House Rule: One must read the book before you see the movie

Over the past few weeks we have been reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to CT.  It is the first really BIG BOY book he has experienced.

In the past we have read picture books, short chapter books and books that are at his level and he can read easily (the Henry and Mudge type). 

All of these books are fine by me, but none of them have taken him to another time or transported him to an amazing place or held his interest to the point were he would talk ad nauseam about what was going on with the characters and the plot line.

And now, now I have seen it.  He has gone to the other side. Over the past three weeks, CT has experienced for the first time that he indeed loves books.  I have seen the twinkle in his eye, the longing desire to have more, the wonderful ability to go somewhere else through the written word.  He has found it.

For a boy who has struggled with words and books, to see this kind of love for a story is exciting for me.  I love reading, I love books, I love the paper books are written on, I love every piece of the experience.  If I could pass that appreciation on to my kids, that would make me very happy.

So we finished the book and last night he got to watch the movie.  He says he liked the movie better.  But at least he read the book first.

Onward to book number two.

Winter White

Winter White

Originally uploaded by sellke

Perfect timing!

Where the hell’s your Mama?

I called Jen this afternoon just to chat and her 5 year old son answered the phone, here is how the conversation went:

Me: Hi Mattymagoo, is your mom there?

Matty:  She is, but but but I can’t get her.  I’m in a time out.

Me:  Can you get your sister to bring the phone to her?

Matty:  Sure…LAAUUUURRRREEEENNNNNN, here take this.

Me:  Hi Lauren.

Laruen:  Hi.

Me:  Can you get your mommy for me?

Lauren:  I can’t, I’m on the potty going poop.

Me:  Ok Lauren, just start yelling that you need a wipe, I bet that will get her.

Lauren:  Ok…MOM I NEED A WIPE, MOM I’M POOPING AND MOOOOOOOMMMMM  I NEED A WIPE.

Me:  (now laughing uncontrollably)  Lauren, just keep yelling.

Etched Ivory

Yesterday KP and I went on a walk.  I was trying to find something, something I remembered from many years ago.  I wanted to know if it was still there. 

The third week of August, 1988 Adam and I took an easy strolling hike through the woods. 

It would be the last time we would see each other until Thanksgiving.  We were heading off to start our freshman year in college.  Adam was the lucky one to leave town first.

We were saying good bye.  Neither of us knew what was in store.  All we knew was that it would be amazing and life changing and Lord knows what else.  We’d hoped we could make it.

I remember packing up his going away gift.  It was a little kid’s pencil box.  Inside the box was a (big boy) pen with his name on it, stationary with stamped envelopes pre-addressed to me, and the rest was filled in with root beer barrels and butterscotch candies.  

As we walked we came upon this bridge.  We dangled our feet over the side, talked, cried and kissed.  And right before we left Adam took his key and etched a heart into the wood and in the heart wrote MT + AS.

Adam left that afternoon.  I spent the rest of the afternoon and night sobbing into my pillow not knowing what the future held.

KP and I went back yesterday to see if our heart was still there.  It wasn’t, but so many others were.  And as I looked at the planks of wood that had been replaced and the other names that there the memories came flooding back. 

So many years ago, so young, so innocent, so fragile…so lucky.  We are so lucky to have each other and so many wonderful and crazy and absolutely amazing memories already.  Thank you for those and for all those that are yet to come.

I love you Adam.

Happy 14th!

Introduced by the 7 year old

I went to CT’s school this afternoon to read stories to his class. 

His teacher (Mr. D) had me sit in the “teacher” chair and had CT stand by my side.   Mr. D asked CT to introduce me and then tell the class two things that he would know about me that they wouldn’t.

CT put one hand on my shoulder and the other hand up to his mouth with his pointer finger tapping on his lips (showing he was really thinking on this one). 

He said, “Hmmmm let’s see…her name is Mary and she is really, REALLY good at sports.  But, she is NOT good at ball sports, NONE, no ball sports AT ALL. Oh and let’s see, she’s nice.

Frosted

Running at 5:30 am in the winter, in Minnesota, is a little crazy.

But doesn’t it look at least a little fun? 

O.K. I agree, Jen (far left) does not look like she is having ANY fun at all.  We all know she’s  just in if for the coffee.

All I want for Chritmas…

PJ’s God Father, Erik, asked me this evening if I had any ideas for her for Christmas.  I drew a blank and gave absolutely no assistance to get this checked off his list.  The one thing I did say was, NO LIVING THINGS.

I decided to have them chat and maybe he could get something interesting out of her.  They spoke for a few minutes and then she handed the phone back to me.

Once the phone was to my ear Erik asked if I had heard any of their conversation.  I had not, so he told me what items her little heart desired.  Her list went like this:  A dog or a hamster or a cute bunny (but the cats might eat the cute little bunny) or if I can’t get one of those…a cell phone.

How about just her two front teeth?

Winter’s flowers

Not much grows here at 20 degrees, but I found these on the way to the bus stop yesterday.

So close to not hearing Santa’s bell

Historically in my kids young lives we have celebrated Christmas at our house, my In-Law’s house and at my parent’s house.  At each stop there seems to be gifts from Santa.

Yesterday CT asked me if I thought Santa actually went to Nana and Papa’s house too.  I looked at him, knowing the power I had in my hand to dash all belief he may still cling to and asked him what he thought.

He said, “Well, I don’t think he does.  Their gifts are always in Creative Kidstuff wrapping paper.”

The contrarian doesn’t believe

PJ lost her first tooth yesterday at school.  It has been dangling by the root for days and finally it fell out.

Once she got off the bus and shared her amazing surprise with us, she got right to work on the envelop for the Tooth Fairy.  She wrote “Tooth Fairy, Love PJ” with hearts all over it.

When she went to bed she asked if she would know when the Tooth Fairy came into her room and if she would meet her or see her or feel her.  You know, since she is so shy she said.  I told her that she was right, the Tooth Fairy is very shy and that’s why she comes in the dark and if she did by chance brush by her it would feel like a butterfly kiss on her cheek. 

After planting one on her nose, she seemed good with all that might occure in the night and went right to sleep after nestling her decorated envelop under her pillow.

Four hours later, around 11:15 pm, I got ready for bed.  I went into PJ’s room, turned off her lights, gave her a kiss and tucked the new envelop filled with 10 dimes under her pillow.  I stood there for a second to make sure all was well, then shut the door.

Two minutes later, door knob squeaking loudly, out of her room she came with a big fat smile on her face. “Mom, YOU put the money under my pillow!”