Happy Halloween!

The photo at left is from Truck-or-Treat, an event that was held earlier this month. Griffin is Venom and Bela is SpiderGirl. The only other kid dressed as Venom happened to be Griffin's best friend, Quinn, from nursery school.

Griffin told me yesterday that he would prefer to be Dracula for Halloween this year. Perhaps this is the downfall of allowing him to wear the costume for a month. Ah well, we've already been out to trick-or-treat twice.

To celebrate our seventh anniversary over the weekend, Brett and I went to see the vampire film 30 Days of Night.

The premise of the film is that vampires descend upon the town of Barrow, Alaska during the town's month-long darkness. The sheriff and a small crew of survivors hole up in different places, trying to outlast the truly creepy looking vampires.

Thankfully the actor who plays Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies was one of the survivors. During the scary parts I was calmed by repeating "Rubeus Hagrid" over and over again.

The importance of family seems to be a theme in vampire films. It was reiterated throughout 30 Days of Night and is again seen in the 2004 Dawn of the Dead remake. Another film I was only able to watch because of the involvement of a well-known actor, Mekhi Pheiffer, whose poor zombie baby ruined his desired chance for redemption.

Round Up

Some new family traditions have begun this fall and I have been intending to write about them for awhile now. So, with no further adieu, here is my tops list:
1.) the MSU Homecoming Parade was great this year! Highlights included Griffin shouting "Obama, Obama" as the College Democrats passed and the giant bookworm float.
2) the Great Pumpkin Walk, trick-or-treating on Thursday night before Halloween at downtown East Lansing businesses. Afterwards, the four of us went out to dinner at Dublin Square, an Irish themed restaurant in the former Evergreen Grill.
3) a massage from Molly who has been my friend for 20 years. She has created an amazing space at the Universal Healing Center in our hometown. I am so proud of her!
4) CHARM! Griffin laying it on at Grandma Beth's retirement party. He stuck with her through most of the party, enchanting her colleagues and friends. Both kids were at their best after the Great Pumpkin Walk, leading one fellow diner at Dublin Square to comment that they were "the best behaved kids" she had ever encountered, including her own. I'm certainly not bragging as I give all the credit to them... and I realize that next time we are out in public the review may not be so favorable.

Out of the mouths of bebes

Be scared to be amazed

Glowing up underpants and glowing up pajamas

Mines

Wery, wery cool

These are just a few of my favorite Griffin-isms.

Bela cuddled against my legs today, said I love you, looked up at me and called me mama. Yay!

It's Saturday!

There have been a ton of things happening lately that I have thought "I've got to add that to my blog!" In fact, as I ruminate on things since I started The Jolly Mama, I find myself giving the thoughts titles. For the life of me, I cannot think of any of them right now. This is the first quiet chance I have had to update my blog and unfortunately, my mind is a blank. Ah well.

Soon to post are a picture of Griffin standing in tree pose under a tree at Impression 5 Science Center. We went to the MSU Homecoming Parade last night (without the camera, zut alors!) -- aha, this is something I want to post more about but, for now, I think I'll take a nap. The kiddos are sleeping and so should I.

Another Kid Show/Another Parenting Lesson

I learn a lot by watching Emily Elizabeth care for her big red dog on the PBS kid show, Clifford. She treats him with a lot of respect and it is always evident how much she loves him. In turn, Clifford generally makes good decisions.



I also learn a lot about what NOT to do by watching Jetta. How did this girl get to be such a little stinker? I often wonder what her mother does, or does not do, that is teaching Jetta to value all the wrong things. The show seems to be very careful not to show Jetta's parents' interactions with her which is probably good. I would rather focus on the positive parenting lessons I get from watching ee and her big red dog.

The Kripalu Catalog

The Kripalu Catalog came today. No, actually it arrived in yesterday's mail but I only now looked through it.

I was feeling down -- the sort of down, Down, DOWN that just gains momentum if you don't figure out some way to start smiling again. The analytical part of my brain knows that, surely, this is hormonal, seasonal, and a symptom of exhaustion. I was awoken more times than I can remember last night by crying bebes (Bela is cutting some serious molars; Griffin got up, was disoriented, and knocked over his fan - he was very frightened!).

What I realized as I skimmed through the new catalog, seeing all the peaceful faces, the radiant souls illuminated, is that my "fitness level 2" yoga classes at the MAC are seriously ruining my enjoyment of yoga. I am really not doing yoga to do endless downward facing dogs or to have a tight booty. My soul wears a thong.

So I'm going to fake a smile, and try to catch a nap. Upward momentum, OMmmmm!

Sheriff Kalanquin in the News!

One of my favorite sheriffs made the news! Sheriff Ron Kalanquin is featured in news all over the world this week because he has offered to marry a Bonnie & Clyde who robbed the Lapeer County Bank & Trust, then bought wedding rings with some of the loot.

[From Aug 2004 to Aug 2006, I was the illustrious Agent "M" of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, go-to-woman for ensuring there was plenty of hot coffee at conferences and ghost writing the director's update.]

Liberal La La Land of the Mind

This morning was challenging. The dog, aptly named Rodan after the monster who terrorizes Japan in Godzilla movies, escaped the yard when my neighbor's poor dad tried to give her a playdate with his pup. We took chase, after bundling Bela into her jogging stroller and Griffin, shoes. After a fab walk through the neighborhood (something that makes Griffin usually complain bitterly), another neighbor was able to lure Rodan to her.

Since Bela was well-past the time for a morning nap, I decided to make it a library day. We gathered up our borrowed books and hit the road. I saw a "green" acquaintance walking with her young'uns, perhaps to the library, as I pulled onto Burcham Drive in my SUV. But, really, the library is way too far to make Griffin walk. I have considered putting him on Brett's skateboard and then bungee-cording him to the jogger.

Anyway, there were no parking spots at the lib because today was Cirque de Soleil/Saltimbanco. How could I have missed this?!? I am sure it was not in the library's newsletter. Just checked and I am gratified to say it was not listed (gratified because I could almost imagine overlooking it, thinking it would be "lame") but why? It was, however, posted on the new sign. I guess I'll have to start driving down Abbot Road a bit more. Yes, that is spelled correctly. The city dropped the second "t" this week.

So, we hit the open road for Video-to-Go. I really wanted to get the George Clooney Batman movie. And we were able to get the silent, original version of Nosferatu on DVD! Plus a Batman Beyond animated movie for Griffin (he promises to cover his eyes during scary parts), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Tsotsi. There is one more ... I'll have to go look in my big bag. Griffin, god love him, never stopped talking this morning and Bela was crawling off, pulling videos off the shelf and squealing, so I was a bit distracted. Hell, the fifth movie could be Debbie Does Dallas, for all I know (hahaha).

The Jolly Mama "test" came as we left Frandor to come home for lunch. As I turned my car through the parking lot, a young woman on a cell phone driving a red, late model Chevy, pulled out right in front of me. No big deal. But she took forever trying to get her car straight because she refused to hang up the phone. Okay, no big deal. Now, I *should* have realized that this young woman was already making poor decisions and, responsibly, just kept my big trap shut ... but I didn't. As I pulled around her car, I said, very calmly, "You pulled out in front of me." Without putting down the phone, she says "I'm sorry (slightly hysterically)." Great, this is the part Griffin hears. Then, as I am already past her, I alone hear the unutterable, unrepeatable curse on me. Mouth WIDE open! Two words, both bad, and certainly not to be repeated in front of my kids.

I was quite perturbed and the pre-Jolly Mama part of me imagined scenes of vengeance. Of tracking her car down somewhere in the lot and ramming it. Not good. As I mentioned, I was in the SUV (would I have done it in the Jeep?). Or chasing her and sticking my car keys right in ... well, anyway, these are not in line with what my inner mother knows to be right action.

Over lunch I explained to Griffin why I was upset, even though "that lady said she was sorry." I told Griffin that she called me a very bad name and that is not acceptable to me. And, I told him that she was making bad decisions. On the way to school, when we were still talking about the Woman in the Parking Lot, Griffin said "I wish she would make good decisions today." Which then gave me the opportunity to teach a valuable lesson - I suggested we think about her and send her good energy so that she will feel good inside today and start making better decisions. Is this wisdom? Or more of my liberal la la?

The Sound of Ahhhh

Bela fell asleep on the way home from dropping Griffin at nursery school. There are two hours until I have to leave. Two hours of doing anything I want. There are the filthy floors and beds whose sheets need to be changed. But there is also Michigan radio playing through my laptop, feet up the wall yoga, and a book of TS Eliot poems. Ahhhhhhh.

Caillou, Oh Caillou

Caillou is on, and even though there are no kids around right now, I am watching it. The show has turned into must-see tv for me. It started out as an indulgence for Griffin who, like Caillou, is 4 years old and has a little sister.

I **thought** the show would be instructive for Griffin because he could see how a boy his age relates to a little sister. Caillou gets frustrated with Rosie but also helps take care of her and likes to play games with her.

Allowing Griff to watch the show was a big deal for me because I had always thought that I detested Caillou. I thought he was a whiny brat (gasp!) and that his parents were simps. And, of course, I thought his mom was frumpy.

Since we've been watching Caillou over the past few weeks, however, I feel like I have become a better mom. The show has been very educational for me because Caillou is allowed to act in an age-appropriate way. The narrator does a wonderful job of labeling Caillou's feelings "Caillou was frustrated" and yet has such a soothing, nonjudgmental voice. The show gives me the words I need when I'm just too tired to be imaginative.

And, in a recent episode, I saw Caillou's mom in a new light. She is just right ... just like the show.

My Beautiful Babies

I'm the Sugar Mama!

I won tonight at Candyland. YES!!! I beat my almost five-year-old and my sweet husband. I am the sugar mama!

When I told the boys that I would be posting my victory on my blog, we joked that this is so... so... what year???

2001 was the first year that I heard of blogging. A co-worker's teen daughter was a major blogger. I remember thinking "What the hell is blogging?"

I quickly became one of those people who is embarassed to admit that they don't yet have a blog ... until today.

More on Sugar...
A great book that I cannot wait to read is The Omnivore's Dilemma, about the nationalization of high fructose corn syrup. Blecch!!

And, I just saw a CrAzY story on Wired:Science about the commonality between the ingredients in Cool Whip and other household items like detergent, antifreeze, and suntan lotion. Double, triple, quadruple blecch!!! I think I will be making my own from now on with cream and the secret ingredient -- air!

Do Unto Others

I bought a bottle of wine today for my sweet husband's Admin. The story pretty much begins and ends here ... but with loads of little details right in the middle.

Cassie filled out the reimbursement request for the week husband was in Dublin, Ohio, for him. This is above and beyond the call of duty for her; and picking up the "thank you" bottle of wine is an errand I've run before.

But, as I drove to the store, the events of the week I single-handedly parented the two little Picketts flashed thru my mind. Topping the list of best memories would be Itty Bitty Baby's fall from her crib on the last night of him being away and me having to take two scared, little children out into the night to have her examined at the Pediatric Afterhours Clinic. (Sidenote: she was FINE and has agreed NEVER, EVER to climb out of her crib again.)

Surely, this warrants some hazard pay for yours truly I began to think as I drove along. And, as today is Wednesday, I thought I might just run over to the Farmer's Market to get some of those gorgeous mums the flower man was selling on Saturday for $6 a pot, or $15 for three!!

First, though, I went to get the wine, a very specific brand that was unavailable in anything but super duper gallon size. Okay, that's fine, more $$ than I planned to spend but he'll get back loads from the trip, thanks to her.

Next I head over to the field where the Farmer's Market is held. As I pull the car into a parking space, I suddenly remember Flower Man telling me that he is not there on Wednesdays. Okay, that's fine, the Farmer's Market is my favorite place in the world and it is a radiantly beautiful autumn day so I'll just walk around.

The last booth I walk past is our favorite vendor, a nice man who sells delicious Middle Eastern deli items. And there I bought for my sweet husband an amazing cream cheese, sun-dried tomato sandwich in phyllo dough. Yum! His favorite.

So, a great big bottle of wine for Cassie. A yummy sandwich for sweet husband. It DOES feel better to give than to receive.

How to Fight with your Mate

An article on NYTimes.com today shows that how couples fight has as powerful an effect on the health of women as smoking or high cholesterol AND that women who silence themselves, even in a marriage that is generally happy, are risking their health.

I was struck by this paragraph from the article:

"For women, whether a husband’s arguing style was warm or hostile had the biggest effect on her heart health. Dr. Smith notes that in a fight about money, for instance, one man said, “Did you pass elementary school math?” But another said, “Bless you, you are not so good with the checkbook, but you’re good at other things.” In both exchanges, the husband was criticizing his wife’s money management skills, but the second comment was infused with a level of warmth. In the study, a warm style of arguing by either spouse lowered the wife’s risk of heart disease."

And because laughter is good medicine, my belly laugh for today came when I went to get the laundry from the dryer this a.m. Griffin had stuffed in the shirt that I had told him to put in the laundry last night. Now I know what he was doing forever last night before bed!!