One of the things that really strikes me as a parent is how precious "alone time" is. I love my video games, my scifi/geek movies, my gaming stuff, but I love my family more - so they take priority and that is right.
But when I get those couple of hours, man do I want to sink my teeth into some PS3 game that's been sitting around for a while and lose hours to it. If there's an active book, it gets devoured in the wee-hours in the space of a week, two if it's really big.
But then there are moments when the two come together. And those are great.
Marcus loves swordfighting. So getting that 20 minutes of running around the house with Nerf swords is a proud papa-geek moment. Especially watching him learn/imitate "moves" like spinning around for no good reason and grabbing my blade so he can swing away freely. Pure awesome.
Alya may not like the fighting, but she loves the story. Tonight the three of us watched Star Wars Episode One - The Phantom Menance. (Sasha was off at the annual xmas cookie exchange.) Marcus was not interested for most of the middle of the movie. But he got a kick out of the good action sequences. Alya paid attention throughout most of the movie. She wanted to know who Anakin was (they've both watched a lot of Clone Wars) and thought that Obi Wan looked funny. And Queen Amidala confused her so much, that I paused the movie to try and explain what was going on. She really wanted to know what was going on.
My squirrel is also the one who like to play Peggle on the computer - but wants someone in the room with her. Alya really "gets" computers and can use a mouse and a touch pad with great ease. Marcus, well he was kind of hitting the keys a lot today, just to try and get something to happen. The two of them may play like a couple of peas in a pod, but they are quite different.
And each day they impress me more.
Be seeing you,
Jon
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Late Night Ramblin'
I'm going to open with what should be the closing. Because it's the most important thing about this post.
Typical BSer house evening ends with me moving Alya out of our bed and into hers. Tonight, when that happened, she woke up a bit to check she had the correct woobie in the bed (bear, not pink) and I confirmed that it was indeed the correct one. Satisfied, she curled up and went back to sleep as I placed the important stuffed animals next to her. As I walked out I said, "Good night, Squirrel." and closed the door.
Often I don't speak when putting either kid in bed, but Alya had already pulled a response on woobie, so I knew it wouldn't hurt the sleep process.
That little verbalization choked me up a bit because I'm thinking that to them both every night, and eventually I won't be tucking these small ones into bed. And they mean the world to me. Everything else I've done, does not come to this level.
Which leaves the question, "What next?"
---
I started reading The Player of Games by Ian M. Banks a day ago. The main character is a game player. Like someone who is a professional chess player, only with as many games as he likes and that's all he does. Only he's at a crisis point because he's bored. What's next in his path because he has played and beaten just about everything.
Meanwhile, my world of games has been odd. My board games are getting dustier. Magic cards are floating around all over the place, but a change would be needed to really hone my skills on that one. I have many miniature games in foam trays, needing assembly, paint and a chance to fight on the battlefield. But there's no gaming passion. Nothing that pulls my attention constantly like a mongrel on a bone.
While sitting on the basement step, I couldn't help but see my stack of Japanese language instruction loaded on a shelf. It defines me, but the motivation is no longer present. Perhaps I should be clearing that all off and resign that goal for now. Like the guitar in the close, learning either would be a major growth undertaking, but both are also previous paths that were never finished.
---
The final item of the evening - a year book from Pius XI High School. 1988 to be precise.
At Manpower I walk through the building and know about 1/4 to 1/3 of the people. Not personally, but recognize them either through my own times there or through Sasha's work.
That ratio is much lower in my yearbook. Then again my class had well over 400 students in it and I was never a true social butterfly.
Things that kept cropping up in the words written by others, "I didn't really know you until this year." "You're funny and strange." "Sorry I hit you in the head with a pen." Okay, that last one not so much. Some of the words written triggered a small bit of sadness. Relationships unexplored. Relationships explored and ruined at a latter time. Friendships that were acquired a little too late in the game to be able to maintain. Or distances, written by one as "We are going our separate ways in search of... A PARTY", creating that gulf making the connect difficult to maintain.
But no regret.
High school (and soon college) is half a life away for me now. While knowing where people are today (thank Facebook) is neat, that's over 20 years ago. I've got too much future going on to keep living in the past. (Although a few ghosts do loom from time to time.)
---
There's a song out now called, "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros that has really grabbed my ears. I was playing it for the kids on the drive to their daycare, and during the speaking portion (listen to the song, it's that good) I talked to Alya and Marcus about what was happening that day and night and how I love them both so very much.
The line from the song that sticks is, "Home is where ever I'm with you." So when I went to Manpower Saturday where Sasha was putting in extra hours, Alya told her, "I'm happy to be home." Sasha was a little puzzled and asked if home was Manpower. "No, home is when we're all together."
That's my squirrel.
And that's my "What's next?" for the next 20 years of my life.
Be seeing you,
Jon
Typical BSer house evening ends with me moving Alya out of our bed and into hers. Tonight, when that happened, she woke up a bit to check she had the correct woobie in the bed (bear, not pink) and I confirmed that it was indeed the correct one. Satisfied, she curled up and went back to sleep as I placed the important stuffed animals next to her. As I walked out I said, "Good night, Squirrel." and closed the door.
Often I don't speak when putting either kid in bed, but Alya had already pulled a response on woobie, so I knew it wouldn't hurt the sleep process.
That little verbalization choked me up a bit because I'm thinking that to them both every night, and eventually I won't be tucking these small ones into bed. And they mean the world to me. Everything else I've done, does not come to this level.
Which leaves the question, "What next?"
---
I started reading The Player of Games by Ian M. Banks a day ago. The main character is a game player. Like someone who is a professional chess player, only with as many games as he likes and that's all he does. Only he's at a crisis point because he's bored. What's next in his path because he has played and beaten just about everything.
Meanwhile, my world of games has been odd. My board games are getting dustier. Magic cards are floating around all over the place, but a change would be needed to really hone my skills on that one. I have many miniature games in foam trays, needing assembly, paint and a chance to fight on the battlefield. But there's no gaming passion. Nothing that pulls my attention constantly like a mongrel on a bone.
While sitting on the basement step, I couldn't help but see my stack of Japanese language instruction loaded on a shelf. It defines me, but the motivation is no longer present. Perhaps I should be clearing that all off and resign that goal for now. Like the guitar in the close, learning either would be a major growth undertaking, but both are also previous paths that were never finished.
---
The final item of the evening - a year book from Pius XI High School. 1988 to be precise.
At Manpower I walk through the building and know about 1/4 to 1/3 of the people. Not personally, but recognize them either through my own times there or through Sasha's work.
That ratio is much lower in my yearbook. Then again my class had well over 400 students in it and I was never a true social butterfly.
Things that kept cropping up in the words written by others, "I didn't really know you until this year." "You're funny and strange." "Sorry I hit you in the head with a pen." Okay, that last one not so much. Some of the words written triggered a small bit of sadness. Relationships unexplored. Relationships explored and ruined at a latter time. Friendships that were acquired a little too late in the game to be able to maintain. Or distances, written by one as "We are going our separate ways in search of... A PARTY", creating that gulf making the connect difficult to maintain.
But no regret.
High school (and soon college) is half a life away for me now. While knowing where people are today (thank Facebook) is neat, that's over 20 years ago. I've got too much future going on to keep living in the past. (Although a few ghosts do loom from time to time.)
---
There's a song out now called, "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros that has really grabbed my ears. I was playing it for the kids on the drive to their daycare, and during the speaking portion (listen to the song, it's that good) I talked to Alya and Marcus about what was happening that day and night and how I love them both so very much.
The line from the song that sticks is, "Home is where ever I'm with you." So when I went to Manpower Saturday where Sasha was putting in extra hours, Alya told her, "I'm happy to be home." Sasha was a little puzzled and asked if home was Manpower. "No, home is when we're all together."
That's my squirrel.
And that's my "What's next?" for the next 20 years of my life.
Be seeing you,
Jon
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Biting the Bullet
So much has been happening that there has hardly been time to write a blog post about it. So, here's there elevator pitch of the past couple of weeks:
- Managed to finally see Avatar. Visually mind-blowing, but it was hard to keep from laughing at the story.
- Took Alya and Marcus to Great America for the first time. Alya and Marcus rode the Whizzer. Alya loved it and rode another kid-sized coaster seven times.
- Loaded the kids up in a bike trailer and went for a ride. They like the little journeys even if Daddy maintains the bad habit of pushing himself too hard initially.
- Determined that an appetizer is mandatory with Calderone Club pizza, and french fried eggplant fits the bill very well. Marcus likes the pizza crust more than anything else.
- Video gaming has been falling off, until Super Street Fighter IV arrived. Sounds dorky, but is great fun.
- Still haven't hooked up that old Atari 2600.
- Took the kids to Six Flags Great America again. Alya and Marcus rode the Whizzer again. Marcus loved the Scrambler/Hometown Fun Machine. Alya rode the Whizzer three more times. Then Alya rode the Demon four times. She is a coaster fiend.
- My little sister and her husband had their baby boy, Asher Cohen, and we're so happy for them. Congrats to them and to my Mom for her third grandchild.
- The Roos family had their baby boy and we're so happy for them. Congrats guys! The adventure begins again.
- Sasha's been on a working spree that has led to a lot of late nights and a little bit of travel. Single parents, you are so strong.
- Tried to get the kids to relax with Star Wars. Marcus fell asleep, Alya fought to stay awake. They later watched most of the first Clone Wars cartoon. They will like Star Wars, this I give them.
- Replaced our digital camera that died with a new Panasonic camera. It's not bad, but I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Sorely disappointed with a new Sony model and had to return it.
- Went to a cook out with my work team and had a great time. The kids got to play with other little ones around the same age and really loved it. Thanks Patrick.
- I really need to get into the shower. Not because I'm smelly, but because I need to get ready for work and get the kids out the door and pack a lunch and... and... and...
Yeah. Time to stop blogging.
Jon
PS - Was singing "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros to the kids in the car yesterday on the way to school. (great song if you haven't heard it yet) And while singing, I made up my own words for the speaking segment of the song about the kids and what we were going to be doing that day. It was very emotional for me, but the kids are a big part of my "home".
- Managed to finally see Avatar. Visually mind-blowing, but it was hard to keep from laughing at the story.
- Took Alya and Marcus to Great America for the first time. Alya and Marcus rode the Whizzer. Alya loved it and rode another kid-sized coaster seven times.
- Loaded the kids up in a bike trailer and went for a ride. They like the little journeys even if Daddy maintains the bad habit of pushing himself too hard initially.
- Determined that an appetizer is mandatory with Calderone Club pizza, and french fried eggplant fits the bill very well. Marcus likes the pizza crust more than anything else.
- Video gaming has been falling off, until Super Street Fighter IV arrived. Sounds dorky, but is great fun.
- Still haven't hooked up that old Atari 2600.
- Took the kids to Six Flags Great America again. Alya and Marcus rode the Whizzer again. Marcus loved the Scrambler/Hometown Fun Machine. Alya rode the Whizzer three more times. Then Alya rode the Demon four times. She is a coaster fiend.
- My little sister and her husband had their baby boy, Asher Cohen, and we're so happy for them. Congrats to them and to my Mom for her third grandchild.
- The Roos family had their baby boy and we're so happy for them. Congrats guys! The adventure begins again.
- Sasha's been on a working spree that has led to a lot of late nights and a little bit of travel. Single parents, you are so strong.
- Tried to get the kids to relax with Star Wars. Marcus fell asleep, Alya fought to stay awake. They later watched most of the first Clone Wars cartoon. They will like Star Wars, this I give them.
- Replaced our digital camera that died with a new Panasonic camera. It's not bad, but I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. Sorely disappointed with a new Sony model and had to return it.
- Went to a cook out with my work team and had a great time. The kids got to play with other little ones around the same age and really loved it. Thanks Patrick.
- I really need to get into the shower. Not because I'm smelly, but because I need to get ready for work and get the kids out the door and pack a lunch and... and... and...
Yeah. Time to stop blogging.
Jon
PS - Was singing "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros to the kids in the car yesterday on the way to school. (great song if you haven't heard it yet) And while singing, I made up my own words for the speaking segment of the song about the kids and what we were going to be doing that day. It was very emotional for me, but the kids are a big part of my "home".
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Just Past Midnight
That's it. All done. My 40th birthday proper has ended.
I am now 40.003 years old.
And I'm good with that.
Today was more marvelous than I could ever ask for. And nearly all of it is due to the hard work of my wife of nearly 10 years, Sasha.
She and the kids made me breakfast, cut flowers for the party, made a birthday cake from scratch (lemon bundt), cooked up 25 lbs of barbecue ribs. Plus a salad, potatoes, chips and guacamole, shrimp cocktail. Just crazy stuff, that was delicious and a delight.
Then family and a couple of friends who are family came over to deal with the food. It was on both sides and that meant a lot to me. We sat outside (fantastic weather) and talked and laughed and ate. One cannot ask for more, but I got it.
Alya squeezing a glass of fresh orange juice just for me. Marcus playing "Happy birthday" on the kazoo. Being able to play the role of guest of honor instead of host. Pure fantastic.
And on Facebook, I had tons of people wishing me a happy birthday. Friends from long ago, family that live outside of Milwaukee, co-workers, and friends that I see on a frequent basis. This is the kind of thing that makes Facebook great. (Although I hear "Farmville" is pretty cool.)
Alas, 40 also wears on the bones and the brain. Sleep calls and while I don't want to pick up the phone, I really don't have much choice in the matter.
Good night folks!
Jon
I am now 40.003 years old.
And I'm good with that.
Today was more marvelous than I could ever ask for. And nearly all of it is due to the hard work of my wife of nearly 10 years, Sasha.
She and the kids made me breakfast, cut flowers for the party, made a birthday cake from scratch (lemon bundt), cooked up 25 lbs of barbecue ribs. Plus a salad, potatoes, chips and guacamole, shrimp cocktail. Just crazy stuff, that was delicious and a delight.
Then family and a couple of friends who are family came over to deal with the food. It was on both sides and that meant a lot to me. We sat outside (fantastic weather) and talked and laughed and ate. One cannot ask for more, but I got it.
Alya squeezing a glass of fresh orange juice just for me. Marcus playing "Happy birthday" on the kazoo. Being able to play the role of guest of honor instead of host. Pure fantastic.
And on Facebook, I had tons of people wishing me a happy birthday. Friends from long ago, family that live outside of Milwaukee, co-workers, and friends that I see on a frequent basis. This is the kind of thing that makes Facebook great. (Although I hear "Farmville" is pretty cool.)
Alas, 40 also wears on the bones and the brain. Sleep calls and while I don't want to pick up the phone, I really don't have much choice in the matter.
Good night folks!
Jon
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter!
Yes, it's that time of year, and I thought I'd share a few highlights from the BSer hosted Easter this year.
The picture above is the bunny cake that Sasha and Alya made for everyone. No cake molds were involved. No pre-layout forms. Just Sasha's technique with a little inspiration from Alya. And the cake not only looked great, but tasted fantastic.
However, it was up against a raspberry trifle and chocolate dipped apricots, orange peels and strawberries. So the only winner was the folk who make stretch pants. Quite the yummy desserts.
While Marcus slept through the Easter Egg Hunt, the girls (L to R: Bella, Alya and Raven) had a field day gathering eggs. With such brilliantly warm weather, it made the kite flying and all the other outdoor stuff all the better. If only all Easters could be this nice.
In then end, everyone left having a good time - some better than others - and there was enough happenings to make a Ron Howard television series on BSer holidays alone. Including the fact that both of our kids ended up with buckets on their head. Such weirdoes.
Must be from Sasha's side, because I'm never weird*.
Happy Easter!
Jon
* Who am I trying to kid? It's all me!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Fun Fair and Parents and Memory
Today's big adventure was the Brown Deer Grade School Fun Fair. It was held in the middle school which is only three minutes away, so Sasha thought it would be great to take the kids - and I agreed.
The only Fun Fair I remember is one that was held at St. Robert's over in Shorewood. And I remember thinking it was the coolest thing ever. It was like State Fair, but without all the creepy guys! Well even my 30+ year old memory couldn't stack up to what they did at the Brown Deer event.
They had three different rooms of games, each aimed at a slightly different age range. It helped the little ones keep from getting trampled by the big kids, which was very wise. Alya really enjoyed the Duck Pond game, while Marcus got a kick out of the fishing game in the smallest kids room. While the library had bowling setup in the shelves and a football toss as well. And the gym had a bounce castle, bake sale, and quarter-a-ticket raffle.
In fact, the quarter was the over arching theme. Twenty-five cents got a play at any of the games, a ticket for the raffle, and two snagged a bag of popcorn. Cheap fun that all went toward helping the school raise money for lots of extra activities.
In addition, Alya completely chomped down on cotton candy - we'll have to watch out for that in the future. Alya's exact words after Sasha took a small piece were, "Actually, I'm going to eat the rest of this." Lots of sugar lead to a big nap for the squirrel when the crash came, which would have been better if Marcus napped as well. But our little man just couldn't settle down. I suspect the cat nap he took on my shoulder at the Fun Fair was just enough to keep him from completely going down.
Looking forward to next year, as this was a way cool event!
***
One thing that came to mind tonight while doing dishes (and which also led to this posting) was my relationship with my friend's parents.
It's odd because as a kid you think it's nice and easy to call your friend's parents "Mom" and "Dad". Although, I will admit that I preferred not to use any name at all, because I didn't get that comfortable with most parent. But then there the exceptions.
An early memory is sitting at the kitchen table at Eric Lenz's house on Newhall eating pizza. Eric's Mom had set us up for lunch and it was a simple meal, but it was so cool. This was an event that happened frequently, but that house was in some ways a larger constant than my own. Oh, did I mention that I was either six or seven at the time?
But at any rate, Eric's Mom, Barbara, took me in probably more often than I can remember, but that is probably part of the reason why I could call her Mom, although I probably didn't do it very often.
Heh. I still remember the Ziggy cartoon that was taped up in the kitchen. Ziggy was walking his pet duck and a construction worker was yelling, "Duck!" to which Ziggy replied, "Don't worry, he's friendly." Naturally, he didn't see the wrecking ball headed straight toward him.
***
The other friend's mom that was on that same level was David C's Mom. Now this jumps from First Grade to Junior Year of high school, but she was a parent that was not only there for all of David's friends, but just was the awesome of mom-hood.
While sleepovers were a thing of the past by the time I met Beverly C, she was "Mom" pretty much out the gate. Admittedly, part of this came from the fact that in high school we travelled in packs and I was late to joining this group, but while I wasn't spending the night, there were several dinners at David's house and it often was the meeting point where activites would begin.
Meals were a little more formal in high school, but that kitchen will always be remembered as a place where I was welcome as more than just one of Dack's friends. And Beverly really made it another home for me.
***
"But, Jon," you might ask, "Were there any extra Dad's in your childhood?"
The closest would be Peter Santi's father, Joseph. I really didn't spend a lot of time with him, but the one trip I took to EAA fly-in in Oshkosh just sticks in my head. I just felt a part of this family trip - although it was very much like a fishing trip with the guys, but without the beer - and the invite was very welcome.
And it kind of helps that the only other time I had been to the EAA fly-in was with my own father.
***
Alya and Marcus already have had sleepovers at several family member's houses without us, but family parents are not the same as friend's parents. I don't know if I would ever be referred to as "Dad", although I'm sure Sasha will be called "Mom" by some of the kids' friends. Whether it happens or not, I'll be fine with it.
But I had best figure out something, becuase "Mr. BSer" doesn't quite have the ring I'm looking for.
Be seeing you,
Jon
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Kicking the Diaper Habit
It's really funny, we've got Marcus on the potty training route, but both he and Alya still use sippy cups. It's like we're scared of letting them put milk or juice on the carpet, but pee and poo? No problem!
For those of you who do not see the kids, they have moved from cute little ones, to cute, active, often defiant, not-quite-so-little ones. Alya is nearly at the height where she is not supposed to play at the Bayshore kids area anymore. Mind, we were there tonight and saw an 8 year old (at least) hanging out with his little brother on the equipment. Such is life in America.
Anyway, the two of them are getting really good at not listening/following directions these days. Marcus prefers straight up defiance, "I don't like that!" while Alya attempts to make a deal or deflect what you asked her to do.
"Alya, go potty before bed."
"But you told me to pick out pj's."
"And you did that, now go potty before putting them on."
"But you told me to pick out pj's." [different, slightly whiny-er inflection]
[sigh]
But it's amazing how funny they can be as well.
Tonight we ate at Potbelly, and neither of them liked their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - because they were too messy. As soon as I wrapped them up in a napkin for holding purposes, they were okay. But we were going through napkins like crazy. So when I handed one to Alya for her messy hands, she took it and draped it over her head! No good reason, just left it there as we all laughed. She is a goof.
Meanwhile, I had the "crazed parent" moment of the night. Marcus ate a quarter of his half a sandwich before a lump of peanut butter derailed his interest. Since Potbelly does sundaes, they have bananas right there in the store. So I took them both up to the counter to get one for them. Well, it was just one guy back there - manager or shift lead - and the other two where outta sight, so we were waiting. And waiting. And the kids were getting antsy. So when I could grab his attention, I just said, "I need a banana for the kids." and held out my card. (Yeah, I'm one of those no-cash-having kind of guys.) He said it was 53 cents and minimum was a dollar. So I stated I had no cash (like a North Shore jerk) and started walking away. He called out, just take one on me. So I did.
Three minutes later, once Marcus was eating said banana.
([crack! Peel-peel-peel. pass to Marcus] "I want to peel it!" [mentally curse for forgetting he peels his own and attempt to fool him that I resealed it] [succeed in fooling 2-year-old son])
I realized we had been carrying Marcus's Spider-man lunch box with us. The one that was filled will all the coins from a mini-change jar. Probably only three or four bucks in there, but that's plenty for a 53 cent banana.
So we went back to the guy, thanked him for the free banana, and then had Marcus pay for it since his lunchbox held the cash after all.
Anyway, I'm off to play a little video games before bed.
Be seeing you,
Jon
For those of you who do not see the kids, they have moved from cute little ones, to cute, active, often defiant, not-quite-so-little ones. Alya is nearly at the height where she is not supposed to play at the Bayshore kids area anymore. Mind, we were there tonight and saw an 8 year old (at least) hanging out with his little brother on the equipment. Such is life in America.
Anyway, the two of them are getting really good at not listening/following directions these days. Marcus prefers straight up defiance, "I don't like that!" while Alya attempts to make a deal or deflect what you asked her to do.
"Alya, go potty before bed."
"But you told me to pick out pj's."
"And you did that, now go potty before putting them on."
"But you told me to pick out pj's." [different, slightly whiny-er inflection]
[sigh]
But it's amazing how funny they can be as well.
Tonight we ate at Potbelly, and neither of them liked their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - because they were too messy. As soon as I wrapped them up in a napkin for holding purposes, they were okay. But we were going through napkins like crazy. So when I handed one to Alya for her messy hands, she took it and draped it over her head! No good reason, just left it there as we all laughed. She is a goof.
Meanwhile, I had the "crazed parent" moment of the night. Marcus ate a quarter of his half a sandwich before a lump of peanut butter derailed his interest. Since Potbelly does sundaes, they have bananas right there in the store. So I took them both up to the counter to get one for them. Well, it was just one guy back there - manager or shift lead - and the other two where outta sight, so we were waiting. And waiting. And the kids were getting antsy. So when I could grab his attention, I just said, "I need a banana for the kids." and held out my card. (Yeah, I'm one of those no-cash-having kind of guys.) He said it was 53 cents and minimum was a dollar. So I stated I had no cash (like a North Shore jerk) and started walking away. He called out, just take one on me. So I did.
Three minutes later, once Marcus was eating said banana.
([crack! Peel-peel-peel. pass to Marcus] "I want to peel it!" [mentally curse for forgetting he peels his own and attempt to fool him that I resealed it] [succeed in fooling 2-year-old son])
I realized we had been carrying Marcus's Spider-man lunch box with us. The one that was filled will all the coins from a mini-change jar. Probably only three or four bucks in there, but that's plenty for a 53 cent banana.
So we went back to the guy, thanked him for the free banana, and then had Marcus pay for it since his lunchbox held the cash after all.
Anyway, I'm off to play a little video games before bed.
Be seeing you,
Jon
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