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June 06, 2005
A Story about Ralph and Ugly Shirts
When I was 9, I got a cheap stuffed mouse in my Christmas stocking. Actually, to be more specific and truthful, I got a kangaroo and traded my little brother for a bear. Only I thought it was a mouse.
I had recently re-read Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle and so named my new mouse, "Ralph", as I named everything. Including my pet chicken who turned out to be a girl. This cracked me up, so my stuffed mouse was also girl named Ralph. Who I loved and loved and loved. For many years, Ralph was my good friend, accompanying me on vacations and road trips and sleep-overs. I played with her like she was a doll, only Ralph has no arms or legs, just felt glued on. I still made clothes and accessories for her, like sleeping bags and hats and earrings.
Now Ralph sits in a box, her head all smooshed flat and her one remaining sleeping bag outfit on- earrings long gone. I tried to give Ralph to my daughter to play with, but just couldn't bring myself to allow poor old Ralph that sort of treatment by a two-and-a-half-year-old.
Maybe Ralph will be in Signa's 9-year Christmas stocking. Or maybe Ralph will stay in the box until this story is long forgotten and great-great grandchildren wonder why their crazy old ancestor kept such a hideous thing for all these years. If only they can know that that sleeping bag outfit of Ralph's actually came from the sleeve of my 1976 floral shirt. Maybe they'll save at least that.
And now some...
Signa Snippets:
* The other day, Signa was playing with her Fisher Price people and I asked what their names were. She had the two African American boys who both are the same figure except have different accessories. I asked what their names were and she said, "Dis one is Uncle Bobby and dis one is Uncle Scott. They are going to Applebee's." So there you have it. Bob and Scott have not only made it high enough in Signa's world to be Fisher Price Little People, but they also are esteemed enough to dine at the renowned Applebee's restaurant.
* There is a scene in Star Wars where C3P0 takes an oil bath (sometime after or before Luke whines about power converters). Signa is obsessed with shampoo for C3P0. "Where is CP0's shampoo? CP0 needs shampoo!" What kind of shampoo washes IN the oil? Not sure I know the answer to that.
* It's funny to watch Signa try to figure out language on her own. The other day, she said someone was "talking for us!" She meant, "Calling us." But if you think about it her way, it does make sense.
Posted by Debbie at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
June 02, 2005
Long Weekend and Signa Goes to Prison
On Friday, we ventured to Marine World. When I was a kid, it was called, "Marine World Africa USA" and was all about the animals. Now it's the rides, but we got 1/2 priced tickets through the home school group and it was worth it. Even though lots of things were not open or not working, Signa did have a great time. The animals they did have were very cool. We saw the killer whale show, the dolphin show and the tiger show (but Signa slept through this). Signa re-enacted the dolphin show in the bathtub when we got home with a shark toy and Mr. Bubble floatie guy. "This is the man and he is pushed up in the air by the shark dolphin. See?"
She also loved the butterflies ("They look wike Moffra!") and the turtles ("They are Gamorah!"). We went into the aviary even though Signa is afraid of birds and I think she's over her fear. They were all over my arm and she was gleeful. Then one landed on her head and I didn't notice, as I was watching the door. I heard, "That's okay, birdy. I know you are sorrwee." I took it off her head and she said, "Dat birdy wiked me!"
She loved the giraffes eating the leaves off the ground right in front of us and then also the "popsicle" hanging in the tree (big block of ice with fruit and veggies in it) that it was eating. They have a shark thing, too, where you go through a tunnel with sharks everywhere- we were in there for awhile. We went to the dolphin petting area and the stingray petting areas, but no animals came near us. They must have had animal mind conversations with our cats, Jack and Jones.
While it was fun, it would not have been worth it if our tickets had been regular price. Signa was also free. We'll wait a few years before going back, as it really is more of a ride place now. The animals are just not as prominent.
So Friday was Marine World and then Saturday Bob and Scott came over and the boys all went out and did their things together. Signa was an angel and we made soaps and things together. Then in the afternoon/evening when they were home, I was in on the computer doing a spreadsheet for work. Got only about 1/2 done. But at least it won't be so stressful at work next week with only 4 days.
Sunday morning Mom, Todd and Austin came over and we all went to a 10am showing of Madagascar. We all liked it and Signa sat and watched the whole thing, although she did want to be in Marc's lap or mine, not in her own chair. She came home and got her FP Little People lion, zebra, hippo and giraffe out and played Madagascar. They all ate popcorn and spit out drinks. Todd and Austin left straight from the movies and we came home with mom. Signa napped and we watched Meet the Fockers. Marc and I had watched it the night before so he and I dozed through most of it. But then he and I went to dinner and to see Star Wars that night, while Mom watched Signa. I loved Star Wars. My favorite Star Wars movie. I actually cried really hard and I NEVER cry in movies. But I loved it anyway.
Monday we all walked to the park and Signa played with the other kids so cute and nicely. Since it's an hour there and an hour back and she plays for 2 hours, that was most of the day! After her nap we went and ran errands and then to taco bell for dinner. Yuck, but mmmmmm.
Tuesday was swimming lessons and we actually took her out before it was over because she was SOOOOO BAD!!! She only wanted to play and wouldn't do anything she was supposed to be doing. I told her once that if she didn't start following directions we would leave, as it's not "swimming play" it's "swimming LESSONS". She acted up again and had a tantrum, so we marched right out of the pool. Then she went into full on hysterics with hitting and screaming. We hurried to the car and were mad at her the rest of the night, even after she'd long forgotten.
I know she's not even three yet, but this was disturbing to us. She was THAT kid. That kid everyone notices and not in a good way. It started all these bells in my head that she was going to fail college and fail all jobs because she refuses to do anything unless she wants to. I had whole scenarios playing out in my head. Her boss asking her to attend a meeting. Signa saying, "No, I'd rather stay here and play with the rubber duckies in the shallow part." Him sitting her down and telling her that it just wasn't working out and that he was going to have to ask her to resign. Her having a temper tantrum and wailing at his face with her fists. Not because she was losing her job, but because he was removing her from the friggin' duckies. Then he'd call the police and have her arrested for assault. And the prison guards. Oh, the prison guards would surely ask her to do something that she didn't want to do and all hell would break loose there, too.
But it could just be that swimming lessons at 7:30 at night just aren't for Signa.
Right?
Posted by Debbie at 11:56 AM | Comments (0)