Mama's Boy

I don't argue that Satchel takes after his dad in many ways, but there are at least two ways he is like me.

1. He is starting to get grey hairs.
2. He thinks with his tongue hanging out.

Rock-n-Romp Recap

On Saturday we had near perfect weather, which was just the beginning of another near perfect Rock-n-Romp.





Friday afternoon we found out that 3 out of 4 of the Hot Pink Paperclips had fallen ill with the flu. Not sure what to do, I called my Warren's boss. He had told me about his son's band, the Theoretical Monkeys, a few weeks prior. I decided to see if we might be able to book them last minute. The stars aligned and at 3:15pm, the most darling group of high-school boys you've ever seen hit the stage.



And guess what? They were really talented! And confident! And did I mention darling? I think it is safe to say that everyone was very impressed with the Theoretical Monkeys.

My friend Shannon questioned whether the last minute switcharoo gave me a few new grey hairs.



It didn't take long for the kids to make themselves at home. The Kerrs' playset was bustling, and there was a group of kids-in-the-know who spent a good deal of time in the front yard on the zip line, and even at the kindly neighbor's house on the trampoline. At one point Jiro tracked me down and said he needed "his grown up" to come next door with him. I hardly saw Satchel at all. He did stop long enough to pose with me and Jiro for RSVP. Yes, RSVP.



Our second band, The Bare Wires, came all the way from San Francisco. They totally had the rock star look (and sound). I was especially impressed with the female drummer. (My husband was excited to buy a vinyl record of theirs and have everyone sign it.) They were a huge hit.



As the music continued, our balloon man showed up and dazzled the kids with his creations. (I was the recipient of a panda corsage.) I don't think the parents liked getting dragged into the balloon line, but it did offer a break from our ever growing beer line! (Don't worry, we'll have two taps at the next show.)





Last up we had the Apostles from Oxford. They were just as rockin' as everyone else. Their high energy performance was a great end to a great show.



You can see the rest of Chip Chockley's pictures here. And you can add yours to our Flickr pool.

We hope to see you all at our next show, November 7th, at the Metal Museum!

Updatey-like

It seems I've been busier than ever, and have failed to blog about it. So here's a quick update:

I've been doing a four day work week. That's four ten-hour days. It's awesome. Except for the getting up early part! I alternate having Monday and Friday off, so every other weekend I have four days off in a row. What do I do with all of these extra days off? Clean, mostly. And go to the movies. Oh how I love going to the movies, especially when they are not kid movies!

Last week I found out that Dining with Monkeys is a finalist in the Memphis Flyer's Best of Memphis Best Blog category!! It's been my dream to depose Paul Ryburn for years. And while I'm pretty sure he still won, I'm glad to be on his heels. Thanks to everyone that voted for me!

This blog also won an award itself--the Best Local Blog, Memphis category in Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards. I'm not quite sure how I managed that, but thanks to whoever nominated me!

I spent most of the weekend feeling sick and tired, but thanks to Emergen-C, I believe I nipped getting a full on cold/flu in the bud and was able to attend Saturday's amazing Rock-n-Romp. I'll be back to tell you all about it...

Jiro & Julia

Jiro and I have been continuing our kitchen adventures. You can read all about it in today's column, Reluctant cook's attempts not always recipe for disaster. And yeah, I didn't write about Warren stepping in to help us you can see in the pictures. Actually, he only had to help with the "cooking" parts. I'm ok with everything else. (And yes, the cookbook has several recipes that don't require actual cooking.)

Nature Boys

Sadly Team Oster has gotten out of the habit of going on weekly hikes through the old forest. (Blame the mosquitos.) However, this morning, we woke up and couldn't resist getting out in this beautiful weather.


The forest floor is full of pawpaws and muscadines, fallen luna moths and cicadas, and gargantuan mushrooms. Butterflies are everywhere. Caterpillars are metamorphis-ing. It's an especially fabulous time to take a hike.

Today Jiro outed himself as a true nature boy, like his brother. He made a hat out of leaves, then he found a branch that reminded him of a person. Next he got the person a baby. Another stick was a pterodactyl. As we passed a thicket of branches he noted that he'd like to set up a tent inside the opening. A nearby hollowed out tree with sunlight shining down was going to be his reading spot. He picked up flowers and leaves along the way. One was heart shaped and he made sure to point it out to me. He also picked up an acorn and a rock. For a good half mile he had a pet caterpillar larvae. I felt like I was in a Boxcar Kids book!

As we walked home he told me that he wanted to draw pictures of his treasures as soon as we got home. He drew each item--an acorn, a rock, and a flower--with a little face. Then he erased all of the faces and said he wanted to draw them "for real." When he was happy with his drawings he set about finding a jar for them. I gave him a small tupperware. He put each item in and then marched out the front door to find more things to add.

Dang, I love that kid!

Education for Life

So even though Satchel and Jiro go to school year round (they attend Evergreen's camp during the summer), they were very excited to start school yesterday!

A very good sign.

Others have been blogging about locating school supplies and transitioning to the new rooms, but we haven't had to mess with any of that stuff this year. At Evergreen we pay a supply fee and Satchel and Jiro's classrooms stay the same for three year intervals, as is standard in Montessori. Jiro is doing his last year in the primary cycle and Satchel is in year two of the lower elementary cycle.

This doesn't mean there haven't been any changes though. Several of Jiro's best buddies have either moved upstairs (into the elementary) or left the school in favor of public education. (It's pretty normal for there to be a big drop off when kids get old enough for public school, but the recession hasn't helped matters.) Jiro is taking it in stride though. I think he's going to like being one of the big kids in his class and we're still in touch with his friends who have gone to new schools.

Satchel's classroom has changed in the sense that all of the upper elementary kids have graduated so everyone is in lower elementary this year. While not having the pre-teens around will certainly change the dynamics of the classroom, it allows the nineteen 6-9 year-olds to rule the roost, so to speak.

Despite the supply fee, we did have a few items to purchase (or round up around the house or reuse from last year). For the most part they needed a change of clothes, inside shoes, rainboots, gardening gloves, a yoga mat, and a backpack. Satchel was the only one who really needed a backpack, but I went ahead and got Jiro one too in anticipation of (future camping trips and) his transition to elementary next year.

Jiro is really funny about his backpack. He doesn't want to put anything in it, but he wants to wear it. (No, it isn't one of those gigantic heavy ones.) Satchel's not much different. Yesterday when I picked them up and they handed me all of the things they had made in aftercare, I suggested putting everything in their backpacks. They just looked at me like I was crazy. Like why wouldn't I want to carry everything for them?

Every year the kids are asked to sign up to be ambassador for one week during each semester. This year Satchel wanted to be the very first ambassador. (Jiro chose the second week since someone beat him to the first week.) This means that Satchel will provide flowers, morning snack, and crickets (for the reptiles) this week. He will also get to have special duties in his class, like giving tours to visitors, etc.

Chef Stephen (Hassinger) is back in the kitchen this year, but he is alternating days with another talented parent, so he'll be cooking MWF and Mathilde's mom will be cooking T,TH. (The kids reported eating pasta yesterday with fresh vegetables.) Parents are invited to come to lunch anytime and soon we'll get menus a week in advance so that we can plan our visits. (I may end up being a regular!)

The homework calendar was nixed this year, which I'm actually happy about. Last year it started out great--basically Satchel did five daily chores around the house and then reported them on his calendar each week. His enthusiasm soon waned however, and it became a chore for me to get him complete the calendar. The only homework we can expect this year is 30 minutes of required reading (his choice) and possibly some spelling/grammar worksheets.

It's sure to be a great year and I'm looking forward to getting to know the other parents better and participating in special events. I'm already working with Satchel's teacher to plan their first field trip!

In the Kitchen with Kids

Every so often I get emails from people asking me if I want free stuff. It's pretty cool. Of course, there's an underlying hope that upon receiving said free stuff, I will in turn blog about its greatness. This is one of those times.

Last week I got a copy of Junior Leagues' In the Kitchen with Kids. It was good timing since Satchel signed up to be ambassador at school this week and I was in need of some fun, easy recipes. Too bad he had no interest in making anything! Jiro, on the other hand, was very interested. (Mostly in me making something and him eating it.)

Friday night I decided to try out in the amazingly simple popsicle recipe. (Blend strawberries and honey, then freeze.) It took about two seconds! I got carried away and made some banana ones too. Yesterday when we had the official tasting the strawberry pops were a smashing success. The banana ones were not. (Oh, but I have big plans for future flavors!)

What I really wanted to make were the Cheesy Krisps. Jiro was actually very excited about this recipe and helped me shape the cookies. Then he helped put them in the oven, set the timer, and then determine when they were done. I probably shouldn't have let him do the last part, because I'm afraid we overcooked them a bit. Either that or they really are supposed to taste like dog treats.

There are still several more recipes we want to try--banana dippers, spaghetti pie, and granola bars, to name a few. (Warren is fascinated by the meatloaf cupcakes with carrot "frosting," but I don't know if he'll ever make them.)

I really like the book because it is simple and straight forward. I know it's made for kids, but it's perfect for someone who is challenged in the kitchen, like me. With Warren starting school soon and me taking over dinner duty, I can see this book coming in very handy.

Just a click away....

This week's column focuses on the newest resident of the Memphis Zoo, who came all the way from Yellowstone National Park. Please read Yellowstone helps raise appreciation for wildlife. (Below the Junior Rangers demonstrate their appreciation for Yellowstone's safety rules.)



And in other corners of the web you can read my full breakdown of our attempts to only eat Road Food recommended by Jane and Michael Stern. Please read Tastee & Cozy: On the Road with the Sterns. (Pictured below is a Booches burger in Columbia, MO.)

The City Museum Just Got Cooler

After visiting the City Museum in March, we were eager to get back as soon as possible. So we planned our Yellowstone roadtrip to culminate in St. Louis. When we rolled into town, exhausted from 10 days on the road, we decided it would have probably been better to hit the museum on our way out rather than back, but we used every bit of energy we had left to make the best of it. In true Team Oster form, we planned to visit early Saturday morning, take a break, and then head back for the super fun night time hours. (They close at 1am on Friday and Saturday.)

As we approached the building it was hard not to notice the giant preying mantis and ferris wheel ON THE ROOF. "The roof is open!" we cheered.

Just when we thought the City Museum couldn't get any cooler.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

The roof was an extra $6, but totally worth it. And after our two hours in the morning and our four hours in the evening, we definitely got our money's worth. It was especially magnificent on the roof in the evening, and the city was a glorious sight from the top of the ferris wheel! The monkeys loved the new rope swing and we were psyched to discover that you could get to the front of the line for the ten story slide from the roof. (As opposed to climbing ten flights of stairs!) I can't wait until they finish the water tower part of the roof exhibit. (I have a thing for water towers.) It looks like you'll be able to climb up them!

We also spent some time exploring areas we didn't give enough attention to on our last visit, like Beatnik Bob's and the secret tunnels under the giant white whale. We kept stopping to ask each other, "Was this here last time?" You really can't see everything on one visit! BUT they were also definitely very busy adding new things here and there.

Oh how I love the City Museum.

My Big Backyard

I have to interrupt the vacation recap to tell you how impressed I am with the new permanent exhibit at the Botanic Gardens, My Big Backyard.

I've been following along online as friends Tootsie Bell and Sean Murphy & Anne Froning-Wike detailed their installations and I've been listening to everyone rave about it, but still I was not prepared for its splendor! First off, it is HUGE! I had no idea how big it was. (I know, that's what she said.) It took us a good two hours to move through the exhibit and I could have easily spent an entire day investigating every detail, every nook and cranny, every piece of wood. It is very apparent that a lot of time and effort; blood, sweet, and tears; and thought and love went into this project. (Not to mention--money!)

Oh how I wish it really was MY big backyard! (Warren and I did get some really good ideas to steal.)

Over 30 local artists worked on it for the past three years. The idea itself was born about ten years ago. Tonight just happened to be the artist and staff picnic, so we got a chance to talk to a lot of the people involved. Everyone was so enthusiastic and proud. And well they should be.

I especially liked the area designed by Scott Banbury using all reclaimed wood. There were wood building blocks big enough to make a house, poles to construct a tee pee, a sitting area with wood blocks, a tic-tac-toe game, a timber walk, and a life size bird's nest. (Scott also designed benches throughout the exhibit.) It was second only to the opening exhibit with real lawn furniture, real flower beds, and an outdoor kitchen and bathroom. The playhouses were whimsical and warm. You can see that the monkeys did some thorough exploring of them. The toddler area was also really nice and bit more kid-proofed than the rest of the spaces. The monkeys also enjoyed the simple things--some drainage tubes, a downed tree trunk, and a towering Magnolia tree nearby. All of this and an overarching "green" message!

I can already see the multitudes of new mamas, stay at home mamas, and mamas with any amount of spare time spending hours and hours enjoying this amazing space with their families. It's so unique and welcoming and just plain terrific. I can't say enough good things about it. I'm going to think of it as the new Mothersville. (Inside the main building is Project Green Fork certified Fratellis for all of you hungry mamas! Picnics are also allowed!)

Go see it immediately! Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. I recommend getting a family membership for $75. You will definitely want to visit often!

What a wonderful addition to our city. I feel so lucky to get to enjoy it while my kids are still young.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Junior Rangers

Warren, being a former Park Service employee, suggested that the monkeys become Junior Rangers on our visit to Yellowstone. The official Junior Ranger Program is open to kids 5 - 12. It introduces them to the natural wonders of Yellowstone and their role in preserving them for the future.

There's a $3 fee for the 12-page activity paper. After completing the age appropriate requirements, their work is reviewed by a ranger, and then participants are awarded an official Yellowstone Junior Ranger patch. Requirements include attending a Ranger-led program, hiking on a park trail, and completing activities on various park resources.

Jiro fell asleep during our first ranger talk, but made it through the second. He got very into doing the exercises and completed them all, in color! Satchel did the minimum required because he was more interested in fishing.

When we went in to get their badges, they had to take an oath, which was the cutest thing ever. Why I didn't take a video, I don't know!!


All (most?) National Parks offer Junior Ranger badges, so be sure and ask about the program if/when you visit one next. (The boys also got a badge at Devil's Tower, but it didn't require the level of dedication that the Yellowstone program did.)

Yellowstone

The climax of our trip was three days in Yellowstone National Park. Warren had been as a little boy, but didn't remember too much. He had primed the boys for boiling mud and old faithful, but I really didn't know what to expect. I didn't even realize that Yellowstone was created by a volcanic eruption.

The park is in a word, amazing. First off, it huge! Bigger than Delaware. There's no way to see it all in three days. We opted to explore a few key areas and do several drive bys of minor ones. Warren was sad that we weren't camping out on the grounds, biking around, and backpacking. Next time!

Second, animals live and roam freely in the park. It's easy to know when animals are in sight because everyone stops their cars and hops out with their cameras! We saw buffalo right away and Warren dryly commented, "You'll see so many buffalo, they will become boring." Sadly, he was right. They were everywhere! Often they walked right into the street. We had one go past the car and we could have easily rolled down the window to pet it. (We didn't!) There are signs everywhere reminding people that the animals are indeed wild and to proceed with caution. People get hurt (i.e. gored by buffalo!) every year. (We also saw antelope galore, deer, a bald eagle, pelicans, Canadian geese, elk, and some ravens. No bears or wolves unfortunately!

Third, the landscape is breathtaking. Especially the canyon. It's nearly as big as the Grand Canyon and has the added bonus of a few waterfalls. We hiked along the north rim and had a picnic. There are geysers galore, the most famous of course being Old Faithful, which erupts every 90 minutes or so. (By the end of the three days I was all geysered out! And we had made about every fart joke possible due to the sulfury smell.) They geysers are surrounding by a thin crust of earth so walking near them can be very dangerous. A ranger told us that a few days prior someone had fallen in waist deep and had to be taken to the hospital with serious burns. Thankfully, the monkeys heeded the warning! There are also multiple lakes and mountainous areas. Amazing, I tell ya.

Shoshone

On our way to Yellowstone (and our new hotel room in West Yellowstone, Montana) we stopped for one last gander at the Shoshone National Forest. Satchel and Warren did some fishing while Jiro and I explored. I was really excited by what I thought was a hidden message in a pine log, but then Warren explained that the markings were pine beetle tracks. Due to the mild weather, the beetle population is getting out of control and killing thousands of pine trees. If you look at the last row you can see the dead pines among the live ones. Scary! Also check out those gigantic dandelions!

It's just beautiful there and makes our Old Forest seem so small!

A Day at the Races

To keep the monkeys in fighting form, Warren likes to have them stretch their legs at the rest stops. And by stretching their legs, I mean racing.

To keep myself from having to compete, I decided to make a few videos.

Observe Satchel's winning maneuver:



Jiro agrees to race again, but only if he gets a head start.



Next Warren decides to take on Satchel. Suddenly it's clear where Satchel got his "moves." (Watch for Jiro joining the race midstream and then taking himself out.)



And finally, Jiro takes on Warren, again with a head start.