Is it Friday Yet?

Man, this is a long week! Going back to work seems to make the week feel like an eternity. Here are some things that I have learned this week:

-I despise teaching in the middle of 115 degree weather. Especially when children are kept indoors for seven hours straight.

-I despise 115 degree weather, period.

-You can tell how a Kindergarten class is going to behave based on their first few days and how their teacher manages their behavior. Tom and I talked about that tonight. Actually, it goes for almost any grade.

-I love my Special Education classes. The high school kids were a great deal of fun. Over half of the one class is non-verbal, but they had a wonderful time with instruments. My colleague and I are writing a grant to get some adaptive instruments to share between us for our classes. It feels like I am the one being rewarded. These are terrific kids.

-I hate saying goodbye to the boys in the morning.

-School has me obsessing that Ian will start Kindergarten in less than two weeks. Honestly, I don't know how true 9-to-5 working parents do it. I am agonizing over his after school care. I have to find Connor a daycare that can bus him and that I can afford. I keep railing on the inside over how things will work out. I wish it were easier.

-Life isn't as bad as I make it out to be. I just get tired and cranky when I think about it all.

-The musical birthday message from my favorite singing sister-in-law was a lovely end to my school day today. Thanks, Terri! We'll get swim photos going for you.

-My free birthday ice cream from Cold Stone will be delicious tomorrow!

Okay....off to celebrate that is Friday tomorrow. Finally!

Whew!

It's been quiet here on the blog and I know I haven't posted birthday pictures yet......school is under way, plus we are finishing our pool-sitting this afternoon and evenings are busy with the boys and for me, lesson organizing.

Treacherous Taconic

This highway is one of the most dangerous roads I have ever traveled on. It's a two lane, narrow highway and in many, if not most spots, has only a guardrail separating north and southbound lanes. It used to have east/west parkway crossovers, but due to the number of fatal accidents, closed them. There are exits into town, but other than that, it is miles of trees and blind curves. I hated driving on the Taconic at night, especially because of deer and because the bright lights of oncoming cars would almost disorient you. There is an abandoned gas station entering the parkway from Rte 684 and then I think there is no gas or civilization for miles.

One of the more idiotic moments in my life (I've had a few) was running out of gas on the Taconic coming home from Westchester in the afternoon. The "shoulder" was an embankment that tilted the car almost completely sideways. As if running out of gas was stupid enough, I decided to leave the car and walk along the "shoulder" to get to the then-open gas station. This was before the era of the cell phone. It was so incredibly dangerous.

I was saddened to read that yet another fatal accident has occurred and made national news.

Makes me certain that I'll be taking the long way and avoiding the Taconic whenever I go home.

Read more here.

Birthday Blastoff

Well, it's a quiet morning, but we are heading for donuts and the pool for swim time. But the best moment of the morning has already happened.

Connor, whom we are loosely potty-training and who sits happily with no action whatsoever, was instructed to check potty this morning.

No one was in there, the lights were off and I happened to walk by and notice there's was action in the potty!!

I know! Why the heck would I blog this? Is it TMI?

Nah, it's my birthday. And a great present that he actually knew what to do.
I doled out handfuls of M&M's (Ian has been "potty assistant" although he was MIA for this operation) and Connor got some rock star treatment for about five minutes.

Rest of the day....getting Tom's car at Honda (he says he is on a first-name basis with the shuttle driver-not a good sign) picking up Cold Stone ice cream cupcakes (yes, I am branching off from our traditional Carvel cake and going for the cupcake. Of course, we could get both....) then trying to decide dinner with the boys and Julie and Sean. Let's just say sangria WILL be on the menu. Also thinking about treating myself to a brand-new nail polish color, like turquoise. Oh, and the mysterious presents to be opened later too.


I really believe you are as old as you act. I probably border on acting too young, but despite the skunk stripe I seem to be growing in the middle of my head, I am happy and healthy with a great family and terrific friends.

And a kid who is actually using the potty. I mean, what's not to be happy about?? :)

Hmmm

Do you think Ian's been playing a lot of X-box?

Connor comes in this afternoon, asking....

"I play Ian-box? I play Ian-box?"


Oh, boy.

Impatience

As my birthday rolls around this weekend, my son Ian proclaimed:

"Mommy, I got you TWO PRESENTS. They are awesome, you can't even believe it!"

Apparently, Tom took him to Target once, where he forgot his wallet. They returned a second time where Ian has gotten me a birthday gift. So, I have been messing around with him.

"Hey, Ian. Can you tell me what my present is?"

"No."

"How about a hint?"

"I am NOT telling you. So stop asking."

"Is it a girly present?"

"Okay, Mommy. If you ask me one more time, you are NOT getting the present at all!"

Connor this week asked,

"Mommy, are you girly?"

"Probably. Are you?"

"No, I Connor." (plays with my hair for a moment) "Mommy, that better? Mommy, that girly?" Sooo funny.

And tonight, after being put to bed, Ian comes out of his room like this:

My impatience for them to fall asleep is much greater than finding out my birthday present.

Centipede Crushdown

Well, being back to work this week is going well. I don't have much going on this morning, but tomorrow is a marathon meeting from 8:00 to 4:00pm. Who does that on a Friday before school starts? In addition to teaching K-3, I will be teaching high school students who are also multiply disabled, which they are billing as music therapy. It's a cost-cutting move that eliminates music therapists who are actually board-certified. I don't completely agree with this move, as much as I enjoy working with these groups. I believe music therapists can offer a great deal more, but I am willing to try and do my best.

Today, I am off to advocate for those of us teaching music therapy to get a workshop or some kind of training to help us along. Of course, yesterday, I asked for some budget money to purchase a few classroom items and was denied at two schools. Now I get to ask the district for some money or beg, borrow and steal from other schools. With the budget crunch, I know how that is going to go, but I am armed with my new music therapy angle since we have NO music therapy resources. My husband eloquently pointed out that they don't really need to give me money as a traveler. It's like being a second-rate citizen.

We headed to the pool last night for another hour and a half swim session. This time, Ian put his entire head underwater several times! He even tried swimming under the water for a few minutes. Connor tried it but instead of pinching his nose closed, he kept pinching his mouth closed. Ian called Aunt Terri (our family swim expert) to relay his news.

Then, Tom and I played several games of old arcade game Centipede, where I continued to win. Tom could NOT allow me to win, so we had to keep playing until he won. Then, we tried Asteroids and then Pong. Wearing the big L sign on my forehead for Pong. But it was a lot of fun.

Off to start the day....

Pool Boys

We are pool-sitting this week and next.....which given our temperatures, the pool is very, very cool.

Tom and I took the boys over yesterday morning. Ian usually perches on the pool steps, directing traffic and reluctant to venture beyond his comfort level. He does wear a flotation getup, that basically covers his mid-section, but leaves his arms and legs free.

We did our best to coax him into the water and a few times he would hang on to me or Tom for a short bit. I even resorted to some bribery of getting him to jump out to me. (video game time-at first, I tried money, but he responded to video games. Shocking.) He jumped a few times and then we left him alone.

And once we left him alone, as Tom said, he finally got brave enough to get into the water and actually swim. He began by spider-crawling along the wall with Connor, followed by going across the shallow end of the pool side to side.

Today when I got home from work, I rounded up the boys to go over to the pool again while Tom was working. Ian swam (yes, he had the floaties on, but I don't think he sat on the steps once.) and swam and an hour and a half later, I had to drag both of them from the pool. Connor has the same floaty device and he was happy to cling to me with a few breakaway moments of swimming. I had them jumping from the side to me and Connor finally figured out that he didn't really need me to swim. They had a grand time.

Of course, it wouldn't be complete without Ian's "games."

Ian: Mommy, we're going to play a game. It's going to be really hard to win. So, here's what you do. I'm the bad guy and you're the good guy. Good guys swim really, really slow (demonstrates) and bad guys can swim however they want. Most of the time, they swim fast. Got it?

Mommy: So, I am destined to lose this game, is that right?

Ian: No, Mommy. If you go slow and I beat you, I win. But if you go fast and I go slow, then I still win because good guys don't swim fast. Let's play!

Mommy: plays and loses game.

Later on....

Ian: Mommy, it's time for another game. This one is going to be awesome. Go stand over there and hold your arms out, put your head in the water and wait for me to tell you when to go.

Mommy: Uh, no.

Ian: Just do it.

Mommy: Yeah, I'm not interested in drowning while waiting for you.

Ian: Okaay. Just keep your head up then. Now, I am going to swim to you and count. Then Connor is going to swim to you and count. Whoever gets there first wins.

Mommy: You have a distinct advantage in that you are faster and I don't think Connor is paying any attention to this game. (Connor is busy drinking water from the pool fountain)

Ian: Connor, come here. Connor! Connor, come here.

Connor: No.

Ian: Yeess!

Connor: Uh, no.

Ian: Then I win.

Connor: Okay.

On and on with the games, but actually it was pretty fun. Connor had a bellyache afterward, but I think he drank quite a bit of pool water. That didn't stop him from enjoying his favorite snack of Smarties.

Hopefully we'll have more pool adventures tomorrow.

The Way It Was

Walter Cronkite was on our television quite a bit when I was a kid. My mom usually had the evening news on around dinner time and I certainly remember watching Mr. Cronkite, probably without really understanding his contribution to journalism until I was much older.

My aunt called me this evening and brought up a very special memory, that I had forgotten about and it has taken me much of the evening to recall it. My uncle Chet was a harbor policeman at the New Rochelle, NY marina for many years. I used to visit him and my aunt Suzy (I had an Aunt Suzy too!) many times during my childhood. For a few years, they lived on a houseboat in the marina and I remember sleeping on the boat and running up and down the docks, exploring.

When I was younger and I don't remember how old, I actually got to go sailing with Walter Cronkite and was served peanut butter sandwiches on board for lunch. I think we probably visited more than once. My mom might recall more details and unfortunately both my aunt and uncle are both passed away so there is no way to get more of the stories and how they met him.

May Mr. Cronkite have peace and love on his next journey.

My aunt told me more stories of how my great-grandfather and great-grandmother hobnobbed with other famous people as my great-grandfather worked for CBS. I really appreciated her phone call tonight.

Here's a photo of the last time I saw my uncle Chet at the New Rochelle marina before he died.

Well, I am in the final hours of my summer vacation as I prepare to return to work in the morning. We spent the early morning in the pool while my car was in the shop. Ian swam, using his new flotation suit, all over the pool. Following that, we looked at couches and loveseats-just looking and no buying.

Then, I spent two hours in the dentist's chair replacing a filling that had leaked with decay under the filling. For some reason, the older I have gotten, the more nervous I have gotten about visiting the dentist. However, he had to numb three different nerves and after three shots of novacaine, I could still feel the drill, so I think I ended up with a total of five shots of novacaine. I was apparently very tense, because my hands were clenched and I was almost crying a few times. He suggested that my next dental work included a pre-prescription of Valium or Vicodin to calm my nerves. I wish I had known that before today's adventure.

Once he finished that tooth, he found the beginning of an early cavity in between my teeth that didn't come up on x-ray, but he actually showed it to me in the mirror. So, more drilling and two hours later, I was done. Once the novocaine wore off, my jaw and forearms were aching from tension, not to mention the soreness from the dental work, so I holed up in the back bedroom and took a long nap with some Motrin. I still don't feel great, but it's done.

Back to school in July seems wrong on so many levels.

And My Final Answer Is........

During our summer vacations, my sister-in-laws, mother-in-law and I take a day off and enjoy some lunch and spa time. Since none of us seemed to be in the mood to take a lot of family photos, this happens to be a photo from last year's spa in California. This year we returned to a spa out on the east end of Long Island for some pampering and some lunch at a great Italian restaurant. ("you got your awesome Italian guys, great Italian women, great Italian food....")

This year, most of the crew was staying at Kristen and Chris' house this year and I decided to take a night off before spa night to hang out with my favorite sisters. Terri has a fun conversation starter game with bunches of questions and she brought along the girlfriend version of the game. So, we sat around the table, drinking sangria and wine, answering questions.

One of the questions-and I cannot recall the exact question-but was something about a famous person that you resemble. I could not think of anyone until I looked at Raven's blog this morning and saw someone that is the closest resemblance I have seen yet. Actually, I wish I resembled her more for her accomplishments, but I think I might be a little too opinionated and underqualified for her position. Decision making isn't a strong point, but hopefully it is hers.



Sonia Sotomayor Me!

Now, my family will want to take note that she is of Puerto Rican descent. I will not elaborate on this comment, but I know that will be of interest to them. I, of course, am other Latina. With respect to her nomination process, I am going to skip the political banter, because I am on vacation until Tuesday.

I will also add that I do not in any way resemble Margaret Thatcher. This one's for you, Chris!

The Boys of Summer

As I sit writing this entry inside my nice, air-conditioned office inside, away from the heat and harsh Phoenix sun and as my boys play a rousing game of hide and seek in the house, I lament the fact that Phoenix summers don't feel conducive to being outside and getting fresh air. In fact, I feel like I could enjoy being in my newly carpeted house for the rest of the weekend without a bit of remorse.

With that in mind, thankfully for our two weeks in New York, the boys logged some good outdoor hours. Hopefully, they stored this time like chipmunks, because I refuse to venture out in 116 degree weather with no a/c in my car. Refuse.

This is Bowdoin Park, where I spent many summers back when I was Ian's age going on picnics and nature walks. A really specky play area was added recently, where all three boys climbed happily.

Ian is turning very pro-insect, unhappy if an ant or bug is sacrificed for any reason. As an anti-insect person, I have been learning to be more respectful because of Ian's feelings more than because I have a change of heart about bugs. Here is he pictured with one of his latest finds.
While it is hard to see here, Ian built an bug fort, where any kind of crawling bugs, including spiders were invited. No flying bugs allowed.

Connor picking "flowers."

Grandpa bought the boys a treat from the ice cream man ( btw, how do those guys listen to monotonous, out of tune, repetitive music all day?) and sat in the backyard making short order of SpongeBob ice pops.

And the hammock. Grandpa set up the hammock, probably not realizing the entertainment it would provide. The boys swung, flipped and climbed like spiders on the hammock whenever they could. Some rules applies, like not putting their heads through the ropes or flipping little brothers off without warning, but I almost want to buy a hammock because they had such a terrific time.

Bob tried to relax, but three rambunctious boys put an end to that.

And there were a few moments of solitude, just swinging quietly outside.

Clarinuts

While I was home, I had the great fortune of being around during a session of Clarinuts, a little drop-in group of clarinet players of all abilities who gather for dinner, a reading session and dessert. Dave, the founder of the Big Band Sound, based in the Hudson Valley and his wife Marie are two of the nicest people and Tom and I both enjoyed participating in Clarinuts. Plus, it was enjoyable to sit and talk with a great group of rotating folks. I don't even recall how I became connected with Dave, but Tom subbed for Big Band Sound percussion and now our friends Dan and Stacy enjoy performing with them as well. Stacy is a Clarinut from the Bass Trombone, Baritone, Bass Guitar section.

One of our favorite things about Dave and Marie is their house, which is just so much fun to be in. They have photo collage frames for every year they have been together....which Tom is always reminding me about how much he likes that idea. I like it too. They also have a extensive Sandra Boynton collection-also one of our favorite children's authors and a house full of goodies, including baskets of toys on their dining room table.

It was a cool house when just Tom and I would go and hang out for Clarinuts. This time, we brought the boys with us for dinner and Clarinuts. Connor discovered a set of Wall-E and Eve toys that he sat with for much of the evening. That and the SpongeBob toys. More on that later.

Ian had his own small green plastic scorpion from his bug watch that he played with and had on his plate amid his broccoli. Following dinner, he announced that he had lost the scorpion. I figured it had gotten tossed out with his dinner. A big scorpion hunt ensued with no luck. After we left, Dave and Marie, of course, found the scorpion, who made his surprise return home to Phoenix this week. (you guys scored big for that! The look on Ian's face was total astonishment when he opened the card.)

Anyway, here is the group playing. I felt incredibly rusty playing, but had a great deal of fun, especially since Marie was sitting next to me and keeping me in my place (until we both got lost).
Bass clarinet is really a fun instrument to play and I always enjoyed it so much more than B-flat clarinet (the regular kind for laymen). I think I enjoyed bass clarinet because I didn't have to be as competitive and yet I still got some really fun parts to play, especially in college. I believe that I got myself farther on determination than actual talent.

Ian did take a video, but I didn't find it in my archives of 868 photos. (yes, the number has risen) Tom even played on the last piece.


We had a lovely time and some delicious Ben and Jerry's ice cream for dessert. Stacy's little daughter even fell sound asleep-although she did try to give a decent meltdown at one point. However, she would be out-meltdowned by Connor, who was forced (by us) to give up the Wall-E and Eve toy at the end of the evening. Tom and I predicted it wouldn't go well, but after a few good chances to hand over the toys on his accord, we ended up prying them from his stubborn little grip. The end result sounded similar to those velociraptors in Jurassic Park.

He asked about that toy set practically every single day after that.

And a week later, in the Disney Store, I ended up buying the child a Wall-E and an Eve toy. The Wall-E toy comes apart in so many pieces. Connor breaks them apart and announces "I need help!" and we ended up piecing it back together, only to have him dismantle it twenty seconds later. My mother-in-law said and I quote, "Don't bring that Wall-E toy on the plane. It will drive you to drink." She might be right.

Dave and Marie, my friendly blog lurkers, thank you for a fun Clarinuts reunion. It was great fun and I hope you wrote it down in your log!

Home in the Hudson Valley

As usual, my photos are a bit out of order and I don't want to take the time to actually fix it.

The blog has been quiet as we spent over two weeks with our families in New York. It's impossible to choose photos, considering I had 247 photos alone on my camera. I really did try to narrow them down.

Connor and I flew standby to Long Island and drove up to the Hudson Valley, where my mom lives. Thomas stayed back in Phoenix to recover from septoplasty for a deviated septum, with Ian as his caretaker.

But, in the following photos, these were the days that Tom and Ian spent up with my mom. We visited the Rhinebeck Aerodrome, housing many old time airplanes with air shows on the weekends. Unfortunately, we had to take a "wind check" because the planes couldn't fly. Instead, we ended up at the Eveready Diner, voted the Best Diner and I believe the biggest Hudson Valley eyesore.



Instead of taking any remote interest in the airplanes, Ian amused himself with several broken tree branches and sticks.

Fourth of July down in Waryas Park, on the waterfront of the Hudson River. My mom said this was the first 4th of July celebration for the city in several years. The funniest part was the SUV whose car alarm continued to go off on the loudest fireworks.

The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, where we met Stacy and her daughter for an afternoon. Connor enjoyed the trains and the fire truck.


The Hudson Valley Renegades game, with season tickets right next to home plate, playing against the Vermont Lake Monsters. (thanks, Uncle Rudy!) Due to the incredible deluge of rain, we waited until 10:30pm for the game actually begin. The Renegades treated us to a fireworks show and free admission to another game for waiting it out. We only stayed until the fourth inning, but the seats were great. As a transplanted Phoenician, I tried to welcome the rainy weather, but ended up being sick of it like the rest of the East Coasters.


Our walk in Stacy's neighborhood. Dan and Stacy honored us by allowing us to be the first to watch their infant daughter while they went to a movie alone. Their daughter is beautiful and I was so happy to be able to give them the gift of having an afternoon off, since so many people do that for me. Did Stacy call five minutes after leaving the house? Yes! Did the baby survive our babysitting? Yes! The boys treated her to constant rounds of rambunctious entertainment and several renditions of "If You're Happy and You Know It".

I really like to take photos of my family, especially when they are happy and enjoying each other's company. On a particularly nice afternoon, we sat outside with Connor and I happen to catch some of my favorite photos of my mom and Connor to date.



A sweaty, sleepy and content grandson.

My mom and I took the boys to miniature golf and bumper boats on our last day together. Connor didn't quite get how to play, but enjoyed himself anyway. Ian cheated big time, but no one was keeping score. We couldn't take photos on the bumper boats, but it was a quiet day so the guy gave us a super long time to ride the boats.



The boys and I gave my mom a grandmother necklace and a new photo frame for her to fill.


I don't see my mom very often and the boys enjoyed spending time with her, especially Connor who got the most time with her.

And don't worry Mom, I will send the flash drive with ALL of the photos. Although, it might be more than one flash drive.

We love you.

San Diego Day 7: Beach Boys

We opted to stay one more day and just relax at the beach for the day. This time, we decided to drive to Coronado to a beach we have visited in the past. The weather was perfect and the water was a little chilly, but didn't deter swimmers, surfers or Connor.



Tom actually thought he might relax and read on the beach. Riiight.

Instead the boys got him to play in the water.





Ian enjoyed a short leash of freedom to run down to the water and fill up his sand buckets.





He did need some assistance with the large green bucket.


The boys then decided to get covered in sand. Ian loved it.


So did Connor.
A view of the Hotel del Coronado.

Daddy enjoyed being covered in sand.

And when he emerged as some crazy sand monster, the boys LOVED it.



Following a quick rinse and change, we drove and found a little seafood restaurant on the bay that Tom and I have eaten at several times. As it turned out, they changed hands and became a much swankier place to eat, which we didn't realize until we were out on the deck. Swanky isn't too much our speed. The food was good and we all got some hot cocoa to chase the chill in the air.

Camping Update: Visit Tom's blog for photos and stories! Yes, he actually posted and spent most of his morning playing with his photos. Happy to have them home. Off to see a baseball game tonight....although none of us really seem in the mood, except Connor. I am certain that will change once we get there.