Dec 2 2008

Pirate kids

Category: Family Fun

Each team at the Relay for Life has a theme. Ours was pirates, as in "We're not looking for buried treasure. We're searching for a cure." The team members dressed up in pirate outfits, and decorated our tent with skeletons and chests of buried treasure. My decorating contribution was two plastic pirate swords.

When I brought them home from the discount store, I wasn't clever enough to hide the swords from the kids. At the end of some days, I'm just too tired and let them get away with things I normally wouldn't. Resistance was futile, so I just gave the swords to Nathan and Lucie. Naturally, the kids started dueling. That was fine with me considering that the plastic swords were kind of soft-ish. I just told them to avoid each others faces and heads and inwardly hoped that any injuries would be minor.

As I sat on the couch to supervise, I was amazed at Lucie's sword fighting skills. As she yelled, "Attack, attack!" she feinted and jabbed, gave a classic en garde pose, and demonstrated accomplished footwork. Her moves were straight out of an Errol Flynn movie. When I asked her where she learned how to do this, she replied, "Ballet." Interesting...I must have a talk with her instructor.

It was such a remarkable performance that I had them demonstrate it later for Paul. Like me he sat on the couch with his eyes popping out in disbelief. Then we discussed the possibility of getting a three-year-old into a fencing or kendo class on the virtue of her natural talent. Yes, she's that good.

And Nathan? He held his sword like a baseball bat, flayed around a lot, and hooted with delight. Luckily the fun distracted him, because his petite, feminine, baby sister was kicking her big brother's butt.

Nov 26 2008

Punk rock ballerina

Category: Family Fun

Friday mornings, I change into my yoga gear and Lucie dresses up in her tights, dance t-shirt, ballet skirt and slippers. Then the whining starts, "I don't want to go to ballet class. I want to stay home."

I tell Lucie, "Tough luck, kiddo. Mommy's going to yoga class. Get in the car."

After more whining and protests, we drive off to the dance studio. In the parking lot, she tells me, "Ballet is stupid and I don't like you, Mommy."

Shrugging off that lovely remark, I sign us in. I drop Lucie off in the dance studio and Nathan in the drop in daycare room. I finally head off to yoga and try to mentally leave behind my worries about a certain young drama queen.

An hour later I find a little ballerina leaping around the halls, telling me what a wonderful time she had in class. She enjoyed it so much that she wears part of her ballet costume for the rest of the day. With her pink and black high tops, her dance t-shirt, a pair of pink shorts, and her always messy hair, she looks like a punk rock ballerina.

She certainly has the attitude to go with it.

Oct 21 2008

Fine dining

Category: Family Fun

I've been reading about the state of American dining lately. It's made me think about how Paul and I teach our children how to appreciate good food.

Last night, we wanted to hear some gypsy jazz at a local coffee house. Thinking that Nana and the kids would also enjoy it, we decided to go out to eat as well. The coffee shop was in the old part of town, a place where mom and pop stores and privately owned eateries still exist. It's also home to one of the better casual dining spots in town. It's an Irish pub that also serves Greek, American, and Mexican dishes and good local beer. (Only in America.) It's also home to the best prime rib in town.

As we waited for a table to open -- and were visited by the manager to make sure the kids were entertained with crayons and potato chips -- I thought back to reading that most Americans don't appreciate good food as they're used to pizza delivery, fast food courts, and chain restaurants. They're impatient and aren't adventurous. Yet here we were showing our kids that the best food was at a small, one-of-a-kind restaurant with excellent service. I was glad we were able to share that with them.

Later we walked down the street to the coffee shop and listened to the band as Paul and I sipped our coffee drinks. Lucie danced around, showing off her new ballet moves. Nathan carefully studied the guitar work while Nana kept time by tapping her fingers. I marveled to myself what a special evening it had been, yet so simple. A nice meal, good music, spending time with grandma, and showing the kids what's important in life -- it's something we should all do more often.