Holy Star of the Week...We Made It!!

"Am I star of the week yet?!"

This, my friends, has been the BIG question ALL WEEK, every minute, every hour, all day and night.
Chloe has been waitning the entire kindergarten school year for it's arrival.
This was her moment as shining star of the A.M. Kindergarden class.
Many other stars have shone.
Now, it was her turn...
...or was it?

Chloe is literal...
You call it Star of the Week and she wants to be that star all week.
It was not called Star of Friday.

Live and Learn.

Somehow, Grace managed to be the star for the entire week last year!
If you know my Grace, you know that it is possible for her to captivate an audience, demand their undying love...
...and actually get it!

My advice to Grade K teachers around the globe:
When you "hype" up an event and get a five year olded "amped up" please be VERY specific as to what will be happening.
Don't leave the quiet, polite kids hangin'...waiting on cue for their moment to shine.
Believe me when I say my Chlo Chlo would have kept her bag packed for a month, with the hope that the teacher would some day remember that it needed to be unpacked, never uttering a word until asked or told.

Chloe is shy.
How a shy girl bloomed in my family tree, I will never know.
She is our sweetie pie.
Chloe Chlo has the heart of the bravest lion and the voice of a fuzzy, little lamb.

Beginning last Thursday Jim and I have been asked the same questions on repeat:

"Are you coming to school for my star of the week?"
"When is my star of the week?"
"In the morning, will it be my star of the week?"

If the teachers don't call it Friday Star I'm renaming it in my house!

Our Monkey is also a patient little soul....thankfully.
It would be quite a different blog if this were happening to either of her sisters.
I'm laughing, thinking about the imaginary scenes that would play out! Patience would not be involved.

She made it through the week after carrying her three favorite toys and favorite book in her back pack EVERY DAY.

Chloe's bag must've weighed an additional five pounds, which is a ton when you weigh 42!
She wasn't about to risk being unprepared when "her moment" came.
Have I described my youngest daughter as "a trooper" before?

...Well, you get it.

This morning Jim and I were reminded to be at the school.
Chloe was ready for the bus in a flash and out the door, weighted down by her bag, which now had one more book in it.
With every passing day something new has been thrown in.
Jim took the day off for the "Big Event."
Chloe had made him nervous. Jim, in a half sleep mumbled,"When do I have to be at the star thing for Chlo?"
I kissed him, said bye and spewed his orders at him.

The morning rush drew to an abrupt end and were were all in place.
I stared at the school clock, counting down the minutes until "Star Time".
The ending bell for my class rings at 9:28, giving me 2 (yes 2 minutes) to run to my car, start it up, cruise down the road, turn left, then right and into the lot of the elementary school.
Next step is signing in and running down the hall to the classroom (bad teachers, but good mamas run!), but that doesn't count in the timeline. Once you're in the building the Mama clock stops.
 ---According to my rules anyway.

I pulled into the lot and saw Jim's truck.
What a good soldier boy.
Daddy Dude rules!
At least one of us would be on time...It was 9:33.

The class was sitting pretzel legged (old school "Indian Style"...that's not PC anymore) in a huge oval, on the carpet. Chloe sat center stage with her Dad on the left and her teacher on the right.
She took one look at me and smiled.
My mania subsided.
I could breathe now.
The teacher announced my presence and pulled me up a chair, next to Chloe Oh.

Jim had just finished reading Chloe's favorite book: Alice the Fairy.
Kids looked happy all around.

Note To Self: Ask about story time. I am the designated storyteller of the family due to Jimbo's inability to speak in character and his ability to speed read. I wonder if he made fairy and kid voices?! Did the kids even understand him?
There I go, laughing to myself again! This should be good!

I made it for the All About Chloe Poster and Show and Tell.
We also had a fire drill smack, daub in the middle.
Here's the great thing about the little guys...They thought that this was the coolest thing in the world!

"Now Chloe had the best Star of the Week!"
"Everybody gets to see your Mom and Dad, Chloe!"
"Chloe's parents are going too?! Wow!"
"You get to meet the man in charge...He's the boss and tells us when we are good. (the principal)

...Then Chloe told us about all of the kids that were bad!
We know the Grade "K' run down down...good, bad and ugly.
They don't hold anything back!
Cute comments sang out and excited kids were hushed by their teachers.
Chloe walked quietly and proudly, holding both our hands tightly, Mommy and Daddy on display for all of the school to see...even the Principal.
It was absolutely adorable.
Jim and I helped usher the kids back in.
I don't know how the teacher does it...Yes, I know...i am a teacher too...but not of little guys!
--Totally different!
--The big guys kinda know to do on their own.
This teacher truly herds baby sheep.
I was sooo impressed.
I love knowing that our girls are in such good hands.

We finished up the poster talk. Everyone learned all about Chloe's favorite things and then got to see  photos of her.

--Big mistake telling me that "she could bring in as many pictures as she wanted."
Chloe picked 55!
Of course..I let her bring them all in too.
Chloe talked a little bit about all of "the stuff" and was allowed to take questions.
It must have been fun for little sister to be in charge
This was the 25 minutes that she had waited for the whole year.
I know she loved it with all of her heart.
It was written all over her face.
We loved it too.

I Hear the Beach Calling Our Names!

I started out the morning with a RANT.
It was a drearier than dreary, cold, wash out of a morning.

If more rain comes I will make more photos with ridiculous Text Bubbles!

The weekend was a tease.
Where is my Summer?!
Where are my long lost beach days?!
Will more spectacular afternoons like Mother's Day be ours again soon?
My children are going to go nuts soon.
We are all going to lose it if the week continues like this.

I am a lover of rain.
Days when I roam with my bubble umbrella and yellow rain boots bring me great joy.
The Earth needs it's water...
...Kids need puddles to slosh in.
...But come on!
Enough is enough.

I can't even garden in this.
Movie nights are getting old fast.
...So is crafting in the kitchen.
...So are the many nights of roller derby.

I long for evenings spent eating dinner in the backyard.
...For nights ignoring the tiresome bedtime rituals of Winter.

Give me my Summer escape!

Give me long days and longer evenings of riding bikes through the neighborhood.
....of playtime at the beach until the sun goes down.

What is better than racing home, 20 minutes before bedtime, the smell of the salty air clinging to our hair and sand in bikini bottoms that shakes out in a shower filled with giggly kids?

Are you ready for it?
I say, "BRING IT ON!!...IN A HURRY!..."

PLEASE...

My mind is racing toward Summer.
My feet wish to be planted in wet sand.
I miss the smell of kids lathered in sunblock.
My kayak is waiting, chained to the garage.

I have decided something.
The kayaks are going in the water by the end of the week...Do or Die!
I'll buy a wet suit if I have to, but I'm going in.
Whoooo Hoooo...Baby!!

I feel so much better now...
...and look.
....I got my wish.
Thank you Spring.
Thank you Summer.
The sun is out and the beach is calling.

TWO DAYS LATER:
My girls and I have enjoyed two bikini clad afternoons.
The tub was glazed with sand shaken out from tiny hineys.
Three bikinis, all of different degrees of "small" were left, soggy, on the bathroom floor.
The girls were sun-kissed and exhausted.
The sweet smell of sunblock lingers in the house.

Addi is eating seaweed, She said she wanted "to look hot!"
What is the world coming to?!

Chloe filled buckets with snails and shells.

Gracie had many unusual collections...as usual.

Chloe, aka Monkey, jumped, clung to and walked on Aunt Marnee.
Aunt Marn was very graceful. 

I am thrilled.

Fairyland...It's In My Yard!

Queen Mab feasts on red grapes and drinks dew from the magenta flowers.
Her loyal followers flutter about when no one is watching...
...peeking through our windows.
These magical, sprites dance and twirl in my front garden each and every night.
They seek shelter from storms and the darkness.
Faeries live in our yard.

This is what my children tell me.
This is what they believe to be true.

I believe them.
-------------------

Julia, Grace and Chloe were on the front lawn when Addi and I pulled up in the car.
Each was very involved in the project at hand.
Addi and I walked over and saw looks of determination on their faces.
They were focused and didn't wish to be distracted.
This was hard work...
...SERIOUS BUSINESS.

Faerieland must be completed.

"Just the right" sticks, flowers and leaves could only be used.
Each scrutinized by my mini architects and Julia.
Yes, Julia was heavily involved in this too.
...One more reason that I appreciate her. Her antics are much like my own.
...One more reason to beam with delight, feeling like the luckiest Mama around.

Right then and there I decided that Addi didn't need to rush off and do homework.
There was a faerie palace that needed her immediate attention.
Addi is a pro at picking flowers and leaves. She'd come in handy!

Julia took a break. I helped out while attempting to clean, take photos of the magic and cook dinner.
I use the word ATTEMPTED.
After a few hours of:
... building
... serious kid critiques and rebuilds
...cartwheels in the yard with Chloe (She says my legs went straight up every time!)
...my daisy's were plucked against my will (but looking good in fairyland)
...ripped leaves scattered on the lawn (they were rejected)
...overcooked chicken and undercooked corn on the cob (not a good multitasking day for Mom)
...a somewhat clean house (got that one right)
...kids ready for dinner (manual labor makes you hungry)
...a masterpiece for faerie living on the front lawn was done and awaiting inhabitants.

Peter Pan would be proud.
So would Tink!

Fairy House

The girls ran outside, sneaking near the dwelling at least every hour before bed.
Grace even got out of bed once and went out!
No fairy sightings.
This morning was more of the same.
I wonder if they slept?

Faerie Food

Food for thought:
It's been close to a century since two little girls from England took photos of faeries at play.
These images were taken while they played in the forest near a small waterfall.
Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle themselves, believed in these girls, their images and in faerie folk.
Kodak camera company inspected each image that the novice photographers had taken. The company and its experts testified that the images were original, untampered, original photos and plates.
To this day no one has disproved this.

What do you believe?

Showing Dad

Finishing Touches

Faerie Checks!

Grace...Queen of the Pity Party.

For us, last week surely can be dubbed A week of Luck.  The weekend was spent, in part, counteracting jealousy and the lower than low feelings of one particular little girl.

By the end of the week, our Addi had found EIGHT four leaf clovers! Some on the school playground, others in our neighbors yard and one at Grace's friend's house when she offered to walk to the door and ring for her sister. Addi has dubbed herself the luckiest kid ever. I am in agreement.
--Feeling as if she's bound to set a Guinness record if this keeps up.
--Also saying "BRING ON THE LUCK!"

Grace had dubbed herself CURSED.
She was no longer content with finding only ONE clover, while Addi had found so many and Chloe had found two.
...my competitive little chickie!

My heart skipped a beat. I was sad for her, not wanting her to be so upset with herself for such a silly reason.
I was turning this one around fast.
Jim and I were on it!
The name of the game was Reverse Psychology.
We took turns over the course of an hour explaining how creative her luck was.
That it made her special...
...and made the luck that much more like her.
Her luck came from unusual places..
...and was found in different forms of nature!
Of course, this would make it more difficult to find lots of it, everywhere!
It was a rarer kind of luck than the average clover.
AMAZING!
Just like her.

Jim pointed out that, "She was only one of us to find her clover in a book, just waiting for her."

She raised a brow, interested, wanting more.
Come on Daddy...work your magic!
He continued..."That makes your clover even luckier. It was waiting for you for so long."

OKAY... She was hooked.

I had said the same thing to her five minutes ago on the lawn.
Grace NEEDED reinforcement.
Our Gracie girl isn't sold easily.
...never has been.
... never will be.
The Mom/Dad combo deal did the trick.

CRISIS AVERTED.

Images of us in red tights, shiny body suits and capes flowing in the breeze (with our perfect hair) soared through my mind in a flash.

The Dynamic Duo of Super Mom and Super Dad  had foiled the villain Pessimism again!
HooRAH!

We knew that Pessimism would return.
He sneaks into our Grace's mind at ease.
When the time came we'd be ready...

It helped that  Mini Me, our side kick Chloe was on the job as well.
While Addi gloated, royally pissing grace off, Chloe soothed her bruised ego.

"Don't worry Grace...I'll share mine with you."

"No. I want my own."

"I'll help you find one. There are so many."

...Chlo Chloe the Magnificent.
She always says the right thing.
--Makes her Mama proud.
--At the same time I hope that Grace will get to the point where the drastic measure and theatrics are no longer required.
It's exhausting!

I know that it is part of the Little Diva's personality though.
We just need to tame it a wee bit...just a smidgen.
Or our sanity will be compromised when she reaches her pre-teen years.

I'm happy to report that Saturday and Sunday were lovely.
Gracie went on finding luck in unusual places.
She saw the world with those rose colored glasses that she so adores, but for real this time!
It found her...
...at the beach.
In the...
... horse shoe shaped Indian paint rock that she found.
....with the two shells, that when placed next to one another made a perfect heart.
...on the orange lady bug that stuck to her like glue.
It wore SEVEN spots.

She glowed.
All of natures signs pointed to luck.
She was like her sisters after all.

I was able to witness this unfold.
...this story of new found understanding that belonged to my middle daughter.

When she's older and ever facing the monster, that is self doubt I 'll show her this.
Hopeful, that it will do the trick and kick Pessimism's butt.

TRUTH or DARE!!!

Let me set the stage.

I'm driving down the road, headed home from "doing the rounds."
No, I'm not a doctor.
I do travel in unlikely circles though!
The caravan was packed with...
...groceries.
...Mother's day gifts for Bannie, Grandma, Great Nannie Judge, who also goes by Nannie and Nana, aka Nana S. from Greenlawn.
...new gymnastics attire for their big Expo Show.
...and Me, Addi, Grace and Chloe.

As we rolled down the road, anxious to get home because we were starving..
...Chloe began to play a game.
We all know this one.
TRUTH OR DARE.
I heard girly whispers:
"Hey Gracie, do you pick truth or dare?"
I thought: Oh no. This means trouble!
Chloe:"Hey Grace...Pick truth it's easier."
I thought: Little sister, smarty pants...How often do you play this big kid game?!

I drove on.
Listening intently...
...not saying a peep.

Grace: "Okay. Truth."
Chloe: "Is it possible for a tree to talk?"
Gracie: "No!!"
Chloe: "You are right! See it's easy. Can people turn into rocks? Tell me the TRUTH!"
Addi chimed in: Chloe you're not doing it right..."

I thought: Oh no..Here it goes...The fourth grader is going to set things straight. This will put an end to the kindergarten version!
Addi: "You have to let them pick TRUTH or DARE...not choose for Grace!"
Me, In my head: Thank goodness for innocence.
Grace: "It's ok. I like truth. NO...people can't turn into trees."
Chloe: "See, you got it right! Good job! Dare me...somebody dare me!"

NO ONE RESPONDED...
...So CHLOE DARED HERSELF.

Chloe:" I will DARE to eat this whole pretzel!"
...a few chews later..."I did it!"

I laughed out loud.
Addi and Grace sang loudly.
Those lungs have power! The Maroon Five song Payphone was belted out for the rest of the ride. They already know all of the words.--Truly my daughters!
Chloe continued to dare herself. --Truly belongs to me and Jim!
It was a fun filled five minutes.
--One of those brief moments where time stands still, helping me put childhood back into perspective.
...so precious.
...so funny!
...so glad that it broke up the monotony.

We had all forgotten how hungry we were...
...until we pulled into the driveway!

Enjoy the weekend. I want to wish all of the Mamas out there a Faulous Mother's Day!-- May time stand still during magical moments. Bask in the love that is yours.

Lucky, Lucky,Lucky...Our Law Book Runneth Over!

This has been a week filled with luck!
I don't feel like I have much yet.
I'm waiting for it to kick in!

This is the deal...
It's sooo cool!!!!
On Saturday:
Jim found a four leaf clover  on our friend's front lawn.
He has been searching for close to 39 years for one.
He ran into the house with the look of an excited eight year old.
He even told me to take out my camera and take a picture of him with it!
This meant that it surely was a monumental moment in Jimbo history! ...He typically hides from me.

On Sunday:
Grace and Chloe were antiquing with Julia, Marnee and me.
Grace has a passion for books. She adores any kind...new, old, illustrated or chapter book.
We browsed and each found something worthy of our money.
Grace and Chloe were on a $2.00 budget. They were very serious shoppers.
Chloe found an angel sculpture.
She asked the lady much it was.
$.25
SOLD!
Gracie flipped through books at every booth. She found on called the Golden Key. She fell in love with its cover, key glowing, centered on the deep navy book jacket, golden text blazing above it in script.
"Sorry...too expensive."
She didn't find me on it...simply asked if we could look for another one some day.
I assured her that one day she would have her own copy, just not that day.
Grace flipped through the aged pages and found a dried, pressed four leaf clover.
It was on page 47.
Lucky, lucky girl!
The owner was very happy for her. He flipped through the pages to see if there were any waiting for him.
Then he gave Gracie a little brown, box, complete with hinges and snap to keep it safe from harm.
He felt badly, giving one sister something and not the other...
Chloe walked away with a lovely jade cross charm.

...more luck!

Jim couldn't get over this. "What is the likely hood?! Two in two days?!"

Tuesday:
Addi came home with a piece of paper folded up, envelope style. It read "MOM."
I said,"Oooh, thanks Addi. What is this? For me?"
Addi: No! That's mine. I just wrote your name on it so that I wouldn't forget to bring it home!
Me: What? Why did you do that? (laughing)
Addi: I write your name on all of the important things that I need...You know like papers, letters, stuff that I usually have to give you. Now I write it on everything so that I don't forget."
Me: Oh, I get it! (laughing harder...She's way too cute!)

Addison opened the paper. Wrapped inside was the four leaf clover that she had found on the playground during recess!

Me: No way! This is awesome! We have to tell Dad!
Addi: Quick take a picture of me with it and send it to him at work!

...and that's what we did.

His return text read:
Did you check it to make sure that she didn't split one of the leaves (the old trick)?


Then Grace showed me the most gorgeous butterfly that I have ever seen.
It was dead, but looked perfect.
My reaction: Guys, this is incredible! what is going on with our family lately? We're finding the coolest stuff.

Wednesday:

I pulled the Caravan into the driveway.
What were my daughters up to?!
All three were crouched down in various spots on our neighbors lawn.
It looked like something that you'd see in National Geographic.
I had visions of tribal women.
"Hi girls...What's going on?"

Addi came running...

Addi: Look! Look! I found two more!! Right on the lawn!

Me: NO WAY!!  Where's my camera?! dad isn't going to believe this!!

Addi: I must be the luckiest person ever!!!

Addison put her clovers into a blue cup and went back, determined to:
(a) Find more for herself.
(B) Teach her sisters the art of clover hunting.

There were "good spots" out there and she knew where they were!

10 Minutes later:

Addi found another.
That's it.
I needed on on this action.
I crouched down with the girls, sifting through our neighbor's grass.
I could hear him on his phone inside..
...I wondered why he didn't come out and ask what we were doing!
We must have been a strange sight!
Chloe shouted out: I got one!

...two seconds later...

"Me too!!"

Gracie stomped away...
"I must be cursed."

Chloe: No Grace, we'll find you one. It took daddy a really long time. You'll get one.

...She's such a sweetie pie, but it didn't help.
While Grace decompressed next to our neighbor's pond we ended our search for the day.
Our feet were wet.

It was time to send pics to Dad and press our clovers.
Black's Law: pages 551; 1065; 762 and 467.
Gracie's clover disintegrated and got stuck in the couch cushions. She needs some new luck.

Jim's texted response:
"WHAT???????"

Thursday:
I wonder how many more will show up for the taking?
We'll be crouched in the neighbors yard again...
Wish us luck!

...Guess what!?
Addi found another four leaf clover on her way home from the bus stop! That makes five this week!
She really is the luckiest kid ever!

What do you think? Should I let her pick my numbers and play lotto?
For a small fee I'll let her pick some numbers for you too!

Funky, Rainy Days and "Art" Feet!

Have you ever been in a "funk?"
Stuck in a rut?
Had an artistic block?
Has anyone ever "cramped your style?"
OR
Put "a kink in the works?"

Today was that kind of a day.
With my Gracie home dealing with a bad case of strep throat,

Security giving my parking spot away, by accident (how do you do that...come on)
Heavy rain making my feet squishy, smelly and wet...
...thanks to the parking lot at work flooding over!
...and me, forgetting my rainboots.

I'm now turning my day around.
Here's the spin!

Gray skies? Rain? Fender benders...bring 'em on!
Students are peeeling out and crashing cars all over the place. Young drivers be careful and older drivers beware!
Did I ever mention that this weather gives exceptional lighting for taking photos?
Positivity is creeping in... Sit tight!
Addison, Chloe and I...with Lightning of course, headed into the yard for a rainy day romp.
We stayed close because of sick, sister Gracie. She was crashed out on the couch.
PLOP...PLOP...FIZZ>>>FIZZ...Oh what a relief it is! ...JUST KIDDING!!
It was more like DIBBLE...dibble...DOP...DIBBLE...Dibble...dop.
I love the rain! It was spectacular jumping in the huge puddle of a parking lot (with my rainboots on) as I headed to my car at the end of the work day.
People that didn't know me, like the many unfamiliar students and parents in the lot, must've thought me odd. That's okay...I am!
I was in the art department lot. Things like teachers acting loopy are acceptable here. It feels good to belong. I am one of the many "whackies" that adore this side of the building and its freedoms.
We are who we are...accept us...or not.

Childhood antics keep you young at heart.


Although Gracie is sick, she is happy. She's had the chance to watch movies! It's raining. She's bored and has already created more drawings and crafts than our little green house can store.
Jim and I each have our own "Gracie made" 3D, Easter inspired fantasy lands!
Pastely and squishy, like the bunny threw up all over the place...

...But our baby is proud, there fore so are we.
I could go into the skills that she is attaining and perefecting while making something like this...
but that is art speak, not always Mama speak. I just want to keep it simple for now! I've been "art speaking" all day. My brain hurts. I need more puddles to jump in...maybe a hole to fall into...hide for awhile and rest there like a bunny. Be like Alice and journey down the rabbit hole.
This is not a drug reference!
A great visual escape,
an adventure,
the outdoors,
the beach,
the sunshine
my yard and it's half grown gardens are beconning.

BIllie...Billie..Where are you?
Billie...Billie...We miss you.
Billie...Billie...you are insane...Stop typing to yourself!

AHHHHhhh...That felt good! I'M BACK. Slightly saner than a moment ago.

My students have the priviledge of having the Gracie Art on view in my computer lab. Lucky teenagers!

I promised that mine would be displayed in my art classroom for all of "my big kids" to see.
Addi is working on her version of "Easterland" as I type.
Chloe is checking her out. Asking her the "how to's."
That means only one thing...
...more are coming.

Thank you to Target for having cheep-o craft foam and stickers galore!
Thank you to my trusty blue dust pan. It helped me clean up all of the peel away scraps left behind. There were hundreds! Everywhere!!!!
I wonder what tomorrow's crafts will include?!
RAIN...RAIN...RAIN...means art, books and ice cream! (rainy ice cream, with a good book is a family tradition)

Artist Mama with three kids following in her footsteps = endless possibitities.

LIFE IS SOOO GOOD!
I think it's time that I put on my art sneakers.
They give me sunshine on dark days...Today HAS NOT been dreary...Simply darker than most.

Here's a craft idea for all of you out there:
RECYCLE an OLD PAIR of SHOES.
My kids have attacked their flip flops with markers and paints...completly beautifying what was once almost trash!
I did the same with my favorite old chekered Vans.
I smile when my feet are in them now.
I smile even more when my kids wear their recycled shoes.
QIUCK TIP...When you're done spray them with crystal clear acrylic coating(sold in art supply and craft stores)
VOILA!
Ta DA!
You have one of a kind fashion statements for your feet...and happy kids on rainy days!