They Say You Can't Go Back

My memories always seem to have blurry edges. Unlike my friend, Mandy, who remembers what grade she was in when she went on every field trip, I can say with reasonable accuracy if I have been somewhere and that's about it. I don't know how old I was or how many times I went, but I do remember going to the circus and, with one exception (creepy clowns who came into the stands), I loved it. The animal acts were amazing and, my favorite, the motorcycle riders in the iron cage ball, made me want to at least learn to ride my bicycle.

But, it has probably been 25 years since I went to the circus and I really didn't know what to expect. I live in the land of PETA, so there is no way you can buy your circus tickets without guilt. I have seen Cirque du Soleil, a circus with enough talent to enthrall the older and more jaded audience. Was there any magic left in the circus for me?

We were going to find out. I took Fin and her friend, K, to the Ringling Brothers circus today. We found our seats just as the lights were lowered, "Ladies and gentlemen!" boomed the ringmaster and from behind the bandstands poured dozens of performers. There were stilt walkers, dancers, gymnasts... then came the horses, prancing around the arena wearing their feathered headpieces. They were so beautiful; all glossy coats and proud necks. Finally, out came the elephants, some with girls riding them, all of them holding the tail of the elephant in front. I was cheering and clapping and even tearing up a little. Oh, it was just as good as I remembered.

I loved it. I loved it all. I loved the sequin-laden costumes that seemed to change every ten minutes. I loved the guy who was set on fire and launched off of the enormous crossbow while men dressed like Mayan priests at a Pride parade carried torches around the arena. I loved the three simultaneous rings of equestrian acts including the zebras who seemed to forget the act and jumped the edge of the ring only to look confused as to where their herd had gone. I loved the "Strongmen from Uzbekistan" (which sounds better, if not as truthful, as "Fat Guys from Trenton"). I loved the gymnast who tumbled the length of the floor wearing a flame colored, ankle length dress that made her look like a goddess. I loved the thick-bellied tigers who moved in slow motion and lazily bat the tails of the tiger next to them. I even loved the new breed of clown; less creepy makeup, more electric guitar. It was fabulous and kind of cheesy, but only in the way they tried so hard to make sure everyone had a good time. I am so glad I went.

Oh, and I think the girls enjoyed it, too.

Busy Day

We have been going and going all day. We started out the morning with a kids cooking class where we met Debbie and Elizabeth. The girls helped make Italian nachos and Eggplant Rigatoni, both of which were delicious!




Things went well and the girls seemed to enjoy the class, though Fin was being her bossy self. It seems to come out with Elizabeth more than normal. I think Fin is a little jealous of Elizabeth. Most of the Chinese daughters Fin is friends with are younger and they aren't a threat. Elizabeth is the same age, same height, has the same capabilities and Fin doesn't seem to like it much. So, lunch was fun. A demon took over my child. There was crying, a (brief) hunger strike, threats in both directions (between Fin and me, not Fin and Elizabeth)... you get the idea. She did, in fact, lose t.v. for the night, even though she eventually pulled it together and started having fun with Elizabeth right as we were getting ready to leave. Grrrrr.

Our beauties.



Engrossed in Debbie's Droid.


Playing tag.


Then we left to visit some furry friends. Lucy needed her ball thrown. A lot.


I love this picture of Fin with Frank. It looks like they were talking at the same time.


Then there were work errands to run and a couple of shopping stops to make including this one.


All capped off with a full, fat rainbow over OV.


Busy day. Another busy one for tomorrow. I think the work week will actually bring more peace than the weekend!

I Believe That Aang Can Save the World

Fin and I had a great night. For the past few weeks, we have been watching Avatar: The Last Airbender each night on DVD. This is the original Nick show, not the movie which I have not seen and hear is horrible. We loved it. Just loved it. I am not sure I can gush enough. The story arc was perfection; beautifully paced with exciting twists. The characters were diverse, being at times both iconic and unique. It makes a great case for television shows having a term limit. If they all knew how long they would run, maybe more shows would be this good and not meander and sputter along trying to get picked up for as many seasons as possible while sacrificing the integrity of the show. (Psst. Lost. I'm talking to you.)

We have enjoyed watching this series, but we really enjoyed the fact we did it together. We had fun, but we also talked about lots of moral issues, the nature of friendship, the reasons for forgiveness. Tonight, we were set to watch the series finale and I wanted to make it extra special. We decided to have an Avatar dinner.

In the series, there are four kingdoms on Earth rooted in the four elements; air, fire, water, and earth. The people in those kingdoms are connected to the elements in a, well, elemental way. Their societies are built around the element and they often rely on it for everything from food to fun.

Our Avatar dinner paid homage to the elements; salmon for water, potatoes for earth, and green beans fried in chili oil for fire.


Fin kept the beans moving.


Cheers! before digging in.


She loved it and ate almost every bite on her plate.


Oh, and did you think we forgot air? Though the flash washed it out, that is a big bowl of whipped cream, one of Fin's favorite things. (There was a warm chocolate chip cookie at the bottom.)


We had so much fun with dinner and the show. We rooted for the good guys to win and the bad guys to find redemption, we scared the cats with our cheering, and we had a wonderful time together. I can't recommend this series enough for people to watch with their kids. The themes are timeless and epic. You will have a blast. And, if you don't have kids, you'll enjoy it, too. Children are not mandatory.

2010

January


February


March


April


May


June


July


August


September


October


November


December

The Polar Express, Santa Photobomb, and a Surprise

Tonight was a bit surreal. I was dreading it, actually. The art teacher at Fin's school was holding a Polar Express fundraiser. She has been holding lots of creative fundraisers this year that take so much work I really like to support them when I can. She is working to raise enough to bring in an artist-in-residence to work with the kids. She is so young and new and adorable. She was dressed like an elf and had made each of the kids a handmade, glittery golden ticket. After teaching for twenty years, she will probably toss a case of pipecleaners in the middle of the room and tell the kids to have at it for the rest of art class, but for now she is shiny and enthusiastic and the kids haven't gotten to her yet.

The fundraiser was based on Polar Express. We met up at the school for cocoa and cookies. Santa was there as was The Conductor. Then, we boarded the "Polar Express", actually "Expresses", and headed to the boardwalk at the beach for the light display. We returned to the school for pizza and popcorn and Santa handed out gifts. I was dreading this because I didn't know of anyone from Fin's class going and I knew she would be annoyed and bored to be stuck with just me. Luckily, Fin's best friend in class, K, was available to go with us. Fin was thrilled. I could have told her we were touring the dump and she wouldn't have cared as long as K was along.

A bit about K. Fin loves her. LOVES her. The way she gets obsessed over things; giraffes, cheetahs, dinosaurs, that is how she is about K. I don't mind one bit. First, Fin hasn't had a very best friend at school since her best friend, B, suddenly transferred from the school a year and a half ago. They went through pre-K and K together and Fin thought she hung the moon. All last year she asked about B and, because of some tragic events that led to her transfer, I could only tell her that B was at another school now. Fin was broken up about it and would talk about B whenever we did anything fun. She wanted to share it with her. She became good friends with A last year but Fin and A often brought out the worst in each other and I never encouraged that friendship. Fin can become a delinquent all on her own, thankyouverymuch. Then, this year, Fin was seated at the same table as K. She became so enamoured with her and, to be honest, so did I. Polite, sweet, and so very smart, K is a terrific little girl. She was the only first grader to make straight A honor roll for the first semester and she pushes Fin to work harder in school. K seems a bit on the shy side and restrained in a mature way. I think maybe Fin could be good for her, too, with her lack of restraint in so many ways, many of them fun. I am so pleased they are friends and I was extremely grateful to K's mother for allowing me to take the girls tonight. It really made Fin's evening.

Back to our evening. We walked into the school gymtorium for our snack and there was Santa! One glance at Santa's profile and Fin wrinkles up her nose. "That's just Mr. M.!" Her kindergarten teacher. She refused to have anything to do with him. We had snack and then the very authentic looking conductor called, "All aboard!" Everyone was given lighted necklaces and we climbed on board the Polar Express... which was PACKED. And hot. And smelled like fifth graders. Before we even got to the interstate, I had stripped off my coat and my sweater and promised the startled woman sitting with me that I would go no further. I spent the entire ride out to the beach pressing my face against the window and telling Fin to stop bouncing in her seat. Really, stop bouncing in your seat. Stop it. No bouncing. Can you hear me? Repeat what I said. Now repeat it without bouncing. Good grief.

The lights were beautiful. The kids on the bus were amazed and felt the need to narrate the whole thing but not at the same time. They were like a really disorganized Greek chorus hopped up on sugar. "Look! Santa is stuck in the chimney! Look! The fish is jumping! Look! Santa is stuck and the fish is jumping! Look! The fish is there and Santa is there!" You get the idea.





The drive back to school was faster and cooler because the kids had the windows open for the light show. We arrived to popcorn popping and stacks of pizza. Santa walked around taking pictures with the kids. Except for my kid. That's ok. This particular Santa and I have two years of experience working together and over her head, so we had it covered. It is my favorite Fin with Santa picture yet.





We dropped K off at home and headed home, totally exhausted.



Then, I went to download the pictures and found that Fin had spent our weather-delayed morning staging an impromptu photo shoot.






I hope Fin and K are friends for a long time. I hope that art teacher can hold on to her enthusiasm. And I hope Charley gets into cat heaven one day; she's earned it.