A Visit From Jack Frost

That's Aidan's explanation for the ice storm that hit Corydon this week, and these are some pictures of the damage it had done to our yard as of Wednesday morning. The first is of our back yard, the second of the east side yard, the third and fourth of the bizzilion-year-old tree next to our driveway (note the branch in my parking space). More branches have fallen since and this is only a tiny glimpse of the havoc it has wreaked all over the county. There are branches covering lawns and roadways and elecrical lines dangling everywhere.

Brian woke up around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday as our bedroom ceiling fan slowed to stop. In four short hours since we had gotten home from a Christmas party and gone to bed, the freezing rain had begun and piled on a coat of ice heavy enough to knock out the electricity all over the county. We were lucky enough that our gas fireplace in the kitchen happened to be on when the electricity went off. So come Tuesday morning, that became our base of operations for the next few days. Other strokes of luck (or graces from God): 1.) we have a gas water heater and 2.) for some reason I parked on the far side of the driveway earlier that day - something I almost never do.

It took the boys about half an hour to comprehend exactly what in the house required electricity. But once they grasped the concept of no tv, no movies, no computer, no Christmas tree lights, and no cooked food, they were really good sports. We put on a few layers of clothes and spent the next couple of days camping out in the kitchen with bb and Poppy's inflatable bed (thank goodness they left it here after their last visit!), lanterns, and candles. The boys played with all kinds of toys that had been forgotten in nooks and corners of the playroom and I did a little catalog shopping for Christmas. Brian stayed busy as the hospital tripled it's duties as it acted as a warming station and the only source in town for a hot meal. He came home every few hours to check on us and deliver coffee or dinner. (It's good to have connections.)

Our neighbors along the other side of the street regained electricity early Tuesday evening. One in particular celebrated (read: gloated) by turning on their outside Christmas lights right away. Our power was not restored until Wednesday evening around 7:00. As soon as it kicked on, Aidan ran through the house testing every light switch. Preston looked at the kitchen light, processed it for a second, and then asked, "So the lights work...that means the...um...um...tv works?" Proving that it apparently takes longer than 48 hours to detox kids from technology.

Neighboring 101

As I took Dolce out Tuesday evening, this caught my eye on the way back in. I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt that the lights are on a timer, and it was just too cold for them to walk outside to override it. Or maybe they believed it would bring us some cheer?

Note to self: when wanting to maintain neighborly relations, do NOT display blatant or frivolous uses of electricity when those in your immediate area are using their deck as a make-shift refrigerator/deep freeze, are feeding their children peanut butter and jelly for at least two meals a day, and are looking at a week's worth of laundry they sooooo wish they would have done on Monday.

PARTYING...KINDERGARTEN STYLE

Here are some pictures from Aidan's fall class party. Mrs. Cox is doing a great job teaching them self-restraint and good manners. It had to be the most tame congregation of five and six year-olds that I have ever witnessed. After making a craft, they all waited patiently to be served their snacks before anyone even touched a bite. This is something we rarely see at our own dinner table, so to see it come naturally to twelve kindergartners was interesting. Then, before they dug in, they said in unison, "Thank you, moms and dads, for bringing all the good snacks. They look yummy!" It was too cute.

There's also a picture of the Frankenstein jello cups we made for the party.

PUMPKIN PATCH

A couple of Saturdays ago, we spent the day at the Center Grove Orchard north of Ames. It was the most awesome pumpkin patch that we've visited. We actually had so much fun with all of the peripheral activities, that we ran out of time to go into the patch to pick our pumpkins. We ended up just choosing a few of the ones already brought in from the field.

The boys rode on a train with individual cars made from 55 gallon drums, "milked" a fiberglass cow, visited a one-room school house and the three little pigs' houses, watched goats, chickens, roosters, etc at the petting zoo, rode pedal tractors, climbed on a retired field tractor, played in the corn pool, maneuvered their way through a straw bale maze constructed inside a straw bale castle, attempted walking on stilts, practiced their lassoing techniques (with a little demonstration from Dad), and scrubbed a tub full of gourds. It was definitely a full day!

APPARENTLY, YOU CAN PUT A PRICE ON A GOOD EDUCATION

I went through all of the steps prescribed to build a perfect life: Miss Goody Two Shoes throughout my youth. Undergraduate degree on full scholarship. Marriage to my college sweetheart. Graduate degree while working full time. Birthing of not one, but two perfect little men. Decision to stay home to mold their little minds as much as possible before "the system" got a hold of them.

Little did I know as I went through these motions that my life would one day be reduced to hawking exorbitantly priced cookie dough and wrapping paper so that our kids could enjoy a public (read: supposedly tax-funded) education. Seriously, this is ridiculous! $13.50 for a box of cookie dough? $12 for enough wrapping paper to wrap (maybe) two packages of Spider Man underwear? $25 for a bud vase I swear I saw at Dollar General? I mean, just ask me for a donation and spare me the humiliation of peddling such wares.

You might ask why, if I am so opposed, did I email you asking for your patronage. Two reasons: 1) See MGTS reference above. I mean, hello?, the teacher and principal said that I had to. 2) Both fortunately and unfortunately depending on the circumstance, you are genetically obligated to buy this crap and act delighted to do so.

Never fear, I did my part and ordered some cookie dough, wrapping paper, and a tape gun. The bad news is that we won't have any birthday presents to wrap for Aidan because I blew the budget on these things. The good news is that he won't miss them because he'll be rewarded with a craptabulous Shrek flying disk and AM radio/headphone/flashlight combo as a reward for meeting our sales goal. Furthering the irony, I don't even let the kids watch Shrek!

All that aside, Aidan and I (and all of the local taxpayers who are obviously not picking up their fair share) thank you for your support.

PARADISE LOST

Sorry that it has been so long since I posted. Rule of thumb: one week of vacation results in three weeks of catching up. But it was definitely worth it. Stacey and I went on a cruise to Key West and Cozumel. Lots of fun, lots of sun, lots of rest, and lots of Miami Vices (pina colada and strawberry daiquiri combo) on the pool deck. But alas, it's back to reality.

YO HO HO!

Preston turned three last week! So we celebrated with a Pirate Party...


Four of his mateys joined us to hunt for treasure and walk the plank. I think a good time was had by all. The weather was beautiful. We turned the playset into a pirate ship complete with flags and the jolly roger. The crew searched for clues with the help of polaroid pictures. At each stop they acquired another piece of their pirate costumes. When the hunt was finished, they had pirate hats, eye patches, beads, a red satin sash, monoculars, mustaches, and tattoos. Then they were ready to walk the plank. Watch out for those crocodiles!

Hunting for treasure works up a fierce appetite. We had ice cream and cupcakes topped with pirates, gold coins, beads, and jewels. Then the Captain opened his booty (read: presents) before the voyage came to an end.

SCHOOL DAYS

Today, Aidan started his second full week of school. I thought that I would get more efficient when he went to school, but apparently that's not the case as it has taken me this long to get a post up about his first day. ;)

In summation, he loves it! He really likes his teacher, Mrs. Cox, and has been eager to get up and get to school every morning thus far. Over the weekend, Mrs. Cox showed up at the restaurant where we were eating dinner, and you would have thought Aidan had seen a movie star. His eyes literally glittered when he looked at her.

So far, the hardest part about him starting school has been being patient to hear about his day. When I picked him up after the first day, I started asking questions. He interrupted with, "Mom, can I say something first? From now on, I'm going to tell you about my day at dinner when Dad gets home." I thought that sounded like a good enough idea, but thought he would make an exception since it was the FIRST day. No. Instead, he told me that I "would get used to it."

Here are a couple of pictures from the first day of school. They aren't great as Aidan was a little embarrassed and Brian was rushing me.

MILESTONES

Last week was a week to be noted...one full of milestones.

Over the weekend, we took the boys to Des Moines so we could buy Preston his first "big boy" bike. After a lengthy debate between the Spiderman or Tonka bike, we settled on the Tonka and a Bob the Builder helmet. I wowed Brian with my "mommy negotiating techniques" as I swayed Preston's decision to match our preferences. ;) Afterward we had a little lunch and found a park with great bike paths. The boys rode for a while and then played on the equipment before we headed back to Corydon.

Preston visited the nursery school classroom on Tuesday and Thursday to help him get acclimated before the program actually begins. Diapers are not allowed in nursery school, so he has been working really hard on potty training and has even been wearing "big boy" underwear. He's doing a great job. Sporadically throughout the day we'll hear the sound of him running through the house, then the toilet flushing, and finally him belting out "Preston pottied on the potty. Preston pottied on the potty. Preston pottied on the potty 'cause he's a big, big boy!" (to the tune of Blue's Clues "We Just Got a Letter") If you happen to be standing close by, he'll instruct you to "please sing!" Aidan has appointed himself as "potty patrol." If he hears Preston going toward the bathroom, he'll follow to make certain that something is actually happening in there and Preston isn't just working the system to get a gumdrop.

Aidan had a big week, too, but it's worth its own post. Here are some pics from the bike outing and Preston modeling his new underwear.

STIR FIRE and CHOPSTICKS

Brian and Aidan volunteered to cook dinner over the weekend. Brian made fried rice and kung pao (or General Tso's - I'm not sure which, it was yummy either way) chicken, and Aidan assisted him in prepping the Crab Rangoon. Here are a few pics of Aidan showing off his culinary skills and of Preston mastering the chopsticks.

The dinner was fabulous and fun, but it might be the last time I agree to an "I'll cook and you clean" proposal. Just as the last rangoons were leaving the skillet, Brian bumped it and grease spilled all over the burner...instant pyrotechnics! Lucky for him, he married a woman with experience in grease fires.

Here are a few pics of Aidan showing off his culinary skills and Preston mastering the chopsticks. Also, the aftermath of the fireworks.

CATTLE CALL

The last several weeks have been filled with meetings and other obligations. Brian has been working long hours on a deal associated with the hospital, and I have had a string of projects to complete. This weekend our sole mission was "family fun."

Brian called Friday morning to say he thought he could get away from the office early, to get the boys ready and we would go to the Iowa State Fair. Ironically, Aidan had just seen an ad on TV for the fair that morning and asked if we could go. Nothing like instant gratification!

The Iowa State Fair has been declared the third best state fair in the country, and the reasons why were evident as soon as we passed through the gates. It was huge, well-organized, and clean. We saw horses, sheep, pigs, and enough cattle to make Stacey jealous. The boys got to climb all over a lot of high-dollar farm equipment. We took in a few of the rides and some corn dogs and lemonade before heading for the car. What didn't seem like such a long distance on the way in because a nice Shriner offered us a ride on his golf-cart, was enough of a trek on the way out to threaten a heat stroke. We were all beet red and silent by the time we made it to the car.

As far as fun goes, the kids hit the jackpot this weekend, as it was also Corydon's Old Settlers Festival. Which meant more rides, junk food, and a parade on Saturday. The whole town square was filled all weekend with a carnival, free concerts, window decorating contests, an art exhibit, book signings, a farmers' market, kiddie and regular parades, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, fireman's water fights, etc., etc. We didn't make it there with the camera, but here are a few shots from the fair.

MORE FAIR PICS

OVERHEARD

We took the boys to the drive-in movie last Saturday. It's a 25 minute drive there, and the boys were entertaining themselves by playing with their superhero action figures in the back seat. Aidan had maneuvered his to hang from the clothes hook above his car seat by it's foot. Preston, being persistent as usual, tried for at least five minutes to accomplish the same feat.

When he finally succeeded, he shouted, "I did it. I did it." To which Aidan responded, "Yes, Batman and Superman are doing it in the back seat!"

IT'S OFFICIAL

Aidan is officially registered for kindergarten. The event itself was somewhat anticlimatic. I've spent the past week trying to psych him up for registration at every opportunity. In fact, it only entailed sitting down to fill out an emergency contact form, confirming that we have insurance, and forking over $538 for activities and meals. He was more interested in the soda machines he could see just outside the cafeteria doors and strategizing a way to convince me to buy a Wild Cherry Pepsi.

We checked his class roster to see which of his buddies he would be with. The only ones we recognized were two girl friends and a boy he made friends with at summer school. In the long run, I'm sure we (meaning Brian and I) will be glad that is the case. He'll be able to make new friends and will probably not get in as much trouble early on. But my heart did sink just a little to see that all of his best buddies were in other classes. Also noted on the roster: they spelled his name wrong AGAIN. I've only corrected it at every opportunity...pre-registration, kindergarten round-up, summer school. I ordered him a backpack with his name embroidered on it so that maybe, after having to look at it every day, the academians might grasp that it is spelled with an "a" instead of an "e."

In other academic news: Aidan woke up one day this week able to read. I don't know where it has come from (although I'm certain it somehow relates to our superior parenting skills), but he's reading like crazy. At first, I thought he was just picking up sight words or reading familiar books from memory. But on Monday, he asked me when he and Preston had to clean up the play room. When I asked why he wanted to know, he pointed out that the dry erase board said "boys to clean up play room." I had written it there for the babysitter who was coming that afternoon. Instead of feeling sorry for him because he won't be with his friends at school, perhaps I should concentrate my sympathy on his teacher. She'll have her work cut out for her keeping him challenged.