Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
A tale of a frog
I imagine Frog is the missing character in Toy Story. When Mitch left him behind in the TECO Theater bathroom last week, post Grog performance, I suspect that he woke up and ran to the bathroom door, pounding on it and screaming at the top of his froggie lungs, "WAIT!! COME BACK!!!" and then sobbing a la Woody and hoping his beloved Mitchell or Mitchell's Mom would return for him.
Well Mitchell's mom dove through hoops to find him, that is for sure. Upon the realization that Frog was MIA, my brain ran through the morning's activities, quickly retracing steps. He had Frog during the performance and afterward. We went to the bathroom hoping to find a changing table but alas, there was none. I did, however, do my business and...that was the last time I saw Frog. He must be there!
I scampered over to the theater only to find it locked. My mind raced - Mo. She is the Director of Operations and I know her well. If I could find her, I'd be able to get into the theater and rescue Frog. Before I spotted Mo, I found an usher and explained my predicament, asking if there might be any way she could let me in the theater. Sure, she said. Follow me. And back we went.
I held my breath as I opened the door to the ladies room. What if? I was only 90% certain he was there...what would I do? What would I tell Mitch when he finally realized Frog was gone and said, "No, mommy...other frog!" as he often does (he has two frogs, this one being his favorite). This is my baby's favorite stuffed toy...favorite toy hands down. I couldn't bare the thought of Frog being lost forever...lost somewhere in Tampa. I love Frog too.
I gingerly opened the door to the stall and at first I didn't see anything to my left. Then, a quick glance to my right and there was Frog. On the ground but there. Dirty but there. I scooped up the little bundle of love and gave it a hug and carried it proudly out the door, thanking Usher Katherine the rest of the walk back to IPAY headquarters. I had missed a showcase performance and desperately needed coffee but they were worth sacrificing - for Mitch and for Frog.
Frog was washed up that afternoon at cousin Amy's house and restored to his grandeur.
There were a few more moments of panic over frog's whereabouts as the vacation went on but thankfully, he ventured no further than a few feet away and no more potty breaks.
Here's a cameo of the little guy. Man's Frog. Who knew a baby shower gift would be his love?
Well Mitchell's mom dove through hoops to find him, that is for sure. Upon the realization that Frog was MIA, my brain ran through the morning's activities, quickly retracing steps. He had Frog during the performance and afterward. We went to the bathroom hoping to find a changing table but alas, there was none. I did, however, do my business and...that was the last time I saw Frog. He must be there!
I scampered over to the theater only to find it locked. My mind raced - Mo. She is the Director of Operations and I know her well. If I could find her, I'd be able to get into the theater and rescue Frog. Before I spotted Mo, I found an usher and explained my predicament, asking if there might be any way she could let me in the theater. Sure, she said. Follow me. And back we went.
I held my breath as I opened the door to the ladies room. What if? I was only 90% certain he was there...what would I do? What would I tell Mitch when he finally realized Frog was gone and said, "No, mommy...other frog!" as he often does (he has two frogs, this one being his favorite). This is my baby's favorite stuffed toy...favorite toy hands down. I couldn't bare the thought of Frog being lost forever...lost somewhere in Tampa. I love Frog too.
I gingerly opened the door to the stall and at first I didn't see anything to my left. Then, a quick glance to my right and there was Frog. On the ground but there. Dirty but there. I scooped up the little bundle of love and gave it a hug and carried it proudly out the door, thanking Usher Katherine the rest of the walk back to IPAY headquarters. I had missed a showcase performance and desperately needed coffee but they were worth sacrificing - for Mitch and for Frog.
Frog was washed up that afternoon at cousin Amy's house and restored to his grandeur.
There were a few more moments of panic over frog's whereabouts as the vacation went on but thankfully, he ventured no further than a few feet away and no more potty breaks.
Here's a cameo of the little guy. Man's Frog. Who knew a baby shower gift would be his love?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tampa for IPAY
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Traveling Cunundrums
There's really no way to vent about this without sounding like a complete snob but I'll try anyway...
I or perhaps, we (my husband and I) are at a point in our lives where certain things matter to us. For example, traveling. I'm the planner in the relationship for sure, but roles aside, the bottom line is, we know what are must-haves: A decent hotel or house, a pool, some culture, some boutiques, some interesting things to do/see nearby, wifi, a massage place, and if we bring the boy, some kid friendly places too.
I say this because we're realizing that at some point in the past 5-7 years, what we did then and what we do/want now with friends has changed. Once we were all in similar boats and certain situations were completely fine. Factor in kids and some of those luxuries I mentioned above and suddenly it makes more sense to just do our own thing. Because well, we're not cutting THOSE corners.
Regardless of others' financial situations, let's face it -- some people just have totally different priorities. Some are just spendthrifts. That's fine. I'm not going to tell you how and where to spend your hard earned cash, or what's important to you. But I'm starting to have issues with those folks that almost never can nor want to go out once in a while...or drive somewhere...or do something that doesn't always involve me coming to them so they can save a buck or not be inconvenienced. I admit if I care enough, I can suck it up. For a good while.
But when is enough enough? When do you say - I have standards (or priorities), they are higher (or different) than yours and I'm not sacrificing just so you get what you want, again, or because to make something within your budget?
See, this is what I mean about seeming like a snob. Around friends and family you love. And if we want something bad enough, do we pony up the extra cash? Do we keep doing what we're doing, feeling like we do it all? That the proverbial street is one way? Certainly there are intrinsic benefits I'm not accounting for but still...you do like to know that you matter just as much to others that they are willing to contribute once in a while.
Sigh.
I or perhaps, we (my husband and I) are at a point in our lives where certain things matter to us. For example, traveling. I'm the planner in the relationship for sure, but roles aside, the bottom line is, we know what are must-haves: A decent hotel or house, a pool, some culture, some boutiques, some interesting things to do/see nearby, wifi, a massage place, and if we bring the boy, some kid friendly places too.
I say this because we're realizing that at some point in the past 5-7 years, what we did then and what we do/want now with friends has changed. Once we were all in similar boats and certain situations were completely fine. Factor in kids and some of those luxuries I mentioned above and suddenly it makes more sense to just do our own thing. Because well, we're not cutting THOSE corners.
Regardless of others' financial situations, let's face it -- some people just have totally different priorities. Some are just spendthrifts. That's fine. I'm not going to tell you how and where to spend your hard earned cash, or what's important to you. But I'm starting to have issues with those folks that almost never can nor want to go out once in a while...or drive somewhere...or do something that doesn't always involve me coming to them so they can save a buck or not be inconvenienced. I admit if I care enough, I can suck it up. For a good while.
But when is enough enough? When do you say - I have standards (or priorities), they are higher (or different) than yours and I'm not sacrificing just so you get what you want, again, or because to make something within your budget?
See, this is what I mean about seeming like a snob. Around friends and family you love. And if we want something bad enough, do we pony up the extra cash? Do we keep doing what we're doing, feeling like we do it all? That the proverbial street is one way? Certainly there are intrinsic benefits I'm not accounting for but still...you do like to know that you matter just as much to others that they are willing to contribute once in a while.
Sigh.
Grandpop Bonanni
My late grandfather passed away in January 1992 and to celebrate what I think will be his 85th birthday tomorrow - January 13 - I'm collecting stories, memories and photos from my family today.
Here are some of my memories:
Duck Pond
Pennies from the jar
He was one of a handful of people that wrote out my full name
Tons of kiddie movies on his Beta VHS - Chip & Dale, Bugs Bunny, lots of Disney
Rope swing at Malaga
That NY had the best pizza ever -- still no denying that!
Round Ball Round Ball
Penny Poker - compliments of John
The rainbow that spread clear across the sky at his funeral
Christmas at Wannamaker
Coming to my First Communion (in NY) and the beautiful doll he and Grandmom gave me as a gift. The $50 gift that then went toward my pink Huffy bike.
Genesis' Follow You, Follow Me
It's also uncanny that at times my son is the spitting image of him ;)
Here are some of my memories:
Duck Pond
Pennies from the jar
He was one of a handful of people that wrote out my full name
Tons of kiddie movies on his Beta VHS - Chip & Dale, Bugs Bunny, lots of Disney
Rope swing at Malaga
That NY had the best pizza ever -- still no denying that!
Round Ball Round Ball
Penny Poker - compliments of John
The rainbow that spread clear across the sky at his funeral
Christmas at Wannamaker
Coming to my First Communion (in NY) and the beautiful doll he and Grandmom gave me as a gift. The $50 gift that then went toward my pink Huffy bike.
Genesis' Follow You, Follow Me
It's also uncanny that at times my son is the spitting image of him ;)
Thursday, January 06, 2011
After Dentist Treat
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Prayer Time
I started Prayer Time with my son back in August, right as I finished up a week of leading service learning. A combination of being immersed in prayer and reflection that week and wanting to introduce him to simple gratitude prompted doing so at bedtime. Now he asks for it. "Mommy? Name fadder son amen?" I have on a few accounts tried to slip out of the room sans prayer to cut the bedtime routine down but alas, he does not let me! It's a good thing, I know and I'm glad he does like it and considers part of the routine.
I wish I could find some appropriate prayers to say with children. I imagine the concept of prayer is a tough one for a 2.5 year old to grasp. I have often asked him for whom we should pray or for what is he grateful. I get myriad of answers: Grandpop, Johnny, David, the red shirt, trains. I try to take the toys and turn them into being thankful for little things and being in a place to have and share things that so many others do not have. And to pray for the less fortunate. I try to talk about his day and mention the really great parts. But it's definitely a list.
My biggest frustration though is that so often he talks right through prayer time. I find myself shhing him! I'm trying to teach him it's a time of quiet and reflection. Again, esoteric concepts to a toddler. Truthfully, selfishly, it's also my time too to pray. Sometimes I throw in a thought about my day or business or a situation. I get a little annoyed when I'm thinking of how to phrase something so he understands...and he's interrupting talking about his sippy cup, the frog, his blanket, or his tag.
All that said, I am glad we make the time and have it together. I'm sure as he grows, the prayer will too. Like anything, I have to have a little faith. Be OK with where we are as mom and son and know it's good that we do make the time to pray and thank God for our blessings.
I wish I could find some appropriate prayers to say with children. I imagine the concept of prayer is a tough one for a 2.5 year old to grasp. I have often asked him for whom we should pray or for what is he grateful. I get myriad of answers: Grandpop, Johnny, David, the red shirt, trains. I try to take the toys and turn them into being thankful for little things and being in a place to have and share things that so many others do not have. And to pray for the less fortunate. I try to talk about his day and mention the really great parts. But it's definitely a list.
My biggest frustration though is that so often he talks right through prayer time. I find myself shhing him! I'm trying to teach him it's a time of quiet and reflection. Again, esoteric concepts to a toddler. Truthfully, selfishly, it's also my time too to pray. Sometimes I throw in a thought about my day or business or a situation. I get a little annoyed when I'm thinking of how to phrase something so he understands...and he's interrupting talking about his sippy cup, the frog, his blanket, or his tag.
All that said, I am glad we make the time and have it together. I'm sure as he grows, the prayer will too. Like anything, I have to have a little faith. Be OK with where we are as mom and son and know it's good that we do make the time to pray and thank God for our blessings.
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