Photo Shoot at MudWorks

     Photography cube, special lighting, tripod and camera were present.  We prepped and cleaned pieces.  We played with light and watched for shadows, glares and reflections.  We almost looked like we knew what we were doing for a bit there...and the pictures are almost as adorable as some of the new pottery!

Young Adult

     I am always fearful of ruining a movie for any of you who just might want to see it.  It means in these posts I usually just say if I liked the movie or not.  This one left me with a little something more though.  The acting was great.  The characters were interesting.  The script was awesome as was the overall vibe.  It was also real. 
     Well, I just wrote a long post and deleted it.  I guess I don't want to ruin it for you after all.   I was also yelled at for telling people about the ending of a different movie so I will have to stay silent on this one as well.  Let's just say I really enjoyed it, highly recommend it and no the dog doesn't die.  ;)

Uplifting...twice

     Post Christmas Blues...ugh...the drop off from the build up can be brutal.  It's even worse when you miss your kiddies and your mother.  So I did a few things that surprised even me.  I don't do shopping.  I especially don't do it to feel better or when it's crazy like the day after Christmas.  Two things got me out and about.  1.  A sale that I heard about at JC Penney that included buy 2 get 2 free bras.  Was way beyond due on this need.  Now don't say I don't share with you.  2.  A visit with my friend, Jenne.  The woman works retail.  The really, really tough kind.  Clothing at the Outlets kind.  She left a hubby and sweet little girl at 5am to tend to the grumpy crowds of returns and sale seekers.  I remember the days well and know how much it hurts.  So as I left the mall I realized I needed to see her...for her as well as for me.  We tend to giggle when we get together and it truly does make me feel better.  We fought our way through food courts and foreigners and found our way back to the break room where we shared a lunch.  We caught up on stories of Christmas and made some plans for the new year that is quickly approaching.  I battled the traffic to get to her but it was well worth it.  Sometimes a girl needs some support and today I got two different types! ;)

Movies on Christmas

     We switched things up a bit this year.  If I've learned one thing in the past twelve months it's the ability to break out of my norms.  So after having ham on Friday and Baked Ziti on Christmas (I've never NOT had ham on Christmas which is a new thing in itself!) we went even more bonkers...and went to the movies.  While the kids were off visiting with family...I realized that all three of us needed a little distraction.  This holiday seemed to be extra tough on us all for different reasons.  So off we went to the 7:50 showing of War Horse.  It was an explosion of images on the big screen.  It was sweet and tender and funny and brave all at the same time.  It also did not make me cry which was something I didn't need to do this evening.  I guess the most exciting part is that 85 year old Dad seemed to really enjoy himself.  I tried today but for the life of me couldn't remember the last time he was in a theater...neither could he....guess it was about time...even if it was ON Christmas Day!!!

In Bed by 10:30 on Christmas Eve

     As a child we went to my aunt's house in Long Island.  It was a drive from the Bronx.  We stayed for a feast fit for royalty, a celebration of family and a trip together to midnight Mass.  Needless to say, it was very late when we got home.  This went on until I was 17.  Then Christmas Eve's turned into days with family, parties and family visits all after working retail until the mall closed down.  This went through the college days.  Then you have children.  After running around on the eve you then have wrapping and assembling.  I believe the record was 5am one year when too many big things needed to be put together.  There was even that year we decided that the midnight Mass was a good idea with a small child.  Nope, that never happened again.  A decade or so ago my cousin and I decided we needed to bring back the tradition of a cousin night.  We would take the kids to New Jersey  where Santa would deliver cookies to them and we would watch the Norad Santa Tracker together.  As we watched our children play it was a feeling of days gone by.  Meals were complicated some years and take-out some others but we weren't there for the food...we were there for the company.  After a night we didn't want to end and a drive home...we would arrive on the late side yet again.  The last few years brought a new batch of reasons to stay up late.
     Dinner was early tonight and quick and simple.  Church is out of the way.  I searched for the tubas of Christmas only to find out they happened weeks ago.  To salvage a bit of Christmas magic I did a drive through the neighborhood for some light viewing.  But with sleepy kids and a tired Dad and no Mom to bug me about the wrapping...it is quiet.  Years of too many presents to fit under the tree have been replaced with a year of only a few gifts each.  This means it is quick and simple to finish up the wrapping.  So here I am with several new things that fell through for the day when it hit me...just put on those pj's and crawl into bed.  Lights are out.  Children are tucked.  Cookies are set out for Santa.  Carrots and reindeer food have been placed outside.  Presents are placed under the tree.  Spirits are weary and bodies are tired so I will go to bed.  Hey, who knows...maybe just maybe if I'm sleeping when Santa gets here even I'LL get a little something special. 

A Very Mary Christmas

     We thought Santa and the elf on the shelf were clever...well....then there was Mary.  She told the kids that she would be out on Saturday.  I marked my calendars (several of them) with the same information.  This house runs on calendars to get us through the madness.  Last night, after some shopping, we returned back at the house to unload the car and create piles under the tree.  This morning Ethan's little feet ran down the hallway in the traditional search-for-Elliot-the-elf style and a celebration of gifts greeted him.  "Mom got a lot of stuff when she went shopping last night!".  He screamed to his sister.  "No I did NOT!!!!", I yelled back.  This was followed up by guesses that included Santa coming early, Pop Pop and Chuckie and Theresa.  Nope, nope and nope.  He was stumped.  One run down the hallway and two sets of feet later...two children were mystified and throwing out guesses.  I gave hints.  Check the writing....who else could it be...think, think!  Before they knew it, Mary was popping out of the hallway complete with blinking Christmas light necklace and a "ho, ho, ho!".  It was a moment from television.  Christmas numero uno began.  Lots of smiles, excitement, eating and love was had all day and we have our very merry Mary to thank!!! New traditions, some surprises and a little extra planning made for one amazing day!!!

Christmas Shopping with Mary

Every year I have been asked to go shopping with Mary during the holidays.  In between years of retail jobs, babies and life...I haven't been able to.  This year she drove on out and I felt compelled to peruse the aisles of things to ponder.  We hit Target and giggled over everything.  We went to TJ Maxx (the once forbidden place) and scored very nicely.  Shoot, we even zoomed to the mall and hit one store for a key item just as the gates were being lowered.  It was warm out and I finally found the inspiration to go.  We called it a Christmas miracle but I have to admit it was all pure fun!!!

It also led to my next (and very exciting) new thing...

Treat Bags for Ethan's Class

     I have never packed a little treat bag for my kids to give out at school.  First off...if it's THEIR birthday...shouldn't they be GETTING the goodies not giving them out?!?!  That never made sense to me.  I am a great Mom...really I'll tell you straight up.  I'll toot my own horn on that one but it doesn't mean that I don't feel guilt when I'm not an even better mother.  Emily has gone through years of school and has never had the bag of treats to give out.  We have done holiday cards and last year even did some Valentine's crafty things but never the birthday.  Ethan sort of gets the shaft with his birthday being squished into the "most wonderful time of the year" (I hope you sang that part).  Sure, he gets over-the- top parties but this is his first real year of school so I thought we should do it up right.  If I had my way the old school cupcake give-out would happen...but that fun tradition has been swapped out for sealed treats with the first ingredient NOT being sugar.  Ohhhhh, the rules.  So we went with little plastic bags complete with a Star Wars pencil, food themed eraser, Star Wars candy cane, packet of cocoa and a tattoo.  You are now wondering about my random assortment of items.  Well, it's a little bit holiday...little bit birthday...little bit cheapo.  I said I was finally sending a Peck child in with a goodie bag...I didn't say how good they were!

Wash my Face...

     I turned on One Republic's "A Good Life" and washed my face with my brand new bottle of Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser.  I treated myself to something that would make the morning start out nicely.  It was a morning that needed a good song and a sweet smelling soap to kick start the day.   I will pull strength from those lyrics when necessary.  I am off the hook for my new thing of the day because today...I need to be.

Gingie Houses at Smithfield

     One kindergarten class + their "buddies" from the forth grade = lots of kids with sticky fingers.  They were each given a milk carton, icing and more candy than I've ever seen outside of watching Willy Wonka.  Each little five year old worked with their partner.  I am lucky that my little one's class got teamed up with my older one's class.  So today I got to watch as both of them made their little houses from graham crackers.  Emily went with the "can't fit enough on here" method and Ethan went with the "quiet minimalist" approach.  I also got to visit with their little pals and be around some awesome volunteer family members and a terrific teacher.  Another little flash of Christmas magic....and to think I thought I had my fill today with Leigh Ann's Christmas tree tank top complete with sparkle. 

Scentsy

     Months ago I started reading an amazing blog.  Every here and again she would mention this thing called "Scentsy" and rave over how much she loved it.  I researched a little bit and thought it was cool but the prices were way out of my current budget.  You really don't realize how you take sweet little things for granted until you no longer can.  Months later and I'm sitting at a PTO meeting and hear the words "fundraiser" and "Scentsy" and immediately my ears perked up.  There are a ton of little ceramic warmers that use a light bulb to heat up a scented wax.  Then there are over sixty scents to choose from.  Oh, the decisions to be made.  I would like to thank those of you who helped me out with the fundraiser by purchasing goodies. 
     I picked up my bag the other day and have left it sitting on the counter waiting.  It would be a reward for accomplishing what I needed to get done today.  I plugged in my little buddy and plopped in my first little square.  It was an inspiration during the to do list of a busy day.  A sweet smell of success if you will...

A Return to the "Norm"

     I remember a few years back thinking that things were too normal and therefore slightly stale.  All of this time later and I am suddenly begging the universe for some "normal"...whatever that might be.  It means making it through the day with nothing crazy happening.
     One year ago on this very day I was told by a doctor that my mother had three days to live.  Today...365 days later...I found the most normal day that I could.  More normal than I've had in a while.  I got up and snuggled with my peeps and pooch.  I got ready for work with a nice sweater and some earrings that haven't been out of my jewelry box since...I don't know when.  I put on my black Dansko shoes and headed out to an eight hour day in retail (first time in five years).  Those shoes go back that far and need to go.   I sold stuff like in the olden days of target charts and holiday music.  I kept busy with many tasks in between customers.  After closing up the store I drove home listening to music way too loud and even stopped to get gas.   I had a nice dinner followed up with some brownies and milk.  I hung out with the kids, tucked them in, had some popcorn and relaxed on a Saturday night.  Now...I will watch Jimmy on SNL because I heart him so and it's what you do on a Saturday night after a week of work...especially when the cool holiday one is on.   Tomorrow I will go to church, take pics of the kids for the annual Christmas photo and maybe even bake some cookies.  I will sort laundry, do some dishes and prep for the big week ahead.  I will make charts and lists and relax a bit somewhere in between.  The norm.  Months ago I remembered praying that regular would return and though some days are harder than others...I finally think we are gettin' pretty close.  So to some, an average day is not such a big deal but today the regular, the simple, the normal is new and very, very welcomed. 

P.S.  Since some of you are going to be irritated by this stretch of a new thing...just think of it this way...since I've just recently signed on for another year of this madness I have plenty of time for the crazy challenges that you are sending me...OH...and I listened to a ton of new music on my Ipod so we're all good! ;)

Ipod Nano

     I had a Mickey Mouse record player when I was a kid.  Mickey's arm held the needle.  I would sit in my basement and listen to the odd records found in cabinets.  In the living room was a big mamajama console piece of furniture.  It took up half of a wall and had a record player with 8 track.  I remember the big silver button that switched songs.  I was young but I loved music.  My family (and their various unconventional ages) introduced me to more types of music than the typical little kid gets to hear.  It started a love of music.  As I grew so did my need for the modern.  The little radio led to the boom box which led to the stereo.  Back then the test for quality was the speed in which the tape deck popped open...the slower the better.  Car radios went from five buttons to fancy digital equalizers found in the beauty of an Alpine.  I balanced my treble and my fade and was sure the boom of the bass was set just right.  There was the walkman, the discman, the cassette, the cd.  What a flurry of change my generation has had the privilege to grow up with.  Then the mp3.  Hmmmm....you mean you can put thousands of songs in a little box?!?  C'mon now.  Years ago I was given my first Ipod.  It was my green brick.  It has been on many a car ride and three mile walk.  It is durable and awesome...but it is also quite heavy and the battery life is short lived.  You mean they make a touch screen magical box that holds songs and is a pedometer and can make you lunch?  Alright, I'm exaggerating...but it's still pretty cool.  Last year for Christmas I was given the new Nano.  It has been sealed up since.  Almost an entire year later I have busted it out of its little box and loaded it up with some music.  I plan on heading to the gym with it quite soon.  In mere minutes it has almost three hundred songs on it...some of which will be listened to on my way to work tomorrow.   I now have a brick for the home dock and a light little power house for exploring the world.  So though I don't want to think about how on earth they get thousands of songs to fit into a little box...I'm pretty darn excited to get to carry them around with me.

Took Kit for MudWorkin'

     Little by little I am given new odds and ends to learn while at work.  Each time I beg, borrow and steal for the tools necessary to do these various tasks.  Today, JoAnn passed on a fresh took kit.  I have my very own needle tool and exacto for those moments in Clayland that need such items.  A little badge of honor in Minionville!

Fresh Frog of Bel Air Nails

     So the Muppets are makin' a comeback.  I'm a huge fan so I am quite happy with this.  Of course I took the kids to see the new movie.  We all need a little rainbow connection in our lives.  Well...OPI the famous makers of nail polish came out with a line dedicated to the Muppets with names like "Warm and Fozzie" and "Gettin' Miss Piggy With It".  Emily and I are now getting our holiday spirit on with a little green bling on our nails in honor of Kermie!

I'm Alright with the Unfinished AND a Big Announcement!

I was asked to be a "Room Parent" again so I had to .....

I found my long lost cousin and sent a long email and waited to hear back from...

At the end of my work day I started to learn the process of making...

I had to pick something up from school and chased people all around the...

I started a game of Words with Friends and never got the "U" I needed for the damn "Q" and...

I had plans for a night with the kids that was bumped for the oodles of homework so...


I started a whole bunch of these types of things today.  Started them all is the key part.  None were completed.  This new thing challenge typically hinges on the things I have DONE...not hope to finish. I looked over at the ball of yarn and knitting needles that have been taunting me for years in a felted bowl that sits by a comfy chair.   I opened the yarn and busted out all of the beginning stitches without so much as a reminding diagram.  I then realized I never used this particular chunky wool because I needed bit fat needles to with it.  So after throwing a few rows on my skinny needles...I abaondoned that project as well.

I started a wool scarf in the hopes of busting it all out in one night but...

So there you have it.  I felt sort of lost most of the day.  My heart was in the right place but life just seemed to get in the way.  I was also running in so many directions that I couldn't just focus on any one new thing at a time.  Or I was depending on someone or something else.  As I just wrote this I had an epiphany.  I have made it through almost an entire year of doing something new every single day.  Maybe some days it was exciting and others it was necessary and still others it was something simple that was in between huge things that I can't even blog about.  The point is I did them.  Daily.  It changes your mind not just your activities.  But like everything else I did not finish today I have been feeling a stirring about something else.  I don't think it's time to finish this quest and if I leave it now it will be in the same pile of old yarn and unfinished projects as the rest of the them.  Do I need to commit to a second year...YEP! I sure as hell have to.  I know me and the things I was fighting before are all waiting for me like germs that have built up an immunity to the antibiotics.  I need to get it ALL out of my system.

So I guess now in a round the corner and down the street sort of way...I am saying that my new thing of the day is to say YES to another year.  Sigh.  Groan.  Do what you must.  Block me as a Facebook pal or "follow" me on my blog...I understand either way. 

Oh and as a holiday gift this year I ask you all for something.  A message with a list of ten new things that you think would be a wonderful challenge to a girl that will have 365 new things to come up with!  Good ones...really good ones!  Thanks for the support and love and ideas!  I now must wrap this up because like everything else started yesterday this post was split into two days and left unfin...

Bit My Lip Something Fierce While Eating a Mallomar

    My new thing fell through.  I'm exhausted from a super duper productive day.  I was looking up the point value for Mallomars and bam!  Ouch!  My lip is swollen and everything. 

     Thank me...y'all know you needed a break after that last one....;)

Blue Christmas without You

     "I'll have a blue new Christmas without you"....played in my head today.  Last year Mom was ill so I did my best to make the house as festive as I could in between trips to the hospital and taking care of the usual crazy life that happens at this time of year.  Cards were left on the table.  Decorations were stranded somewhere in the middle of the transformation.  I was trapped between the worst event of my life and the sweetest day of the year.  My efforts were elsewhere at a hospital where I had to make Christmas still happen for a woman who would be "celebrating" her last one.  She made me promise to have our holiday even if it was five days after she had left us.  My mother always liked to challenge me and this was no exception. 
     A little boy has a birthday days after Christmas.   I still remember the day that I heard the due date and the thoughts that ran through my head.  Do not EVER let this child feel slighted by the shadow of the biggest day of the year.  So each year there is a celebration.  She made me promise that one as well.   No way was she was ruining last year's Star Wars theme...not for her little guy.  I can honestly say most of last year's season of good tidings was a blur for me.  I remember lots of snow.  Lots of rushing.  Lots of tears. 
     Then the floods happened.  The rains came this past year and took the trees and power with them.  My basement and all of its contents, including over forty years of holiday decorations... soaked.  Though bags and bags of many things have made their way to the trash...Christmas has waited for a day I was brave enough to face it.  Yesterday's holiday magic is still holding a spell over me so today was that day.  The artificial trees are destroyed.  Today, we purchased a fir.  It is full of sticky sap and smells of wintry magic.  Most lights were destroyed as well but a few packs of red/green combo lights were safe so for the first time in my entire life the tree is not in all white nor in a magical spectrum of colors.   I have said goodbye to things I have seen each and every year since I am old enough to remember.  An Ipod set to Christmas music kept us company as we dug through boxes and filled up trash bags.  A song came on.  A song that would bring my mother to tears in an instant.  A song that needed to be switched off immediately should she ever be in your midst.  I stood near the tree with the reflex to change it and then realized I no longer had to...only for it TO SWITCH TO THE NEXT SONG on its own.  I paused mid-reach with an ornament...and realized she was with me.  I am sure she is proud that she has passed on the tradition of nagging about ornament placement.  I gave the talk to my daughter just moments before.  She is smiling as I say, "Don't put two snowmen together silly...you have the whole tree!".  
     Life brings changes.  We miss people.  We find people.  We watch our little ones grow too quickly.  We watch our old people as they slip away.  Christmas is a time like no other.  The noise of the world quiets for a bit and we reflect on the lives we have lived and the pathways we have found for our tomorrows.  We smile a little bit bigger.  We cherish a little bit harder.  We forgive  a little bit easier.  We wrap up a year and prepare for the freshness of the upcoming new one.  We remember our childhoods with fond traditional memories and create new ones with the children we are blessed with.  There is a little bit of magic to be had by us all and it comes with the scent of the forest and the twinkles of the stars.  This challenge of the new has brought my biggest obstacle and my biggest success.  My tree is up and it's quite lovely...I think even Mom would approve!
    

Tribute to Coach...Surreal Trip Down Memory Lane

     Yesterday was so big I had to take some time to gather myself to write this post.  So here I am today exhausted from a trip to the past and back again.  Time travel takes a lot out of a person...let me tell ya.  First things first!!!  Cardinal Spellman and all of past volleyball teams gathered together to honor the coaching career and THIRTY years of dedication of a woman by the name of Ms. Faulkner.  I thought just eating at a restaurant I've never been to was going to be my only new thing.  I had no idea.  This group of women shared bottles of wine and stories as we caught up for the first time all together since 1990.  Our little table of seven was only one in a room full of people full of pride and gratitude for a role model, coach, friend, teacher and dean.  Year by year we stood up and told stories of all that she gave to us and brought to us as students, athletes and women.  We ate delicious food and showed pictures of kids, talked about our lives and learned all that can happen in twenty years.  I thought I would enjoy myself...I had no idea how much! They were my girls back then and I have a feeling we will be something completely new to each other now.
     Next it was off to see the famous Pelham Parkway house of crazy Christmas.  You've seen it on those shows that highlight the best of decorating.  It was over the top and slightly disturbing...but a sight to behold indeed!
     Then two adults realized that it hadn't been since 1985 or so since they were in the old church.  So we went to Mass at St. Frances of Rome.  The 5:00 Mass.  Time stood still in the building.  Same banners were hanging.  Same windows and lights.  Same huge pipes over the organ.  Same bells that a certain alter boy used to shake...all still there as if decades hadn't slipped by.  The priest announced a special function being held in the auditorium right after the service.  A priest that taught at my very high school that I had passed earlier in the day. 
     This is when a bit of Christmas magic was sprinkled in the crisp but lovely night air.  We all walked through the doors and walked up the steps to our elementary school.  I thought time had stopped in the church.  I had no idea.  John and I were transformed into the 6th graders that sang in the same metal folding chairs before the piano during the Christmas show.  A tree was up and decorated.  A community event was about to take place.  It welcomed all.  We looked around a room full of people...some of with faces we have known since childhood and marveled at the surreal feeling of the moment.  After eating a collection of traditional food from around the world the lights dimmed for a Christmas story and a sing-along of Silent Night.  I told you there was some Christmas magic.  It all came swirling down around me as if it had waited in the stained glass windows above me for that very moment.  Years and years of patience.  The balcony held old piled up desks and sets from plays held years before.  The curtain hid the stage as it always had.  The same smells.  Sounds.  All there.
     As if it wasn't all enough I looked over and instantly knew a face.  She was older but I don't forget the eyes and smile of a girl I had played with for years.  My neighbor from childhood.  I bolted for her and as I said hello and she realized it was me...a tad few more sprinkles of the holiday dust fell from above.  She no longer lived there but was visiting.  We talked about our families and how we had moved away from the Bronx years ago.  She mentioned that she moved to Pennsylvania...to East Stroudsburg. At this point I could take no more.
     This school that I spent eight years of my childhood has since been closed down.  It sits there in limbo with an occasional student for Catholic education or a church event.  The school is one of my most cherished parts of childhood and until now I had feared to never again get to see the inside of it.  To be able to take my own little children inside to feel it's cozy warmth was bittersweet.  I looked across the table at a girl that was my age in the 4th grade and saw myself.  Where oh where does the time go?
     We took a detour through Manhattan on the way home.  The trip seemed incomplete without a glimpse at the lights and windows that the city makes even more special at this time of year.  As the skyline faded and the stars reappeared on the drive home...I lingered in disbelief of the day. 

    (They have the Christmas Around the World event each holiday season...I'm thinking a little reunion needs to be set up!!!!)

Holiday Party at MudWorks

     There was a juice bar with fresh fruits and an arsenal of vodka flavors.  Genuine moussaka.  A delicious salad.  Amazing baklava.  Shrimp cocktail.  Bread and dipping oil as well as sunflower seed bread sticks fresh from Greece.  Oh, and the deviled eggs....mmmmmm.  We gathered and celebrated MudWorks style...with humor, innuendo and umph.  Cause that's how we are.  We are loud and fun and a tad bit crazy.  I can't believe it's almost a year since I started working there.  I am lucky to be around such quality people!  Happiest of holiday seasons to my work family!!!

Youvaralakia Avgolemono

     How on earth did I go 39 years without eating this soup?!?  Today I sat down to a bowl of mmmmmmmmmmmmmm while at work.  Thanks Stratakos Family for yet another treat for the tummy! 

Donation to the Incarnation Children's Center

I often wish I was wealthy so I could help others.  I often think about how I need to find the time to volunteer.  I'm not saying this because it is PC.  I am saying it because I mean it.  But I am neither wealthy in funds nor in time.  It doesn't mean I don't give when and where I can at any chance I'm given...it just means I hope and want to do more.   Tonight, a strange little moment happened.  I threw out the suggestion of a new thing and it seemed to crash right into another status update about a place my friend volunteers his time.  Another friend was asking people to give a donation for the holidays.  It shed some light on the following...

The Incarnation Children’s Center (ICC) is New York City’s only skilled nursing facility providing specialized care for children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS.

This is the time of year to be grateful.  As I spend moments tied up in holiday concerts and special events with my children I never forget how lucky I am.  I am thankful for all that they are and all that they will become.  It makes me sad that children ever have to suffer...anywhere for any reason.   The ICC is taking donations, gift cards and even has a shopping list all set up for specific presents that have been requested.  It is one of the countless organizations that need help.  Please, during this special time of year, don't forget to give back...somewhere.  Anywhere.  Thanks Bryan and Colette for being so awesome!

Winter Concert at Smithfield Elementary

     It was the first time I have ever attended one of these at the new school.  I guess last year we just missed the whole thing.  It was a bit nutty in December and this year we had an extra special reason to go...little Emily made her baritone debut.  Baritone.  I know, I know.  When she came home and said she had picked that particular instrument I was a tad confused.  I have now been listening to a daily practice for months but it was all well worth it.  The band was cute...but seriously shoving all proud mama stuff aside...she was really good.  The sound of the tiny tuba is the backbone of the whole song.  But she didn't just make those plain old low sounds...she even had sweet little melodies.  I can brag a bit and say that she is already playing with the older kids and that she did a nice job but more I am just proud of her hard work and enthusiasm.  Pop Pop was super excited as well...even IF she didn't go for the trumpet.  ;)

Take the Children to Meet Master Nam

     I'd be lying if I didn't say that I had a little fantasy about the Karate Kid.  Not Ralph Macchio...don't get nervous.  I thought about how that movie made us all feel as kids.  Sure it had the heroic feel we all seem to desperately seek but there was also a peacefulness in getting the whole picture.  Tonight we entered the inner sanctum.  We have watched through the open doorway while driving by many a time.  I teach my kids about many things...I might even sway them if given the chance.  But this one...all them.  When your child seems genuinely interested in something you let them explore it.  When they both do and it might be something they can bond over while being fit, learning a new discipline and reaching beyond the norm...it's all bonus, bonus, bonus.  We got to watch the end of a private lesson.  A boy had been going for a few weeks.  We watched kicks and hits and form and technique.  Then, as if out of a commercial for karate itself...Master Nam took out a wooden board.  All of our eyes lit up.  The doubtful child said he couldn't do it.  With the type of guidance you see in Oscar winning films...Master Nam took a stance and said that he could.  And he did.  We clapped.  He beamed.  It was a moment that said...YEP, this is right!  Moments later it was just us and he spoke to the kids. He learned their names and ages.  He had Ethan get up and checked his flexibility and strength.  He was impressed.  I have to say I was as well.  Seems there might be something special with this young grasshopper.  After a few private sessions they will be able to join group classes.  We are all very excited.  I had this feeling a few years back when I first spoke to Emily's piano teacher who wanted to meet with her first...and we all know how that turned out.   If they are this excited over the white belt I can't wait to see what's next!

Celebrate Greta's 3rd Birthday

No child has ever grown three years this quickly...and yet there we were singing and watching her blow out three little candles.  Greta is as clever and adorable and as sweet as a child can get.  She was also quite the host and narrator of all things occurring at her little event.  We went fishing, ate some lasagna (some of us baby bird style but I'm not naming names), gulped down some cake and played a bit of jack-in-the-box.  There were also loads and loads of giggles.  Because THAT is how we roll.  Another fun party to celebrate another wonderful milestone.  Happy Birthday to our special little Bean!!!

the ELF on the SHELF

     I had an elf as a kid but I think someone missed the point because it just hung out on a candlestick every holiday season.  This year...one of Santa's helpers...sent our very own elf package.  We named our elf, Elliot.  We read the story and I can't wait to see where the little guy ends up each day!  A little Christmas magic is just what we need right about now!  Hey, Santa's helper...thanks again!!!

Kids Go Shopping

     They have this little event at school for the kids.  They set up a little "store" and the children get to shop for everyone on their list for the holidays.  I jumped at the chance to help out.  A couple years back Emily was sent to school with a list of people and a budget of ten smackers.  She got some hysterically funny items as well as a sparkly little pair of earrings for HERSELF ...and then handed  her Dad a nickel and two pennies and said that she ran out of money.  I still crack up when I think about it.  So I thought maybe I could help some poor Dad somewhere get more than loose change from his kid. 
     Have you ever tried to buy thirteen gifts with a five?  Today, I met the challenge as I escorted the little ones around the room to find just the right items for their beloved friends and family.  Choices were interesting...I'm helpful not a miracle worker.  So here's to hoping that the Dads like those sports pennants and Moms like the lockets and that Auntie Ann is okay with a pen that says "AUNT" because you can only stretch a dollar so far.  Ho, ho, ho! 

Buster Keaton's Sherlock Jr.

     Brilliant.  Absolutely, positively brilliant.