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Loading ...Archive for May, 2006
“Vow, Mom, Vow!”
Julia calls me “Mom” instead of “Mama” about half the time now when we’re with Rachel, Lois and Hannah. Today the four of us accompanied her on her first trip to Fiesta Texas, the local Six Flags theme park. As she caught sight of the new water slide from the parking lot, all I heard was, “Vow, Mom, Vow!” As we entered the park, we met Bugs Bunny, who gave her a big hug – more “Vow!” Every corner we turned, every set of flashing lights, more “Vow! Vow!!”
She is fearless. Power Surge – four times. Roadrunner – three times. Sccoby Do and the Haunted Mansion – four times. Ferris Wheel – twice. Bumper cars – once (long line.) All the spinny rides – twice. Kiddie rides – yawnnnnn. And the real hit – Bugs’ White Water Adventure. She learned to implore “Von more!?” with her index finger thrust upward. We rode it five times.
“Von more?!” At Houston’s old Astroworld, we would have called this the Bamboo Shoot. And we rode it five times today, baby – five times, count ‘em!
Julia ate an entire Hebrew National hotdog with bun plus fries when we stopped for lunch. She dislikes meat; that’s probably the most protein she’s eaten since she’s been home.
She loved almost the entire day. When she discovered she was too short for some rides, we saw frowny faces. Given a few more inches, she would have ridden all the big coasters – I kid you not. She quickly learned to check her own height (42″) and we saw either (1) a stuck-out lip, or (2) a big smile, two thumbs up and a loud “Da!”
After so many splash’em rides in the hot Texas sun, my gentle flower Rachel announced we all smelled “like crotch.”
We’ve never done two sequential days of Fiesta Texas, but we’re going back tomorrow. We had so much fun on the rides today, we never had time for the water park. Julia will have to wear a life vest – that undoubtedly won’t be well-received. Maybe a few trips down the Lazy River will make that irritation worthwhile.
Two weeks ago, Julia, Keith and I were wandering the streets of Moscow, buying a pirated movie and searching for cheap eats. To that I can only say, “Vow! Vow!!”
Posted in 
Kaaaa-Yahhhh!
Book Sock from Hannah – $2.50
Harry Potter Wand from Lois – $4.00
Sponge Bob Straw from Rachel – $1.00
Pretending You’re Jackie Chan – Priceless
Baa-Bells
Rachel, Lois and Hannah are each having one or two friends over to spend the night, celebrating the end of the school year. I fear there won’t be a kernel of popcorn left in the house by morning.
Julia and I bought several containers of bubbles today. Most of them are fruit scented, so, that’s some extra olfactory fun for all these giggling sacks of hormones.
“Why bathe? We’re already covered in soap.” Rachel and Julia took turns with the Tigger blower. Yes, Lois is dressed all in black. She wanted to be ”emo” at school today. Don’t ask.
That’s pronounced “baa-bell.” Julie got her hair trimmed today – very pretty! She didn’t fuss.
So, I’m thinking tonight is Julia’s first slumber party. Even though she doesn’t have a “friend” of her own over, she’s surrounded by people that love her and their friends, all of whom are including her in whatever they’re doing. I hear her counting “one-a, two-a, three-a” now as Rachel’s friend Cat pushes her in the stroller…wait a minute, they’re inside! Take it out to the cul-de-sac, ladies.
Hannah will break out the Monopoly game soon, I’m sure. I will not pass “Go.” I will not collect $200. I will have to shepherd younger hands cleaning up their messes in the morning. I will discover popcorn, Chex Mix and fruit snack residue in the cracks of the furniture for weeks.
But these times are like bubbles – shiny, fun and short-lived. You can’t hold them. They change with the wind.
It’s best to smile as they blow by.
Part Russian, Part Texan, All Fish
Breathing the Baltic Sea breezes must have worked some magic on Julia over the years. We noticed her fasincation with water in St. Pete. We had to stop at every fountain, jump in every puddle, fill every tub, splash in every sink.
But she’s a Texan now, and a Texas summer means swimming. Today she had her second visit to our friend Vicki’s zero-edge pool overlooking nearby tree tops.
“One-a, two-a, three-a!” Rachel’s friend Sisa repeatedly threw Julia into the pool, with Hannah and Rachel waiting to help her to the surface. She holds her breath under water – impressive! There are swim lessons in Julia’s future.
What’s better than a big hug after a big splash? At the 10% mark for a six-year-old’s height and weight, Julia is small enough that 10-year-old Hannah can carry her. We had good visits to the doctor and dentist yesterday. Julia’s now current on all her innoculations, and she’s registered to begin ESL kindergarten at Stone Oak Elementary in the fall, where Hannah will be a fifth grader. Hannah, BTW, has taught her to count to 10.
We’re thinking inflatable dolphin riding should be an Olympic sport. Especially when your older sisters and their friends are willing to help you ride ‘em, cowgirl! Rachel is almost nine years older than Julia. My sister Judy is 11 years older than am I. A decade’s difference is a terrific age split. I learned to read in Judy’s lap. I learned to write in Judy’s University of Houston notebooks. David and I lived to torment her, yet she didn’t drop us at a homeless shelter. The adoration of an older sister is a wonderful thing.
Julia and I have spent (too much) time in the machina (car) the last few days, hitting all the necessary appointments, as well as attending end-of-school events with her sisters. Today she, my friend Shelley and I cheered as Lois received Academic Achievement awards in English and Science at Bush Middle School. (Keith’s joking comment? “What? Aren’t there other subjects, too?”) We were notified this week that Lois also scored 100′s on her two TAKS tests (reading and math).
Lois wants to study to become an attorney. We are hoping she will gravitate toward honest work instead.
Guess what? The neighborhood pool opens this weekend. The girls and I practically live there in the summer. The sound of spandex and flesh slapping chlorinated water? Ahhhh! That is magic.
