Friday October 3, 2008
This may come as a surprise to some of you, but the very first Olivia Newton-John film I saw was NOT Grease, it was in fact Xanadu-a film that I still love despite being sporadic, and cheesy. I used to put on my roller skates and skate around my driveway singing songs from the movie, or the other Olivia Newton-John song I loved, Physical (of course I had NO clue what that song was ACTUALLY about). My mom also recorded one of her concerts that was on HBO, and my friend Mandy and I would watch that thing over and over again, prancing around like back-up dancers. Needless to say I was a bit obsessed with miss Newton-John.
Why am I telling you all of this? Well when I was about 14 or so I found out that I share my Birthday with this childhood idol of mine, and you can probably imagine how cool I thought that was. Now as some of you may know last Friday (26th) was my Birthday, and therefore cause to also think about ON-J, which in turn takes me back to my childhood. So it's kind of cool that having a birthday means I am one year older but I also have a reminder of being young...which I thought a lot about this week.
I thought about being an oblivious kid growing up in Glendale-ERR-Poplar Grove, where we could sleep out on the trampoline, and walk to school, and ride our bikes to Seven-Eleven. Life was much simpler back then, when mom and dad handled everything and we didn't have a care in the world. BUT, even though I have MANY cares in the world now, and as the Birthdays and years will continue to float by, it's nice to know that every now and again I can take some ME time and sit down to watch this silly movie and instantly be back to having unmatched clothes, with a bad perm and not a care in the world.
That's Xanadu in and of itself!!
Ramblings of Childhood and My Birthday!
UTAH MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS!
September 24, 2008.JPG)
On Friday the 19th we took Natalie to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts to see the Monet to Picasso exibit that's on display. They gave us cool little telephone things that when you push the number that coordinates with the piece of art it tells you about that work. Brandon and I enjoyed ourselves, but five minutes into the exibit Natalie was done. We saw Brandon's cousin Julie who was working the exibit and she came and found us in the Picasso Room, and she told Natalie that Picasso painted a piece called Le Harem when he was in a happy mood, but he painted a piece called La Vie when he was in a sad mood.
Well Natalie had to know why he was in a sad mood, so Julie told her that Picasso's friend had died so he was very sad and only painted in blue. Natalie wanted to know how his friend died so Brandon took her over to the painting and read her the story of how Picasso's friend's Girlfriend rejected him so he killed himself. Needless to say, THAT is what Natalie remembers about the exibit, and she is still obsessed at HOW Picasso's friend killed himself which is a little morbid to me...and thank goodness we don't know that part of the story.
All in all it was so nice to see these peices of art that are amazing, and maybe I'm a little morbid myself because I was intrigued by a painting called The Dream by Salvador Dali it was twisted, strange, a little disturbing and definitely a surrealist painting...but as they say "true reality can be understood only through knowledge of the unconscious". I guess.
MISCHIEF MAKING AT ITS BEST!
Sept. 16, 2008
Well it is no surprise to me that Samuel is already crawling around and pulling himself up, considering he hasn't stopped moving since he was conceived (no wonder the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck). He is doing that cute thing that babies do when they are crawling toward something that is OFF LIMITS and they turn around to see who's looking, then when mom or dad say "NO" they take off as fast as they can, giggling all the way. It's so stinkin' cute! Of course with crawling around there comes the usual mischief making...which Sam has gotten down to an art. I caught him today climbing onto the couch (the cushions are off because they are blocking the T.V. hmmm). He saw that toy and was determined to get it...which he did. Ahhh the joys of being an infant. See something you want? You either cry and someone gives it to you, or, if you have the ability, go and get it yourself.
Now if he only slept as good as he gets into trouble I wouldn't have to chase him around in "Zombie mode".
GO BEARS!
September 7, 2008
There comes a time in every boys life when he watches the very first football game of the team in which he is bound to worship for the rest of his life (by force if necessary). Today was that day for Samuel.
The Bears played the Colts tonight, and Sam wore his ginormous Jersey just like dad, and although he mostly crawled around the floor more interested in the TV Remote than the TV, we knew that in his heart he was cheering for the Bears!
Considering that Samuel's bedroom is a shrine to his dad's favorite team, I'm pretty sure that my baby is destined to grow up spending his Sunday's in Blue and Orange (after church of course).
P.S.
The Bears totally won the Game-now why couldn't they do that when they played the Colts in the Superbowl?
SCHULTUTE! (SHOOL-too-tah)
August 25, 2008
This paper cone is a tradition in Germany and marks the transition into first grade. Parents fill the cone with school supplies and treats and present the gifts to their children who take them on the first day of school. At the end of the school day the children get to open them and see what gifts they've received.
My Oma (Natalie's Omi) has a photo of the day she received her Shultute, and I love traditions, so I decided that I wanted Natalie to, not only have something fun for her first day of school, but also learn about this fun tradition that her German ancestors have done.
Natalie didn't take her Shultute to school with her, she opened it in the morning, as excited as any 6 year old would be to see a giant decorated cone waiting for her.
Whether a German girl in the 1930's or and American girl in the new millennium, what a fun way to bring two worlds and old traditions alive.
MEGAN & RYAN
August 24, 2008
My cousin Megan was Married yesterday and it was another fun-filled event that definitely ended the Summer on a good note (I know summer's not over just yet). Megan married a great guy named Ryan who is really sweet and genuine, and seems like a lot of fun-can't wait to see how he handles "the Germans". They were Married at a place called Aspen Landing, which is an event hall that seems like it's hidden away from the outside world. The marriage took place outside on the gorgeous grounds, and the words of the ceremony were beautiful, just like my cousin-as you can see.
Congrats Megan and Ryan, we are so happy for you and wish you all the best!
SAYING GOODBYE TO SUMMER!
August 22, 2008
As the Summer is dwindling down and Autumn is fast approaching I have to stop and step outside of my "SWEET! All day school." excitement to remember what it's like to be a kid who feels as if they are losing their freedom to the dreaded Elementary School. I've been trying to think back to what that's like, long enough to take Natalie out this week, and let her experience the last remaining joys of Summer Vacation. We went to the Davis County Fair, where she got to pet goats and pigs and even a lama. She held a tarantula, made giant bubbles, ate snow-cones and rode on rides at the carnival-the ultimate FAIR experience, complete with stereotypical Carnies.
She went to Lagoon-A-Beach and swam for hours, went to the park and played for hours. She rode her bike and scooter around the neighborhood till sunset. Bought Orange-Lemonade from the boys in the ward. Had a final "weekday" sleep-over. And...my favorite activity... made button accessories to wear with all of her first grade outfits!
I can't believe she is about to start First Grade. It doesn't make me feel old, it just makes me remember WAY back when to that innocent time when I was six and about to embark on my own "All Day School" journey! I try to tell her how much fun I had growing up, and all the good memories I made in Grade School and High School (Who wants to remember Jr. High) and I hope she makes her own lasting memories of the school years she has to come...even Jr. High, I guess!
Anyway, so I'll raise a glass of Orange-Lemonade in honor of Summer Vacations everywhere, and to kids who's endless laughter, and sun-kissed smiles, tickle me to see!
