You read it right. My kids are weird. Straight up. Isaac has an unmatched imagination in our family. The proof: his new favorite game. It's called "The Umproidal Shrimp." This is not a complicated game. It consists of him running around chasing the other kids, while they run away shreiking, "Oh no! It's the Umproidal Shrimp!"
I have no idea what an Umproidal Shrimp is, or where in the world the child thought of one. My other kids don't find it strange at all. They even have little Rowan playing along.
This game can be added to their repetoire of other games which include: "Gaster Gastion" and "Rabies." Rabies is pretty self-explanatory. One has rabies and they chase the other one around. It goes like this:
Isaac: Hey, you guys wanna play Rabies?
Adam: Sure! Do you have rabies or do I have rabies?
Kalena (in a very grown-up, exasperated voice) : I have rabies, okay?
Rowan: You have rabies?
Kalena: You better run!
All the kids: Oh no!!!! (Squeal and shriek)
Gaster Gastion is a variation of the Umproidal Shrimp....but it requires that Isaac run around screaming "Gaster Gastion" during the chasing process.
So, like I said, my kids are weird.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Satisfaction
Can we ever get it? I mean, are we ever totally satisfied with what we do in life? I'm sitting here, in MY store, my own shop, wondering if this is as good as it can be. I'm critically evaluating every single product, the prices on them, the window display...why can't I just look around with satisfaction, and realize that my dream is coming true? Maybe it's the enormous amount of pressure I feel to make Pinwheel Kids successful. Not only is our future tied up in this, but my business partner has a lot invested in me as well. I feel like I HAVE to do everything I possibly can to make this store a success. And at the same time, I don't want to lose out on the joy. The joy I feel when I can help a new mom pick out the perfect baby carrier, or when a grandma comes in and finds a toy she just knows her grandson will love. Is there such a thing as a happy medium, a balance in life? And how in the heck can I find it?
I keep telling myself to be patient. Just let things run their natural course. If Pinwheel Kids is meant to be, and I just KNOW it is, then it will take off on its own. And things are already off to a great start! But I always wonder, could it be more? Could I be doing more? Should I be?
And in this equation, I have to add in the happiness of my family. I know how easy it is for me to become consumed, and I don't want to lose those precious moments with my kids because my focus is so much on the store. This is all uncharted territory for me, just like when I started teaching last year, and I guess I just don't know what exactly to expect. But even though my life is definitely 180 degrees different than what it was a year ago, I have to say that it's definitely in an exciting, good place. Just a little....okay, a LOT.....scary.
I keep telling myself to be patient. Just let things run their natural course. If Pinwheel Kids is meant to be, and I just KNOW it is, then it will take off on its own. And things are already off to a great start! But I always wonder, could it be more? Could I be doing more? Should I be?
And in this equation, I have to add in the happiness of my family. I know how easy it is for me to become consumed, and I don't want to lose those precious moments with my kids because my focus is so much on the store. This is all uncharted territory for me, just like when I started teaching last year, and I guess I just don't know what exactly to expect. But even though my life is definitely 180 degrees different than what it was a year ago, I have to say that it's definitely in an exciting, good place. Just a little....okay, a LOT.....scary.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Dang
Yeah, so I guess I'm a big fat liar, and I can't keep up with my blog. Can you blame me? I am in the middle of opening a new store. Because I'm crazy.
My store is Pinwheel Kids, and it is going to be so rockin'. I just hope my four little monkeys make it through the next couple of weeks while we get up and running.
In kid-news, they are just getting big and smart, like all children do. But this morning the kids were all in the bathtub, and Kalena decided to entertain the others so she got a toy boat and said, "The Wizard is going to break through these icy bergs. Here it goes. Off to catch some crab." And she proceeded to bust through the bubbles as if they were really "icy bergs." Then she looked at me and said, "Mom, these bubbles really do look like icy bergs. Really."
This indicates two things to me:
#1 We have been watching way too much Deadliest Catch
AND
#2 These are such fleeting moments in our kids lives. I'm glad I was there to catch a glimpse of her creativity, kindness and spunk.
Well, back to work. I have a pile of invoices with my name on them that I need to tackle.
My store is Pinwheel Kids, and it is going to be so rockin'. I just hope my four little monkeys make it through the next couple of weeks while we get up and running.
In kid-news, they are just getting big and smart, like all children do. But this morning the kids were all in the bathtub, and Kalena decided to entertain the others so she got a toy boat and said, "The Wizard is going to break through these icy bergs. Here it goes. Off to catch some crab." And she proceeded to bust through the bubbles as if they were really "icy bergs." Then she looked at me and said, "Mom, these bubbles really do look like icy bergs. Really."
This indicates two things to me:
#1 We have been watching way too much Deadliest Catch
AND
#2 These are such fleeting moments in our kids lives. I'm glad I was there to catch a glimpse of her creativity, kindness and spunk.
Well, back to work. I have a pile of invoices with my name on them that I need to tackle.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Jerk
No, I don't mean the crazy man that insisted on driving right next to me at the exact same speed as I was driving home today. I mean the crazy dance that I am trying to learn from my students.
If you don't know what The Jerk is, just YouTube it. Over the course of the last week, I've heard it described as "backwards skipping" or "jumping forwards and backwards at the same time." Gee guys, that's really helpful. But I stink at it. I don't have any rhythm, and I have about 60 extra pounds I'm trying to jerk around. Not pretty.
You ask why I'm trying to learn this convoluted dance? It's all my own fault, actually. I've decided to put my students on a Laughter Campaign as part of our research unit on researching the effects of laughter on environment. So part of their assignment is to increase the amount of laughing that happens on campus. You do the math: teachers (especially white-bread, no-rhythm teachers like yours truly) + dancing of any kind = hilarity. They decided the best way to get some chuckles is to get the teachers dancing on film. I insisted that if I'm being filmed, I must be tutored in the ways of the Jerk before I make my YouTube debut.
So stay tuned. You just might see my jello-butt jiggling in the near future. If you didn't shudder, I just shuddered for you.
If you don't know what The Jerk is, just YouTube it. Over the course of the last week, I've heard it described as "backwards skipping" or "jumping forwards and backwards at the same time." Gee guys, that's really helpful. But I stink at it. I don't have any rhythm, and I have about 60 extra pounds I'm trying to jerk around. Not pretty.
You ask why I'm trying to learn this convoluted dance? It's all my own fault, actually. I've decided to put my students on a Laughter Campaign as part of our research unit on researching the effects of laughter on environment. So part of their assignment is to increase the amount of laughing that happens on campus. You do the math: teachers (especially white-bread, no-rhythm teachers like yours truly) + dancing of any kind = hilarity. They decided the best way to get some chuckles is to get the teachers dancing on film. I insisted that if I'm being filmed, I must be tutored in the ways of the Jerk before I make my YouTube debut.
So stay tuned. You just might see my jello-butt jiggling in the near future. If you didn't shudder, I just shuddered for you.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sponge-Bob Rules the World
Yes, I am back with a vengeance, my friends. It is me, your friendly neighborhood mom, wife, teacher, tennis coach, soccer coach, lover of pie and all-around swell lady. I have rediscovered my blog, and I have to admit, I've missed it. It has been nearly a year since I checked in here. Sad.
Things have changed. And that is probably the understatement of the millenium. My life is almost 360 degrees from where it was this time last year. I am teaching at Waco High. Ninth grade English. Oy veh.
I don't have the time, energy or even finger-power to type all the long yarns I have to spin about school, so we'll just say that it's, um, different. I like it. Some days.
The kids have grown. Once again, huge understatement. Rowan might as well be reading by now, she's so dang smart. I've never heard a little bit talk as much as she does. She's 18 months going on 10. She can practically keep up with Kalena in the talking department. (Okay, now I"m just getting silly).
Adam just turned three, Isaac is pushing 5, and Kalena is reading like a big 3rd grader, even though she's just in 1st grade. Where in the heck has time gone???? I don't know, but it feels like I go to sleep at night, and wake up a week later. I've been so busy, I forget whole days at a time.
It's late, however, at nearly 9, and it's my bedtime. Yes....that, my friends, is a sad state of affairs. I should be hanging with the Luby's crowd I guess. But the kids are happy watching Sponge Bob tonight, or "Bum Bob Pants" as RoRo calls him, and I am tapping my toes to the jolly little pirate whistle, getting ready to head to bed myself.
I've turned a leaf, my friends. Or a page. Or a megabyte. Whatever. I promise to blog more faithfully. At any rate, in the words of the illustrious governor of California, "I'll be back."
Things have changed. And that is probably the understatement of the millenium. My life is almost 360 degrees from where it was this time last year. I am teaching at Waco High. Ninth grade English. Oy veh.
I don't have the time, energy or even finger-power to type all the long yarns I have to spin about school, so we'll just say that it's, um, different. I like it. Some days.
The kids have grown. Once again, huge understatement. Rowan might as well be reading by now, she's so dang smart. I've never heard a little bit talk as much as she does. She's 18 months going on 10. She can practically keep up with Kalena in the talking department. (Okay, now I"m just getting silly).
Adam just turned three, Isaac is pushing 5, and Kalena is reading like a big 3rd grader, even though she's just in 1st grade. Where in the heck has time gone???? I don't know, but it feels like I go to sleep at night, and wake up a week later. I've been so busy, I forget whole days at a time.
It's late, however, at nearly 9, and it's my bedtime. Yes....that, my friends, is a sad state of affairs. I should be hanging with the Luby's crowd I guess. But the kids are happy watching Sponge Bob tonight, or "Bum Bob Pants" as RoRo calls him, and I am tapping my toes to the jolly little pirate whistle, getting ready to head to bed myself.
I've turned a leaf, my friends. Or a page. Or a megabyte. Whatever. I promise to blog more faithfully. At any rate, in the words of the illustrious governor of California, "I'll be back."
Friday, July 10, 2009
Humbalulu
Humbalulu is an elusive animal. It is red and green, and some of them can fly. Not all, but a select few. I'm not exactly sure how many, since there are so few in the world. They live in the ocean and sometimes on roads. Which roads remains to be seen, since most roads are too busy for the shy creature. They eat snakes. I guess they eat the ones that venture too close to the ocean or too close to a road. They also eat one berry. It doesn't matter what kind of berry, but only one a day. I suppose this is what gives them the magical powers to fly. This is all that is known about the Humbalulu.
Isaac spent most of our vacation discussing Humbalulu and its various attributes. This began when David's sister taught the kids how to play "20 questions" the animal version on a long drive across the island. With questions like, "where do you live?" and "what do you eat?" Isaac's little imagination went crazy. Hence the Humbalulu was born. Kalena soon got in on the action, and eventually they were calling everyone and everything around them Humbalulu. So if you see a red and green creature munching a snake on a road, you'll know just what it is.
Isaac spent most of our vacation discussing Humbalulu and its various attributes. This began when David's sister taught the kids how to play "20 questions" the animal version on a long drive across the island. With questions like, "where do you live?" and "what do you eat?" Isaac's little imagination went crazy. Hence the Humbalulu was born. Kalena soon got in on the action, and eventually they were calling everyone and everything around them Humbalulu. So if you see a red and green creature munching a snake on a road, you'll know just what it is.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Back
I'm home and survived Hawaii. It was fun at times, but definitely as much work as I thought it would be. I am so happy to be home! You can check out pics from our trip on my Facebook page. It is easier and faster for me to load them there.
My dinosaur of a computer is on its last legs it seems. We are going to have to figure out a way to get a new one, I guess. I get the feeling this one could explode at any second.
I had an interview at Waco High yesterday, and it went really well, except the part where I spit my cappuccino all over the table because it was so hot. I was a little embarrassed about that. But I don't even drink cappuccino, so how was I to know it was still too hot?? Luckily, the principal and counselor doing the interview laughed with me and not at me. I hope they offer me the position--the principal I spoke to said I should hear something in a day or two. I would be teaching freshman English and coaching freshman volleyball. I find this hilarious, since I haven't been anywhere near a volleyball court since 8th grade. But you gotta do what you gotta do. I am so nervous about getting this job, it kinda feels like my one and only shot. I've only had one other interview, and it was at a school that was really too far from the ranch for me. The summer seems like it is flying by.
We should be set to move into the new house in two weeks. That's exciting and terrifying, because it means I have to actually get around to packing. Yuck. But I will be so thrilled to have so much extra space. This house seems to have shrunk dramatically now that Adam is so big and Rowan is walking everywhere. It feels like no matter where I turn, there are kids staring at me. It doesn't help that the house is full of boxes and clutter, either.
On another sad and depressing note, our receiver for our DirecTV is dead. Why not call DirecTV and get another receiver, you ask? Well, we are stealing our DirecTV since David knew how to run all the lines and somehow rig it that we are on his parents' account, even though we are miles away. Don't ask me how he did that. But it now means that we have no TV, which means I have no DVR, which means I have no So You Think You Can Dance. I am traumatized. I have waited all year for that show!!!!
I should try to head to bed. I guess I'm still on Hawaii time, which is 5 hours earlier, becuase I can't sleep until really late at night since we've been home.
My dinosaur of a computer is on its last legs it seems. We are going to have to figure out a way to get a new one, I guess. I get the feeling this one could explode at any second.
I had an interview at Waco High yesterday, and it went really well, except the part where I spit my cappuccino all over the table because it was so hot. I was a little embarrassed about that. But I don't even drink cappuccino, so how was I to know it was still too hot?? Luckily, the principal and counselor doing the interview laughed with me and not at me. I hope they offer me the position--the principal I spoke to said I should hear something in a day or two. I would be teaching freshman English and coaching freshman volleyball. I find this hilarious, since I haven't been anywhere near a volleyball court since 8th grade. But you gotta do what you gotta do. I am so nervous about getting this job, it kinda feels like my one and only shot. I've only had one other interview, and it was at a school that was really too far from the ranch for me. The summer seems like it is flying by.
We should be set to move into the new house in two weeks. That's exciting and terrifying, because it means I have to actually get around to packing. Yuck. But I will be so thrilled to have so much extra space. This house seems to have shrunk dramatically now that Adam is so big and Rowan is walking everywhere. It feels like no matter where I turn, there are kids staring at me. It doesn't help that the house is full of boxes and clutter, either.
On another sad and depressing note, our receiver for our DirecTV is dead. Why not call DirecTV and get another receiver, you ask? Well, we are stealing our DirecTV since David knew how to run all the lines and somehow rig it that we are on his parents' account, even though we are miles away. Don't ask me how he did that. But it now means that we have no TV, which means I have no DVR, which means I have no So You Think You Can Dance. I am traumatized. I have waited all year for that show!!!!
I should try to head to bed. I guess I'm still on Hawaii time, which is 5 hours earlier, becuase I can't sleep until really late at night since we've been home.
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