Happy New Year!

Tomorrow night we will continue our tradition of ringing in the new year with a bunch of friends and their families.  We all go to one house, let the kids play together, and have some relaxed grownup time.  We chip in with all the food and drinks.  Let's face it, this is a lot easier than trying to find a bunch of babysitters so all of the parents can go someplace, and it's a lot cheaper than eating out someplace and then paying the sitter (or groveling, if it's a family member).   :-)

The economy is in a miserable state, 'tis true, but as I look back on 2008 I see that my three children did a lot of growing and changing.  I am very proud of all of them.  I'm smiling as I get ready to switch to a new wall calendar.  Love to all of my special people.  Wherever you are in the world, you know who you are!

Wii Wish You a Merry...

Sunday was first night of Hanukkah, which we celebrated with a houseful of friends.  Great fun!   My father-in-law and his wife sent a Wii game system for the kids, which hubby and Son #1 opened up yesterday.  It was all set up by the time I arrived home from work, and it was in full swing.  It's attached to the living room TV.  From the time we set up the PlayStation 2, it has been attached to the TV in our bedroom.  The only other TV is in the basement (an older, smaller model) so that's fair game for some other game system someday, I suppose, but we'd have to put some heat down there.  Someday.

Of course, it's not all fun and games.  When they were doing Wii bowling, Son #3 began whining because he couldn't get the hang of it.  Both brothers were hassling him about his whining until he finally bowled his first strike.  Whew.  They were also playing Guitar Hero, which came as a Hanukkah present.  We've been enjoying Rock Band for the PlayStation for some time now, and I have to say that the drum set from Guitar Hero seems a lot more sturdy.  Hubby recently repaired the older drum set; we'll see whether it holds together.  The kids are excited (as am I) to hear the different collection of songs in Guitar Hero.  They have become acquainted with many of "my" rock and roll tunes from the 70s and 80s, and actually seem shocked that I know many of the songs well.  Heh heh heh.  I'm all thumbs when it comes to trying to play the guitar or drums, but I do take the microphone and sing a few.  

Whether it's rock and roll or holiday songs, here's to music appreciation!  I'd better embrace it, since all shreds of peace and quiet (few as they were) have now disappeared from our household.

When Kids Make Music...

Last night our elementary school had its winter concert, hosted at the middle school which has a much larger auditorium (and real seats, much nicer than sitting at tables in the cafeteria!).  The third and fourth graders sang and played recorders.  The fifth grade chorus, orchestra, band, and recorder ensemble performed.

Some of the groups added special features to their acts, which made the experience even more charming.  (When children have their concerts, particularly the little ones, I tend to melt into a puddle on the floor to begin with.)  The third grade chorus got to wave to all of their families before they began to sing, presumably so they could settle down and concentrate on what they were supposed to be doing up there.  They also had some hand clapping going on, and they sang a song welcoming the snow (as if today's forecast needed any help).   The recorder ensemble got to show off the three different varieties of recorders that they were playing.  The senior chorus did a song called Christmas Rush which was about shopping and hustle and bustle, using several props including gift bags, perfume bottles, neckties, toys, and Santa hats.  Undoubtedly the most entertaining part was when the band director announced that he was tired of waving his arms and asked the audience for a volunteer guest conductor.  Son #1 and a classmate of his were both yelling out to "Mr. D" that they were his best students and he should pick them; he actually chose the classmate's youngest sister.  She did an outstanding job, getting her little arms high enough for everyone in the band to see.  The musical quality was very good for a fifth grade group, but that piece was overshadowed by the audience's chuckling throughout the entire thing.

Son #2, who was part of the fifth grade chorus and band, had his entire immediate family in attendance for the first time, and was pleased as punch.  Hubby's sister, her husband and their two kids, plus my household and my mom.  When the chorus lined up on the risers, it was obvious that the lights were too bright, but my little hambone was squinting and shading his eyes to see whether he could find us in the crowd.   Of course we were waving at him, and when he recognized us he flashed us his typical broad grin.  

At the beginning of the concert, our principal said that the winter concert is perhaps the most enjoyable evening event of the school year.  I'd be hard pressed to disagree.

Yes, Virginia...

At an open discussion at the dinner table, we discovered that -- alas -- our seven-year-old no longer has stars of mystery in his eyes when he thinks of Santa Claus.  It had to happen sometime.  He knows it's Mom and Dad (truth be told, it's Mom who does all of the planning, shopping, wrapping, schlepping, etc.).  I was toying with Son #2, asking him if he's ever really seen anyone bringing the presents...but he said he knows they're in the basement somewhere.  Our oldest said something really sweet (out of character).  He believes that Santa is the spirit of Christmas...meaning the good will and the gift giving and the gathering of family.  I really liked that, because it transcends the religious part (although the kids are Jewish, we have never talked about a Hanukkah Harry or whatever they call it).  I think our living room looks pretty neat with the little Christmas tree (with all of the kid-created ornaments) and the electric menorah and the snowman decorations in the windows.  I'm beginning to enjoy the holiday season now that the cards and presents have been sent to faraway places, teachers' gifts have been sent to school, AND...I finished wrapping presents this morning!

If the Shoe Fits...

Yikes!  I was shocked into reality today.  All three boys needed sneakers, since they'd ripped through the toes as usual.  Well, at size 5 1/2 to 6 (the range of shoes the older two boys were seeking) they now have to go into the men's department.  Holy cow!   As soon as you move into men's, even if it's just a bit larger than the largest shoe in the kids' section, the price is at least double.  Luckily we found a "buy one, get the second half price" sale.  I'm going to have to pay attention to the sales at the shoe stores, or in the shoe departments of department stores, from now on.  Just one warning that the puberty stage is going to be lots of fun.  The feet will keep growing, right along with all else...

Hockey Dad

Recently, hubby found out about a deck hockey place near our house.  The new owner has an adult league in full swing, but is trying to get a kids' league going.  One Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago, hubby took the two older boys there to check it out.  They loved it!  They have been playing there for about an hour each Saturday since then.  Hubby now refers to himself as Hockey Dad (since Mom stays home with the little guy, who doesn't like hockey).  Funny coincidence...we mentioned this to our dentist (a friend of mine from high school) since his son is really into hockey.  Turns out that the dentist and the new owner of the deck hockey place met there about 15 years ago when they were both playing in a league.  Isn't it wonderful how life's circles go round and round.  What do we think of the kids all clad in their gear?  Pretty impressive, eh?

Silly Cereal, Part Deux

I think I'm all settled in, back at the ranch after being away in Boston for almost a week.  Laundry is caught up, and the Christmas and Hanukkah decorations are done.  My seven-year-old helped decorate, with much enthusiasm, while his brothers were at religion this morning.

Tonight we went to dinner as a late birthday celebration for hubby, whose day was really Thursday while I was still on my business trip.  We tried going to a new branch of the Bay Shore BBQ joint Smokin' Al's which he liked, but at 4:30PM (which was early, we thought) there was a one hour wait for a party of five.  Birthday boy said, "Sorry, can't be done!" since he'd already taken his insulin.  We headed hopefully down the road to Olive Garden which is notorious for long waits, but we got in there just in time to get a table.  Over dessert, something reminded us of the silly Raisin Bran story (see 21 November) and then hubby got us going down a related path.

He recalled when his mother tried to get him to eat Grape-Nuts as a kid.  He likes grapes, and all sorts of different kinds of nuts.  But does Grape-Nuts cereal contain either grapes or nuts?  Not a chance!   Just some crunchy amalgamation of whole grains, which can break your teeth if you're having an unlucky day.  I rather enjoy it myself, as a sprinkling to add a little crunch to less chewy cereal, but hubby's description of it had all three kids laughing so hard that we had to shush them as we didn't want to disturb the other diners.  We also tried to figure out why Special K was called that.  Maybe they had tried other special formulas, but formulas A through J all were pretty awful.  Or maybe K stands for Krispy (Son #3's guess) and the name Rice Krispies was already taken.  

The various bits of chocolate, cheesecake, and ice cream we all shared were wonderful though.  And the Olive Garden's version of the birthday song was almost sillier than the discussion we'd been having...lots of clapping but no real singing, and we were unable to make out what they were actually trying to say!