Grazie, Prego, Scusi

It's thank you, you're welcome and excuse me in Italian. 

It also pretty well describes our feelings about 2012 (mostly the grazie, but also the scusi).

And, finally, it's a great little song by Dean Martin that will make more sense if you have a few minutes to watch this video that Antony created as a fun memento to 2012. 

Here's to happy, loving weeks ahead and a million loose-screw moments in 2013. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcNiSriyPOo&feature=youtu.be

 

We're Super Cultured, Obviously

Ben, after school last week: "Today we went to a, um...a few...nuh.. A funera...."

Me: "A funeral?!"

Ben: "Uh, yeah...?"

Me: "Did someone die?!" Good lord, what were they teaching him?!

Ben: "No, no one died. There were three bears and a wolf, and singers..."

Me, after a text to an always-helpful fellow 1st grade mom: "Ben, do you mean a theater? Like theee-uh-tuh? Or maybe...was it a rehearsal?"

REHEARSAL! Yes, as my keen investigative techniques uncovered (thanks Law & Order!), the Wichita Children's Theater held an assembly, The Three Little Pigs, with singing, acting...the whole cultural shebang.

Or, for Ben to tell it: a funeral.

Meanwhile, Roman and I enjoyed our own cultural experience at Exploration Place, playing retro video games. EP's traveling exhibit is Videotopia, a look back at early video games, so it's basically a free arcade minus the creepy people. And while I don't want to mislead my kids about museums, any that offers Ms. Pac Man and Pole Position is okay with me.

Then we saw what Rome could build in a day (30 minutes, really) with this leaning tower of blocks.

I have to hand it to you, Wichita. Our definitions of culture align nicely, even if your children's plays resemble funerals.

Losing it

And, just like that, Ben's too old for baby teeth. Well, one anyway.

We've had The Tooth Fairy on high alert (this thing has been loose so long that its replacement already half-arrived) so she (he?) should be flying by with a $2 bill this evening. And maybe Fairy will leave a little something for me, since I'm turning 36 tomorrow.

Which has me thinking of the things I'm too old for.

You know, things like energy drinks. And body glitter. Camping in tents. Party buses. Salt after 7 p.m. Booty shorts. The phrase "amazeballs." And Glamour Magazine. It's been a good run, Glamour, but if I haven't yet tried that "New Sex Trick He'll Love!" what are the odds I'll do so now?

Slim.

What I will do is list things that keep me young: you know, the kids. Anthony. Exercise. Friends. Old sex tricks. Laughing. And going to bed at 9 p.m

Speaking of, it's nearly time to hit the sack...but first, I'll just double check Fairy's work.

There's No Place Like...

...wherever your friends are.

Big news in Oz. Some life-long California friends are headed our way, set to move here mid-December.

That's right, just in time for a gool ol' Wichita winter wind bitch slap. But let's keep that quiet. Also, don't mention the allergies. Or the heat. Or the fact that all recipes begin, "take a block of cream cheese and..."

The friends: Shana, John and their girls. Last time Shana and I lived near each other, we were spiral-permed, over-tanned, and caterpillar-eyebrowed. (See below, circa 1994.)

Oh wait...that was just me. Shana was (and is) lovely. And authentic, loyal and hilarious.

They love the Midwest (an actual quote), and can't wait to get here. Likewise, Sanders Family, we can't wait to have you. You'll fit in perfectly with the crowd of wonderful Wichita goofballs we've befriended.

Shana, pencil us in to recreate the above scene...only minus brows. And minus tans. Plus fabric. And plus kids.

Ham Land

Am. At. Ham. Land.

Nope, that's not a postcard from Wichita. Or my latest cry for help. As coincidence would have it, those were the first four words on Benny's spelling test.

Wait, I think it was a coincidence. Maybe they're trying to acclimate my child to a place in which everything is bacon-wrapped. Even the bacon. Then battered and fried.

Anyway, it was his first ever, and...drumroll, please...

...my chip off the English block scored 100%.

...And Fast

"I've got it, Mom." Roman said at drop off, proving that he's as diplomatic as he is independent.

And fast. Man, how is Baby Roman almost 5?! And when do I stop calling him that?

So, I stopped helicoptering and left him with the charming Mrs. Saunders on day 1 of pre-K, after this one last picture.

 
Yep, lots of changes this week, especially versus last year.

There are the basics - rooms, procedures, new things for me to forget, etc. - but the experience is just...different. The start of the day is a perfect example; Roman's bull-by-the-horns approach isn't that surprising; what is surprising is Ben's new-found cling.

Last year, he barely let the car slow before he bolted out and raced alone to his classroom. And I'm sure we'll get back there, but so far he's pretty apprehensive. For him to tell it: "Mom, why do I have to go to first grade? I was so good at Kindergarten..."

I also think, now that he knows how to tell time, he's pretty bothered that he'll be there for seven whole hours.

And who can blame him? I haven't committed to something for seven straight hours since... ummm... well... whenever it was, I'll bet it made me grumpy.

Still, here he is, happily clinging to his happy mother. I mean, who am I to complain that he doesn't want to leave my side? That'll come too soon anyway.

A midday difference: lunch lady duty is more frequent...and more serious. On day 1, I had the unsavory job of marching a crying second grader to the principal's office. Dreadful all around (it was very "Green Mile"), but I guess that's what you get for a Catholic cafeteria F bomb. 

Another difference, this one at the end of each day: man, they're fast. Last year, they still had training wheels on their bikes, so they'd ride home as I walked. Now I have to literally sprint to keep up with them. And, no I still can't keep up. Here's my usual view as I do the P.E. teacher powerwalk to catch up.

But, some things never change. The boys miss each other during the day, then drive each other bananas at night.

Anthony still dresses like he too wears a school uniform...

...and I still look like garbage when I drop off the kids.

Sheesh, no wonder Roman wanted me out of the room...and fast.

What I Did Last Summer

With the Olympics behind us and school's start-up still a whole day away, I'm enjoying a tear-free 24 hours.

Uh, make that 19; Ben starts 1st grade tomorrow at 7:50 a.m. sharp.

So, being the last day of the boys' summer, we're also enjoying extended pajama-wearing hours and we ate breakfast for lunch.

No better time, then, to look back at this fun, funny summer we've had. The boys have grown like weeds, my outdoor plants have grown like dried herbs and I've grown to find a happy place in Wichita. Here's why:

• I've found a pool, a drink and some friends.
• We were in 68-degree California during Wichita's 111-degree days.
• My boys are happy.

So, behold, our good life this summer, through a quick recap.

We performed our own Olympic event, The Springboard (that's Roman):

...and The Spectator (my event, obviously):

 

We had a visit from Aunt Viv...

...and paid a visit to KC to see The Foxes:

 

Ben cozied next to his swimming ribbons, possibly to prevent brotherly theft, or to boost his self esteem as he slept:

And, speaking of accomplishments, Roman learned to cook his own eggs. My work is done here, folks.

The boys also learned to take pictures, resulting in only a few (dozen) R-rated shots, but mostly capturing beauts like this:

We also laked...

...and t-balled:

Then rounded it all out with a vacation to California, where we played...

...ate...

...and became thinkers?

Finally, in Colorado, we had the honor of seeing my brother-in-law Joey marry the wonderful Teresa:

Then my boys of summer caught their first Rockies (vs. Giants!) game at Coors Field:

We're up for a big day tomorrow, then a busy week to follow as Roman starts his last year of pre-school and I take up my dual role as frazzled mom and lunch lady extraordinaire.

But first, we'll get out of our PJs for one more pool day in this funnier-than-expected season. Summer, we anxiously await your return.