Questionable Logic

Four minutes ago...
Me: Who got toothpaste on the rug in the bathroom?
J: That's not my toothpaste, mine is a lighter color.
S: That's not mine either, mine is a lighter color too. Mama, I know, we can put more toothpaste on the rug, then we will know whose it is!
Me:
(Yes, that would be dumb-struck silence)
Me: Wow, I never would have thought of that idea.
S leaves all proud of himself. And I am now going to clean up the toothpaste.

International Day at school

This is my year as President of the Parent Guild. I had this dream/idea for an International Day at the school. We are incredibly diverse, and I felt that fact should be celebrated.
I asked parents to host tables about their country of origin.

They brought all kinds of things to show.

Generations participated.

Fourteen countries were represented by families at our school. This is the first of this type of event, and it came off swimmingly. We had an Ecuadorian Dance troupe and an Irish Folk musician. The kids each received a "passport" and traveled the globe. I was so proud of everyone. I feel this is my mark on this year.

Just Going for a Walk

My niece, J, decided to take a rubber chicken for a walk yesterday.

She kept sayin, "C'mon kicken, c'mon kicken."

J totally cracks me up. I'm glad she is living with us for a while.

Friday Favorites

My favorite movie is Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. Grace Kelly as Lisa Carol Fremont.

Oh yeah, Jimmy Stewart is in it too.
So is Thelma Ritter, who is hysterical.

Ah, Grace... the clothes, the jewelry, the Mark Cross bag.

So romantic. Who wouldn't fall in love with her?

Aren't You Bored?

I was asked lately if I am bored staying at home. My reply, NO! I am busy planning school functions;

• International Day (14 countries represented, a renowned origami artist will give lessons, an Irish folk musician, an Ecuadorian dance group)
• Scholastic Book Fair (we are having a Royal Bookfair, due to the fact that the royal wedding is on one of our sale days... yum, wedding cake)
• planning the food for the 200 people that will attend the auction (I'm too cheap to pay a caterer for what I know I can do)
• Fancy Nancy party (this is my Auction donation, 10 little girls with tutu's, boas and tiaras, ice cream parfaits, french lesson and a professional portrait taken)
• centerpieces for the staff Christmas party on Saturday
• Spring Carnival (I'm not in charge, just a helper)
• First Grade Lunch Luau's (this month is a Chinese New Year theme)
• Camp Out on the Campus (we are having the Boy Scouts give a lesson on using a compass and an astronomer from the UW come to give a lesson on stargazing)
• going through 80 pounds of unclaimed lost and found (how is that possible?! Come on parents-label your kids stuff!)
• through in one kids birthday party (he hasn't decided on a theme)

I am busy, and as much as I enjoy it, I am looking forward to summer. What? I know it's January, but a girl has to look forward to something.

Wisconsin Wednesday

I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan...

Nueske's made in Wisconsin
Good enough for the past three Presidents, good enough for me.

House Guests

S is in pure heaven. His Uncle, also the person he was named after, is living with us for about 6 weeks. He and his family bought a new house, that needs some work before they can move in.
There they are, the two S's, one dressed as "Super Slug" and the other as a very tired man with a lot of manual labor to do on his kitchen! For my S, the dog is a bonus.

Candice Bergen

Can I be like her when I grow up?
The woman is beautiful

Classic.

Ages gracefully.

And gets better with age.

Mangia! Mangia!

We drove to Milwaukee, just to eat at Buca di Beppo. And it was worth the drive!

When we walked in there was a sign that said, "Love means... never having to say you're still hungry." I think I may have to learn to needlepoint, just so I can have a pillow with that on it.
The shrine to the Chairman of the Board- Francis Albert Sinatra.

The shrine to the Pope.

Chopped Antipasto Salad

J with one half pound meatball.

Eggplant Parmigiana

Lasagna

S wore the perfect sweater for this meal.

Brownie, Gelato and Whipped Cream, oh my!

Friday Favorites

I am loving these Monogrammed Cupcake Wrappers from Monogram Lane. Time for a Party!

Dave the Potter

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave won a Caldecott Award yesterday. I took this book out of the library, being a little familiar with Dave the Slave pottery. I read it first to S, who really enjoyed it, then J read it on his own. He was really excited when it was discussed at school this week, and he was the only one who had read it. Written by Laban Carrick Hill and illustrated by Bryan Collier, this is wonderful book to have a discussion about slavery with young children. The kids are looking forward to seeing some of the pottery when we are in South Carolina next.