FUN DAY!

Saturday we did something REALLY fun! My friend Reese gave us the idea that we should go hang out with him and his wonderful wife Nancy at the Dragoncon parade. My husband complained last night and put up a fight tonight. The kids and I were going to go with or without him but I am VERY glad he decided to come along. He adds so much humor to everything! I also invited Kathy and her kids to come along too. We had such a BLAST! We got off to a later start than I thought we would but we got to our destination by way of MARTA about 9:15am. The parade was due to start at 10am. Reese graciously stood so the 4 kids could all sit on the curb (thank you, Reese :)). As the parade started, the kids got more and more enthused! At one point, the 4 of them began chanting "Star Wars" over and over! The Mach 5 made a guest appearance which made my son SCREAM... but what made him scream the most was the ton of storm troopers at the end of the parade. And what I mean by "scream" is the blood curdling cry of glee only a 6 year old boy could make when seeing a storm trooper. Well, multiply that by about 100 for the amount of troopers there were! He pointed and said "I have every one of those action figures!" What he means by that is my hubby dug out his box of old action figures and gave them to the kids. Yep, he sure DOES have those action figures because as soon as he got home he showed us every single one! I think he liked the parade. We will TOTALLY be going next year and, more than likely, the kids will be dressing up, MAYBE us too. I think this may be a yearly thing for Kathy too!

After the parade we said goodbye to Reese and Nancy and Reese's colleague "Brian" (oh, I love inside jokes on a public blog!) and headed out to find my girl a potty. Good luck in a crowd of sci-fi madness! We got them all pottied and out to meet Mr. Maul where my son told him "My mom thinks you are the BEST!" (which is SO TRUE!) then off to the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. It was a long wait to get a table and it was rather pricey, but we had a lot of fun! Then we went for a ride on MARTA to get back home. It is interesting the people you see on MARTA. About 1/3 of the train was standing though there were a few seats available. Ed took the boys and helped them stay safe without flying through the train. A man graciously let the girls have their seats. However, the Delta pilot decided it would be better if his luggage had the seat rather than another patron on the MARTA train. The middle aged, male Alabama and Clemson fans that were sitting across the aisle from each other were protecting the seats next to them as well. For whom, I have no idea. I guess some people were raised well and others were just raised by wolves. Since we are the end of the north line, several seats opened up before we had to get off the train. The boys sat down next to each other and my son started counting. I believe he got to about 300 something. Many people were looking at him laughing until about 150. Then I think it got really old. Oh well! Put on an iPod.

I am TIRED! Below are some funny pics from the day!

The REAL reason hubby enjoyed this event!

Booba Fett!

Crayola Fetts!

The Emperor!

Even on Shabbat the Jewish coalition of Mad Scientists can try to recruit! :)

And you don't have to be a pinhead to impress us...

What an ODD day!

I do not normally get political but today it is unavoidable. Today started off like any other Friday. I took my son to school. However, today he heard something about the political candidates on the radio and chimed in. He said he "didn't want 'A' to win". I asked him how he even knew about the names since my husband and I do not speak about the candidates specifically in front of him. He said he heard it from his carpool and the girl in carpool told him she wants "A" to win. He told me he wants "B" to win because he was told "B" is crazy and my boy said “that sounds a lot like me.” I told him that was the most mature response I have ever heard him make. Not only did he NOT go with whatever his friend chose, but he chose something because he thought it was similar to himself (though what he was told was completely inappropriate and wrong in my opinion). I gave him great praise and told him that I would be voting for "B" in November. He thought that was GREAT! I also told him that he (my son) is not crazy and neither is "B", but that he was right in that "B" is much more like him than "A". I ALSO made sure he understood that he has 12 years to worry about who he will be voting for as President. I did not think I would be forced to have this discussion with my 6 year old.

After I dropped him off at school (then dropped off the girl) I came home to find the love of my life in a white collared shit, a tie and a suit jacket... with cargo shorts! He would NOT let me take a picture of him but I swear to you it was a sight to see. He was making videos for training purposes for work and was only being shot from the waist up. I really wish I could have had a picture to go along with it!

I got a call from a good friend, Kathy. She was the one I saw last week who had jaw surgery. We share political views and I discussed what happened with my son this morning with her. She is very earthy and grounded and suggested I confront this person about the political discussions with my boy. I will leave it for now, I think, unless it comes up again in conversation. I ended up going to lunch with Kathy to Nirvana. It was FANTASTIC! Not only was the food fantastic, the service was impeccable and their sense of "GREEN" was extraordinary! They even have "plastic" cups made from corn that is 100% compostable! If you are local, I suggest you go in if only to get the homemade ice cream for $1. VERY impressive if you ask me! As we were talking (mostly politically since we were on the subject) I got her to commit to going to the Dragoncon parade with me tomorrow. I think my hubby may not be interested in going. It is his loss. Our best friend called today and said HE WANTED TO GO! HAH! If that doesn't get hubby excited about going, nothing will.

I got a call from my friend Dana while I was at lunch inviting me to take the girl to the park after school. I invited Kathy and it was a date! I probably stayed a little later than I should have considering I had a birthday party to go to. One of my son's friends from school was having a pool party. I feel bad he was the only one in floaties. He is just learning to swim but I wasn't about to get in with him so floaties had to be on... or no going in. After cake we decided to leave and have dinner. I called the hubby and girl and met them at Sushi Nami. There is only ONE THING I do not like about that place; their website sucks. But if you want the best sushi in the area, THIS is the place. The girl had a FULL ORDER of avocado roll this time! The boy had eel this time! They are becoming quite the adventurous ones LOL. Towards the end of the meal my girl turns to me and asks, "So they take down this building at night?" and I said "No, they lock it up." She asks "What if someone breaks the window to get in?" and I asked "Why would they do that?" "To get the food, I guess." I told her "That would be silly, don't you think?" She says, "No, that would be BAD!" and I told her "Yes and they would get arrested by a policeman!" And she puts her hands together and said "and they would put those bands around their arms". "Yes, they are called handcuffs". "Why are they called handcuffs when they go on your wrists?" Out of the mouths of babes! HAHA

When the kids were finally in bed, my robe went on and my hubby comes to the top of the stairs and whispers "Don’t answer the door". Just then DING DONG. I look out the window without the man noticing me, and he slides a piece of paper in our door. When he walked away I opened the door and looked at what he left expecting it to be religious in nature as the guy was in a suit. I was surprised to see it was a man running for SENATE! As I looked closer, it was state senate. But I was still very impressed that he was going door to door. The man was named Akhtar Sadiq. He had some interesting things on his site and appears to have been noticed by our state for a few cool things!

I guess I started political and ended political today. I hope this is NOT a trend. What an odd day!

Time is Money...

My husband is very computer savvy, a true techie at heart. I mean, he works for a company of geeks (I use that term in a VERY respectful and envious way), his hobbies are centered around the computer, internet and electronics, he has every “boy toy” we can afford… Heck, we even MET online so it is safe to say I knew a long ago what I was getting myself into! We went to lunch today and he was talking about work, typical. And he was talking about having a conference call as opposed to emailing. He used the words "in person" to refer to a conference call. I love him dearly, but THAT is NOT in person! So often we use email, voicemail and less personal ways to communicate. I am not sure if that is a GOOD thing or not. We always want things now; fast food, fast cars, microwaves, credit card swipes, TiVo, instant messages, one touch dialing; NOW NOW NOW! Maybe we should just slow down and heaven forbid make a meal with too many ingredients because we didn’t take shortcuts. How about walk over to the neighbors to talk instead of instant messaging, emailing or text messaging. Watch the commercials, or maybe WRITE a letter! *sigh* I only wish I were not disillusioned to the idea that everything should be done so fast.... They say “time is money”. Well perhaps we have it wrong. Perhaps we are the “richest” when we have all the time in the world. For what it is worth, I would like to take option B.

My little smarty pants!

My 4 and a half year old is a second child. Naturally she will pick up things faster than her brother. But today, we sat down and READ 6 pages of "Hop on Pop" by Dr. Seuss. I was amazed! What started me doing this (was going to start it this year anyhow) was as we were driving home from her school today, she saw a white crosswalk sign and said "Mommy, that sign says stop. ST... AH... P". YES! Yes my smart little girl it DOES! So tonight she read part of her very first book :) And I am gleaming!

A mitzvah....

A mitzvah (or mitzvot being the plural) is a Hebrew word meaning "commandment" but people use it to mean an act of human kindness or a good deed. Friday when I took my son to school, a friend of his showed me all the cool stuff in his own locker; a shelf, a locker light, magnets, etc. So today, I decided we would go get some of those things for the boy. There was only one locker light left and that is one thing he REALLY wanted. The packaging was opened, the light did not work and my son was pretty upset. He took it to a sales rep in the store and asked her if she could help him find another. She looked all around and then offered to GIVE him something of hers from her car... :-o She went outside as we were paying and got this cool light from her car that had the Velcro sticker for the back. They were those lights that you put under cabinets and such from the TV ads. I couldn't believe how very sweet this gesture was so I thought I would blog about it :)

A day like any other

It is my mother in laws birthday.... We called to wish her well :)

This morning I went to Friday morning services (Kabbalat Shabbat) at my son's school. He got to sit with me, which was great. I surprised my husband and daughter with Starbucks when I came home. I got ready for and went to orientation for pre-k for my younger one. We went to lunch at 5 Seasons . I was amazed that people take so much pride in their workmanship with food. You could tell everything was made in house for the most part. Everything was fresh! I give it a 4 of 5. Then I went home and got ready for Friday night services at our shul. They had a kiddie service and an ice cream social afterwards. I then went to pick my boy up from school. While I was waiting in the carpool line, I was able to knit a little more of my soon-to-be nephew's baby blanket. A woman with a daughter in pre-k came up to me and asked if i had a daughter in another preschool... I said I do but not the one she was asking about. She said I looked like someone she knew. I thought that was funny since I don't think I have a very memorable face LOL And def not one to be confused with someone else either. She and I talked for a good long time and the degrees of separation came into play... only ONE for us LOL! Funny how things work out! Then carpool started. This woman who was parked right in front of me was walking to her green Jag-yoo-ah in a semi-swift pace turned to me (and several others... about 3 separate times) and said "Leave it to me to hold up the line. You'll get used to me!" I chuckled because it seemed like such a pretentious thing to say. I went home, picked up the fam and left for a VERY early dinner at Subway. It wasn't my first choice but we left a lot later than I had expected. We carpooled with a wonderful woman and her son that used to be in my girl's class last year. I missed her this summer. I hope we can catch up now that the new year has started. We all had a lot of fun at shul. Then home for a movie with the hubby. Tomorrow may be a little relaxing, and then Sunday we may go to KidsFest. MAYbe.... *sigh* then back to getting up at 6am for 5 days -.-

Girl's night, sick friend and new fish!

So, I am EXHAUSTED! Last night was the neighborhood girl's night out (formerly mom's night out but we changed it to be more inclusive). We went to the Veranda Greek Taverna. Earlier in the day one of the 12 people going emailed me (and one other person) to see if we would be designated driver for her. I was delighted to do it! Not only do I really like the woman because she shares many of my views, but it made me feel like I am viewed as responsible and she trusted me LOL. It isn't the first time I have driven her either but it still kind of felt like an honor... I am probably looking more into it than it needed to be, but I don't knock anything that makes me feel good :) The restaurant wasn't bad but I could tell not everything was made right there in house. I am not an expert or anything but the meatball appetizer tasted previously frozen. The fresh pita bread rocked though! And though I didn't have any of the $5 (all day, every day) martinis that looked soooo yummy... I may try to mimic some of them ;) shhhhh

I got home at 9:30 pm and didn't get to bed until midnight. 6am comes tooooooo early when you go to bed at midnight! Dean went off to school at 7am. Anne (the woman I carpool with) has been early, which is great :) Man I totally dig having carpool with her. Not only is she pretty darned reliable and responsible but she likes to do the mornings! I was hoping to go back to sleep for a little but of course the girl woke and I was unable. Ed had to go to jury duty (though he really didn't) so he left at 7ish to take MARTA to go downtown. I had to throw a load of wash in because the boy needed his navy shorts for Friday uniform and didn't have a clean pair. I get a call promptly at 8am informing me that Ed no longer was needed at jury duty and would I like to have a bagel and coffee with him around the corner. Of course I quickly dressed myself and the girl and left to meet him. I rounded the corner to my handsome prince reading the paper outside, enjoying his morning before having to return to work. It was nice to see him relax! We had our breakfast and I went off to see my friend Kathy. I had not seen her all summer! She recently had surgery on her jaw and looked like she got socked in the face 100 times by a weightlifter :( It was horrible. I am going to make homemade smoothies at her home tomorrow. So after that I carpooled and dropped the carpool girlie off, dropped my kids off and went to get dinner at Harry's. We were in the mood for fish so I decided to try a new kind! I got a suggestion from the man at the fish counter based on a few requirements. So... below is a recipe for now the SECOND fish my daughter will eat :)

Leeky Halibut - A PJ (with minor help from Ed) Original

1# halibut filet, skinned
2 TBSP canola oil
2 TBSP unsalted butter
1 fresh leek sliced 1/4" thick up to (but not including) the leaves
1/2 Persian lime
1 TBSP fresh minced (or pre-prepped in a tube) ginger
salt and pepper to taste

Heat a skillet on med high heat with the oil and butter until the butter just starts to brown. Add the fish and reduce heat to medium. Separate the leeks into rings and add to the pan. Squeeze all the juice from the lime evenly over the fish and leeks. Cook for 4 minutes and turn the fish. Add the ginger to the pan and incorporate it into the liquid. Cook an additional 6 minutes or until done then serve with vegetable of choice (I chose a sautéed fresh white corn with Vidalia onions)

First week of 1st grade

My sons first week of school has been great! I have been able to spend a little time with the girl one-on-one and I have been cooking again... Why I didn't over the summer, I don't know... The first day of school my son had these great oat bars that I made for his snack (see recipe below). Day 2 he had the oat bar AND I made him "I Can't Believe I Ate the Bowl Dip" which is a refried beans and salsa dip (with shredded cheese and sliced black olives) in a yellow bell pepper "bowl". I gave him tomatoes, carrots and corn chips as the dippers. Yesterday, he got a wheat pita with turkey, raw spinach, sliced cucumbers and shredded carrot. He didn't eat that...*sigh* Today, I made him a sandwich wrap with a sundried tomato basil wrap, sundried tomato cream cheese that I made earlier yesterday, raw spinach, sliced cucumbers, grated cheddar jack cheese and shredded carrot. AND I made these GREAT chai muffins (see recipe below) that he got for a snack today! The girl helped me make those ;) Tomorrow... he will get another "I Can't Believe I Ate the Bowl Dip" and the yummy bagel chips I made from the 2 extra bagels we had from Sunday.

Wow... what to do for the weekend?!!?

Chai-can-believe-how-yummy-these-are Muffins
1 cup milk
1 heaping TBSP instant black tea
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 six ounce container of vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups wheat flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
pinch of ground pepper
Preheat oven to 375F and line a muffin tin with paper liners.
Stir the instant tea in the milk and set aside.
In a large bowl whisk together oil, yogurt, sugar and vanilla.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Pour half into the yogurt mixture, stirring well, followed by the milk/tea mixture and the rest of the flour. Stir only until just combined, then evenly distribute into prepared muffin tin.
Bake for about 21-23 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the muffin springs back when lightly pressed.
Cool completely on a wire rack.
Makes 12 muffins.

Oat Bars
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups plain instant oats
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped dried pineapple
1/2 cup coconut


1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking mix, oats, brown sugar, butter, applesauce, egg, and cinnamon.

2. Stir the mix with a wooden spoon until you have a crumbly dough. Next, fold in the coconut and the pineapple.

3. Press the dough into an ungreased 9- by 13-inch pan and bake for 17 minutes or until the center is set and the bars are slightly brown. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before cutting. Makes 1-1/2 dozen 2- by 3-inch bars.

I made these interesting for my son my cutting out large, heart shaped "bars" with a cookie cutter. He was very impressed ;)

So, ya had a bad day...

So, yesterday I woke in a terrible mood. Ed is away. I am sure that is part of it. I also had several things to do that I didn't want to. I went to Starbucks to meet up with a few friends to discuss carpool arrangements for this school year that starts Monday. Before the women got there, my children sat quietly and ate their food as a man and woman sat at the next table discussing divorce. It didn't appear that they were divorcing each other but it was clear one of them (I believe the woman) was going through a divorce. So I kept to myself waiting for my friends to arrive. When they did, the 5 kids played OUTSIDE (take note of that as it will play an important role later -.-) while we sat outside with them and discussed important, mommy-like things. One mom left about 30 minutes later, and then there were 4 children. We sat down and discussed nothing of major importance but decided to let the children play a bit more. The woman that was sitting at the table next to us talking about divorce had long since departed but the man remained. The kids started to play tag and were getting a little loud. Where were we again? OH THAT'S RIGHT! OUTSIDE!... The guy tried to make a phone call and apparently became perturbed. He held his arms away from his person and said LOUDLY... "COME ON!" and motioned to the children. I was already in a very hopped up mood and the triple shot of espresso I had in me did not help. I saw RED and yelled "We are outside! Don't you have a home or an office to go to?!?!". Then he proceeded to tell the person on the phone "Hold on I am in a zoo here!" to which I replied. "You are OBVIOUSLY not a father! The world thanks you for that!". As funny as it seems now... and it does... I swear to you I have not been that angry in a very, VERY long time.... I wanted to (as a wonderful minister friend I know once said) lay my hands on the man without prayer. What the hell right did he have!?!? So, the day didn't get better at that point. I went to get my sons hair done.How can you go wrong at a barber?!?! My son sits very still. I said "Please make it a 1 around the bottom, a 2 on top and fade it up". What barber would not understand that!?!? Needless to say I was tired of fighting so I let it go but I called the shop today and asked #1 if I was charged the right price (which I apparently was... $18) and #2 if I could get her to redo it because it was not short enough. The guy apologized up and down and said the woman would fix it. *sigh* one more thing to do... So the kids are up getting their clothes on now so we can go out and get Dean's hair re-cut. Maybe I will take them to lunch. UGH If I wasn't so sure that my husband would have a fit about it, I would just leave it. God, I miss him... Come home already, will ya!!?!?!