A cougar is seen at a zoo. Using nothing but her quick wit and ...

(AFP/File) - A cougar is seen at a zoo. Using nothing but her quick wit and bare hands, a Canadian mother fought off a cougar that had pinned down her three-year old daughter in a forest north of Vancouver, police said Wednesday.(AFP/File/Miguel Alvarez)

My kids were looking over my shoulder as I sat at the computer.  They wanted to know why there was a picture of a cougar (THIS picture... this mean, scary, terrifying looking picture).  I told them that a cougar had attacked a 3 year old and that a regular mom like me had fought the cougar to protect the little girl.  

Silence.

Then, "Mom, did the COUGAR die?"  

Perhaps I should dial it back on the "mean mom" routine, what do you think?  :-)

Counting our blessings

Just feeling grateful...

A friend I love is just starting her fight with cancer.  Yesterday was her surgery to remove both breasts and surrounding lymph nodes under one arm.   While she and her family are definitely being challenged by this new development in their lives, she remains optimistic and positive about the fight ahead of her.  Her two little girls are lucky to have such a strong, feisty mom with such a great sense of humor.  Anyone who can find something to laugh at under these circumstances has a pretty amazing sense of humor, wouldn't you agree? 

Her attitude of gratitude has rubbed off on me.  Perhaps the things I'm worried about really aren't that important?  (Gary has been telling me this for years, but I figured I should worry about his denial.)   I'm so grateful for my family, for great friends, for our home and country, for the really blessed life I'm privileged to live.   I don't express my thanks often enough.   Life is good!  

We're praying that she's going to soundly whip cancer's butt.  If anyone can it would be her.  

(cue HSM 2 music here)  

"What Time is It?  It's Summer Time... 

It's Our Vacation..."  

Yesterday was party day! School was only 3 hours long.  We

had treats at school, treats from the bus driver, treats at the bus 

stop and then went to a picnic at some friends' house. We left 

the picnic to run to a pedicure. Grace invited her friend and the 

moms tagged along for some toe time. This was Grace's first 

pedicure and she loved it (despite the massage chair that hit her 

on the neck rather than lumbar area and the fact that she scraped

off all the polish on one foot before we left the store.) Good 

times.  Today we have a primary activity, taekwondo, and a 

birthday party before my brother and his wife come to visit.  

When does the relaxing part happen?

  We've been counting down the days.   Sam said the morning prayer and asked that I'd be okay while they were gone for 3 hours on the last day, that I wouldn't be too sad without them.  Hmmm... let's just say that prayer was answered!  I took my last long bike ride by myself and got ready for the chaos and fun of summer. 

  School's out, school's out...  Grace made a card to thank the bus driver.  That girls thinks of everyone!  
  We brought M&M icecream treats to the bus stop to share with our friends.  One of the kids is just a tiny bit excited for summer.... that's Sam.
  Mmmmmmm....
  "Yahoo!"  (accompanying booty dance not pictured)
  Did I mention Sam was excited? 

  The aftermath of the icecream.  I swear this kid has no nerve endings in his face!   He was working on something else oblivious of the need to clean up!
  Everyone was happy to see this after a long count down!
  Sam brought home a few last-minute things he'd left at school... and then "left" them on the kitchen floor.   Mom not feeling warm and fuzzy about summer at this point. 
  Grace got her good reading award.  Both kids got Advanced Reader certificates.  They both did great.  They each got the highest marks they could get on their reportcards.  No room for improvement there.  We're proud of their hard work this year in school.  Good job, guys! 

When I casually mentioned to Sam the other day that he was going to have "homework" over the summer (to keep us reading and writing) he threw himself off of the bar stool, writhed on the floor in agony and moaned "I thought I was just going to the pool!!!!!"   I told him that we were going to the pool, but we would also have time to do other things.  More writhing in "pain" on the floor.    We may have to work the kinks out of this summer schedule for a bit.  

Happy summer everyone!  

Fake Camping

We'd been looking forward to camping for a few weeks, but the weather hasn't been cooperating with us.  We finally planned to go this weekend and the weather was on our side.  All in all it looked like it would be a beautiful weekend.  We should have sensed that it was too good to be true. 

We couldn't get the National Park Service website to allow us to reserve a spot in advance like we normally do, so we just figured we'd get to Shennendoah National Park early on Friday to get one of the first-come-first-served spots.   You see where this is going.  We entered the park on our way to Loft Mountain (our campground of choice), where the ranger informed us that all of the other campgrounds were completely full already except one up north and they only had 15 spots left.  She told us it was filling at about 15 spots/hour and we were about an hour away. Here's where a sane family would turn around, realizing that they'd been outwitted by the fates (and other redneck campers, sad to say).  

But a sane family doesn't have a curly headed little girl crying in the back seat and her brother pouting out the window.  Of course we pushed on and high tailed it to get up north to Matthew's Arm campground.  We were making good time.  So good that we got stopped and Gary was issued a ticket by the SLOWEST officer in the park service (not even a real cop, although the fee is real enough!)

Back on our way, with Gary cruising at a zippy 39 mph we finally made it to the campground.  We were in line for a spot and waited for an hour while they determined whether or not there were any openings.  The ranger took that opportunity to chat with the kids in the car, telling them they'd seen lots of poisonous snakes (rattlers, even) and bears with cubs in the area.  After renumerating the ways in which they could die she gave them each a Smoky the Bear story to cheer them up.  Nothing like a tale of a huge forrest fire to cheer up potential campers.  

It looked like our luck had started to turn!  There was one site left for us!   We got to the site and realized that it was too small to even fit our tent, let alone all the other stuff we like to camp with.   Curses were uttered under breaths, tears were shed,  threats were made, promises of future camping trips were made, and finally a decision was made to abandoned the camping trip for the weekend.   It takes a lot to get through to us that maybe our plan isn't the best. 

It ended up being a great weekend.  We found a cool place to stay in Luray, VA.  It had a huge field in the back for the kids to run and play in and gorgeous views of the aforementioned National Park (so close, yet still so far!).  We spent the night and walked on their riverside bike trail.  It was gorgeous.  The kids rode scooters and we all started to warm to this Luray/hotel idea.  That night we ate in a local restaurant that turned out to have surprisingly great food.  We went to the little theater in town and watched Night at the Museum II, which was a hit with our kids.  They've spent enough time in the Smithsonian to get a kick out of seeing the exhibits come to life in the movie.  We asked the locals for suggestions and found ourselves at Flotzie's road-side icecream stand and enjoyed some delicious frozen custard sundaes.  

The next morning we went horseback riding.  Grace has been asking me to take her horseback riding since she was 3 years old.   Okay, that's only 3 years, but it's 50% of her life!  She was thrilled to be able to go and pronounced it "the greatest day of my life".   We rode for about 2 hours, through some open fields and then up the mountain into the woods.  The views were gorgeous and it was a lot of fun.  The kids claimed they liked hiking much better when the horse does the hiking and they ride.  

After that we ate at another local restaurant and found an old-school park to play at.   Our kids are used to parks where everything is padded and you can't get hurt.  This was 70's style with a real metal merry-go-round, a see-saw that went 6 feet in the air and a huge metal slide.  They loved it.   

Over to Luray Caverns where we did the maze.  It was supposed to be a 1.5 mile maze, but I'm pretty sure we walked at least twice that far by the time we found our way out.   We toured the caverns and enjoyed the views there.  

All in all it was a great "camping" trip.  The camping trip that never was! 

 Main Street in Luray

 Cowboy Sam
  Grace's Greatest Day of Her Life
  Starting out
  In the maze
  The center of the maze - we could hear the water but couldn't get to it for a while.  We were happy to finally reach the center! 
 The End!  Yeah!

  Inside the caverns

Easter 2009

Spring Break ... Breaking Some Eggs

  Sun Catchers... Finally!

We had such a great Spring Break.  After a week in N.Y. we were happy to be home all week with now where to go and nothing we HAD to do.  Grace finally got to paint her sun catchers that Grandma & Grandpa M. got her for her birthday... in JANUARY!  Did I mention we've been a little too busy? 

  Happy Easter  

  Just a bit excited.  And this is BEFORE any sugar!

Grace after the hunt

Sam and Grace were really bummed that the E.B. forgot to visit us on Saturday morning like he usually does.  He must have been out late the night before with friends having a great time and been distracted.  I hear he does stuff like that.  Anyway, they were excited to see that he'd come on Sunday morning after all.   The kids will forgive anything for chocolate.  Can you tell they're my kids? 

Some of the loot
Sam's stash

In keeping with the traditions I enjoyed growing up the kids have to hunt for eggs and for their baskets.  Sam's was in the blanket basket and Grace found hers in the kitchen trash this year (it was cleaned out).   We do "egg wars" - a Greek tradition my family has done and that I loved as a kid.  Egg wars were the best as a kid.  The only down side was the rule that I actually had to EAT all the eggs I cracked.   Where do moms come up with these cruel rules?  My mom was nice to send us some Baklava again this year so that we can still enjoy that tradition without having to do all the work.  Okay, so moms aren't so bad after all! 

  On your marks... Get set...

We drove up to DC for our annual egg hunt with the Payne cousins.  We spent almost 6 hours in the car and only 4 hours there.  Hmmm.... it was fun for most.  The kids had a blast and didn't let a little thing like stop-and-go traffic deter them from wanting to turn around and go again.  

It was fun to see everyone.  We were driving all morning while the weather was nice.  It rained around lunch time, so Rusty had to grill in the rain.  The rain forced a change of venue and the hunt had to be held in the house.  Did I mention that the kids don't let things like this dampen their enthusiasm?  

Of course, the sun came out right as we pulled away from their house and all the neighbor kids were OUTSIDE having egg hunts.  Oh, well.  There's always next year.  

  And Go!!

Tae Kwon Do

 Sam Poses after Tae Kwon Do

For career day at Sam's school they had some guys come to do a Tae Kwon Do demonstration.  Sam LOVED it!  They gave him a coupon for a free class (ulterior motive?  No!).  He wouldn't let us forget the free class.  Gary took Sam and his friend, Josh and they got to see another demo and break a board with their feet.  It was like crack to this kid!  Sam was hooked!

That was months ago and he's been asking about it ever since.  I finally talked them into letting us try it for 6 months (rather than the 12 month commitment they typically require) and so we signed up.   Come on!  12 months is a HUGE percentage of his life at this point!!!

Sam does such an amazing job in his class!  We hardly recognize the focus, concentration, and exact obedience he exhibits in class.  Plus it's started to spill over to home.  Occasionally I'll ask him to do something and he'll stand at attention and say "Yes Ma'am!"  

Yesterday he was doing great in class and didn't even realize that his instructor (Master Cho) was "testing" him on some of the Korean he had to learn and some of the moves he had to do.  He was amazed to discover at the end of class that he'd earned his first tape on his belt.  He was on cloud 9!  He's so proud of himself and Gary and I are proud of his accomplishment, too.  He's working really hard in class.   2 more tapes and then he can test for his yellow belt.  

 Posing

Check me out!  Way to go, Sam!

New York - Last Day

Sorry to anyone who is New Yorked out from reading our blog lately!  The kids get a kick out of checking it and I ended up doing each day instead of one post on the trip (which would have made more sense!)  I promise we're home and won't subject you to any more stories from the trip!  

Disney on 5th Avenue

Our last day was the day for running around getting souvenirs for the kids.  They held off all week, taking it all in and crafting their shopping lists.  They collect keychains, so the final day we hit the Disney store for keychains.  We also went back to the M&M store for some keychains.  True to our M&M store history, I threw in a tiny little magnet that turned out to be $16!  

We were supposed to leave the airport at 4pm but were delayed until after midnight!  Of course, I'd redistributed our stuff to pack the movies and books and games in our checked luggage (thinking we only had an hour flight ahead of us).  We camped out in the airport, played Webkinz, watched Space Buddies (purchased for an arm and a leg in the airport) and the kids made friends with other kids for a good round of Simon Says.  Aaargh!!  

   Hours at JFK

We finally made it home to our house around 2:30 am.  We were beat!  We had a great trip, though.  Many thanks to my mom for meeting us there and helping with the kids.  Also, it was a lot of fun just to hang out with her.  She was a good sport, always in a good mood and up for anything.  I wish the same could be said of me! Thanks, Mom!

New York Day #4

Lady Liberty by Sam

We took the boat over to Liberty Island for the day.  Sam took this picture of the Statue of Liberty.  

 Heather & Barbara 

Mom & I pose with Manhattan in the background... trust me.  You can't tell through the fog, but it's there.  We struck out on views this trip. 

  The Gang 

 Little Liberties

 The Gals

 World Trade Center Statue

This statue was in the plaza of the World Trade Center before 9/11.  It survived the attacks, but is beat up.  It was kind of amazing to see these huge holes blown through solid metal.  They have a plaque in front of it that dedicates it as a testiment to our perseverance.  Very cool.

 Fast Money

My mom & dad love this show, so when we walked by a live taping in Time's Square, Mom posed for a shot.  Proof that she was there.  

 Gary Scores!

We had already been to 2 shows, but Gary really wanted to see The Little Mermaid and debated paying full price the night before.  We decided to take a chance at the TKTS counter and scored 1/2 price tickets.  It was definitely the weakest of the three we saw.  

  The Little Mermaid

Grace loved the show.  

 Sam's Favorite Street Performers

We went to 3 Broadway productions and had great seats.  When we asked which show was their favorite Sam named these street performers.  Let's see... we donated about $5 to them... hmmm... good to know for next time!  

I Love N.Y!  

Here's what happens when you take in one too many sights before a much-needed lunch!

New York - Day #3 

 It's a Jolly Holiday...

We went to a matinee of Mary Poppins.  It was a great show!  Highlights included Bert dancing up the side walls and across the ceiling, statues coming to life, and Mary flying right over our heads up to the top of the theater in the back to end the show.  
 Sam & Grace after the show

The Rock

We headed over to Rockafeller Center to check out some of the shopping in the area and some of the old churches.  Was it a bad sign that when we walked into St. Patrick's (old Gothic cathedral) Sam asked "what store is this?"  

American Dream

Sam & Grace posed at Kip's treehouse in the American Girl store.  That place is amazing!  It is 4 stories of nothing but American Girls and accessories.  You can get any outfit for you and your doll.  There is a beauty salon where they'll fix your doll's hair, a cafe where they cater to you and your doll, a doll hospital with intake for your to fill out "insurance" paperwork, etc.  Gary met us late and held up one hand "this is the top" and then the other hand over it "here's this place!"  (as in.. over the top!)  Grace was in heaven!  
  The Scene of the Crime

Grace and Grandma were caught in the act!  Grandma let Grace pick out an accessory for her doll (the knock off from Target that she saved her allowance for).  She picked out little glasses and then Grandma threw in a Hawaiian outfit complete with a story.  It comes in a little box with American Girl tissue paper and a hanger, etc.  We couldn't even look down to SEE "the top" by the time we left! 

Speaking of "the top"... we had pre-purchased tickets to go to the Top of the Rock at Rockafeller Center.  Unfortunately, the fog and rain rolled in.  Good:  we had the place to ourselves.  Bad:  There's a reason - check out that $20/person view!  Hmmm.... fog everywhere!  
Top of the Rock
Grace loses her balance!

Afterwards we walked around trying to find the Magnolia Bakery again.  I'd seen it earlier that morning and wanted to go in.  It was totally worth the hunt.  
 Yummy!

AAAaaaaa!!!!!

My LAST trip to N.Y. was as a kid.  This was before internet (yes, it was a long time ago!) and my parents booked a place over the phone based on a central location and cheap rate.  When we got there to check in the guy didn't know how much it would even be to rent the place out for the whole night, since they typically rented rooms BY THE HOUR!  Yes, we saw some interesting stuff and I was scarred for life!  My mom and I posed for a pic when we saw the same hotel, Hotel Carter!  Mom tried to tell us it wasn't in such a bad area (right off Time's Square), but Time's Square has changed just a tad in the last 25 years or so!  Nice try, Mom!  :-)