I just love this time of year!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A Reason to Get Out of Bed:
It's a beautiful mornin', Ahhh,
I think I'll go outside a while,
An jus' smile...
The Rascals, ca 1967
Friday, June 29, 2007
Ratatouille
Ian and I went to see Ratatouille this evening - what a great movie! It's done by Pixar, the same wonderful people that brought us Toy Story and Finding Nemo.
Remy is a rat living in Paris who dreams of being a great chef. It's a riot, and you don't have to be six to enjoy it! Ian and I both laughed all through this movie. Ian particularly enjoyed the French accents.
It's fun and silly and poignant and the perfect escape after a hard day at the office. Go see it-
Ian and Kelly give it 'two thumbs up'!
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/ratatouille/main.html
JT said...
Tres bien!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Rest In Peace
38 years old was much too young to die. Rest in Peace, Rod Beck.
(photo: Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images, from espn.com)
It's One Theory...
The Drive Home Conversation:
Me: So, how was your day?
Ian: Good. We went to Fort Niagara.
Cool!
Yeah. They shot off the guns.
They do that a lot there.
Mommy, with all those people shooting off guns in ... you know ... in Ohio, no, not Ohio, not California, what's the name of that other place, you know, where the war is?
Iraq?
Yeah! Iraq! With all those people shooting off guns in Iraq, I bet you that's why Pluto is losing its status. The bullets are wrecking it and making holes and noise.
Er, I don't think the bullets can go that far, honey.
Why not?
Pluto is very, very far away. Farther than the moon.
Oh. Well then, why is Pluto losing its status?
Well, I think it's because most of the planets have actual mass, sort of like ground you can stomp on, but Pluto is pretty much just a ball of gas orbiting the sun.
Oh. Like a burp?
Um, well, I never really thought of it that way...
That's gross, Mom.
(followed by complete and utter silence in the car for a solid five minutes.)
Can we have pizza for dinner?
Me: So, how was your day?
Ian: Good. We went to Fort Niagara.
Cool!
Yeah. They shot off the guns.
They do that a lot there.
Mommy, with all those people shooting off guns in ... you know ... in Ohio, no, not Ohio, not California, what's the name of that other place, you know, where the war is?
Iraq?
Yeah! Iraq! With all those people shooting off guns in Iraq, I bet you that's why Pluto is losing its status. The bullets are wrecking it and making holes and noise.
Er, I don't think the bullets can go that far, honey.
Why not?
Pluto is very, very far away. Farther than the moon.
Oh. Well then, why is Pluto losing its status?
Well, I think it's because most of the planets have actual mass, sort of like ground you can stomp on, but Pluto is pretty much just a ball of gas orbiting the sun.
Oh. Like a burp?
Um, well, I never really thought of it that way...
That's gross, Mom.
(followed by complete and utter silence in the car for a solid five minutes.)
Can we have pizza for dinner?
President said...
O MY GOD he's a scream!!!
6/28/2007 10:02 PM
President said...
Sorry.. "president" is one of my "OTHER" identities. This is the one, that after I was elected, inspired Jeff to say, "Oh god, we're all dead now."
6/28/2007 10:04 PM
Serena said...
ROTFLMAO! Your kid's a scream, too!!! Come to think of it, he may have been thinking of our favorite superhero duo, the President and the Almighty! Oh god. We're all dead now.
Serenity Note: One of the problems with answering Ian on the fly, and something that I can never, ever admit to him, is that I don't know everything. {heavy sigh!} I was completely wrong about Pluto. There are gas planets, which I had completely forgotten, and they are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. If you are interested, check out the site my brother found: http://www.nineplanets.org/. Great stuff.
(updated June 29, 2007)
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Car Dirt
I worked on my car today. EEEUUUU! Do you have any idea how DIRTY it is under the hood? I actually thought about this. It's a different kind of dirt. The feeling on your hands is different when you work on the car as opposed to, say, working in the garden. In a word, Yuk.
Anyway, I now know where my air filter is, where the oil checking metal bendy stick is and how to read it, where my radiator liquid is, and where the battery is. All of this I learned via long-distance telephone call with my brother (Michael a/k/a Obiwan) after the ten minutes it took me to figure out how to open the stupid hood. Must be time to trade it in!
Anyway, I now know where my air filter is, where the oil checking metal bendy stick is and how to read it, where my radiator liquid is, and where the battery is. All of this I learned via long-distance telephone call with my brother (Michael a/k/a Obiwan) after the ten minutes it took me to figure out how to open the stupid hood. Must be time to trade it in!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Robert and Alicia
2007 Graduates! Time flies...I started going to Rob's ball games when he was 9. He was a great little kid - inquisitive, sports crazy, and completely fun to be around - and the young man makes his parents proud. He and Alicia are off to college in the fall. (They'll probably graduate before I do!) :-)
(Photo taken 6/24/07)
When in Rome...
He does great with the chopsticks. I still struggle with them, but I admit I don't practice enough to get good with them.
(Photo taken 6/23/07)
Work, Work, Work
A friend of my boss offered to show Ian the heavy equipment when he came to work with me last Friday. He gave him a hard hat and vest, and made a friend for life:
Ian spent the rest of the afternoon in his new garb:
Ian spent the rest of the afternoon in his new garb:
(Photos taken 6/22/07)
Darlene said...
About the cutest kid I ever did see - very serious about his thoughts and comments and just plain cute!
Serena said...
I think so, too. But I'm hopelessly biased.
Anniversary
Anne Lucia Bosley Tabor
1936-2006
It just occurred to me that the first anniversary of my mom's passing past without a thought...hmmm. That in itself is just sad.
President said...
"passed" without a thought.
Sorry. I am so power mad that I could not let that go. :D
Serena said...
Oops.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Promotions
On the last day of school, I received a return call from Ian's teacher. I wanted to know the outcome of his benchmark scores so I would be able to buy or borrow appropriate reading material over the summer - difficult enough to keep him challenged, but not so difficult that he gets frustrated and loses interest. She said he is definitely reading above his grade level, and she off-handedly mentioned that I might want to consider moving him up to third grade.
I have quite a few problems with that. First, he already started Kindergarten early. If he progresses normally, he will graduate at 17, which is young, but not too young. If I have him advanced now, he will graduate at an even younger age, and speaking as a 16-year-old graduate, it ain't fun. Second, he has a social life. School isn't just about learning the '3 r's', it's about learning to socialize with your peers also. I don't want to rip him away from that.
My gut says no, leave him where he is, and continue to challenge him at home and encourage the teachers (by nagging if necessary) to challenge him in school.
What do you think? I can't afford private school...
Melissa said...
Kelly, as an education graduate, I say you are exactly right! First, always go with your gut, and there is no need to rush his education. As long as you continue to challenge him at home, he will not miss out on anything educationally by staying right where he is. Also, in the long run he will benefit more by sticking with the friends he has currently made in his current grade. You never want to put undue stress on a child in terms of their peers. He worked hard to build the relationships he has made with them and will be happier in the long run just maintaning those freindships. I hope this helps!!! :) Melissa
Serena (Kelly) said...
It does, thank you. I think you are right, school is about friendships, too. I want him to be well-rounded, not just "book smart".
Michael said...
Keeping him challenged at home can NEVER make up for hours of boredom at school, and the constant dumbing down that you have to do so that you are not a threat to all the mouth breathers who never miss an opportunity to slam you into a wall because you know how to pronounce a five-syllable word. Such as delicatessen.
Sorry, but I had enough “waiting for the challenged” to last me for more than one lifetime, and it took me years to get past the bad attitude I developed toward education as a result.
Move him up, because it will better prepare him for the world of work by encouraging his mind to grow, and giving him a deeper foundation for upcoming skill sets. The social stuff is far, far less important, and he will be encouraged to better study habits and higher levels of thought by being among others who are also capable of more.
6/28/2007 10:14 PM
Michael said...
Another thing – you were a 16-year-old grad in a family that did not value education. Ian will face none of the lack of support and backward ideas that were the bane of your journey.
Ian will make friends no matter where he lands. But he needs to be encouraged away from the Buffalo ethos of mediocrity.
Trust me - the Asian folks whose kids come here, learn a new language, and thenm proceed to decimate us in Math & Science do not put social factors ahead of hard skills.
You have to have something of value in the world of work, and as a man, he will always be judged by his earning power in every aspect of life, including his ability to attract a quality mate.
It isn't fair, but it is what it is.
Serena said...
More good points. You are completely right about our family - I was very lonely and socially stinted, but social growth wasn't even encouraged unless it took place 'door-to-door'. Ian won't have that.
And, as you and I have discussed in the past, I felt incredible pressure (whether real or imagined, it was my reality at the time) to get straight A's. Ian won't have that either.
He would stay in the same school and in the same after-school program. He would still have his playdates with his best friend.
I think you are right, too. I can try to give him the best of both worlds - challenge at school, playdates with the buddies at home. He may outgrow the buddies, or make new buddies, but we could adapt.
He is a great thinker already - see his theory on Pluto above - and encouraging that to develop can only be a good thing.
I guess my biggest problem is that I remember how I felt - all too vividly - beginning that school year as a 15 year old senior and ending as a 16 year old graduate. Last year, I went to my high school reunion, and I didn't recognize ANYONE. Names of people would bring images to my mind of their shoes, but I didn't recognize a single face. Everyone, however, recognized me. It dawned on me why: I always held my books close to my chest and kept my eyes glued to the floor.
Ian won't have that.
Soooo, I know other people read my blog -- what do the rest of you think?
I have quite a few problems with that. First, he already started Kindergarten early. If he progresses normally, he will graduate at 17, which is young, but not too young. If I have him advanced now, he will graduate at an even younger age, and speaking as a 16-year-old graduate, it ain't fun. Second, he has a social life. School isn't just about learning the '3 r's', it's about learning to socialize with your peers also. I don't want to rip him away from that.
My gut says no, leave him where he is, and continue to challenge him at home and encourage the teachers (by nagging if necessary) to challenge him in school.
What do you think? I can't afford private school...
Melissa said...
Kelly, as an education graduate, I say you are exactly right! First, always go with your gut, and there is no need to rush his education. As long as you continue to challenge him at home, he will not miss out on anything educationally by staying right where he is. Also, in the long run he will benefit more by sticking with the friends he has currently made in his current grade. You never want to put undue stress on a child in terms of their peers. He worked hard to build the relationships he has made with them and will be happier in the long run just maintaning those freindships. I hope this helps!!! :) Melissa
Serena (Kelly) said...
It does, thank you. I think you are right, school is about friendships, too. I want him to be well-rounded, not just "book smart".
Michael said...
Keeping him challenged at home can NEVER make up for hours of boredom at school, and the constant dumbing down that you have to do so that you are not a threat to all the mouth breathers who never miss an opportunity to slam you into a wall because you know how to pronounce a five-syllable word. Such as delicatessen.
Sorry, but I had enough “waiting for the challenged” to last me for more than one lifetime, and it took me years to get past the bad attitude I developed toward education as a result.
Move him up, because it will better prepare him for the world of work by encouraging his mind to grow, and giving him a deeper foundation for upcoming skill sets. The social stuff is far, far less important, and he will be encouraged to better study habits and higher levels of thought by being among others who are also capable of more.
6/28/2007 10:14 PM
Michael said...
Another thing – you were a 16-year-old grad in a family that did not value education. Ian will face none of the lack of support and backward ideas that were the bane of your journey.
Ian will make friends no matter where he lands. But he needs to be encouraged away from the Buffalo ethos of mediocrity.
Trust me - the Asian folks whose kids come here, learn a new language, and thenm proceed to decimate us in Math & Science do not put social factors ahead of hard skills.
You have to have something of value in the world of work, and as a man, he will always be judged by his earning power in every aspect of life, including his ability to attract a quality mate.
It isn't fair, but it is what it is.
Serena said...
More good points. You are completely right about our family - I was very lonely and socially stinted, but social growth wasn't even encouraged unless it took place 'door-to-door'. Ian won't have that.
And, as you and I have discussed in the past, I felt incredible pressure (whether real or imagined, it was my reality at the time) to get straight A's. Ian won't have that either.
He would stay in the same school and in the same after-school program. He would still have his playdates with his best friend.
I think you are right, too. I can try to give him the best of both worlds - challenge at school, playdates with the buddies at home. He may outgrow the buddies, or make new buddies, but we could adapt.
He is a great thinker already - see his theory on Pluto above - and encouraging that to develop can only be a good thing.
I guess my biggest problem is that I remember how I felt - all too vividly - beginning that school year as a 15 year old senior and ending as a 16 year old graduate. Last year, I went to my high school reunion, and I didn't recognize ANYONE. Names of people would bring images to my mind of their shoes, but I didn't recognize a single face. Everyone, however, recognized me. It dawned on me why: I always held my books close to my chest and kept my eyes glued to the floor.
Ian won't have that.
Soooo, I know other people read my blog -- what do the rest of you think?
Surf's Up
Unless you're six, don't bother. Come to think of it, my six-year-old didn't think too much of it, either. I asked him what he thought of the movie, and he said, "Ummm, I don't know."
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Another Trophy!
At this age, all the children get trophies. They get their trophies, and then run around gleefully like you've just fed them sugar. It's a riot!
Serena said...
Michael said...
Mail it to me. It'll come back fixed.
Mail it to me. It'll come back fixed.
Serena said...
Thank you!
New Glasses
He needs them for distances of 15 to 20 feet or more. He is not to wear them for reading or doing homework, but he does need them for helping me spot signs on the thruway and for sports. His baseball game has improved - sure helps when you can see the ball coming!
Serena said...
Indeed. I got my first pair in second or third grade.
Comfortable with a Book
This book is the neatest book I've ever seen. It is called Masterpieces in 3D, and it displays Escher's works. The cover is a pair of spectacles you can look through to make the prints appear in 3D. Ian and I were glued to it. Still are, truth be told. Thank you, Mike! I love things that Ian learns from when he is not aware that he is learning. (Did that make sense?)
I'm happy Ian is getting the most of this book! I sent it to you because I was not sure Ian would get the hang of the visual work needed to see in 3-D.
I'm thrilled that both of you are enjoying it so much!
Serena said...
Serena said...
It's amazing. The detail in those prints is incredible. Ian didn't have any trouble getting the hang of the 3-D. I told him to try to look through the book instead of at the book, and that seemed to work.
My first roses
Two summers ago, I took a day off for illness. It must have been over 80 degrees that day. An older woman broke down two doors down from me, and in the heat of the afternoon, knocked on my door to use the phone. I handed her my cordless, she called AAA, and then she returned to her car to wait. I felt awful for her, it was so hot, so I took her a plastic cup full of ice water for her to sip on while she waited. The next day, she left me a rose bush and a thank you note. She was in no way offended that I hadn't let her in, and was thankful that I let her use the phone. My landlady planted the rosebush for me along the side of the house, and this year, I have roses.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Criminal Justice
The Buffalo News, June 7, 2007, reports in part:
"Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to investigators about his role in leaking the identity of an undercover CIA officer, Valerie E. Plame."
30 months. Oh, and he's free on appeal.
It is no wonder why it is called the “criminal justice system”. Where is the justice for Valerie? Maybe she doesn't get any because she's not a criminal.
Michael said...
...And all along the real criminals behind this escape all punishment, or even scrutiny.The stench goes all the way to the top.
Serena said...
It's funny what Ian picks up. The other day, I turned on the television and Bush was on. He said, "Mommy! Turn the channel! I don't want to watch that criminal!" What is funny about it is that I'm not the only one he's listening to.
"Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Cheney, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to investigators about his role in leaking the identity of an undercover CIA officer, Valerie E. Plame."
30 months. Oh, and he's free on appeal.
It is no wonder why it is called the “criminal justice system”. Where is the justice for Valerie? Maybe she doesn't get any because she's not a criminal.
Michael said...
...And all along the real criminals behind this escape all punishment, or even scrutiny.The stench goes all the way to the top.
Serena said...
It's funny what Ian picks up. The other day, I turned on the television and Bush was on. He said, "Mommy! Turn the channel! I don't want to watch that criminal!" What is funny about it is that I'm not the only one he's listening to.
The Mariners Museum
When we visited Virginia recently, Ma took us to see the Mariners Museum. This place was fantastic! The Civil War history inside these walls is amazing. One entire section of the museum is devoted to the Ironclads, and particularly the Monitor. We didn't make it through the entire wing. I told Ma we must go back there...there was so much to see, and we only had two hours to see it in before they closed. We'll plan it better next time.
Wee Swashbucklers:
We happened to hit the museum on the Wee Swashbucklers weekend. When you first entered the museum, they had a game board set up for the kids to play.
This gorgeous model was in the museum lobby. Dad would get a kick out of it. I think he'd get a kick out of the entire experience, actually.
Wee Swashbucklers:
We happened to hit the museum on the Wee Swashbucklers weekend. When you first entered the museum, they had a game board set up for the kids to play. Ian won a wooden nickel.
This anchor belonged to the Monitor, which was raised in August, 2002. The Monitor's claim to fame, or at least part of it's claim to fame, was that it had the world's first armored revolving gun turret.
They also had parrots there for the wee swashbucklers to admire. This guy was called "Rainbow", and he really can talk!
"Hey! Look at Me!"
Michael said...
>Dad would get a kick out of it...Funny, when I was in Buffalo for the service, he passed a comment, while I was visiting him, that he would never build another model. It was with a fair amount of emotion, too, something like, "I'll never waste time on another one of those again..." I should have asked what was behind it.
>Dad would get a kick out of it...Funny, when I was in Buffalo for the service, he passed a comment, while I was visiting him, that he would never build another model. It was with a fair amount of emotion, too, something like, "I'll never waste time on another one of those again..." I should have asked what was behind it.
Serena said...
Sadness. His hands have started to shake as he has gotten older. He has regrets...when he was able to make them, he got too busy (pioneering), and now that he has time, he is unable.
Jamestown Ferry
Ma and Ian were feeding the birds from the back of the Jamestown Ferry. People bring popcorn, stale bread, french fries, whatever they can get their hands on, toss it up in the air, and the seagulls swoop down and catch it in midair. I couldn't get a shot of it to save my life. There is a delay between when I push the button and when the camera takes the picture, and I don't have it timed right yet. (heavy sigh!)
Here is one of the other ferries heading in the opposite direction. The ferries are free, and some vehicles are thoroughly checked by Homeland Security before you can board. Sad, but true.
Michael said...
Point the camera in the direction you expect the action to take place, press the shutter release HALF WAY to allow the camera to focus and adjust the exposure...Then, when the action happens, you complete the shutter release. It will be much, much quicker, because the camera was ready and waiting.Trust me on this. :D
Point the camera in the direction you expect the action to take place, press the shutter release HALF WAY to allow the camera to focus and adjust the exposure...Then, when the action happens, you complete the shutter release. It will be much, much quicker, because the camera was ready and waiting.Trust me on this. :D
Serena said...
Takes some practice. Figuring out where the half-way point is, I mean. I'm going to bring my camera with me when we come out there, too. :D
Best Friends
Sharing conversation, apples and peanut butter...
(photo taken 4/24/07)
Michael said...
Names, please? :D
Names, please? :D
Serena said...
Oh! (Duh.) Justin and Ian. Justin has been Ian's best friend for about three years now.
I'm busy.
So, how do you scold your child for not getting dressed when they got distracted by a book?
(photo taken 4/24/07)
Michael said...
No, no, no. You do it with a loud shriek and a blast to the side of the head. Didn't you learn ANYTHING where you grew up? ;-)
No, no, no. You do it with a loud shriek and a blast to the side of the head. Didn't you learn ANYTHING where you grew up? ;-)
Serena said...
And I missed this golden opportunity!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
BPO
Every year for an early Christmas present, Ma presents Ian and me with tickets to the BPO's Family Series. It is a series of concerts completely geared for children.
Before the show, in the Mary Seton Room at Kleinhan's Music Hall, they have "Instrument Zoo" where the children are permitted to 'try out' various instruments. They have sections arranged for percussion instruments, string instruments, and wind instruments.
Before the show, in the Mary Seton Room at Kleinhan's Music Hall, they have "Instrument Zoo" where the children are permitted to 'try out' various instruments. They have sections arranged for percussion instruments, string instruments, and wind instruments.
The woman showing Ian how to handle the flute was impressed - Ian was able to blow across the flute properly to make sound on the first try. She said there is a trick to it, and most little ones don't get the hang of it quite so quickly. Apparently you have to blow across the hole, not into it like other wind instruments. Very cool.
Ian was also interested in the violin, and has been all season. Unfortunately, the lessons are unbelieveably expensive.
Michael said...
How expensive?
How expensive?
Serena said...
The only place I could find that would teach a child Ian's age wanted $4,500. I keep checking around. Most places start lessons when the child hits 3rd grade, which means Ian has another two years to wait. We'll see.
Uncle Gene's Birthday
April 21, 2007: Aunt Marlene asked Uncle Gene if he wanted anything for his birthday (as she does with her JW relatives every year), and he said, "Yeah! I want a birthday cake!" So, after Yovela's shower was over, Aunt Marlene pulled out a sugar-free Angel Food Cake topped with strawberries for Uncle Gene. We heathens stood around, sang "Happy Birthday" at the top of our lungs, and Uncle Gene blew out the candles for the first time in a LONG time. Way to go, Uncle Gene!
62 candles wouldn't fit on the cake - even if the Elma Fire Department would allow it!
It appears that the "sitting at the bar" tradition starts quite young in our family...Devon is 4!
62 candles wouldn't fit on the cake - even if the Elma Fire Department would allow it!It appears that the "sitting at the bar" tradition starts quite young in our family...Devon is 4!Michael said...
And he huffed, and he puffed, and his dentures flew out and hit the cake...
And he huffed, and he puffed, and his dentures flew out and hit the cake...
Fambly
Uncle Ben
Aunt Dennie (with Xzavier, Doreen's youngest)
Xena
Yovela (Very pregnant with daughter, Suraya)
Zahlia(Photos taken 4/21/07 at Yovela's Shower)
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