bowling with queens

Tonight our family we went bowling with Punk's Queen & Princesses. It was the highlight of Punk and Kooka's week. First of all, they are the coolest chicks ever - funny, smart and just a litte sarcastic. We always have a good time when we're with them. This is actually the second time weve gone bowling with royalty - and it usually goes something like this:

Everybody plays with the bumpers up. Queen Liz (a little competitive) starts the smack talk, "You're going DOWN Punk!" Punk flings the ball down the lane, everybody winces, because we're pretty sure he's gonna snap his bony little wrist. But after ricochetting off the bumpers 3 or 4 times, the ball usually hits the center pin and manages to knock down 8 or 9 in the process - sometimes even a spare. Princess folds her arms and tries to think of a strategy to beat him - but there is no strategy - he's so hopped up on root beer that he is litterally just flinging the ball off of his fingers.

Princess Kristen has a similar technique, but is disgustingly lucky. No matter what she does she manages to knock down almost everything. Today she almost wiped out, the ball zig-zagged across the lane and she still got a spare. Princess Jenna has geat form but cruddly luck. We know it's Jenna's turn just by the sound effects: Thud. Whirrrrrrrr. Klunk, klunk, klunk. "I suck at this."

I suck at this too. Aaron and Liz insist that I need to "pose" with my leg crossed behind me at the end of the throw - they claim it is the secret to their success. I try it and they both just laugh at me. I think they were hoping I'd wipe out.

Then Kooka is up. She sits at the end of the lane - yeah sits, either pretzel legged or on her knees. She takes the prettiest ball she can find and gives it a shove with all of the strength her little arms can muster. The ball takes about 15 seconds to hit the pins - it's only by the grace of God that it gets there at all. I think the princesses are actually standing behind her blowing hard to keep the stupid thing moving. And then (here is the beautiful part) that sloth-like ball barely taps the very center pin, and they all fall like a slow-motion cartoon. She gets a strike and two spares. She is the only one besides Aaron to break 100.

my first play

I got a part in Ms. Rachel's play! The play is called Cheaper by the Dozen. I got the part of Jane. Punk got the part of Dan. Mommy is the choreographer- that means she's the dancer maker-upper. I have lots of friends that are gonna be in the play - like Schroeder, and my babysitter, and Lafou, and Snoopy and my Lion King Partner from choir.

This will be my first play where I have my very own part. Last time in Beauty and the Beast I was just helping my brother.

I can't wait, but I am kinda nervous. There will be lots of people putting their eyes at me, and I don't want people staring at me like owls. You know that feeling when you are happy but a little bit scared? That is how I feel.

kooka

a day with punk

Me: You know, it is kinda nice to spend a day with a kid alone - just one on one.

Punk: I know - especially when that child is me.



After watching Super Nanny

Punk: (completely serious) I think this show has a really good theme.

Me: What is that?

Punk: No matter how naughty the kids are, somehow, it's always the parent's fault.

on the lake

About once a year we take a mini-vacation with Aaron's side of he family. Almost always it is a camping adventure - and it is always the highlight of the kid's summer. First of all nothing soothes Punk's soul like nature - especially water. He needs it. He can watch a lone water strider for hours, or find signs of life in the most unlikely places (this trip yielded, one sheild bug, a slug, 22 snails, an egret, a bald eagle, three jumping fish, a whole sac of spider eggs, four moths. six ducks, a flock of geese, and about 15 tiny translucent leaches of some sort - the kid was in heaven). For Kooka there is the constant commotion - the chance to help grandma, take walks with the aunts, swim until her fingers look "old" and stay up as late as she possibly can.







And then of course - OF COURSE - there are the Uncles.


Both kids love hanging out with their crazy, silly, slightly obnoxious uncles. Punk even got them to pose for a photo for his Weeping Uncles Blog (if you haven't been - follow the link from Weeping Rhinos - and don't forget to vote.) Punk and Kooka love trading smack talk with Uncle Rascal, Uncle Pseudonym and Uncle Cares-A-Lot. And the best part is that when the smack talk and pillow fighting are over - the uncles still share their cookies, and volunteer to sleep in the tent.

cheaper by the dozen

Hi, its me Punk and I just auditioned for a play of cheaper by dozen. I am so exited! Me and mom have been practicing all night. I got call back for Dan Jackie and Robert. I hope I get the part of Jackie. Even though he is the youngest he is really smart.

to homeschool or not to homeschool

. . . that is the question. For those of you who have been privy to my emotionally crippling, obsessive concern about the upcoming academic season, you will be pleased to know that we have finally reached a decision. After months of wavering between continuing to homeschool, and sending both kids to public school, we've decided to continue homeschooling for now.

There was really no good reason for us to change course anyway, excpet that Kooka is five, and we had always planned on re-evaluating when she was kindergarten age.

The clincher came when Kooka said, "I think I'd like to go to public school." We told her that she could if she wanted, and asked her why. She said, "Well I'd really like a challenge - you know, I want to learn about French history, and really work on some harder math. I'm also really interested in plants. I mean, I get that they grow from seeds, but I'm curious about how the cells actually split and how some know to become roots and some know to become leaves and stuff."

I told her that I would be happy to help her with that if she wanted, but that French history was not likely to be broached until second semester of public school kindergarten, and that cellular mitosis might not be on the table until at least second grade.

So I guess for now, we will stick with the plan. Wish us luck.

and now we cry

WHATEVER! The only tears Punk and Princess shed when they ended their reign tonight were fake ones. The real photo is the one where they are making a sneaky bid for freedom, trying to escape having their pictres taken (again!!!). They had so much fun together, and loved their big girls so much. The real tears didn't come until Kristen, Jenna and Liz got weepy - and then even tough guy Punk got a little sad.




As for mom and dad, we're proud of our little dude, but our tears didn't roll until until we saw the big girls give their farewell speeches. Liz and Jenna had been mom's dancers when they were about Punk & Kooka's ages. They were both at the studio the summer I brought Punk home from the hospital. Watching them grow up to be such wonderful people, and having them share this crazy ride with Punk was unbelieveably cool. And even though we started the year as strangers, we immediately fell in love with Princess Kristen. She made all of us cry with the wonderful things she said about everyone - including calling Kooka an "honorary princess" - which made Kooka's night.


So after the final coronation, we all went to the after party where we ate nachos and root beer and Punk and Princess played pool until midnight. Kooka hugged all of her princesses a thousand times, and didn't want to leave until the big girls did.

We'll post more pictues later.

the best note

Yesterday Kooka went to spend the night at Grandma & Grandpa's house. I took a little nap while she was packing and when I woke up this note was stuck to my door:

Momy,

You ARe A gooD giRl. I loVe You. i'L MISS u.

LoVE,

KOOKA

The note was covered with hand-drawn pink hearts.
I didn't even care that she had run out of tape, and actually glued it to the door.

mirror mirror on the wall

. . .who's the fairest of them all? Obviously it's not me. This is what happened when I tucked Punk into bed tonight:

PUNK: Animals mean so much to me - they are just so cute - it's not like a human. I mean when a toad looks at you, it's just cuter than anything.
ME: Anything?!
PUNK: Yes.
ME: So you're saying that a toad is cuter than a human?
PUNK: Oh yes!
ME: All humans?
PUNK: (catching on) We'll you're beautiful, but I wouldn't exactly call you cute.
ME: What do you mean? What WOULD you call cute?
PUNK: A toad!
ME: Wait a minute . . . . did you just say that I am not as cute as a toad?
PUNK: Yes, I guess I did. But when they look at you with those big, glittery eyes . . . .


. . . . . and warty brown skin, and sticky, nasty toes - aaah they're so dreamy.
And that is where my 8 year-old finds beauty - in the face of a toad. Which for now is fine by me, but let's hope his tastes change a bit - or my grandchildren will be hideous.

Then again, if he's always this smooth with the ladies, I'll never have grandchildren anyway.

first toads - now this

First there were toads - now there is flooding. I am seriously expecting to be devoured by a giant swarm of locusts while I sleep. After a desert-like summer that has left our lawn looking like the backdrop for Lawrence of Arabia, we got a 4 hour storm in the middle of the night. This was no normal storm - it was the loudest, window rattling, thunder every 30 seconds, lightning so bright you can see it with the curtains closed - kind of storm ever. (So, naturally everyone but myself and Riley slept right though it.) It wasn't until later that morning that we discovered the mess in the basement. This is what's left of the playroom carpet - and as for the "art room," the floor is totally destroyed - nothing left but concrete now. We're hoping we can dry everything out soon, because three of us are very allergic, and are already pretty miserable. Wish us luck.

punk's big day

I'm tired of being Junior Ambassador -just kidding. But we were tired ths day. You can come and see my show in a week. The coronation is next Saturday at 2:00 at the Middle School. You can buy a ticket for $3.00 and a button for $4.00. I am going to do a lion king dance with Kooka and the Princess and my friends. I will also give my good-riddance speech. I hope you guys will come to watch me.

Love, Punk

(He's not kidding about the tired part. Poor Punk had dark circles under his eyes all day and volunteered to go to bed about 7:00)

shameless plug

Check out my blog - Weeping Rhinos! Brought to you by the fine creators of "Weeping Uncles," Where, we mock, because we care.

PUNK

letting them learn

I walked out of Cub foods today with 9 bags of groceries. I spent $120. Normally that would get about 3 or 4 bags, but today Punk and Kooka did the bagging. Sometimes letting them learn is the hardest part.

joseph makes a comeback

I have been waiting for this day for over a decade. After years of various showtunes piping through our home, finally, FINALLY, Joseph makes a comeback.

I have been obsessed with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, ever since Donny Osmond was here in 1992. My friend and I went three times, and even met Donny Osmond and the Pharoah in a back alley after the show. (Wait - that sounds like a way different "meeting" than it actually was . . .) Um, anyway . . .

So, after 8 years, of listening to Wizard of Oz, Lion King, The Wiz & Beauty and the Beast, Punk finally asked me what my favorite show was. I told him it was "Joseph" and promised we'd go if there was ever a good version playing around here. And after hearing the story and one song, both kids requested CD's, and now I am once again surrounded by the crooning of Donny Osmond, and my very favorite show ever.

A few days ago, we discover that" Joseph" is coming to the Chanhassen in November. We're all going, and if anybody wants to come with us - you better RSVP ASAP, because we intend to be in the front row.

no tears

Kooka had to get her kindergarten shots today. She dressed in her best "tough girl clothes," and even though she was very nervous - she was a total rockstar! No crying at all! (though there were some watery eyes while she was anticipating them). She got three shots two in the left leg - one in the right. She got to pick her own cool bandaids (shown off in this photo) plus one lollipop for each shot. She also aced her eye exam 16/20 vision - which is apparently the same ratio superheroes have. And she is in the 93rd percentile for her height. Punk says she must be part giant - Kooka says she's part supermodel. Anyhow, by the time she finished three lollipops she had no interest in the ice cream I had promised, so after a quick visit to Pa and Gram, she chose to have mac&cheese at Green Mill.

I guess the day turned out alright - except the part about the policeman stealing our dog, and the fact that Punk lost Whispers the elephant, and the computer breaking, and a few other minor things that could have gone just a bit better . . . .

And actually as of this writing, we know where Whispers is - not with us - but he's safe. Riley is back home, even though the girl at the pound admits that the policeman probably coerced her into his car while she was right in front of our house, and the computer is fixed now - we could have bigger probems.

why

Why does this keep happening to me? Why can't we keep finding stray bunnies, or monarch butterflies or baby bluejays? Why is always stinkin' TOADS? He's named this one Pickles. Dad took him to the store today so he could buy some live crickets. Then we had to let him out in the front yard for a bit of amphibian aerobics. Don't even tell me this one is tiny - Trevor was tiny - this one is so big it TALKS! I'm not kidding - I heard it. It chirps and woofs at you whenever Punk holds it. I'm serious. It was talking when I took this picture.

the plague

God is furious with the people on the east side of town. I don't claim to know why, but they must have done something attrocious, because tonight there were toads of biblical proportions crawling and leaping and squelching all over their side of the city. Normally I would be completely oblivious to the curses and plagues sent to destroy everyone east of the soccer park, but tonight Schroeder went to the movie with Punk and I, and we were taking him home. I had to slow down and swerve and stop to keep from coating the tires with amphibian bits.

So we get to Schroeder's house, and Punk really needs to use the bathroom, so we get out of the car - and there's this little toad. Of course Punk picks it up in one swoop. We borrow a lid-less olive jar from Schroeder's house, and Punk puts his new pet inside. On the way home it's more of the same - toads of all sizes jumping through our headlights, Punk watching, facinated, me trying not to throw up.

Then a particularily fat one jumps right into the middle of the road and won't move. I stop the car. Punk jumps out, grabs him and somehow manages to cram him into the tiny olive jar with the other one. I spend the rest of the trip shouting, "You BETTER keep your hand on that jar Punk! I am SERIOUS! Do not even THINK about moving your hand, or it will be the last thing you EVER move!" Punk is giggling like cazy in the backseat, and expounding upon all the virtues of having a big toad for a pet - not the least of which is the fact that he can eat live crickets that we can buy at the pet store. Which he truly believes to be strong selling point.

When we get home, Punk transfers both toads into Trevor's old terrarium. It's not until I point out how hungry - and gianormous the other toad looks, that Punk decides to give the tiny one a fighting chance and set him free.

I am dreading tomorrow. But at least I can sleep tonight - there are two heavy books and a piggy bank holding that terrarium lid on.

Thank God I live on the west side. We did get the worse end of the hailstorm, and the chicken pox, but I'll take both of those over the toads ANY DAY.

right here right now

Today was a very good day. We finished three weeks of camp with amazingly wonderful, talented kids who included Punk and Kooka in everything. We spent a few hours at Katie's pool and caught up with our friends. There was a family dinner - which has been scarce this week, and "special time" for both kids - Kooka with Dad and Punk with Mom. Kooka and Dad shot things with a cork gun in the basement. Punk and Mom played legos and read Harry Potter.

Then we teamed up again for giant chocolate marshmallow sundaes downtown. It was dark, and the fountain was lit up - a very good night to be 5 and 8 and up past your bedtime. The breeze was cool and the sky was a crazy mix of midnight blue and turquoise - like a giant tie-dyed t-shirt, with a few stars sprinkled in for good measure.

We meandered toward the waterfall - and even though there was a cool breeze, the water was still and shone like glass. Both kids were giggling and skipping and marvelling at the reflections cast on the river from the street lights. Then Punk snuggles next to me and says, "Isn't it great that the world is so full of beauty and wonder and adventure? I am so glad that I got to be right here right at this moment. That I got to live this life on this day."

He was right - and just for then - we were all living in the moment - right here right now.