Deep Thoughts

Ok, we all know Jack Handy had some pretty deep thoughts...

As we were driving, we saw a sign that said "Watch for Rocks." Marta said it should read "Watch for Pretty Rocks." I told her she should write in her suggestion to the highway department, but she started saying it was a joke - just to get out of writing a simple letter! And I thought I was lazy!

Laurie got offended that I used the word "puke." But to me, that's what her dinner tasted like.

One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my little nephew to DisneyLand, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. "Oh, no," I said, "DisneyLand burned down." He cried and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real DisneyLand, but it was getting pretty late.

When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmm, boy.

But, James' deep thought is not half bad either. When I asked him how he could remember a certain dinosaur he had played with years ago, he replied, "Its because my mind can go back in time." He's right, who needs time machines?!

Save the Dodo

I've stolen this phrase: "Save the Dodo" from Stephen Colbert. He brought my attention to a little talked about virtue - "patient courage" - the kind of courage to voice your opinion when it really doesn't matter any more. He, of course, was mocking politicians who stand up for issues when it will no longer hurt their career. But, in his sarcastic tone, I'd like to add...I've met people who used the word "non-profit" like it was a Starbucks Coffee Flavor, flaunting their self-sacrifice, "I've worked at a non-profit, have you?" And then those people who want to be smokers so desperately they have to conscientiously smoke their quota - just to try to become addicted - it doesn't come easily to some. And then, there are people who are so unhappy with their lives but have resigned themselves to a life of misery - no use admitting you are wrong or changing or even saying sorry - unhappiness is so much better. Under the banner of Save the Dodo - I say, stick to your plan. Save that dead Dodo.

Tangent 1 - No sarcasm now - I truly love the restaurant, The Dodo in SLC for these reasons...

• Smoked Turkey Sandwich 8.95
  Smoked in-house and thinly sliced turkey on a sourdough garlic roll. Served with a Dodo barbecue sauce.~ add Swiss cheese 30¢. ~
• Toll House Pie 6.95
• Carmel Coffee Cake 6.95

Tangent 2 - I vaguely remember a Sesame Street movie where Big Bird lives with a bunch of dodo birds - is this a terrible nightmare? or is my memory accurate?

Tangent 3 - Comedy Central: Jon Stewart and mostly Stephen Colbert are my source for the loudest laughter - I can't help myself. Stephen and his funny ear are just priceless.

Tangent 4 - I really do know people who fit the profiles above - scary, huh?!

Painting: Dodo Bird by Brenda Hall

But, I Don't Want to Be Her

It's past midnight, and I should be in bed, because I really have to get up early tomorrow. But, I was too busy wasting my life away. And, in the process, I took this quiz several times...and, well, I couldn't lie...and well, I don't want to be Elinor. Every single time I got her - even if I slightly changed answers. Don't get me wrong, I adore Emma Thomson, her Golden Globe speech years ago was my favorite, truly hilarious. In fact, she introduced me to the wonderful word nefarious. But, in Sense and Sensibility she played Elinor, the boring one. The constant, pleasant, responsible one who is always hiding her true feelings. Boring, boring, boring, sigh. I even answered that I would want to be played by Keira Knightly or Jennifer Ehle - wouldn't that mean I would be Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice?! Oh, this is a terrible tragedy. And on that note, I, being full of sense (the horror) will go to bed.

Whisper Wednesday

St. Paul's Cathedral is one of my favorite places on earth. It takes 259 steps to get to the dome, and every step furthers your commitment and love of Sir Wren's masterpiece. In other words, it isn't easy, and you have to earn your reward. The reward is twofold: a gorgeous view of London from the air and the Whispering Gallery. Only a handful of buildings have this peculiar architecture where a whisper from one side actually carries all the way to the other. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't tried it. You can tell from this picture - its quite a distance - and quite a phenomenon.


Anyhow, I've been teaching about Dome Architecture and we built domes out of gumdrops (well, geodesic domes to be particular). And that's why St. Paul's was on my mind. And as for Whisper Wednesday, the title...I think its the greatest idea and when I have a seven year old I am going to try it. The idea of only whispering for a whole day sounds so peaceful.

The Meaning of Life

Wind Therapy

When you are speeding along in a boat the wind seems to come so quickly you become apart of it; your face feels rejuvenated, the wind literally blowing life into you, your hair wearing the proof of the adventure. The wind really is a force of nature....

and apparently it's a well know fact. Leo and Kate learned all about the wind on the prow of Titanic (you know this was a great moment the first time you watched - too bad it got teased to death)...

Bob even knew the therapeutic nature of the wind -- he's sailing, he's sailing...

but these little ones are just learning about the mighty wind. How awesome are their (Lilly, Chase, & Caden) wind-blown locks?!

Thank you, thank you, Mindy, for a wonderful afternoon at the Delta!

Isn't this just the cutest. He has his life vest and his life saver (aka Blankey Blue). A sailor is always prepared!

Wasatch Back aka Insanity

The Wasatch Back is a 170 mile race you run in teams of six people. You run from Logan to Park City, running through the night in a relay that practically never ends - hence the insanity part. My sister ran it last year and is determined to do it again, but this year one person on her team dropped out last minute. I am hoping she'll be the second one to drop out because any part of 170 seems too much to me. I guess that's why Emily is doing it and not me. But, it starts this Friday. Good luck, Lady! I'm amazed that you did it once and are even thinking of doing it again.

Salad Days

Chase doesn't like tomatoes, turkey, spaghetti, tortillas, ketchup, chicken mcnuggets, fish, hamburger, cooked vegetables, and he can't eat normal cheese, milk, yogurt, ranch dressing and anything else with lactose in it (which feels like everything). And if he loves kiwi today - he will loathe it tomorrow. So, we just keep trying and trying. Last night the winning combination was - salad - that's right. Greens up to his eyeballs. I let him heap his plate high. And here he is - as happy as can be.

By the by, the phrase salad days isn't used very often but it describes the period of youth and inexperience coined by William Shakespeare in his play Antony and Cleopatra...Cleopatra quoth, "My salad days, When I was green in judgment." My goal is to now work this phrase into my vocabulary this week (it always seems easier to use strange jargon while I'm writing).

Playing with your Food

My brother in law takes the phrase "playing with your food" to a new dimension. Literally, I have watched him eat a salad taking over an hour - stopping to carve the carrots into little chairs for the tomato to sit in and other such silliness. I have watched him eat a pizza top down: toppings, cheese, sauce, crust. Did I mention he's in his twenties?! He really puts the opening credits of Napoleon Dynamite to shame. Anyhow, for some people food is a chore...other's its a treat. And for children, its a potential disaster. If you have great healthy ideas for kids make a comment at Ask Angie. A lot of people struggle with feeding little ones. I have a few silly suggestions, feel free to add your good ideas!

And the Charade Begins

Unlike Audrey Hepburn in the movie Charade, my own charade involves the lab coat costume I recently acquired (ok, its a real lab coat - and i am a real teacher - it just feels foreign). And my leading character is sadly not Cary Grant - but a badly behaved fifth grader (the second and third graders make much better leads). Anyhow, I will try and stay a day ahead of them. Yesterday was the circulatory system, and the chicken heart I brought in was greeted with ooh's and ah's (for the record I'm in the "ewey" category).

Not Such a Fan

I'm not such a fan - but I really dislike the emotional ones...

Cinnamon Ice Cream

Its hot today, and this is all I can think about...

Homemade Ice Cream

1 quart Cream

3 or 4 cups Sugar

5 well beaten Eggs

2 cans (12 oz. each) Evaporated Milk

Vanilla to taste

pinch of Salt

Cinnamon!!!! Just shake a lot in!

Add milk until the freezer is 3/4 full (or to the "fill line")

Chill ingredients first, and be sure to stir well! Then put it in a ice cream maker and let it do its job.

thanks Susan, this is a great recipe, i'm in love!

Labels are for Jam Jars

I had no idea that I was guilty of labeling. I wouldn't dream of calling my kids lazy or dumb - but here's the thing: labeling doesn't only apply to negative labels - it applies to positive labels as well.


Jeffrey Holland said, "You may say most positively that "Susan is pretty and Sandra is bright," but all Susan will remember is that she isn't bright and Sandra that she isn't pretty." This is why labeling is dangerous - it seems to pigeonhole a child. When a "smart" child gets older and older they can start doing poorly, afraid that whatever they do won't be "smart" enough. It is stifling instead of enabling.

For example, here are phrase and labels I have been guilty of using...
"You are such a great helper."
"What a great artist you are!"
"You are so athletic."
"Wow, you are such a smart boy."

Ok, I know what you are thinking, if I can't say those to praise my child, what can I say? This is what I learned...it is much more powerful to describe the action. So instead of saying something about being a helper, try describing whatever they did to help..."You are so great at putting your toys away in the basket when I asked you. I really needed your help. Thank you." Or when they bring you a finished art project, "Wow, I love the way you colored such thick lines here - and I love the circles over in this corner - I love this color you chose!"

What this does is help children understand what makes them so great! It helps them identify and accurately process their actions. It will help them in school and in life. I know that even as adults we make this mistake, we may be the "creative" friend - but when we aren't feeling creative, we can feel without purpose.

I still say "helper" and fall into labels - but I try hard to avoid it. A child who thinks he is a "great writer" - may find himself confused when writing isn't easy for him when he's in school - but a child that knows he is "great at using adjectives" will understand his own talents.

It takes more time - but its pretty great idea! Thanks to Cheryl for a lot of these great thoughts!

The Object of My Desires

I know its a little silly, but I can't stop thinking about this lab coat. I want it, need it, but feel fairly silly about both the wanting and needing. Its a lab coat after all...a lab coat. The truth is, I am teaching a science class this summer for eight weeks and I feel like I may be more respected if I am wearing one of these white beauties. I asked Ben to snag one from his dental office - but no luck. If I had one, I know I would feel like I was wearing a costume (that suddenly reminds me...I did wear a lab coat as part of a costume when I was Elizabeth Shue's character from the Saint - you know the scientist - Dr. Emma Russell - where is that coat I wonder and digress). Anyhow, would you take a science teacher seriously is she weren't wearing a lab coat?

Eccentricity

ec·cen·tric·i·ty (ĕk'sĕn-trĭs'ĭ-tē) n., pl. -ties. Deviation from the normal, expected, or established.

What a wonderfully funny moment. If only eccentricity were a consumer product that could be bottled- Chase would be all over that market. I have always wanted to grow up to be eccentric one day - but perhaps I have to grow young instead. But then again, can you become eccentric - or is it something you are? Either way, I love Chase and the backward boots.

Little Love

I love everything about the Farmer's Market - the wrinkled, sun-kissed faces of the vendors, the look and smell of the freshest fruit and vegetables. The flowers - oh, I adore the flowers. There is nothing like fresh peas in their pods. Chase will even eat them. So, this is just a little tribute to the pea. Little green pea, I love you.

Room 22

So, today was my first day of school...first day teaching, that is. I am happy to report that fifth grade classrooms are still filled with girls that dot their i's with stars and hearts, notes about who is a "pussy" and who dumped who (yes, I actually confiscated a note being passed and saw the fear in the eyes of the note writer), and hangman.

It was the end of the year talent show, so I didn't have a hard lesson plan...but instead, I got to listen to nine-year old white chicks try and sing rap, a lot of knock-knock jokes, and even a few rock bands. My idea of a hilarious, rockin' good time.

The best compliment of the day (I think) was when Dylan (long blond hair, played the bass in the band, trouble maker) came up to me and asked, "Miss B, do you have a tongue ring?" and when I said no, he kept pestering, "I know I saw it, you have one, show me your tongue." I refused...but heard him say to another kid, "She was the best teacher, well, substitute teacher ever." I think all of this meant I was cool...he knew that I saw through his ploys...and still liked me. I'll take it.

Oh, and here's a joke from the talent show...
What's brown and sticky?
A stick!!

Dumbledore Still Dies

I was feeling a little frustrated - not looking as forward to seven - I was feeling bugged that I couldn't remember the plot and would have to reread some. Well, I'm not frustrated any more - I just had to read a few pages to remember why I can't wait for seven - anyhow, I'm done rereading, and for the record...Dumbledore still dies -- and I still can't believe it!

Smells of Summer

I walked down the path towards the pool and was overtaken by the smell of the pool - I won't say chlorine, because its somehow more than that. But, as I put sunscreen on the boys, I couldn't help but smile. The smells somehow take me back to summers I lived by the pool. I can even remember the smell of the wet and warm concrete as you would lie down to warm up. Anyhow, my fish loved the adventure - as did I.

Double Dare

Today Chase cheerfully put the silverware away - as you can clearly see he did it a very different way. The first time he did this, I quickly "fixed" it, returning spoons to their proper places. The second time, I shut the drawer, thinking I would fix it later, but I promptly forgot about it. When the drawer was opened - people had very interesting comments - I now know that the silverware home is sacred to many - its hard to see it in such disarray. But it was funny to me! And truth be told, it was all back to normal after about a day - we use silverware a lot.

So, here's where the dare comes in - I dare you, no, I double dare you to try putting your silverware away after the manner of the Chase...did you get funny looks - what did other's say - and could you even stand it?! Its a funny thing to realize that I can stuff pajamas in a drawer - but not silverware!

Mrs. Andolina

My biggest nightmare and fear has been: the where, the when, and the who of kindergarten. I have thought and thought and even over-thought it. But I am happy to say that there is a where, a when, and a who! About two weeks ago, I went to talk to the Principal of the elementary school - she is a family friend - but I didn't know if it was the polite kiss on the cheek friend, warm hug, or friendly hand shake kind of friend. When I got there, she runs out to see me with a huge hug and smile. She tells me that all of the other parents have gotten their paperwork in, but that she has been thinking about James (what a wonderful surprise) and has already decided on the perfect teacher. This was a gift for someone as nervous as I - she really helped me get going.

She then says, would you like to meet Mrs. Andolina? With such happiness (and about three months earlier than all of the other parents) I got to meet James' kindergarten teacher. She is such a cute lady! Mrs. Andolina - its the kind of name that is just tricky enough - that once its learned, James will remember it forever. She calls all of her students, "the scholars." She has been teaching for over ten years - and you can see she is really in full stride. The class size is 20 - but get this - half of the class comes early and half stays late, so a lot of the day its only 10. 10 kids in a classroom - what a wonderful treat! Its half day - which I like - and when I took James he played on the kindergarten playground and held both of Mrs. Andolina's baby chicks that had just hatched in their incubator. She picked up that James is a reader right away - which made me feel so relieved! I was able to just relax and be a friendly mom - and not an annoying "my child is a reader" and "in your face" kind of mom. Anyhow, it just seems to be a match!

I am feeling so good - can I really have an almost kindergartener? Yep!

Lime Thyme

Have you ever heard of lime thyme before? I have heard of lemon thyme and of course plain old thyme - but never lime thyme! Anyhow, my mom bought some for her garden - I can't even think of what I can cook with it - but now my mind is racing. Here are some pictures of James and Grammy Kate gardening. Chase was busily preparing the soil - he is great at adding the soil supplements. Actually, before the new greens were planted Chase had seen the empty dirt and said, "Soil!" If that doesn't define a gardener...I actually just finished my resume and wrote "aspiring gardener" down at the bottom - so its official; James, Chase, and I are aspiring gardeners. The boys like the dirt part, and I like the learning names of different plants part. Thanks to our tutor, we may even have a chance of becoming gardeners - thanks, Grammy!

PS - the last three blog titles have rhymed - what is that all about?!