The Park

Yesterday we went on a hike through the Old Forest and as usual, saw a million wonderful things. Wildflowers are blooming everywhere, the vines are still great for swinging, and with all of the storms we've had, things have been rearranged quite a bit. I especially loved the tree that Warren spotted that looked like it had an eye.


This morning, I went on the last Sunday of the month CPOP hike with about twenty other folks who were braving the cold. It was especially awesome because Naomi knew all the names of the flowers and we had lots of kids discovering things for us on the forest floor.

When the hike was over, we had a CPOP board meeting by Rainbow Lake. By then the sun was out and it was about as lovely as a meeting could possibly be. Too bad we had to spend the meeting discussing the insanity of the City engineer's plan to turn the greensward into a 18 foot detention basin and the Zoo's most recent forest destruction.

I'm pretty sure the engineers are going to look for a better way to solve the flooding in Belleair Circle, but the Zoo is likely to permanently stay on my Shit List. They just this week completely cleared the understory of 2 acres of old growth forest behind their fence next to soon to be be Teton Trek exhibit (that required clearing 4 acres of old growth forest last year).

So what should look something like this:



Looks like this:


See they didn't technically cut any trees down, they just cut EVERYTHING ELSE. It makes me so angry! All I want to do is scream cuss words interjected with Chuck Brady's name.

The Zoo claims to care about conservation and pays all this lip service to the spiders and snakes they are studying in the Old Forest, but they could give two shits about those spiders and snakes and everything else living in the forest. (Not to mention the thousands of citizens who enjoy the other parts of the park not behind their fence.)

If you are a member of the Zoo, or a fan of theirs on facebook, or a follower of theirs on Twitter, please take a moment to tell them that they are hypocrites and liars.

We've Got a Bleeder

Satchel's been having nosebleeds for about a month. The doctor gave him some nose spray, but he only remembers to use it 50% of the time. Hence, they continue.

On Monday, he actually had a clot come out of his nose. He insisted that I get it out of the trash can so that he could save it in a plastic container. Then he insisted that I let him call his teacher so he could ask her if he could bring it to school for show and tell. (She said yes!)

Satchel finds it very hard to sit still while his nose is bleeding. He has developed a paper towel & rubberband system so that he can continue to function normally.



Just in case you were feeling sorry for him, here's the full shot.



But seriously, a nose bleed almost every day for a month? I'm not allowing myself to Google "brain tumor symptoms." It may be time for another trip to the doctor.

Satchel and Jack go to the Old Forest

For his latest book report, Satchel spent the day with Jack, from the Magic Tree House. Satchel chose Jack because he is smart. He's also a good runner. (He outran a Tyrannosaurus Rex.)

They explored the Old Forest in Overton Park. I asked Satchel about their day:

How did you get there?
We walked.

By yourselves?
Yes.

Were you scared?
No.

Was it daytime or night time?
Midday.

Which way did you go?
Through the side with the red playground.

What was the first thing you showed Jack?
The tree that the lizard lives in that I always try and catch.

Did you catch it?
Almost.

Did Jack take any notes?
"Fast lizard."


What next?
All the trees that I like to climb.

Was Jack a good climber?
Yes, he was.

Better than you?
About the same.

Did he take any notes?
"Good climbing Trees."

What next?
The tree stumps I like to climb over.



Did he take any notes?
No, he was too busy having fun.

Did you find a Magic Tree House?
No, because it is in Pennsylvania!

The End

So I Married a Lumber Jack

Last weekend we did yard work. Friday night, most of Saturday, and all of Sunday. Because of all the raking, bagging, and whatnot, I was too tired to post about our eleven year anniversary.

That's right, eleven years. March 14th marked our ten year wedding anniversary, but March 21, 1998 is the day that Warren strolled into town...and never left!

I was really looking forward to his visit, because he had been a good friend of mine for five years at that point. Little did I know that he was going to sweep me off of my feet and that five days later we would be engaged.

So what happened during those five days? Obviously he did not get me pregnant as many people suspected. He just took care of me. It was abundantly clear that he was a keeper.

For example, last Saturday, on our official eleven year anniversary, Warren took a 7 hour break from yard work to fix my car. I couldn't open the driver's side door for about a week and it was really making me nuts. Warren took the door apart and fiddled around until he discovered a tiny spring that had sprung. He replaced it and then my door started working again! Now granted, it was not fun for him to spend seven hours doing that, but he did it because he is awesome and he loves me.

In our eleven years together, Warren has never once stopped amazing me. There's really nothing this guy can't do!

On Sunday, Warren cut down two small trees in the backyard. With a fence, another tree, and power lines a plenty to thwart his efforts, he methodically and perfectly positioned the falls. The boys and I watched on, camera in hand, for the first one. (Don't worry, the screaming you hear is not the tree!)

Roadtrippin'

My column is up: Old school road trip tests kids' creativity. Read all about what happened in the car!

Speech Update

Warren and I got a chance to observe Jiro's speech therapy at the University of Memphis. Since I've been sitting in with him during his classes through the City schools, I was eager to compare. For our observation, we hid behind a one way mirror, which allowed us to see Jiro without him seeing us. I had mentioned to him that we would be observing, but I don't think he quite registered it. (Or if he did, he didn't let on.)

His therapy is a "group" session, so there is another little boy in the class with him. Over the past few months, Jiro and Gary (not his real name) have gotten more comfortable with each other and have almost gotten to the point of acknowledging each other in the waiting room. (It's cute.) Their teacher, Miss Lily (not her real name) is a senior and is very mild-mannered and sweet.

The classes at the University of Memphis differ from those at the City schools in that they focus on motor skills rather than just pronunciation. (Also the classes are an hour rather than 30 minutes.) The first exercise the boys do is a movement exercise--either dancing, hopping, or walking in circles to music. This is to get their bodies loosened up. To say that watching them do their warm-up routine was adorable would be an understatement.

Once they are warmed up, they do three different activities. First they took turns playing with Play-Doh while the other practiced their words. (They are each working on different things.) Gary seemed to be practicing making sentences using gender specific pronouns. Jiro was working on repeating words with J and C/K sounds. He said each of his words/sentences ten times in a row. This is again a motor activity designed to make the sound a habit.

After the Play-Doh activity, they moved to a new table where they took turns having a snack (craisins, Cheerios, and apple juice) while the other practiced. Finally, they went to a third area where they "washed" toy cars in a bin of water with washcloths. (Oh my goodness they loved this activity!)

If Jiro has trouble with a sound or a word, he utilized the method of breaking it down (i.e. fun = f + un), except he used his hands to help him (i.e. one hand is one sound and the other hand is the other, then you knock them together to make the word).

Throughout the whole class, each child was very focused on his work. While they clearly enjoyed each other's company, they did not goof off or interrupt the other one. It was pretty amazing. Miss Lily was really good about helping them stay focused and verbally rewarding them when they did well or tried hard.

Satchel has been invited to participate as a "peer example" next week. I really wish I could watch that! Satchel and Jiro are both looking forward to it. (He goes with Jiro to his other classes at the City schools sometimes too and gets to play games. Jiro loves for him to come and I think it has been great for Satchel to see Jiro working hard to improve his speech.)

Funny Stuff

A few funnies from the past few days:

Satchel
Satchel: "You know when you pick your nose and you feel that hard thing between your nostrils?"
Me: "Uh, huh."
S: "It's like a loose tooth."
Me: "Uh...huh."
S: "I have a loose tooth in my nose!"

Jiro
*Has his hand in his mouth (NOT HIS NOSE)*
Warren: "What are you doing?"
Jiro: "Feeling my loose tooth."
W: "Is your tooth loose?"
J: *Continues fiddling with his tooth* "Uh, huh."
Me: "Maybe it's your hand that's loose."
J: "No, my tooth is loose, but it's a little stuck too."

Random girl in the Walgreen's toy aisle (but it could have been either of my children)
Random girl: "Why aren't we getting a toy for my birthday?"
Random girl's mom: "Because it isn't your birthday."
Rinse, repeat.
RG: "You don't carry about me!"
RG's mom: *Trying not to laugh* "I care about you very much."
RG: "No you don't!"
RG's mom: "Yes, I do."
RG: "Well you may carry about me but you aren't making me happy!"

Turtle Park

After the visit to the Arch, we only had a short time to do all of the rest of the things we wanted to do. After eating at Fitz's again, we made a pit stop at Turtle Park near the zoo to run around and take more photos. The last time we were at the park, we were the only ones there, but it was packed this time. (We also got a nice view of the major highway project happening right next to Forest Park. Even though it was going around the park, it was still an unpleasant reminder of the road that almost got built through Overton Park.)

Anyways, I love this little spot. There are no slides or jungle gyms, just turtles. (Ok and one snake.) It's fun watching the kids find ways to play on/in the structures. I wish we had something like this in Memphis.

Unfortunately that ended up being a bit of a theme over the weekend. However, we agreed that we'd probably take all of the great things St. Louis has for granted if we lived there. Warren and I also joked that if Missouri was going to spend the money having 3000 billboards devoted to Anti-Abortion messages along the highway they sure better have a family friendly city!

The Gateway Arch

On our last visit to St. Louis, Satchel was terrified of going to the Arch. In fact, every time we got on the hotel elevator I had to promise him that we were in the hotel and not the Arch before pressing any buttons. On this trip, he was still scared, but the fact that we were going with some friends of ours from his school made him put on a brave face--at least until we got to the top.

The last time I went to the top was 1977, so I remembered very little. It was Warren's first trip and he was excited to learn that we could get out at the top and look around. (He thought we would briefly look out of the window from the tram and then move on.) Jiro was not at all scared, nor were his buddies from school. (Age 6 is when one becomes aware of one's mortality, I think.)

It was still second to City Museum, but very cool.



After our trip to the top, Warren got all artsy with the camera and the sunset.

Ten Year Anniversary, Team Oster Style

On Saturday, Warren and I marked ten years of wedded bliss by packing up the monkeys and driving to St. Louis. We visited the City Museum about three years ago, and had been looking for an excuse to go back ever since.

We had planned to get up early and make it to St. Louis by noon(ish), but we got a late start (not at all uncommon around here) and rolled into town at 4:30pm. After checking into the hotel, resting for a bit, visiting with friends who just happened to be at the same hotel, grabbing a quick bite to eat, getting gas, and finding our way downtown, it was 7:00pm. I knew the museum was open until 1am, but worried that 1) It would be all big kids at night and 2) It would be too dark/too cold to play on the MonstrOcity. As soon as we pulled in, we asked the parking lot attendant if little kids were still allowed inside. "Of course!" he said. And then we noticed plenty of people climbing the MonstrOcity despite the cold and impending darkness.

We were all really excited. We parked, paid, and started exploring. The City Museum is amazing by day and even more amazing at night. Warren bought each of the boys a small flashlight and we explored areas we didn't even know existed on our last visit (like the seven story slide only accessible through the caverns). We also got to see the Everyday Circus on this visit which was fun--and provided a nice rest. But again, nothing could compete with the MonstrOcity. Even though it was probably 40 degrees out, it didn't feel like it because we never stopped moving! (It was actually way better than being there in May when it was hot.)

Getting there late probably turned out for the best since we absolutely had to drag the monkeys out at midnight. (We lied and said they were closing.) Jiro declared it is his best day ever. Satchel requested to either move to St. Louis, or at the very least have his birthday party there. When I suggested that both would not happen, he amended his request to a return visit the next day. (I considered it!)

Pancake Mountain

Tomorrow is Satchel's monthly "Favorite Food Friday." The theme this time: Round. (In honor of Pi Day.) When signing up for a favorite food to bring, it implies that it is something you (read Satchel) are going to make yourself.

Satchel reported that he wanted to make hashbrowns and broccoli. Knowing that Warren was going to be out of pocket for the Thursday night prep, I suggested Satchel make something a little easier. Like pancakes. (I made pancakes a few weeks ago, after never really having made them ever before, with pretty decent results.) He enthusiastically agreed to switch to pancakes and suggested he also take maple syrup and whipped cream.

I stopped at Schnuck's on the way home from work and bought all of our supplies. After dinner, I set up our work area and had Satchel stir the powder mixture with water while I heated up the pan. Then I had him scoop out a 1/4 cup of batter and pour it in the pan. When he went to flip the pancake, we soon had a sticky mess on our hands. After two more unsuccessful attempts, my sister who was visiting, stepped in. (Meanwhile, Satchel, Jiro, and cousin Sutton wolfed down the rejects.)

"Your batter is too thick," she said as she added milk.

"You need a non-stick pan or some cooking spray," she said as I handed her some butter, the only thing resembling cooking spray in our house.

She was right. As I started producing decent looking pancakes, Satchel patted me on the head and said, "Good job, Mommy." Once I got the system down, Tracey had to leave. I summoned Satchel back to the kitchen and soon we got into a groove. Before long, Satchel was doing all of the steps himself. ("I'm good at this!" he said.) By the time Warren got home, I had all of the pancakes on cooling racks like a real pro.

I think that the next time I am charged with making (or assisting with the making of) twenty five pancakes, I will use a larger pan and make more than one at a time! Total cooking time: 2 hours.

Unplugged Imagination

It's my Thursday, and this time I wrote about the fall of the Wii in Time for unplugged imagination.

The Kids' Bathroom

Warren and I have wanted to paint the kids' bathroom since we moved in almost three years ago, but neither of us ever quite got around to doing it. (I had a good excuse--I'm not allowed to paint.)

Many times I suggested we pay someone to paint the bathroom, but that was an unacceptable suggestion for two reasons. Team Oster Rule #1: Never pay anyone to do something you can do yourself. Team Oster Rule #2: Chances are if you pay someone they probably won't do a good job.

This presented quite a quandary, until my older sister, Leslie, asked what I wanted for my birthday last year (April 11). I replied, "I want my bathroom painted." Now, if there is anyone who is a bigger perfectionist than Warren, it is my sister Leslie. After months of planning and false starts, the bathroom was finally painted in February. (Leslie actually finished just as our sewer system started to attack!)

A few days ago I convinced Warren to hang up some pictures so I could take a final photo. So, I present to you, our finally finished (minus a few fixtures) kids' bathroom.

With my birthday on the horizon, I'm hoping to convince Leslie to paint the hallway and laundry room.

Breakfast with Team Oster

A team is only as strong as its weakest link. Yesterday morning, that link was Jiro. As I said, we were already running late and had missed speech class, so breakfast needed to go smoothly and fast.

Once Jiro was dressed and standing before the pantry, I did my usual “listing of the breakfast options.” “Ok, you can have grits, oatmeal, cereal, sausage, or bacon.”

“Pick me up,” Jiro said per usual, so he could gaze at the cereal options.

“It’s just Multigrain Cheerios, I’m afraid.”

He grinned, and then pointed to the opposite side of the pantry. “I want spaghetti-o’s!”

Now, of course spaghetti-o’s are not a traditional breakfast food, but Team Oster is willing to break with tradition for the sake of saving time. (Seriously, spaghetti-o’s can’t be any worse than sugary cereal or whoknowswhatsinthe sausage, right?)

Jiro took his seat and I set about heating up the spaghetti-o’s while simultaneously loading the dishwasher, dolling out vitamins, and making smoothies. Meanwhile Satchel came floating in and sat down next to Jiro.

“What do you want for breakfast?” I asked innocently.

“I don’t know! How am I supposed to know? I just got here. Why would you ask me a question like that?” Satchel said.

He’s a little cranky in the mornings.

I listed the same options for him that I listed for Jiro, with the added option of spaghetti-o’s.

“I’ll have spaghetti-o’s,” he said.

Perfect, I thought.

“NO!” Jiro screeched.

“Honey, there’s plenty of spaghetti-o’s for you both,” I said.

“I want the whole thing!” he demanded.

I walked over to the pantry and pointed out that we had two more cans of spaghetti-o’s and that should there not be enough in one can I could make more.

“NO!” he screeched again.

I decided to ignore him and hope for the best. I started asking questions, like “Do you want sprinkled cheese on top?” and “Do you want bread to dip?” and “Do you want a plastic spoon or a metal spoon?” in order to distract him.

Once hot and bubbly, I doled out the o’s and presented each monkey with his specific order. (Bread and a plastic spoon for Satchel; Cheese and a metal spoon for Jiro.) Satchel happily started eating, but Jiro made a face and put his head down in protest.

“Come on, honey,” I said. “You can share.”

By now Warren had made his way into the kitchen. He asked what was wrong with Jiro and I explained the situation. He did a really cute thing where he made his hand into a face and pretended to eat Jiro’s spaghetti-o’s. I could see Jiro smiling, and thought that this would do the trick, but he still insisted on having his own can of spaghetti-o’s.

Warren gave me the look and I nodded. “Oh, ok, I’ll get you your own can,” he said as he walked toward the pantry. I rinsed out the pot and put it back on the stove. Warren, with his back to Jiro, pretended to open a new can while strategically placing the already opened can next to the pot. Then he took Jiro’s original bowl of spaghetti-o’s and emptied them into a new bowl and then popped them in the microwave. I got out the sprinkle cheese and gave the new bowl a fresh dusting.

Thirty seconds later Jiro had what appeared to be his very own spaghetti-o’s. He smiled, but just before taking a bite, he put his spoon down and looked at me. Oh no, I thought. Busted.

“Can I have a plastic spoon?” he asked sweetly.

“Sure,” I said.

When he finally started eating, Warren and I gave each other a covert high five.

Sunshine on my shoulders...makes me sleepy

I love daylight savings. Once I get used to it. "Springing forward” proved especially hard this year.

The boys went to a slumber party Saturday night, so Warren and I went out for sushi and a movie. When the movie ended, we were debating whether we should go to the Hi-Tone or go home. “What time is it?” Warren asked me. I looked at my phone and it read 10:38. “Dang, I knew the movie was long, but I didn’t know it was FOUR HOURS long,” I said.

It didn’t take us long to figure out that our phone prematurely sprang forward and it was only 9:38. However, we still opted to go home. Turns out it was a good thing because I had my first ever “attack of the sushi” and was up most of the night with severe stomach pains.

Fast forward to Sunday morning and we were thirty minutes late for the 10:30am pick up of the kids. (It was *really* only 9:30 which is early when you’ve been writing in pain all night!) As we drove home, I explained to Satchel that we had set our clocks forward and that it was *really* ten and not eleven. He laughed and said, “That’s so silly, why would you do that?” Then I had to explain that it was just us, but everybody who did it.

When we got home, Warren and I spent most of the day doing yard work while the boys played outside, watched TV, colored, and ate everything in the house. I personally moved two giant mounds of compost and bagged 320 gallons more. Just when I thought I had finished with my portion of the work, and was headed inside to put my feet up and bandage my blistered hands, Warren pointed out the giant tree stump which was in the way of where we were relocating our willow tree (that was formerly residing on top of the sewer line).

Removing a stump is no small feat. I got to see Warren use a chainsaw, a hatchet, three different kids of shovels, and a couple of other things that I don’t know the names of. I assisted as best I could, but four hours later (stump removed and tree re-planted), it was clear who had really over-exerted himself with yard work and who should not complain about her blisters. (We did agree that it was okay to complain about the dude my mom paid to supposedly de-stump and then sod our yard two years ago as a house warming present!)

The extra hour of daylight allowed us to work even longer than we might have, and by the time we put the kids to bed, we were ready to go to bed too. Needless to say, today was the first time we have missed Jiro’s 8am speech therapy appointment. Since it was *really* at 7am (and still dark!) we didn’t stand a chance! Warren and I consider it a victory that we got out of bed at all.

I figure in a day or two I’ll stop thinking about what time it really is, and really start enjoying my extra daylight hours.

Lunch at the Center for Southern Folklore

In a wonderful turn of events, I got to have music for lunch with Warren at the Center for Southern Folklore on Thursday. Our friend Tommy works the coffee counter, our friend Mike was playing with his band The Bluff City Backsliders, and I ran into several friends from around town, work, and even high school. On the menu? Miss Ella's chile, greens, and hot water cornbread.

I love Memphis.

(You can have music for lunch every Thursday and Friday at the CSF!)

Ten Things I Love About Memphis

I was inspired by the action over at Smart City Memphis and Gates of Memphis. I just couldn't resist doing a list of my own.

Ten Things I Love About Memphis (In no particular order)

1. Overton Park—specifically the Old Forest (duh)



2. Two degrees of separation (Sometimes less! 99% of the time I love running into someone I know, or know of, everywhere I go.)



3. The Broad Avenue Water Tower (I see it every time I look outside my window or go out of my front door. Our version of Punch Buggy has expanded to include the water tower. I love hearing Jiro squeal, "Punch water tower bluish green! 2 million points for me!")



(Top photo stolen from the Internet)

4. The Cove (Where everybody knows my name...and they're usually glad I came. Currently I am obsessed with the Mermaid Salad and Tuaca.)



(Bottom photo from the CA))

5. WKNO (Especially when I get to lay in bed and listen to it on Saturday and Sunday morning with Warren.)



6. Memphis Rock-n-Romp (It just gets better and better thanks to all of the awesome parents and musicians in this town!)



7. The riverfront (It's fun to watch it flood, skate by it, watch fireworks go off near it...you name it, it is better by the river.)




8. Evergreen Montessori School (I wish I went to a school like this!)




9. The weather (Yes, even when it snowed on my wedding day!)


(Photo by Melissa)

10. My house (Even when the sewer breaks!)




Funny how most everything on this list is no more than a few miles away from where I live!

Shit Happens

Warren and I have officially joined the distinctive club of Midtowners who have had to have their sewer line replaced. I'll spare you the nasty details, but here's a peek at what our yard looked like for most of last week:


It was so nice when the snow came and covered up the mudslide that now exists where sod and a young willow tree once were.

I told the kids that all of their toy money was going to fix the sewer line. Jiro immediately started crying. Satchel very calmly broke it down for him. "Do you want toys or do you want to take a bath in sewage?" he asked.

Jiro, who loves taking baths, sniffled and said, "I want toys."

Luckily, the final vote was 1 for toys and 3 for sewage free bathing!