Stories of Short Person

Books Read in July

2010-07-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

Amazingly enough, I read three books this month.

Eclipse and Breaking Dawn were the final two books in the Twilight series. Once I picked up the first book there was no stopping. I loved the series, and although there is a lot of controversy over the final book, Breaking Dawn, I really thought it was wonderful. Other than... well, I won't put spoilers here, let's just say that I'd like to see evil sadistic vampires be torn to bits and leave it at that.

Last month, I also mentioned that I really liked having read the books after seeing the movies because it gave me a glimpse into how much genius it took to change a book into a screenplay. I could read the book and appreciate the need to shrink 200 pages into two minutes of screen time. This month, I finished the series and two days later went to see Eclipse in the theater. I did not have the same "genius mushy gushy" feeling. I was disappointed.

And so it goes that most likely, the book and your own imagination is much better than anyone could translate to the screen-- there simply isn't enough time to get everything from the book into the movie and there were scenes I desperately missed. I have a feeling though that once the movie comes out on video enough time will have elapsed, and I will have had enough time to rewatch the first two movies, that I will love the third for itself. Without comparison to a book series and love story that comes in second-- behind Jamie and Claire from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.

The final book, by Judith McNaught, is a reread. Enough time had passed that I couldn't remember every word, so I picked it up again.

Ouchy Back

2010-07-29T20:22:00.000-07:00

The only downfall from being at camp all week is that Short Person injured herself. Ironically, she didn't notice that she'd hurt herself until after camp was over and she was on her way home. She got into her car seat and stated that her back stung, I lifted up her shirt and yelped. The photo below is what greeted me.

At first glance, LJS and I thought maybe she'd been bitten by something, but from the photo you can tell that she simply received one heck of a scratch.

I've always had the weird ability to completely disregard any major injury. Unless I'm bleeding or unable to walk after it happens, the pain doesn't usually phase me if I'm engaged in something or enjoying what I'm doing. I've noticed cuts and bruises on my body the size of softballs with absolutely no idea how I received it. Sometimes I'll have a vague impression of something having happened earlier in the day or week, but I can never place the exactness of it. From this photo and the events leading up to the discovery of Short Person's ouchy, I'm going to surmise that she received the trait of pain disengagement from me.

I wonder if this means mommy needs to give her the once over every night when she changes into pajamas, just to make sure no infections are going on. At least until she's old enough to learn to do it herself.

A Tilted Truck

2010-07-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

Just in case this photo doesn't speak for itself, I was driving to pick up Short Person from her friend's house when I came up to the light. Two cars in front of me was a truck that had blue barrels in the back of it that someone had loaded in a fashion to make the most hearty of fearless drivers pause and say, "What the HECK?!"

From the photo you can already see how tilted it was in the idle position. Let me just say this was nothing compared to when it turned a corner. I watched each time as the wheels lifted off the ground, cringing because I thought for sure it was going to tip over. Wondering what was in the back of that truck.

Amazingly, it never did. I stayed about four car lengths back, even after the car in front of me turned off, I still stayed back, and how the truck stayed upright I'll never know.

A Week at Camp Tilikum

2010-07-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

I have been hyping up camp to Short Person for a month now. Camp, as in... actual get dirty, play in the stream, go on hikes, get suntanned, see bugs kind. Short Person has been giving a wary "O-kay" to it and putting faith in my explanation that she will enjoy it. But this morning, I dropped her off at a friend's house so that she could ride up with them and her friend's big sister mumbled that she needed to go inside and hurry the kids up because they'd been saying, "We don't want to go!"

Poor Shortie. She looked at me with eyes as big as saucers, and you could tell the faith was gone when she said, "Umm Mom? Why are they saying they don't want to go?"

Although I dated this post for the day camp started, and the day that the photos below were taken, the week is now over and she enjoyed the heck out of camp. Every day there was something new to do and see. A new game to play, and new place on the campground to visit. It makes me excited for next year because knowing how much fun it was for her, I will be signing her up for multiple weeks. I'm so happy for a place nearby that she can be a kid, be outside, and enjoy summer.

New Moon Study Guide

2010-07-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many teenagers really enjoy studying for the SAT's. I can't imagine any of them do. I've seen the study manuals and most of the time I just shutter in memory.

Which is why I think whomever wrote the book photographed below is a flippin' genius. Had I read the series-- er, had it been written-- when I was in school, I certainly would have enjoyed turning my newly found vampire fetish into a way to study for the SAT's. I'm tempted to pick it up now just to prolong the ending of this series. Sad, but true.

Short Person and Art Camp

2010-07-23T00:18:00.000-07:00

Sometime back in April, Short Person's school sent around a questionnaire about what types of Community School classes we'd be interested in enrolling in should they offer then. One of the choices was an art class and Shortie was enthusiastic about this idea. So enthusiastic that from that moment all I heard was "I want to go to art school".

Since summer was coming up, and as luck would have it she wasn't old enough to take the Community School classes, I set out to locate an art camp or school that she could attend. The first one, and only one, I found that was suitable was in Beaverton-- an hour away! It would have been tough, but I would have taken a week vacation to get her there and back, just because that's the wonderful kind of mom I am. (haha)

As I was muttering about this one day at work, the City Planner pointed out that the city's new Cultural Center had opened and was offering art classes. In a series of events that literally had me waiting until the Friday before camp started, I was able to enroll Short Person in the camp they were offering. It was a mixed media art camp, offered from 9am to 3pm, Monday through Friday.

Best I can tell, Short Person enjoyed the classes, but she's very critical of her work so it seemed that every day I'd pick her up and she would be unhappy with the results she'd gotten. I, on the other hand, thought she did a wonderful job.

Here is some of her art from that week.

The first day, the got to throw clay. The way Short Person talked about how well it was going having the clay on the wheel, I really expected that it would be a clump of nothingness. I should have known better. These are the two little bowls she made and a piece of glass she made during that week as well.

The drawing below was the first thing she got to take home. It is of my favorites. I'm not sure why. I just think it draws you in. Anyway, it was the first thing I got to see from camp and I was excited and complementing Short Person on it. She looked at me and said, "I don't like it. It's not my usual work." I responded that I hadn't even known she had a *usual work*. She looked at me, sighed, and said, "Yeah, I didn't know either... until today!"

This was a face she did, Picasso inspired. Again, she is not happy with it, but I am framing it :)

Below are photos she took. The purple, featherish one is actually a pinecone.

Sentimental Lunch Boxes

2010-07-18T20:20:00.000-07:00

The 2009-2010 school year has come to a close. Actually, it came to a close a month and a half ago. So, it is no surprise that high on my "to do" list would be getting rid of two lunch boxes that had been beaten, torn, bruised, and battered beyond their natural life. I actually looked forward to it with great anticipation. Before I could do this however, I needed to find a suitable replacement for summer camps. This eventually happened thanks to an early back to school sale at Target.

I brought the new lunch bag home, gathered up the old worn boxes, and buried them in the garbage thinking my husband would be smart enough to see them in there and whisk them out of the house. Unfortunately, husbands being what they are, the whole Mars/Venus mind bender thing was in effect and he didn't catch on.

After a series of events involving an ice cream truck and popsicle Short Person did not like, she discovered them in the garbage can and burst into heartbroken sobbing. "You just CAN'T throw away my lunch boxes. They were my first ones! I love them and want to keep them forEVER!"

And out of the garbage they came with the promise that they'd be stowed for a lifetime in the attic.

Of course, the attic is really far away and up high, and well, there was the green pail on the way there, sitting outside open and empty... and hey, is it my fault that they just sort of ended up in a box labeled "Newberg Garbage Service"? Yeah, I didn't think so either *wink*

This photo is of the sentimental lunch boxes in question. Ten years from now, I sincerely hope she forgives me for not keeping them...

Short Person's New Bike

2010-07-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

LJS was given a bonus at work this week for keeping payroll costs down. Not an easy feat most days as there is always more work than there are people. But, he did it and the object of purchase was not for himself, but for his daughter. A new bike.

The one she'd been using up to this point was toddler size with training wheels, and when she rode, her knees darn near hit her chin. She was in desperate need of an upgrade. So, she and I set off to find a bike that fit her, that she liked, and than mommy thought would be safe and sturdy enough. We found it at K-Mart.

The bike itself was fairly inexpensive so she was able to choose a few things to complete it-- a basket and tassels for the handlebars. We also purchased a new helmet for her head, something I was really happy about since her previous one never seemed to fit her head right.

This photo is one from the day before the purchase, when she and I went looking. The family picked it up as a whole the next day since it would not fit in my car. We needed daddy and the truck.

...And So God Sent a Baby Kitten

2010-07-07T11:54:00.001-07:00

I came home from work and began to cook dinner and as I did so I received a text message on my phone. It was one I had been expecting, but the news contained within was not. What I read was devastating and enough to make me angry. Angry enough to see my patience propelled out any available opening and my ability to be present get put on hold.

Although I was able to carry on with cooking dinner, the attention that needed to be given to the two little girls sitting at the table waiting for it was not... the best it could be. For half an hour I stewed, angry, worried, heartbroken. I remember praying. I remember screaming at God, that is how enraged I felt.

And then, there was a knock on the door.

It was our neighbor, who told me that she'd just watched a baby kitten crawl up into the engine of my car. Since this had happened to her brother, with not such a good outcome, she wanted to let me know before I drove off somewhere. Curious, I went outside to see for myself. Only to be greeted by the neighbor's teenage son.

Indeed, the kitten had crawled up in the engine. He told me that a man had walked into the street, looked around at the people standing there, and had asked if anyone wanted a kitten. When they all replied that they couldn't take the cat, the man dropped it in the street and ran. Terrified, the baby dodged for the nearest hiding spot, which just happened to be my car.

It took an hour for the teenage boy to coax him out, but finally we got him. The kitten was terrified, shaken, and dirty. But the thing that struck me the most was the fear. Just like any baby would have been, he was trembling violently.

I've been a mom for only six years, but it was long enough for me to know that what this kitten needed was comfort. Comfort that I couldn't give if I was still angry and heartbroken myself. I carried him inside to cuddle him and try to figure out what I was going to do with this baby tho barely looked old enough to be weened from his mom, and as I sat there all my feelings disappeared.

I could try to explain why I feel this way, but I would fail. All I know is that at the time I was raging at God, he sent a baby kitten. On that couch holding that trembling one-pound animal, I felt like I was being sent a message that everything was going to be okay.

365 Project... Ending?

2010-07-06T23:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it has now officially been one year since I began my 365 Project. I have to say, it didn't go so well. Out of the necessary 365 days of photos to declare a win, I posted 180. Less than half.

It was an interesting experiment and definitely one I do not regret. The ability to see my days in photos and share them that way was invaluable-- especially since I'm equally behind in scrapbooking.

So, today I declare an end to the 365 Project, but not an end to the photos. I like doing it too much. But, I admit that I will feel monumental relief from the frustration at always being days or weeks behind in posting them.

I admire my friends who always seem to manage the weekly blog posts, on time and full of content. You know who you are =) I strive for that amount of time and dedication. The absence of needing to hook up a cable to make my post is going to be beautiful. Or, at least that's my hope.

Photo 180 - 4th of July

2010-07-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

This 4th of July, Short Person and I headed out to Vernonia to watch the parade that my nephew and Dad were going to be in for Boy Scouts. I was also picking up my niece so that she could spend the week with us. When we got there, I found out that my niece was going to walk in the parade too. They invited Short Person to walk with them, and after some hmm-ing and haw-ing, she accepted.

This is Short Person and Little Bit anxiously waiting for the parade to start.

My nephew got to carry the American Flag at the beginning of the Parade, which I thought was way cool. My dad is helping him get ready and get the weight of the flag balanced. I tried taking more pictures of my nephew, but he caught on to it and started hiding. At one point, he told me that I should tell him when I was going to take a photo and I had to laugh in response because, as I told him, he'd just do a better job of hiding then!

Following close behind were Short Person and Little Bits with my dad. Short Person had the wave down perfectly (I have no idea where she learned it from) and waved the entire route. It was a lot of fun to watch the three of them.

Since the Boy Scouts started the parade they were the first ones finished, which allowed the girls to sit with me and watch the remaining entries and collect candy. The horses won the favorite award from both of them and so when one of the beauties came to stand just feet away it was hard to say no to their pleas to be able to pet him. After walking up and asking politely if they could pet the young horse, and gaining instruction on how to do so (holding your hand down and out and letting the horse move to you), they were allowed to pet him. The poor horse was terrified-- it was his first parade-- but he repeatedly let the girls pet his head and give him compliments.

Once the parade was over and we were back at my dad's house, Little Bits was ready to go! So out the door we went and back to my house where the girls played with sparklers and then lit a few fountain fireworks.

Of course, in my neighborhood a few is all you need because it is way more fun to watch on a blanket in the back yard. There is a 360 view of illegal ones going off in every direction.

Photo 178 - Megan's Fish

2010-07-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

LJS actually took this photo. He and Short Person went up to a friends for a few hours and did some fishing. Here's Short Person with her "catch".

Books Read in June

2010-06-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling very happy with myself this month because I actually got some "adult" reading in-- and I'm not talking the genre. I'm talking a book with more than 15 pages. WooHoo!

Oh! And, make that TWO books of more than 15 pages.

I finally, after deciding that I simply could not wait to find out what happens in Eclipse, decided to start reading the series. It took some doing because a friend of mine had loaned me the last three books in the series, but not the first one. Luckily, I was able to borrow that from another friend (finally) and start reading. Of course, by this time, Eclipse was opening in the theaters, but that's no matter because once I opened and started reading I never looked back.

Books read this month are (drum roll please...)

YES!!

I really liked them both, but think that seeing the movies first was better this time. Reading the books gives you a fuller picture of the story, but doing it in reverse (seeing before reading) made me realize how good a job the screenwriter that did the adaptation did. There are moments in the movie that you realize 100-150 pages are encapsulated into a single moment, without losing anything of the story. It was cool to read the book and go, "Wow... that was genius!"

Maybe it's like that all the time. I usually read the book first and then get grumpy when my favorite parts are missing. Either way, I enjoy the movies and I really enjoyed the first two books.

Now onto the second two!

Photo 177 - Zoo and Rose Garden

2010-06-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

Every Christmas, my sister gets us a gift certificate to the Oregon Zoo, which I take and turn into a yearly membership. This year, due to funding, I had to wait a bit to make up the difference. Man oh man, by the time we finally got it, Short Person and I were excited. The wait was worth it too. Nearly every animal was out and close to the windows and looking relaxed.

In between looking at the animals we also took a train ride through the zoo and into Washington Park. Short Person had never been to the Rose Garden before, so we hopped down for a quick tour before catching the train again.

It was a beautiful day and we were wiped out when we came home.

Photo 176 - Garden Art Show

2010-06-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I booth sat for my mom at one of the art shows she does. It was my first time doing it and I was nervous. Actually, worried might be a more appropriate term. 75% of the day flew by without me selling even one thing.

Luckily, after that things started picking up and I actually managed to seal the deal on a few things. YAY!

Here's a photo of her booth all set up and ready to go.

It is next to impossible to not look around at all the other things people do and create. I loved this guy. Although totally impractical for our yard, I still couldn't resist snapping a photo and text messaging it to my husband with a plea to bring it home.

Didn't fly with the man. Oh well.

Photo 175 - Emily's Birthday

2010-06-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Today was Emily's birthday party, and we got to discover a whole new park to play in! Plus, it was fun getting to see friends of Short Person's from both Preschool and Kindergarten. Lately, every party we've gone too has had the most adorable cupcakes at it. I find myself wishing that I could have creativity like this. And uh, yeah... the ability to cook would be nice too.

I'm not sure why, but when Short Person got dressed this morning for the party, the antenna were an intricate part of her outfit. She simply needed to wear them. They look cute though.

One of the other things at the new park was a water feature. It is so awesome and quickly became one of our favorite places to play in the water. Not only does it have the jets from the floor that you see here, but there is a wall that follows alongside the road (seems like sort of a barrier, which was a good thing) that has water flowing out of it in waterfalls. All in all, a totally sweet place to play and get wet. It was a bit chilly today, but that didn't stop Short Person or Emily. They were drenched when it was time to leave.

What do Tarantulas and Bats have in Common?

2010-06-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

I'm going to fully blame the following post on my husband. The trauma associated with what happened is his fault too. Just because I got sucked into his evil plot does not make me a party to it. I claim plausible deniability.

We had just sat down for dinner. An informal one as we were all eating in the living room, save LJS who was in the garage cooking. He was deep-frying, a new recipe that he'd been looking forward to trying of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chives wrapped in a wonton wrapper. It was delicious, especially when dipped into the sauce.

Anyway, as I said, we'd just sat down to dinner. LJS had started watching this new show with Short Person called "Bizarre Food". He said he was doing it as a way of proving to her that what we attempt to get her to eat is not that bad. If you've never seen it, the show features a man who essentially travels the world tasting bizarre food. If you ask me, they could have called the show Disgusting Eats and accomplished the same audience base.

Tonight's show was on location in Cambodia. I should have known better than to watch, but I was eating and too lazy to get up and find the remote-- and of course, LJS had decided on the TV program and he was going to come back soon. He'd be mad if the channel was changed. Manly remote thing going on, right? If only I'd been brave enough to just do it. Change the channel. But no...

The show floated in and out of my brain as I only marginally paid attention, that is, until he decided to try a new dish. Deep Fried Tarantulas. Even now, the mere thought of it brings the rise of bile in my throat and the overwhelming desire to hide and think of lovely things like... anything other than spiders.

Spiders. If you've known me for any length of time, you know that I can't stand the creepy, crawly things. The sight of them makes me dart for cover, so you can imagine how I'd react to a discussion of hunting, cooking, and EATing them.

I stared in rapt fascination as they talked about how they found them and put them into a bucket or sack or somesuch. Then watched in shock as they talked about removing their fangs, coated them with seasoning, and then tossed them in to a skillet of oil-- still alive. If that weren't enough, they then explained that during cooking you had to stand back because they EXPLODED. Since I was near puke point by now-- and he hadn't even started eating them yet-- I may have lost some of the explanation, but I think the exploding had to do with the venom sack overheating and boiling or something.

EW!! I'm trying so hard to write this and be okay, but... EW! I'm traumatized. Because once they were cooked, evenly seasoned and crisp, still looking all-together too much like a very large spider, he ATE a leg.

I barely made it through the segment. My appetite having left abruptly during the tarantula bit, came back little by little. I still wasn't smart enough to change the channel. And I should have because what came next was almost worse.

Next, was deep fried bats. Their mouths gaping open in horror. Fruit bats do not look any less menacing than their relatives-- the evil, vampire-changing kind with fanged teeth. By the end of that segment, I couldn't eat any more. I wasn't sure I'd ever eat again. The mere thought of it nearly my undoing.

And, what they say about taste, sight, and smell having memory retention is true. That great recipe LJS found and cooked is forever linked with tarantulas and fried bats. A common link for the ages. Memories of the damned.

Short Person, who sat calmly on the couch playing Nintendo and only listening with half an ear, is totally fine and still considers hamburger the bane of all existence, and us cruel parents for making her try bites of food at dinner. Wonder what she'd do if I plopped a deep fried bug in front of her!

The things we do in the name of parenting, eh?

Photo 174 - IHOP

2010-06-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

In preparation for an interview I have in a few days, I drove out to Hillsboro to make sure I knew where I was going and where the building was that I needed to be at. While we were in Hillsboro, I decided that it would be a perfect time to take Short Person to IHOP since we've never been before and with the great selection of pancakes... Well, I figured we'd have a great time.

My crazy daughter ordered a cheese omelet. She doesn't even like eggs!! But, it came with one solitary plain pancake. I couldn't even talk her into having chocolate chip ones. Sheesh!

Since she doesn't like eggs, but she likes cheese, she decided she'd lick the cheese off so that she didn't have to worry about eating the eggs.

In the end, I was way disappointed. The food was not that great-- at least, not to the degree I was expecting-- and it really felt like they couldn't get you seated, fed, and out fast enough. One more point for our usual favorite Lil' Cooperstown. Did I mention that they were a lot more money than our usual too? All in all a disappointing experience.

Photo 173 - Papa, Momma, Baby Bear

2010-06-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

I got done cleaning the kitchen tonight, and as usual our water cups were sitting on the counter for midnight refills. As I was walking away, I realized how much they looked like they might resemble something found in "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".

I think it just made a cool snapshot of our tendencies. Something to look back on and remember.

Photo 172 - Hadassah's Birthday

2010-06-12T16:52:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the birthday party for one of Short Person's classmates. It was a lot of fun to watch her receive a new bike-- one that was sitting out the entire time under a tree and she didn't have the foggiest idea it was for her.

Photo 171 - Airport Waiting

2010-06-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

My Cousin Cathy needed a ride to and from the airport over the last several days and when I went to pick her up, I found this extraordinary place to sit and wait for her. Nevermind that it is called the "Cell Phone Waiting Area", the vantage point was SWEET!

When I was younger, pre-September 11th, going to the airport and watching the planes take off and land was one of my favorite past times. I used to take my nieces up there, or go up to the airport to go shopping and hang out. But then, after September 11th access to the terminals was strictly limited to passengers. No more plane watching.

I tried for several years to find a cool vantage point by the river or from a hotel or restaurant, but there's no where great to park by the river and in a hotel people look at you weird if you are loitering. So you can imaging how excited I was to discover a whole village of shops and restaurants tucked away to the side of the airport just waiting for spectators. (Not really, I know. Accidental consequence, I'm sure.)

You can watch the planes come in, drop down low, and land. You can watch the taxi of the runway, the roar of the engines, and see the planes lift as they take off.

Pure bliss. And I'm so glad I found the area and can resume a favorite past-time for myself and introduce it to my daughter.

Photo 170 - Hair Do's

2010-06-07T16:45:00.000-07:00

Short Person and I like taking turns doing eachother's hair. I think it's good practice for her for later in life, and way too obvious I have no practice. It is something that happens frequently here, and I since I don't remember documenting it I decided to do so now.

This is Short Person's styling on me.

And my styling of her. Wish I could figure out how to not make her look so much like Medusa when I braid her hair.

Photo 169 - More Art by Short Person

2010-06-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

Short Person recently spent some time with her Grandma Linda, and as almost always happens she came home with a pile of stuff. Some things long wanted (like one of those Hamster things) and others... questionable. Questionable as in I don't even know what they heck it is.

This time the item in question looks like a bunch of little Styrofoam balls with pink and silver mixed with some sort of really weird sticky stuff. I literally haven't got a clue what it is, but it seems fun. You can mold it and make it into a bunch of shapes and generally just have fun with it.

It just so happens that it also became the... victim is not the right word, primary subject maybe? Okay. It just so happens that it became the primary subject in some more of Short Person's art. This time when she called us into the dining room to look at her newest design, even her dad was struck by how out of the ordinary impressive it was. Never in a million years would my brain work like this. I'm just in awe.

Books Read in May

2010-06-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm really starting to get discouraged now. I didn't read anything this month.

On the upside, I did create two scrapbook albums and coordinate donations and gifts for three teachers. So, win some months, lose some months, right?

Of the children's books knocked down, Short Person and I got through "Nubs", "I Knew an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Bat", "I Knew an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Bell", "Duck on a Bike", and "Dooby Dooby Moo".

I have to say that I love the Moo books. Click, Clack Moo may have been my favorite though.

Here's to June!

Photo 168 - 300 Flags

2010-05-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

It was the weekend and I was searching for something to do with Short Person. I didn't want to sit around the house watching movies, and I didn't want to drive 20 minutes back the way we came (from swimming) to go paint or to the store, so I was really stuck looking for something local. In this small town, there's not much of that. As LJS, Shortie, and I drove home from running morning errands I glanced down a street where there is an old cemetery and thought that it would be interesting to go look at the gravestones. Then, inspiration struck. Short Person and I could go on a photo adventure.

I approached the subject in the car with her and we decided that we'd go and pick up a disposable camera and check out a few places. So, after going home and dropping off Daddy and picking up our coat, we headed out the door. First stop on the list, after getting the camera and coffee, was the little air field.

There wasn't much going on there, and even though vehicles were parked in the parking lot, a tour through the lobby showed that the place was essentially deserted, so we headed outside. Overhead, there was a helicopter. I think the person flying must have been doing some sort of training because the copter would circle around, approach the runway, lower and hover about ten feet from the ground and then repeat the process. Short Person loved it and, if I had let her, would have taken the entire roll of film on that one thing. Thank goodness for manual film advance features.

When we had gotten enough airport exploration done, we headed to the cemetery. I had forgotten up to that point that it was Memorial Day weekend. Once I saw the flags out, I knew it would be a good chance to also teach Short Person a few things. We parked the car, grabbed out cameras, and began walking around looking at the different markers. It seemed that every turn we took had a flag marking a grave site.

We walked along and I'd read the headstone to her if there was a war notation and point out the little metal noting a veteran. We did this until she learned to do it herself. I watched as she took photos of different things, wondering at her choices and asking her why she'd take a picture of something. All in all, it was a nice afternoon and she enjoyed taking the pictures.

Our last stop was at Memorial Park where I showed her the monument erected to honor those men from Newberg that had died during the various wars. It surprised me while we were walking among the graves that most of the men and women buried there that had fought in the war had also gone on to live long lives. The average age of death was 80 years old. In fact, I only found one marker of someone that had died during the war as a cause of the war. World War I. As we were walking back to our car, an old-timer walked by us and commented about the number of flags. He said there were 300 flags.

So, in comparison to the 300 flags, very few who are buried there are named on this monument.

Once we finished, we turned the camera in to get developed. But, there was one photo I snapped that I needed to take home and look up. It was a marker of someone that had died as a result of lynching in the Centralia Massacre. Having never heard of the Centralia Massacre, my curiosity was sparked and I wanted to remember to look it up.

It turns out that there is a bit of history to this particular man. Sad history. If you are interested, here is a link to read about it. The Centralia Massacre.

Photo 167 - Short Person Graduates from Kindergarten

2010-05-28T00:21:00.000-07:00

Today was not the last day of school. No, the last day of school is Tuesday. But, today was Kindergarten Graduation. It was the day that the kids had a field trip to Top Spin, where they'd sing a medley of songs they had learned throughout the year, the day they received their certificates, and the day that gifts were presented to the teachers. It's a fun day and one that I took off from work so that I could attend. The only day I was able to take off and attend.

The day started with Chapel and then a field trip to TopSpin. Since I was running late with having the gift ready for presentation, I decided to skip Chapel and sit in the classroom inserting pages into the album and gift-wrapping. It also presented the opportunity to get to know one of the parents that I had managed to miss all year. Then, once Chapel was done, we left for the events of the day.

At TopSpin, the kids received a tennis lesson. It was a lot of fun to watch them learn, and by the end of the hour I was amazed at how much an hour had taught them. Each and every child was able to hit the ball with the racket, including Short Person.

After the tennis lesson, we headed to the park for our picnic. The kids played in the park for a little while and then we ate a wonderful fare of pizza, watermelon, strawberries, juice, chips, brownies, cookies... It was yummy and wonderful. And then afterward, it was time to Graduate.

One word on graduation-- Mess. I was a mess. I am often thankful for my camera because it gives me something else to focus on other than the moment. I know there are times when I should be present and focused, but there are others when you realize that you've already made one teacher cry and maybe enough is enough and you should check out a bit. Now was that time. I'd already gotten emotional the night before with one of her teachers over how fast time goes. We both spent time acknowledging that our kids were growing up faster than what we were prepared.

We listened to the kids sing, and then watched as they each received their "diplomas".

After the presentation of the certificates, we presented Short Person's teacher with her gifts. She opened the scrapbook and looked through it. All the kids and parents looking on. It was a very happy, relieved, proud moment for me.

Photo 166 - Peacock

2010-05-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today, I began scrapbooking the first of two albums that will eventually be appreciation gifts for both of Short Person's teachers. As usual, I was with a group of friends at Sleighbells enjoying the atmosphere and company.

Outside of Sleighbells there are many peacocks. Most of the time, they keep their distance from the customers and people, but not today. Today, they were active and stayed only feet away at any given time. Preening and calling, it must be spring.

There are both white and colorful peacocks. The blue are my favorite, especially when they have all their feathers out showing off their majesty-- and prowess to all the female peacocks who care to look.

Franklin's Last Visit

2010-05-17T00:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Class,

On Thursday, I went home with Megan again. I got to go to her gymnastics class and watch her walk on the balance beam and flip on the bars. She looked like she was having a really fun time! When we got back to her house we played for awhile before going to bed.

The next day, I was really excited because I got to go to school with Megan-- and I didn't have to be in my backpack! I got to watch everything that happened. It was really cool. But then, something went wrong and I think Meg forgot to bring me back home. Meg's mommy said that they miscommunicated. So instead, I went home with Mrs. Bessler.

On Monday, Megan took me back to her house so that I could get my journal and backpack. I got to visit her and her Grandma Linda for a little while. But then, something weird started happening! Megan's eye started getting bigger and bigger until it was almost swollen shut. She said it was itchy, so her mom made her put ice on it and gave her some medicine. We watched Scooby Doo while we waited for her eye to look normal again. Megan loves Scooby Doo!

After the movie was over, Megan and I put her tooth under her pillow and went to bed.

It was a long weekend, but I'm excited about today and wondering who I get to go home with next!

Love,

Franklin

I can't tell you how many times I'd fall asleep on the couch at 1:00am writing in Franklin's journal, but for some strange reason I'm still going to miss it. Maybe that's one of the side effects of writing-- creating characters that live and breathe and that eventually you have to say goodbye too.

Photo 165 - Mother's Day

2010-05-09T22:35:00.000-07:00

This was my Mother's Day gift from Short Person. She made it in her Kindergarten class. I love it. The colors are incredible and she did such a good job.

Photo 164 - "Sittin' By the Dock of the Bay Wasting Time..."

2010-05-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day today. LJS went fishing with his Dad. Short Person had swimming lessons. But, after we got done her and I were floundering for something to do outside in the sun. I decided to go and get us some snacks and then go down to the river to see if we could spot LJS. His truck was still there, but the boat was too far down river.

Short Person really wanted to see him though. See him and, to my surprise, go out on the boat. So we rushed home and picked up her life jacket and drove back to the river to sit and wait. She blew bubbles on the dock and I simply sat, enjoying the sun and taking pictures.

You can tell it was really sunny from these first few.

Her and I goofing around with the camera. She didn't want to make any nice faces, so most of them were goofy looks.

These are the posts holding the dock in place. I really liked the way they looked against the blue sky with the white of the spires and the white of the clouds co-existing.

Once we got on the boat (Daddy finally came back to dock. YAY!), Short Person wanted to go really fast. This is the moment after LJS cranked up the motor and started flying down river.

A little bit wind-blown after the drive.

My handsome husband.

Shortie was getting tired, so she laid down to take a nap while we fished.

I don't know how well this photo shows it, but the cotton trees were shedding their cotton and it was floating through the air. It looked like snow falling all around us.

Mom, According to Short Person - Part II

2010-05-07T23:53:00.000-07:00

Last year, right before Short Person turned 5, I gave her an interview based on questions written by Scrapbooker and Author Stacy Julian. As an idea for Mother's Day, I asked Shortie's Kindergarten teacher if she'd like to use the questions and present the answers as a gift to the Mom's.

She took the questions in order to review them and that was the last time I heard anything more about them-- until they were given to me, along with a wrapped Mother's Day present last night at the Academic Fair. Below are Short Person's answers, along with a link to the answers from last year. They have changed a lot as her awareness grows.

But, before I get to that, I wanted to write some about Academic Fair, which is an opportunity for parents to come in and see what their children have been up to for the year and also to visit with the teacher they will have for next year. The last was primarily the reason we went. With only a month left in the school year, there aren't going to be a lot of opportunities left.

All I can say is wow. Her first grade teacher has a LOT of energy. I was tired just listening to all of the things that they are going to be doing, beginning with a packet that includes 10 pages of homework a week and reading. They also have science and math and sociology and geography and... everything you'd expect from a school I guess. I just wasn't quite prepared for it.

To be honest, the thing I'm most not looking forward to is the homework. Is it bad to say that I want my child to be a child for a little bit longer? I know two pages a day is not a lot, but if it takes away from bike rides with Daddy and trips to the library with Mommy and play is it still worth it?

I think I'll just start praying now that my daughter takes to homework like a fly takes to honey and 10 pages will be done before bed on Monday. Leaving the rest of the week for fun.

Mom, According to Short Person... One Year Later (To read her answers from last year, click here.)

1. What is something mom always says to you? "You have to go swimming because it will save your life someday."

2. What makes mom happy? "When I do what she says."

3. What makes mom sad? "When I do not listen."

4. How does your mom make you laugh? "By tickling me."

5. What was your mom like as a child? "She had blonde hair."

6. How old is your mom? "40."

7. How tall is your mom? "Almost as tall as Tina." (Tina is her teacher's daughter.)

8. What is her favorite thing to do? "Cuddle with me."

9. What does your mom do when you are not home? "She cleans the house."

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? "Gymnastics."

11. What is your mom really good at? "Hugging."

12. What is your mom not good at? "I don't know. She is not good at blowing up balloons because she is allergic."

13. What does your mom do for a job? "She just works at a regular work."

14. What is your mom's favorite food? "Cake."

15. What makes you proud of your mom? "When she is not mad at my dad."

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? "A movie character."

17. What do you and your mom do together? "We play."

18. How are you and your mom the same? "We both like to play."

19. How are you and your mom different? "She eats salad and I don't."

20. How do you know your mom loves you? "She hugs me a lot!"

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? "That he loves her."

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? "Washington D.C."

I'm not sure where she got some of these answers. I'm only a bottle blonde, and I've never done Gymnastics. I almost choked when I read the answer about her being proud of me when I'm not mad a her Dad, but the "Hugging" answer made up for it. I love my Short Person.

Photo 163 - Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy Part II

2010-05-06T23:47:00.000-07:00

It seems LJS can't go wrong this week in terms of fishing. He got three this time!

I'm going to be eating fresh salmon until I'm sick of it. LOL... it's fun to be spoiled, but I also think I take it forgranted a bit. I always cringe when someone brings up serving salmon at a group get-together or ordering it at a restaurant. Not to mention that I've yet to eat it anywhere that cooks it better than my husband. He's the King when it comes to cooking seafood.

Photo 162 - Here Fishy, Fishy...

2010-05-02T23:39:00.000-07:00

Fishing season is here again, and LJS has been killing them down at the river. This was day one and he got four. Sweet!

The cat you see in the forground has learned that if she hangs around after fishing day, LJS and his dad will share scraps. The cat loves them.

Books Read in April

2010-04-30T22:41:00.000-07:00

I really hate to admit this, but it was another one book month. I'm getting frustrated with my inability to read anything substantial. Still, one is better than none, so here it is. The one book.

Sizzle by Julie Garwood

I enjoyed it, but then I enjoy most of her books. There's something to be said about books that shy away from the man/man conflict and focus more on the man/circumstance scenario. Having characters that click from the beginning is nice, especially when hot sex is involved.

And, because I am so frustrated with my one book status, I have decided to go ahead and list the children's book(s) I read to Short Person. I did read them. Yeah, maybe they aren't 500 page books, but they do have pages.

Dear Dumb Diary Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jim Benton
A Taste of Honey by Nancy Wallace

There was one more, but for the life of me, I can't remember it. Here's to better luck in May!

Photo 161 - An Owl Bedroom

2010-04-25T23:37:00.000-07:00

Short Person has recently decided she'd like to change her room decor into something a little more age appropriate. Since she's no longer three, but now a whoppin' six-years-old, she wants something more grown up.

Originally, she wanted the LittleMissMatched from JC Penney (the green striped with hearts on the reverse), but Mommy being the meanie that she is told her no. Sorry, but I can't handle the noise of the comforter. Just couldn't do it. So, on a recent shopping excursion to Target we took a zoom through the bedding aisles for little girls and found a room both of us love.

I told Short Person that Mommy and Daddy would redo her room as a "Welcome to 1st Grade" gift, but that it came with a condition-- she has to be sleeping in her bed at least three nights a week. She agreed.

But so far, it is not going well. I think LJS is letting her sleep in there because he does not want to paint again. LOL... Although, now that I think about it, the most he has to do is a green stripe where her wallpaper border sits now. But, he's really tired of painting, poor guy.

Two more images that show the detail of the owl and the color a little better.

Photo 160 - Franklin, The Painted Plate, and a Father's Day Gift

2010-04-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

This weekend was another lazy weekend. Well, lazy is pushing it since we did a lot of different things. I think by lazy I mean that we were able to have fun doing things like painting and playing. We went to the Painted Plate and got to work on LJS's Father's Day Present, which is shown in the picture.

Since it is no surprise to anyone (probably) that it sometimes takes me weeks to get these blog posts on here, I'll tell you the little story of bringing it home. It takes about a week to glaze and fire the item once we're done painting it. So, one week later, I arrived home after picking it up and doing some grocery shopping. Short Person wanted to take the bag in the house, but I was worried that she'd leave it hanging around and LJS would find it much sooner than the intended "gifting" date.

So, I warned her about this and let her know that she'd need to take it into my office and hide it so that Daddy wouldn't see it. At that moment, the man in question strolled up to the car. Short Person gasped, rolled the bag down a little further, and scooted out of the front seat. Looked up at her Dad and said, "Don't worry, Dad! I'm just taking in some groceries. It's just groceries. That's all... just groceries. I'm taking them into the house, cause, like, you know (insert small chuckle) that's what you do with, er, groceries!" And then she scuttled her butt into the house.

LJS and I were laughing as we watched her move away. "You have to admit," he said, "that was pretty good."

I'm fairly certain he now knows we painted something for him.

Anyway, back to the present. We also had Franklin. Here's his journal entry for today.

Dear Class,

This weekend, I got to visit Megan's house. Megan was really happy to see me and on Friday we played and played until it was time to go to bed. On Saturday, we had to get up early to go to Megan's swimming class. I got to sit with her mommy while we watched Meg learn how to swim! When we got done we went to Target to look around. We got to have a pretzel snack. It was a big pretzel that was almost as big as me!

When we got done, Megan and her mom decided to go to the Painted Plate to work on painting a mug. That was a lot of fun. They had so many different colors to paint with it was awesome.

Since Meg's Daddy had to work, her mom said it was a "freebie" day, so next we went got to go play at Safari Sam's! Megan took me on the Jungle Gym and it was so much fun! I screamed when I went down the slide. By the time we got done, I was beat. I fell asleep in the car on the way home.

The next day, we got to go meet Megan's Nana and see the movie "The Tooth Fairy". I really liked it. The movie was about a man who didn't have any dreams and didn't know how to say "what if", but he learned. I think it is very important to have dreams for the future. Do you have dreams?

When we got back home, Megan's mom said Meg needed to clean her room. That wasn't much fun, but it was great to have everything put back where it belongs.

It was a great weekend, but I need to go to sleep now. See you in the morning!

Love Franklin

Photo 159 - A Sunny Day

2010-04-23T23:34:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine who lives in Colorado Springs was sending me photos of snowfall they had received this morning. So, I battled back and sent him some sun.

This is a photo out the back door of my office.

And a beautiful sunny sky...

Later this same day, we went to visit another friend of mine who gifted Short Person with three gently used Build-a-Bears. They've already stolen a place into her heart.

Photo 158 - PJ's and Storytime

2010-04-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

Our local library started a once-a-month night-time story hour that I could actually bring Short Person to. Usually, they take place during the day when I'm at work and Shortie's in school, so being able to go is a treat. Plus, one of Short Person's friends from school was there, so she was really happy about that.

Each month has a theme. I forget what today's theme was, which is sad considering I was just there, but I was reading so I should be excused. I only had half of half an ear on the action.

Short Person had fun though and that's what matters.

Shortie's the tall brunette in purple pj's.

Photo 157 - Kids Safety Fair

2010-04-17T23:31:00.000-07:00

This was an unexpected surprise day. After swimming lessons, we walked out to find that the YMCA was being decorated for an event free to the public. It was kids safety fair and there were a lot of different booths for kids to visit, free activities, free food, and lots and lots of give-a-ways. After some debating with Short Person, she decided she wanted to participate. So, we put our swimming stuff in the car and went back to visit the booths.

There were dogs from Search and Rescue. Piggy Banks you could decorate. Computer games you could play. A fire engine to tour. Tennis to play. Wheels to spin and win prizes. The dreaded PGE "Learn About Electricity" demonstration, where I got to learn about Shortie's fear of being zapped. Even a free t-shirt that the kids got to color with permanent markers. And much, much more.

At the end, I had more than I could carry comfortably. Luckily, they gave us a bigger bag on the way out-- and a pair of $40.00 warm up pants from Nike!! Wow.

This one was being run by Home Depot. Each child could make a miniature planter, which came complete with seeds.

Face Painting. Another favorite.

Photo 156 - Springtime Performance

2010-04-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

Short Person had a school spring performance today. It was a little bit of a surprise to us since we didn't realize that there would be another one after Christmas. We had a lot of fun watching her though.

I took video and was going to post it, but apparently there's a size limit on both Blogspot and YouTube. Naturally, the video exceeds it. But, with luck I'll figure something out and get it posted.

We sat in the balcony because there were kids standing up the entire time in front. This is okay if you have kids in the older age group because they get to be on the risers. Not so much for the Kindergarteners who are assigned the low rung and are a good foot shorter.

The songs were real "involved", meaning there were lots of dance moves and bouncing around. Some of the Kinders got excited and were going crazy. This would be my daughter trying to calm them down =)

I am very grateful to and for Short Person's babysitter. Twice now, Shortie has had functions where getting our hair done and being able to wear makeup and jewelry add to the specialness of the night-- and both times I've had to work. Sam has been wonderful both times and spent however long it took doing both for us.

Short Person was very happy when she discovered her hair was still curly even after the performance.

Photo 155 - A Silver Tooth Grin

2010-04-14T23:31:00.000-07:00

Short Person was not happy to discover that we had another day of getting caps. We're mirrored now.

Photo 154 - Chicken Curr...YIKES!

2010-04-13T23:28:00.000-07:00

Ever since Short Person's babysitter mentioned the words "Chicken Curry" two-weeks ago, I've been craving it. My mom used to make it for special occasions when we had a lot of people to serve. It's a scrumptious chicken sauce, over rice, topped with things like peanuts, coconut, hard-boiled eggs, etc. I haven't had it in YEARS, but I remembered that I had asked my mom to give me the recipe and somewhere I still had it.

About three days ago, I located the recipe and added the item to our menus for the month. I purchased the supplies and got up early to begin the process of making it. Since it has to cook on low heat for about five hours, scheduling is important. My thought was that I'd get up and put it in the Crockpot before work and come home to reduce the heat to warm at lunch.

Unfortunately, the recipe was written prior to the invention of Crockpots and there are apparently a few variables between stove-top low and Crockpot low. When I got home, the mixture was boiling. BOILING!! Do you know what happens to milk when it is boiled for five hours?!?! Yeah, me either. But, I found out.

It curdles.

As if that weren't bad enough, I had to call LJS and tell him that he was right and that I did find "some way to ruin dinner". I'm embarrassed to say I was choking back tears when I did it, a testament to how badly I wanted dinner to turn out.

And even if those two things weren't bad enough, I managed to ruin dinner again three hours later when I attempted to take the chicken meant for the curry and turn it into chicken tacos.

I am jinxed. I am so not meant to cook.

And yet, as soon as I have a day where I can stay home and make sure my stove-top low heat does not boil the curry sauce, I am trying again.

Photo 153 - Mother in Law What?!

2010-04-11T00:06:00.000-07:00

I love Cost Plus for many reasons and the oddities found there is just one of them. Short Person and I were taking a walk through to look for the curry powder I had heard they carried at a very reasonable price when we came upon this little item.

I have no idea how it got its name. Or why a mother-in-law's tongue would be striped. One more weird thing that added humor to a given day.

Now, if I could just find some of those chocolate-covered bugs. I'm dying to see how Short Person reacts to them!

Photo 152 - A Casserole Shower

2010-04-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine was having a baby shower with a theme today. I was unable to attend because I still had the cold I'd managed to contract on Easter, but I wasn't going to let it stop me from giving her a gift.

The fact that it was a casserole themed party, was another matter altogether.

You've seen my past explorations into the world of cooking and viewed the results. So, it goes without saying that there wasn't going to be any way that I was going to be able to throw together a casserole that "freezes beautifully". At least, not without some sort of poisoning involved. And, since vomiting or spending hours on the potty are not things a new mommy wants to do, I had to get creative.

And creative I got. I figured that even if I couldn't cook, I could still manage to throw together a meal or two or three.

Using the wonderfully marvelous coupons in this year's Entertainment book, I went and purchased a few gift certificates and put them together with some "completers" and then wrapped them up to at least look like casseroles.

My husband was impressed as I walked out the door. I just wish I could have stayed to see if they were well received. Although, I know my hasty instructions not to freeze them must have raised a few eyebrows.

Included were:
1. Subs and Chips - A gift certificate to Subway with three snack bags of Doritos.

2. Burritos and Spanish Rice - A gift certificate to Taco Del Mar and a coupon for a buy 1 get 1 mucho burrito and a box of Rice-a-Roni Spanish Rice

3. Pizza and Salad - A gift certificate to Papa Murphy's (with a coupon), $5.00 gift certificate to Albertson's with a shopping list for salad mix and a tomato, and a bottle of Ranch Dressing.

Photo 151 - Easter Day

2010-04-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

This blog really ought to be titled "The Day the Easter Bunny FORGOT to Arrive!", but that seemed a little dramatic. And since I somehow managed to get that basket out there in a manner that made Short Person none the wiser, it would be, perhaps, a little misnamed.

Our story begins with this, LJS and I were both sick. The kind of sick that makes you just want to stay in bed all day long. The kind of sick that makes you fall asleep on the couch watching television while waiting for your daughter to fall asleep so that you could carry the Easter basket out into the living room and then carry yourself to bed. The kind of sick that makes you fall asleep on the couch and then NOT WAKE UP until the next morning when you hear a little tearful voice say, "Mom! The Easter Bunny didn't come!" followed by sniffles and heartbroken crying. We were both that kind of sick.

Unfortunately, we weren't both in trouble for not getting the basket out into the living room. I was, and LJS's footsteps as he took himself to the bathroom and whispered "You forgot the basket!?" sounded like loud thunder in my head. A head that was desperately scrambling for a way out of this mess.

I tried to comfort Short Person. "Honey, I'm sure he didn't forget. It's probably just somewhere we haven't looked yet. Let me get my contacts on and we'll take a look together." My contacts had clouded over from drying themselves under my eyelids all night, so I used the brief respite to think, think, think. In the background, LJS was also still grumbling at me.

"I can't believe you forgot, Woman." He groused.

"Just... take her in the bedroom and comfort her. I'll figure something out." I replied.

He took Shortie into our bedroom and talked to her and asked if she'd looked in various places, while I scrambled into the office to grab the basket and run into the kitchen to hide it. Looking furiously for the one place she hadn't yet looked. I found it on her desk chair, pulling it out a little bit and slipping it in so that it would be partially hidden and hard for her to find, and then hustled back into our bedroom to join the "where didn't you look" discussion.

"Okay, Honey, I have my contacts in now. Let's go take a look."

We all got out of bed and searched room by room, not finding anything. Short Person was on the verge of tears again when we finally halted in the dining room and I looked at her desk. "Ah... I know where it is."

"Where?!"

"Look at your desk." I replied.

Short Person looked and her eyes finally settled on the basket. Joyful, she speculated, "I wonder why he put it there."

I looked around our house, which hadn't seen clean in a day or two and replied, "He probably couldn't find any other clean surface."

And we all headed back to the bedroom to see what the Bunny had brought her. Crisis averted.

Dying Easter Eggs, our only Easter activity for the day-- other than cooking the Ham dinner. We may have been sick, but we were still going to eat Easter dinner!

Photo 150 - Swimming Lessons and a Mixed Up Egg Hunt

2010-04-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

About a month and a half ago, I realized that Short Person was going to turn six and disqualify herself from the swimming class (I believed) she really needed before moving on to regular swim lessons. The class is designed to get children accustomed to being in the water and following the instructions of a coach/teacher. It is also necessary, in order to move on, for Short Person to be comfortable getting her face wet and going under water. It is limited to four, so assuring her a spot was somewhat fought with peril, but that's a different story and not a very interesting one since they were nice and let me take the last spot (WHEW!)

Since one of her friends, who is a couple years younger, was going to be taking the class, I seized the opportunity to get Shortie in there with her for a little strength-in-numbers. The last opportunity we would have since the class is only for three- to five-year-olds. And, since we have a boat, knowing how to swim is mandatory in our house. It was pretty much now or a big fight later when she joined the big kids-- minus the coddling.

They practice putting their face under water, arm strokes, walking the pool, and learning to float. This is Short Person floating with some help from her instructor.

Today, it also happened to be the day before Easter. More commonly known as Easter Egg Hunt day. Typically, we go to the park a few blocks from our house, but since we had swim lessons, there was no way we were going to be able to zoom back and make it in time. At least not without serious risk of a speeding ticket-- or worse.

I had heard about an Easter Egg Hunt that was going to take place at Sleighbells. I thought they'd probably hide the eggs amongst the Christmas Trees, but the weather today was too unpredictable. So, they hid them in the store. There's nothing weirder that hunting Easter Eggs in a Halloween room while listening to Christmas music!

After finding her allotment of eggs, Short Person took them into the big room they had set up for pictures with the Easter Bunny, prize entries, and face painting! She makes a cute little bunny doesn't she?

Photo 149 - A Day Out With Shortie

2010-04-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

One of Short Person's birthday gifts was a gift card to Starbucks. We decided to go and enjoy part of it with some Hot Cocoa and donuts before going to The Painted Plate to decorate some plaster.

She enjoyed the donut a lot!

Books Read in March

2010-03-31T17:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not doing very well at the "will read more" thing-- despite the fact that I'm making myself post my achievements and failures. I only read one book this month.

Prince Joe - Book One in Suzanne Brockmann's SEAL Team 10 series. I've read it before, years ago, but did not remember any of it. I'm also totally stoked about the fact that I have not read any others in the series, so I have about 10 new Suz books to keep me company over the next several weeks (or months considering how slowly I'm reading).

Now, if I were to include children's books in this list, I could add about a dozen. I'll debate that idea before the next post.

Photo 148 - Belle's Birthday

2010-03-27T13:12:00.000-07:00

Today was Short Person's cousin's birthday party. It was a wonderfully pink party, complete with an ice cream cone pinata. Shortie has wanted to try a pinata for years! She was thrilled with the opportunity today, winding up to hit the cone with as much strength as her little muscles could muster.

At one point, about her third try in, she decided that it would be more effective to take the bat and hit the top of the cone, aiming for the small circular opening. Somehow, she must have determined that it was the weak point. She smacked that circular section with a resounding thud, only to be met with the laughter of about 15 adults.

Unfortunately, her feelings were hurt and she walked away from it believing that everyone was laughing at her. It took a little while to explain that they weren't laughing AT her, but at the surprise it caused. I am not sure many people expect a 6-year-old to problem-solve like that. I hope she believed me because she was crushed.

Her tongue was so, so pink after this cupcake.
But as you can tell, she was enjoying every bite.

Short Person takes a swing at the pinata!

Photo 147 - Ketchup Creativity

2010-03-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

Short Person and I were watching television with LJS, as we often do, when the news came on and there was a segment about Heinz Ketchup and a contest called "Ketchup Creativity". Kids, using templates, color and draw designs that, if they win, will be used on those little foil packets of ketchup you get with your french fries.

I went and got my computer so that Shortie and I could have a few minutes of fun looking at the artwork submitted and vote for our favorite designs. If you are reading this, take a minute to go and view them yourself at Ketchup Creativity.

When we got done voting for our favorites in each grade, Short Person was so inspired that she went and drew her own, as shown below. I think she did a great job for not having the template and simply free-handing. I think she did a fantastic job! Which is why it is my photo of the day.

Photo 146 - Creative Art (Flower Art)

2010-03-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

I've always known that Short Person was artistically inclined, but nothing drove the point home more than this piece of art. I have no idea if she learned this type of open-minded, mixed-media creation from an outside source or if she conceived it all on her own, but either way I was amazed.

She's obviously drawn a butterfly, but what impressed me was the wings. She used tulip petals to create them.

She's begging for art classes.
I'm thinking she's right to want them.
I forget where I heard it, but there's a quote in my head that goes something like this...

"If you wake up every morning and all you can think about is (insert subject here), then that's what you are meant to do."

Looking at this, and listening to Shortie's pleas, make me think that there's a passion driving her onward.

After searching for several weeks, I finally found a class she can attend. It's a summer camp, and I will have to take a week of vacation to get her there, but in the end I think it will be worth it.

Photo 145 - Build-A-Bear Birthday

2010-03-20T23:19:00.000-07:00

Lately, there are not many things that Short Person loves more than Build-a-Bear, so it was no surprise that the birthday she really, really wanted was one where her friends could go and share the joy of a new stuffed animal with her. Although we told her that to do so would mean that the guest list would be tiny, she still wanted to do it. So, we did.

Daddy is the King of dressing dolls and stuffed animals. He has a lot more patience than I do, I'm sad to say.

Short Person and her new furry friend, a multi-colored bunny she named Rose Blossom.

The group and their new best friendly animals.

After Build-a-Bear, we went to Red Robin for Ice Cream Sundaes and French Fries, and to open presents. It was chaotic, but it was fun.

All things considered, this was the easiest birthday party I've ever thrown. I had very little to do. I'm considering these types of parties for all future events. Maybe.

Maybe...

Photo 144 - Model Birthday

2010-03-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

My birthday gift to Short Person is traditionally the party and the outfit, so today after swimming classes and before her birthday party, we went shopping at Target for new clothes to wear. Shortie chose four different outfits and tried them all on in the dressing room. I'm not sure where the model poses came from, all I know is that I was laughing pretty hard (on the inside) about her "looks".

I convinced her to let me take photos so that at the end we could look through the pictures and decide which one looked the best on her.

This was the first outfit she tried on. We both thought it was cute and Short Person was ready to purchase it and leave, but I convinced her to keep going.

Outfit number two. This is also the one she ultimately chose, which worked for me. I really thought it was adorable. When she looked at the photos, there was no question in her mind that this was THE ONE.

Try-on number three. As you can tell from the photo, she was NOT happy about this one. I almost didn't even take the picture because she was so violently opposed to it. But, it was still fun getting the snapshot.

Oh, it was a hard choice after seeing this last one. I liked the dress, but this one was just SO cute!

Photo 143 - Picture Time With Sammy

2010-03-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

Short Person has really enjoyed looking through the scrapbooks and photo albums lately. One night, not long ago, when she was doing this she came across the pictures of our dog Sam's first Christmas. I scrapbooked the page, highlighting a toy we had gotten him that was a battery-operated bear that walked and growled when turned on, along with a few other things. Shortie really enjoyed this spread and hearing the stories about Sammy's first Christmas.

So much so that this morning before getting ready to go to school, she pulled out the scrapbook and propped it up on the end of the couch so that Sammy could look at his pictures.

A Visit to the Principal's Office

2010-03-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

My gut told me that nothing good could come from the Principal meeting a parent in the parking lot and asking them to stop by his office before leaving the building "for a brief talk". I figured I was in trouble for being late (yet again), while also lecturing my daughter in the parking lot about how she wouldn't have been cold if she'd put her coat on as suggested, and NO, we were late so she could not stop to do it now. Maybe my tone of voice was off and it was being noted as... something, by the other parents.

Or, maybe I was just paranoid from too many run-ins with authority lately and I didn't want one more thing I'd need to worry about doing. At any rate, dread was creeping in under my skin.

So, after dropping Short Person in her classroom, and circling back at the "Mom! You need to tie my shoe!", I proceeded to the office and reluctantly made my way into Mr. McConaughey's office. I wondered if I needed to shut the door or if I needed to sit down. Since he seemed to be comfortable with me just standing there looking at him, I did neither.

I watched as his weathered hand closed over his coffee cup and heard the squeak of the chair as he leaned back to take a sip, and then put the cup back down on the desk, his hand resting on the handle. "I need to tell you a story about compassion." He said, in his gravely voice. "We had an incident here yesterday, where a few things were said, and someone got pulled into the office and talked too."

"Yeah, I was actually in Meg's classroom yesterday, so I got to see some of it." I responded.

He continued. "Well, that person was made to apologize to your daughter. It wasn't the best of apologies, but it was given. She got it out..."

Before I continue, I should relate the events of the day before, so that the full impact of what he said next can hit you as it did me.

It was Short Person's birthday. She turned six, and she was excited. Mommy was helping in her class, and afterward her mommy and daddy were taking her out for her birthday dinner. She'd had her music class sing "Happy Birthday" to her. She'd gotten a cupcake snack. She was having a good day and was smiling as she left for recess. But, when she came back from recess, she was in tears.

It seems that one of the girls, we'll call her Lynn, had spent a good portion of recess telling her that it wasn't her birthday. This hurt Short Person's feelings. Now, I'm sure you're saying, just as I was, "Well Honey, WE know it's your birthday, so don't let it get to you." But, hear tell it from the teachers, Lynn was being down-right *mean* about it. It gained the notice of not one, not two, but FOUR teachers. When Lynn's attitude had not changed after returning to her class, she was pink-slipped to the Principal's office, given a talking too, and made to come into Short Person's class and apologize.

The whole re-enter class, mommy gets story, mommy calms Shortie down, we re-join class, Lynn enters to apologize, probably took about 10 minutes. I watched Lynn and Mr. McConaughey enter, I watched him tell Lynn to apologize, and turned away to give Meg privacy and let her handle the situation without worrying about her over-protective mommy getting involved. Then a short minute later, Short Person sat back down and re-joined class.

I left to go to work for a bit a short while later, but learned that Meg had attempted to go and sit next to Lynn at lunch-- only to spill her lunch on the ground on her way. But, the attempt was there, and I was proud of her for that.

Back to the next day in the Principal's office.

"Well, that person was made to apologize to your daughter. It wasn't the best of apologies, but it was given. She got it out. And that's when your daughter leaned forward, gave Lynn a hug and said, 'That's okay. I still love you.'"

I heard this and felt like I'd been punched in the gut. My daughter did what? Of her own accord? Wow.

Mr. McConaughey kept talking. "I tell you, I almost lost it." I looked at him and believed him. He had tears in his eyes just telling me the story. "We have some truly wonderful kids in this school. They are just little blessings."

"I don't know how I got so lucky to be blessed by her." I responded. And it's true. I have no idea how or why God trusted me with Megan. I pray at least once a week that I won't fail at being her parent. That I won't screw it up.

We chatted for a minute more. I thanked him for telling me the rest of the story, and I left to call LJS and repeat it. Praying again my weekly prayer of thanks.

Photo 142 - Short Person's 6th Birthday

2010-03-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

One of the traditions we seem to have started is to take Short Person out for dinner on the night of her birthday to the restaurant of her choosing. For some reason, he choice is always Red Robin. I say strange because on off days, we don't eat there very often. I like the restaurant, it just isn't on our frequent list. Nevertheless, it is the restaurant she has gone too for each birthday for the last three years.

Including this birthday.

After dinner, and a rousing birthday song, we went to LJS's parent's house for cupcakes and gift opening. Short Person got Barbie clothes from her Grandma and Grandpa.

Short Person Turns 6

2010-03-17T01:31:00.001-07:00

For no other reason than I was feeling nostalgic, I put together a slideshow retrospective of Short Person's last six years. I even added a cheesy song!

I can't believe she's six... where did all that time go?

Photo 141 - Last Photo As A 5-Year-Old

2010-03-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

I think the title of this post says it all. Her Daddy was saying goodnight to her and commented that it was the last time that we'd get to see her as a five-year-old. Her last night as a five-year-old. I just couldn't let the moment pass without documenting it.

Photo 140 - Catch of the Day

2010-03-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Finally, we got another break in the bleak cold of winter. We decided to use it to go up to the lake and fish. Fish that were not biting even after a long winter of no bugs to eat. Short Person was getting really, really frustrated that she wasn't catching anything, declaring that she was ready to leave over and over. When, suddenly, there it was. The whir of the line as it spun off the reel and she was in heaven.

By the time we left for the day, she had caught at least three and had lost a big one that broke the line and sped away.

Writing this post reminds me of the very first time we took her fishing. She had just turned two and couldn't wait for the opportunity to go out with her dad. So on "Free Fishing Day" we joined a crowd of people that took their kids up to a nearby trout lake to fish. She loved trying to cast, and loved reeling, but it was a long morning and we weren't catching anything. We decided to move to a different location and go fish off the dock.

We'd been on the dock for about 10 minutes when the bobber went down and a fish took off on the line. She reeled it up, her dad pulled the fish out of the water and held it there for her to look at. She peered in close and then without warning, the fish started bouncing on the line, jumping furiously for its life.

Short Person let out a blood-curdling scream, like she'd just seen the walking dead, and took off full speed ahead down the length of the dock, not to get near that fishing pole for the rest of the afternoon. We couldn't even get her back on the dock.

Luckily, she recovered from the incident. Now, she's not afraid of the fish-- or the worm.

Photo 139 - Boyfriend's Birthday

2010-03-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

Today, we had a birthday party to go to for one of Short Person's classmates. It just happened that this classmate the the little boy that she has developed her first crush on. Seriously. If you ask her about all other boys, she will respond with a "Gross! I don't like boys", but with this little boy, we have had the marriage, children, and living situation comments flying around like crazy.

Her father is ready to lock her in the closet.

The crazy thing is that, she's apparently not the only one talking. He is too. All of his relatives knew Short Person as "his girlfriend". When it came time for him to open his gift from her there were comments of "Oh, is this the present from his girlfriend?" And, when he reacted as though he noticeably liked it, they all congratulated her on a job well done. His mom and I often joke or comment that given the school size, it is a strong likelihood that if they both stay in the same school until the teen years they might actually, conceivably, date.

For now, we'll just stick to birthday parties and writing things on cards like what is below this commentary. I handed her the card and a pen and asked her to sign it. She wrote the entire message herself.

The Merging of 365 and Short Person

2010-03-12T22:49:00.000-08:00

If you subscribe to both my blogs (Short Persons and Melody 365), I feel as though I should warn you that a bombardment of posts may be occurring over the next few days. I started out with the idea of taking a photo a day and letting it stand alone with very short explanation. Instead, what I am finding is that I journal a lot with my photos. I'm also noticing that many, many, many of the photos involve Shortie.

So, I have decided to merge the two blogs. I may keep 365 for awhile, but I like the idea of having everything in one place. Simplify seems to be the word of the year and having more than one blog is definitely not simple.

Anyway, even though I backdate the posts they seem to show up as though being posted in real time in the feed. Therefore, I beg your forgiveness. Bear with me, it will be over soon.

Photo 138 - Tooth #2

2010-03-10T13:15:00.000-08:00

Excitement was in the air. Another tooth terrifically loose. Spinning around and flapping back and forth, it could only be a matter of time. Now that we're taller, we've learned that there are ways of getting close enough to see minute detail in the mirror. Although, I am honestly not sure why she chooses the bathroom when there is a full-length wall of mirrors in her room. But, as you can tell from the photos, I did not complain. She was too excited.

A few minutes later, it came, the bubbly "MOM! I was just sitting there. And. It FELL out! It just... fell out."

Another tooth lost, another milestone crossed. Time slow down...

Photo 137 - Changing Tires with Daddy

2010-03-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for cell phone cameras, because I don't think I would have ever found my Kodak in time for these shots.

Nothing makes my heart smile more than seeing scenes like this unfold...

Photo 136 - Hoop-a-Thon

2010-03-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

Every school has fund-raisers for different causes. The Hoop-a-Thon is one of the fund-raisers they do for Short Person's school. It helps raise money for scholarships to the school. We were presented with a pledge sheet to track donations that could be made on a per hoop basis, or by flat fee.

Now, Mommy is willing to ask co-workers and some friends to donate, but for the most part if Short Person wanted people to pledge, she was going to have to ask them herself. So, after having the form for a couple weeks and ignoring it, I decided that we needed to get busy.

There was a chicken and dumpling dinner being hosted at the Masonic Hall by some friends of our, so paper in hand we went out to eat. There, I talked Short Person though the little speech she needed to give each person she asked. Initially, she was really nervous about doing it. But after getting anywhere from three to five signatures on her form, she was willing to ask anyone to donate money!

By the time she turned in her form, she had raised three times the hoped for minimum, earning her a t-shirt. Almost everyone pledged flat amounts, which is a great thing because by the end of the day, Short Person had made 49 baskets.

Photo 135 - Crazy Hair and Clothes Day

2010-03-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

This week, the school is celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by doing special things. Today, was crazy hair and crazy clothes week. This was Short Person's choice.

Unfortunately, her hair doesn't show very well in the photo, but I'm not sure it was all that crazy anyway. I actually made her hair pretty insane looking, but once it was finished and sticking out in 500 different directions, she told me that she had "wanted crazy, not poofey". So, I had to tame it a little.

As you can see, Franklin also came to visit with us once again. As soon as I remember, I'll grab his journal entry and type it in here. For now...

Update 5-15-10
I got Franklin's journal back, so here is his entry for the day.

Dear Class,

Last night, I went home with Megan because I think someone forgot me. That's okay though because I got to do some fun new things. When we went to Jennifer's house so Megan's mommy could get her hair cut, we got to pet the biggest bunny I have ever seen. He lives inside the house! Jennifer also has a spider-monkey, but Megan was afraid of him, so we were always on the lookout.

When we got home, Meg and her mom and dad started talking about crazy hair and clothes day. Megan's mom suggested that I borrow one of Bella's colorful dresses to wear because that would be crazy clothes for me. I started to get real nervous, but luckily Megan said "No way was she dressing Franklin in a dress!" Whew! Was I relieved.

After a pizza dinner, where Meg and I ate lots of breadsticks, we danced and played. Then, Megan and her daddy cleaned up her room and we went to bed.

Love, Franklin

Books Read in February

2010-02-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

I'm slowing down, not speeding up, but in my defense it was a short month-- part of which I spend in Washington DC and the other part I spent sleeping. Thank you jet lag.

1. What I Did for Love by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. Frommer's 24 Great Walks in Washington DC

Total Page Count = 592 (paperback count)

Mr. Franklin Goes to Washington D.C.

2010-02-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

If you've been following either of my blogs this last few months, you know that Franklin the Turtle comes to visit us fairly often. But if you haven't, Franklin is a stuffed turtle featured in his own line of books. The kids in Short Person's Kindergarten class take him home on a rotating basis, keep him for an evening or weekend, and then are required to journal about what they did with him. Or rather, the parents are since the kids cannot yet write that well. As it happens, it was our turn the Thursday before I was set to leave for Washington D.C.

Since I enjoy writing, I've been a trooper about this small requirement of my time. I enjoy the challenge of morphing into the character of a stuffed animal and writing from his perspective, but on this particular occasion the list of things I had to do was so extensive that adding one more thing to it did not generate the best reaction from me. I think I may have groaned. Right there, in front of the door to Shortie's classroom, "You have Franklin tonight?!"

Much to my embarrassment, her teacher heard me and came out to ask if it was too much trouble. I assured her that, er, no... it was okay, but of course, I've never been that terrific at lying. Clearly, it showed all over my body that I was attempting to figure out how in blazes I was going to get it ALL DONE!!! Eek!

"Well, you can keep him for longer if you need too," she said.

Longer, yes, that was what I needed. And then inspiration struck and I realized that I had been handed a wonderful opportunity to share some history with a group of Kindergartners. "Could Franklin go to Washington DC with me?" I asked. Short Person's teacher said that yes, that was a great idea, and that is how Mr. Franklin went to Washington D.C.

Chris and I took him everywhere, camera in hand. There are nearly 100 photos of Franklin all over D.C. I think I may have even been on a watch list after an innocent visit to the White House. Ask a few questions about where the President might work and they look at you all sort of funny-- especially when carrying a stuffed animal!

Anyway, the pictures and writing below are the finished pages of Franklin's journal. When he went back to the classroom, he also had with him a pencil with the "Library of Congress Washington DC" printed on it, a passport for the Library with links so that the kids can go explore online, and a shiny new penny for each of the kids.

**After spending about 2 hours trying to figure out the html to caption photos and then attempting to get them to float where I want them, I have given up. I created a slideshow of Franklin's photos instead. It is at the end. Enjoy!**

Dear Class,

It has been a very exciting week for me! A week ago, i got to go home with Megan. We played and played and she flipped me up in the air until I got really dizzy. It was a lot of fun.

When her mom got home from work, we helped her pack for a trip to Washington DC. That's when she gave me the best news ever! I got to go with her. I was really excited. Megan made sure that I had a coat and snow shoes for the trip.

The next day felt like the longest day of my life, but finally it was time to leave. It was going to take seven hours to get there. We left to go to Portland and get on the plane. I fell asleep and when I woke up, we were there!

Washington DC is where the President of the United States lives. After we took our suitcases to Megan's mommy's friend's house, we got onto a really fast train called the Metro and zoomed to the city. When we got there, we walked and walked and walked until we got to the President's house. It is called "The White House". I think this is because it is very big and white. The President works out of an office next to his house. It is called "The West Wing".

After we went and saw the President's house, we walked around to look at all the buildings. We also went and got some dinner called Weiner-schnitzel. I thought it was yummy! Then, we went back to the apartment to get lots of sleep for the next day. I slept really good and I was happy for that because the next day we went to a lot of places!

The first place we went was to Arlington National Cemetery. This is the place where lots of President's and people who fought for our country are laid to rest. Unfortunately, it was closed because there was so much snow. The snow was taller than me! Since we couldn't look around, we decided to walk across the Memorial Bridge and the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor President Lincoln. It was enormous!

After visiting the Lincoln Memorial, we visited a lot of other memorials. When we got done looking at all the statues, we went to a museum that had wax figures in it. I liked this place because I got to see what people and past President's looked like. I also like the wax museum because I got to see what it would look like to do a lot of different things, like...

When we got done at the wax museum, we went to a place called "Ford's Theater". This is where a very angry man named John Wilkes Booth decided to shoot President Lincoln. He was mad at the President for telling him that he couldn't do some things that Mr. Booth wanted to do, like own slaves. After Ford's Theater, we went to get something to eat and then go home.

On our last day in Washington DC, we went to see the Capitol Building, National Archives, and Library of Congress.

The Capitol Building is where Representatives from all over the United States meet to make laws. The building sits on top of a very big hill called Capitol Hill. There were lots of kids sledding down the hill when we were there.

At the National Archives Building, I go to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The Declaration of Independence was my favorite.

The last thing we got to see was the Library of Congress. It is the biggest library I have ever seen! The people who work there said that it held a very big selection of books that people come to see so that they can do research.

The next day, we got on a a plane and flew back home, but I loved seeing all the places where our country does business. It was very inspiring and makes me want to learn about history. But, until that happens, or before it happens, I need a nap! This was one busy weekend.

I can't wait to see who I get to visit next! Although, it was a lot of fun seeing Megan when we got back home. She cuddled the cold from the snow right out of me.

Love, Franklin

Photo 134 - Not Mother of the Year

2010-02-24T13:16:00.000-08:00

I highly doubt that I will win any mother-of-the-year awards for this outfit, but some battles are not worth fighting.

Besides, she looked cute.

Photo 133 - "Dear Tooth Fairy"

2010-02-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Naturally, one of the events that follows the loss of a tooth is a visit by the Tooth Fairy. In conversation with Short Person, upon first discovery of her extremely loose tooth, I asked what she wanted the Tooth Fairy to bring her... I can safely state for the record that I never expected her answer. As with most of our important discussions, this one happened in the car.

"So, what do you hope the Tooth Fairy brings you?" I asked, expecting that she'd respond money. My attempt to see what her expectations were.

"I want her to bring me tickets to Disneyland!" She responded in her chirpy, happy voice.

I laughed. "I don't think that's going to happen." I hoped my voice contained the perfect combination of 'yeah, right' mixed with 'you're crazy dreaming!'

"Okay, then I want two hundred and fif-a-tee dollars."

I busted out laughing, then choked it back in a too late attempt to hide it. "Honey, the Tooth Fairy isn't that rich. She only brings a few dollars."

She thought on this for awhile, not saying much more in the remaining minutes of the ride home, but when we pulled into the driveway she finally said, "Okay, how about $5.00?"

I responded that this amount was probably more reasonable, but in the end only the Tooth Fairy could decide how much the enamel of her tooth was worth.

Later that evening, she lost the tooth. She decided that she wanted to bring it to school the next day for sharing and post-pone the Fairy visit. By the end of the following day, she had decided that what she really wanted was computer time (the note actually says that she wants to play the "dressing game"). So, I had her write the Tooth Fairy a note with that request.

Final price of one first baby tooth? One coupon for two hours of computer time, one coupon for a trip to the library, and $2.00.

Photo 132 - An Early Spring Day

2010-02-21T13:17:00.000-08:00

A beautiful day, like today, could not be wasted so we headed out to Champoeg State Park to walk along the river and enjoy the sun.

While there, we came across a lot of those, I call them smoke bombs but I'm not actually sure what they are. We told Short Person that they were tree eggs and had her crack them open to see what was inside. Both LJS and I were expecting to get that puff of dust that looks like smoke when you open them, but I think it is too early. Instead, we got to see the insides prior to decomposition. If you happen to know what these really are, I'd love a comment or an email.

One of Short Person's favorite things to have is a shoulder ride. I just wish I could figure out how to give one and not worry about loss of vision, strangulation, or other precarious positions that might lead to imminent death.

Photo 131 - 1st Tooth Gone

2010-02-20T13:17:00.000-08:00

Short Person lost her first tooth today. Apparently, it had been really loose for a long while, but she never let on. Until today. When I picked her up from school, she showed off a few extraordinary talents such as the ability to twist her tooth all the way around and wiggle it back and forth until it was laying down. Everything but fall out. I offered to take it out for her, but she said no.

I dropped her off at home so that SJ the babysitter could watch her while I went back to work. About five minutes after sitting back down at my desk, SJ sent me this photo. Granted, I did not take it, but it still qualifies as the photo of the day.

Photo 130 - A Trip to DC

2010-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

For a long time now, I've wanted to go to Washington DC. I've wanted to see Arlington Cemetery and the White House, the State Capitol, the war memorials-- I want to see it all. It just so happened that a friend of mine was being deployed there and that she was willing to extend an open invitation to a group of us to come and visit her.

Since she had a paid apartment, and most of the sites in DC are admission free, it would be about the least expensive time I could go-- all I had to do was purchase a plane ticket and figure out how to pay for food and souvenirs. I decided to approach my husband with the request and see what would happen. I figured that he'd say no.

But, he said yes. I agonized over whether I should really spend the money on a plane ticket. Short Person needed shoes, there were bills that needed to be paid, there was a lot to do. I kept asking him if he was sure I should go, only to get the response that "it's a once in a lifetime thing" (secretly, I hope not). Finally, I purchased the plane ticket-- two hours before that two-week in advance deadline kicked in and the fees sky-rocketed.

Then, as though fate were lending a hand, DC got hit with not one, but TWO blizzards. Something that hadn't happened in a really, really, REALLY long time. The airports were closed. And closed. And closed. I figured it was over. My trip, dead in the water-- or snow, as the case is.

24-hours before my flight, they reopened. And Franklin and I boarded a plane in Portland bound for Minnesota and then on to DC.

Photo 129 - Messy, Messy Office

2010-02-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

If there are any words that my husband hates more than "I'm rearranging", I don't know what they are. But, as you can see from these photos, I was in desperate need of doing so. Way too much stuff, way to little space. So, thus begins the project of the month.

I have no idea how this is going to work. Or how I'm going to make it all fit.

Photo 128 - Cheer Performance

2010-02-05T17:57:00.000-08:00

Every year, the local high school puts on a cheerleading camp for the elementary school kids. They get to go to a day of "practice" where each grade learns a cheer and then a dance routine and then at a basketball game they get to cheer and perform at halftime.

As you can imagine, all us parents go gaga over picture taking.

Short Person loved the Cheerleaders. I think it was sort of like a celebrity thing, I think.

This was right before the half-time performance.

Since I had to work until it was time to deliver Shortie to the school, I was very grateful to her babysitter for doing her hair and makeup for the performance. She looked adorable, if you ask me.

All tuckered out.

Books Read in January

2010-01-31T21:36:00.000-08:00

So, I'm totally stealing this blog posting idea from two friends of mine that post the books they've read on a monthly basis. I am not nearly as prolific, but I thought if maybe I was making myself post the books I read, then maybe I'd read more.

It's worth a shot, anyway.

So, the books I read in January are... (drum roll please)
1. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips(re-read, but in my defense, I reread this one every year before the Super Bowl)
2. Perfect by Judith McNaught (also another re-read, but I had a craving for Zach and Julie. Really, can you blame me?)
3. Burn by Linda Howard
4. Ice by Linda Howard

Total page count = 1868 approx. (paperback count)

Photo 127 - A Niece and Nephew Visit

2010-01-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

Today, we watched my niece and nephew while their parents went to an event nearby. We haven't gotten to see them very much so it took a little bit for them to warm up to us. Eventually, we were able to bribe them out of their shell with pizza, games of hide-and-seek, chocolate chip cookies, games of Candyland, games of Go Fish, playing with the Leapster, and YouTube videos of Smurfs. They were with us for about three hours... and it took two and a half of them for my niece to talk to me. Thank you Smurfs!

There was one funny moment in the evening that won't soon be forgotten. A few days ago, Short Person wanted to sleep in bed with us. LJS said no, so Shortie offered him money. Again, LJS said no. So, Short Person asked if she could bribe him.

Well, during our game of hide-and-seek the kids really wanted LJS to play. They climbed up on the bed where LJS was watching television and asked if he would join us. LJS said no, so my nephew offered to pay him. LJS, somewhat chagrined said "Thanks, but no." My nephew, not phased by this asked, "Well, can I bribe you?"

LJS and I busted up laughing. LJS refused to join, but offered to play Candyland with them instead.

Photo 126 - Legs Under the Truck

2010-01-30T17:50:00.000-08:00

I came home from scrapbooking today, pulled into the driveway, and was greeted by two pairs of legs peeking out from under the truck. I don't know what they were looking at, but it must have been important because neither of them looked or got out for several minutes after I parked.

Photo 125 - Cheer Clinic

2010-01-29T17:50:00.000-08:00

Today, the high school put on a cheer clinic for kids from 4-years-old to the 5th Grade. Short Person (and I) have been looking forward to her finally being eligible to attend. We missed last year, but made it this year.
In this photo, each of the cheerleaders were holding the Kindergartners up for a stunt. This was Short Person's first try. In the second, she finally got both arms up.

The kids that attended the clinic will get to perform during an upcoming basketball game next week. They like for the kids to dress in the school colors (obviously), so I needed to find something she could wear that looked "cheerleaderish". On a whim, I decided to pull out my Letterman sweater to see how large it would be and whether there was going to be any way to make it fit. From this photo, you can tell that there probably is not. It's still pretty big on her.

Photo 124 - Cuddle Time with Daddy

2010-01-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

Some things never change. Curling up with Daddy on the couch is one of them.

It's kinda cute and funny, but if you were to look through photos in print at our house, there is at least one of every niece and nephew curled up with LJS. Not exactly in this position, but they are all laid back either sleeping or watching television with him. Cuddle time is apparently prevalent in this living room.

I Used to be Smart... I think

2010-01-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today, Short Person argued with me about the fruit of the spirit, self-control. She wanted some chocolate cake, despite not having finished her mac and cheese. When I said that if she was still hungry enough to each chocolate cake, then she should finish her mac and cheese. She said that if she was full and ate chocolate cake it was not practicing self-control and she needed to eat the chocolate cake while she was still hungry.

I had nothing. *sigh* I am so fighting a losing battle of wits here.

Photo 123 - Folding Socks and Last Day with Franklin

2010-01-24T17:47:00.000-08:00

Short Person loves helping around the house. Maybe I should clarify that-- she loves helping around the house so long as it is not something of hers that she messed up. Then, it's like pulling teeth. But if it's something I'm doing, like cleaning the bathroom, washing dishes, or folding laundry, she's ready to chip in.

When it comes to folding laundry, we've been starting with simple stuff, like folding wash clothes and folding socks. There's just one problem with the socks...

Here is the latest of our entries into Franklin's journal. One thing about his process is that it's hand-written, so there's no going back to edit. I suppose it keeps it real.

Dear Class,

Happy New Year! I'm so excited that I get to come visit all of you again. The first person I was able to visit was Megan. Her mommy gave me a bath first thing because I'd been playing really hard and got really dirty.

Once I was done getting washed and dried, Megan and her parents took me to a basketball game. It was a lot of fun to watch the boys shoot baskets and have fun. Meg's mommy held me up most of the time so I could watch all the action.

The next day, Megan put the last two marbles in her reward jar and got to go shopping for something she wanted. We all piled into the car and went to Build-a-Bear to buy my new friend Bella some clothes and a pink carrier just like mine. Megan left me in the car because she was worried someone would think I was stolen, but when she got back she showed me all of Bella's new clothes. On the way home, we stopped for chocolate ice cream, and then to play hide-and-seek at the park. There was a lot of laughing.

Our last day together we just hung out and watched football. Megan called it a "hanging out day". I think it was more of a folding laundry day though. Megan even showed me how to fold socks! Looked pretty hard.

It's time for bed now. I hope I can sleep, since I have so much excitement in me. I'm so looking forward to seeing you all again!

Love, Franklin

Photo 122 - Short Person and Franklin

2010-01-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

Short Person finally earned enough reward marbles to receive her award. It typically takes her at least 3-6 months to fill a jar, although if she worked at it, she could fill one a month. She chooses not to, for some unknown reason. I keep thinking the reward isn't motivating enough, but each jar she fills is worth $25.00. She can spend the $25.00 on anything she'd like. Today, she chose a trip to Build-a-Bear to get more clothes for Bella and a pink travel carrier (picture a backpack for kids). Afterward, we took Franklin for ice cream at Jem 100 and then to the park to play Hide and Seek.

I had a great time playing the game at the park, but will remind myself in the future never to try and hide behind the garbage can again. Holy heck! I don't know what was in that thing, but I darn near passed out from the smell. It was RANK. *shiver*

Photo 121 - Franklin and the Game

2010-01-22T17:45:00.000-08:00

In an effort to make sure I was able to copy the journal entries we had written for Franklin, I asked if we could borrow the journal and take it home. It turns out Franklin was in desperate need of a bath and if we promised to wash him up really good, we could have him for the week.

So, after his bath, we took him out and had some fun. This is a photo from the basketball game between Newberg and McMinnville. It was an okay game, but I often feel as though it is played with less integrity than is possible. I've never been a fan of refs calling the game for the home team, and unfortunately some of the officiating killed my enthusiasm.

However, even with the sometimes slanted calls, we won easily. A wonderful thing considering NHS's best player was suspended and both teams were tied for the first place in the league.

Photo 120 - Short Person and Kaysa

2010-01-18T17:44:00.000-08:00

For all my daughter's grumbling about not liking babies because they are "drooly", you can tell from this photo that she's got a way with them. Short Person asked to hold Kaysa and then had her laughing from the moment they sat down. Shortie's looking quite proud of herself too.

Photo 119 - Blazer Game

2010-01-15T17:43:00.000-08:00

We watched as the Blazers rebounded the ball and dribbled it down the court, passing and dribbling, taking time off the clock. Everyone was on their feet chanting "Cha-lu-pa! Cha-lu-pa!" The shot went up, bounced off the backboard, and a player from Orlando Magic went up to rebound, missing and knocking it out of bounds instead.

11 seconds were left on the game clock, 1 second on the shot clock, and the ball had been knocked out of bounds by the opposing team. The score for the Blazers was 99 points. I don't remember what the other team, Orlando Magic, had. I remember we were winning by an enormous amount, despite only having 8 players and missing Brandon Roy, so I wasn't worried about whether we were going to win or lose. At least not in the game sense. But, there was something on the line. A free Chalupa from Taco something-or-other.

I didn't know what a Chalupa was, but I didn't care. I cared that I had told Short Person, as a means to keep her interested in the game through the last quarter, that if the Blazers scored over 100 points, we'd all get a prize and I really wanted to be able to say "Yay, we all won a prize!" at the end.

But it wasn't looking good. One second on the shot clock and needing to inbound the ball is not ideal circumstances for getting more points before the game ends-- in 11 seconds. Did I say that already?

EVERYONE was on their feet, tense, watching. A hushed excitement and hopeful anticipation electrifying the air as we waited for them to position. And then, it happened. The Blazers inbounded the ball, kicking it to the far corner and into the hands of Steve Blake, who effortlessly pushed it up for a sweet, nothing but net, 3-point basket... just like he'd been doing all night.

And the crowd went wild. Blazers 102, Magic a memory.

We had arrived early, literally 60 seconds before the doors unlocked an hour before the game began. We took the escalator up to the second level, where only a few people milled around, took the kids to the restroom, got dinner, and were told by a lady that they were doing free airbrushing. Short Person got a rose on one cheek and the Blazer's logo on the other.

This was the first time she "got" what she should be cheering for; and, the first night that she understood "Defense" and "Offense". The first time she actually watched the game. Chanting "Go, go, go" as the Blazers took the ball down the court and then clapping and yelling when they made a basket. We were both horse by the end of the game.

What a night!

Photo 118 - Click Clack Moo

2010-01-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

Tonight, we read the library book Short Person checked out at school and needed to return. The story is about a farmer's cows. The cows had found an old typewriter in the barn and started typing requests about what they wanted from the farmer in exchange for their milk. The farmer and the cows finally reach an agreement and arrange an exchange, via the neutral-party duck. But what happens after the duck gets the typewriter is enough to induce a laugh.

It was a really cute book and a fun 7 minutes of reading.

Photo 117 - Shocking Angels

2010-01-12T17:41:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine got me this ornament. The inscription says "I feel there is an angel within me that I am constantly shocking."

A rather fitting quote for me, don't you think?

Photo 116 - Muffin Tin Monday

2010-01-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

My mom suggested I try something called "Muffin Tin Monday" as a means of making Short Person's lunch a little more creative so that she'd eat it. Lunch is served up in a muffin tin, with a big variety of items. This was my second attempt, the first attempt having gone very well.

It does have a few drawbacks, I am finding, such as that it doesn't fit in her lunch box, which means that there's not means of keeping things cold. I'm still trying to work those types of kinks out, but Short Person enjoys it.

Photo 115 - Sleeping Dogs Lie

2010-01-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is how my dog fell asleep. LJS was rubbing her tummy and she just went out.

Photo 114 - JMBB Baby Shower

2010-01-09T17:28:00.000-08:00

Today, was scrapbooking day! An all-day event that occurs every 6-8 weeks, and one where I invariably get little done because I'm busy gabbing with my friends-- or, like today, I've forgotten to bring pictures with me. It happens more often than I'd like to discuss. This time, however, I was rather disgusted with myself because I'd done page and embellishment choices for a bunch of projects and thought they were all ready to go. Guess not. I guess I forgot to order pictures AGAIN!

But, something good did come out of it. I was able to work one two projects that didn't need any photos developed. The first was a four-page spread of baby shower cards (yeah, yeah, I'm a little behind) that had messages in them I wanted to keep. The second was to scrapbook what little I had of my super-surprise, via mail, Dreadnaught Baby Shower.

Although we took photos of the event, the disposable camera never showed up where it was supposed to for development and online posting. I wish I new where it went because it was the only photos I took of my baby belly. I was too self-conscious to take any even for my own remembrance. Covered with little latex rashes from the injection sites and little bruises, I just never thought I'd want to remember it. But I took them for my friends who couldn't be there. Dang, I wish now I had them.

Anyway, not long before I was due to give birth to Short Person, a package arrived in the mail. Since I wasn't expecting anything I couldn't figure out what it was supposed to be. I cried when I opened the box and discovered decorations and gifts for a baby shower being thrown by women I'd met years before on the Internet. Even now, I'm humbled by how precious that day was too me. LOL... so much so, that I have 99% of the books, clothes, and blankets I received. The books still reside on Meg's bookshelf and the clothes and blankets are carefully stored in a box in the top of her closet.

So, sometimes it's a good thing to forget pictures. It let's you get caught up on things you've been putting off and let's you savor and relive faded memories.

Photo 113 - It Had to Be You

2010-01-07T17:27:00.000-08:00

Every year, I read this book. I love this book. I wish I could remember the year that I first read it, but I don't. All I remember is that after reading this book, I suddenly understood football. The game. I've always been a fan, but never an avid watcher. Now, I reread this book prior to the Super Bowl every year, and I never get tired of it. Awesome story. Pick it up!

Here is the synopsis from amazon.com...

The Windy City isn't quite ready for Phoebe Somerville—the outrageous, curvaceous New York knockout who has just inherited the Chicago Stars football team. And Phoebe is definitely not ready for the Stars' head coach, former gridiron legend Dan Calebow, a sexist jock taskmaster with a one-track mind. Calebow is everything Phoebe abhors. And the sexy new boss is everything Dan despises—a meddling bimbo who doesn't know a pigskin from a pitcher's mound.

So why is Dan drawn to the shameless sexpot like a heat-seeking missile? And why does the coach's good ol' boy charm leave cosmopolitan Phoebe feeling awkward, tongue-tied...and ready to fight?

365 Resolution

2010-01-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

If you've been following this blog at all, you will probably notice that I got off track in October. Thank you horrible flu. I've gone back and uploaded pictures to try and fill in the blank space, but obviously I can't recreate photos I did not take. It seems as though my 365 project has failed, especially since I'm actually writing this Resolutions post on January 13, 2010 (shh... don't tell!).

Something that did come out of this though is that, even if I cannot keep up the photo a day thing, I still have the desire to try. It's too awesome a pictorial diary of our lives to let the project completely die without a fight. So, I am going to cut myself some slack if I don't get the photo taken, and keep on keeping on.

The other thing I'm going to change is the photo count as the title. I may decide later to stick it somewhere up there, but for now I think it will be more fun to do the day and the occasion/title. Which, I suppose, really makes My 365 Project more of a photo journal, but hey... whatever. Right?

Photo 112 - Snow Steam

2009-12-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

Although we only received a little snow, it stayed with us for over two days. On the last snow day, it got so warm that when the snow started to melt it created steam. This is snow steam coming off of the field adjacent to our house.

Photo 111 - Ahh Snuggie

2009-12-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Short Person and her much requested Snuggie.

Photo 110 - Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T17:23:00.000-08:00

"Twas the Night Before Christmas..."

Just after Santa realized she fell asleep on the couch and almost slept right through the delivery hour. Oops.

Photo 109 - Polar Express

2009-12-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

I got tickets to the Mt. Hood Railroad Polar Express ride this year. I wanted to do it last year, but could not get work off. This year, there was no stopping me!

The Polar Express and Our Lives story is a weird one. The movie had come out, I had purchased it based on all the talk about how wonderful it was, sat down to watch it, and seriously thought it was the most boring movie in the world. Fast forward a year. Short Person was now four-years-old and the movie was on television. Almost out of a sheer... "it's a kid's movie, just put it on and hope she'll watch it" thing, I turned the channel and as they say, the rest is history.

I was apparently on drugs or turned into a vegetable for the first previewing of this movie because the second time I watched it, I thought it was the most magnificent movie I'd ever witnessed. It quickly became Short Person's and my favorite holiday show.

So, newly addicted to the wonder, I wanted the full experience. Being denied that first year was tough, but getting to go the second was awesome. The amount of cars needing to get in and out of the parking lot was massive, but somehow I wound up being one of the first in line. We parked close to the entrance, walked right in, got our tickets, used the restroom, and then boarded the train-- almost as easily as I typed that just now.

When the train started to roll, Short Person's eyes got really big, "I can't believe we're on the Polar Express!" she squealed. Later, when we had gained speed, after the hot chocolate and cookies had been served, the car started to sway a bit. This brought a delighted whisper from Shortie who said, "I think we're on the ice now."

I loved how expressive her face was during each moment of the trip. Below is the photo of her watching and waiting for the Conductor to come and punch our tickets-- and they do strive to do it like the movie. He came up to us and bellowed, "Tickets, please!" Held them up high above her head, punched the tickets a few dozen times, the little circles falling like rain above our heads.

Just when you think that the ride is probably at it's peak for recreation, they roll into the "North Pole". I don't think I'll ever forget the wonder and excitement on Short Person's face, and the buzz of the train, as all the kids started climbing up on seats to look out the windows at the elves. From that point on, there was an excitement level unmatched as each child waited for Santa to board the train and come visit them. She was so nervous. She kept telling me that she didn't know what to say to him.

When I told her that she should just tell him what she wanted for Christmas, she looked at me like I'd lost my mind and reminded me that she'd already told him what she wanted and stated that he was Santa and wouldn't forget something like that. (lol) So, I told her to say "Thank you" to him, since she probably wouldn't be able to do it later. At the end of the visit, Santa gives each child a jingle bell.

We stayed with my Great Aunt in Hood River and the visit with her was wonderful. The next morning when we left, we stopped off at the stable so that Short Person could see the horses. She fed them all a treat or two, petted at least one of them, and then laughed as they were let out into the pasture to run and play.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience. One I can't wait to repeat.

Photo 108 - Handmade Christmas

2009-12-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Ahh, the day of wrapping things up for Christmas is upon us. This year, a major theme or desire of mine was to hand make as many gifts as I could. I'm not sure why I caught that bug, I just know that I had a desire to give something other than the advertised... stuff. Stuff, stuff, stuff, we all have so much stuff. Anyway, this is photographic memory of the things Short Person and I made this year.

Santa Claus Ornament, painted by Short Person for her Aunt Dec

Short Person painted these magnets for her Great Grandma.

Coffee Travel Mug for my mom. I was trying to simulate her Coffee Pot People.

This little box we filled with Hershey's Hugs for LJS's mom. Short Person painted this and I think you can really tell how far her painting has come. She did a really good job on the hearts.

We painted little charms for each of Short Person's cousins and I added the cords and findings.

I was also way into the bottle cap thing this season and had fun making these bracelets. This first one a gift to one of the girls that watches Short Person after school and the second one was was for my niece.

Photo 107 - The Scary Room

2009-12-20T17:20:00.000-08:00

The women and little girls of my husband's family (and some friends) went out for a Christmas tea today. The tea was held in a store that celebrates and sells Christmas all year long. The upstairs is full of nothing but ornaments and the downstairs is full of gifts, decorations, and cards, and outside there are wreaths and Christmas trees and the occasional turkey wandering around. Christmas, Christmas, Christmas-- except for one room. In one room, it is stocked to the hilt in Halloween. There are figurines and lights and scary monsters that move and scream. There are Halloween trains and pirates and grave markers. There are napkins and cups and candles. Short Person calls this room, simply, "the scary room". I call it totally cool.

As scary as this room is, it is Shortie's favorite. Although Christmas is by far her favorite holiday, there is no other place that she even wants to look at, she is so content to stay in this room.

Once tea had concluded, the had convinced her cousin and her cousin's friend to check the place out. All three of them were terrified of the place, which is why they are holding hands, and yet it must have been like rubber-necking at a car accident because they were all fascinated by the contents and wouldn't leave.

Photo 106 - Getting Caps On

2009-12-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

My poor baby inherited my baby teeth, which consisted of basically hardened chalk. She has a mouth full of cavities, some of them needing caps which is what is happening in this photo. She wanted the picture taken so that she could see what was happening when she got done, so I obliged.

Her Daddy and I are very proud of her. It's never that fun going to the dentist, but she game through like a trooper and braved the nitrous, the injections, and at one point even asked for more. It was when they were putting the metal ring clamp around her gum to hold the plastic in place. She was crying that it hurt, so the dentist took off the clamp and talked to her about the need to be honest because if it really did hurt she'd need another shot. She tearfully explained that it really had hurt and lay back down for another dose of numbing stuff. After that, she was just fine.

She has another appointment of the same variety coming up, but we set it out to March to give her a break.

Photo 105 - Nativity Play

2009-12-17T17:17:00.000-08:00

Short Person was tremendously excited this year to be drafted as a Shepherd in the Pre-K Nativity Play. It turns out that this year, the Pre-K class did not have enough students to pull off the play alone, so Kindergarten Enrichment got to help.