Moments for Myself - 28 May

"In the world today we do everything at amazing speed. We have instant messaging, fast food, and express lanes. life gallops along taking us for a ride whether we are ready or not. Wouldn't it be nice to find one day (or even half a day) to slow it all down? Stop thinking about the tyranny of the urgent; instead, think about the flowers right outside your window."

- Moments for Myself Daily Inspiration Calendar

Watch Your Popcorn!

I went to drop the boys off for school this morning and was hampered by a fire truck - lights and sirens going like crazy. Thought they were going PAST the school, but instead they turned INTO the school. Uh oh...

Then I noticed the 300 or so kids out on the lawn laughing and waving at the firemen. Weird they were all outside with backpacks, etc. Thought maybe the truck was there for some end-of-the-year thing with the kids and that it was just poor timing that they came during drop-off.

However, the kids started going back into the building without playing around the truck or talking to the firemen, so then I figured it was a false alarm (those silly fifth-graders pulling a graduation prank...) Dropped the boys off and continued on my way and didn't really think about it after.

But, I just received an email from the principal with this message:

"This morning, prior to arrival, an over-cooked bag of popcorn caused our fire alarms to sound. We immediately evacuated the building and waited for the Fire Department to arrive. [They]reviewed the source and concluded that the building was safe. Students and staff were allowed to resume their day."

POPCORN? Really? Ok then.

At least it was an interesting and somewhat entertaining start to the day! :-)

Emily

Emily's 8th grade (spring) photo. We're in trouble when she hits high school next year, aren't we??

Karate Awards

Tonight was awards night at karate. It was a lot of fun but SOOOOOOO long! The boys finally got to bed around 9:30. I guess we better get used to that though - they're almost to the next level and that class STARTS at 8:15 PM!

Both boys moved up TWO levels - from green with white stripe to green with blue stripe (skipping green with black). All they have to do is learn their two katas (Open Hand #1 and the Wushu Fan Kata #1) and they'll move up to blue solid. Which, for those who care, is where I ended up. :-)

The "Babcock boys" did get called out as the only green belts who had participated in sparring this session (all the others were blue and purple belts)! According to sensei, they took to sparring like "ducks to water" - no fear and just going strong with punches and kicks against the padding their partner wears. Even against the bigger, more advanced kids they showed no hesitation.

Below are some pictures for everyone to enjoy from tonight. Oh, and a video of me doing the fan kata - THAT should bring some laughs to your day! :-)

Ready to show off their green belt skills

Travis receiving his new belt.

Thomas receiving his new belt.

Travis (left) and Thomas with Sensei Mike Tope.



Mommy performing Wushu Fan Kata #1

The Next Survivor Series

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

A friend sent me this in an email and I couldn't resist posting it here (or adding a few 'rules' of my own). Leave me comment if you want to sign up (or if you want to sign up your spouse!) This is definitely a reailty show I'd watch!
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• Six men will be dropped on an island, each with one car and 3 kids, for six weeks.
• Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
• Each man must do all of the following:
• Take care of his 3 kids
• Keep his assigned house clean
• Correct all homework, and complete science projects
• Cook 3 meals a day (there is NO fast food!)
• Do laundry and help put together outfits (always knowing where shoes and jackets are located)
• Pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money. In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries and gas each week.
• Each man must remember the birthdays, anniversaires and holidays for all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing!
• Extra points will be given for cards that include pictures taken in the last month of all three kids, appropriately labeled with name, date and reason for picture (ie, first soccer game, 3rd piano recital, etc.)
• Each man must also take each child to at least one doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
• Each man will have his car breakdown at least once (causes for breakdown being anything from out of gas, to a "funny sound in the engine" to an actual wreck - where no one is hurt of course!). Breakdown will occur when it is the most inconvenient for him.
• Each man must make a cake, cookies or brownies for a social function.
• Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
• The men will only have access to a television or a computer when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
• The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
• Extra points will be given to men who also wear an age-appropriate yet still sexy dress at least twice a week and keep an even tan.
• During at least one (and possibly two) of the six weeks, each man will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
• Each man must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once per week to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
• Each man will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 8:00 am.
• All the above must be completed while working in either a full- (preferably) or part-time job to assist in the family income.
• A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:
• each child's middle name and birthday
• each child's height and weight, shoe size and clothes size
• pediatrician's name and phone number
• each child's weight and length at birth, time of birth and length of labour
• each child's favorite snack & favorite drink
• each child's favorite color, favorite song & favorite toy
• trivial details about each child's favorite activity/hobby/current obsession
  (i.e. Bakugan rules and monsters or the plot and characters in 'Twilight')
• each child's biggest fear and what makes them laugh the most
• what each child's wants to be when they grow up

The last man wins only if he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called MOM!