake (hee hee hee) and he only just had time to think to himself "I'm flying. What Owl does."

 

That last one made me giggle as I read. When I started to giggle, my boy giggled too. When he giggled, I giggled more. Then he snort-giggled and we just couldn't stop.

 

That's what I love most about Pooh.

You Learn Something New Every Day

"Nicco Licks Cat"

Kinda makes me wonder what happens in 1st grade.

Camera Dump

I was just going through the pictures on my camera and this is what I found:

Nicco and the twins locked up in jail.  There was a surprise party for the girls' mom at the Pinnacle Peak steak house in a place called Trail Dust Town. I have never heard of Trail Dust Town. If I had, we may not have spent so much money visiting Old Tucson Studios! Trail Dust Town is an old-timey western themed area with some restaurants, a train, a museum or two, an opera house, and some other old-timey attractions, including a gun fight play. The kids had fun. We'll probably go back some time.

This is Sammer's Kingdom, with King Sammer in the red crown, Queen Sammer in the yellow crown, and the castle tower in the middle. King Sammer is a villain in Super Paper Mario. Nicco has drawn several pictures of Sammer's Kingdom and he was very proud of himself for building it too.

When I took Nicco school supply shopping, he asked me if he needed a pencil box. It wasn't on the list so I said no. He came home from school the first day and said, "Remember when I asked if I needed a pencil box and you said no? Well, I do."  Apparently last year when the first grade team of teachers got together to make their supply list, Mrs. G. was the only one who wanted the kids to bring a pencil box so it didn't make the list and she forgot to put it on her own class supply request list.

I bought Nicco a pencil box on a Friday and he spent the weekend playing store. He sold us markers and toy dinosaurs from his pencil box, and he made signs directing us to the store and informing us whether it was open or not.

This is Nicco's store. I let him keep it up for the weekend. He was a little disappointed when he came home from school and it was dismantled. Oh well.

A few months ago Frankie caught a nasty bug with lots of legs and pincers. Nicco said he thought it was a "penelopede." The other day Nicco hopped in the pool ahead of me while I went to get towels. While I was still inside he yelled frantically, "Mom! Get out here NOW!" I came running because that's what moms do when they hear the frantic screams of their children, especially when there are rattlesnakes and other dangerous critters around, and especially when they are in a pool where drowning is a danger.

The boy was not drowning (hence the scream...drowning is a silent killer) and there were no snakes. This is what he wanted me to see:

It's a penelopede!

Spelling Test Update

Nicco got a "Super!" on the regular words, 7/7, and a "Wow!" on the challenge words, 4/4.

He couldn't wait for me to see. As soon as we got in the car he told me to look in his backpack because they got their tests back and "You're going to be impressed!"

He said he got them all right because he had one last chance to look before Mrs. G. took the words down for the test. I told him he got his words right because we reviewed every night.

Either way, I guess I better take him out for ice cream!

Participation Award Syndrome and The Big Test

Nicco has five "specials" classes outside of the regular core classes: Art, Music, P.E., Computer Lab, and Library. The music and P.E. teachers sent home grading system and requirements for their classes, saying that by showing up and participating appropriately every day the kids will earn a 3 on a grading scale of 1-4. To get a 3.5 or 4, they need to do a little extra work. Four outside assignments each quarter. No big deal, I think. A totally reasonable expectation.

Yesterday while we were gathering and chatting as we waited for our kiddos to come through the gate, one of the other moms asked me how Nicco is doing. I said he's doing great, he's happy and he really likes his teacher and he's already started working on his extra music and P.E. assignments. She said she has a problem with that. She thinks that kids should be able to get everything done that they need to do while they are in class. I reminded her that they can. The extra assignments are not required for passing the classes with a respectable grade. But to get the best grade, they have to put in a little extra effort. I don't just approve, I applaud that notion. You should not get a trophy, reward, the highest grade, for merely showing up. Period.

Then she said, "but with three kids in school it just gets really hard for me to keep track of." Aha. I see.

Instead of making a snarky comment about having already gone through first grade myself I'm just going to go ahead and have Nicco do his own work, I reminded her that if she examines the activities her family already does she will probably find that many of their activities meet the extra requirements. All the kids need to do is document them and turn them in.

I just hate the idea that showing up is enough to get the highest recognition. I hate rewarding expected behavior. Rewards and highest honors are for excellent work, not meeting minimum requirements. And, I think it is good to instill ambition and work ethic and striving for excellence as early as 1st grade.

Also, Nicco has his first spelling test today. He brought home his word list on Monday. The words he must know are the, of, to, me, a, and, & red. They also have four challenge words: friends, nice, help, and didn't. (He spells "didn't" D-I-D-N-popostraphe-T.) We reviewed each night this week. He had no problem with the sight words, but consistently spelled friends and help wrong up until yesterday. Last night he said, "The big test is tomorrow! I hope I get 100%."

Mrs. G. expects the kids to spell the sight words correctly. The challenge words are intended to be a challenge and she only expects them to do their best. If they get the beginning and ending letters right, that is appropriate for them at this stage. I know Nicco will get 100% on the sight words. I'm pretty confident he will get 100% on the challenge words too. If he does, guess what--I will reward him for doing extra work and going beyond the minimum expectation. And if he does not, I will encourage him to work harder next time.

No participation award for you!

Nicco-isms

Nicco saw a blue pumpkin Halloween candy collecting bucket and said he wants that this year. I reminded him that he has a spider bucket for collecting candy. He reminded me that "I also have an orange pumpkin and two McDonald's buckets. I need a blue and a green pumpkin for my collection. I'm pretty much the Collector Guy."

Nicco tripped on one of his toys that was in the middle of the floor and said, "This house is a death trap!"

Nicco was watching a French cartoon (and singing along to the theme song! So friggin' cute!) and he said, "I wish I came from France. Paris (he pronounced it Pah-ree) is the City of Love. That's pretty much the perfect place. For everybody."

Words to Live By

There's a new cartoon on Nick (yay...) called Robot and Monster.

Monster is the happiest guy in the world.

Robot is an unsuccessful inventor.

After a mishap with an invention, Monster asked Robot, "Why are you so down?"

Robot responded, "My dreams of greatness came crashing down, exploded, and sent radioactive material into the sky."

Monster said, "That's no reason to be unhappy."

Robot asked, "Then what is a good reason?"

Monster responded with these words to live by: "There is no reason, silly! It's all a matter of how you look at things!"

Kindergarten Reunion

Nicco's Kindergarten teacher organized a little get together at the park with all the students from their class. They were all excited to see each other again and lined up to give her hugs.

Everyone reported on their first few days, their new teachers, and new friends. There was some unhappy buzz about the fact that our first grade classes are overcrowded and there will be a new first grade class in a couple of weeks. Everyone is glad that the classes will be smaller, but no one wants their kid to have to change.

Except...apparently, Mrs. Cornwell's new school isn't quite all it's cracked up to be and she's struggling a little with certain issues and the Painted Sky principal has been aggressively re-recruiting her. If she were to take that position, I think she would get all or most of her old class back together and that would be awesome!  The bad thing for Brandie is that our principal wants her to interview for the position. Again. She kind of thinks that if PS wants her back, they should just offer her the position. She worked there for two years, there's nothing they don't know about her, she has gone through the interview process three times already. I kind of agree with her.

I asked if coming back to Painted Sky is a remote possibility and she just doesn't know at this moment. She has a lot of factors to weigh and consider. I think she should weigh and consider all these kiddos who love her so!

A Brief Encounter at the Emissions Testing Station

I had to get my car's emissions tested so I could renew my registration and when I pulled into the test spot the tester guy exclaimed, "The other person with a Romney sticker! I finally met you!"

We shook hands and encouraged each other to shake up our lazy little friends, like Lady O told us to.

Then he told me that he saw the worst, creepiest bumper sticker in the history of Earth.
It said Dear Lord, help me to be the person Obama wants me to be.

Dear Lord indeed.

First Day of School in a Nutshell

I have set a precedent for myself...I put a note in Nicco's lunch on the first day of French camp, so now he expects a lunchbox note every day. He also has a little mailbox on his house and looks forward to mail once in a while.

I put a letter in his mailbox that read:
"YAY Nicco! You did it! You got through your first day of first grade! Only 177 more to go!"
He read the letter then stood frozen for a moment, looked up and raised his hands to the sky and yelled, "NOOOOOO!!!!!"

I said, "Didn't you like your letter?"

He said, "I did, all but the 177 days part. How many days until my break?"

Love/Hate, First Day of School Edition

Love:
Sending my boy off to learn and grow.

Hate:
Sending my boy off. Boo hoo! I miss him when he's gone. Lucky me, he told me the other day that he's not going anywhere for 2,037 years!

Love:
Nicco will meet a whole bunch of new friends! He needs to expand his circle. Especially now that his "best friend ever" is not in his class and will be moving in a month or two.

Hate:
Nicco will have to make a whole bunch of new friends. It is almost as hard for him to do this as it is for me.

Love:
I finally get to indulge the Dracula craving I've had since my birthday. I can watch a mommy show while I dust, do dishes, and fold laundry!

Hate:
Carmageddon in the parking lot.

Love:
New beginnings.

Random Ruminations

Elizabeth was Nicco's first house guest. He prepared snacks and drinks and set comfy pillows on the floor. 

 They played Skipbo

 And they played school. They were teaching their students about different modes of transportation. biycl, car, plan. Cute.

They told me they had 200 students.

Nicco also learned how to connect with his cousins to play Mario Kart on the wii.

He played with Lucy and Duncan first. He was so excited to win! Again! And again! I was a little suspicious. I thought to myself, either those cousins haven't played in a really, really long time, or they are being very kind to him. I asked Diana if they were letting him win, and she in turn asked Lucy. Lucy just smiled. What nice big cousins he has.

Later, he wanted to play again but Lucy and Duncan were not available. I called my other sister and she allowed her boys to play with mine. They did the same thing, but under instruction from their mama to at least let him be competitive. They even let him win once or twice.

Then all three families hooked up together. They played several different kinds of games, one in which he was on a team with Lucy. Lucy was definitely handicapped with Nicco on her team, and the others didn't hold back for her.

I think that they were all good sports and had some fun. I hope they know they made their little cousin's day.
He L-O-V-E-D playing with them.

My weird little kid likes to nest. He is comfy all surrounded by pillows and blankets and toys. He made this particular nest for his Peeps.

We also spent a day at the local water park last week. I've heard bad things about it. I've heard it is over-priced and run-down and it is a game of chance whether all the rides will even be working on any given day. Considering all the negative press, I was pretty pleased with the park itself.  Nicco had a blast and has been begging to go back. We probably will. Next year.

 And again, with the nesting.

We have really enjoyed our new patch of grass the past few days. It's always shady and gets a nice little breeze.  Even with the shade and the breeze 100+ degrees is hot. And yet, my boy can't resist burrowing under pillows and blankets and stuffed buddies.

I told him he's a weirdo for making a blanket of pillows in 100 degrees. He said, "I'm a kid. What did you expect?"

And finally, we had a crazy storm roll in and roll back out. Apparently it wreaked havoc on some parts of town. This is the second monsoon that has caused a lot of damage with downed power lines and lost power. We had a great view of the storm without getting any of the damage.

The wall of rain was wrapped up in a rainbow. I don't think I will ever get used to the awesome power of the monsoons.

Nicco starts first grade next week. We meet his new teacher on Wednesday, and we are having a kindergarten reunion picnic on Saturday with his old teacher and classmates. I'm excited for him and feeling a little sad that our summer is almost over. A little mama-sentimentality overcoming me again.

Although, it could just be the P&G "sponsor of moms" commercials on the olympics. They kind of make me cry a little.

Quotes of the Day

I took Nicco to Breakers Water Park today. On the way, a Viagra commercial came on. The voice on the radio said, "Men, some of you are uncomfortable talking about E.D." The voice in the back seat said, "That's right. I'm not comfortable talking about it."

It was a long, hot day in the sun and water. Nicco was a little crabby and worn out this evening. At bed time I got his traditional chocolate milk and as we walked to his room he said, "There's nothing better than reading, chocolate milk, and a comfortable bed to make a night feel good."

Eat Mor Chikin...Tomorrow

I just called my local Chick-fil-A to find out how late they are open and Jim, who has been in retail for forty years, said he has NEVER seen anything like this.

Yay America! Woo Hoo!

He said he appreciates the support and by all means, come on down, but that he is suggesting to people that they show their support another day. Unless they want to wait an hour or more.

Yay again, America!

Eat Mor Chikin

It's Chick-fil-A day.

In case you live under a rock, here's the scoop...the owners of Chick-fil-A have traditional, Christian values. Their stores are not open on Sunday and recently in an interview, one of the owners voiced his support of traditional marriage. They do not discriminate against homosexuals in their hiring, they do not kick homosexuals out of their restaurants.

When this interview was published, oh my! The outrage! Many open minded, progressive and oh-so tolerant folks in Hollywood (Eliza Dushku, Roseanne Barr, among others) and politics (Mayors Emanuel and Menino of Chicago and Boston) have threatened boycotts and bans.

Well, guess what, MORONS, there's a little thing called the US Constitution. The boycotts and voicing opposition to the Chick-fil-A stance are understandable (except for the vile, foul, nastiness with which these people express themselves) and allowed by our Dear Old Document. I totally support voting with your wallet. I don't patronize companies with whom I strongly disagree. However, those mayors and others  have actively pursued means and ways to BAN Chick-fil-A and shut them down and prevent expansion in their cities. Because they expressed an opinion contrary to theirs.

Rahm Emanuel said "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values." PFFFFTTT...I spit my milk out on that one. Chicago values. Anyone seen the violent crime statistics in Chicago? Hey Mayor Emanuel, how's that murder rate been under your watch?

Enough about Chicago.

Whether you support traditional marriage, same-sex marriage, neither, or both, surely we can all come together on the first amendment rights to free speech and religion?

Here's a little reminder:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I know it is hard for some people to understand language from over two hundred years ago. Let me translate: We're allowed to practice our chosen religion. FREELY. We're allowed to express our opinion and to speak FREELY. By law. Written in stone. For over Two hundred years.

So, EAT MOR CHIKIN!

Jury Duty

I received a jury summons just before I went to Colorado, summoning me to report on July 24th. At that time, Nicco was still in French camp all day so I was slightly concerned about dropping off and picking up, but I figured The Boss would let Patrice go a little early for a day or two to get the kid if necessary.

When I checked in the day before, my group was rescheduled. This meant I did not need to worry about drop off and pick up, but I had a whole new problem...what the heck would I do with the boy all day for who knows how many days? Lucky for me I have good friends who are back from vacation and are patient and willing to take Nicco while I do my civic duty.

Pretty much everyone I know doesn't want to serve jury duty. I don't especially want to either, but like most people, I'm willing and accept that responsibility as an essential part of our democracy. So off I went to the court house. I only had to drive around town in construction for 20 minutes before I found a spot to park.

We watched an orientation video with general instructions and procedures and a reminder that it is not just a duty, but a right and a privilege to serve on a jury. Blah blah blah.

I waited for an hour and a half before the first bailiff came in to call for jurors. I was not called. In the next hour or so, several bailiffs called several groups, but not me. Then they gave us a 45 minute break. I was sitting next to a younger girl who clearly did not feel that jury duty was a right and a privilege. She huffed and puffed and sighed heavily and emphatically and frequently to let us all know how put upon she felt. As if she were somehow different from the other 400 people in the jury pool.

We were given a lunch break and I think 375 of the jurors in the pool went directly across the street to the only restaurant on that particular block. I know there are plenty of fast food places within walking distance, but I (and just about everyone else) didn't feel like going on a grand quest for a sandwich. To their credit, Baggin's handled the onslaught quite well. They are only open for lunch Monday through Friday. I don't know if that is the case for all locations, but that spot across from the courthouse certainly doesn't seem to need more revenue than it takes in at the lunch hour.

When I got back to the jury assembly room, there was one more group called and the rest of us were informed that the case we were assigned to was settled but we had to stick around in case the other judges needed more jurors. Earlier I wanted to get called so I could get on with the process, but at that announcement, I just wanted to go home. 

No such luck. I was called up with the next group, along with Miss Put Upon and 38 others. The judge and clerks went through the checking in and swearing in then started asking questions of the potential jurors. We were informed that this was a criminal case involving sexual crimes against a minor. Audible gasps. The judge told us that there would be sexually explicit and possibly graphic descriptions and evidence presented and if we couldn't hear those discussions openly and impartially, raise our hands. Easy out for Miss Put Upon. While I wouldn't enjoy it, I thought I could hear the discussions and evidence, so I didn't raise my hand.

The next question was whether we had strong feelings about the issue and allegations presented. I hesitated, because I do feel strongly about performing my civic duty, but as a mom, I also feel strongly about sexual crimes against minors. I honestly didn't think I could be impartial and objective in that case.

Juror 108, dismissed. Back to the pool. In the assembly room, the other dismissed jurors checked in and were asked to wait for just a little longer. Then it was my turn and the lady told me I was done.

So that was it. My first jury duty experience in the books.

The Eyes, They're Warm Again

Yesterday was the last day of French Camp. Nicco really liked his teacher, Madame Bolesta. He gave her roses at the end of class. She was surprised and really pleased with the gesture. She gave him a little hug and a kiss. She asked if I would give her my e-mail so she could send me some web resources for him to keep practicing, "and you will have my e-mail if you ever want to get in contact with me," she said.

Kind and sweet.

When we got home Nicco took off his glasses, squinted and rubbed his eyes, sniffed a little and said, "Mom, my eyes are warm."

"Why are you sad?" I asked.

He answered, "I think I'll really miss Madame."

If I had One Wish...

...then it would be a happy, happy birthday to me from me!

Today I celebrate the eleventh anniversary of my twenty ninth birthday. Twenty nine for eleven years running. Not bad, I say!

Nicco and The Daddy asked me what I want to do for my birthday today. I said mop my floors, scrub toilets and showers, pick weeds. Nicco said "NO NO NO! You can't do that today! We'll do...well, maybe you can do that tomorrow." He did lessen my load by opening the blinds. He might not eat his apples and carrots for lunch, saving them for dinner so I will have less work to do. What a guy.

Three years ago my big sis turned 29 + 11. She was excited to have "arrived" and joined the older and wiser club. My Mother-in-law sent me a lovely birthday card extolling the virtues of the quarantaine, which include wisdom and experience. I'm no longer a spring chicken. I'm a wise owl. But since I plan to live forever, those designations hardly matter. Although in the eternal scheme, I'm probably still a spring chicken. But I'd rather be an older wise, romantic, brooding eternal soul than a younger angsty, sparkly, brooding eternal soul.

mmmm....



ewwww.

Speaking of wise owls and spring chickens, my mama sent me a birthday present and in the card was this little gem from my childhood:

Dear Toothfairy, I lost a tooth I can't find it would you please give me money for it?

Apparently, I was distressed over the loss of a lost tooth so I had all my relatives present petition the tooth fairy as witnesses that I did indeed lose the tooth. It also looks to me like I forged the signatures of my sisters. Fortunately, the parental and grandparental signatures lend some credibility.

I don't remember the incident, but I'm sure the tooth fairy came through for me.

My people always come through for me. That's the best gift I could ever ask for.

Now I'm going to go bake myself a cake!

My Eyes Are Getting Warm

Our Colorado vacation wound down, as all vacations do. Boo hoo. Mom was planning to have one last family lunch together but the Smiths planned a stop at their favorite road trip taco spot and Nicco had barely finished breakfast by the time he would have to start eating lunch in order to get to the airport on time. Instead of a last meal together, we scrambled out the door.

We documented our last moments together:

 Me and my baby sister. She's adorable, even first thing in the morning!

 The Smith family

Before they left, Cameron wanted to show Nicco what he made with his legos. It's a kind of flying boat.

 Nicco provided sound effects.

 Dad and most of the kiddos.

Nicco and I were feeling sad as we watched the Smiths drive away. I tried to comfort him, but my eyes were getting warm too. We have a silly wave tradition, initiated by my silly grandpa. As I get older I think it was less his silly personality and more his compensating for the sadness at watching family leave.

I tried hard not to cry, but I saw my sister rub her eyes as they pulled away. I almost had my tears covered up and pushed away, then my Mama came and gave me a hug and said "We do this every time." Pfft. The proverbial dam broke. I guess I shouldn't even try not to cry. Resistance is futile.

Today is Pioneer Day. Our small Utah town is in full festival mode. I talked to my big sister this morning and I heard a whole bunch of happy voices in the background. They ran the fun run this morning and were on their way to the parade. I'm all alone so I'm going to just go ahead and give in to my nostalgic sob fest.