Here's my boy fulfilling a month's long wish to go fishing. Tim's parents have a river at the bottom of their property and Jackson got to fish while we were there. Apparently there were a couple of really large fish that glanced up at the boys and snickered. Jackson's suggestion to Tim's dad of, "Papa, just go in there and get him!" didn't fly.
As they say, the only things biting were the mosquitos, a very true saying in June in Ontario.
This is Tenty. You know, like "tentacle". Another four-almost-five-year-old-name by Jackson. I designed him to be like a big pillow with flat arms and legs that can double as ties so he can be tied to chairs when someone needs a little boost.
I also wanted him to be big enough so that he can be used as a pillow. He is quite good to hug.
Originally, I set out to make him a monkey but the giant square head doesn't really read chimp so much as Spongebob Squarepants knock off.
I stuffed his hands and feet to give some weight to his limbs and it was surprisingly successful. One note about this project was it took a LOT of polyfill. About a bag and a half which, okay, isn't a ton, but I'm used to getting several creatures out of one bag so this was a surprise.
I am in the middle of making one for Natasha but after watching Jackson sleep with this guy in his bed, I have to admit to mother paranoia that the arms or legs are too long and will end up strangling him. Maybe I'll make a no-tentys-in-the-bed rule. Or something.
Treehouse is my favourite childrens' TV channel because besides having small-child-friendly, innocuous programming, it doesn't have any commercials. As we approach 5, however, Jackson has eschewed Little Bear and Franklin in favour of shows with more karate, super heroes or both. Unfortunately, the channel playing these shows comes with a full supply of advertising.
This morning at breakfast, despite the absence of any TV before or during, we had the following exchange:
Jackson: Mom, you should use Mr. Clean [something or other] Wipes.
Me: I should, should I? Why?
Jackson: Because they're strong. And they're tough like a towel. And they even pick up grease!
Wow. It's been over a month since I last posted. Bad blog owner. I have just not had the energy to write, although lots has happened. Jackson and I went to kindergarten orientation, Natasha turned two, and we took a family trip to Ontario where we got to ride rollercoasters. I am working lots and trying to squeeze in time to do some of my own projects. I am hoping to have one to show later this week.
Let's continue the timeline. Someday I'll collect it all and use it as an about page.
1983 - Sixth grade. I am in a split class of grade 5's and grade 6's. There are only 6 grade six's and it is blatantly apparent that this class was created to prevent me from having to be taught by my father all year long. I cut off all my hair and get a nasty perm. The beginning of several years of rotten hairstyles.
1984 - Seventh grade. I have a tragically boring teacher. He likes to read out loud to us, which I can't stand, so I read ahead under my desk and ignore him. He continually eliminates our art class for "more science" and I decide he is the Worst Ever. His organizational issues should not be my problem. My longtime friend's dad gets transferred to the coast (he is RCMP). I am sad she is leaving but partly glad as she is stifling in her possessiveness of her friends. In hindsight, she is a huge bully.
1985 - Eighth grade. We leave elementary school and go to Junior High. My bad hair continues. I learn to play field hockey and do very well at basketball.
Wow. I am officially bored here, aren't you? Maybe I'll return to this later. Maybe I won't. Maybe I'll post pics of my kids instead. Oh the decision. The DELETE POST button is looming large here, I think I'd better just hurry up and publish.
1972 - I am born! My mom has never held an infant until my arrival. My parents put out a baby announcement spelling my name "Lindsey". They are told this is the boy spelling so they pull out the "d".
1973 - I travel to England with my parents to see my maternal grandparents. I have humongous cloth diapers and a penchant for sticking out my bum while smelling flowers. My dad walks Hadrian's Wall with me in a backpack.
1974 - My brother is born. I go with dad to see him in the hospital. As he gets older he is fed with a bottle but my repeated requests to be the one to give it to him go rejected.
1975 - My mom has knee surgery and ends up in a cast from ankle to mid-thigh. We all get to sign it. Dad signs my brother's name, "KENT", with a green Jiffy marker. To combat the endless boredom of not having full mobility, my mom teaches me to read.
1976 - I meet my friend, Jen. Twenty-five years later she will be my maid of honour at my wedding. Right now, I have to pass a house with a toy poodle to play with her. The dog always barks. I always run home.
1977 - Kindergarten! One day the teacher gives me a piece of paper and asks me if I can read what's on it. Of course I can. Can't we all? I am surprised to learn the other kids can't read yet. I am immediately chosen as narrator for our class performance in the school play. I am disappointed I can't be like the other kids and wear chicken masks made of newspaper and yellow paint.
1978 - First grade. Welcome to structure. Now we all sit in desks. I am told I am a "good drawer". Repeatedly asked to "draw me a ..." by the other kids. We learn to tell time. I can NOT get it. I have to have special lessons to finally understand.
1979 - Second grade. I am in a "split-class" with grade threes. My teacher is a psycho but I don't know this yet. She is a good artist and teaches us to paint landscapes. She shows me how to draw braids in hair. I decide she is my favourite teacher ever. In gym class we do a "fitness tape" which involves choreographed aerobics moves to the same handful of songs.
1980 - Third grade. I have the same teacher again. This year I don't like her so much. I am too young to figure out why (craaaaaaaazy) but chalk it up to she is simply not all that nice after all. She has a couple of favourite students who are small and adorable. I am neither of these. In gym we continue to do the fitness tape. This summer while camping in the Rockies, my family and I will hike up to a glacier. I barely break a sweat. My parents comment to each other that I am "in good condition".
1981 - Fourth grade. My friend Nicole and I invent an elaborate world that exists on another planet. We build a fort in the field behind my parents' house and ride a multitude of imaginary horses that we describe to each other in detail. My favourite is a black horse named Midnight Star. Later in the year the field will be bulldozed and I will cry as our castle is destroyed.
1982 - Fifth grade. I am in a class with a teacher that doesn't care if we chat or talk back to him. He likes to ask students, "Would you like a kiss?" and then offer them a Hershey's chocolate kiss from his desk drawer. Someone brings in "The Eye of the Tiger" and we play it continually during art class.
to be continued...
