I recently found this rhyme quoted on Peter Sieruta’s excellent blog, Collecting Children’s Books. I think it’s just lovely:
The Moon’s the North Wind’s cookie
He bites it, day by day
Until there’s but a rim of scraps
That crumble all away.
The South Wind is the baker
He kneads clouds in his den,
And bakes a crisp new moon that …
Greedy…. North…. Wind ….eats….again!
Lately whenever I am loading my kids in the car, William has developed the habit of pointing to the ceiling of the garage and shouting “Moon! Moon!” Upon closer inspection, I discovered that when the sun shines on big round vent pipe on the top of the garage roof, the light reflects off of its insides. When viewed from below, it looks like a little crecent-shaped moon, just the right size for a two-year-old to claim as his own.
Early this morning Jeffrey burst in on his sleeping parents to complain about a cramp in his calf.
“My leg is not able to support me anymore!” he wailed. When we questioned him further, he added, “I think my brain is having trouble sending it a message.”
Jeffrey often refers to his brain in this way. When he has difficulty performing a particular task, he’ll often clutch as his hair and say “I can’t, my brain is clogged!”
Makes me wish I could invent a product called Neuro Drain-O or something.
I just stopped my husband from attempting to give my sons haircuts in the middle of the living room rug.
We usually do it in the bathroom, so I don’t know what the logic was with moving to the living room, but anyway. Round of applause for my wifely intervention, please.
It’s almost 2009, but not quite — that means I can still blog about Christmas stuff, right? There are a few things I wanted to get down before I forget all about them . . .
Candlelight Christmas — this is an event at the This is the Place Heritage Park (aka “Olde Tyme Pioneer Village”). It’s actually a funny name — due to the various fire codes around the historic buildings, no actual candles are used, but it was still fun. They had a live nativity in the stable, and Eleanor’s eyes were enormous when I lifted her up to see Mary and Joseph. I’m afraid she believes that she has witnessed the real thing, but is that so terrible for a three year old?
There was also a 13 year old shepherd boy hovering around a campfire nearby. When we arrived, Jeffrey marched directly up to him and said, “Tell me the story of Jesus!” He later said the same thing to the lady who taught us the Virginia Reel in the schoolhouse. Ahh yes, the ever-treacherous Virginia Reel — Jeffrey and I danced it together, but it was difficult for Jeffrey to figure out how to do a do-si-do. Therefore, he became so entangled in my legs that I fell down on the floor right in the middle of it. The kicker? Brian had been sizing up the camera to take a picture of us, and hit the button just as I fell. Instead of a cute picture of some mother-and-son hoedown, there’s a picture of me sprawled on the floor next to a potbellied stove. Oh, and I would have posted it here, but darn if I didn’t delete it.
Jeffrey’s Nativity Play — this is done by the Primary in our ward the Sunday before Christmas, and boooooy is it adorable! Check it out:
So sweet, eh? Jeffrey is in the crowd of shepherds on the risers. He’s got his face to the side (just above the woman who’s conducting the music), so you really can’t see it too well, but this is the best shot we could get what with sitting in the back of the cultural hall and all. It was the Cutest Christmas Pageant Ever!
Carolling Party — on the 14th, we hosted a carolling party at our house. I have mentioned it earlier on this blog, but I forgot a crucial detail — namely, what happened when certain members of our party decided to do some door-to-door singing. First of all, most of the people who could sing well couldn’t come with us, owing to a lack of enthusiasm over taking newborns into the cold and whatnot. So the group consisted of three men and myself. Two of the men were energetic singers, but not adept at singing on key. The third man could sing tunefully enough but couldn’t remember the words to anything, and then there was me, who kept doubling over in laughter halfway through every carol, realizing how terrible we sounded. We were also trailed by half a dozen little kids, including Jeffrey, who somehow got carolling confused with trick-or-treating and insisted on wearing his Roman centurion’s helmet and a cape. Jeffrey also took along an empty wrapping paper tube and used it to “conduct” the carolling from the front steps of various homes.
Oh, you can just imagine how our neighbors responded to that. I have never seen such looks of bewilderment in my life. But it was great; I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
. . or rather, keeping track of what my kids say while we watch the debate.
(Just so you know: today Jeffrey turned six, and we’re having fun putting together his new Star Wars Lego set while watching the show.)
7:25 —
“Mom! Are you going to run for President?” This is not the first time Jeffrey’s asked me.
But Jeffrey, who would take care of you while I’m doing that?
“Oh, I’ll just spend time cleaning up your office while you’re gone.”
And when I’m home?
“Then I’ll clean up the other rooms in the White House.”
Why would I make a good President?
“You would help people find a job.” Hmm.
“And you would help get the wrecked ships out of the way.”
Okaaaay.
“And you would help George Washington gather up all of his cannons!”
(I make a long whistle.)
“And I’ll do anything for you, Mom! I’ll do any task you want me to!”
I like that can-do spirit, kid!
7:41 —
Who are the people on the screen, Jeffrey?
“Bawak Obama and Sentator McCain!”
7:45 —
How would you solve the war in Iraq?
“I would get a bigger army and force those two other armies back to their own countries.”
If only it were that easy.
Just for the record, I can’t get Eleanor to say anything cute or clever about the debate. Whenever I ask her what she thinks about say, government spending reform, she says “I don’t know!” and does a dance. Three year olds! Sheesh!
Well, the laptop battery’s getting low, so I’ll have to conclude my comments for the evening. Ta!
As we STILL have no internet access at Retro Acres, the posts are going to continue on the slim-to-non-existent side. The new service is supposed to be installed on Sept. 8 (!) (long wait!) so hold yer horses ’till then.
We’re visiting the grandparents for the weekend, which is why I was able to pop online and do a quick post. More on what we’ve been up to later, but for now:
Last night Brian was videotaping the Democratic National Convention for his family while I was out at a storytelling concert. The kids were running around the room while it was on, occasionally noticing what was onscreen. Occasionally, that is, until Barack Obama appeared. After viewing the barrage of inspirational speeches, campaign songs, and soft-focus life story, Jeffrey pointed at Barack and said in a hushed voice,
“Dad, is he going to save the world?”
(ha!)
I guess he does come off as a bit of a superhero-type for a five-year-old, what with the thronging crowds and all.
The kids and I are heading up to Yellowstone Park with my parents and brother, so I won’t be posting much over the next few days. Brian, poor guy, has to stay behind and go to work — but on the other hand, he gets to go to The Police reunion concert in Salt Lake.
This, as a non-Sting fan, does not seem to be much of a perk to me. In fact, I’d like to take a good fist-to-the-eye of whoever it was that wrote “Message in a Bottle.” But I’m sure he’ll have fun.
And so will we! Assuming, of course, that nobody is boiled alive! Or trampled by a moose! Hurrah!
. . . that I had a VERY exhausting weekend at a women’s retreat in Illinois, and I’m a little too tired now to summarize it, other than to say that it was refreshing, thought-provoking, and AWESOME.
But to tide you over until the next installment of Brooke-ness, may I present the Best PSA Ever? It even features a bartender joke, which is a big part of Shirts family culture:
I love how the Brit celebs are reading all kinds of stuff (magazines, trashy romance, non-fiction, spy novels, cookbooks, websites) not just “literature.” It makes me soooo happy. This is what public librarianship is all about, folks.
Now that I’ve gotten a brief run-down of the award winners out of the way, let’s get down to The Good Stuff: the books that could use a bit more nudging, a bit more hand-selling. The stuff I loooove, and want to share with every fiber of my dust-encoated librarian geek soul. Today I’m talkin’ ’bout fiction, the big ol’ chapter books. Here are my picks:
Best “My Family is Nuts” Story: Becca At Sea by Deidre Baker. A collection of vignettes, each featuring a different adventure Becca has at her grandmother’s seaside home. Funny, real characters, VERY pretty writing. Probably a surefire beach read, as well. (Just ignore the fugly cover. Who designed that?)
Best Dystopian Vision of the Future: A Darkling Plain(and the other books from the Hungry City Chronicles, since this is Book 4) by Philip Reeve. Guess what happens in 100 years? We all die. And then the people left over decide to put their towns on wheels and DESTROY EVERYTHING. Meanwhile, a bunch of likeable, colorful characters get thrown into this mess and have edge-of-the-seat adventures for many, many pages. In other words, the perfect sci-fi novel.
Favorite Summer Story: Moxy Maxwell Does NOT Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford. Moxy is a ne plus ultra procrastinator. Her attempts to put off reading Stuart Little on the last day of summer vacation involves peach trees, flooding, and the theme to “The Pink Panther.” Hilarious.
Made Me Laugh SO HARD. Seriously, I Was Crying:Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney. You can recommend it to your kid, but they’ve probably read it by now. So read it yourself, and be prepared for stomach cramps. (Löded Dipers RULEZ!)
Favorite Old-School Fantasy Novel: Dragon’s Keepby Janet Lee Carey. The year is 1145 AD, and Princess Rosalind is destined to restore Wilde Island to glory, and might do so — except that she was born with a dragon’s claw on her hand. What I really love about this book is that the dragons are not founts of Wise Wisdom or friendly misunderstood creatures. They are angry, demonic flame-beasts who really, really like burninating the peasants. (“TROGDOOOOOOR!”) Oh, and bonus points for the biracial handsome prince. I think this book–which was kinda overlooked last year — was my chief reason for making this list. Seriously, go find it.
For When You Need to Wear All-Black: Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill. Hmm. I just realized that this book was a Printz Honor, and should have been featured in the first part of this post. Oh, well. Anyway, just think of it: a biography of Plath, written in verse that is in the style of Plath’s poetry! A literary recursion that can BLOW. YOUR. MIND.
For When You Need to Wear Clogs and Chunky Sweaters: Undercoverby Beth Kephart. A teen girl who makes spending money as a professional Cyrano de Bergerac falls for her latest client and decides to break out of her shyness. And win a figure-skating competition. Yeah, you have to be there, but trust me — it’s beautiful.
Favorite Fairy Tale Retelling: Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier. Twelve Dancing Princesses-plus-The Frog Prince-plus-A Sprinkling of Jane Austen-plus-It’s Set in Transylvania. Gotta read it to believe it.
Best Pop-Culture References:A Crooked Kind of Perfectby Linda Urban. The sleeper hit of 2007. What if your OCD dad went out to get you piano lessons, and came home with a jazz organ instead? You get to play The Greatest Hits of the ’70s instead of Mozart, that’s what. (Chopin’s Lunchbox, that’s rough!) Favorite quote: “‘Why is there no Greatest Hits of the ”80s?’ ‘There were no hits in the ’80s.'”
The Book I Wish I Had Read When I Was Fifteen: Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande. A brave, funny book about an evangelical Christian girl who finds herself caught in the controversy surrounding the evolution unit in her high school biology class. It features cute puppies, cuter nerds, and some of the best references to Lord of the Rings, ever. Oh — this would be a great discussion book for church groups, if you’re looking.
Best Fantasy Novel for People Who Don’t Like Fantasy Novels: The New Policeman by Kate Thompson. Guess what: the reason you are always running late and feeling exhausted isn’t because you’re over-scheduled and stressed. It’s because time is leaking into fairyland. Yeah, you heard me. Required reading for fans of Irish folk music — there’s music at the end of every chapter. Ooo, and there’s a sequel comin’ out this year!
By Gum, it’s Living History!: Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller by Sarah Miller. A sensitive, sweet novelization of the “Miracle Worker” story, told from the perspective of Annie Sullivan. Includes a Symbolic Doll, in case you’re interested.
Best Kick-Butt Female Character: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale. Look, kids! It’s an obscure Grimm Bros. tale reset in medieval Mongolia! Featuring Dashti the humble mucker-maid, who manages to escape from a tower prison, defeat the evil invading horde, and win the heart of the swoon-worthy prince, using naught but good sense and hard work. Tip of the hat to you, Dashti-girl!
Best Picture Book For Older Kids & Adults: The Arrival by Shaun Tan. A wordless book that tells the story of a man who emigrates to a strange land of dazzling towers, funny animals, and puzzling customs. Tan used a variety of sources — Ellis Island archives, Chaplin films, etc. — as inspiration to create his fantasy world, but the book has a magic that goes beyond them. Arguably THE best kidlit book of 2007.
I Can’t FIgure Out Why It Wasn’t Published as a Novel For Adults: The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky. This lyrical, layered story, set in 1950s Australia, changes perspective between three sisters who are coping with their father’s depression and uncle’s attempts to move in on their mother. The real-life story of a Russian spy is unfolding next door, and the scandal serves as counterpoint for the family drama. Dubosarsky’s prose has a dreamlike quality that makes this a quick but haunting read.
Most Creative Setting: The Lion Hunter by Elizabeth E. Wein. It’s a historical fantasy that melds Arthurian legend with medieval Ethiopian culture. That’s right — imagine Celtic royalty hobnobbing with Ethiopian dynastic kings in the desert, add an intrepid child hero, his adorable baby sister, dysfunctional families, and LOTS of intrigue and danger . . . well, you get this book. One of a kind and a click to pick.
Favorite Reissue of the Year: A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson. Originally published in the ’80s, this comic romance reads like Frances Hodgson Burnett, LM Montgomery, and PG Wodehouse got thrown in a blender together. Eighteen year old Anna was raised as a wealthy Russian countess, but in 1918 she has lost everything and goes to work in an English country manor. Her winning personality and eccentric ways turns the house upside-down, and wins the heart of the handsome young lord of the manor. Easily my favorite beach-read of the year, as well. Fun fluffy stuff.
Well, there they are — read ’em and leap! For joy! And sheer literary pleasure! (Well . . . how would YOU end this exceedingly long post?) Enjoy!
This past weekend was the Spring Carnival and Buggy Sweepstakes at Carnegie Mellon University. We decided to give the carnival a try this year, and we are kicking ourselves that we haven’t gone before this — it was so cool! Both the carnival and the buggy sweepstakes are old CMU traditions. Here is a video that explains the sweepstakes. Those drivers are brave, brave women:
I guess the problem is that we always thought the carnival was limited/geared to CMU students, but it isn’t — it’s for everyone! While there are rides that charge admission, the best part of the carnival is the booth competition, and that is completely free.
The booth competition is completely nuts — different student organizations and Greek societies compete in the creation of these elaborately decorated two-story little buildings. They are themed, and decorated inside and out, with as many gadgets, games, costumes and paper-mache objets d’arts as can be imagined by a undergraduate population that consists mainly of art students, computer programmers and engineers. Here are the specifications from the carnival website:
Competitive booths are 15′ x 18′ and are judged on the following:
• internal and external appearance
• originality of structure
• space planning and circulation
• craftsmanship
• theme creativity
• name integration
• appeal to adults and children
• entertainment value
• aesthetic appeal
I (stupidly) forgot my camera, but I’m including images of some of the booths from years gone by, so you get a sense of the level of skill involved.
This year, there was a booth shaped like the Titanic (complete with an open-air deck on the second floor, and a captain’s wheel in the pilot house. The lower level featured a boiler room that, through a series of copper tubing, was “flooding,” and kids got to pump the water out.
Brian’s favorite booth was all about the railroads and the Golden Spike. It featured a beautifully constructed life-sized wooden train. Inside, the floor was of thick Plexiglass, through which you could see a tiny model train moving around in circles (and through model mountains in the shape of the fraternity’s logo).
Kappa Delta Theta created a booth that looked like the Great Pyramid at Giza, and when Jeffrey saw it, he went insane with excitement. I think it had the prettiest art out of all the booths — carefully painted and inscribed cartouches, sphinxes, and the requisite sarcophagus. Only, this sarcophagus was like a “concentration” game — kids had to match the mummy’s organs back to the correct places before the timer ran down and the sarcophagus popped up. He was given a scarab necklace upon exiting (all of the booths had little giveaway trinkets) and he’s worn it pretty much non-stop since then.
Eleanor was a little frightened of the booths. The WIzard of Oz booth was awesome (you went in through Dorothy’s Kansas house, and exited in the Emerald City, complete with a girl dressed as Glinda, handing out green necklaces) but a little spooky, and after that she refused to go in any more. But she did enjoy playing this cheesy version of “Plinko” (a full-sized candy bar to all winners, wow), digging for dinosaurs in a sand pit, and playing this very cute video game that one of the CS majors had created. She was given a stuffed penguin toy to hold, and when she pointed it at the screen, a little CGI penguin raced down a track. You moved the toy to control the game (there was probably a Wii controller stuffed inside).
When Jeffrey played the penguin game, his CGI bird slid off the track and began roaming through trees. The game designer was just behind us, and was being quizzed on the game’s technical aspects.
“Nice design,” said the designer’s friend as Jeffrey’s penguin raced farther and farther away from the course. “Um, just how much range of motion did you give to the players?”
“Oh, they hit a wall eventually,” was the designer’s airy reply. Just as he said this, Jeffrey’s penguin rammed into an invisible barrier. SMACK!
My friend Libby, who attended CMU for graduate school, told me that CMU is the kind of place “where even the jocks and cheerleaders are nerds.” Sounds like heaven to me!
Casa Camisas 