At BTF Stuff Today

Alicia and I were singing "There's a hole in the bucket", with me being Henry and Alicia being Liza, and we had only got up to the straw. When Joab started saying very loudly, "God, WHY? Please God, make them stop!"
It only made the song funnier.


Alicia wanted to put the props in the boys' storeroom. According to Joab there was no space. Sean said that they would just Harry Potter it in. At which Joab said, "Who?" And Alicia said, "Have you being living under a rock?" And then he realised just what he said.


Kallie has gone to visit her family. I am desolate without her. I was at the prop meeting and I told everyone. And then I started singing "She's gone and left me, she's gone and left me, she's gone and left me in sorrow to mourn." Which is from once I had a sweetheart, for those of you who don't listen to good music. (That would be Celtic/folk music.)


"Look there's a Humozine (car may not be what they actually said)!" said Sean.
"Cool!" said Lionel.
"You're regreting sitting in front seat now," said Joab. (I sit in the front seat most of the time so I can hear people).
"What's a Humozine?" I said.
The boys explained it to me. I nodded wisely, and then repeated my question, "What's a Humozine."


I was sitting at the prayer meeting, and looked at Chiann, and said, "It's my birthday tomorrow."
"I know. What do you want?"
I told her, then turned to Amy and said, "It's my birthday tomorrow."
I told everyone.


"I'm getting old." I said.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-four."
"So you don't want to be reminded of it, if you're getting old," said Robbie (Aussie church Robbie). "Or to be given any presents. Because it'll only remind you of how old you are getting."
"Oh no," I said. "Presents are very consoling. So is chocolate."

WFMW - Music for the day

Most people want their kids to be musical, or at least to appreciate music. The thing is most people aren't musical.

Me, I'm not actually musical, though everyone assumes I am. That's because I sing well, and am not shy about it. But I can't read music, or play any instruments, and my musical knowledge is rather less than I would like.

So how can we get music into our kids?

At kinder I put on a CD every day. I'm the first teacher in my room, I choose the CD. It's usually classical, but occasionally a Celtic or kids CD. And I press play. And then I press the repeat button, and the music plays, mostly in the background, all day.

It really helps the kids 'tune in' and keep calm, and it means that the kids (and me) begin to recognise pieces. One of the kids always chooses the same Mozart CD whenever he is given the choice.

So that's it. I press repeat. It's easy as anything and it Works For Me!

Book Review

Another quick review. I finished The God of Small Things. This is a FICTION book everyone. It won the booker prize. It is very well written, but I didn't like it. Not my sort of book. And not a book that is very moral. So don't go reading it thinking otherwise.

I've bookmooched it, and it's already been mooched. Which is nice.

Random Comments

So, yesterday Rebecca had told me off for how grumpy I was the Sunday before. How grumpy was I? According to one anonymous witness I was "a black hole of emotion". I think that means I was depressing.


At Ruth and Phil's wedding on Sunday, I was asked by a VERY MEAN BOY WHO READS THIS BLOG when I was getting married. Someone said afterwards, "You should have slapped him and said, 'Listen you friend of Job'" but honestly, would I do something like that? I wouldn't think of it. At least not the friend of Job bit.


And please do not ask me if I am ok. Reasons:
1. You just implied that I do not look ok
2. Chances are you will not / cannot do anything if I'm not
3. I find it greatly annoying when about 20 people IN THE SAME DAY ask me if I'm ok.
4. Believe me, when I'm not ok, you all will know about it.
5. You better be prepared to stand in the very long line to get me food. And as that was only one person (you managed to redeem yourself there, both from asking if I'm ok and from your earlier comment Joab)


My dress was a success. I had gone to a great deal of trouble eliminating all of the other dresses. I described my other dresses to anyone who would listen, which was only girls. Not even Keith or Joab would listen to all of the details on my other dresses. But I decided to wear my black Chinese dress. I thought wearing a red Chinese dress to someone else's wedding, a wedding filled with Chinese people, may look a little desperate, even for me.

Anyone Else?

So far only Kal is going to do a guest post for my birthday. Does anyone else want to do one? Hello? Is anybody there?

Pretty please? I want to know that you all think I'm pyschotic. Really I do! And I want you all to SHARE.

PS - I still like presents. :P

WFMW - Crocodile Grip

So, I know that my regular readers are all like, "How do I get my children to write and draw beautifully with the proper pencil grip?"

Okay, not a single one of you has ever thought that. Except maybe Rebecca, and only because she teaches. But one day you will have children (if only because I will nag you all until you do) and when that day comes, you will be so eager to see them write with a beautiful pencil grip.

So, how do you achieve this elusive thing of beauty?

Crocodile grip!

One of my mums taught me this. Her kid is autistic, and they use it at his school. You make your hand into a crocodile. Snap snap snap! Kids love this. Let the crocodile 'eat' the pencil. Help them wrap their fourth and pinky fingers to the side, so that the 'crocodile' is just the first two fingers and the thumb. Then let them write.

Whenever they forget (because they will) just remind them to use teh crocodile grip. And they will.

I even used it on Samuel. And for those of you who don't know Samuel, he's 2. And he can do it. He doesn't do it unless he's reminded, but as soon as he is, he does it. It works wonderfully for all my kinder darlings as well.

The crocodile grip. It Works For Me.

My Aphid Babies

Speaking of aphids, did you all notice my little aphid babies at the KFC Mothers' Day Concert. You know the ones I mean. The four blondes. Yes, us blondes are multiplying. There are now 6 of us, all girls.

And, I'd just like to say, they are EXACTLY like me. At the rehersal all five of us were dancing around, doing flips and cartwheels etc. I thought it was great. I also think that we tried Eleanor's patience.

That is why they are my little Aphid babies. Because apparently aphids reproduce by cloning themselves.

More Quick Reviews

Two more books have been read from my 888 challenge. Yes, I did not exactly finish them all within January. I still have 22 to read. However, I would like to point out that I am reading a whole lot of other books, especially as I can't even FIND all of my 888 challenge books since I moved. However, in reading a few others I occasionally come across one.

So, Billy Budd. It was okay, but I think it would have made a far better short story than novella. There was so many irrelevant details that really bogged it down. Yes, this is the author of Moby Dick I'm critizing. I don't expect you to agree with me, I'm just saying it how I see it.

Insect Ways was a rather odd read. It was in my Maths and Science section, but I could have used it (if only I had known) as a crossover for children's and short stories. It was basically a set of short stories of insects telling all about themselves (and their enemies and relatives) to a small child. The first 10 or so were lovely, and then it got a little old. Some of the later ones stood out - the Spider one was hilarious. Unfortunately I don't think that I can tell you much more about insects than I already knew. Except that lots of things eat aphids and that a lady who used to burn spiders had one explode in her eye and that it was treated with spider webs.

Update on my hand

You know how I blogged about my hand. Well, I first knocked it on Sunday. That would be Sunday the 4th. It was slowly getting better. Then, over a week later, I went to work, and Alana fell off her chair. Onto me. Onto my HAND.

The bone is apparently bruised, but not broken.

I have had over half of this week off since Monday.

That has been nice.

It is very hurting. And it is making me tired, because I keep waking up with it hurting. And that is making me a grump. Even more than usual, which is saing something.

On me being a grump, I shall have to share about the scones.

Jonathon made scones and left strict instructions on how to cook them for our CG. They didn't follow them. The scones were overcooked. I cried. Lots and lots. I was devestated. I sobbed and sobbed because the scones were burnt. It was about the most upsetting thing ever. It took Dhanny and Cass both about 15mins to calm me done.

Of course, it would have gone quicker if they had told me I was being silly and to stop crying. But they were too nice to do that.

I've blogged about being nice before. Don't do it.

Sesame Street

Me:

You Are Cookie Monster

Misunderstood as a primal monster, you're a true hedonist with a huge sweet tooth. You are usually feeling: Hungry. Cookies are preferred, but you'll eat anything if cookies aren't around. You are famous for: Your slightly crazy eyes and usual way of speaking How you life your life: In the moment. "Me want COOKIE!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Kal:

You Are Oscar the Grouch

Grumpy and grouchy, you aren't just pessimistic. You revel in your pessimism. You are usually feeling: Unhappy. Unless it's rainy outside, and even then you know the foul weather won't last. You are famous for: Being mean yet lovable. And you hate the lovable part. How you life your life: As a slob. But it's not repelling as many people as you'd like!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Yay!

The Duggars are expecting their 18th child. Yes, I know I've never met them, but I'm still excited! Who wouldn't be? (Other than pretty much all of you...)

18 kids is a lot. I hope they have more. And grandchildren sometime soon.

I love kids.

I Am A Show Off

I am a show off, and last night I got to show off. Jodie hasn't heard me sing before, she's always missed it. Well, she was home when I had CG, and she heard me sing. (Either that, or she had heard I sing, or something. Not the point.) So she asked me to sing. She requested Phantom, so I sang Think of Me.

I sing good.

Then I sang some more, some more from Phantom, then I DOn't Know how to Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar. I mentioned that I had been singing this a bit recently. Unfortunately at the bus stop. At full pitch. And my full pitch is LOUD. There was a guy who used to catch the bus opposite mine. He doesn't any more.

Afterwards Rebecca was like, "I think your voice is getting even better." She is right, my voice is maturing. Hopefully I'll actually develop a middle range. That would be nice. But in the mean time, I get to sing way too loud when people are trying to sleep (or catch buses) all with the admiring expressions of various people.

I love being a show off!

I'm not the only weirdo

So, on the way home, I bumped into Ivana, and Kal bumped into Justin. Ivana and I talked shop (Kinder / KFC) and Kal and Justin discussed me. (As you do.) They decided that I couldn't possibly have twenty kids all at once, because they couldn't work out what that would be called.

Of course, the fact that it is physically impossible even for someone with a perfect womb never quite entered their heads. Although they did work out that 20 kids would probably weigh more than me.

I'm allowed to have ten. Ten kids would apparently be called a ten-plate.

My Birthday

As I'm sure you all know (and will definitely know by the time the date occurs) the 1st of June is my birthday. I will be 24. I don't think I am having a party, but I could change my mind. But I have two things to say concerning this:

1. I would like a few people to do guest posts about me. They do a blog post which gets published here. You can say pretty much anything. Kal has already volunteered to do one, but I'm happy to have lots. Indeed, if everyone wants to do one that would be great! So leave a comment.

2. I like presents. I do. I like books especially. You can ask me for titles that I want (because I have an awful lot of books) or get me a gift voucher. I also like chocolate, and if you are poor at the moment you can get me a card. Heck, you can even MAKE me a card! I just like presents.

That's about it!

Rebecca on Boys and Make-Up

We were really surprised that Rebecca didn't freak over Joab's comment about make-up. She just said, "yeah, so?". She's always telling Kal that she shouldn't wear make-up (she obviously doesn't know that I wear make-up nearly every day).

Anyway, in the car we were discussing this. And Rebecca said, "Boys can wear make-up if they want."

"But you don't even like GIRLS to wear make-up!" Kal said.

"That's because girls are pretty."

I am a weirdo

And you know why. Because, having probably broken my finger, I've not only gone to work but picked up several kids at work, and had one kid hold my hand WITH the finger of doom (I was ready to kill her, but she was only 18 months) but I also type two blog posts.

Then I type another one to tell you all about my finger.

Again, I'm a weirdo.

Hey Joce

Do you want my ticket to My Fair Lady?

Let me know.

Sam

Ps Ian and Kids Lit

Is it just me, or is Ps Ian referencing children's literature in his sermons? Last week he repeatedly used the prase "the time has come", which immediately had me say:
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."

Although I thought it was whether fish have wings, not pigs.

This week Ps Ian referenced "I'm going on a bear hunt" with "you have to go THROUGH it" .

So we were getting our groceries (Reb, Kal and me) and I was talking about this. I demonstrated the "the time has come" aspect of it with Kal. Reb said we were crazy. "Besides," she said, "The time has come is in the Bible!"

"The Bible quotes from Alice?"

And Kal - it's looking glass Alice, not wonderland Alice. And just so everyone knows, the two Alice books were written for and about different Alices.

Assorted

Best Typo Ever:
This goes in the list along with me calling Joab Joan. "You may use preciously gathered sticks to pick up new sticks." For the rules of pick-up sticks for BTF.


Kallie and I:
Aidan was being carried about, and I was going "Aww, look at him, he's so chubby and cute!"
"Yeah, puppies are like that."
"But puppies have more fur."
"That makes them cuter."


Ian Song on make-up:
Me: "You know that one of your sheep wears make-up"
I: "Which one?"
Me: "There's more than one?!"
I: "I know which one. How much did you influence this?"
Me: "For once, I am relatively innocent."


Joab prove that he needs stronger glasses:
"You don't need foundation, your complexion is beautiful."
Well, he did scratch his car last night.


Kallie and I scheme evil schemes:
When first told about Joab's penchant for eyeliner, we were puzzled as to how it would look. So we spent half and hour googling Asian boys eyeliner, and found nothing. We plan to later set up a wiki-paedia page amending this sad, sad lack on the internet.

I am Disturbed

We had care group on Thursday, as we normally do. For a change, I was awake not only all through CG but even afterwards. So I stayed up and talked.

Jonathan has been coming to our CG, as he is a pre-working guy, with just a little bit of time left on his thesis. So he was over there, and he also stayed and talked, for reasons that Kal and I are suspicious of.

Well, in the conversation, he said to me, "Hey sexy, feed me some grapes."

I was disturbed. I also didn't feed him any grapes.

He also tried to convince me that the chicken nugget was really a prince in disguise, and that if only I'd kiss him (the chicken nugget! Not Jonathan!) he'd turn back into a prince. For some reason I didn't believe him.

On the bright side, I know that Jonathan in NO WAY LIKES ME. That's because, as I said, Kal and I have suspicions. And those suspicions in no way involve me.

Borders Voucher

25% off of any book. Undoubtably useful.

Kids on Beauty

So, I'm at work, and Jonty looks at me and declares, "Sam, I'm going to marry you!"

Alana shouts out, "No, because I'm going to marry Sam!"

"But I was going to!" said Millie.

I had to explain to them all that girls usually marry boys, so I couldn't marry either Alana or Millie. And Jonty, being even younger than Mikey (he's three), is out of the question too. Well, at least I'm beautiful to some people.


Speaking of beautiful, the girls like to comb my hair. They'll all wait in turn to have the honour of combing it (they also like to mess it up). Zoe was doing my hair, and Alana wanted to have a turn. So she said, "Why are to TAKING so long!"

Zoe looked at her and said, "I'm making Sam look beautiful."

Hmm... maybe I'm not so beautiful to everyone!

Kien on Make-Up

So, after Joab's comment on make-up, and our adaptation of it (which Rebecca was very worried about... she even made me and Kal worried about it!) we decided to get another male's perspective on make-up.

"Kien, do you wear make-up?"

Kien looked at us as though we were slightly crazy. Jocelyn was trying not to laugh, and Rebecca glared at us to try and get Kal or I to BE QUIET.

"That depends," he answered. "Does shampoo count as make-up?"

"No."

"Then no."

I think you're in a minority here Joab. Although I went to the girls' house to drop off some stuff before care group, and Jonathon had hairclips in his hair.