Tuesday night Rose, Lucas, Noah and I, went to Circus Smirkus. This was Luke's second or third time going and the first time for Noah and me. In fact, this was my first time at a circus. I've always wanted to go so when Rose asked about Tuesday I was thrilled.
Parking the car in the grass the big top took shape. True, the tent wasn't as big as I imagine traveling circuses are, but was still a site to behold. Children of all ages were running about with bags of bubblegum pink cotton candy, buttered popcorn, balloons. Parents and grandparents were being tugged this way and that while their children were proclaiming, "look at this," or, "I want to show you something," or, "can I have this, please?" Whichever way I turned I saw faces that were lit, faces that could have been peering over the birthday candles right before blowing. Eyes sparkled as they darted around taking in the wonder of it all. Everyone was eager for the show. I stood there in the crowd and let the sounds and sites envelop me. (I wonder how many other people find themselves wrapped up in the excitement of an event just by standing in the crowd- probably just about everyone I would guess.)
Sitting down on bleachers took me back to high school football games. Then I was tiny and had no children to speak of, now it's difficult to hold a squirming baby and ignore the pain throbbing away in my lower back. Thankfully they were padded. Despite that and the heat, there wasn't a bad seat in the tent.
The circus started. Children ranging in age from very young (5?, 6?) to young adult (20?) bounced into the tent with animated faces and exaggerated gestures- oh, and the costumes.
I knew that the circus performers had costumes, but not like this. It was themed,"Ever After." A collaboration of many different fairy tale figures danced before our eyes. A wolf, little red, pigs, bears, Cinderella, Hansel, Gretel and the witch to name a few. It boggled my mind how no-one was passing out of heat exhaustion and how they could move so gracefully in those garments.
The growling of the wolf frightened Noah, but the sparkling of little red's cape soothed him. (He didn't take his eyes of her.) A scene with Rapunzel and her prince brought us all to laughter. All the areal acrobatic work, the juggling, the dancing, everything was spectacular.
The kids fought of sleep and turned their dials to cranky by the end, but were wonderful despite. I am so glad that I can share experiences like this with them and that I can share in the magic even for a few hours.
Walking out of the big top we stepped over piles of popcorn strewn about the grass. I found myself looking for Templeton and thinking what a find this would be.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Taking the kids to the drive-in's for the first time
I'm a Harry Potter fan. I started reading the books my sophomore year in high school. Of course while the books are much better than the movies, I have faithfully watched them all. For me, it's not only about seeing the books come to life on the big screen, it's also about watching the actors grow into adults as well.
Perhaps it's because I am a mother of two myself and that I am interested in what sort of people they will become, but I find myself wondering about the young stars of the movie as well. Look how they have grown! (Anyone who is a constant viewer of Jon and Kate plus 8 will know what I am referring to here.) I find myself caring about these people as if they are actually friends of mine. In a way- I guess they are. I have spent many hours reading the books, watching the movies, discussing with others and of course reading up on the actors themselves. I hope that the photographs I take of my children will tell a story in much the same way.
Since the new Harry Potter film has come out I have been dancing around the house like a pixie telling Steve how much I wanted to see it. The kids would never be able to sit through a movie of its length, nor would I expect them to, so I figured we would either have to line up a sitter or else wait for it on video. Then, as if by magic (imagine that), I thought of the drive-ins.
The Wellfleet Drive-In's Theatre was showing Harry at 8:15 so Steve and I packed up the kids clad in jammies, blankies in hand and headed to the movies. I envisioned the night going as a romantic evening, kids would fall asleep on the way and then Steve and I would be able to catch the movie like a couple of teenagers on a date. We would go as a family eliminating the need for a babysitter and we would save money by paying as a car load rather than for a ticket at a theatre where prices are always soaring.
Things have changed since the last time I went to the drive-ins. Apparently you pay by person now, not by car. The last time I went in the 90's, it was around $10 or so for a car load of people. Gone are those days and sadly, prices aren't much cheaper than an indoor theatre. The kids were free at least since they are under age four.
Cars have also changed. In the 90's you had your mini-vans and trucks and a few SUV's. Now it seems like everyone is driving an SUV and they all go to the drive-in's and park as close to the screen as they can. As if their giant box on wheels weren't enough to bother us compact types, they also have to open the hatch so they can camp out. Tickets were expensive and now we were going to have an obstructed view. (The staff at the theatre thankfully were quite gracious and asked us if we could see. They were on-top of policing those SUV's and minivans for us compacts.)
With our view resurrected, we people watched while waiting for the movie. An SUV in front of us off to the left had a couple of teenage boys from Connecticut, according to their plates, sitting on the edge of their window. They had their feet in the front seats and butts planted on the window ledge. One boy had a cowboy hat on (I write cowboy hat, but really it's one of those cheap numbers you get at Target or wherever) the other had a b-ball style Red Sox hat. These two were quite the pair. Complete opposites sitting in the windows scanning for girls playing their country music just a little too loud. I giggled despite myself, was this what cool was now? When I was in high school it certainly wasn't country, it was rap- not that it worked on me. But in all seriousness- when did the drive-in's become tailgating party arenas?
On top of them, other young people came with lobster hats (clearly not from Cape Cod) and laser pointers. I guess it's still cool to use a laser pointer on Harry's head while the rest of us are trying to watch the movie- some things never change. The same group also had to photograph every moment- making memories here! The flash of the camera was OK before the movie, but as it continued during the movie coupled with the laser pointer- enough was enough. Thankfully another annoyed Potter fan yelled for the rest of us and that was that.
As for the kids sleeping, Noah and Luke were wired when we got there. I did the only thing I could think to do, I unleashed them in the backseat. Sure, the windows would be smeared with hand prints and drool and there quite possibly would be objects flying out of them, but if they were happy and not climbing all over Steve and me- I really couldn't care less.
That worked for some time, but as the movie actually started so did Noah. Usually he is the happiest baby known to man, but when he wants to, that kid can really scream. We had to put the windows up all the way so as to not disturb cars around us. Then the windshield would fog over and we would have to crack the windows again. This game of up and down with the windows and jiggling Noah went on for about 45 minutes. Tiresome, but it worked.
Steve and I finally were at the movie enjoying it and each others company. The two little bodies in the backseat snored away.
Perhaps it's because I am a mother of two myself and that I am interested in what sort of people they will become, but I find myself wondering about the young stars of the movie as well. Look how they have grown! (Anyone who is a constant viewer of Jon and Kate plus 8 will know what I am referring to here.) I find myself caring about these people as if they are actually friends of mine. In a way- I guess they are. I have spent many hours reading the books, watching the movies, discussing with others and of course reading up on the actors themselves. I hope that the photographs I take of my children will tell a story in much the same way.
Since the new Harry Potter film has come out I have been dancing around the house like a pixie telling Steve how much I wanted to see it. The kids would never be able to sit through a movie of its length, nor would I expect them to, so I figured we would either have to line up a sitter or else wait for it on video. Then, as if by magic (imagine that), I thought of the drive-ins.
The Wellfleet Drive-In's Theatre was showing Harry at 8:15 so Steve and I packed up the kids clad in jammies, blankies in hand and headed to the movies. I envisioned the night going as a romantic evening, kids would fall asleep on the way and then Steve and I would be able to catch the movie like a couple of teenagers on a date. We would go as a family eliminating the need for a babysitter and we would save money by paying as a car load rather than for a ticket at a theatre where prices are always soaring.
Things have changed since the last time I went to the drive-ins. Apparently you pay by person now, not by car. The last time I went in the 90's, it was around $10 or so for a car load of people. Gone are those days and sadly, prices aren't much cheaper than an indoor theatre. The kids were free at least since they are under age four.
Cars have also changed. In the 90's you had your mini-vans and trucks and a few SUV's. Now it seems like everyone is driving an SUV and they all go to the drive-in's and park as close to the screen as they can. As if their giant box on wheels weren't enough to bother us compact types, they also have to open the hatch so they can camp out. Tickets were expensive and now we were going to have an obstructed view. (The staff at the theatre thankfully were quite gracious and asked us if we could see. They were on-top of policing those SUV's and minivans for us compacts.)
With our view resurrected, we people watched while waiting for the movie. An SUV in front of us off to the left had a couple of teenage boys from Connecticut, according to their plates, sitting on the edge of their window. They had their feet in the front seats and butts planted on the window ledge. One boy had a cowboy hat on (I write cowboy hat, but really it's one of those cheap numbers you get at Target or wherever) the other had a b-ball style Red Sox hat. These two were quite the pair. Complete opposites sitting in the windows scanning for girls playing their country music just a little too loud. I giggled despite myself, was this what cool was now? When I was in high school it certainly wasn't country, it was rap- not that it worked on me. But in all seriousness- when did the drive-in's become tailgating party arenas?
On top of them, other young people came with lobster hats (clearly not from Cape Cod) and laser pointers. I guess it's still cool to use a laser pointer on Harry's head while the rest of us are trying to watch the movie- some things never change. The same group also had to photograph every moment- making memories here! The flash of the camera was OK before the movie, but as it continued during the movie coupled with the laser pointer- enough was enough. Thankfully another annoyed Potter fan yelled for the rest of us and that was that.
As for the kids sleeping, Noah and Luke were wired when we got there. I did the only thing I could think to do, I unleashed them in the backseat. Sure, the windows would be smeared with hand prints and drool and there quite possibly would be objects flying out of them, but if they were happy and not climbing all over Steve and me- I really couldn't care less.
That worked for some time, but as the movie actually started so did Noah. Usually he is the happiest baby known to man, but when he wants to, that kid can really scream. We had to put the windows up all the way so as to not disturb cars around us. Then the windshield would fog over and we would have to crack the windows again. This game of up and down with the windows and jiggling Noah went on for about 45 minutes. Tiresome, but it worked.
Steve and I finally were at the movie enjoying it and each others company. The two little bodies in the backseat snored away.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sweetheart boats
This dreary weather we've had these past few days got me to thinking about Sweetheart Candy boxes. It was either late February or early March (obviously because of the Valentine's candy) that C.J. and I crafted boats. We were living in Pennsylvania at the time and must have had a bout of wet weather. Our parking lot always flooded when the snow melted, or we had lots of rain (basement flooded as well and toys were ruined, but that's another story). C.J. and I were sick of being cooped up inside on those long winter days.*
*A little fact about my time in Pennsylvania: we lived in Edinboro which is on the Lake Erie side of the state. It started snowing that year, '93, on Halloween, no lie. It was frigid, to say the least, that winter and two kids can only do so much in an apartment before going stir crazy. Think, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," from 'The Shining.'
So, sometime after Valentine's we decided to play in the puddles in the drive. I think that it was C.J. who had the idea of making little boats out of the box. If I remember correctly the boxes had that waxy sheen on them so it made them ideal for floating. We cut them up used toothpicks as masts and tissues (I think) as sails. We raced our boats by blowing on them, we tested their ability to hold weight by loading them with rocks until they sunk. Life was simple.
I really get to missing my brother when little things like the Sweetheart boats come back to me. I guess I really get to missing my childhood, a case of nostalgia. And you know, what really gets my head spinning now, 20 years down the road from this moment, I will miss these simple days and this time as a youth. I wonder if we do live multiple lives, if we get do overs. I don't think so. But if we could, could we come back with the memory of our short comings from our previous life and make things better? Or at least different? Could we come back with a greater sense of appreciation for the moments that we are in? Probably not. But perhaps we could teach ourselves to slow it down a little and reflect on the present because as they say, it goes too fast.
*A little fact about my time in Pennsylvania: we lived in Edinboro which is on the Lake Erie side of the state. It started snowing that year, '93, on Halloween, no lie. It was frigid, to say the least, that winter and two kids can only do so much in an apartment before going stir crazy. Think, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," from 'The Shining.'
So, sometime after Valentine's we decided to play in the puddles in the drive. I think that it was C.J. who had the idea of making little boats out of the box. If I remember correctly the boxes had that waxy sheen on them so it made them ideal for floating. We cut them up used toothpicks as masts and tissues (I think) as sails. We raced our boats by blowing on them, we tested their ability to hold weight by loading them with rocks until they sunk. Life was simple.
I really get to missing my brother when little things like the Sweetheart boats come back to me. I guess I really get to missing my childhood, a case of nostalgia. And you know, what really gets my head spinning now, 20 years down the road from this moment, I will miss these simple days and this time as a youth. I wonder if we do live multiple lives, if we get do overs. I don't think so. But if we could, could we come back with the memory of our short comings from our previous life and make things better? Or at least different? Could we come back with a greater sense of appreciation for the moments that we are in? Probably not. But perhaps we could teach ourselves to slow it down a little and reflect on the present because as they say, it goes too fast.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Cop crosses the line
On my way to the television station yesterday I pulled up behind a cop at the red light at the end of my road. He was a Bourne Police Officer. Sometimes being behind a cop leaves a person uneasy. To counter that, I left plenty of space between us and tried to enjoy my tunes.
Of course it's hard to look and act normal when every time you turn your head forward, a cop is glaring at you in his side mirror. He was looking very smug wearing his sunglasses on a cloudy day. I turned my head and stared out the window, my seat belt was on, my music wasn't too loud and the car was running OK. (Maybe he is running my plates to check things out, how rude.)
I couldn't look out the window too long, that would be suspicious. I looked forward and he was still looking in the side mirror as he inched forward. (God to think maybe he was checking me out- give me a break.) I held my foot on the brake pedal to the floor, the cop was now across the 'stop behind the white line' line, was he playing chicken with me? Was he egging me to inch forward so that he could ticket me for crossing the line with my front tires? (It's true, they can do that. A friend of mine failed his driver's test the first time because his front tires crossed that line when he stopped at a red light.)
The cop continued to inch forward. Then, all of a sudden, he sped off into the red light. Does he think just because he's a cop, he's above the law! Apparently so. I can't tell you how many times I have sat at that very same light for what seemed like eons waiting for it to change. Can I run it? No, of course not. That would land me a very large ticket. But, Mr. Bourne Police Officer- please go right ahead.
The light finally changed a few seconds after he sped off. I went on my way. You know- he wasn't even a Statey.
Of course it's hard to look and act normal when every time you turn your head forward, a cop is glaring at you in his side mirror. He was looking very smug wearing his sunglasses on a cloudy day. I turned my head and stared out the window, my seat belt was on, my music wasn't too loud and the car was running OK. (Maybe he is running my plates to check things out, how rude.)
I couldn't look out the window too long, that would be suspicious. I looked forward and he was still looking in the side mirror as he inched forward. (God to think maybe he was checking me out- give me a break.) I held my foot on the brake pedal to the floor, the cop was now across the 'stop behind the white line' line, was he playing chicken with me? Was he egging me to inch forward so that he could ticket me for crossing the line with my front tires? (It's true, they can do that. A friend of mine failed his driver's test the first time because his front tires crossed that line when he stopped at a red light.)
The cop continued to inch forward. Then, all of a sudden, he sped off into the red light. Does he think just because he's a cop, he's above the law! Apparently so. I can't tell you how many times I have sat at that very same light for what seemed like eons waiting for it to change. Can I run it? No, of course not. That would land me a very large ticket. But, Mr. Bourne Police Officer- please go right ahead.
The light finally changed a few seconds after he sped off. I went on my way. You know- he wasn't even a Statey.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Techno jams possible key to dancing my tummy off
Having children changed my life. Laying on the carpet and watching them play makes me laugh more than a comedy ever has, sunny days are warmer and offer more things to do and taking time to stop and smell the roses takes on a whole new meaning. Of course, my energy levels have plummeted, I envy my friends who can just take off and do something just because they feel like it and lets face it, my body will never be the same.
Noah is going to be one in just over a month. The experts say that it takes most women a full year to lose the baby weight after giving birth. Some are lucky and are naturally thin and the weight just sort of melts off them in a month, others give birth to small babies that leave no trace of ever having been in the womb and still others work out, have a trainer, a nutritionist or damn good genes and sweat it off.
With Lucas, I dropped most of it within a month and worked the rest off within six months. Then came Noah. My almost ten pound wonder. Here we are at almost 11 months and I would say I need to lose roughly, between 5 and 7 lbs. OK- now that doesn't sound like much, but next time you're in the grocery store take a look at two pounds of hamburger meat and think again.
While I would love to hit the gym, first, I don't have the time and second, I can't afford it. Instead I have the play room where I have crunched until I thought my spine chipped on the floor, ran in place until I almost stepped on Noah and wiggled and jiggled until I thought I would faint. The problem with that is that I'm inconsistent, the children are always under foot and honestly, the space just isn't meeting my needs.
Lately I have been trying to work past all that by tuning in to my Ipod. Noah goes in the excersaucer where he gets mad and tries fruitlessly to escape, I make Lucas stay on the other side of the line and I just pump up the jam.
While I like all different types of music I never was a big fan of techno until I decided it could be the key to my weight loss. With the ups and downs, the sudden stops, the build, who wouldn't get excited enough to move? I mean- just freak out. Punch the air, kick and spin in circles like 'Flash Dance,' run around hands over head like Kevin in 'Home Alone.' Freak Out.
It's so easy to do if you just forget yourself for awhile. One advantage of not being at a gym I suppose. And did you know that just about every song sounds good after the end of a techno jam? Personally, I'm keen to sandstorm followed by everybody dance now (sweat). Now if only I could make it routine.
Noah is going to be one in just over a month. The experts say that it takes most women a full year to lose the baby weight after giving birth. Some are lucky and are naturally thin and the weight just sort of melts off them in a month, others give birth to small babies that leave no trace of ever having been in the womb and still others work out, have a trainer, a nutritionist or damn good genes and sweat it off.
With Lucas, I dropped most of it within a month and worked the rest off within six months. Then came Noah. My almost ten pound wonder. Here we are at almost 11 months and I would say I need to lose roughly, between 5 and 7 lbs. OK- now that doesn't sound like much, but next time you're in the grocery store take a look at two pounds of hamburger meat and think again.
While I would love to hit the gym, first, I don't have the time and second, I can't afford it. Instead I have the play room where I have crunched until I thought my spine chipped on the floor, ran in place until I almost stepped on Noah and wiggled and jiggled until I thought I would faint. The problem with that is that I'm inconsistent, the children are always under foot and honestly, the space just isn't meeting my needs.
Lately I have been trying to work past all that by tuning in to my Ipod. Noah goes in the excersaucer where he gets mad and tries fruitlessly to escape, I make Lucas stay on the other side of the line and I just pump up the jam.
While I like all different types of music I never was a big fan of techno until I decided it could be the key to my weight loss. With the ups and downs, the sudden stops, the build, who wouldn't get excited enough to move? I mean- just freak out. Punch the air, kick and spin in circles like 'Flash Dance,' run around hands over head like Kevin in 'Home Alone.' Freak Out.
It's so easy to do if you just forget yourself for awhile. One advantage of not being at a gym I suppose. And did you know that just about every song sounds good after the end of a techno jam? Personally, I'm keen to sandstorm followed by everybody dance now (sweat). Now if only I could make it routine.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
