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An Unexpected Proposal (Or…”But That’s Not About Hawaii!”)

Hallmark Moments, Homeschooling, KidsWrite a comment

Today was our homeschool group’s  Geography Day. Basically, each child/family picks a location somewhere on the earth and puts together a visual and/or oral presentation on it. Lots of interesting places were represented, from Iceland to Okinawa.  Many of the displays included traditional food there were pierogies (btw, did you know how many different ways you can spell this dish? I wiki’d it: Pierogi- also perogi, perogy, pirohi, piroghi, pirogi, pirogen, pierogy, pirohy, pyrohy.) from Poland, home-baked pretzels from Germany, and clever&cute candy sushi from Japan. (I love the  paper mache Noh mask she made!)

Miss A chose to research and present Hawaii (her love for all things Lilo & Stitch played some role, I’m sure). I was very proud of her – she stood up in front of the group in her grass skirt & lei and told them all about Pele, the volcanic creation of islands, hula dancing, and the origin of pinepples. Do you know where the name pineapple comes from? Miss A does! Enough with the Mama-pride,  at the end of her little speech she said, “Any questions?” At this point another young man in the group raised his hand and asked, “So, is it alright if we get married when we are 24?” Much giggling ensued, and Miss A looked at me and said, abashed, “But Mama, that’s not about Hawaii!”

It must have been the grass skirt. Gets them everytime.

Miss A offers other presenters a sample of pineapple.
Miss A offers other presenters a sample of pineapple.
Miss A's prospective groom tries on her hula wear. I always knew she's be the one to wear the pants in the family.
Miss A's prospective groom tries on her hula wear. I always knew she'd be the one to wear the pants in the family.

Marilyn Monroe at Max & Ruby?

Hallmark Moments, KidsWrite a comment

This morning, we had a delightful little field trip to see “Max & Ruby” live onstage. (If you don’t know who Max&Ruby are, you are missing out on some of the cutest books ever! We love Rosemary Wells around here…well except for her book about Felix and the Worrier, but we’ll talk about that some other time). The show was really well done, a small cast of 5 or so, and a simple set, but the costumes, musical numbers, sound effects and storyline were very entertaining. I enjoyed myself almost as much as the kids did (though half my fun is simply watching how much fun they are having).

After the show, as we were in the lobby taking stock and making plans for lunch, Miss A discovered something interesting…

Remind you of anything?
Remind you of anything?

Turns out, the entertainment in the lobby was pretty good too.

mariyln

The look on her face when she first stepped on the vent…well, if you’ve seen The 7 Year Itch, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Unlike Ms Monroe, Miss A wears leggings most of the time.

Thank Goodness.

The Snake Show – Jewelry Edition

Family, Homeschooling, KidsWrite a comment

It’s become a Johnson family tradition: right around Miss A’s bday we head out for our annual trip to ReptileFest…what we refer to as, “the snake show.” I come along just to take pics…I have never liked snakes…not since I screamed bloody murder the time a little garter snake crossed my path on the side of our house when I was 6 or so…and I demanded my Dad go out there and hunt for it…and bless the man he humored me and did go out there – with a butterfly net. Miss A, who will shortly turn 6 herself, has no such fears. She thinks snakes are delightful and at shows like this has been known to invite the slinky things to slither right up her shirt sleeve. Oh, I’m getting the creepy crawlies just thinking about it.

This year the theme was snake jewelery, like the ring you see here:

finger-snake

My daughter has some strange taste in jewelry, I tell you what.

finger-snake-2

Check out this bracelet:

snake-bracelet

She is trying to decide how best to wear it…snake-bracelet-2

At least she matches her accessories.

matching-headband

It’s Spring Break! Hope your swimsuit is lined in fur.

General SuckitudeWrite a comment

Oh yeah, springtime in the Midwest. It is the embodiment of that saying, “It ain’t over til it’s over.” Cuz winter? It ain’t over yet.

The calendar may show that the season of spring started just over a week ago…

the-last-snow-i-hope

And local schools may be starting their spring break vacation tomorrow…

little-snow-shed

But spring has decided she  doesn’t feel like coming out to play right now…

snow-trees

Maybe in a few more weeks, she’ll feel like doing something.

more-trees-with-snow

Until then, winter is hanging around like that annoying last party guest that JUST WONT LEAVE.

shed-snow

Go away winter, I have other stuff I’d like to do.

snow-birds

Those poor birds say get lost, too.

Let’s hope winter gets the hint real soon…who knows, last year we scrapped any chance of an outdoor Easter egg hunt since it looked like Christmas.

“Oh, Dirt.”

Kids, TantrumsWrite a comment

This is my daughter’s new cuss word. Maybe five year olds shouldn’t be using cuss words you say. And I say pshaw (that’s an old fuddy-duddy cussword). Kids need to express their anger and frustration just-as-much-if-in-fact-not-more-than adults, and I much prefer she invent her own swear words than lie on the floor and scream (which has been her preferred method to date).
Besides, it’s funny, and quite an equal exchange, if you think about it. Both in meaning, and in the weight and delivery of the word.

So, next time you get ticked…try it..say: “Oh, dirt.”
I bet you feel at least a little bit better.

Book Club meeting is in 2 days…

Life, Time WastersWrite a comment

I have missed the last 1..or 2…meetings, ‘cuz things just keep getting in the way. So I really want to make it to this one (especially since they are meeting at the place which makes the most amazing little salads with the even more most amazing not so little olives).

But accomplishing this…it shall be a challenge, because I just got the book.

And I haven’t started it yet.

And I teach a gymnastics class and an acting class the same day as the book club meeting.

And I have a homeschool project I’m working on with Miss A at the mall tomorrow. (more on that later)

And Lil G just woke up from her nap.

Damn.

Something else to waste time on…

Cool Stuff, Time Wasters, WebsiteWrite a comment

I really need to stay away from the internets…I keep finding new ways to devour time…time I should be spending working out, or dusting a ceiling fan.

Tonight, while I was looking for some tutorials on making pictorial montages, I came across this site. Oh my, it was like a toy store…so many things to play with, I wasn’t sure where to begin…

This particular activity caught my eye first though, and here is the initial result:

motivator9997722

I was a good girl and made only 1.

For now.

But I have a feeling I will be wasting a lot of time playing there…and wasting more time posting the products of my idleness here, where you can waste time looking at it.

Don’t feel bad, it’s fun.

It’s why God created the internet.

Really.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Kids, ProductsWrite a comment

This is of course, a question I ask myself often…as I tend to buy way too much of certain items (in fact, I’ve made a list of the top 10 products I purchase to the point of ridiculousness)…but I am rather let’s say frugal, and will often second guess a purchase I am about to make – even if its something I need (like a freakin’ microwave…almost 2 years sans instant reheat-ability now…).

So when I saw what’s up for grabs on the BabySteals site (have you not been? It’s my nirvana for baby indulgences, most notably BabyLegs) I almost clicked “BUY!” right away…then thought some more about it and came here instead.

Today they are selling “Smart Mom Jewlry” …and with Lil’ G’s teeth popping up all over the place, she sure would appreciate the gnawing opportunity. I have my qualms though…first of all, Lil’  G, teething or not,  is already fascinated by necklaces…and I often have to pull her hands away and tell her no before she hurts herself or me in her ardent desire to maul my jewelry. I don’t think I want to suddenly turn around encourage her to play with a necklace. Mixed messages and inconsistent parenting and all that. Second, I consider myself to be a clean person (my husband thinks I get a little crazy with the travel soap sometimes) but in reality  – how sanitary will a necklace I wear all day really be?And what if  perfume and/or lotion get on it? (assuming I had time that day to apply either).

So, while I think it’s an interesting idea…I’m going to pass. It’s just not for me.

Sorry Lil’ G…you’ll have to keep rockin’ out on those fingers.

And yes, those are BabyLegs she's wearing.
And yes, those are BabyLegs she's wearing.

The Bluest Eyes EVER

KidsWrite a comment

I may be a tad biased; being the mother of the incredible super awesomeness that is my offspring, but I think it’s pretty fair to say that Lil’ G has the most amazing, stop you in your tracks, blue eyes.

Are they not wondrous?
Are they not wondrous?
Would you be able to avoid smiling back? I didn't think so.
Would you be able to avoid smiling back?
I didn't think so.
I didn't think so.
Even when she's rocking out, those eyes still twinkle.
Even when she's rocking out, those eyes still twinkle.
I think those gorgeous eyes might be glaring at me...I better stop taking pics now.
I think those gorgeous eyes might be glaring at me...I better stop taking pics now.

And for the record, while it’s agreed I may be biased on the sheer awesomeness of their blue-osity, I did not add color or touch up her eyes in any way. I used the slight sharpen tool on a few and PW’s quick edge burn action on one, but that is it my friends. Lil’ G is 100% authentic baby blue perfection.

Amen.