Archive for October, 2008
This was not what Johnathan’s Hip Hop dance recital was intended to be, but the kids did a great job improvising at the last minute with a different teacher and new music. His “girlfriend” Paloma is on the far right. I was sad that I couldn’t get her in the video the whole time, but I did get a nice snap shot of her after class.
The temperature has been so mild in the mornings that Johnathan was able to have a little park time following math class today. After I gave my “last minute” call, a boy plopped down next to him in the tree house he was sitting in. He looked about the same age as Djai, but was a little taller and a lot thicker. I silently prayed he wasn’t a little bully. Johnathan, who doesn’t seem to differentiate between inner monologue and speaking out loud jumped up and spilled the words, “OH, that boy is kinda big.” My mouth opened, ready to chide him for the potentially hurtful observation he announced. But before I could get to it the boy blurted out, “I weigh seventy-two pounds!” As you could imagine, this caught me off guard, and I allowed myself a little giggle. John’s eyes widened with surprise and looked genuinely impressed when he responded, “Oh ho! Wow! You are a big boy!” He offered an amused smile, but still climbed down from the tree house, forfeiting his last minute.
Johnathan made pumpkin shapes out of bread for french toast to serve to his friends last week. I think the kids had a good time. It was such a laugh trying to get a picture of all of them looking at the camera in unison that I decided to post all of them. 
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the breakfast that Djai helped prepare!
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My father has been boasting of his home grown pumpkin patch for some time now, and Aunt Jeannie planned a carving party for all the kiddies. It is a beautiful little patch with green little pumpkins-to-be, but day of the party there was no orange to be found. They decided to continue with the festivities anyway, and strategically placed store bought pumpkins all around. “Wow! The pumpkins grew!” Johnathan shouted when he looked outside. Never mind that the PLU stickers were still in place. It was a fun day, with lots of energy and good company!
Interesting article on nytimes.com
Infant deaths in the United States declined 2 percent in 2006, government researchers reported Wednesday, but the rate still remains well above that of most industrialized countries and is one of many indicators suggesting that Americans pay more but get less from their health care system.
An appropriate day to post, as October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. (remember to light a candle tonight at 7pm)