Happy Halloween 2010!

The only pumpkin we carved this year. It's no Sturgis creation, but not too bad....

On our way to Grandma and Grandpa's for the first Trick-or-Treating stop of the night.

Surprise! Cousin Ryann was there too (as Alice in Wonderland).

At our house eating the fruits of their labor. Actually, it was most definitely MY labor as I pulled them (60lbs. of kids + the weight of the wagon and blankets) up and down the hills of our neighborhood. Fortunately they got too cold to do more than about a dozen houses.

Hanging with Dad!

Ballet Class

Tonight was the night Jim and I could sit in the classroom and watch Nicole during dance class. She's the shortest in the class (shades of her mother...) so her number (1) was on the far end.





See the dance instructor? She's THE SAME teacher I had from ages 4-12!

A little blurry but she was in motion!

I tried for literally hours to let a video load but it wouldn't! (been trying for days on other videos too with the same result). I'll research and attempt to repost.

Nicole is not the most coordinated kid in the class for sure. She eagerly does the following though:

1) volunteers to answer questions

2) play around with her skirt

3) watch the instructor/helpers and attempt to copy

They showed us her costume for the recital - it looks like a nightgown because the song has something to do with falling asleep while listening to the rain. They'll get teddy bears as props too apparently.

We can't ALL be the best

When I was in grade school we had a Field Day at the end of every school year. Like many other schools, this day was dedicated to being outside and competing. We had events like:

• 50 yard dash
• bean bag throw (distance)
• twirling a marshmallow on a string the fastest
• High Jump
• Dropping clothespins held at your nose in a jelly jar

The school gave blue, red and white ribbons for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each event. Kids pinned the ribbons to their shirts as we progressed around the different stations. As you can imagine, the athletic kids had 2, 3, 4+ hanging on their chests.

Not once in 8 years of grade school did I win a blue ribbon. I did get a red once in the marshmallow race. I had a handful whites in a variety of things over my tenure.

Maybe because I won something it never really bothered me that I didn't win lots of ribbons. Maybe because I won something I didn't appreciate how frustrating it is for the kids who never won anything.

Maybe it didn't bother me that I didn't have a full collection because I understood then what kids now don't have to understand- we can't all win.

Around my 7th grade year they did away with individual competitions and moved to a team environment. Here the entire school was randomly divided into three teams. Winning scores in the events gave points to your team, not ribbons to the winner. Everyone got a treat for participating.

***

I was on the swim team from when I was 8 until I was 17. The collection of ribbons down in my basement are mostly orange, yellow and green because I swam exhibition (fun) races and not the real ones that counted towards my team's point-count. I still pushed it as hard and fast as I could. I still counted on the full-out cheers from my friends and family at the end of the lane and eating at the after-meet pizza party. Sure, I loved competing in the "real" races and even won a few. But, if my girl friend Lori could be our spot in the breast stroke relay or me, I'd pick Lori because she'd earn Orchard Hill points. She was faster. That didn't make her a better person than me. It made her a better swimmer.

***

I don't think it's all bad for people (not just kids) to realize that they're not good at some things, whether that's running 50 yards or programming a computer. It *should* lead you to try to find the thing that you *are* really good at- arranging flowers, talking people off ledges, or whatever.

I support swim meets with competitive races and appreciate that they make time for exhibition events too. I support try-out based sports teams and value the community leagues that take everyone else. I support auditions for the lead roles in plays and the opportunities to help build the set for those that still want to be involved. I support teacher-approved Honors classes for the bright kids and lower-intensity classes for the less-gifted students.

I think it's most important for me as a parent to teach my kids that while they might not win everything they try they can not be sore losers. If they really like an activity being involved and having fun where you can is the most important thing. Just because it's not the select team doesn't mean it doesn't have merit and can't be a good time. Further, being in a lower league/class/role is not an excuse for not trying your best.

Parenting Moments

Conversation at the breakfast table this morning:

"Because I have such a good little girl, who stayed in her own bed all night, we can go to the pumpkin patch tonight."

Glee ensues...

"And Chris can come too because he stayed in his bed?"

"Yes, Chris can come. I'm so lucky to have two good kids."

"No, mom, me and Chris are lucky."

Halloween and Bustin' Some Moves

For Halloween Nicole is going to be Dorothy and Chris is going to be the Lion. Not one to spend a fortune on costumes, both are being borrowed (Ryann was Dorothy last year and the Lion costume, which sparked the Dorothy one, is a hand-me down from cousin Noah).

I was bad about not putting hats on Chris so as a result he's always pulling off whatever I put on his head now. We're practicing keeping the mane on daily and he's gotten to like it... for a while. Whenever I put it on him he "roars" loudly and I shiver with fear which makes him giggle.

Nicole is really getting into the Dorothy role. I'm surprised and impressed because she's only seen the movie twice - once on the way and once on the way home from vacation in JULY. When I ask if she wants to watch it now she adamantly does NOT because the witch is "so scary". But, she remembers a lot about it and is excited about her ruby slippers from Target and frequently asks if Lindsay got the chocolate off the costume so she can practice. We've been singing it for over a year, but in preparation for her upcoming role, Nicole sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to me each night before bed. I'll work on getting a video.

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A little clip from our night last night. As it has for the last three years, the Michael Jackson craze continues....

Politics

Well, if the streets you drive are anything like mine they're LITTERED in political signs. On the West Side of Cincinnati it's Chabot for Congress that's got the most up. Even my brother and sister-in-law have a sign in their yard and I didn't realize they were that heavy of supporters!

Though I have very strong political views on a myriad of topics I have yet to take a hard look at any candidates' positions. I'm not even sure when election day is. Have no fear, I will be organized and informed by the time it rolls around.

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As a side political note, I have some inner jousting about this whole mosque at Ground Zero thing. I assimilate it to the non-smoking ban in Cincinnati. While I don't like the smoke and certainly don't want my kids around it, I feel like it's not my place to tell others they can't make their own choices.

Same gig - I'm not wild about the idea to put a Mosque at Ground Zero but I recognize that it's a small faction of the faith that caused those crimes, not the people who'd be worshipping there. Why should we restrict them from having a nice place of worship (especially when so much money is going to other community things in the same area)?

I think it would be more appropriate to put a completely non-denominational worship hall there that any faith could use on a scheduled basis for their purposes.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I'm officially 31 years old. That doesn't feel old. In fact, like always, I wonder how I'm 31 and still have so far to go....

What I did on my birthday:

• Took the kids to daycare
• Went to work
• Smiled all day as I was wished Happy Birthday via text, in person, on facebook, and over the phone.
• Decided that if I ever own a company I will give everyone their birthday off as a paid holiday
• Enjoyed chicken cordon bleu at my parents house - yummy!
• Got level 2 cake decorating lessons, a cake decorating box (place to put all my supplies), some jewelry, and a 1/2 day at the spa (1 hr. massage, 1 hour pedicure, manicure, hair cut & style, make-up consultation).
• Got excited about my party on Saturday with the rest of my family

What I've enjoyed most about being 30

• My roller skating birthday party
• Realizing again and again how blessed I am that our family is healthy and happy- taking this realization and gained a deep appreciation
• Gotten excited about weddings - 2 co-workers engaged, 1 brother engaged, 1 friend engaged
• Enjoyed being married more than ever

What I'm going to do in my 31st year

• Introspect more and make changes that are necessary versus taking the easy road
• Be a better friend - I think I'm a pretty good friend in general but I let my own life/problems/busyness get in the way of being as good of a friend that I really want to be.
• Enjoy the little moments more - I'm very process and productivity-driven and I could be less so at home
• Do one really wild thing. Recently I was intregued by trapese lessons; this could be a possibility.... Someone please call me on this a year from now.