Tonight I talked Doug and Cam into watching The Wizard of Oz with me. It is a movie that I remember watching every Spring and always enjoyed it, especially Dorothy and the Scarecrow. I have to admit, however, that there was one part that always scared me. I think I was in third or fourth grade before I would stay in the room when this scene came on. I know for most children the wicked witch or the flying monkeys would make them cover their eyes.
Not me, however, I had absolutely no problem with either of these. It was actually the Munchkins that sent me screaming to my Mother. I just couldn't understand how people could be that little. I also didn't realize that only their shoes curled up and not their toes or that the flowers growing out of their heads were just part of their costume. The Lollipop Guild was the worst for me. Their scrunched up faces and creepy voices were all I could handle.
Doug and I were married several years before I thought about telling him about my irrational fear of the inhabitants of Munchkinland. Now he and the Heinisch children make fun of me for it and I am alright with that. I deserve it. I am happy to report, however, that I can now watch the movie and sing "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" without hiding my eyes.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Pow Wow Week
Last night was the accumulation of the high school's Pow Wow Week. Students were invited to take part in various dress up days throughout the week and to raise money for a student in need. Cal borrowed Dad's robe for pajama day and wore white t-shirts and jorts along with six of his friends for twin day.
Friday night's activities revolved around individual, team and class competitions. Cal participated in several and was glad to report that his 3 on 3 basketball team was the overall runner up, losing only on a last minute three. I think his proudest moment, however, came during one of the class competitions. He was "nominated" to represent the junior class in the Fear Factor Challenge. The first competitor to finish a bowl of "ice cream" was to be declared the winner. Cal said he took one bite and realized that it was really frozen mayonnaise. He told us that it tasted disgusting, but he didn't want to give up so he put it all in his mouth and did his best not to think about it. The technique worked as Cal was declared the winner, although I am not sure his stomach felt like it won much in the end. No matter what it was a great way to break the winter blues and promote camaraderie in their school. I know the students are already looking forward to next year.
Friday night's activities revolved around individual, team and class competitions. Cal participated in several and was glad to report that his 3 on 3 basketball team was the overall runner up, losing only on a last minute three. I think his proudest moment, however, came during one of the class competitions. He was "nominated" to represent the junior class in the Fear Factor Challenge. The first competitor to finish a bowl of "ice cream" was to be declared the winner. Cal said he took one bite and realized that it was really frozen mayonnaise. He told us that it tasted disgusting, but he didn't want to give up so he put it all in his mouth and did his best not to think about it. The technique worked as Cal was declared the winner, although I am not sure his stomach felt like it won much in the end. No matter what it was a great way to break the winter blues and promote camaraderie in their school. I know the students are already looking forward to next year.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Happy Birthday Dad!
Today was my Dad's 72nd birthday and we of course bought him Circus Peanuts. As this has become an annual gift we decided to mix it up and buy Circus Easter Chicks and Bunnies. I don't know if my Dad loves Circus Peanuts as much as he loves getting a reaction out of the part of the Heinisch family that despises them. We also got him a Barnes & Noble gift card as he is an avid reader and a football from Meg and Cam which they started tossing around immediately. I know that it is not the gifts that he looks forward to each year, but just spending time with the Heinisch children. They feel the same way.
My favorite part of his birthday this year, however, appeared on Facebook. Along with all of the well wishers my Dad made his own post. I thought it summed up his view on life perfectly and was glad to be a part of it!
From a little kid in Milford to an old guy in Syracuse, I really moved a long way away. But, I wouldn't have it any other way I've got a lovely wife and great daughter and son-in-law and four fantastic grandchildren. At 72 years old I can still play golf in the 70s ( if you let me keep score). And that's not the temperature ! It's been a great run. In The words of Jimmy Buffet..... Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic but it's been a good life anyway!!!!!
My favorite part of his birthday this year, however, appeared on Facebook. Along with all of the well wishers my Dad made his own post. I thought it summed up his view on life perfectly and was glad to be a part of it!
From a little kid in Milford to an old guy in Syracuse, I really moved a long way away. But, I wouldn't have it any other way I've got a lovely wife and great daughter and son-in-law and four fantastic grandchildren. At 72 years old I can still play golf in the 70s ( if you let me keep score). And that's not the temperature ! It's been a great run. In The words of Jimmy Buffet..... Some of it's magic, some of it's tragic but it's been a good life anyway!!!!!
Happy Birthday Backroads - you are one in a million!
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Presentations
This morning the Encore group was in charge of the presentation for Smart Start. We had done a book study for the past month or so on a speaker that the entire middle school will see tomorrow. He has done research on teaching, poverty and brain development. My goal was not to give an opinion on his research or how it will work in our school system. Instead I focused on presenting information to the staff that would give them an overview of his book and the key concepts according to the Encore teachers.
I was nervous about the presentation before I participated in it. I wasn't sure how it would work with a group presenting. I had written the power point and was comfortable with the slides, but we hadn't really worked out who would talk about what. It worked out fine, however, as two of us stepped up and presented. The rest of the group answered questions if needed and overall I felt that the morning was a success.
I was nervous about the presentation before I participated in it. I wasn't sure how it would work with a group presenting. I had written the power point and was comfortable with the slides, but we hadn't really worked out who would talk about what. It worked out fine, however, as two of us stepped up and presented. The rest of the group answered questions if needed and overall I felt that the morning was a success.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Youth Sports Are Not For the Weak at Heart
Tonight was Cameron's third 4th grade basketball game and it was by far the most disappointing of the season. It was not that way because we lost or that we played poorly, but because an overzealous coach from the other team ruined it for all involved. I do not understand the philosophy of deciding in fourth grade who is the superstar and who isn't. Our team has twenty boys, all of whom play equally and learn all of the positions. His team had six fourth grade boys with one boy allowed to play point guard.
I sat in the stands and was absolutely amazed at the stupidity of it all. Part of playing youth sports is learning the game, but it is also learning how to be a good teammate and camaraderie with one's peers. It's the stories after the game, the waiting for practice to start, the mistakes, the great passes, the growing, and the learning that is important. It isn't about one or two players playing all of the time, building elite teams and beating up on the B team. I was impressed with how well our coaches and players handled it. They learned how to react to the defense and to keep trying no matter what. They also learned that their coach is coaching all of them and that they are an important part of the program.
Tonight we saw the ugly side of youth sports. It is the part that makes me cringe. Youth sports are definitely not for the weak at heart.
I sat in the stands and was absolutely amazed at the stupidity of it all. Part of playing youth sports is learning the game, but it is also learning how to be a good teammate and camaraderie with one's peers. It's the stories after the game, the waiting for practice to start, the mistakes, the great passes, the growing, and the learning that is important. It isn't about one or two players playing all of the time, building elite teams and beating up on the B team. I was impressed with how well our coaches and players handled it. They learned how to react to the defense and to keep trying no matter what. They also learned that their coach is coaching all of them and that they are an important part of the program.
Tonight we saw the ugly side of youth sports. It is the part that makes me cringe. Youth sports are definitely not for the weak at heart.
Monday, March 23, 2015
SNOW!!! is a four letter word
It started snowing today at 9 a.m. just as predicted and continued on through the rest of the day. Several people stopped by to let us know that there were slide offs and the roads were slick. By the time it was all said and down we probably had 3 inches on the ground. The weather forecaster said that it wouldn't last through tomorrow afternoon, but I have to admit that I am tired of the snow and cold temperatures. Winter just won't end. I am ready to be outside and I know that everyone else is too. Golf practice was cancelled today, and I am sure that it will be tomorrow as well. I know that the weather will turn more Spring like soon. Just can't wait!
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Happy Birthday Meg!
Today was Meg's 14th birthday and we celebrated it in Meg fashion by going to the mall and eating lunch at Macri's. Meg found a new outfit to purchase and did some window shopping for shoes and clothes that she would like to buy on our Spring Break trip. We had lunch with Jeannette and Mike. That was special as we had not seen them in awhile.
The evening was spent singing Happy Birthday, eating white cake and watching Meg open her gifts. She received a lot of clothes, head bands, candy and money. All in all in was a great day and a wonderful way to celebrate Meg.
When I think back to the day she was born I always marvel at the fact that she made it into this world as her birth was very dramatic. She fought through and although she spent many months afterward catching up on her sleep and has had reoccurring eye problems that I feel are remnants of her trauma birth, she has grown into a beautiful, confident, intelligent young woman. I never cared when I was pregnant about the gender of our children as I just wanted happy, healthy children. I do thank God, however, for adding a girl to the Heinisch family frat house. She is a wonderful addition to our testosterone world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)