Chicken rings

For the first two months of kindergarten, Ben asked me almost daily when he would get to buy his lunch.  I was happy to make lunch every day and tried my best not to give in to his request.  But Ben is all about food, and is always quite interested in what everybody else is eating (no idea where he got that trait) and I started to feel bad for the kid.

I went on-line and signed up both kids for school lunch accounts.  Susanna was vaguely interested in the food being served, but if it was just her, I probably could have continued to avoid school lunches for the next 6 years.  Because, really, they're just not that good, and she knows I can do better.

One of my concerns about them buying lunch is, of course, the (seemingly) low quality of the food.  I had seen some trays during my cafeteria visits and I was not impressed.  My other concern was that, once I started, I would sort of like not having to make two lunches at 6:50 a.m.

The plan was to go through the menu each month and pick two days a week for each child to buy lunch.  This is plenty for Susanna; Ben would buy everyday if I let him.  If we have a morning when I was planning to make lunches but suggest at the last minute that they buy instead, Ben is thrilled and doesn't mind not knowing the choices in advance.  Susanna, on the other hand, becomes concerned and needs to know whether she will like one of the three meals on offer.  Often, it turns out, she probably won't.

I know there are nutritional guidelines for school lunches, and there are limits to the amount of fat and calories they can contain.  However, that doesn't mean they are particularly nutritious.  Or tasty.  Some things they serve: chicken rings (???), yogurt combo (which my kids tell me is a Trix yogurt and animal crackers - as the entree), Uncrustables (I admit to occasionally enjoying the crispy, frozen peanut butter they contain, but if I'm paying for school lunch, I want something a bit more labor intensive), and Crispitos (again, straight from the freezer section.)  They serve jello several times a week, and list it by color, not flavor.  Are they worried a parent might think "lime jello" counts as a serving of fruit?

Overall my kids enjoy most of their school lunches, and I enjoy not always having to pack.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Its nearly bedtime on Thanksgiving.  Too late now really for Happy Thanksgiving wishes, but I hope that everyone did have a happy one.  We spent the day with two other families and way too much food.  Everything was delicious (even the things I made.)

My friend's daughter, who is 14, sketched this quick portrait of Susanna.  I scanned it and it came out light due to being done in pencil, but you can sort of see it.  I think its beautiful.

And if you are going shopping tomorrow, good luck with that!

Thanksgiving break

My kids have this whole week off for Thanksgiving - a very welcome break after a busy autumn.  Ben got his week off to a great start by waking up this morning at 5:30.  We heard him upstairs playing Wii.  Its not a quiet early morning activity.

Susanna finally finished her outdoor soccer season on Saturday, and, a few hours later, started her indoor season.  She ended up playing 3 games that day - after her indoor team finished, the next team needed a few extra players.  She ended up playing indoor for 80 minutes with only a few quick breaks.  She wasn't on the winning team for any of the three games but she played well.

Ben had his first wrestling tournament on Saturday morning.  I didn't get to go because of soccer, but I heard plenty about it.  He had to wrestle an experienced wrestler who was a good 5 pounds heavier.  He was thus at a slight disadvantage but he hung in there and gave it a good try.  He won a medal for 2nd place because he and the other kid were the only wrestlers in their weight class.  He wasn't sure about wrestling at first, but he seems to be liking it more.  Brad is having fun giving him pointers at home.

Yesterday we went to the Dallas Children's Theatre to see "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells".  I am definitely not a Junie B. Jones fan, but the show was really good and we all enjoyed it.

Now we are just taking it easy for a few days and getting ready for Thanksgiving.  And enjoying a few more warm, summery days!

Why girls like wrestling

Two weeks and already I am trying to remember why I thought it was a good idea to sign up Ben for wrestling.  He now practices from 6:15 to 7:30, three nights a week, and that is just a bit much for all of us.  In addition to dragging an already tired five-year-old out to do over an hour of exercise, I also have to drag along a seven-year-old, and then try to keep her from driving me mad as we sit together on the gym floor.

This morning at the bus stop, our neighbor asked us how wrestling was last night.  Susanna immediately answered:

"It was great.  We got to see all the boys with their shirts off."

Maybe getting through all this won't be as hard as I thought.

How to cook a turkey

On Monday I went to Ben's school to help with his Kindergarten class.  My job for that day was to sit with one child at a time and ask them how to cook a turkey.  I had to write their responses on a sheet, with spaces for ingredients, directions, cooking time and temperature.

I got through six kids.  It was fun to hear what they came up with - I tried to prompt as little as possible.  Many of them listed chicken as an ingredient.  One girl wanted sparkles on hers.  For most, the first thing in the directions was cutting the turkey or putting it in a bowl.  One boy was adding shoes and trees to his turkey before cooking it.

Ben finally got to do his today with another mom.  I asked him to tell me what he said.  His ingredients were salt, pepper, and whipped cream.  Then I asked what his directions were.

"First, you shoot the turkey..."

That's my boy!

Dallas firehouse

Today Ben and I went to the oldest (or one of the oldest, at least) firehouse in Dallas.  Our neighbor works with firemen and used her connections to arrange a great tour for her boys and Ben.

The firehouse was right out of a childrens book.  The first thing the boys did (after handing over the baked goods, of course) was sit in the big ol' recliners in front of the big television.  They thought being a firefighter must be great fun!  These thoughts continued when we went upstairs to the bunk room - there they have ping pong and pool tables.  We also saw the kitchen and captain's room.  And then the captain opened the red door to show us the pole.

We went back downstairs to see their shiny new firetruck.  The boys got to crawl around, and then it was time to try on some gear.  Ben was quite amused by the head wrap thing - he asked if they wore it to be like robbers.

Then they pulled the truck out so the boys could spray the hose.

The boys were very eager to try the pole.  First the captain lifted them up as high as he could (easier with Ben's friends, but he managed to lift Ben pretty high too) so they could slide down the bottom.  But the boys insisted on sliding from the top.  Apparently this is not a normal part of the tour, but they let the boys do it.  (Unfortunately I couldn't get these photos turned the right way, so please just turn your head.)

Happy November!

It is November and that means it is getting cold in Texas. Just a few weeks ago I was sitting under a blazing hot sun dripping with sweat... Now I'm suddenly very chilly and wondering just how cold this winter is going to be. At least I know its safe to put the summer clothes away for good.

October was busy with sports, school activities, and visitors. My parents were here at the start of the month and we had friends from England here during the last week. Its always nice to have extra people around and get out of the normal routine for a bit.

Ben finished his first season of flag football - final record was 3-5 - not bad considering his coach played by the rules. Susanna is still finishing up her soccer season. Three games left... I am looking forward to a break from that.

Ben has already started his new winter sport - wrestling. This is our main winter activity as practice is three nights a week. That will keep us busy, trying to get there on time, and then keeping Susanna somewhat entertained in the gym. We've gone twice already and its certainly different from team sports - there are around 40 kids, ranging from 4 years old to 6th grade, in one big group. There are quite a few kids who are smaller than Ben. Ben is very excited about getting started and likes it so far. But actually, I think his favorite part is the equipment - ear guard and special shoes. He likes to accessorize.

Susanna may or may not do indoor soccer this winter, but she will keep plenty busy with Girl Scouts, Destination Imagination, and dance class.

Only three more weeks until Thanksgiving!