Polynesian Parenting

A week ago, Hawaii was Tsunami-free and my family was just getting ready to enjoy a whale-watching tour. (Alex would argue the verb "enjoy" as sea-sickness overtook her.) Apparently, our timing was pretty darn good and we are all still basking in the warm memories of the trip.

Rather than bore you with more details of paradise, I thought I'd share a new discipline technique that we picked up in Maui.

No sand to bury your kids? Get creative. If you live in the Midwest, there is a plenty o' snow to go round...

Cole's New Girlfriend

Has it been that long since I've posted anything? Holy cow...well, I've been trying to recharge. Had to go to Hawaii to begin the process. It took me a few days to let go of my Blackberry. But I did. (I read a great quote in Oprah - "Even your Blackberry needs to recharge.") Let me just say, after recovering from the long ride home, I feel happy. Happy that my parents took us on the trip of a lifetime. Happy that I have wonderful memories of waves crashing on the beach. Happy I was with the people I love most in the world. And finally, happy that Cole has a new girlfriend.

Mama's Got Game?

Last week Alex came home with an "invitation" to a potluck for the basketball team. As usual, I began to fret about the potluck dish. But the dish was the least of my worries. The potluck would also involve a "mothers versus daughters" game.

Shit.

The last time I played basketball, I was the same age as Alex, girls BB only allowed two dribbles, and I had broken my finger.

On the day of the big game, I had a glimmer of hope the event would be cancelled due to weather. You could count on the weather to thwart everything else this season. But not this time. So I would play...and

=>get my hands on the ball WAY more than I intended.
=>miss every shot I took, and I took plenty.
=>bruise both of my knees going after a loose ball that I worked really hard to save...despite not another soul around to fight me for it.
=>run completely out of saliva, forcing me to drink out of a germ-infested water fountain which ultimately knocked me out with a cold the next day.

Needless to say, the mothers lost. To a bunch of cheating Catholic schoolgirls.

At least Alex's friends were amused by my apologies on the court. I felt really bad about knocking one little girl down and was trying to help her back up when her own mother came and swiped the ball from her daughter's hands. Thank God the other mom didn't come and knock me down. I'm not sure what I would've done if someone would've knocked my girl down!

Oh, wait. I did get Alex once. But I apologized profusely. And she easily forgave through her laughter. I have to admit, despite my injuries, the cold and the three days of stiffness...it was pretty fun. And I'd do it again. (And no, there will be no photos with this post.)

Stuff I Think Kicks

Oprah has her favorite things...and she has a lot of them, but I suppose when you make that much money, what they hay? Well, in my little world, there are a few things that I think KICK BUTT. Allow me to share:

1) MAGIC HANGERS - they are truly as sweet as they appear on the commercial. I spent an hour in my closet today, assembling, arranging, hanging, and smiling. The memory of my organized closet is making me smile this very minute. As a matter of fact, I might go take another peek. Some of you might remember my inability to organize? If only there could be more magic gadgets. Magic cupboards, magic junk drawers, magic file cabinets...I can't wait to see what this magic company comes out with next.
2) Le Chameau Wellington Boots (while magic hangers called for UPPER CASE letters, this name brand seemed to call for italics.) Yes, when Eddie Bauer put them on sale, I broke down and bought a pair. I've been dreaming of wearing these lovely rubbers for years now. Really. I wore them on a walk this morning (heck, it was like nearly 25 degrees), and while my hubby thought me ready to do chores, I felt like dashing through a picturesque English country side and daftly handling the herd of sheep I'd meet on the road.
3) Star Wars. When there's nothing to do and nothing to talk about, you can always rely on Star Wars. It can be weaved into every conversation and the movies never ever become stale.

That's all for now. Have a good weekend.

Can You PALEASE Sit Still?

Yesterday was open house for our Catholic Schools, so before we made ourselves sick on pancakes we visited each of our children's rooms. As a 7th Grader, Alex wasn't quite as eager to show us her artwork, although her barn quilt design was quite cool as she showed us symbols that describes her values and characteristics. Cole was amazed that Alex was able to locate her desk without having her name labeled on it...

Cole, as a second grader, had plenty of art projects to show us. In one particular piece, he had covertly created a butt. (Teehee.) But I was most interested in where Cole's desk was located...you mothers know why. Was it near the teacher's desk? Was it in front?

When he showed us his desk in the back of the classroom, I smiled with a bit of relief. Then his teacher stepped in to tell us why Cole's desk is in the back.

"It's so he can stand."

"What? So he can what?"

"It's so he can stand during class. Apparently, he can't sit down."

Oh, dear. I've wondered how the kid made it through the day, but figured it must not be a problem since I'd never heard otherwise. There's a reason he only weighs sixty pounds. He never sits still. Can you imagine a teacher back in the 1970's allowing us to stand? As Doug pointed out, maybe to slap you...

Mrs. Robinson explained to us that she realizes that all kids learn differently - some don't learn well while sitting. I was very happy to know that my son's teacher is a bit progressive in her thinking - Cole does well, but how well would he do if he had to sit all day? He might do well...as long as he was learning on a DS.

She did mention that at times, his fidgeting is distracting. Really!! No doubt. I would think a kid standing at the back of the classroom would be distracting and unnerving. Actually, an entire classroom of second graders would probably completely unravel me.

Thank goodness for teachers. Now, do you suppose we should allow Cole to stand up while he's eating? I just lectured him the other day for taking laps around the house between bites. But perhaps he's on to something.