Farmers' Market Photo Ops

Char can't pass these up.

Mom wants to get in on the action when cupcakes are involved.

They didn't have any meat props, so I just took pictures.

0 Days to Go!

We made it to the day Char has been dreading all week - the last day of school. She has had such a great year at Olmsted, and she doesn't want to say goodbye to her friends and teachers. More than a few tears have been shed. That says a lot about that elementary staff. 

Somehow, I think she will survive.

 It's hard to believe that our little girl is going to be a first grader next year. Time is such a tricky thing. The days are slow. The weeks are fast. The months fly by. You blink and another year is over. It's a truth that doesn't make sense. 

All you can do is just roll with it.

"So it goes." Kurt Vonnegut 

1 Day to Go

Y is for Yellow Day.

Charlotte would like you to notice her socks and her hair accessories. 

2 Days to Go

This is an email from our daycare provider. It was sent to Daphne and me back in March.



Yes, we have been ready for summer for quite awhile...

Old Habits

Raised on the radio
Raised on the radio
Just an all-American boy
I've got my favorite toy

               - The Ravyns

I went to a Lutheran Bible Camp at Lake Okoboji when I was in the 6th grade.

This vacation was going to be the first time I had ever been away by myself for a week, and I was worried. I wasn't nervous about missing my family or not being able to make friends. I also didn't think twice about sleeping in a strange bed or having to eat weird food. 

I was afraid that a new song would come out on the radio while I was at camp, and I would miss it.

That seems ridiculous today, but back then a song could be played on the radio only a couple of times and then disappear forever. You couldn't download the song or find it on Youtube. The music store in my small hometown sure wouldn't have it. You were at the mercy of the DJs and the music programers. I was horrified by the idea that a great song might come and go before I had the chance to hear it.

The clock radio on the table next to my bed could receive only one "rock" station with any dependable clarity. KELO FM, broadcasting from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was my one connection to the world of new music. I was spending at least one hour every night in bed watching the minute numbers slowly flipping over while memorizing song titles, band names, and lyrics. 

That hour of music was always past my bedtime, so my radio's volume was turned down as low as possible. It's surprising how loud level 1 can become in a silent room.

MTV wasn't an option in (soft)Rock Valley, but when I was in 9th grade the USA Network began airing a 30-minute music program called Radio 1990. I also discovered the music reviews in Rolling Stone magazine about that time. Both were great resources for learning about new music, but I still spent dark hours quietly obsessing in the soft glow of the alarm clock.

In high school I got pretty good at making mix-tapes of songs recorded from LPs and CDs. 

By the time Napster and recordable CDs showed up, I had forgotten all about listening to the radio at night. 

 I even quit listening to the radio in the car when Des Moines' alternative radio station, The DOT 107.5, converted to dance music in July of 1999. I became my own DJ, and for years I only listened to what I wanted to hear when I wanted to hear it.

But then I found a vintage clock radio at a thrift store a few weeks ago. I had no idea why I was drawn to it, but when my gut tells me to buy something, I have learned to listen. 

This is what I brought home.

I tested the clock's accuracy and then retired my beat Spartus alarm clock. Out with old; in with the less old. Having a radio next to my bed again feels like finishing a puzzle I didn't know was incomplete. 

But what station to listen to? I have a lot more choices than I did in the 80's.

Lately, I'm in bed before Daphne, and I have about 30 minutes to listen to WOI-FM on 90.1. My clock has a "Sleep" button that allows the radio to play for eight minutes before it turns off. I usually hit the sleep button two or three times a night - it's like a snooze button in reverse. 

I'm really enjoying the music they play on Studio One, World Cafe, and UnderCurrents. These programs broadcast some music I wouldn't hear anywhere else, and listening to these musical discoveries is like being twelve again. Sometimes a song is so good I want to get up and write down the name of the artist, but I stay in bed. I'm too lazy to care that much.

Do I like all the music they play on these programs? No, I don't. And that's why I enjoy listening to them.

I'd fall asleep a lot faster if 90.1 only played my favorite songs in my favorite genres. A few nights ago the radio was playing a few live recordings by an instrumental group. I wasn't fond of their music, but at the end of each song the recorded audience clapped and cheered with enthusiasm. I kept listening to see if I could hear what they heard. I didn't figure it out, but it was a more interesting experience than listening to a song I knew by heart.

I'm also glad the radio doesn't have a "skip" button. There's nothing I can do if I don't like a song; I have no control over the radio's programming. Instead of dismissing a song after five seconds because it sounds like something I don't enjoy, I have to give the music a chance. And that's where you strike gold. If you only stick with what you like, then you might miss discovering what you love. 

Well, that's enough typing for tonight. It's time to hit that Sleep button. I've got some uncharted territories to explore.

Link: The Ravyns' "Raised on the Radio"

5 Days to Go

V is for Video Day. I can't share pics of that, so here are some from Saturday.

We were in South Dakota last weekend for my niece's graduation party. The three of us stayed with our friends Rob and Nichole. On Nichole's suggestion, we all went to the Butterfly House & Marine Cove.

It's pretty cool when you can be inside an aquarium and not get wet. (These photos were taken by Rob.)

One of the butterflies in the house was partial to the "flowers" in Char's hair. She was pretty excited a butterfly picked her for a landing spot.

They had some other creatures in the Reading Room. Here's Charlotte with Charlotte the tarantula. 

I suppose it makes sense to name the tarantula in the Reading Room after a famous literary character, but it didn't make me like the spider any more. Those things creep me out.

6 Days to Go

Char's kindergarten class took a trip to the zoo yesterday, but I couldn't go to that. So, no zoo pictures to share.

I was able to take Charlotte to a new class last night, though.

Char has been asking to take a martial arts class for some time. It's not surprising, children's literature and entertainment is filled with martial art themes.

   

We enrolled Char in a "Little Ninjas" class to give her something new to do since ballet is over. She was so pumped to go to her 6:00 class, but when we got to the elementary gym where the class was held, she was became nervous and then outright afraid. She wouldn't let go of my waist. I tried to explain this was going to be a combination of ballet and P.E., but that didn't calm her fears.

I went with her when the Little Ninjas were called to the line. I moved a few steps back after five minutes, and I was standing against the wall with the other parents after ten minutes. Char was on her own and doing her best.

Here she is listening to Mr. Green.

They didn't mess around. In no time they had Char doing snap kicks and learning the correct way to make a fist.

I can see similarities between martial arts and dance. Both require learning how to control the body and learning how and where the body needs to be positioned. 

I was even more impressed with the principles that the instructors began teaching the kids. More than once they explained how important it is to practice courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and to have an indomitable spirit. 

"Do you make a fist when you are angry? No! That never makes you feel better. You have to have self-control!"

"Should you should show your friends at school how you can kick them? Never! You have to behave with courtesy!"

Nice. Very nice.

Daphne's band had their last concert last night, so I got to put Charlotte to bed by myself. After running around the zoo all day, and then going to Little Ninjas in the evening, Char was wiped out. I read her two stories, tucked the covers around her, and kissed her on her forehead. I told her, "Goodnight, my little ninja."

Charlotte beamed and closed her eyes. Then she rolled over and whispered to her pillow, "Best dad ever."

Yes, I think we all are going to like the martial arts.

8 Days to Go

S is for Silly Socks and Sunglasses.

Yikes! Those sunglasses are supposed to be silly, not scary!

9 Days to Go

R is for Reading with the Whole Class day, or something like that.

It was also Picnic in the Park with Your Parents Day. Yea! Luckily for me, Lion's Park is across from the high school, and the picnic was scheduled during my lunch period.

What a great day to taunt Dad with your Cheeto.

And then pose for a picture with Mom.

It's the best school lunch that I've had all year.

(Yes, it even beat you, Turkey Supreme with potatoes and gravy.)

10 Days to Go

Q is for Q-Tip Art. We'll have to see what Char brings home.

Charlotte's dance recital was on Saturday, but you can only take pictures at the dress rehearsal. No flash photography or video is allowed during the performance. That's okay, it let me relax and just focus on the kids.

I started to tear up when a small group of 4-year-olds (not my daughter's group) began their dance. Watching these little girls turning, bending, and lifting their arms to Sarah McLachlan's "Ordinary Miracle" was surprisingly moving. If your heart has hardened, and you don't think there is beauty and innocence in our world, then you haven't been to a children's dance recital recently.

In other news, I did buy Char a tag-along bike. I picked it up a few weeks ago at the Des Moines Bicycle Collective. The bike had just been donated to the collective, and their mechanics hadn't had the chance to check it. So, I got for $50. Not a bad deal. That rear tire looks brand new.

Tag-alongs are supposed to be the gateway drug to riding a bike solo, so I was hoping that she'd like riding along with me. I shouldn't have worried.

We were ten seconds into our maiden voyage when Char shouted, "Woo Hoo! I love riding this bike! We're going so fast!" She later exclaimed, "I know everything there is to know about bike riding!" I don't know about that, but I do believe we have left the two wheel bike trailer behind us in the dust.

Look out, RAGRAI. Here comes the Monsons.

Ordinary Miracle

12 Days to Go

O is for Orange/Outside Day, but all we had was orange and green socks - not very exciting. 

Here's some scenes from Char's dance recital dress rehearsal last night (that's a mouthful). 

This is what a smile looks like when you discover that you left your pink feather hair accessory at home. Seriously, this is the best smile she could give me.

All wasn't lost, though. Char got caught up in the excitement of the "Ice Cream Freeze", and her hair was forgotten.

She's back! There's our kid. 

Tradition follows performance. After dance, we get Chinese (egg drop soup for the dancer), and then we do the "Froyo Freeze" for dessert.

Serious dessert.

Happy dessert!

Good times.

13 Days to Go

N is for Necklace/Necktie day.

But Char wanted to add some bracelets, too.

Very stylish.

15 Days to Go

L is for Letter to a Friend Day, but that's not for me to write. That will be Charlotte's job.

I'll write about Saturday instead.

We started the weekend with a trip to the Downtown Farmers' Market's season opener. Our first stop was to get poffertjes from the fine people at Breakfast Delights.

Tammy's Tarts is also a "must stop."

I don't know how many times I have taken a picture of a kabob from Chef Steve's stand, but here's another one. Man, I love these kabobs.

We stopped by Adventureland for their opening day, too. The park was supposed to open the previous weekend, but the weather prohibited that.

The Log Ride is long gone, and construction on the new rollercoaster, The Monster, is almost complete. According to a park employee, there hasn't been an announced date, but the coaster should open in June. It looks like The Monster is going to be the real deal.

Just riding the Sky Glider chairs through The Monster is going to be a trip. I hope we don't get ralphed on.

The other rides were open for business. Char loves riding the Lady Luck. Daphne and I love dramamine.

I think Charlotte might be getting too big for the Ladybugs, but she wanted to take one for a spin.

The Scrambler lives up to its name, that's for sure. Char always wants to ride this twice, and Daphne and I have to trade spots. Neither of us can ride this thing twice in a row.

The farmers' markets are opening all over the area, Adventureland has opened their gates, and it won't be long before you can smell the chlorine in your local public pool.

Summer is coming. I can feel it.

16 Days to Go

K is for Kickball, but I didn't get a picture of that.

I was able to get two pictures of Char walking to the high school track with her teacher and classmates. Today Olmsted Elementary is having their first ever Fun Run!



I wouldn't be able to watch her on the track; the gun goes off at 1:30, and my open period ends at 1:36. But I was able to wish her luck and give her a high five.

Someone was pretty surprised to see Dad.





I pledged $3 per lap, so we'll see how much this is going to cost me...