bus blogging, chapter six

The regular semester is about to begin, and so the university commuter buses are up and running again. Which means that our neighborhood bus patrons will once again be seeing the Overtired and Hassled Mom Tries to Wrangle Her Unruly Children on Public Transportation Show on a daily basis. Fun, fun.

This morning, it's not going badly at all, actually. It helps that they are each glued to his or her own screen, as am I. The way I try to assuage my guilt is by remembering that riding a bus = eventual boredom (eventual as in within the first five minutes), and boredom = behavior that embarrasses me in public, and embarrassed Mama = frustration and a general bad time for all. So, DS and V.Reader it is. Thank you, technology.

This week brings other big things on the horizon. Hubby starts his long road of physical therapy this week, and I'm praying that it won't be too much for his already beaten-down spirit.  It's been so tough to see him stuck on the couch, but I know how taxing it has been for him to get up and even just sit in the kitchen. His world has shrunk to the size of the living room for the last couple of weeks, and that is equal to torture to him.

And finally, perhaps this is an example of why hubby's doctor told him not to make any major decisions while on the pain meds, but he did indeed make a big one last night. The meds have been irritating his skin, especially on his face, so for the first time in at least 15 years, he touched razor to chin. I stood there watching (and spotting, just in case he lost his one-footed balance), in amazement at seeing this part of him that has been covered for most of his life.

Those first few kisses were different, I'll tell you that!


Ready for a non-adventurous month sometime soon,

goodbye nurse, hello teacher

Today is the last day I get to play nurse, and tomorrow will find me back in the classroom trying to stay focused. It will be hard knowing that hubby is home alone, with no one to do all the things I've been doing for the last five days. I'm going to prep a few things ahead of time so that he'll have food, drinks, and other stuff he needs nearby, but I can't have everything at the ready. The fact of the matter is that he'll have to do some things on his own, and it's going to be tough.

I know it's important that I be at work. You know, that whole paycheck thing. But, I really wish I could continue to be home to keep caring for my husband, plain and simple. Sadly, this isn't possible, and I hope he finds an even higher level of strength over the next few days. I wonder how many times I'll be calling home tomorrow to check on him. I should probably apologize to my co-teacher now, because I know I'm going to be distracted tomorrow.

Sigh.

Wishing I could be everything for everyone,

recovery mode

My lovely hubby went under the knife this morning. Well, under the arthroscopic tool, technically, I guess. A little over six weeks ago, he tore his ACL while playing basketball, and these weeks have been filled with orthopedic doctor appointments and physical therapy. He was ready for surgery today, and thanks to his relay of the information that he received from the doctor, I'm now much more knowledgeable about this type of surgery than before. It also helps that there are concise and easy to understand articles like this on the internets. There are a ton of videos, too, some too gross to watch for my taste, kind of like the series of pictures they printed of hubby's actual surgery!

Red, Pudge, and I are playing hooky today and tomorrow so I can play nurse, and so Red can "be there to comfort him," in her own dramatic-as-usual words. This morning, we shopped for some necessities, like bags of frozen peas to act as ice packs and fritos and gummi worms to act as comfort food. The kids also decided that Daddy would really like to have some flowers to help him get better, so a batch of tulips was added to the cart, too. Upon our return home, they created a banner for the recovering patient, and we cleaned up the living room, which will be his makeshift bedroom for the foreseeable future, since stairs are definitely not to be tackled for a while. Even through the great pain, he still smiled at the sight that he met when he returned home.

Now he's resting on the couch, starting the process of getting wel. Here's hoping he does it as quickly, and with as little pain as possible.

Off to do meds duty,

seven days in

The new year's baby is seven days old now, and other than a return to the world of work for me, the year has been fairly uneventful so far. New Year's Eve was the perfect time to get my yearly drastic haircut, for I truly enjoy ringing in a new year newly shorn. The weather has been wacky this week, going from some seriously brisk 20s early in the week (just in time to stand on the playground at school) to the mid 60s today.

We spent today trying to appreciate this brief sneak preview of spring, for there's still a lot of winter ahead of us. Hubby wanted to go to a local lake and ride bikes with the kids, because now that Red is truly proficient on her bike, Pudge can get on the trail-a-bike attachment to his bike and everyone has a seat. Well, everyone but this bike-less and not too cycling-enthusiastic mom. But it worked out for me to be the pack mule that carried everything out to the gazebo over the lake near the middle part of the park and hold down the fort. After some riding time, the riders joined me for some lunch and general low-key family time.

It was lovely.

I'm afraid this was just the calm before the storm, though, for this week brings Hubby's knee surgery, to reconstruct an ACL in his left knee after tearing his over a month ago when playing basketball. He's been working hard doing some rehab during these weeks, and there's much more of that in his future. For him, 2012 will be the year of physical therapy and healing. Needless to say, he's not looking forward to this week.

So,  mixed emotions prevail as we start this year. I'm thankful for all the wonderful aspects of our life right now, and I'm smart enough to recognize that there are too many to count. But, it's also nerve-wracking to know that some difficult times lay ahead. I'm going to try my best to do as much as I possibly can for Hubby as he recovers, but I know it won't be enough, and he'll have to deal with some hellish times. Please, 2012. Please have some good times ahead, too.


Not ready for this week,

winter break blogging, chapter twelve

... in which the author tries to express her love of winter break without short circuiting her laptop's keyboard by the swell of tears streaming down her face... 

This is it. The last evening before returning to what has become our real world. Today was almost anticlimactic in its purely domestic focus. The holiday decorations have all successfully found their way back into the attic, and I didn't even fall off the attic ladder or crash through the ceiling once. (Yup, it's happened, and there's photographic evidence.)

The house has been mostly put back together just as winter break is coming to a close. I've been happy that I fulfilled my winter break resolution of twelve days of blogging, and it was great to revisit some old blogging habits, too. Tomorrow morning will see a return to the early routine, and in preparation, the backpacks and lunch boxes and containers are all laid out tonight. Tomorrow's clothing has already been chosen by the kids and lies on their bedroom floors waiting to be climbed into in the early morning hours. My own work bag is packed, and I hate to admit that my eyes welled up when I pulled it out of the closet for the first time in all these days.

So, winter break has come and gone. And it was good. I reveled in the post-nap moments when Pudge stumbled over to me on the couch and snuggled his way to fully waking up. It was joyful to brush Red's hair just for fun this week, rather than doing it quickly so we could rush out the door. I even enjoyed watching some cheesy teeny-bop tv shows with JAM this week, happy that he wanted to share his world with me. Hubby even had a little bit of time off, and it was nice to see him during the middle of the day.

Friends were visited with, and a ton of yummy food was consumed. (Quite possibly at least half a ton. The baked goods gods were with us these past two weeks.) The children may have bickered more than I ever imagined was even humanly possible, but they also created some funny pretend scenarios together, and everyone got pretty comfortable playing Uno Spin, too.

Goodbye winter break. You were a blast, while you lasted. Now, it's time to put on my big girl pants and face tomorrow.

Oh, and I may be returning to work and regular life and all, but this new year is seeing one fun new addition to  my online appearances. Now, if you want to read my blatherings in a different forum, you can check out the Real Moms Guide, a SheKnows site where I'll be writing short posts about motherhood and the like, hopefully making someone giggle at least once in a while. My first piece is up today, What is a Real Mom?, and the incredible thing is that there will be a new post from me every week day!

I'm ready to rock the rest of this school year, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I already have my eye looking toward Spring Break. This month looks to have its challenges ahead of us, but I'm hopeful that 2012 will bring some happiness in the mix, too.


Not happy about setting my alarm clock,

winter break blogging, chapter eleven

... in which the author welcomes in the new year in a blur of melted cheese and chocolate, and unsupervised children. 

I know that New Year's Eve means bar drinks, big crowds, and a crescendo-ed countdown at midnight for many folks. There are hazy memories somewhere in my head from NYE nights like this of long ago, even. But, post-children, NYE takes on a new meaning. A night out means a hefty babysitting fee, followed by regular life the morning after a wild and crazy night out. I just don't have the stamina for that kind of experience these days.

The last few NYEs have looked a little different for us. Hanging out at our best pals' house means we can let the children play in a safe environment with minimal supervision, and we can simply enjoy each other's company even later into the evening than a usual night of getting together.

Oh, that's right, there's also the booze.

Naw, don't worry, nothing crazy. We pack the back of the van to the brim with blow-up beds, blankets, and changes of clothing so we can all crash at their house. It's also less insane than trying to haul three hugely over-tired kids out of the house after midnight. It's really a win-win situation, and we're so happy our friends continue to invite us over year after year.

Last night started off with the usual friendly bantering that's often a result of hubby wearing shirts to antagonize his New England-teams-loving pal.

There was, of course, way too much food to be consumed by the six adults and six children that were there. (We won't count the baby who isn't eligible for the chocolate fountain just yet.) Chocolate fountain and cheese fondue left me smiling, even if my stomach wasn't too thrilled with me by night's end. Some of us were a little sloppier than others...

The kids entertained themselves with a little bit of Wii here, some nighttime trampoline jumping there, and a whole lot of wackiness all around, that may or may not have involved ping pong balls and plastic cups. (And too bad there wasn't a hole-in-one, for someone almost had her college tuition paid for on a bet!)

The adults chatted, played darts, and just relaxed. Hubby and I took a few pics together, with camera held at arm's length as usual, for fun. Then the camera was randomly clicked at weird angles, capturing the oddest of moments. I swear that I don't usually act this way in public.

A few of the children got a head start on their New Year's resolutions, which was nice, and they may be secretly planning their own OK Go tribute video, when they're not trying to sneak downstairs through the cat door. It also appeared that one of them began thinking longingly toward his future college extra-curricular activities.

Amazingly enough, everyone over the age of four months made it to midnight, and there was much toasting going on. After the ball dropped and sparkling juice and champagne was consumed age-appropriately, a spontaneous dance party broke out thanks to LMFAO.

Honestly, what better way to ring in a new year than hang with friends who love to laugh, and kids who are all just as crazy as one another?

Though the adults stayed up for a while more, many of the kids piled into one room to crash after the major partying evening. I believe these guys will grow up considering each other all siblings.

Well, it's another new year. Another fresh start. Another period of wondering where in the world the time is going. Here's hoping your NYE was as wild and crazy as you wanted it to be. To 2012 I say, please go gentle on us, and keep those whom we love close to us for another year of fun and laughs.


Humming Auld Lang Syne all day long,

Cybils finalists!

Happy new year everyone! While we all celebrate new beginnings today, we kidlit lovers and bloggers also feel joyful on January 1st every year for the Cybils announcements get released! I've been spending my fall surrounded by the nominated titles in the fiction picture book category. Late last month, the other round one judges all got together online, and we heartily discussed the titles and our favorites among them. We fulfilled our herculean effort in that we winnowed down over 260 books to a list of seven finalists. Yup, you heard that right- just seven books.

As announced today on the Cybils site, here are the seven picture books that rose to the top. Many thanks to everyone for nominating books this year, and high fives to the folks who nominated these jewels. (And, let me assure you that having a book one has nominated be chosen as a finalist is a FABULOUS feeling. For reference, you could have seen my face when I read the list of nonfiction picture books!)

These are the seven books that we will be asking the round two judges to read, dissect, and generally live and breathe for the next few weeks, until they can select a winner. I'll be waiting anxiously for February 14th's announcement of the best of the best.

The Cybils 2011 Fiction Picture Books Finalists:

Blackout
by John Rocco
Hyperion
Nominated by: Jennifer Donovan

When all the lights in Brooklyn go out one summer night, families are suddenly not busy, much to the delight of a young child. Without power, the family can't dotheir many insular electronic tasks and have time to play games together, socialize with their neighbors and even look at the stars from the roof. With top-notch paneled illustrations and limited text, Blackout’s comic-like setup adds to the progressing action. It’s when the lights go out that the evening’s action begins, and the reader enjoys Rocco’s details of the character’s facial expressions and the community’s joint adventure on the streets and roofs of the city. Like the young boy and his family at the center of the story, one doesn’t want the evening in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge to come to end.
-- Rebecca Reid
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books



Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?
by Susan A. Shea
Blue Apple Books
Nominated by: Susan Gauthier
With tongue firmly in cheek, Shea challenges young children to compare living and nonliving things through a series of silly, rhyming questions. While lifting page flaps will show a stool "growing" into a chair, series of answers in rhyming couplets reinforce the basic concept. Relationships between inanimate objects small and large are established in creative ways, subtly encouraging critical thinking when kids are too busy giggling to even notice. No doubt about it, children will joyfully answer these questions with a resounding "NO!" at each page turn.
-- Dawn Mooney
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books



I Had a Favorite Dress
by Boni Ashburn
Abrams for Young Readers
Nominated by: Maggie Lehrman
When a girl's favorite dress gets too small, turning it into a new top is just the beginning as this special item of clothing continues to change through seasons, styles, accidents and growth spurts. Lyrical language plays with rhyming and repeated words and reflects the voice of an inventive child. Soft watercolor tones are perfect in capturing the pinks of the dress and soft browns of the girl, while line drawing and actual stitching incorporated into the pictures add whimsical touches. While readers will relate to the life cycle of one dress, the book works on multiple layers with the themes of growing up, problem-solving, and resourcefulness served in an engaging way.
-- Pam Coughlan
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books



I Want My Hat Back
by Jon Klassen
Candlewick Press
Nominated by: Joanna Marple
Having lost his beloved hat, a bear seeks help from a variety of other animals before finally rediscovering it. Readers may be one step ahead of the bear in finding the hat, but author remains a step ahead of the reader with a surprise ending. The reactions of the culprit and the bear display a dark, sophisticated humor. Minimalist and muted, with careful use of color to highlight what’s important, the artwork is nicely integrated with the mood and the text. The memorable book becomes a standout with its spare illustrations, dry humor and unconventional storyline.
-- Jen Robinson
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books



Me . . . Jane
by Patrick McDonnell
Little, Brown
Nominated by: Kerry Aradhya
A picture book biography in the truest sense, McDonnell has created an introduction to the life of primatologist Jane Goodall that keeps the K-2 audience firmly in mind. Themes of following your interests and achieving your dreams are woven into the story of Goodall's childhood spent indulging her curiosity in the natural world. Expertly combining ink, watercolor, stamps, and one perfectly placed photograph, Me…Jane is as artistically ambitious as it is heartfelt.
-- Travis Jonker
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books
 


Press Here
by Herve Tullet
Chronicle Books
Nominated by: Deb Marshall
Open the book. Start reading. Watch the children listening to this magical book. Watch the children as the book works its spell on them, mesmerizes them, compelling them to press the dots, to tilt the page, to blow on the dots, to shake the book. Observe the children as they press and tilt and blow and shake. Look into the eyes of the children. See the enchantment in their eyes. Listen as the children cry, "Again!" as you reach the end of the book. Go back to the beginning of the book. Read this whimsical book again. And again and again and again ...
-- Debbie Nance
** Read my review from 5 Minutes for Books
 


Princess and the Pig, The
by Jonathan Emmett
Walker Books for Young Readers
Nominated by: Becky
A farmer hauling a little piglet in his cart stops for a break underneath a castle tower. Happenstance --and a very neglectful Queen--finds the piglet flying up to the tower and the newborn princess trading places with it. But no one is shocked with the switch since, "it's the sort of thing that happens all the time in books." Younger kids will enjoy the silly story and funny pictures, while plenty of references to classic fairy tales will captivate school-age kids. With a strong plot, an unexpected ending and vibrant illustrations, The Princess and the Pig is a delightful read-aloud.
-- Natalia Ortega-Brown 
** Read my review from a friday's five blog post


Many advanced thanks to the round two folks listed below, and good luck choosing among these fabulous titles!

Eliza Brown, Shop Talk of Carle Museum
Camille Parker, A Curious Thing
Jonathan Kemmerer, Picture Books Review
Susan Kusel, Wizards Wireless
Kristen Remenar, Kristen Remenar



Happy new year and happy reading,