Monster Jam

Time again for the Monster Jam in Phoenix.  I don't quite follow the "it" factor about big trucks jumping over things, but apparently it's quite a show.  Woody, Morgan and Annika went with our friend Kevin and his son Matthew.  The girls had quite the stories to tell when they returned home late, tired, and really excited.  Ingrid, Erik and I made the most of our evening by stopping at the Carters store and eating pizza at a restaurant.

The highlight from their evening seems to be this understated classic station wagon, pulling a non-descript trailer.  Nothing exciting, except it was planning to jump a bunch of cars in the stadium.  But it was very obvious the car did not have enough speed for the jump.  It peeled off and went around again to try the jump.  The second time, it crashed; on purpose.  A perfectly good station wagon from the 1970's.

This is all I know of the evening at Chase Field.  Smooth out the field and get some baseball players out there - then it'll be a good show.

Preparing for Noise

When Woody found out his friend had gotten tickets for the Monster Truck Jam, he decided to step it up in ear protection for the kids.  Annika and Morgan were going to the show.  Amazon.com had professional ear protection in children's adjustable sizes.  Woody decided to order for all of the kids while it was on sale.  The professional ear covers, coupled with foam ear inserts, provided the protection needed to really enjoy the show.  But of course, we had to get a picture first.  Morgan was finishing homework during the impromptu photo shoot.

Daddy's Rockband Birthday

It certainly was an unconventional choice.  I almost chocked when the girls suggested their dad would like a Rock Band party complete with guitars for his birthday.  In 24 hours, we gave it a good try.  I found Rockband t-shirts at Old Navy for Annika, Ingrid and Erik.  Morgan's shirt was accessorized with necklaces.  Our friends, the Coopers, loaned us two Wii Rockband/Guitar Hero guitars and the Rock Band Beatles game.

It took quite awhile to get used to the guitar but finally it clicked.  After several songs, the girls switched to another rented game and played way past their bedtime.  It was a great evening with plenty of family fun.

Old Photo Friday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and best friend, Woody.

Learning by Doing Follow-up - Ingrid.

One of the last stops at the Learning by Doing evening at Jacobson Elementary was the reptile exhibit in the library.  The kids waited patiently for their turn to see the lizards and the yellow python.  And that's exactly what they called it - a python.  It didn't occur to us that Ingrid had no idea of the word, "python".  At the time of this picture, she thinks the animal she's touching feels like "jello".  At the end of the line, I lifted her up and pivoted her 90 degrees to see the side of the table.  Only there was she able to see what I had pointed to her - the python's head.  It was at that moment, Ingrid realized what was lying on the table.  I could feel her tense up in my arms.  I thought a scream was about to come forth.

But, in Ingrid's sometimes adorable understated fashion, she merely said, "Hey, I just touch'dd a 'nake."

Learning by Doing

Tonight was Jacobson Elementary's "Learning by Doing" and Science Fair night.  Both Morgan and Annika were excited to show off their science fair projects.  Annika's project focused on the muscles of the heart, while Morgan and team investigated icy cold weather effects on skin vs. fur.  We picked up our passport to visit all of the stations and classrooms.  Teachers were on hand to assist with fun learning activities.  Annika's class had math manipulatives and number problems.  The sixth grade class was a hit with their balloon races.  Seeing friends in the dark and waiting in line to see the python were some of the highlights of our fun evening.  We look forward to many more Chung kids science fair projects!

Home Improvement

"More power!" was the tag-line for Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, the character from the show, Home Improvement.  His ubiquitous style included taking normal household items and changing or altering them with extra power, in the comical sense.  The idea of saving time usually meant more mess.

This evening, Ingrid reminded me that I had promised her we would make cookies together.  I'd been on the go since 7 AM and barely had the dinner dishes put away (stuffed clams and brussel sprouts) when she gave me those batting, pleading eyes.  I remembered my promise.  After quick baths, we had a mere 15 minutes before the golden time for bed.  I obliged her and started chocolate chip cookies.  And then it occurred to me, why not make bars?  They've gone out of style in Arizona.  I don't see them at events or get-togethers anymore.  I switched to the jelly roll pan and brought it to the table.  Dumping the firm dough out, I asked Annika and Ingrid to pat it down and smooth it into the corners.  The tried pounding and pushing with their fingers.  And then I saw Woody go out into the garage.  He returned with his rubber mallet and tack hammer, now wrapped in aluminum foil.  He gave them to the girls and announced, "this should make it easier - more power."

In this case, Woody was right.  It worked and provided entertainment.

Lone Holdout

Try getting four children to agree on anything.  Can you do it?  What if you promoted autonomy and critical thinking skills and then asked the kids to pick the same thing?  It sends a mixed message.  I should have known that the same holds true for picking a favorite team.  I thought the gene was both learned and inherited.  If your mom likes the Minnesota Vikings, shouldn't you?  Not so, according to Annika.  My independent minded second daughter has decided that the Arizona Cardinals is her team.  Fine, I guess three out of four isn't bad.

The kids were excited for the NFC championship.  It was a tough loss in overtime; the Vikings fell to the New Orleans Saints.  But we did get this nice picture, including the Cardinal Kid.

Milestone Weekend

Erik hit a couple of milestones worth mentioning this weekend.  On Friday we officially noticed that Erik moves.  Well, crawls.  Backwards.  On his belly, mostly.  But it's still worth noting because it's the first time I returned to the living room from the adjacent kitchen and had to say, "Where's Erik?"  The girls pointed six feet from where he was laying.  Happy Guy.

On Friday evening, we officially noticed Erik can sit on his own.  That's my buddy boy!

Old Photo Friday

This photo is more of a "new" old photo.  It's around five years old.  But we found it and thought it would be fun to reminise about Harabagee's office move.  Woody and I were the chief "movers", driving from Phoenix to L.A. and renting a U-Haul to take the equipment from the old dental practice to the new practice in multiple trips.  Annika was 20 months old and  Morgan was not even five.  Prior to the move, we spent time picking out the finishes and decor.

Time goes fast, but I wonder if Woody's dad remembers the office looking like this.  Happy Friday.

Storms and Homework

It's storming today.  Not a little storm, a lot of storm.  For those of us who are native Midwesterners, this isn't that big.  Until they announced a tornado watch.  And then, I took a little notice.  Tornados don't happen in Arizona.  About 15 minutes after the children went to bed, the winds were howling.  Admittedly, I was nervous.  The satellite went out, but the internet was still up.  I kept refreshing the news.  A tornado touched down at Desert Ridge Mall.  For those of you who aren't familiar with the Phoenix area, that's quite a bit north from our house, but directly across from Mayo Hospital.  Then they annouced a tornado warning in our area.  As I am writing this, the winds are much calmer and the rains are continuing.  Trees are down everywhere according to the reports.  Phoenix doesn't have drains under the streets, we have retention basins.  They're overflowing.  The streets will be flooded in the AM.  The freeways are shut down and so is the airport.

All day the winds have blown and the rain has continued.  I worked from home and went with Woody to round up the girls after school.  I brought blankets in the car to "warm" the girls from the 59 degree weather.  They wanted hot chocolate when we got home and then settled into homework before dinner.  I got them settled in and went back to work at the desktop.

After a few minutes laying near each other in the living room, we had to move to desks and tables and separate.

Erik's In the House

It's been awhile since we've had a post featuring Erik.  Today he's quite the ham, getting ready for the football game.  The shirt is from Morgan's cheerleader outfit so long ago.  And what a happy playoff game it was at the Metrodome.  Final Score:  Minnesota 34  Dallas 3.  Now it's off to the NFC Championship game in New Orleans.  Another week, another happy little Vikings Fan!

Nighttime Fairies

Ingrid went to bed thinking she could catch some in her sleep.

Party Planning

It finally happened.  Multiple party invitations for the same day.  I drew the short straw (ok, not really) and went to two birthday parties today chaperoning Ingrid and Annika.  Ingrid was invited to her school friend's party at Tumbleweed park.  The family rented a ramada.  The birthday girl is the associate pastor's daughter and the whole class of girls was invited.  The princess/Barbie party was complete with pink and purple Barbie cakes, fingernail polish, Barbie tatoos, and a blow up jumper - pink, of course.  25 kids.  Hotdogs and apple sauce.  Ingrid had fun.  Here's an interesting note - the dad made the cakes.

We returned home and I had ten minutes before heading out with Annika to her classmate's party.  Annika was the only girl invited to Joshua's party.  She took a Hotwheel car to show him.  She was envious of the present we picked for Joshua - a Hotwheels track trick set.  Annika's party was at a pizza place.  The pizza was adequate, the video games plenty.    By the end of the party she was tuckered out.  I still was smiling, enjoying the adult company from Joshua's fun family members.  But after arriving home, I'm a little tired from a two party day.  Hopefully we won't be repeating that soon.

It Only Snowed "a little bit"

Newsflash - Chandler saw its first snowstorm.  Oddly enough, it only snowed on the playground of Risen Savior Lutheran Church school.  We made sure to send Ingrid to school with mittens.  They're special ones - knitted by Grandma - with a string that keeps them from getting lost.

Funny, although mittens were a must, she hardly needed a jacket in the 68 degree weather.

So how does one have snow on the ground in 68 degree weather?  I thought it was trucked in by church and school volunteers from the high country of northern Arizona.  I was wrong.  Even that snow would melt.  The only snow that wouldn't melt is "immediate snow".  Now I know how to get snow on a playground in the Arizona desert.  YOU BUY IT.

And like the zamboni on an ice rink, when it's time to "refresh", the kids have to back up and wait for the new layer of snow.  Ingrid is sitting with one of the teachers on the yellow train.

Old Photo Friday

This week was designated "retro week" on Facebook, a social networking site.  Some participated by changing their profile picture to an old school picture.   My friends, who are mostly my age, shared their favorite 70's photo.  We laughed at the clothing styles - plaid pants, big colors.  Typical 70's pictures.

I found some slides from the first day of Kindergarten and decided to post them on Facebook.  I've got the "Cindy Brady" short dress look.  The other classmates pictured at the bus stop wore the wildest plaids I have ever seen.  One of the boys pictured ended up at my college.  We spoke on occasion.  He's now on Facebook.  Hopefully, he'll get a good laugh.

The bags were a part of the kindergarten school supply list.  This is the era before backpacks.  Parents were sent the instructions and pattern and told to make a bag that will hold school papers.  Most kids had bags sewn by their mothers.  I still have mine in a box.

So for a good laugh at the quintessential 70's kids look, here's my kindergarten pictures.  All I can say is, 'Gee Mom, can I get a little more on that dress?"

A Milestone

Wow.  10,000 visits to our little blog.  That's a milestone.  For the record, 147 unique visitors found Chung Family Happenings in the nearly three years this site has been active.

Want to know who was the 10,000th site visit?  Springer Appraisals.  Hi Uncle Chuck. 

Old Photo Friday

Dressing for the Weather

Before it became "cool" to wear as little as possible during the winter, parents dressed their children properly for the weather.  We could play outdoors for hours in the cold winter - with some breaks for changes of mittens and scarves.  There was so much to do in the snow.  When I was little, we tried some ice skating close to the shore of the Mississippi.  The ice wasn't as smooth as the indoor skating arenas or lake skating.  The currents of the rivers made too many ripples in the ice.

Today's old photo is two kids, my uncles Rick and Chuck, dressed correctly for the weather, enjoying some outdoor hockey.  Lake Zumbro maybe?

Today's Diatribe - Dress for the Weather

The weather today will be close to 70 degrees this afternoon.  Partly Sunny and pleasant.  The important part of the sentence is "this afternoon".  Not this morning, not at night - the temperature will reach 70 only in the afternoon.   At 8 o'clock this morning, the temperature is hovering at 40 degrees.  For the desert folks - that's cold.

I dropped the girls off at school on my way to work today.  I saw kids on bikes in shorts, girls in flip flops, and kids in short sleeves shivering at the school playground.  Yesterday, Woody watched a mother take an infant out of the car while helping an older child.  The infant was in barefeet with his pants pulled up while riding in its mother's arm.  No jacket on the infant, no hat.  Why can't people dress for the weather?

This is the time for layers, folks.  Jackets can be slipped off after morning recess and put into backpacks.  Flip flops have no business on kids feet.  They'll regret it later.  I've said my peace.  Now the girls understand why they have fleece jackets and layers underneath.  The weather can go from mid 30's to low 70's and back to 40's all in the course of 12 hours.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

"Grab your plates! In the land of Chewandswallow, meals – rather than rain or snow – fall from the sky. But something goes awry: the food falling from the sky gets larger and larger, causing the residents to make an escape before being squashed by giant pancakes or rolls."

I was excited to find out that by some luck, we were among the first to get this movie from our Netflix queue - shipped out yesterday.  Knowing that the movie was coming, we decided to surprise the girls with the movie after they helped us cook dinner.  And dinner was an obvious choice - spaghetti and meatballs.  Morgan, Annika and Ingrid donned gloves and mixed the meat to form the golf ball sized spheres.  After mixing the raw meat and shaping, the girls retired to take their baths while I started cooking.

Baths done, dinner in the living room (a treat), and a new blu-ray movie to top off the evening.  Erik was passed back and forth while Woody and I took turns eating.  Eventually he dozed off in my arms.

Our Chung family evening was capped off with reading time - Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Bartlett.

Hollywood

After a day of fun at Universal Studios, we checked in on Erik and found out he was asleep for the night! The fun continued with a quick GPS check - we were less than two miles from the Kodak Theater, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

We got out and took a quick walk along Hollywood Blvd. Thankfully, we had the girls warm jackets in the car. Directly across from the Kodak Theater is the Disney Store and Soda Fountain. We had yummy sandwich and spaghetti dinners and finished with a shared banana split - fudge only and five spoons.

We crossed the street again and went to Grauman's theater to see the famous forecourt, gazing down at the stars' footprints, handprints and autographs immortalized in the cement. The girls quickly checked out the small handprints of Rita Hayworth. They didn't know Shirley Temple, but her handprints were small enough for Ingrid (she imprinted them as a child). One of the more recent additions is the square marking the hand and footprints of the three stars of Harry Potter. The girls liked that. At around 9:00 in the evening, we piled back into the car for the ride back to Harmony's house. Arriving home, the girls were all abuzz about their day. Grandparents make great listeners!

Universal Studios Hollywood

Woody and I got the family tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood and set out today for fun post New Years day in L.A.  It's an easy drive to Hollywood and Woody knows the area well.  He went to grade school for two years in Hollywood.  We drove past the Hollywood Bowl and up the hill to Universal Studios.  It has changed significantly since my last visit - 30 years ago.

We watched another fabulous 4-D feature, Shrek.  We had a great lunch and even took some time to call Grandpa and wish him a happy birthday.  Grandma reminded us that thirty years ago, her greatest memory of Universal Studios is losing Todd and me somewhere in the park.  Not an issue for us, we thought, the three girls are behaving quite well.

After lunch we headed to the Curious George play area, which included a wet play area and a dry play area.  The girls climbed up and shot off the water cannons, staying clear of the rocket launch every 10 minutes (a big dump of water).  Here's Morgan getting out of the action just in time:

Ingrid played for awhile with the water cannons and was barely damp.  After that she stayed near the stuffed animal stand - an obvious dry spot - and watched the action.

After awhile the girls headed into the dry play area shooting pom pom balls in a three story indoor play area.  Woody went up to help Ingrid and Morgan was down by me.  Annika lost interest quickly and headed back outside via the second story catwalk.  Woody noticed first that we were short a child in the vast play area.  We all headed out to look for Annika.  And there we found her:

Yes, she was still in the secure Curious George play area, but two minutes out of our sight meant a super soaked kid.  Fortunately, project management is a specialty of mine.  I had emergency leggings and spare underwear in the backpack.  Morgan's extra shirt served as a dry top and the socks were ditched until we could find substitutes.  It's amazing how you can dry a kid in a bathroom with papertowels.  Disaster averted, we continued with a few more attractions, including Backdraft and the Mummy ride, and ended our Universal Studios day with the standard Universal Studios tram tour.

Universal Studios Character Sightings

Ingrid has finally agreed that characters in costumes are not scary and it's fun to have a picture taken standing with them.  This is a change from Thanksgiving time at Sea World San Diego.  It was great to see so many cartoon characters out and about mingling with the crowds at Universal Studios.  You'll notice some clothing changes on the girls to accommodate the cool then warm then breezy weather, plus the aforementioned shower.  I'm glad we were well prepared.