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Myrna in her natural environment. |
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Check out my new “Ten Tips on Raisin’ Brains” at www.squidoo.com/giftedparent |
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May 2008 Thursday, May 1: I’m going to celebrate the beginning of May by building a snowman. I’ll stick a bouquet of plastic flowers in his hands, because the way things are looking now, plastic flowers are the closest thing we’re going to get to spring. I do, however, have another reason to celebrate. Life in the Fast Brain just won an iParenting Media Award!!!!!! You know, life is awfully interesting. Every morning I get out of bed and I realize that I have no idea what is going to happen that day. Could be good, could be bad, but will probably be a little of both. Yesterday was an award-winning day!
Tuesday, May 6: Rupert threw a party for Hubby and I on Saturday night. It was an intimate gathering with just the three of us. No special occasion--Rupert felt a little festive is all. He brought out his CD player and put on some music. He set his beloved eagle figurine on the table for decoration. He gave us each a glass of water and a piece of gum for refreshments. Our first game involved a drawing competition, which I won hands down, since Hubby can only draw stick figures on a good day. Then we had a dancing contest. I’m afraid Hubby beat me 4 to 3 in that round. I have no idea how the scoring works. Rupert was the judge, and, thankfully, the sole observer. I doubt I deserved all of my 3 points. The third and final round involved a face off in a game of battleship, during which Rupert went back and forth from screen to screen, enjoying the suspense. Hubby won by a single turn. The party was a huge success. And with the simple refreshments, it was a breeze to clean up afterward. Good memories!
Thursday, May 8: Good news--Stanley is home to visit for a few days. He seems to be well and happy, therefore, I am well and happy. Other good news--I think spring has finally arrived, though I am hesitant to get too excited about it yet. For all I know, I could wake up to another three inches of snow in the morning. The Arizona Book Publishing Glyph Awards will be announced on Saturday. Intelligent Life in the Classroom is in the running in the education category. Happy birthday to Tamara Fisher tomorrow!!! I’m looking forward to Mother’s Day this weekend. No, I won’t get breakfast in bed--I hate that. Just give me a bowl of raisin bran at the kitchen table. But, I probably will get a lovely nap while Hubby takes over in the kitchen.
Monday, May 12: My kitchen looks like a flower shop. It all started off with a pot of azalea’s for our wedding anniversary two weeks ago. Then Magnolia added a couple of bouquets from her boyfriend, then Mother’s day struck, which meant another dozen roses and a box full of flowers that need to be potted in containers outside. It’s beginning to look like spring around here--at least in the kitchen. We had snow on Friday. On Saturday, Magnolia went to her first formal dance. She looked beautiful--just like Cinderella (said the objective and unbiased mom). And her evening proceeded in fairy tale fashion. Her date took her to his house, where he and his family made her favorite meal. Then, after spending some time at the dance and getting the parent-required pictures taken, they went back to his house, where he and his sisters had decorated the back porch with dozens of candles. They had their own dance. At some point during the dancing, his dad set off some fireworks which went shooting into the sky. Needless to say, Magnolia came home feeling pretty special.
Wednesday, May 14: Happy Birthday to Gertrude!!! Book news: Intelligent Life in the Classroom is a 2008 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist in the Education/Academic category. Life in the Fast Brain is a 2008 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist in the Humor category and a 2008 Arizona Best Book Award Finalist in the Humor category.
Tuesday, May 20: I’m in the midst of preparation for a speaking engagement in Helena, Montana this week. I’ll be speaking to parents of gifted children on Thursday evening at Carroll College and on Friday morning to the girls attending their annual gifted conference. I’m excited about speaking to both groups. I love speaking to parents, because I can look out at them and see it in their eyes--they’ve got worries, problems, enthusiasm, and love all mixed together and swirling around in their brains. I can relate to that. We all have different problems and different experiences, but at the same time, we all have that common ground that comes with parenting. We love our kids. We worry about our kids. We want to do what’s best for our kids. I’m also excited to speak to the girls directly, because so often we speak about them at conferences. It’ll be a nice change to work directly with the subject and skip the middle men. Teachers get to enjoy this all the time. One of the perks of the job--though, whether or not it would be considered a perk probably depends on the day and the class. I remember so well what it was like to be in elementary school and junior high and to feel different and to not be able to put my finger on what it was that created the divide between me and many of my peers. When I was younger, I always felt as though I were on the outside of society and looking in, and I couldn’t find the doorway to “social acceptance.” My jokes were always a little strange to everyone else, as were my soapbox moments. I watched and tried to imitate others--unless I disdained them for what I felt was selling out to popularity. By the time I reached college, I felt more comfortable in my own skin and found that I could relate better to many of my college peers. I think I felt as close to normal as I wanted to feel, and I didn’t even have to sacrifice my own identity and thoughts. Cool beans.
Tuesday, May 27: I enjoyed the conference in Helena. It was interesting to watch the girls as they participated in their conference. In so many ways, they look like avergae girls, and then they open their mouths and you get some idea of what is happening in their brains. Some of the younger girls came and asked me for my autograph, which was kinda fun and unexpected. Meanwhile, back at the ranch... I don’t think my family missed me much. On Friday, Hubby took the kids to the Chinese buffet, which is their favorite place to eat. Hubby and Rupert ate breakfast together yesterday and played dueling “Nutrition Facts.” They both had their own boxes of cereal and they were trying to outdo their opponent in each category of nutritional value. Sure beats those silly games they put on the backs of cereal boxes to entertain kids while they read.
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