Music Around the World

I never thought I'd hear myself say, "Wow, Carter played a pretty wicked xylophone tonight!" But I'm saying it.

Grant Elementary presented a Music Around the World concert tonight as part of their first ever Fine Arts Night. This is one of those things where just yesterday Carter says, "Mom, I have to be in a concert tomorrow night. I'm singing and playing the xylophone. So I have to go."

Of course, you should go. And nice notice.

This of course meant Carter had to "skip" the second baseball practice of the year. Good thing he has an understanding coach. And he had to get some "spring" dress-up clothes. So we book it to Wal-Mart when we get home and find some extra-long khaki pants (why do they think all boys are tall!) and a pink polo shirt. He looked pretty good.

The gym was packed so it was very hard to take pictures, but I tried.

Group shot of the fifth-graders singing one of their three songs. They did a great job with a Ray Charles song called "Fifty Nifty United States," which Carter said they started practicing in October. Hey, I don't think I could say the 50 states so fast, let alone sing them! It was neat.

Carter jams on the xylophone during an American railroad song called "Pat Works on the Railway." He said he missed one note, but I didn't hear it!

The whole program only lasted 30 minutes so I guess it was worth it to buy the new outfit, skip practice and get home in time for Carter to play with the neighbor girls and Mommy to watch Grey's. Gotta go. It's starting!

Birthday Prep

Our schedules have been so chaotic lately it's probably a good thing there's been a countdown on the wipe board in the kitchen to remind us Carter's birthday is coming up.

Like we'd forget.

This morning, with some 48 hours to go, Daddy and I decided we better get his gift. His list this year is pretty simple: basketball hoop, Mad Libs and a whoopie cushion. Typical 11-year-old, I guess.

We headed into work early so we had time to stop at Wal-Mart and pick up 2 out of 3 items anyway. He's going to be thrilled.

Since there is no school Friday, we had to take care of birthday treats, too, so he could take them to school Thursday. Carter likes to have something creative (read: putzy). Last year, he took "bacon and eggs" made out of pretzel sticks and almond bark. This year: cheeseburgers and fries....


The recipe is pretty simple. Frost two sides of an Oreo (red for "ketchup" and orange for "cheese") and add a 'Nilla Wafer on each side for the "bun." You can't beat a recipe that uses frosting for "glue"! Throw in a side of shoestring potatoes for "fries" and your order is up!

Carter thought the burgers looked like the mini-burgers you see advertised on TV!

We made enough for each classmate to have two burgers and some fries. Since he has to carry them on the bus, I put them in a cake pan that has a cover. But if you make this for a potluck, there are far more creative ways to present this -- perhaps a red dining tray or on a red-checked cloth inside a basket. This will work for a bunch of hungry fifth-graders, though!

With the present and treats off this list, that just leaves two things: 1) Make cake for the family party. 2) Accept that my baby is growing up. (And if I can't and am falling apart, use frosting as "glue"!)

Animal Farm

Years ago, I had this weird fascination with the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. I remember reading it in high school because we had to. Then I later bought my own copy so I could read it again. There is so much symbolism. And even on the surface, it's just creepy to consider animals taking over -- and ousting humans.

I think about it occasionally when we have some weird "animal" disease killing off humans. Bird Flu. Mad Cow Disease. And now Swine Flu.

Now I've got you thinking!

To me, it's just a good reminder to wash our hands (and our food). I'm not a germ-o-phobe in the least. I don't think mothers can be, can we? But I do think it's wise to consider easy carriers for germs -- whether it's for a simple cold or something deadly.

There was a trivia question on the radio about "public" surfaces that carry the most germs. Really, it's not just the toilet seat! But while you're in the bathroom, turning the faucet off with your hand often negates washing it to begin with. Use a towel if you can.

Did you know that menus are a good source of germs? The next time you're in your favorite greasy spoon, place your order then wash your hands before you eat. A good practice anyway.

I never gave shopping carts much thought but they have to be the worst! Think about how long a person grips it. Now when I see a teething kid sucking on the cart bar, I want to puke!

OK, let's not get grossed out here. You get my point. And I must add I am grateful for my health today. And a little less jealous of people who went to Mexico on spring break. I hope they remain healthy, too.

I did notice, though, that even though it's been 6 months since I was in Mexico, I am starting to develop some curious symptoms. My hubby claims I hog the blankets. I'm eating like a pig. And my desk is a sty...

Overtime

I remember now why I left the newspaper business. Sure I enjoyed the writing and the adrenaline rush at deadline. But I do not miss those long hours -- every day!

I just got home from a 14-plus hour day at work. (No, I don't get overtime -- just crunch time.). I am so beat right now I don't even know if I will fall asleep! Thankfully this is not a routine occurrence. I do expect a few more long days before my work project launches next week, but nothing like today. I hope.

I'm getting too old for this! Plus, I miss my guys (and fighting about homework).

At least I can say it was a productive day. I got a lot done that I needed to so I'm cruising along now.

I might even sleep in until 5 tomorrow morning. Depends how many times I hit the snooze! (Poor hubby.)

April Showers...

Somehow the month of April slipped past us. It is going so fast. It was pretty much work, work, cold, then more work, work, nice day, and more work, work, work and rain. This whole weekend has been work, rain, work, rain. And between showers, try to have quality family time.

This morning I headed out the door for work around 5 a.m. Had a rainy drive over to Iola so that did little to wake me up. While I was chugging coffee at my desk, Daddy got Carter to Sunday School and got laundry going.

I put in an intensive 5 hours and turned around and came home by noon. It was still raining so I selfishly felt good that I wasn't missing out on anything like sunny, deck time. Glad our plans for afternoon quality time were indoors, too.

Today was the Royal Event -- an annual fund-raising festival at Assumption High School, featuring food, beer, auction, bingo and all kinds of booths with food, jewelry and themed baskets for sale. We were meeting our friends Mike and Christine there to help celebrate her dad's birthday and have as much fun as a rainy Sunday will allow. Thanks to the tents overhead, their son Nate and Carter were still able to spend plenty of time "outside" and out of our hair while we relaxed, laughed and talked stupid -- like adults need to do occasionally.

By the time we got home after 4, I can tell you my body hit a wall after getting up so early. My wonderful hubby says, "Why don't you get some comfy clothes on (seriously, he meant comfy, not sexy) and sit on the couch and I'll cover you with the blankets. There's a surprise on TV for you!"

He didn't have to tell me twice! I was on the couch in 2 minutes! My surprise? The MLB Network was replaying highlights of the Twins' 1991 World Series victory over Altanta. I missed most of it but we caught the last half hour -- which was the best anyway. I got goose bumps just watching it again (does my hubby know how to please me or what?).

Of course, when it was done, I was psyched up, thinking of our wonderful Twins. Then remembered it's 2009. We're off to a rough start and have a long way to go this season. But that's OK. I'm still a fan.

In fact, I might put my Homer Hanky on my pillow tonight so I have sweet dreams. Lord knows I will be tempted to hit that alarm with a baseball bat when it goes off again at 4:15!

Game Plan

Carter and I just got done watching a movie made a few years ago called The Game Plan. In the movie, the main character thought he had his life planned out to be famous football player. But then he unexpectedly learns he has a daughter and his life is turned upside down. You know what they say about the best-laid plans...

At least in the movie, theirs was a happy ending. Carter's soccer team didn't fare so well today.

The challenge with coming off an 8-1 stomping is that you tend to think you're the best players in the world. You might not take into consideration the first team was not so good. Today Carter's team met a tough opponent -- in much worse weather conditions compared to last week, too.

They just did not look like the same team. Carter played goalie and, unlike last week, was very busy. I counted at least 8 saves but unfortunately, he needed one more. He blocked it with his foot but the ball spun backwards and into the goal. He should have used his hands. But now he knows for next time. The same thing happened with his replacement in the second half so the final score ended up being 2-1.

Tough loss but now they know their game plan for next week. Play your positions and pass and, hopefully, win.

We do have one successful game plan to report from this week. Our friend Mark, who is young like me, was in the hospital about a month ago getting his pacemaker replaced and was told he would need a heart transplant. Due to a combination of circumstances and statistics about his health, he was put high on a transplant list. Still, you never know how soon anything will happen.

Unbelievably, he was called at 3 a.m. Thursday with news they had a heart for him! He was rushed down to Madison and, after 10+ hours of surgery, had a new heart that day and, by Friday, was sitting up and even walking. What an unexpected blessing!

Isn't it amazing when we let God write the game plan? We certainly have a better chance at winning. And I'd have to say it's a pretty great team!

Learning Tour

We were privileged to have Carter give us a tour of his learning environment last night during Grant School's Learning Celebrations Night. It's amazing to see what fifth-graders are learning these days. Some of the highlights:

Carter showed us a Portfolio folder of some of his more time-intensive projects so far this school year. Above, he and Daddy look over his Carter Times newspaper.

Carter also shared a digital Portfolio! Here he shows us a Power Point presentation of some of his favorite subjects and projects, along with some facts about his school "job." Thinking back to our school days, hubby and I figured we probably didn't see or touch a computer until high school or do typing until then. These fifth-graders are learning programs I don't even know yet -- plus becoming skilled at the keyboard. Amazing!

Speaking of amazing... I love the SmartBoard! This replaces the old-fashioned chalk board, which has already been replaced by wipe boards in most schools. Here Carter answers a math problem at the touch of his finger. It's interactive without the powdery white mess!

Let's not forget the teacher! Mrs. Forstner has introduced a lot of creative learning programs that have kept Carter and his classmates excited about school.

We are fortunate Carter has liked all of his teachers -- and fortunate they all have kept him in line. But based on what we observed on our "tour" last night, I don't think that's too tough a job.