Daily Archive for August 20th, 2004

Retro Kiddos

\"\" On July 29th I took the kids to see my favorite local live band, The Retros , and 80\’s cover band. They did an afternoon concert in Bellevue. We went with my sis-in-law, nephew, 2 of my friends and thier 3 kids. It was a warm and beautiful day. The court yard had a water fountain (of sorts) that kept us all cool and kept the kids from running into the traffic! In the picture (taken by The Retros, and located on their site), Joel and Cole seem to be focused on the entertainment, while Olivia has other things on her mind. There were funnier dancing moments, but I thought it was neat that the cousins are all picutred together….

The last night we were in Minnesota we went to dinner with my Dad\’s family. Olivia wandered about singing, \”Love Shack, Baby, Love Shack…\” and finished with, \”We Got the Beat\”. I love 80\’s music. The Retros give me a live taste of this music. When I cook, when I clean I usually play my 80\’s tunes. My kids know this music., and it seems they know it a little too well. My aunt said, \”She\’s singing roller rink music!\” That\’s my influence, and yep, I\’m so hip… Couples skate anyone???

My Daughter, The Flower Girl

Or as she called herself, \”Pincess Fower Pincess\”. We found her dress about 6 weeks before the wedding. The shoes were bought 2 weeks prior. My daughter, lover of dresses and all things \”princess\” couldn\’t wait to wear both. When the hour arrived, and she was in heaven!

We put on her \”Pincess Fower Pincess\” and shoes, and she was off - showing off! \”Look at me!\” Twirl, twirl, twirl. Bummer - no picture to post!

The hours passed, and the time came to fulfill her duty as flower girl… sprinkle the aisle with purple rose petals. Joel and Livi were to walk together. They stood in their places at the opened double doors. Que the kids. Livi took to huge fistfulls of petals and threw them, while standing at the entrance. Joel walked on, just as he practiced. I whisper/yell, \”Livi, walk and throw — walk and throw!\” She begins to walk and throw. She stops and throws, and then continues a short distance.

It was in evitable. I feel like a sportscaster reporting how the game could have been won… it was all in the throw. It came down to the even spacing, pacing and distributing of the petals. It\’s all fuzzy now, but I know she didn\’t make it all the way down the aisle. Midway, she turned, looked at me and said, \”I meed more fowers!\” At that point she picked up some of the flowers she had thrown, put them in her basket, and started back down the aisle. The recovered petals didn\’t last long. She turnd again and told me again (I was crouched behind the last pew, poking my head out to coax her along), \”I meed more fowers!!!\” By that time, the double doors had been closed and the bride\’s music had begun.

I had a decision to make. It had to be fast. Quick thinking is not my forte, but I had to put that aside… a wedding was in jeopardy! My options: fight with Livi, coaxing her down the aisle — knowing she would not go easily without her flowers to throw; OR grab her, go to our seat and give her her Tootsie Pop. I tried one more time to have her go to her brother, but the missing petals proved too much of a hang-up. I sneaked down to where she was picking up more petals, and scooped her up. I was able to whisk her to our seat with little noise and distraction, um, except for the opening of the Tootsie Pop:)

All in all, she did a terrific job. Kids are literal, and her job was flower throwing. She held up her end of the deal!

My Son, The Ring Bearer

It helps that Joel loves to play dress-up. Putting on a tie and shiny shoes was a snap. The tux he wore was the same that the groom wore. I think the slippery and shiny shoes were his favorite.

Perhaps we prepped him a little too much. His pillow had 2 fake rings tied to it - not the real ones. He was a bit upset at first when he realized they weren\’t going to use the rings from his pillow, but it all eventually worked out.

On rehearsal night, it was decided that he would not be part of the recessional. The pastor didn\’t make it clear when he was to come sit, and I didn\’t ask. Of course, during the wedding, we didn\’t know when he would come sit with us. Joel could have sat at any point. He knew a Tootsie Pop was waiting.

From where I sat, I couldn\’t see him very well. He stood in place for probably 45 minutes - stood in place for 45 minutes! I was told he spent much of the time looking at his reflection in his shiny shoes. That\’s my boy! He finally turned, caught my eye and mouthed, \”Can I sit down now?\” Sure thing buddy - and the Tootsie Pop was waiting! I wish I had a picture to post!

A Wedding Triathlon

I got to do my first triathlon in 2001 and the second in 2003. It has been my hope to make it an annual thing, however, things come up! I knew a number of months ago I would be trading my 2004 experience for my cousin H\’s wedding in Minnesota. As it turns out, with this surprise pregnancy, I would not have been able to do it anyway! I suppose I probably could have (if I kept my heart rate in check), but I have been so ridiculously tired! I have not been able to exercise even once a week, let alone train like I would have wanted to. I will put it on my goals list for next year, and hope for the best!

Saturday the 14th was the day of the wedding, and Sunday, August 15th was the day of the Seattle Danskin Tri. As life would have it, I feel I experienced my own sort of triathlon as pregnant mother of the 5 year old ring bearer and 2 year old flower girl. Somehow, we managed to keep the kids clean from noon to the start of the reception at 6! The kids never threw a tantrum or created a scene! I can\’t say as much for me! At one point it looked like eating food was going to be in the far future, and I needed it NOW. I cried to my Mommy. Ah, the proud moments of life…. As for Joel and Olivia, they did so well that once the ketchup came out for the kids\’ chicken nuggets, I wouldn\’t have minded if they wanted to bathe in it!

I just need to add… H and A (the bride and groom) planned an awesome wedding and reception! At the reseption, they had the best food to eat, but knew the kids wouldn\’t appreciate the cuisine. To our surprise and wonder, the servers brought the kids dishes of fruit instead of salad, and chicken nuggets and fries instead of the adult meal (savory chicken, feta, roasted potatoes….). pretty cool:)