Q of the Week : What five things are you thankful for?

Image courtesy of The Gifted Photographer via Flickr. It’s the week of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and while most thoughts turn to turkeys, cranberries, family, travel, and football (if you’re not me) … there is the matter of being thankful.  I know it’s likely a busy week, so let’s keep it brief.  Just to get thoughts rolling in that direction … and I know I have to forcefully turn mine that way when things get tough … can you just humor me and name five quick things you’re thankful for?  Whatever’s top of mind, it doesn’t have to be lofty or deep, just what pops into your head. 

Ready?  Go!

When is the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone? (by Heather)

Thanks to Heather for the Q of the Week this week, see my answer in the comments :) — SaneMom

I am fairly spontaneous.  I like to think I am open minded enough to try almost anything given the opportunity (I just couldn’t jump out of that plane though).  I may not be the one scratching the wild ideas off my list, but if someone else wants to try something new, I am a sure bet to go with them.

My husband and I were on a weekend getaway for our 10-year anniversary in Berkley Springs, West Virginia this month.  After breakfast on Saturday morning, we drove to a state park for a hike.  As we were looking for trail markers, we saw a sign that said,  “skeet shooting”.   My husband lit up and said, “Have you ever shot a gun?” 

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We went to the circus!

Last weekend, the boys and I, along with a friend of Douglas’, went to the Big Apple Circus here in NY.  It’s the one I mentioned last week.  It’s at Lincoln Center in a wee big top, so all the seats are good seats … it has a really intimate feel and as they say, no seat is more than 50’ from the ring!  We had seats in the 5th row (full disclosure: they were comped tickets for Mom Blogger night) and had a (mostly) great view.  Of course the most broad-shouldered family in the place sat in front of us, so Fynn spent most of the time on my lap, and D and his friend swapped seats a few times to share the best viewing angle. 
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Q of the Week : What did your mom *always* say?

Today’s Shaking the Grapevine article is titled Mama Never Said It Would be Easy …, and I know mine for sure never did!  I do find myself, however, repeating some things that she did say, over and over.  I cringe a little every time I do, as I swore I never would, but somehow having kids changes you :).  Things like MYOB (Mind Your Own Business!) … Keep your hands to yourself … Please clean up your room! … and Watch your tone of voice!  The list is long, those are just the first to pop into my head.

We all have our pet phrases or reminders or sayings, and chances are some of them come from our own parents.  What things did your mom (or dad) always say?

Would You Like Some ... Creative Kid Activities? (guest post by Jocelyn)

Guest post by Jocelyn Green of Child’s Play NY, thanks Jocelyn!

Looking for a fun activity to spark your kids’ imaginations?  A game that I use in class, (which can work for even just 2 people) is something I call “Story Clap”, inspired by Viola Spolin, the legendary originator of Theater Games.

One person starts with an opener that puts us in the fairy tale or fable mind-set, like:  

Once upon a time there lived a firefly who didn’t know she was a firefly…

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NY-Based Events

Once in awhile I post things for local events, sorry to those of you who can’t take advantage of them :(.  A few are below, check ‘em out if you’re in the area!

The Public Theater Shakespeare Initiative

In addition to producing professional Shakespeare in Central Park and downtown, the Shakespeare Initiative runs a sophisticated education and outreach program for adults and students in under-served communities.

  • Summer ShakeUp
  • Shakespeare Spring Break Break
  • A Midsummer Day’s Camp

In 2009, these programs served nearly 2500 New Yorkers.

For more information, dates and registration check www.publictheater.org.

Great Momasphere Events

Momasphere, based in Park Slope Brooklyn, has some fun events coming up, including …

  • March 8th, 2010: How to Prepare a Restaurant-Class Dinner for Four for Under $20! With Executive Chef of Melt Mark Simmons
  • May 23rd, 2010: Lunafest Women’s Film Festival. Award-winning Films By…For…And About Women.

The Melt event looks especially fun to me, what’s not to love about learning some tips from a Top Chef contender in an intimate little class?! 

As always, check out www.achildgrowsinbrooklyn.com and www.mommypoppins.com for the latest scoops on where to go and what to do with kids in NYC.  Both have redesigned their sites since I last mentioned them, take a look!

Q of the Week : Favorite Movies?

I’ve watched more movies than usual lately, thanks to my friend Mike who sent me a bunch of DVDs of some old classics.  I didn’t watch many at all until I was in my mid 20’s, thanks to growing up without a TV and my folks not liking theaters much.  I’ve not exactly made up for it since, but my movie consumption has been steady for the last few years at about one a week.  I have a few on my shelf that I go to time and again, but only a few.  Most movies I don’t care to see more than once.  I’d usually rather re-read a good book than re-watch a movie. 
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Any Black Friday survivors/participants out there?

So, did you brave the crowds yesterday?  We avoided them completely, the Salvation Army wasn’t the scene of a stampede at least :).  I get somewhat claustrophobic in crowds, more as I get older, and wasn’t about to even set foot in one of the big box stores yesterday.  The Farmer’s Market this morning was more my speed, with a few of the summer vendors now gone for the winter, fewer shoppers thanks to the holiday, and chattier farmers.  Rolling in the leaves rounded out the morning, definitely a good holiday. 

I’m curious though, did any of you go shopping, and how was it?

Happy rest-of-the-long weekend!

Q of the Week : Mini Meme

A meme’s flown into my inbox several times this week, and it’s one where you’re only allowed one-word answers.  I love the brevity, and the insights I’ve gotten into friends as a result. I picked out 7 of the questions, and would love to see where my fellow-moms are this week … just for fun!  My answers are included below, please share yours in the comments!

  1. Your hair?   wet
  2. Your favorite thing?   creating
  3. Your hobby?   blogs
  4. Your fear?   failure
  5. Your mood?   sunny
  6. Where do you go to over and over?   park
  7. Your pets?   missed

Thanks for playing along :). 

Was it worth it?

I think the look on his face says it pretty well, and the fact that he didn’t want to take it off … not much sleep had here but there are pluses.  Creating things together (besides kids ;) is something that my husband and I don’t do enough of, and yet we both absolutely love it.  Staying up till 2am (+beyond for him) raiding the recycling bin and burning fingers on the hot glue gun was the best time we’ve had together in a long time.  It’s not just a question of economics, or the desire to be unique (both are small factors) but the joy of working together on something fun and creative. 

Now if we can just stay awake again tonight to get the martian invader put together …

I love Pixar

I took Douglas to see UP in 3D this week … a real treat for both of us.  He had a half-day, Fynn was in school, and I tossed work out the window.  We had a ball, eating cherries we snuck into the theatre, and him reaching out and trying to grab things on the screen. He knew they weren’t real, but was having fun with it anyway. 

I love the visual/plot simplicity of this one … very few characters, visually more clean and uncluttered than some others, and an awesome sequence at the beginning that was the best bit in my opinion. It’s maybe five minutes long, has no speech, and chronicles a couple’s entire history together.  Hopes dashed, life lived and loved anyhow.  That made it for me.  Douglas was more entranced with the idea of lifting a house off it’s foundations with a mass of helium balloons :).

Dressing the part

I went to a brunch yesterday that was hosted by MomCentral and Bayer Healthcare, and they brought in two speakers.  One to talk (humorously) about their Mirena birth control product, and the other to give us ‘frazzled moms’ some basic style tips.  You know, the “10 things basic things you should have in your wardrobe” kind of list.  The speakers knew their stuff, and did a good job.  I found it a bit hard to swallow the wardrobe tips however as they didn’t seem to take into account things like sippy cups, diapers, spitup, and such.  One purse she showed might have fit one diaper and a mini wipes pack?!  But I re-realized a few things. 

How I look makes a huge difference in how I feel.  Period.  And when I feel crappy, wearing something I feel good and kinda sexy in makes a big difference in my mood! 

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Just for fun ...

I found this today on the NY Times website … creative, fun, and particularly fun for a mom of lego-obsessed boys living in NYC!  I just had to share :). 

Check it out here.

Snow is falling thickly, the day is looking good, and I think popcorn after school is in order.

Happy Tuesday!