May Madness

In early May I went to a contra dance weekend in a small town a few hours from Phoenix with my sister, her oldest son and a longtime friend of hers (Mike, Dave...whatever).  Even though I only knew a handful of people at the weekend, it was like getting together for a family reunion.  Why?  Hard to explain.

Impossible to describe to someone who doesn't know what Contra Dancing is...this is not your elementary school square dance.  In fact, I don't think it can be adequately portrayed.  When lining up with my partner (Steve) for the next dance (he was probably in his 60s), we chatted about family.  He said he had a daughter and son.  I asked if they danced.  He said they had both been dancing, but it wasn't their thing.  His daughter said attending a dance was going to a place where a bunch of weird, old guys touched you.  She's right, and this weekend was no exception. 

There were sweaty, mostly older men who loved to give you a twirl and swing you around to the music.  A handful of them were creepy (like Jesse), some wore skirts, others had you lost in their eyes (like Erik and Ned...I mean Brian).  But I believe she didn't give it long enough to really understand what it can be all about, or maybe she just didn't grow up doing it like my sister and I did. 

She clearly had never experienced a moment where everyone moves together and ends up just where they should at exactly the right moment.  She didn't get a chance to feel the music in her bones.  She certainly didn't share a genuine, having fun smile with her partner (or corner), a stranger just hours before she wouldn't have even noticed when passing on the street...who after the dance now has some unique bond with her, and she with him.  She didn't laugh uncontrollably when her partner barked like a dog and howled like a wolf during the Birdy in the Cage square.  She didn't get a chance to dance with Steve, who was smooth and pleasant, not creepy and weird (OK, I guess she probably did dance with her Dad, but that doesn't really count).  She didn't stare in amazement when the caller took up his trombone and started playing with the band.  Didn't ask afterwards if he was a part of the band, and exclaim, "That is so cool!" when he said yes.  She didn't think how much better the world would be if everyone got to do a contra dance with everyone else in the world.  Didn't get saved by her partner when she mistakenly accepted an invitation to the "Chaos" line.  She hasn't ever gone to bed so exhausted and dreamt all night of dancing, only to wake up glad to do it all again.  She hasn't heard exceptional musicians playing fiddles, oboes, guitars, pianos, trumpets, drums, diggerydoos, singing, and more, and more, and more...feeling blessed to be hearing more talent than she had ever heard before (or at least heard in a long time).

When my sister had a coworker of hers watch a video from a previous dance weekend, her friend responded, "That's it?  That's what you were so excited about?"  You have to do it...and I mean really do it (not just try it here or there), to get it.  You learn to look past the crazy, silly, off-the-wall behavior of these often-time strangers, and feel the music, move together with a room full of enthusiasts and dance. 

So Sis, when's the next one?

Stranger Danger

At the kid's last visit to the doctor, she said we should start talking to Elias about strangers.  This is a near to impossible task.

Me:  "Elias, do you know what a stranger is?"
Elias:  "Yeah.  A stranger is someone you don't know.  I know everyone in the world."

Great...

How do you explain stranger danger to a 4-year-old?  It makes no sense.

If a stranger tries to get you to go with them, run away and find...who?  Another stranger (because THAT makes sense), and tell them you need help.  Elias says he will just find me.  Yeah, if I'm there, how likely is it a stranger will try to grab him.

Let's not forget that adding to the confusing is the fact that every time we are at the park, we insist Elias go play with other kids, introduce himself, make friends...all with people that he doesn't know.

If a stranger tries to get you to go with them, run away and find a policeman (that you don't know), or a fireman (that you don't know), or anyone else that can help....whom you most likely WILL NOT KNOW.

This is insane!  It seems entirely too subtle of a concept for a 4-year-old.  I'm sure it is just the beginning of many a dreaded "talk."

Hat Explained

At the baby shower we had for Elias, Marjie gave us this picture of Matt when he was 9 months old and the hat from the picture.  So fun!  Below is Ezra's 9 month hat photo.  Unfortunately, Ezra was basically snot-nosed for his whole 9 months. 

I also thought I would add Elias' 9 month photo.

Yep, no denying they are Matt's.

3 Nights in a Row

I went out three nights in a row this week.  I have started to get back into climbing, so I went to one climbing gym on Monday and a different gym on Wednesday.  On Tuesday, I headed to a wonderful book club and hung out with my dear friends.  This having a life is making me tired.

Today I head to Phoenix, BY MYSELF.  I KNOW.  CRAZY!  I am going to a contra dance weekend with my sister in Arizona.  We are both beyond excited.  I think I have always had at least one of the boys sleeping just down the hall for over 4 years, so this is big, wonderful, awesome, relaxing (in it's own way) news.  Better start sending Matt some luck right now.

On To Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011 we went all out.  We picked pumpkins off the vine at a local farm.

 

Elias finally felt brave enough to try the bouncy houses at the farm.

One of the pumpkins Elias painted at school, the other we carved.

 

 The kids had wonderful costumes that Mom had made/fixed up for this year.  Elias was a doctor, complete with real stethoscope, mask, and giant syringe.

Ezra wore Elias' first Halloween costume.

 

 The kids wore their costumes to music class, to school, for neighborhood trick-or-treating (Elias only made it half way down the block and back), and to our annual Fraser Halloween celebration.  They have a free photo both, and this year I discovered you can download the pictures.  Here are the 2011 photos:

 And here are the 2010:

 

I've already started thinking about what the boys should be this year.

Last October Girl's Weekend

I know.  I know.  I'm still catching up.

Last October, Mom, Steph, Ethan, Tate, Elias, Ezra and I went up to Fraser to for our yearly "Girl's Weekend."  We had a blast.  There was a tiny bit of snow, so the Arizonians were thrilled.
 
  We hiked along the river,
   
 
  made crowns,

 
 played at playgrounds,

  
 
 
 

 made Halloween mobiles (Ezra's is still hanging above his bed) and painted Halloween jars,



 

 played with string (who knew it could entertain kids for hours), made bracelets, ate awesome food (had a great breakfast out), talked, laughed, and had fun.  I'm glad I got around to posting about it before this year's get together.

Almost 15 Months

Since I still have to catch up from last October, let's just combine Ezra at 14 and almost 15 months.

Ezra:

-loves to play the piano.
-gets into everything. He unplugs anything in outlets; nightlights, the doorbell (which I had to move), even the outlet protectors. Sigh.
-laughs when you give him kisses.
-likes to scurry up the stairs when no one is looking, and then laugh maniacally when he is discovered.
-puts his fingers in your mouth.
-is finally starting to understand signing milk, more and all done. If he wants anything though (a toy, a drink, some food), he makes the milk sign.
-loves to pat his own belly...and yours.
-bops to music and claps when songs end.
-says up, dog (although it sounds like daaaawg), off, Hi (although it comes out Hiiieeee), Ahhh (after drinking milk or water), doddle (who knows what this means?).
-gives kisses and hugs when he is in the mood (but that open mouth still makes me nervous that he is going to bite).
-is a gigantic pain in the butt to feed: spits food out, throws it on the floor, hides it in his chair, takes off his bib.
-helps with putting his clothes on.
-has some favorite toys: dog bones (yummy), the bowls in the cupboards, any container he can put stuff in.
-convinced mommy and daddy to get a new dog food container that is Ezra proof, so he would stop cramming dog food into his mouth at all possible moments.
-has a ticklish belly and toes.
-gives high 5s.
-always has a big smile for Daddy.
-finally got adjusted to his new class at school and now plays instead of crying at drop off.
-plays by himself in his crib at bedtime.