Back in Session

With 2 1/2 days of school under their belts, the Moloko munchkins are transitioning from summer mode to school mode without little complaint. The Little Dudes were VERY leery about first grade as they know lots of homework comes with the teacher. However, I have been told that without a doubt that FIRST GRADE ROCKS! It apparently is WAY better than Kindergarten.

Although the onslaught of homework has yet to begin, they are very enthusiastic and Little Dude B came home and said "I think we are going to be challenged this year!" Their teacher has been described as the "teacher for college bound 1st graders!" LOVE IT!

Big Sister seems to be enjoying 4th grade and likes her teacher, notably a tough no-nonsense type of person. This is the year we transition to a numerical grading scale and where actual grades (A's - F's) will be noted on report cards and assignments. WOW! Big Kid stuff!

Cool Uncle

Homer Simpson Donuts, one COOL uncle, and three Moloko munchkins made for a day of great fun and lots of memories.

This known *cool* uncle knows how to speak and hang with kids. If his name is mentioned, *MATT* the choirs of angels start singing and I have children conjuring up plans to get rid of me. His time is valued and Mom just gets in the way...I infringe upon the bonding. (He definitely gets preferred babysitter status.) I like his company too, but, seeing as I had the pleasure of living with him for most of my life, the munchkins feel he is around for their benefit.

One overcast day last week, Uncle Matt took the munchkins out for an afternoon of miniature golfing and pier-side fishing. I heard the golfing was a bit chaotic and that it was more of a free-for-all. Score was not kept. Fishing was fun, but nothing was caught. When the gaggle returned for dinner, they had dessert with them.

Upon returning home the kids spilled all the juicy details of the adventure. However, this particular comment caught me a little off guard. "Hey Mom, Uncle Matt made donuts with your van!"

Homer Simpson donuts Little Dude B & Uncle MATT
Rapt Attention Big Sister & "THE MATTSTER"
Little Dude M & Uncle MATT

Small World

Recently, my brother and his family moved back from Okinawa into a neighborhood across town. One afternoon, my sister-in-law and I took the cousins to their neighborhood playground to run off some steam and preserve the pristine new home devoid of toys and TV reception. Storm clouds were rolling in, but the temps were pleasant and the kids were playing well. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a familiar face approaching the park bench upon where were sitting. It was a face of someone from the past. It took just seconds to register when her I saw her daughter running into the park.

This mother-daughter team were friends of ours from our time in Okinawa. Big Sister and her daughter, "K," were kindergarten classmates at Okinawa Montessori School. We moved just after graduation with promises to keep in touch via email. Well, the intentions were good, but, we had lost touch. Within moments, the storm blew in and we took refuge in their home until the storm subsided. The girls were SO EXCITED to see each other and quickly picked up where they left off two years ago. "K" stills has the Kokeshi doll Big Sister gave her in her bedroom, and Big Sister still has a framed picture of the two of them displayed on her dresser.

Gotta love a small world! Funny thing is that "K's" Dad works for the same organization as Hubby. They had only met once that last year when we were in Okinawa, therefore, the name correlation never triggered. All I know is, that Big Sister is happy to be reunited and glad to know when she visits her cousin that she can run across the street to play with "K."

August 2010

June 2008

January 2008

Breakfast of Champions

Cold pizza for breakfast? This definitely was a first for the Moloko munchkins. Day two of our adventure to Martha's Vineyard started with some tasty leftovers from dinner the prior evening.

Although, they thought the idea of pizza for breakfast was awesome, they quickly determined that heated in the microwave was much tastier.

Almost Forgot

Here it is...just one week after my 40th and my memory is already starting to fail me. I say this in jest, only because, I can not fathom why I forgot to mention this particular conversation on my birthday blog.

Last Saturday, before heading out to my favorite restaurant, Bertuccis, we stopped by IKEA. We were looking for some shelving/storage units for a long overdue organization project. While perusing the endless aisles of baskets and storage bins, Little Dude M was practicing his reading skills on the unique Scandinavian names given to each item. With names like Knipsa, Lekman, Kottebo, & Pjas, I was impressed he was even trying to sound out these unique names. Out of the blue, across several aisles he loudly asks, "Hey Mom, do you want a casket for your birthday?"

I have to admit, this stopped me in my tracks and caused a few fellow shoppers to look up and wait for my response. I started to laugh at the shear irony of such a question on my 40th birthday. I figured Hubby had put him up to this question, but, he too was taken aback by the inquiry. It was only after looking to my left that I realized he was asking if I wanted the IKEA Kasset baskets for our new unit.

Dinosaur No More

In the summer of 2008, after landing back into the Continental United States after 6 years away, Hubby selected a basic standard cell phone for my use. I was pretty impressed as it had a camera and a few cool gadgets. It was certainly an upgrade to the phone I previously owned (circa 1999) and the one I owned in Japan.

I was not fully aware what a "smart phone" was or the capabilities a handheld gadget could possess two years ago. Well, this past weekend it was time on our contract to upgrade our phone. So, for a mere $10 a month, a data plan was added and I now have a pretty snazzy cellphone. The touch screen, text capability, and alpha numeric keyboard are such a luxury. I actually feel as if I have joined the 21st century...a dinosaur no more!

Gotta love being able to bookmark your favorite website on your phone.

Technology Rocks!

Quote of the Summer

"If I do not get to go there, I will have diarrhea!"

Hmm, how does one respond to such a statement? Wish I could say I kept my composure, but, I just laughed so hard that tears were streaming down my face. What a threat!

The place in question?

Subliminal reminder? Taped to the Little Dude's bed