“There Was a Problem in Africa.”
*Ninjago Birthday How-to (below)
I lied. I lied and I have to admit it. The last time I wrote a blog, I lied.
Sure, I didn’t realize I was lying. I guess it’s like addiction to something and being in super denial. Remember? I went off on a crazy tangent of being busy and having a bunch of lists. In conclusion of that, I mentioned a bunch of crap about living life presently, throwing out the lists and stressing less.
The lie is - I can’t live without lists. Lists complete me. Lists make me feel like (regardless of reality) I’m in control and I have a plan in action. There. I admitted it.
It’s been an Adventurous April full of busyness and fun. The rest of the summer is looking quite productive, too. How about kicking off with a Top 10 List (in order of occurrence) to initiate a blog, all of the things we’ve experienced this month (maybe more, but I didn’t write so I’ve forgotten) and how about one word to best describe each experience?
1. General Conference – Inspirational
2. Pennies for the Park – Motivational
3. Time Out for Women – Edifying
4. Lip Sync Battle – Spirited
5. Piano Recital – Proud
6. Passover Dinner – Insightful
7. Easter – Love
8. Jude’s Birthday – Happiness
9. Subbing & Field Tripping – Educational
10. Jude’s Ninjago Party – Energetic
Don’t worry. I got photos. I’m thrilled to share.
5. Piano Recital – I describe as proud because I am so proud of my girls. It takes a lot of courage to get up there and perform in front of an audience. This was Remi’s first piano recital. She’s also Mr. Thompson’s youngest student because he likes to wait until 2nd grade to start kiddos, when they have a better concept of reading, and possibly because they’re more committed to practicing. Remi loves piano and she was super inspired by an older student singing and playing the piano, at conclusion of the recital. She is aspires to do the same. This recital was Reis’s third one. She’s started second semester, her first year. She enjoys it, also, she wants to stick with it to avoid playing a musical instrument in the band. I don’t know if we have a deal, but I’m thinking about making a compromise with her. If she continues piano and runs cross country, we’ll call it even. ;-D
2 6, 9 Medley - This was my FB update on Holy Week >> This week, our family has (ok.. maybe I have) selected activities to focus on the Holy Week and our Savior. For Family Home Evening tonight, we choose to do a Passover Dinner. The symbolism and meaning behind each element of the dinner was enlightening and fascinating (World Religions are intriguing to me).
The obedience and sacrifice of those faithfully practicing is admirable. Christ, we know, partook of a Passover Dinner as the Last Supper. It was interesting to try those foods and pray in a particular manner, as well, wash, sing, and drink juice. Each item on our Seder (say-der) Plate (meaning 'order') had symbolism from Exodus, when the Israelites were freed of bondage from Pharaoh.
Several sites had mixed beliefs about what the egg represented. Some say it's a sign of Spring. Others say it represented the people becoming stronger under the extreme conditions.Our Matzah was broken and passed at the table, it's a flat cracker-like "bread". It was said it didn't have time to rise as the people fled. It was also a sign of a poor man's bread. A piece was broken, wrapped in cloth, and hidden for the children to later find. The seeker then was often rewarded with a toy or candy. Perhaps the beginning of Easter Egg Hunting? Only a speculation. I wasn't aware of just how diligent some treat the Passover.
Did you know some clean or should I say sanitize their homes even with q-tips or toothpicks to remove all leavened bread? Some even dispose of dishes or utensils to make these Chavetz (bread, cereal, cake, grains). They will not feed it to their cattle nor pets during this 7-8 day Passover period. (I'm sure those practicing this religion can probably sympathize with a gluten-free life.)So we've brushed up on our Jewish Culinary Skills as well as our terminology. I think It's safe to say we have a new family tradition.
Pennies for the Park was a two-week campaign
Time Out for Women was incredible. I learned so much or maybe realized so much. With the message of enduring and having faith, speakers spoke of their own struggles, stories, and examples. One I loved was about internalizing what we learn and grace. He mentioned how it would be so simple if it in the moment we wanted something, it magically appeared, like *Poof* like Harry Potter. I want to by skinny. *poof* or I want to fluently speak Spanish *poof* Change without challenge isn’t change. Internalizing is a learning process. It’s through the learning process we learn. I’m not sure anyone remembers the exact day they learned the alphabet or the pledge of allegiance because it took a lot of days or weeks or practices to finally get it. Repetition. Remember my story about the prepositions? Just like that. It took a long time, therefore it was stored in my memory forever.
What about music? My kids were floored, I think I mentioned, when I could sing along with the Trolls movie while we were watching it in the theater. It’s because I knew those songs (they were remakes). I have a library of music in my brain, just hanging out. Yet, it was challenging to learn the veins and arteries in the human body and identify them in a cadaver during Anatomy and Physiology II in college. (I always say that was because the human body isn’t color coded like a health textbook.) Guess how many arteries and veins I remember? Maybe four. Short-term memory is different than long-term, or things we internalize.
Wilcox said our Heavenly Father can instantly prepare a mansion for us, but we won’t be prepared instantly for one. We can’t cram for final judgement or the test of life. It takes time. The learning process is just as important as the end results.
I just love that
Apparently, it was longer than I guessed on last blog date.
After lots of hard work, learning the Thriller (Michael Jackson) choreography as a youth group, we performed at the Lip Sync Battle and took home the trophy. These boys and girls worked hard practice after practice and it showed!
I am personally thankful for YouTube, the Salvation Army, and all of our Brothers and Sisters that helped us through this process. YouTube has an amazing tutorial by Funk Mode that can teach you, step-by-step, that energetic Zombie routine. The Danville Salvation Army had a 25 cent sale on the first Saturday of April. I hustled over so I could get back before Conference started. Remi and I picked out anything we saw that would work, black pants, white tops, to create our Zombie costumes. So, I spent $10.75 for 43 articles of clothing. Those pieces were didn’t butcher were donated back. With the chosen pieces, and help from YouTube, we took a steak knife to shred and fray and dye (in spray bottles) to add our bloody, sweat, and grime. Cocoa powder (from the kitchen cabinet) for dirt and voila! TJ was our Michael Jackson with the authentic costume from the music video. I saved our costumes for Halloween, too. I couldn’t trash them.Make-up and hair by our own personal design team. Sister Julian, our sister missionaries, and Sister Heath (who did the authentic wounds). They are oh SO talented. This was probably the best event ever. Who doesn’t love Thriller?
Our son turned six. My baby. The blog title, as you may have wondered was another classic Jude quote. I didn’t laugh even though inside I was dying. On Friday, around 6:45 a.m. I saw the school’s number show up on my cell phone. I wasn’t out of bed yet, but I tried clearing my throat to sound awake. It didn’t work. I sounded like an 80 year-old binge smoker. Still, I accepted the invitation to sub and surprisingly when I showed up, I realized within the half hour I’d be attending a field trip. It was about safety and I didn’t realize how much these nine year-olds needed this until one little boy came up to me and explained how he’d answered a question about ATV safety with a particular answer because his dad taught him how to drive an ATV without safety gear. He explained you go slow and take corners slowly. Oh dear.
I was expecting my youngest son to go on a field trip that day, too. But when he and his buddy came into my classroom after school he said they didn’t go. I was confused and asked why not? His response, “There was a problem in Africa.”You may be confused as to why a problem in Africa would eliminate a field trip in Indiana. Or maybe you’re questioning where he was going. He meant “Attica”. They were going to see a movie in Attica, but apparently a citizen there had been building bombs. I’m so thankful our school corporation is on top of the happenings in this area and puts students #1 when it comes to safety.
Another hilarious (to me) conversation we had was during our drive to a birthday party, we were late for, this weekend. I was chatting with him about another buddy of his and telling him his father was a cop. Jude was fascinated with this. He told me that’s why his other buddy loved cops and wanted to be one. I then said I think he may also work at the prison. Maybe I should’ve said correctional facility, but Jude latched right on with continued fascination. His response was, “Wow… that’s cool. Can we take a field trip to the prison?”
Inside, I died. I could only imagine a kindergarten field trip to the prison, “Here children, this is what happens when you don’t listen to your teachers.” or “Here’s another option of a life choice.” (Sidebar – I’m kidding, that’s very light-hearted and not meant to be judgmental)Instead I answered Jude by saying, “Maybe you should ask your teacher about doing that.” That should be an interesting conversation with my son, whose favorite color is orange.
You should probably take this moment to feel sympathy for my husband regarding the invention of Pinterest. Have I mentioned I have a Doctorate in Pinterest Research?
Here’s my Asian dining table, my husband constructed for. Surrounded by this I found an amazing steal on silky pillow cases at Dollar Tree (Yes, $1 each). However, I only had about 7 pillows, I borrowed 5 from my mother. Since I needed approximately 9 more, I began stuffing blankets and stuffed animals in the remaining pillow cases to finish my seating.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wanted to eat dinner at a low-floor table. I mean all my life, I thought it would be the coolest thing ever. So, I made my dream come true, vicariously.
Speaking of vicariously, or not-so-vicariously, did you notice my husband? Sensei Allen. As a child he wanted a Ninja Party. In Jude’s case, when you’re young, daddy has mad-tool-skills, you want a NInjago party, and your mom has her Doctorate in Pinterest Research, you get a fun, entertaining ninja training course party to become Masters of Spinjitzu.
If you’re local, the cake and cookies were inspired by Pinterest and made by Cookie Grandma (Attica) or should I say Africa? She’s on Facebook and her prices cannot be beat!
Ninjas had to breakdown a block wall (since this is a Lego thing), to pass off one of their areas of training. These are simply boxes, I hadn’t recycled, wrapped in Dollar Tree kraft paper.
I created this on our way home from Conner Prairie during the first week of Spring Break. But I’m not giving myself all of the credit, it’s a spin-off of multiple ideas on Pinterest.
My husband crafted these swords. The Elders tried to convince him to place a thin strip of PVC through the center, but he insisted moms would be mad if the swords could cause real injury. This sweet Elder remembered from his youth how to make Ninja Stars. He probably regrets remembering because I sent him home with 30 pieces of card stock the day before the party to make 30 of them. The little boys and girls LOVED knocking down crepe-paper wrapped toilet paper and paper towel rolls using their Ninja Stars. It also was part of their training.
Sensei says (a knock-off of Simon Says) with Sensei Allen.
The opening of gifts. This was complete chaos so I only know from Jude’s recollection what came from where, but he was elated by all he received and was super happy. Notice the shirts. You may have been thinking wow, that’s over the top and expensive. Actually, it was cheap and a great alternative to a goody bag. These t-shirts came from Dollar Tree, that’s right, $1 Youth t-shirts. I used printable, iron-on sheets from Hobby Lobby to print and iron on the Ninjago eyes. Sure, the quality isn’t amazing and after a few washes they make begin to fade or peel but that’s a fabulous play shirt and for the party, it was perfect. Those party favors cost less than $2.00 each! That’s a win in my book.
Same with the personalized Ninja headbands. This idea was cute but it was genius when the kids arrived and things got crazy. Every kid had a name tag. We didn’t have to be like “Hey You!” or “Little Boy!” we called each child by their name because it was plastered across their forehead. I highly recommend this, parents.
Again, something fun and affordable. I purchased 3 yards of white fabric from Hobby Lobby (with the 40% coupon) and ironed on the names printed, using the free font called “Karate”.
Jude, is breaking the wood (Balsa Wood which is more foam than wood) - this was the last test to become Masters of Spinjitzu. Then they earned their ninja swords for a battle with Sensei. Which was comical when he took every kid on at the same time.
After each child went through the course, it was basically a free-for-all.
Happy Birthday! We had cake, cookies, ice cream, and some authentic chinese food like rice, wontons, and spring rolls. All of the kiddos had chop sticks but they preferred using those like drum sticks. We also had a spread of fruits and veggies, and cheese. I printed the Ninja eyes from Pinterest, free. I got most of our paper products at Dollar Tree, including the disposable table covering. Lucky Bamboo came from Meijer for only $1.75 each. I told my husband they were going to be so lucky it would be a dry, beautiful Saturday. (Since cold rain was in the forecast). Guess what? We got lucky! It was beautiful!
Before the Sensei, Master Teacher Battle.
That’s how you throw an Ultimate Ninjago-themed Birthday Party! I give you these pointers, because if you haven’t watched Lego Batman, you may not have seen the preview for Lego Ninjago the Movie that’s coming out this fall. It’s going to be BIG, my friends. Prepare yourselves. Your sons will request this.
Running with Reis, my dream has come true! Seriously, this girl wants to train for her mile run in a couple of weeks. This makes me SUPER happy!!
FHE on the Lawn. Using our Asian-inpsired table. BYOP (Bring Your Own Pillow) or in this case, we used our tire tubes from the party.
Dr. Remi, the Vet. She loved typing at this computer and giving orders to her peers at the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. This place was amazing!
Competition is this weekend. Full dress, makeup rehearsal this past week. Remi loves ballet and Miss Faye.
I always try to catch her leap. I should hold it down but I keep forgetting. This was on the way down. She amazes me.
Gram is renovating, and this is one of her helpers!
I think that’s it, in a nutshell that only took a couple of hours to put together.
May the lists be ever in your favor. As I hope making them will simplify recollection for my blog posts. Have a great week (I hope it’s only a week) or month!
