DMV Dread

I spent this morning here.  To say that I'd been dreading it would be an understatement.  Honestly, a root canal or watching Ghostbusters II seem like less painful ways to spend some time. But my youngest needed, okay, wanted, to get his learner's permit (belatedly, he likes to remind me).  So, bright and early, before it even opened, we drove to the Department of Motor Vehicles to wait in line. I was convinced it would be hours standing in line with our  file folder FULL of documents. (Texas surely has one of the toughest thresholds for proving residency and obtaining a driver's license. This had been my own experience when we moved here, anyway). Perhaps it was the unseasonalbly cold weather, or the fact that some are just finishing their holiday celebrations or that it's only the 3rd of the month and procrastinators will wait to the end of January, but the line was short and the DMV workers in great spirits and very helpful. From arrival to departure (learner's in hand) only took about 45 minutes.  

Now, I have a six-month interlude before he can obtain his driver's license so I plan to enjoy every worry-free moment.  

Collecting

In rereading a few old blog posts, I've taken note of how often I've asserted that I'm not a collector. But here's where I admit that not only is my Nutcracker ornament collection expanding, my creche collection has a new addition too.  

As a belated high school graduation gift, my sister graciously took our daughter to Europe this summer (who knew being an only niece would have such great perks?).  A stop in Austria yielded this precious gift for me:

Created inside an actual matchbox.  

Just 1 inch x 1.5 inch.  I think it's my miniaturist miniature.  

It's taken it's rightful position alongside my other sweet Nativities.  

Thanksgiving Plans

Our plans this year for Thanksgiving are a little less than traditional. Most significantly, we'll be missing one important family member.  

She's spending the holiday with my parents not far from the college she attends.  

That's not the only thing different about this year. I won't be cooking a turkey and all the side dishes and I won't be decorating the table. 

Last year's table for 4.

And, I won't be making these delicious homemade rolls (but I promise to share the recipe in the coming days, because they are perfect for the holidays).

Blessedly, this year I will not be forced to contemplate the merits of store-bought versus homemade gravy (since that seems to be my real culinary failing).

We will be, however, engaging, in one important time-honored holiday tradition and we'll be doing that here:

Cowboy Stadium

We aren't Cowboy fans though.   We'll be there to cheer for our beloved Redskins and, Texas-raised Baylor graduate and Heisman trophy winner, Robert Griffin III. 

 We're looking forward to it!

Scarecrows

Call it the "Wizard of Oz Effect", but I love scarecrows. Perhaps it's the movie depiction of a loyal, vulnerable and sensible friend who simply lacks a bit of self-confidence that speaks to me.  Or maybe it's just his sweet face and down-and-out clothing.  Regardless, fall, with it's requisite scarecrows, is something I always look forward to.  

Scarecrow peeking out from my fall mums and purple fountain grass

Several years ago, I happened upon this cute Scarecrow craft (in Family Fun magazine). Quite a few years in a row, I  created these as class party and table favors.  I stumbled upon the idea again last week and couldn't resist sharing.  It's not super kid-friendly (glue gun required) but at a minimum you could involve your kids in the sorting and counting of candy scarecrow body parts. The finished product is a hit and adorable, too.

For each scarecrow, you will need:

• 1 Wrapped round taffy or caramel - head
• 2 Tootsie Flavor Rolls (bright colors if available) - arms
• 2 rolls of colorful candies (like Spree or Smarties) - legs
• 1/2 oz. box of raisins - body
• raffia
• low temperature glue gun 
• scissors

(optional) 2-inch scale wavy brim straw hat (I purchased mine at Hobby Lobby - qty 12 for $3.47)

Assembly is super easy:

Keep the wrapping on all the candies and glue the head, arms and legs to raisin box body.

Cut 5-four inch pieces of raffia.  Place 4 pieces in a bunch and tie fifth piece in center of bundle. Glue knot to the top of the body (where raisin box and round candy taffy meet).   

If you elect to add the hat, wait until the glue used to secure head is dry before gluing on hat.  Please note: do not use too much glue.  

His job is to scare the birds 

and fill their hearts with dread. 

But your job is easier, 

to choose which to eat first: 

his arms, legs, or head.

Camp

I didn't grow up in a camp-going family.  The economics of it were just not something that worked for us -- in other words, it cost a lot.  Once or twice I went to church camp, which if you're Southern Baptist is like a whole week of Vacation Bible School plus the added "enhancement" of 4-H style dormitory lodging.

When our kids were very little, they went to day camp, mostly with sports themes or dance themes or chess themes or [fill in the blank] theme of their hobby or interest du jour. 

At sport camp at DUMC

I think the backdrop is adorable.  

And they went to VBS at our church too.  Where they had snack time (goldfish crackers served in Dixie cups) and story time (Noah and Moses and Daniel in the Lion’s Den) and craft time (each day's artwork laid in the hallway so as not to be forgotten).  More often than not, I was teaching the X-year -olds in some room down the hall and we finished up in time to head home for lunch.  

 A handprint fish made in VBS.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
~Matthew 4:19

Finally, however, when McKenzie was 10 (practically a senior citizen, I learned, in the summer camp world), we sent her to sleep-away camp for 5 days.  The camp was a magical place, like something in a movie (think Parent Trap - before Lindsay Lohan lost her way), nestled in the mountains of North Carolina. 

See what I mean?  Movie set, right?

From the setting, to the activities, to the counselors, it was everything you'd want and hope for, and she loved it.  

That's her the in the green sweatshirt, second from the right. 

So much so that she went back the next year for 10 days and finally in her third year she went again for 10 days. After that, the camp offered only month-long sessions for teenagers, and that seemed both expensive and lengthy, and thus ended her camp career.  

Now both our kids are slightly introverted and homebodies so it was with great reluctance that we sent our son to camp this past weekend. As we packed, I was reminded how lengthy and unforgiving those supply lists can be ("there's no way this kid needs 10 pairs of underwear for 6 days of camp") but I was comforted by reflecting on our daughter's experience and praying that his would not be all that different. By all accounts, he's at a really great camp, with generations of attendees singing its praises, almost always using phrases like "life-changing."  

So this past Saturday my husband took our son to camp.  Actually, he drove him 3 hours to the bus that took him the additional six and half hours to camp. So yes, it better be good.  And I find myself wondering if he's having a good time.  Does he like it?  Is he making friends?  Was it a mistake to wait so late in his adolescence to thrust him into this kind of overnight experience?  And, as I so often do, as my children get older, I find myself longing for the days of day camp and VBS.  

Endings and Beginnings

It's the last day of the school year.  Tate's last exam (English) is today and then, hooray!; it's summer.  McKenzie finished up her first year at college 3 weeks ago!  

As the kids have gotten older, gone are those long, warm (okay, hot) lazy summer days filled with trips to the library, swim meets, the coolness of the movie theatre on $1 movie day, VBS and endless trips to the pool. This summer will instead be filled with get-ahead summer school classes and part-time jobs.  Still, I think summer is my most favorite season - minus the 70+ days of 100 degree weather last year,mind you.  Here's to a great summer and a cooler June, July and August, too!  

National Carnation Day

I know that many people find carnations pedestrian, not me, I love them.  I love their simplicity, their durability and especially that they're relatively inexpensive - which means you can buy a BIG bouquet almost guilt-free.

The carnation was originally called dianthus by the Greek botanist Theopharastus.  Carnations have been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. So, you see, these flowers have stood the test of time.  

Some people believe that the name carnation comes from the word "coronation" or "corone" since the flower was often used in Greek ceremonial crowns or that the name is derived from the Greek carnis meaning flesh (kind of peach), which was the original flower's color.

Carnations in general symbolize fascination, love, and good luck. A white carnation stands for innocence, devotion, and pure love. 


You know another great thing about carnations? 

The evidence.

They're great for science fair projects!

Love Week** Nears

1 CORINTHIANS 13 FOR KIDS

If I speak beautifully and can sing like an angel, but don’t love others,

I sound like a child banging on a piano or a screeching radio.

If I am smart, almost a genius, if I can figure out the hardest math problems and understand sentence diagrams, but don’t love others, I am nothing.

Love will stand in line and wait its turn.

Love looks for the good in others.

Love doesn’t always want what others have and doesn’t brag about what it does have.

Love is polite, even when the other person is rude.

Love doesn’t always have to be first.

Love doesn’t get angry over the small things and it doesn’t remember one reason after another to be hurt.

Love isn’t happy when someone else fails but is happy with the truth.

Love always protects others, especially those who are picked on or teased.

Love always believes the best about others and is steady and true. Love never gives up.  

Preaching will someday stop, so will speeches.  Knowledge will come to end.  Today we only know part of what there is to know. We can preach and speak only with a small part of understanding, but when perfection comes then what is imperfect will go away.

Now I am young and so I talk and think and speak like a child.  When I become an adult I will put childish ways behind me.  Now we see only a poor reflection, like in a mirror, then we will see face to face.  Now I only know part of what there is to know; then I will know fully and will be fully known.

Only 3 things really matter in life:

Faith, Hope and Love

But the greatest of these is LOVE. 

*From the NIrV Adventure Bible for Young Readers

To print out a copy, go  here.
** Read more about Love Week here.

International Talk Like A Pirate Day

Yes, today, worldwide, we can all be pirates.  Won't your mom be proud?


From the website Holiday Insights:  "John Baur and Mark Summers created the concept of International Talk Like a Pirate Day on June 6, 1995. While playing racquetball, they began to talk to each other in Pirate-speak". After leaving the court, they decided that there was a need to create this day. After much thought, Mark Summers selected September 19th as the date. This was his wife's birthday. So, he thought it would be an easy date to remember. And so, International Talk Like a Pirate Day was born."

A couple of  years ago while driving afternoon carpool I heard on the radio that it was Talk Like a Pirate Day and  I suggested we all do our best to imitate a pirate -- the kids LOVED it.   And, in case you need a little help, here's a website*, that will do most the work for you.

My daughter in her Halloween pirate costume in 2004.

This is real, cheap fun. "Aye, me parrot concurs."*

First Days

Today I send my youngest off to high school.  


This is his kindergarten photo.

Just last week  I sent my oldest off to college.


This is her photo from kindergarten. 

And for posterity, a photo of the two of them together on her first day of 4th grade and his of kindergarten.  

Look at his happy expression.  I hope his first day of high school will be better!

Now excuse me while I go in search of a box of Kleenex (or two).  

The Wizard of Oz

Seventy-two years ago today, The Wizard of Oz premiered at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin's Strand Theatre.  Need proof?  I know I did.

A fan of children's books, I can't say I loved L. Frank Baum's original work.  I've been told it's an allegory, but I prefer contemplating it as fantasy/fairy tale/adventure.  


I do, however, love the movie (it's definitely one of my favorites).  I've seen it countless times.  True confession, regardless of the number of times I watch it, I'm still a little afraid of those flying monkeys.  

This photo, however, warms my heart.  

And I can't help but imagine that would make the Tin Man very happy.  

Play in the Sand Day

When my children were young, it didn't take too much encouragement from me to entice them to play in the sand. They never really needed an official Play in the Sand Day, although that's exactly what today celebrates.    

In fact, from age 2 to about 5, my son's love of the backyard sandbox was legendary.  A few plastic spoons, a toy dump truck and some miniature dinosaurs to excavate and he could spend hours outside in his green plastic turtle sandbox.

  

My husband and I both have a love for the ocean and the beach so I guess it's not surprising that there are lots of photos of the kids enjoying their sandy escapades.  Small wonder, they are some of my most favorite photos of their childhood.  

One of two swim suits she referred to as "magical"

She loved it so much, she gave it a kiss!

At this age, still undecided about sandy feet

I love how completely engaged he is and how adorable she is.

Moving Day

I've been noticeably absent from my blog and I've missed it.  But I have a good excuse, a really good excuse.  We moved.  And not just down the street or across town, not even intrastate.  This was a real honest to goodness, pack up all our worldly possessions, load up an 18 wheeler and have our accumulated stuff hauled 800 miles (from Georgia to Texas). 


From here

to here 

And who knew that all the things in our home consisted of some really good stuff collected over 12+ years settled in one spot, but also a lot of odds and ends and clutter acquired over the years?  Even now as we begin the unpacking process, this notion is crystallizing in my mind.  How many [insert the inane item of your choice here] does one family need, after all?  In fact, I don't doubt that there is some law of physics that says the stuff you own expands to occupy the space you have.  


Keep in mind, that I am no moving novice, having moved 8 times as a child, 6 times in my married life plus a few additions for apartment/dorm room changes in college. All total, I figure my relocation undertakings require almost two hands to count.  My husband's history is remarkably similar and nomadic.  So I'm shocked and a bit embarrassed to admit how many plastic food storage containers, Halloween decorations, board games, etc., etc., we own.  I thought I (we) would have known better.  


So, while on moving day (July 10, 2011), it looked like this

by July 13th, it looked like this 

and I'm cautiously optimistic every day will be a little bit better (and, hopefully, we'll own a little less stuff).


Don't get me wrong, this post isn't celebrating Moving Day - (which is turning into moving month) - 'cause it really is no fun, but it is a time of special significance particularly to our kids who only remember one home and I thought that it deserved a post of its own. 

National Zoo and Aquarium Month

I must admit that living in Atlanta is a boon for those of us who are happy to celebrate June as National Zoo and Aquarium Month. 

Not only do we have a world-class zoo, one of just a handful in the U.S. fortunate to have a panda exhibit, 

we are also home to the world’s largest aquarium. 

Our family has visited both of these city treasures countless times: on school field trips, for birthday parties, with out of town guests and even on our own, just for fun.  

It doesn't hurt that one particular member of our family, particularly at a young age, was an aquatic and zoological zealot.  I'll let you guess which one.  

In Kindergarten, doing his Willie B. imitation

Too cool for school (get it?)

In fact, when he was about 8, he maintained a running list of his favorite animals, which he was happy to recite.  They included (in abbreviated David Letterman fashion):

6.  anaconda

5. American bison

4. Thorny Devil

3. cheetah

2. Komodo dragon

1. hedgehog (always and forever at the top of the list)

but which also included at various times, the tiger, the Great White Shark as well as the white rhino.  

On the Atlanta Zoo train

All this talk of wildlife has me thinking another trip (to both places) may be in order.  

Commencement

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 

- Nelson Mandela

Preschool graduation, 1998

Today, for the second time in her life, she'll do this.  

National Tap Dance Day