Confetti Kids for the summer

 

I’ve got something to plug, and I’m proud to do this. IF you live in the Minooka, Channahon, Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, Morris… you get my point right? Anyway IF you live in the area of Minooka. AND have someone you know that is between the ages of 6 and 13 years of age.

LOVES theater, acting, stage, the Confetti Kids Theater Camp is AWESOME. I had the pleasure of hanging out for a day during this camp and it’s WORTH the $140. for it.

It’s ALL aspects of the word ‘Theater’ from writing, learning the stage, performing, set work… it was a great time for the few hours I was there.

Read this post I did about my costume and stage work I did….

The TRAC house or Three Rivers Art Council is a NON for profit organization that supports ALL the local arts. THIS is just a part of all the amazing things they do.

You can call them, ask questions, find them on facebook and sign up for this Theater Camp.

SPACE is limited, sign up and get your kid in for some great summer fun!

Think, Create, Exist!

JCat McGack

Mr. Weaky Man Buzz is Four

Our daughter, Tink was just 22 months old. I had her stay with Queen Gigi and Papa Carrots for a few days.

Blue and I checked into the hospital at 6 am. At 4:16 pm Buzz was born. 7 lbs, 10 oz. 21 1/2 inches. Blue eyes, and a full little Mohawk of hair light brown hair.

When I had Tink. My GIRL, 22 months prior, I was besides myself with happiness. I thought if ALL I have is girls, that will be fine with me! I mean I wasn’t raised with boys, I have no nephews, I have just Frances and me. Girls ruled in my book.

And then all of a sudden… this little man showed up. And he stole my heart. I mean I was worried when I was pregnant with him. Would I love another as much as I love my Tink? And how will this go with a boy? I don’t know much about boys.

And it all makes sense now. How people say that they love their children the same. But different. You’ve captured my heart in a way that only a mother with a son could understand.

And then all of a sudden you turned one… your hair blonde as blonde could be, eyes still blue as the sky.

Summer 2010 came and you were just two and already kissing girls! (LOVE this one D!)

Three was here before we knew it.

Here you are with your Aunt Jen, enjoying your 3rd birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we have this last year… where you’ve been nothing but ALL boy. NOISY, dirty, and SILLY!

Enjoying your face painted at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago…

Your first scissors… yes in a cat tower… in your underwear.

Your first video game. A LeapPad, your cooler then me at this point with your technology!

You LOVE all things Halloween (and even though it’s April 25th your STILL asking how many days till Halloween)

Seriously?! Big boy underwear and Dego-T shirts?! I LOVE it. Not only are you grown up, but you dress like a little man. And I can’t get enough of it.

Pudding face.

This next one… well it’s probably hands down my all time favorite black mail picture.

LOVE it.

And NO you’ll never live this one down…

Or this one…

How about this one? Tink looks MESSED up in this one. Like that pair of underwear is too tight on her head, messed up.

Around our house we have the VERY famous photo,

it’s on the fridge and it makes our day.

We titled this one

“Epic Fail”

Now this is where I’m starting to go a bit crazy. That wee little baby in that first picture. My tiny little man…

Who now when I hold all 32 lbs of him (and he’s still tiny for 4) your huge. It take all of me to hold you like this any more, and this morning when I played our song, ‘Smile’ by Uncle Kracker, to dance with you, I could barely hold you through it.

It’s been a while since we danced to our song, and you asked me what song this was. You said you liked it. I laughed and remembered that we need to do this more often.

And then this happened… we went to check out your new Preschool. You won’t start till September. But you are all registered and the first payment has been made.

Preschool.

… so before I totally loose it. We can come back to that in a few months. I can’t deal with that right now, baby steps.

Birthday first.

Oh and lets not forget about your new best friend. I love you two together. She’s in love with the fact that your rough, you play tug of war together everyday, you lay in the sun and read with her. I think you made loosing her sister Maggie, last year a bit easier by being there for her.

Alright… I’ve been avoiding it. Going down memory lane, skirting around the topic.

You. Are. Four.

Christ that’s a hard one. I’m sure I’ll loose it at 5. But I know that 4 means Preschool, friends… well one this is for sure. You will ALWAYS be a momma’s boy.

Happy 4th Birthday to my handsome little man. In his new big boy tent bunk bed.

After last weeks back to back Darth Vader Birthday parties with family, we have an exciting day of Library with your teacher Miss Sarah, then some shopping with your birthday money, with Aunt Frances today.

Love you Mr. xo…

Mom

Photo shoot fun

I borrowed my Dad’s fun Nikon SLR camera, I love my Nikon Coolpix but as a point and shoot it’s just not the same as a SLR. I had some fun with everyone the last few days…

Buzz was his usually silly self, and yes that is a new birthday shirt. And for someone who LOVES to be naked or just in his underwear, this shirt was perfect for him

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aww, and then we got cute for the last shot. Thanks buddy.

 

Sophie in the sunset last night…

Threatened by the camera? Bark.

Interested in the camera? Give it a stare down.

“Sophie! Sophie! Wanna snack? Go for walk?”

WHAT? Mommy your SO mean! (I gatta do what I gatta do for a head turn shot. And she DID get a snack)

Aunt Susie was over! Rocking her super short hair, loving Sophie!

Tink this morning. That coat drove me nuts, plus her hair was down. She was in a feisty mood, and became a ninja with that little tickly stem of hers…

LOVE the action shots she give. Thanks Tink.

And that’s all this Momarazzi’s got for now. Hope you all have a rock star day. I’m going to drink a pot of coffee and attempt to do something productive around my house today!

JCat McGack

 

THIS shot of me got some great reviews on Facebook, so I’m thinking it’s a good one of me. Best shots of me? In my car. (in park of coarse) I get the best lighting there!

100 ways to be kind to your child

Tell to your child:

1. I love you.
2. love you no matter what.
3. I love you even when you are angry at me.
4. I love you even when I am angry with you.
5. I love you when you are far way.  My love for you can reach you wherever you are.
6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old, 6 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you.
7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.
8. Thank you.
9. I enjoyed playing with you today.
10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______.

Tell them:
11. The story of their birth or adoption.
12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.
13. The story of how you chose their name.
14. A story about yourself when you were their age.
15. A story about how their grandparents met.
16. What your favorite color is.
17. That sometimes you struggle too.
18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”.
19. What the plan is.
20. What you’re doing right now.

Play:
21. Freeze Tag
22. Uno
23. Crazy 8s
24. Gin Rummy
25. Memory
26. Go Fish
27. I Spy- especially when you’re tired of driving and feel snappish
28. Catch

Pretend:
29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.
30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.
31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over.
32. That you are super ticklish.
33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard.
34. That it’s party day!  Decorate for no reason!

Try:
35. To get enough sleep.
36. To drink enough water.
37. To eat decent food.
38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty.
39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.
40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something.
41. Dancing in the kitchen.
42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.
43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel.
44. Keeping that sigh to yourself.  Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.
45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it.

Read:
46. A book of silly poems.
47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”)
48. Your favorite childhood book to them.
49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.
50. Outside under a tree.
51. In the library kids corner.
52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on.
53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic.

Listen:
54. To your child in the car.
55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.
56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.
57. One second longer than you think you have patience for.
58. For the feelings behind your child’s words.

Ask:
59. Why do you think that happens?
60. What do you think would happen if______?
61. How shall we find out?
62. What are you thinking about?
63. What was your favorite part of the day?
64. What do you think this tastes like?

Show:
65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.
66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.
67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!
68. How to cut food.
69. How to fold laundry.
70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer.
71. Affection to your spouse.
72. That taking care of yourself is important.

Take Time:
73. To watch construction sites.
74. To look at the birds.
75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl.
76. To walk places together.
77. To dig in the dirt together.
78. To do a task at your child’s pace.
79. To just sit with you child while they play.

Trust:
80. That your child is capable.
81. That you are the right parent for your child.
82. That you are enough.
83. That you can do what is right for your family.

Delight your child:
84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise.
85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.
86. Put a love note in their lunch.
87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.
88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something.
89. Sit on the floor with them to play.

Let Go:
90. Of the guilt.
91. Of how you thought it was going to be.
92. Of your need to be right.

Give:
93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.
94. A smile when your child walks into the room.
95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.
96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.
97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.
98. A bath when the day feels long.
99. A hug.
100. You get to choose the next one!  What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

My 100. would be to humor dress up day. This is often around our house. And they ARE creative. LET them. Let them be.

JCat McGack

 

Oh AND I totally copied this from this blog here. I LOVED the list. Had to share!

It’s a Zoo. A walk to remember, Part 1

I had a chance in a lifetime. I entered a contest. A CHICAGO contest. I mean what were my odds? Hundreds and hundreds of people entered through Facebook and the ABC News channel website. It was a simple contest. Answer one question.

“What is your Dream Job?”

I posted mine. Out of all of those wishes, 4 of us get to have our dream come true. I found out the other jobs were, a baker (I think in a cupcake bakery) a voice over (sounds cool) and working the grounds at Wrigley Field where the Chicago Cubs play.

Well mine? It was here…

The beautiful, (even in the pouring rain) Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo. I wanted to be a Zoo Keeper. And do EVERYTHING they do.

I started my day out on my own. I was there SUPER early. (about an hour and a half early. But traffic is tricky, and I just COULDN’T be late for this day)

The first amazing thing I was able to experience was this. 200 acres of ME and the Zoo. Outside of a few keepers in their vans and golf carts driving by, construction working updating buildings, and making the sculptures for the upcoming impressive bug display and the Brookfield Zoo police (yes they have their own police department) it was me, myself and nature at it’s best.

This lawn pictured is usually FILLED with people, kids, and noise. At 7 am it’s just silence. JUST silent.

I came across these Waterbucks. They were all laying down till I showed up, then they all got up came to the fence and just awkwardly stared at me.

Not sure if it was because I wasn’t a khaki pant wearing regular this early in the morning, or if they thought I was bringing them food, we were both thrown off a bit.

After a minute of uncomfortable staring on both of our parts, I laughed. Said ‘Good morning, Waterbucks!’ and even though it was pouring rain, I continues on my walk around the Zoo. I’ve learned in life, there will be rain, and instead of whining about it. Enjoy it, take in a scenery your not used to seeing in this weather and go with it.

Then I walked, and walked. Not to many animals were out. Most were probably with keepers, getting taken care of before they went out to their yards for the day.

I went by the Lions, no one was out. But I could just HEAR them roaring. And a lions roar just goes right through me. It’s an amazing sound, and when your right there. It’s even more amazing.

I did come across these two snow leopards. I found out later that these are new to our Zoo, they are only 2 years old. So super playful. This is the most I’ve ever seen an animal move in this area! Usually they are fast asleep (well they are cats!) I had a blast with them.

I picked up my umbrella to shake it out with out thinking, and one crouched down and shook his butt to pounce at the window! I laughed and played along. I teased him with my umbrella as he put his massive paws on the glass!

Having the Zoo, the Waterbucks, the Snow Leopards, the lawn empty to myself was just another amazing part to my day.

Let’s talk Geese. These are not strangers to ANYONE who lives in Chciagoland. They are native and I love them. They are huge, beautiful, strong, and I have a weird love for them.

They are also overprotective and aggressive. They bite. Don’t try to pet them. They don’t like it. I once worked in a vet. I cleaned kennels. The vet took in wild animals who were injured. So on that note these birds are nasty messy, and I can say I’ve had a left wing to my face and it hurts like hell. But I still love them. From a respectful distance.

My amusement was watching the Zoo employee’s have to shoo them from these planters (behind the bench there) if you look close, she’s in there trying to nest. He’s watching me ready to assault (believe me I keep my distance)

The Zoo can’t have them nest there, because it’s RIGHT by South Gate, and people don’t have brains. They like to pet things, and well let’s just say this wouldn’t be a warm welcome to the zoo. So they put big branches in their to keep them out… I don’t think it’s working well. (the geese do nest all over the grounds if your wondering.)

At one point while on my job, we had to stop the cart. PR got out to YELL at these kids who were taunting the Geese. Good for her, she said “I’m NOT asking you. I’m TELLING you” Shame on those chaperone’s/parents, that was just irresponsible on their part.

On my long walk, I came across a HUGE board, a timeline of the Zoo’s great history moments. I’d post all the pictures but there is about 12 of them. Not sure if you want ALL that on here.

After a nice morning, of Brookfield Zoo to myself, with all the rain and cold. I loved it. It was a good time to gather my thoughts, to take it all in, and to just BE one with my Zoo.

I’ll leave you with that for now. It was a jam packed morning of events. It’ll take me a few posts to get it all in. Until then, have a happy day!

JCat McGack