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. . . . . . . .and the crowd goes wild!!!
This was Posy's face upon bowling a gutter ball (one of many) today but I thought it was also fitting for this last post of NombyPomby. It was touch and go but I made it, admittedly by taking Slacker Blogging to new depths but still I did post every day in November. We already established that a photo is a post right? I said I'd do it and I did, "Go Me!" Sad to say it is one of my few achievements of late.
Now what to do in December?
Tree picked out, chopped down and brought home, you can't expect a post too!
Whoever came up with this Throwback Thursday thing is a genius! I can slap up a photo and call it a post, just like I've done for the last 27 days except on a Thursday I can call it Throwback and pretend its not because I'm a terrible blogger.
So this one is from Thanksgiving last year at one of the huge casinos near us, because nothing says Thanksgiving like patronizing your local Native American owned Casino.
Judging by the short sleeves it must have been a lot warmer this time last year, it was flipping freezing today. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
. . . Happy Hanukkah like twin snowmen!
Posy and Beau really, really wanted to bring them home, or at least invite them to dance at a Snow Ball (snow ball, snow men, snow ball, guffaw, guffaw). I believe I heard mention of double wedding plans.
Lulu on the other hand was horrified at their so obvious and garish choice in Holiday Lawn Ornaments.
Simon point blank said "no" while I'm wondering if they might be on sale on Black Friday, come on Twin Snowmen! It doesn't get any cuter. Is this one of those times when I've lost all sense of what is acceptable festive decorating and what is an appalling lapse in judgement? Yeah, I thought it might be.
Happy Hanukkah!!
So Day 26 and I'm clearly in bad shape on the blogging front but I'm nothing if not stubborn, I said I'd complete NombyPlomby and finish it I will, damn it! Luckily for me I'm all about getting the children to do all the work and why should blogging be any different? Today I'm stealing from Beau.
Thia is the draft of a letter he wrote to the Troops. I asked him about the "please add more thoughts" comment in the margin and he told me that originally he had only written "Thank you for saving our country."* and really I can see why he thought he'd said it all at that point but I love the additional thoughts, the wish for a "great Christmas" and reminder to "stay safe" and best of all the "Have a good life." Can you say old soul, "Have a good life" who says that? It sounds like the last words of a father to his son/daughter, "think of me fondly and, above all, have a good life my son."
Which reminds me the other morning I had the radio on while I was trying to wrestle him into his socks and shoes, I always have it tuned to my beloved NPR but tend to turn it off once the kids are up because the news is so often filled with stories that are difficult for children but this morning it was still on and they were doing a story on Afganastan and how this year the Taliban are expected to extend their fighting season into the winter (when normally the harsh winter weather would bring a lull in the fighting). Beau picked up on the "fighting"
B. "are they fighting ?"
Me. "yes, they are."
B. thinking for a while "probably they are talking over the top of each other" (truer than he could know) "Like us at school when someone wants the same crayon and they say "Give me that color crayon" "No! I want that one" "NO! I want it" when they should share and ask nicely and listen and take turns" Oh Beau my little peace maker you are so right.
*I'm pretty sure he's referring to "saving" the US from the British as this is a theme that interests him greatly.
Beau's birthday wish was to go to Chuck the Cheese, well actually he wanted to have a birthday party there but I managed to talk him out of that insanity! So, despite having seen other parents reduced to tears at the mere mention of The house of Rat*, we promised we would take him this weekend and today was the day. I will admit that Simon and I both turned a little pale when we saw how full the car park was but we pressed on undeterred, like we had any choice with these 3 in the back seat squealing "Chuck E. Cheese!"
This is a typical Posy pose, I think she was going for the Popeye look. Here she is driving with her scary little rodent friend
The all important exchanging of tickets for plastic crap. Kudos for the Assistant for her patience as they slowly, slowly made their choices, did I say sloooowly.
I feared it would be an afternoon of torture but actually, despite the noise levels and the crowd, we all had a great time and most importantly it was exactly what the birthday boy wanted to do so a definite win.
* The company claims he is a mouse but he is clearly a rat. I don't think he has invaded the UK yet but its only a matter of time so brace yourselves.
Our beautiful 5 year old. King for the day at school, sharing birthday cupcakes.
Tomorrow he will wake up a 6 year old. I don't mean he will be waking up some unsuspecting 6 year old, I mean he will be 6 years old. Good glad we got that cleared up. Sleep well sweet boy we love you so.
I've been seeing "Throwback Thursday" photo posts on FB for a while now, actually I thought it said Throwup Thursday first time I saw one but its definitely "Throwback". Well, you know there's no way I'm not taking advantage of another opportunity to post a photo instead of actually write anything. Oh yeah, I'm all over that!
These photos are from March 2010 when we were in Taiwan to bring Posy home. They are just some random ones that for some unknown reason got stored on this computer when all the rest are on the external hard drive, which I despair of ever accessing again for various technical reasons, also known as "Debberoo is technically challenged" but I digress, back to the photos.
In all of the photos from this trip poor sweet Beau looks exhausted because most of the time he was exhausted. Travelling to Taiwan is a big trip for anyone let alone a two year old, add meeting your rather loud baby sister for the first time and its going to tire a little guy out. This is one of the few where he doesn't have a pacy/dummy in his mouth (because I made him take it out for the photo). This was us taking a little break on the way to the Post Office. It was very, very hot and humid and we would start melting about 5 minutes after stepping out of the coolness of our air conditioned hotel.
When we walked by this cafe they were busy making dumplings for the lunch time rush, Lulu was very impressed, not that you'd have been able to persuade her to actually eat one back then. Today she is a dumpling aficionado but back then they were still firmly on her very long "Inedible List".
Loops not completely grasping that the mail doesn't come out the slots it goes in them. Beau thinking "Nope, not taking the pacy out again Lady, consider yourself lucky I'm awake and my eyes are open cos that's about as good as it's going to get today."
Now this really bad "selfie" is where I will regain your respect after your scorn at my Slacker Blogger ways, yes I am a slacker you'll get no argument from me there but its only because I'm still recovering from being left in Taiwan by myself with 3 children (one of which we'd had for all of 2 days as this point) while S buggered off to Shanghai on the pretext of "visiting a customer" (seriously that one is wearing awfully thin, the man's gotta come up with something fresh). Oh yes, people that's me solo completely outnumbered by adorable children in the middle of Taipei. Thank you, thank you, your standing ovation is most touching but please sit down again.
So there you have it Throwback Thursday from Taiwan. Oh how we miss you beautiful Taiwan!
I have lots of posts swishing around in my head but not finding the time to get them to the keyboard. I'd like to say that the reason I'm not finding the time is because I'm so busy being productive but nothing could be further from the truth, yep that's right "I'm busying doing nothing, working the whole day through". So I'm afraid its another photo post :)
Its Day 19 and its all coming back to me how dumb NombyPlomby is, or more accurately how dumb I am to attempt it. I'm so not equipped for this, I did no training and I jumped in on the spur of the moment, a recipe for blogging disaster! With 10 minutes left on my computer's battery I'm sticking a photo up (which I feel represents my current energy level quite well) and calling it a post. Things can only improve from here on out.
After yesterday's post I thought I'd share some photos of The Sibling Terrorizer, truth be told the adults in the house are a little fearful of her too. Don't be fooled by the sweet exterior, this child is a force to be reckoned with!
I think I may have enough material for a blog series entitled Sibling Love but I thought I'd file this one under Caillou.
"Today Posy was being mean and naughty. She almost had to go to her room. She picked on me and Beau. But in the morning she was nice and kind until she watched Caillou."
There you have it, the cause of all pre-schooler anti-social behaviour, Caillou!
Posy dearly loves that subversive little French Canadian and I'm not saying I don't appreciate the child free time an episode buys me but good grief he is sooooo annoying! Whine, whine, whiny whine, he thinks its all about him all the time. No wonder Lulu calls him out as being a bad influence on her baby sis.
For those of you who have been spared the horror that is Caillou this video will show you how lucky you are!
Exhausted after a fab day at CASPY. The students are so great with the kids and give so generously of their time and energy.
Check back tomorrow for more of this . . .
and this . . . .
Night, night.
Today was the much anticipated field trip to the Aquarium for First Grade! B has been looking forward to this for a couple of weeks and was so happy that the day had finally arrived. Originally I wasn't going to be able to Chaperone because S was working away so no-one to leave Miss P with (no siblings allowed on the trip) but he came through for Beau and drove through the night to get home (at midnight) and work from home today so I could go. Well done that man!
There were so many chaperones that we were only "chaperoneing" two children per adult which was super easy! We were all issued with clipboards, pens and a questionaire to complete. One of the questions was "What do sharks eat?" I suggested Kit Kats and Mars Bars, B went for the safer guess of fish and his buddy informed us that their most favorite food is "people". So it was with some trepidation that we sought out the Shark Lagoon. Apparently we just missed a shark attack, eyewitnesses said that it was a bit of a massacare with a rogue shark chowing down on a couple of his fellow "exhibits". They sent a diver into clean up the crime scene! Still it settled the question for us, shark definitely eat fish (when they can't get their choppers on Kit Kats or people).
Moving on, one of the highlights for B was the Stingray Encounter Tank, he was thrilled with his own bravery at touching them as they swam by.
The Belugas were so beautiful and we got a great view of them, the kids really loved them.
Questionaire completed, we are pretty sure we aced it! I was going for extra credit with my explanation of how they feed the smaller sharks with chopped up bits of fish on sticks (everything tastes better on a stick).
And then how about breaking a poor Mama's heart with this soulful look as the bus takes you back to prison school.
My baby is getting so grown up. Time is hurtling past too fast, if I blink she'll be in college. I need to hit the pause button just for a little bit.
. . . always beautiful.
I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the blackboard in the adults class but this is from Loop's class. It's so unfair that the children (who are all right little clever clogs) get pictures whilst we grown ups, who need all the help we can get, only have the pinyan. Clear case of favoritism AND cheating if you ask me.
Although in our class they did let us watch the Chinese version of The voice. Which is helping me prepare to cut my first all Mandarin CD. I'll let you know when its available on itunes. I'm going to be HUGE in Beijing baby!
I find her like this quite often, she sets herself up on the sofa with as many cushions balanced on top of her as she can find. It reminds me of the story of the Princes and the Pea and she is the Pea!
Today was Election Day in the US. Here in our little back of beyond
town in Darkest CT we were voting for a gazillion different positions
such as Town Selectman, Town Treasurer, Board of Education, Finance,
Planning and Zoning, etc., on and on.
I would have been a straight ticket voter but the position of First Selectman only had two candidates and they were both Republican so I was a bit scuppered on that one.
Here are my little "Voters in Training" complete with their "I voted stickers" (not that they did!)
Beau was thrilled that his Moneysmarts teacher* was there running for Board of Finance, naturally! Thankfully I was planning on voting for him anyway or I would have been in big trouble!
The Moneysmarts class is part of the Enrichment Program that runs after school a couple of times a year. Enrollment is limited so its the luck of the draw as to whether you get a place or not. In Beau's Grade (1st) there were 3 classes on offer each running once a week for 4 weeks, Gymnastics, Art or Moneysmarts. I was sure Beau would go for Art or maybe Gymnastics but no he picked Moneysmarts. I was a little worried that I might not have explained the class very well to him or maybe had given the impression that they would be handing out actual cash! I really wasn't sure what he would make of the first class last week but he loved it. He happily explained to me the difference between "needs" and "wants" (I personally find those two so hard to tell apart) by telling me there are things a dog "needs" such as dinner and walks and things he "wants" such as dog treats. Be still my beating heart maybe I won't be destitute in my old, old age afterall with such a "Moneysmart" son!
*He is actually a volunteer parent so all Kudus to him for giving of his time to teach the class.
A couple of weekends ago Beau was invited to a classmates birthday party to be held at the local Nature Center. The invitation was very cute and featured a beautiful snake with the promise of a "slithery surprise". On the morning of the party Beau set to making a card for his friend. You might remember that I mentioned that our home is currently in the grip of Ninjago Fever so naturally the card took on a Ninjago theme.
Here we have the 4 Ninjas* Cole, Kai, Jay and of course the White Ninja Zane.
I believe this is the Ninjas demonstrating the spin in their Spinjitzu whilst hollering out "Nin Jago" (as you do)
Front of the envelope with yet more Ninjago-ing going on.
Finishing strong with color on the reverse side of the envelope. Beau has always leaned toward black and white illustration with a strong emphasis on the black so it's nice to see him use colors!
Lulu decided that she would draw a card for Wes too, they don't actually know each other but Loops is always up for a bit of coloring and of course no-one can ever have too many birthday cards.
Front and back of card with spinning Ninjas and message urging Wess to "Rock on"
Lulu enjoys writing, she always has a journal on the go and goes through phases of writing "books" (sheets of paper stolen out of my printer and stapled together) some only have the cover and a first page or two completed but there have been a few with multiple chapters and somewhere I have saved a couple that are complete with back covers featuring the author picture and bio! Still I was surprised to see that her card wasn't just a picture with "Happy Birthday" (or in this case "Rock On") it would seem that she decided this might me an opportunity to gain a penfriend, or possibly more than a penfriend since that bit that I've smuged out by her name is her full address and telephone number! Thankfully she did stop short of adding "Call me"
That's a self portrait at the bottom.
I love it when they make these cards and the little peeks into their minds that they give me. Oh and apparently there was indeed a "Slithery surprise" at the party when a beautiful snake made a guest appearance
*Is the plural of Ninja, Ninjas or Ninji? Okay I just checked and it looks like its Ninjas or can be left as Ninja, so now you know.
I forgot that its impossible to blog on the weekend which means . . . . . photo time!
So here's one in your face with apololgies for the poor quality. I'm going for attitude over focus!
Day one and it appears that whatever "over enthusiasm" inducing substance was coursing through my veins yesterday has now left my blood stream. I think it might have been the effect of a little too much dipping into the pre Halloween candy!
I'm so rusty at this blogging lark but will push on undeterred as I've been telling the kids it takes practise to get good at anything, so practise I will.
Speaking of being out of practise (did you see the way I did that? Perfect segway! And they said I've got no blogging skills, piff poff!) I spent a couple of hours this afternoon helping out at the school Scholastic Book Fair. Its been a few years since I worked a cash register but I was quite proud of myself I only had to do a few transaction voids and it felt good to get my hands on a scanner again and hear the sweet sound of its beep.
The customers were a delight. I particularly enjoyed the little girl who asked incredulously "Why do you have a Justin Beiber poster?" There was a selection of posters for sale including one of The Biebster, clearly our customer considers his career officially over and could not understand what he was doing hanging along side One Direction, who I might add were the most popular selection of the afternoon both in book and poster form. Hoping to gain some points with the customers I drew their attention to the fact that I too was British, just like the lads of OD. My announcement far from increasing my status in their eyes seemed to make them a little nervous and anxious to get away from the clearly unhinged lady. On reflection I think they may have misunderstood me and thought I was claiming to be an actual member of OD.
What I was out of practise with was talking to adults. There were two other volunteers, two Mums I've known since Loops started school, they both have daughters her age so our paths have crossed many times and they are both perfectly nice but good grief I can not do small talk, its like my brain seizes up and I can't think of a single interesting thing to say and then desperate to fill the silence I suddenly blurt out utter nonsense that elicits slightly nervous smiles. Sigh, talking used to be my strong suit, there are those who would say I was impossible to shut up but not so much these days. I've lost the skill through lack of use. I think my isolation is in part what decided me to do the NomPlom thing, it isn't exactly talking but it is communication.
So back to the Book Fair, L & B had both done their book shopping earlier in the week so I promised P I would bring her a book home. She made it clear it wasn't to be just any book it needed to be a Ninjago Book (you will be hearing more on the Ninjago obsession) unfortunately there were only two Ninjago titles available at the Fair and of course B had already purchased them both. So instead I picked two books that I really, really wanted myself, thought P would love. I'm a sucker for children's literature particularly the illustrated books and both of these had really beautiful illustrations. P's reaction told me that Ninja-less books were definitely not what she desired but she politely declared them "nice" and we will read them tomorrow so I will report back with the P review.
Oh and I will, of course, be subjecting you to the obligatory Halloween photos but it was slim pickings on the photo ops due to the rain so I might have to get Loops & Co to costume up again tomorrow for a better pic.
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