Ever since our trip to the West Coast to visit my friend Lynn in January, I have been having some major West Coast envy. Time and I both fell in love with California, especially Santa Monica. I think that we would both move out there if it was feasible, but there are just too many factors that would figure into a big move right now. We even planned a second trip for July, but had to cancel at the last minute. So I have been pining for California for quite a while.
I realized a couple of weeks ago that what I would have to do is to embrace my Jersey. NJ has personality, if nothing else, so I decided that I had to tap into that and go with it. This weekend went a long way towards discovering my inner Jersey. On Friday, pre-season football started. I love football, and I love(/hate) the JETS. Even though they lost, it felt good to watch the game and see what our QB prospects are for the year. I got the excited feeling in my stomach and realized that I probably couldn't root for any other team if we moved. I'm no Chargers girl. So score one for NJ.
We went to Great Adventure twice this summer, which is also a very Jersey thing. Perhaps less so since they've cleaned it up - no skanky people in bikinis strolling around or teenagers smoking. But there are so many childhood memories there that it is definitely a part of my Jersey roots. And the kids loved it. Especially Mac, since she is just the right age. I think that a season pass next summer is definitely something to look forward to.
On Saturday, we went down the shore with Tim and his instructors from the karate school. We visited my Aunt Patti and Uncle Bob, who have a house down at Point Pleasant. Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE the shore. And this Saturday was the ultimate experience. We were down at my favorite NJ shore, at a beautiful beach house, with wonderful family. My aunt and uncle got a blow up pool for the kids and let them splash around while we soaked up some sun, had some drinks, and talked. Then I took Mac on the boardwalk for some Kohr's orange/vanilla twist. Really, nothing better.
And much to my surprise, I'm actually sort of looking forward to autumn. I dread winter, but wouldn't mind the autumn activities of snuggling up in sweats, watching a JETS game, and having soup. I think if I can swing a trip into NYC, I'll be a reaffirmed east coast girl.
So have I embraced my Jersey? Abso-f'in-lutely.
16 August 2009
09 August 2009
VACATION!
The wonderful view from our balcony
our (failed) attempt at being athletic
sisters minus one
me and my little man
our beautiful beach house and my beautiful girl
amanda, dale, & krys at the beach
the parents at our biggest dinner out. mom even got a crab hat for her birthday.
Oli gets in his zone and throws sand at anyone who comes near him.
Some highlights include:
1. Waverunners -- Everyone (except me and Oli) taking out waverunners and zooming around the bay (inlet? bay? whatever -- it was water). I am a worrier, and it has been brought to my attention that I am a little over protective of the kids. I did not like the idea of Mac going out, but since she would be with Tim, decided it would be okay. I was literally in tears as they headed out, but she loved it.
2. Mom's birthday - Since Mike and Amanda had to leave on Tuesday, we celebrated Mom's birthday with a great dinner of grilled steaks, chicken, and salmon. Mike cooked it and it was delicious. More and more, I feel like a good home cooked meal beats going out to eat any day.
3. Beer Pong -- Later that night, we (minus Krys and the kids) played beer pong. Despite my love of drinking in college, I never really played beer pong. Mom never played, either, but it turns out she is a natural!
4. Riding the waves -- A favorite since I was little. This summer I have enjoyed taking Mac in the ocean a few times, but we stay pretty shallow. This time, I got to go far out with Mike, Tim, and Beth. It was great until my bathing suit top came off. Luckily I caught it before anyone else did.
5. Ice cream -- Ice cream every day!! Nothing says vacation like continuous ice cream!
6. GI Joe -- Okay, not necessarily a highlight in an of itself, but Tim and I went to a midnight showing of GI Joe. It wasn't a bad movie, I managed to stay awake, and it was the first movie I've seen in the theater in quite a while.
7. Candy Land -- I almost forgot. Candy Land is Mac's favorite game right now, and we played it constantly. The aunts were her favorite partners, since I am old hat, and I'm sure they will be quite happy not to hear the terms "double red" or "Queen Frostine" any time in the next few years. Luckily, Mac has finally embraced losing, or at least has learned how to be a gracious loser. Believe me, that was a long fought battle, and I'm not sure it applies to any situation other than Candy Land. But she is a fun opponent and I'm glad to see her enjoying the game.
I've realized that it doesn't even matter where we go when we are all together (even though we go great places!!), it is just fun having the time together.
22 July 2009
Queen of the Ring
Mackensie strikes again! In her second official taekwondo tournament, Mackensie took a Tiny Tiger trophy for her excellent, black belt high block. She really does a great job at tournaments. They challenge kids in a few ways, including:
1. getting up super early -- line up is 8:30 a.m., and the tournament is usually 30-40 minutes away. Maybe not a challenge for most kids, but mine don't sleep at night, so they like to make it up in the morning. Mac usually rolls out of bed at 8:30. It was especially challenging to get up early for this tournament, because Mac was also coming off of a mega-tantrum the night before. She handled it like a champ, though, and got dressed and into the car in record time. A quick stop at dunkin donuts and I had her fueled up on Munchkins and ready to go. Of course, Tim forgot to mention that the tournament was at a different location than usual, so we went 15 minutes in the wrong direction before finding out where we were supposed to be going. We got there a little late, but it helps to know people. The tournamet host was a friend of Tim's, and Tim was already there and waiting for us, so we got right in to a ring that had just started.
2. sitting still in a line to wait her turn -- ideally, they also want the kids to fold their hands across their chests "like a master." And Mac actually bought it. She sat still, and clapped and cheered for other kids when appropriate.
3. feats of athleticism -- mac has this sewn up. although she has inherited some clumsiness from me (and tim is actually pretty accident prone, too) she is also really good at taekwondo, and learns how to do her moves really quickly and accurately. although she doesn't always remember all of her moves in sequence, yet, she does them with great precision. in Tiny Tigers rings, the "judge" does the moves with every student, and then picks the best part of their form as a basis for the trophy. So while Mac got her trophy for her high block, others got trophys for their "awesome front kick," "black belt attitude," or "loud yell."
In the end, every kid gets a trophy and it is a truly gratifying experience. I really enjoy taking Mac to tournaments, and I have to think that it is a really fulfilling experience for Tim.
1. getting up super early -- line up is 8:30 a.m., and the tournament is usually 30-40 minutes away. Maybe not a challenge for most kids, but mine don't sleep at night, so they like to make it up in the morning. Mac usually rolls out of bed at 8:30. It was especially challenging to get up early for this tournament, because Mac was also coming off of a mega-tantrum the night before. She handled it like a champ, though, and got dressed and into the car in record time. A quick stop at dunkin donuts and I had her fueled up on Munchkins and ready to go. Of course, Tim forgot to mention that the tournament was at a different location than usual, so we went 15 minutes in the wrong direction before finding out where we were supposed to be going. We got there a little late, but it helps to know people. The tournamet host was a friend of Tim's, and Tim was already there and waiting for us, so we got right in to a ring that had just started.
2. sitting still in a line to wait her turn -- ideally, they also want the kids to fold their hands across their chests "like a master." And Mac actually bought it. She sat still, and clapped and cheered for other kids when appropriate.
3. feats of athleticism -- mac has this sewn up. although she has inherited some clumsiness from me (and tim is actually pretty accident prone, too) she is also really good at taekwondo, and learns how to do her moves really quickly and accurately. although she doesn't always remember all of her moves in sequence, yet, she does them with great precision. in Tiny Tigers rings, the "judge" does the moves with every student, and then picks the best part of their form as a basis for the trophy. So while Mac got her trophy for her high block, others got trophys for their "awesome front kick," "black belt attitude," or "loud yell."
In the end, every kid gets a trophy and it is a truly gratifying experience. I really enjoy taking Mac to tournaments, and I have to think that it is a really fulfilling experience for Tim.
19 July 2009
Another Big Week for Oli
We've had another busy week. This time, it was full of doctor's appointments for Oliver. Nothing serious, but stuff that was important to get out of the way. On Tuesday, we went for a PT evaluation at Children's Specialized Hospital. Our PT, Ruth, recommended it since Oli is at such a crucial stage in terms of mobility. This evaluation was to qualify him for outpatient therapy at a "baby gym." We met with a really nice physical therapist who played with Oli for an hour. She seemed pleased with what he could do, but recommended him for two sessions a week. It has to go through insurance first, but we will hopefully have Oli hitting the gym in just a few weeks. We should also be getting his walker this week, so he will be movin and groovin.
Oli also had a hearing evaluation this week. It was quick and simple, and he slept through it. His hearing is fine. We did thi because every time I bring up delayed speech to his developmental intervention therapist or neurosurgery, they ask if we have had his hearing check. It is something to check of the list before we can look to other reasons for his delayed speech. At age two, he will qualify for speech therapy through early intervention. Now, we are ready to get started.
Oli has had a boost in speech in the last few weeks. "No," "more," "down," "out," "moo," "woof," meow," "up," and a few others. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of his road to full speech. I can tell he has a lot to say; maybe he just doesn't know how to get it out.
26 June 2009
Tim is World Champ in Sparring!
It was a long, hard battle (four matches, two of them against really strong competitors), and certainly a long time coming (19 places in Top 10, 5 Silvers, and 5 bronzes over fifteen years) but he did it!
The day started off slow, with one of his students losing and Tim taking third place in forms. Of course, we felt he was robbed of first in forms, so I think that we were all a little discouraged going into sparring. He won his first match easily, and had his second match against Eric, a friend who pretty much always wins his sparring matches. But Tim beat him 2 to 1 and moved on. He then sparred the guy who took first in forms earlier in the day. This guy was at least 6 or 7 inches smaller than Tim, so Tim won that match pretty easily. Finally, it was the match for first and second place against his friend John. John is an excellent sparrer and a really nice person. Tim started the match strong and was up 4-2, when John did a jump kick to the head, which is worth three points. My stomach dropped, only one judge called for the full three points, while the second judge called for two points, and the third judge for no points. Since John didn't actually make contact, it probably should have been no points, but he wound up getting the 2. So it was a tied match -- the next person to score would be world champ... Tim snuck in with a punch to the stomach and it was all over. It was amazing!
What is great is that win or lose, almost everyone here has a really good attitude. Tim was fine (albeit disappointed) when he took third in forms, John was probably disappointed that he wound up taking second, but everyone laughed and joked and shook hands. That is how it should be.
Tim also tested for and got his sixth degree black belt this week, so this has been our best trip off all time so far.
A lot of Tim's friends won world champ in other events/divisions, so it was a good day all around. This is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Tim, and I couldn't be happier or more proud.
The day started off slow, with one of his students losing and Tim taking third place in forms. Of course, we felt he was robbed of first in forms, so I think that we were all a little discouraged going into sparring. He won his first match easily, and had his second match against Eric, a friend who pretty much always wins his sparring matches. But Tim beat him 2 to 1 and moved on. He then sparred the guy who took first in forms earlier in the day. This guy was at least 6 or 7 inches smaller than Tim, so Tim won that match pretty easily. Finally, it was the match for first and second place against his friend John. John is an excellent sparrer and a really nice person. Tim started the match strong and was up 4-2, when John did a jump kick to the head, which is worth three points. My stomach dropped, only one judge called for the full three points, while the second judge called for two points, and the third judge for no points. Since John didn't actually make contact, it probably should have been no points, but he wound up getting the 2. So it was a tied match -- the next person to score would be world champ... Tim snuck in with a punch to the stomach and it was all over. It was amazing!
What is great is that win or lose, almost everyone here has a really good attitude. Tim was fine (albeit disappointed) when he took third in forms, John was probably disappointed that he wound up taking second, but everyone laughed and joked and shook hands. That is how it should be.
Tim also tested for and got his sixth degree black belt this week, so this has been our best trip off all time so far.
A lot of Tim's friends won world champ in other events/divisions, so it was a good day all around. This is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for Tim, and I couldn't be happier or more proud.
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