science class

Today we talked about engineering, about forces in motion, acceleration, deceleration, gravity and outer space. Both kids worked together on the proverbial "egg drop project."

Their task was to create some sort of contraption that would cradle and protect an egg if we dropped it from the roof of our house. (And no - we didn't actually climb up there, but we did use a ladder that is higher than our house.)


The first device was a joint venture - a capsule with short straws for landing gear, and a foam frisbee landing pad. It did manage to survive the biggest drop - six steps up the ladder, and my hand stretched up past the roof. But when we moved the fail-safe landing pad - the whole thing smashed to bits - including the egg.

The next two attempts were more challenging - no landing pad was allowed and each kid had to work alone.

Prototype #2 was Kooka's invention: pipe cleaners and a parachute, with long jointed straws as landing gear. Her engineering skills were quite good, and she even had detailed flight instructions for how it was to be dropped. She was thrilled - but not at all surprised when her egg made it safely from even the highest step.

Punk was next. He chose to do a little research in his space book, and based his creation on a space rover. He also added some straw tubes on top - something to do with "air flow." He made it to the 2nd drop - 4th step on the ladder, before his entire invention exploded - yet miraculously - his egg stayed intact. He decided not to press his luck and conceded defeat to his little sister.

Needless to say, I did not have a go. I really like watching things smash open - and have a hunch, I would have sabotaged my own project.

deja vu all over again

Am I in the ninth grade again? In the car today, I hear the DJ say, "Call now to win tickets to New Kids on the Block!"

So I am checking them out on youtube. After all this IS my lucky year - Osmonds touring, NKOTB reunion, Michael Buble' remaking BeeGees songs - it's like a genie granted me three wishes.

But . . .
and there is a BIG but . . .

I assumed they had grown UP. I truly believed that this would be a mellower New Kids, hipper, maybe some acoustic stuff. I did NOT expect to see 40 year old men, trying to recreate their moves from 1988. It is like watching a bad PTA talent show - five dads with bad knees and slightly out of tune voices trying to get down with their bad selves.

The music is the same - but much worse, and they are employing the same tricks we didn't fall for back then - putting the bad dancers in the back, giving "shouts out" to the audience when the notes get out of their range, only letting Jordan and Joey sing, making Donnie wear that god-forsaken baseball hat like he's still playing stickball on Mrs. O'Malley's front lawn. My LORD! If you think I am exaggerating - check it out for yourself.

And what is with the skanks dancing in the back? Like any of the 35 year old women STILL standing there in the rain with their "I 'heart' Joey" signs, want to be reminded of the fact that they are 20 years older, 30 pounds heavier, and don't stand a fighting chance of getting any play - not even from Danny. On the plus side the boys' speaking skills seemed to have improved dramatically. Money will do that I guess.

I am probably still gonna go. Don't ask me why.

tour-de-kooka

Kooka went to Wisconsin today to perform her ballet and tap dances at the Nursing home where Aunt Ilene lives. She also did her Mary Poppins thing - which went pretty well considering we've never really practiced it. Lots of people came to watch, and Uncle Ken gifted Kooka with a little stuffed bear when she was done.

Then it was off to visit Pa's work, and perform again. A quick trip to the DQ (banana split for Kooka - Cherry Rush for Punk), back to visit Gram, try to visit the cousins (nobody's home), a short stop at the park with the two story slide, and finally back home.

today

Rock out time was in the car today. Hard to dance so we sang to this instead - Kooka loves this one - but Punk sings loudest.

this really happened

I was at GAP Kids - and the clerk was at least 40 something. I only say that - so you realize she was not some 17 year old air-head . . . well at least you will know she is not 17.

So after buying the most amazing robot shirt for Punk, she gives me my change - one of those new five-dollar bills with the purple ink. And I comment on it. I say, "Cool - I never got one of these before."

She takes it in her hands, looks it over, and says, "What does that mean? The purple 5?"

"Oh," I say, "that means it's really worth 20 bucks."

No laugh - just silence. And then this: "Really? Is that true?"

"Yes," I say. "It is true. So you'll actually have to give me three more - which means actually - you'll owe me 80 bucks."

"Wow - I didn't know - I'll probably have to call a manager to help me with that."

No way.
No way.

it factor

Sometimes Kooka gets clothes that have that certain "something."
This is one of those things.

"I love this dress," she said, "It makes me feel funky and hip and it is just a very Kooka think to wear." She has paired it up with jeans, tights, bloomers, bare legs and hippie gear. "This dress is just 'it' for me," she said.

She has not taken it off for three days straight.

I should be a better mom - I should peel it off of her and at least wash it, but there is no sign of dirt yet, and if it makes the chick feel funky - who am I to interfere?

When she starts burning incense and getting the midnight munchies, I am laying the hammer down.

commercial

It is not everyday that I say to Punk, "Wash off your mascara before you go to bed." But today was one of those days.

He and Kooka spent four hours shooting a commercial for a program on an NBC affiliate. In the spot, they play two kids who's mom has forgotten them at soccer practice. When she finally does show up, she is so excited to see her favorite TV show that she drives right past them.

Both kids had a great time. Kooka loved Ben the make-up guy, who not only made her look fabulous, but told us stories of dancing at Larkin,and played soccer with us. The guy has some mad skills. Kooka was kicking like a pro after 10 minutes with him. Punk refused to let me take his picture while he was putting on makeup, but he also loved Ben. The kid even shared his granola bites with him - so they must have had a connection.
He spent most of his time with Ryan - the tech guy. They sat next to the giant bowl of M&M's and talked shop. Punk told him all about the movies he wants to make and Ryan shared his first film with us (click here - it cracks me up).

The spot is set to air in mid-June. If we get a copy - we'll put it up. In the mean time - here are some snapshots to tide you over.

new gig

Punk and Kooka both landed a spot in a TV commercial. We film on Thursday. I will post more about it later . . . but they are pretty excited. They play a brother and a sister, and even though they didn't NEED real siblings - the client really liked how they worked together. I think it is some sort of cable spot for NBC - so we will likely never see it - but maybe some of you will.

recital

There are no good pictures of Kooka's recital. Dress rehearsal was at the studio - and no flash pictures are allowed during the performance - so this is the best we have. She was a little stir crazy before the show - that's what happens when your mom has to be there two hours before the curtain goes up. But she had an amazing performance, and we were so proud of her.

where we eat

They call it "The Dog Restaurant" and I wish they wouldn't. Whenever we tell anybody where we went for dinner, they will look at us, completely appalled, like we stole our meal from a ten year-old street urchin pushing a Chinese rickshaw.

And for the record - I do not feed my kids black lab. At least not on weekdays.

The restaurant is called "Raising Cane's" and it is indeed named after the owner's dog. It's decorated with pictures of a golden retriever - and other famous canines. It is one of Kooka's favorite hang-outs at the dinner hour - and it's not really about the dogs . . . it is all about the dip.

You can only order ONE thing at this place - Chicken Strips. That's it. You can get four strips with fries and cole slaw. You can get two strips with fries and cole slaw. You can get five strips, a box of strips - but all you can get is strips. And it always comes with dipping sauce.

God only knows what is in that sauce - it's pinkish with black specks, and if I had to hazzard a guess, there is ketchup in there somewhere, maybe barbeque sauce, and some sort of ranch something. But it could be mayonaise and floor cleaner for all I know - never tasted anything like it. It's amazing - you'll dip your strips in there, your fries, and when those are gone, your bare fingers - it's that good.

this kid

I love this kid and his cartooning. Too bad it doesn't translate very well on the web here. His computer stuff has amazing detail and texture - hard to see here, but still wicked cool.

perfect day

That's what they said it was - a perfect day. And I have to agree. When you are 5 and 8 - the best way to study science is to be outside. The best reading lessons are at Barnes and Noble with an iced mocha in one hand, and the whole marine biology section at your disposal. Best economics lesson is figuring out that if you spend two quarters on a souvenir squished penny - then you will not have enough left for goat food at the zoo.

And that is pretty much how it went. Everybody slept in, we had lunch on the road and got to the zoo at 12:30. Punk was dying to see the meerkats, and both kids decided we needed to be on the outdoor trail since the weather was so beautiful.

I hate the outside trail.
Really - I do.

There are geese and deer and other animals that nobody in their right mind goes to the ZOO to see. There is a tiger den - but there is always a sign up that says "because of the construction nearby, the tigers are scared, and may be hiding in their cave - we hope you understand." I don't understand. Even Kooka didn't get it. "Ummm, Mom," she says, "Don't they know they are like the fiercest land animal in the world?" Apparently not - and for that matter, god only knows if there even are any tigers in that brand new multi-million dollar den. We've never seen them. Then again maybe they are scared of the six thousand field trip kids that are stealing money from the donation funnels, shaking the fences and shoving my five year old out of the way so they can get a closer look. Even I am afraid of them.

Did I mention I HATE the outdoor trail?

But - as usual - when it comes to matters like this . . . Punk was right. Animals flock to this child in a rather surreal fashion. Honest to god - as soon as Punk approaches the farm gate, this goat pops up to pose with him. Lots of kids are hanging by that goat . . . none of them get this treatment.

Then - there is a chipmunk, and goose - that walk right up to us and perch in our path like we are characters in a Disney film. A whole family of geese - both parents and six goslings come within arms reach and stop to preen in front of him - while father goose hisses at everybody else on the path.

But the highlight was the turtle.

On the way back from the farm we spot this red eared slider - just hanging out in the bushes. Punk has ALWAYS wanted a turtle and asks if he can pick it up. Fine by me - if he can catch it. The sucker is speedy - and his claws are sharp. But he nabs t from behind and the little turtle is content as can be with the reptile whisperer. It isn't until Kooka and I reach out to touch it, that the thing opens it's mouth like it's gonna rip our fingers off.



I like to think I am pretty good with animals - I know I am. But this kid could load the ark without a scratch - it is unreal.

After the zoo we head to the bookstore where he studies cryptozoology stuff. Kooka and I read Fancy Nancy books and sip icy mochas.

After that it is off to try on a dress for her pageant this summer, and then dinner at Raising Canes. We get home at 8:00 read stories, give kisses, and put everybody to bed with a new book.

And a day does not get much more perfect than that.

punk's blog

Punk wants me to spread the word that he has updated his blog - and has a new poll. He can't find out to see what you think. Weeping Rhinos

fair warning

This week is terrifying for me . . . both as a mom and teacher. Two shows taking place this week - and two of my best students in the front row for both.

On Thursday the 15th - both Punk and Kooka will be performing with their theater class, in the WAC production of Mary Poppins. Kooka will be playing the part of a china doll and chimney sweep, while Punk is playing one of the lead roles - Michael Banks. Show starts at 5:20 next Thursday. Let us know if you want us to save you a seat.


Then, on Saturday, Kooka will be dancing three pieces in her spring dance recital - tap, ballet, and a cameo in the big kid's hip-hop routine. We still have a few front row tickets - if anybody wants to catch her in all of her glory - glitter, lipgloss, and a swirly lavender chiffon dress. She is the youngest in her class by far - but seeing this girl perform that "Lullabye" ballet dance - is going to make you weep. Don't say you haven't been warned.

immigration reform

I just realized, I never posted pictures of Kooka in her play. There are many more pictures - all of them better than these. But these are handy - and she looks sooooo cute as a little Swedish immigrant. If all immigrants looked this cute I bet George Bush would just throw open the gates.