Just as an added incentive to any of you contemplating James' fundraiser, here are the coupons we plan to use for our date nights. :) I hate the term BOGO (Buy one get one), but I will use it to save time. There are 2 to 6 of each of most of these coupons. (wow, lots of "of"'s)
Anchor Bar (there's one in Rochester now): Buy One Get One (BOGO) free menu item
Michelina's: BOGO meal
Thai places (there are several): BOGO
Papa John's: BO large, GO medium
Rocky Mountain Chocolate: BOGO candy apple
Cold Stone: BOGO, $4 off a cake
Bruesters: BOGO (score!)
Yogu Frez (frozen yogurt place at Greece Ridge): BOGO
Auntie Anne's: BOGO
So, can you tell we like dessert?
Clubhouse and Adventure Landing: BOGO mini golf, go karts, tokens, etc
Regal Cinema: $2 off admission, free birthday admission
Darien lake: $5 off admission
Seneca Zoo: Free youth admission with adult admission
Rhinos, Knighthawks, Amerks: BOGO
Science Museum: BOGO
Susan B Anthony house: BOGO
Oil Change: $7 off Valvoline (but that's available online I think), $10 Monro
Dry Cleaning: various
Friday, September 30, 2011
Kisses and Klutzes
The kids had me take some pictures of them today while I had my camera out for a small Senior photo session.
But I'll take a smile instead!
So Ruth LOVES showing affection toward Claire, and Ruth's 3 ways of showing affection are kissing, hugging, and poking. We're talking every 5-10 minutes she wants to kiss/hug/poke Claire. It doesn't matter if Claire is eating, sleeping, or worse - almost sleeping. Ruth needs to kiss/hug/poke her NOW. Overall, it's adorable, if not messy (Ruth insists on kisses during meals too).
My main concern with all this affection is that Ruth is also INCREDIBLY klutzy. She walks around the house like a tornado. She need merely walk past the couch and pillows come tumbling down. Then she's likely to trip over the cushions, cry that her toenail hurts, insist on a band-aid for her imagined wound, and then knock over the fan just for good measure. Seriously. She is a force of nature and a messy one at that. Even when she is in control of her body, half the time instead of walking around the house and then sitting down, she bounces and hops around the house, and then jumps as high as she can and lands on her knees.
If you haven't guessed it yet, my concern is that Claire is going to get crushed one of these days. Every time Ruth goes bounding up to Claire overflowing with affection (whether Claire is in my arms, her seat, her swing, the couch) I imagine Ruth tripping, bouncing, or falling right on top of her. So far, I have been able to catch Ruth in all instances, but it is only a matter of time, I fear.
Here are some pictures of their interactions for you to enjoy. You are not the mom, so your heart can be warmed by the adorable-ness while mine fills with fear.
Did I mention that Ruth "hugging" Claire is more like Ruth laying on Claire?
Guys?
"Hey, Guys?!?"
"Mom, Can I poke Claire on her tummy?" (love the nose pick)
"Not in her mouth please, Ruth"
More hugs, then.
I'm also trying to teach Ruth that backing away more than 1 inch from Claire's face will make it easier for Claire to actually see her.
Burping Claire: another favorite which can get violent.
Gone With the Wind
Have you read this book?
I just reread and it and loved it, but for completely different reasons than I loved it last time. Ok, not completely different reasons, but I definitely had a different perception of it. Maybe this is because the last time I read it I was in high school. Now I have dated more people, met and married my husband, had children, and dealt with at least some issues of money and survival, as opposed to depending solely on my parents.
Because this book is too long to likely be a book club book, I will (hopefully, briefly) enumerate some of the thoughts and questions I had during this reading.
1. History
I LOVED how much I learned about this history of the time from this book. That has always been something I've loved about Gone With the Wind, but it struck me again. I am not one to internalize names and dates very well, but I love even learning what it was like during a certain time in a certain place. In particular, I thought the details of the reconstruction in Georgia fascinating: the reactions and motivations for the slaves, northerners, and Southerners. I was also intrigued by the relationships between different socials "castes". Of course, they were primarily based on race, but even within the races class was determined by factors such as family name and history, number of slaves owned, productivity of your land, and whether you worked in the house or on the field. House slaves of large plantation owners even exerted some feelings of superiority over "white trash" or "cracker" families, although I never really grasped what the difference was between white trash and cracker.
I should include the caveat that I know Gone With the Wind is far from the historical authority on Civil War times. It's portrayal of the Mammy character and the compassionate Southern slave owner was not the experience of the majority of slaves in that time. Several months ago, I read Uncle Tom's Cabin, which portrays the worst aspects of slavery. I definitely agree with Harriet Beecher Stowe's take on slavery more than Margaret Mitchell's, but I appreciate the counter perspective provided by Margaret Mitchell, and I am sure it would ring true to many Southerners and at least a few slaves. It helps me to understand how Southerners could fight for "The Cause" the way they did, as well as what their perception of "The Cause" was.
2. Characters
This is my favorite thing about this book. The characters are so rich, and so controversial! Scarlett is so admirable and deplorable at the same time. Melanie is so noble and virtuous, yet able to "life her sword" as needed. Rhett is such a scoundrel yet manages to steal your heart.
Scarlett
Of course, the number one thing I hear when I mention how much I love Gone With the Wind is how much people hate Scarlett. I have always maintained that you understand and like her so much more if you read the book. I now amend that statement. I definitely understood Scarlett more after this reading, but I did not necessarily improve my opinion of her.
There are aspects of Scarlett's personality that I admire: her vivacity; her ability to square her shoulders and accept the burdens given her and those around her who are unable to bear their own; and her ability to adapt to changes in the times. Of course, she also exhibits those characteristics to the exclusion of others such as compassion, respect, love, and morals. I never noticed before how many times Scarlett was so unaware of any other person in the world - their opinions, motivations, feelings, value - than herself. So often in conversations, she would acknowledge to herself that she didn't really hear anything the other person was saying, except one word or thought that she would get stuck on and then ignore the rest. That explains how she could go so long loving "the suit" she'd made for Ashley and not realizing how much she loved and depended on Rhett.
I could go on and on about Scarlett, but I won't.
Melanie
Mealy-mouthed Melly. She blushes at the slightest social indiscretion, yet she is such a pillar for so many people. I want to be like Melanie. I want to always stand by the people I love; to have a gift for loving and teaching children; to quietly be a pillar to my community of friend; and yet be able to in the time of need drag a sword with my last ounce of strength, determined to kill a foe or die myself; leap on and straddle a horse (not sidesaddle, gasp!), and race to the rescue; race back and work tirelessly to put out a fire that threatens my home, and then help the strong Scarlett recover when she faints. I love Melanie. Then again, without Scarlett's strength, Melanie would have died a dozen times over, and, if not, would have lived the rest of her life in poverty.
Rhett
I don't think I understood Rhett's quiet and intense love for Scarlett until this second reading. He kept coming back to Atlanta to see her. His first item of business after getting out of jail was coming to see her, not because he wanted to take her up on her offer to be his mistress, but to ensure that Tara was safe. Even the scoundrel-y things he did, like getting her to dance when in mourning or finally changing out of her mourning garb, were really for her benefit, not his own. Although Scarlett could have had any beau in the county because of her beauty and charm, Rhett made it clear that he loved her not for her looks, but because he knew and understood her mind and character and he loved her for it. How can you not swoon at a man like that?
Some book club questions:
1. Would you rather be Scarlett or Melanie? In everyday life? In a crisis? Which characteristics would you take if you could select them a la carte?
2. Why were there so many admirable female characters in this book (add Ellen, Mrs. Tarleton, Mammy, etc as well), but Rhett was the only male that was really portrayed as particularly admirable? Am I forgetting someone other than maybe Gerald?
3. Of course, will Rhett and Scarlett ever reunite? Scarlett says herself that she believes Rhett will not change his mind. Even though she says just a page later that she's always been able to get any beau she wanted, but really she never could get Ashley, so is that the author's admittance that it won't happen? Could a relationship really be repaired after all that has gone on between them?
4. Was there any point in the book that Scarlett or Rhett could have actually shown their feelings without his or her worst fears about that admission coming true (Scarlett lording it over Rhett or Rhett laughing at her)?
Oh boy, I'm out of time. Probably for the better. Thank you for being my book club stand-in :) Anyone at our meeting for The Help this week could tell how much I had to say about Gone With the Wind!
I just reread and it and loved it, but for completely different reasons than I loved it last time. Ok, not completely different reasons, but I definitely had a different perception of it. Maybe this is because the last time I read it I was in high school. Now I have dated more people, met and married my husband, had children, and dealt with at least some issues of money and survival, as opposed to depending solely on my parents.
Because this book is too long to likely be a book club book, I will (hopefully, briefly) enumerate some of the thoughts and questions I had during this reading.
1. History
I LOVED how much I learned about this history of the time from this book. That has always been something I've loved about Gone With the Wind, but it struck me again. I am not one to internalize names and dates very well, but I love even learning what it was like during a certain time in a certain place. In particular, I thought the details of the reconstruction in Georgia fascinating: the reactions and motivations for the slaves, northerners, and Southerners. I was also intrigued by the relationships between different socials "castes". Of course, they were primarily based on race, but even within the races class was determined by factors such as family name and history, number of slaves owned, productivity of your land, and whether you worked in the house or on the field. House slaves of large plantation owners even exerted some feelings of superiority over "white trash" or "cracker" families, although I never really grasped what the difference was between white trash and cracker.
I should include the caveat that I know Gone With the Wind is far from the historical authority on Civil War times. It's portrayal of the Mammy character and the compassionate Southern slave owner was not the experience of the majority of slaves in that time. Several months ago, I read Uncle Tom's Cabin, which portrays the worst aspects of slavery. I definitely agree with Harriet Beecher Stowe's take on slavery more than Margaret Mitchell's, but I appreciate the counter perspective provided by Margaret Mitchell, and I am sure it would ring true to many Southerners and at least a few slaves. It helps me to understand how Southerners could fight for "The Cause" the way they did, as well as what their perception of "The Cause" was.
2. Characters
This is my favorite thing about this book. The characters are so rich, and so controversial! Scarlett is so admirable and deplorable at the same time. Melanie is so noble and virtuous, yet able to "life her sword" as needed. Rhett is such a scoundrel yet manages to steal your heart.
Scarlett
Of course, the number one thing I hear when I mention how much I love Gone With the Wind is how much people hate Scarlett. I have always maintained that you understand and like her so much more if you read the book. I now amend that statement. I definitely understood Scarlett more after this reading, but I did not necessarily improve my opinion of her.
There are aspects of Scarlett's personality that I admire: her vivacity; her ability to square her shoulders and accept the burdens given her and those around her who are unable to bear their own; and her ability to adapt to changes in the times. Of course, she also exhibits those characteristics to the exclusion of others such as compassion, respect, love, and morals. I never noticed before how many times Scarlett was so unaware of any other person in the world - their opinions, motivations, feelings, value - than herself. So often in conversations, she would acknowledge to herself that she didn't really hear anything the other person was saying, except one word or thought that she would get stuck on and then ignore the rest. That explains how she could go so long loving "the suit" she'd made for Ashley and not realizing how much she loved and depended on Rhett.
I could go on and on about Scarlett, but I won't.
Melanie
Mealy-mouthed Melly. She blushes at the slightest social indiscretion, yet she is such a pillar for so many people. I want to be like Melanie. I want to always stand by the people I love; to have a gift for loving and teaching children; to quietly be a pillar to my community of friend; and yet be able to in the time of need drag a sword with my last ounce of strength, determined to kill a foe or die myself; leap on and straddle a horse (not sidesaddle, gasp!), and race to the rescue; race back and work tirelessly to put out a fire that threatens my home, and then help the strong Scarlett recover when she faints. I love Melanie. Then again, without Scarlett's strength, Melanie would have died a dozen times over, and, if not, would have lived the rest of her life in poverty.
Rhett
I don't think I understood Rhett's quiet and intense love for Scarlett until this second reading. He kept coming back to Atlanta to see her. His first item of business after getting out of jail was coming to see her, not because he wanted to take her up on her offer to be his mistress, but to ensure that Tara was safe. Even the scoundrel-y things he did, like getting her to dance when in mourning or finally changing out of her mourning garb, were really for her benefit, not his own. Although Scarlett could have had any beau in the county because of her beauty and charm, Rhett made it clear that he loved her not for her looks, but because he knew and understood her mind and character and he loved her for it. How can you not swoon at a man like that?
Some book club questions:
1. Would you rather be Scarlett or Melanie? In everyday life? In a crisis? Which characteristics would you take if you could select them a la carte?
2. Why were there so many admirable female characters in this book (add Ellen, Mrs. Tarleton, Mammy, etc as well), but Rhett was the only male that was really portrayed as particularly admirable? Am I forgetting someone other than maybe Gerald?
3. Of course, will Rhett and Scarlett ever reunite? Scarlett says herself that she believes Rhett will not change his mind. Even though she says just a page later that she's always been able to get any beau she wanted, but really she never could get Ashley, so is that the author's admittance that it won't happen? Could a relationship really be repaired after all that has gone on between them?
4. Was there any point in the book that Scarlett or Rhett could have actually shown their feelings without his or her worst fears about that admission coming true (Scarlett lording it over Rhett or Rhett laughing at her)?
Oh boy, I'm out of time. Probably for the better. Thank you for being my book club stand-in :) Anyone at our meeting for The Help this week could tell how much I had to say about Gone With the Wind!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Dinner quotes
Ruth: we get pork from a pig, because the pig is nice.
James: and I know it was hardwork having a baby because we had to think of lots of names...
James: paraphrased, he told me a good plan for getting lots of Halloween candy. It involved bringing multiple costumes so he could make the rounds multiple times.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
James: and I know it was hardwork having a baby because we had to think of lots of names...
James: paraphrased, he told me a good plan for getting lots of Halloween candy. It involved bringing multiple costumes so he could make the rounds multiple times.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Life with 3
Like folding a room full of laundry with 3 loads of towels and sheets still in the queue: there's always work to be done.
But, the 3 year old begging to play a game while she uses the stacks of folded laundry as stepping stones to cross the family room is a reminder that there's also plenty of fun and games to be had with cute little kids, as long as I look over that endless amount of work part :)
All in all, I think I come out ahead on the bargain!
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Monday, September 26, 2011
Motivated?
I am starting to track my calorie intake and use again starting this week. It usually doesn't last very long though.
I could use a support group.
Want to join?
If I have 1 or more other people also keeping track with me and we check in on each other weekly, I think I would be more motivated.
So, do you want to?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
I could use a support group.
Want to join?
If I have 1 or more other people also keeping track with me and we check in on each other weekly, I think I would be more motivated.
So, do you want to?
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Road Trip
We took a road trip to NJ this weekend for a wedding in which Dan was a groomsman.
highlights:
Thursday: 6am 3.2 mile run; 8:10am driving away, 2:15pm at tux place in NJ. JJ and Ruth watched movies while I sat in the back holding Claire's hand, pumping milk for her every 2 hours, 4:30pm Dan left for the rehearsal dinner while we did a "dry run" with the babysitter.
Friday: Mostly just played, went shopping for a wedding gift, and got ready for the wedding. Left at 3:15pm for the 4pm ceremony. The wedding was beautiful and Mike and Leslie were such a beautiful and loving couple! We stayed until around 10pm.
Saturday: Lunch at Friendly's, Lion King in 3D, dinner at Lee's Hoagies (yum!).
Sunday: Church and drive home much like the drive here.
Claire slept very poorly every night in NJ (compared to usual) so I was worried, but last night I woke her up after 6 or 7 hours again (my math is atrocious at night)!
highlights:
Thursday: 6am 3.2 mile run; 8:10am driving away, 2:15pm at tux place in NJ. JJ and Ruth watched movies while I sat in the back holding Claire's hand, pumping milk for her every 2 hours, 4:30pm Dan left for the rehearsal dinner while we did a "dry run" with the babysitter.
Friday: Mostly just played, went shopping for a wedding gift, and got ready for the wedding. Left at 3:15pm for the 4pm ceremony. The wedding was beautiful and Mike and Leslie were such a beautiful and loving couple! We stayed until around 10pm.
Saturday: Lunch at Friendly's, Lion King in 3D, dinner at Lee's Hoagies (yum!).
Sunday: Church and drive home much like the drive here.
Claire slept very poorly every night in NJ (compared to usual) so I was worried, but last night I woke her up after 6 or 7 hours again (my math is atrocious at night)!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
One Month!
My step-mom sent these adorable sticky bellies for Claire's monthly photos! Even though we're in NJ now (for a wedding) we made sure to bring the sticker for Claire's 1 month birthday!
- she HATES her car seat. She is almost never inconsolable except when in her car seat.
- she loves to be held and cuddled.
- she is a great sleeper. The last few days have been rocky, but for the last 2-3 weeks she sleeps 6 hours at night at least half the time
- she has smiled socially several times
- at any given time she is likely wearing some of Ruth's (aka kiss monster) most recent meal on her face
- her feet are huge
- she is on a once-a-week poop schedule, which is a first among my kids
- she has loose hips. Ultrasound #2 to monitor them is Monday. Hopefully the last one!
- she is convincing her daddy that he wants more kids.She's just that sweet and calm!
We love you, Claire!
Ballet!
Ruth recently started a ballet class taught by a member of the other ward that meets in our church building. The teacher is a very accomplished dancer (including a degree in ballet) with several years of teaching experience. She is great and has all sorts of child friendly imagery she uses to teach. We have only been to two classes, but Ruth loves it!
learning ballet positions:
she puts stickers on the inside of their legs and tells them to show their stickers when their legs should be turned out.
spinning like Autumn leaves with their arms in beach ball position
squirrels (feet) climbing up and down the tree (legs)
Monday, September 19, 2011
Tea Party
The daily "choose your activity" chart from long ago (I am not going to take the time to find that post right now) has been resurrected! While James is at school, Ruthie and I have been having fun reading, doing "learning activities", painting, decorating ballet shoes, etc.
Today we made peach smoothies! Ruth was adamant about saving some to share with friends, so we had an impromptu tea party with our neighbor.
Pass the chocolate sprinkles, please!
And the milk!
Graham crackers for dipping.
Pinkies up, ladies!
Annie *kind of* got the idea. Ruth refused with the reasoning that she might spill. True, my dear, but not if you raise the pinky of the opposite hand. Case and point:
Every time I asked them to look at the camera, that pinky came up!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Exhibit B
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Should
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
New Nephew!
The new baby is much bigger than Ethan was (new baby 7lb 12oz, Ethan I think was 6lb 14oz). He has brown eyes right now and more hair than Ethan. Linda and Mike don't think he looks much like Ethan did, and I agree. He actually reminds me a lot of my kids as newborns, but only time will tell. Either way, he is gorgeous and I admire Linda so much for putting forth so much time and effort to do what was best for herself and her sweet new baby boy!
Congrats, Linda, Mike, and Ethan!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
What a find!
Then yesterday at a consignment store I found these adorable pink boots that look brand new for only $4.50! They are even in her size! She's thrilled and so am I! I could hardly wait for her to wake up so I could show her!
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011
First Day of School!
I can't believe I have a Kindergartener! He wasn't smiling at first, so I coached him, "show me how excited you are to start Kindergarten!".
He said, "I'm THIS much excited! All the way to outer space!"
Some wardrobe commentary:
Shirt: He insisted on wearing his "big brother" shirt today. So cute!
Shoes: Tied all on his own! Now I just need to convince him to double knot them so they will STAY tied. We were going to put curly laces in them, but then when we asked our mom's when Dan and I started tying our shoes, they said we both did before Kindergarten. It took a surprisingly short amount of time to teach James!
Tag: Tells his name and bus info so teachers and bus drivers can help him get where he needs to go.
Backpack: Batman, courtesy of Grammy and Grampy for James' birthday.
featuring his tied shoes!
Wardrobe commentary:
Shorts: oh wait, it's too cold today (what happened to last week's 80 degree weather???)
Pants: hmmm...they all seem to be 2 inches too short!
Dress and leggings: best ones to match her only clean shoes (which only matters the first day of school I guess). Worn with a bribe of additional fruit snacks.
Sweater: Still fits from last year, but is mysteriously missing a button. Oh well.
Shoes: Thanks, Nana!
Backpack: Ruth and I had a misunderstanding on her backpack. I was under the assumption she'd use the small backpack (originally mine) that James had used for preschool. She was under the assumption that she could use her (too small) Dora backpack. We compromised and I let her take this polka dot bag. Maybe we'll get her a new one for her birthday.
She wanted me to come in and help her hang up her bag and sweater, but then she was off and independent!
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