How NOT to grow up.

 

Since I was a kid I loathed people who would say the words “Grow Up”. It’s probably one of the most insulting thing you could say to me. Call me every name in the book, yep I’ve heard it ALL. Talk a bunch behind my back, yeah, I’ve been there too often. Something about telling me to “Grow Up” is just down right rude.

It’s telling me that my light hearted ways. My giggling, my random funny thoughts, having a conversation as I pull out a mustache on a stick, YES I’m listening but life is just TO short NOT to throw a funny mustache in there once in a while.

I mean this particular mustache came out when I was up to my eyeballs in numbers working budget with my best friend at a TRAC event. I just had to stop and mustache some funny pictures. Drink my coffee. Do a little dance. Sit back down and then back to work.

When my husband and I were engaged we made a promise to each other. A promise that all couples, and good friends should make. That we never grow up.

YES I am a grown up at times. WAY more often the I’d like. I’m super serious about our house budget, about the care of my children, what we eat, about my pets lives and care, family and friends lives. When I have to be an adult I am.

BUT.

If you see me goof off, bust out the mustache, or just start doing the running man where I stand. If it’s in line at preschool dropping off my son. Or in the office at the TRAC house, know it’s to entertain myself, others around me. Hoping to put a smile on faces, lighten the mood, and just take a break from the stress of life.

I must confess I went to tell my 6 year old daughter to grow up, but before the words came out of my mouth I had a fast reality check with myself and reminded myself she’s ONLY 6. To remind her and her brother that life is what you make it. Be silly, be random, be down right weird, dance often, even with out music, own your unconventional self and be proud of it all.

I had posted this picture of myself on face book and a good friend of mine commented on how she envy’s my carefree ways, and wishes to be like that.

It’s super easy to not be a grown up. Here’s how I do it…

1. Go get mustaches. These on the stick were in Wal-Mart's under a dollar section. I also have one from a .25 vending machine. (note stickers hurt when removed)

2. Own it. Easy to say. Hard to do. Owning up to your silliness is hard if you’re worried what others think. Stop worrying about what others think. I’ve been doing it for 34 years.

3. Balance. Know that in a meeting it’s PROABLY not a good idea to bust out the mustache or running man dance. BUT at the end of the meeting do the running man out the door. That’s acceptable.

4. Don’t try. Again easy to say after 34 years, but people KNOW when your trying to be funny for attention. The goal is to be yourself, and let the funny random happen. I may make a foil hat for myself, BUT I don’t point it out. I don’t even do it when anyone’s in the room. Just do it. Wear it. Act like it’s normal. It’s normal to me!

5. Don’t do it to much. That get’s annoying.

6. Don’t push it. You QUICKLY learn who tolerates funny, silly random things and who’s got a stick in their ass so far they look constipated when they try to react to you. Some situations it’s just not worth my energy. That’s when I just take a nap. (not kidding. Note if your in a room with me and I look as if I’m sleeping, I’m trying to imagine anywhere else I’d rather be) If you get a serious person to smile or giggle. You’ve done it. Don’t push it. Just enjoy that one little giggle or smile.

7. Enjoy it for yourself. Along with #4 you have to enjoy doing this. It’s got to be from the heart. Something that entertains you. If others get amusement from my randomness good for me bonus for them.

8. Practice. It takes practice to be Un-grown-up. If you’ve been a serious person your whole life, and portray that image, trying to just bust out random weirdness could get you some fast judgments, possible scripts for medication you don’t want.  If you can handle the looks, the eye rolls, the rude whispers from the jealous, and the frowny faces from the judgers. Then you’ve got it.

9. Laugh at yourself. It’s YOUR life. It’s funny! I love to share stories of when I trip and fall and no one I know saw it. I love to share messed up hair, and bad make up. It makes you normal to others.

10. Life motto. “Life’s to short to take serious. No one get’s out alive anyway”

Hope my 10 ways to not be a grown up remind you that life is yours. Take it a bit less serious. I think my 4 year old son has it down perfect. Many of those 10 tips won’t work for everyone. I’m a extrovert so it comes easy to me to just be out there. Do what works for you. Oh and a back story, I grew up with rude clique-y people judging and mocking me through Jr. High, it wasn’t until High School when I found friends who accepted me for ME. I was often told to never change. I’ve never forgot those words and notes from friends. Be you. If you’ve got a freak flag. FLY it proud.

Now my question to you… how are you less grown up?

JCat McGack

Back to life

I must confess to those of you who are new here. This blog is my 4th attempt to have a blog with out being out of line, drama producing and down right rude.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve heard some of those bloggers get the best traffic. But mine wasn’t good. It was babble and anger mixed with insanity.

I’ve never been about traffic on my blog. As much as I am an attention seeking poodle. And I DO love comments on my posts. I do it for the sake of emptying my brain out, and hoping some one else out there reads me and says “Damn. I’m not the only one”

I can’t promise that with this 4th blog I’ll be swear free. That wouldn’t be me. I will say I’ve learned that some posts are just as good with other words put in. But there will be times I’m not going to hold back. If that deters you from reading me, well then move on and find a safe blogger that keeps all her F words to herself.

I have to say my first blog in 2007 was when my daughter (now 6) was just one. I used it to vent, as a Post Partum Diary of sorts, and to tell my stories.

I started another a few years later, and that was still a PPD or by then a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder type of blog.

THIS blog. THIS is me. PPD and PTSD free.

PPD and PTSD really shut me down. I lived life, but having children made me sad, and bitter. And I spent 6 years trying to get ME back. The funny, silly, random, weird, happy-go-lucky me.

About a year ago I came back.

I’m still working towards being more social. Remembering to call my friends, to not shut out phone calls. I don’t know why PPD and PTSD did that to me. Why I shut myself in.

I realize I’m back. Different then before kids. But it’s a new me. It’s a revised version. The 2012 JCat McGack.

Socially I’m so much better. For example in the last few months I’ve accepted a play date trip to the Zoo. I’ve had play dates at the library. And 14 Princesses at my daughters 6th birthday didn’t make me twitch. I went to my good friends son’s birthday and was elated to see old friends, and missed my good friend who wasn’t there. Hoping to make plans to all hang out in the future.

I’ve been seriously involved with the local art center. I’m going to be on their board! I want to blog and be involved in the local Patch news website.

Making new friends with the Three Rivers Art Council has made my life feel whole again. Chill people who ALL have one thing in common. We BIG puffy red heart art of ALL kinds. My best friend comes with me often and it makes my world happy.

My home life is more organized, and my family life has always been my #1 priority. I feel energized more often, I feel creative again, I feel normal. And don’t laugh at normal. I mean normal by I feel like me with a new twist to it normal.

It’s not just the pot of coffee talking here. It’s me.

Hello. Nice to be back to life. It’s time to do what I do. Socialize. Create. Be. Live.

I’ve got this,

JCat McGack

Pictures Pictures everywhere.

SD cards, flash drives, CD’s, hard drive, and photo websites.

I’ve got pictures EVERYWHERE. I AM somewhat organized. But not to the level I should be for the amount of photo’s I take.

I’d like to explain my camera obsession. See I have this fear… of loosing memories. My grandfather had Alzheimer's for the last 2 years of his life and it crushed me to think SO many things that he cherished, memories of childhood, my grandmother and his children, grandchildren, friends and life, thoughts and ideas… erased.

Not that having photos surrounding me when I’m 89 will save me from this horrible disease. But it’s my comfort. To pass on my memories, my stories, my thoughts. Maybe if I loose my mind too, I can look at my pictures and scrapbooks to see stories that are nice to read.

It’s obvious I document and take photos of the big moments. Birthdays, holidays, and family get together. But for me it’s the everyday that means the most to me.

The everyday back yard playing, the everyday art room adventure, the random walk to the park, just playing around, a moment that I think is something I want to save.

It’s the two of them playing Lego’s with a Star Wars Squinkie party in the park and some are eating in the cafe. A whole new meaning to the Cantina!

Buzz enjoying some pinwheels at the 3 French Hens Market.

My toes enjoying a fire on the deck.

It’s all the little things, pictures remind me of happy times, and tiny memories that will fade fast. I’ve taken pictures of me having a post partum meltdown. I’ve taken pictures of me fat, of me with good hair and make up.

I take pictures of my messy laundry piles to post on face book about what I am up too, and then my clean loft to remind me of how nice it looks all put away. I’m a big fan of before and after shots.

I also find it wonderful that little point and shoot cameras can capture video. I love to take candid videos. A trip to McD’s with the kids? I do an interview. Even when they are little. Just to hear their voice at that age, to see their actions. (this one is from 2 years ago)

Tink and Buzz at McD’s March 2010

And this also stems back to family. I take videos of the kids to remember their voice. When I was a kid my sister had a voice, just like everyone else… by 14 her voice was gone due to her muscle disorder Dystonia. 

I have the few family videos taken, with her talking on them. I cherish them. And I never take for granted the voices my children have.

I remember when I was first blogging, and trying to figure the fastest way to get my photos from my camera to my computer. I didn’t have an SD drive on my old tower. So I had to take my SD cards to the store. Burn a CD of pictures, and upload them that way. (that was a bitch. I SO wanted to blog each day and share everyday. It’d take me a week sometimes to share!) I have 4 years of picture CD’s. All marked with the events on them, and in photo CD boxes by year.

I then came across this device it’s a USB converter drive. Holds an SD card in one end, and plugs right into the tower. NOW that was a faster way to share my pictures!

But since then I’ve gotten a laptop with an SD drive, I still use the converter because I often have two SD cards currently in use.

Oh and while I’m giving out my SD and Flash drive advice. You seriously should eject them properly. I know there is a funny saying on Pinterest about life is too short to eject USB correctly. I did that once, just pulled out the SD card with out going through the proper way of ejecting it… lost it all. Lucky me it was barely full and I had already transferred the pictures over to my photo site.

So the photo site that I RAVE about, that I threw a house party for. Yes I volunteered through their site to host a party and explain the site. Everyone who attended received a free tote bag, free cards, and a free book. Plus I had printed out tip and ideas from the site.

Note when I like a brand or company, I will back them and brag about them to the point you think I either work for them or have stock with them.

Shutterfly is who I use. Here’s what they’ve got to offer…

Securely store your images for a lifetime—at no cost. We never delete photos

Get guaranteed 100% customer satisfaction

Benefit from award-winning customer service

Store your pictures, just as they are, at full resolution

Pick up prints at Target, Walgreens, and CVS in as little as an hour

And if you join, 50 free 4x6’s from them. I LOVE their photo books, I make at least 4 a year, sometimes more. The more you make, they often give you free prints. Free cards too. Free shipping is almost always after $30 spent.

Now that you know where I store my pictures, and print my pictures, and share my pictures… oh yea. SUPER cute share pages, also free. Check out mine. You can have more then one share site (so one for family, one for sports teams, one for school…)

Here’s mine… Momarazzi McHale.

I share my YouTube video links as well on my share site. Super easy for family to see your pictures and what you’ve been up to!

Right so the thing I REALLY wanted to share with you is what I’m up to now. Organizing my pictures.

Yikes, I take a TON. And they were in folders marked with what events they were, but the computer alphabetizes them, thus throwing them all over and not in order… so I read this in a magazine and palm smack to forehead I don’t know why I didn’t think of doing this sooner.

Simple filing.

Make a file for each year.

So I’ve got files 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 (I don’t have photos further back on this hard drive, and I go back that far because I have a few from when Buzz what a baby, so I need a year for that)

Open a year folder and inside that folder make 12 new folders. Label each one by month. Important label them with the number first. So 01 January, 02 February… it keeps them in number order, not alphabetical.

NOW I had to take all the folders I had. And put them where they belonged. So for example one titled Halloween 2010 goes to the file in 2010, and under the file 10 October. It’s tedious work. BUT since I’ve started this it’s SUPER easy to find shots I’m looking for.

I do have under each year some other folders. One for each of us. I often find a head shot of a family member, and keep them separate from the monthly files.

Pets have an annual file as well. Seeing that they don’t change much after the first year.

Having to do this in my Shutterfly account too. I had originally just made a lot of files, again titled for each event. Now making Year albums, and moving files to the year. A little at a time, I mean I’ve been at this for a month now. Working on and off when I get a few few moments. Again it’s not fun. But with all the shots I take… it’s important to keep it organized and I know I’ll be happy in the end.

I do this for myself, but I also do this for the kids. For future generations. I scrapbook as well, and my kids LOVE to pull their books I’ve done and flip through them enjoying their life story.

I have to call out some of my girlfriends I recently had dinner with. They both said I take SO many pictures, seeing that I share them all the time on Facebook. And they said neither of them take anywhere NEAR as many pictures of their kids and day to day life. For me it’s hard not to. I point, I shoot, I upload. Constantly.

But I’m not alone, I know I’ve talked to one of my fellow Momarazzi friends and we both agreed that we have a problem! We feel that if we didn’t take pictures of an outing or an event it didn’t happen.

Our lives are busy, our kids are growing so fast, we do so many fun things, I want to remember them ALL.

What do you do? Shutterbug junkie? Just for the big events? Do you own a camera, or do you rely on your cell phone?

JCat McGack

My kids and I enjoying the farmers market

Parmesan Potatoes

I’ve been raving about these potatoes I’ve made on facebook all week, and promised to post about them.

They take a bit of time (more then just poking holes and tossing in the oven baked potatoes) but they are worth it in the end.

Using a knife cut wedges into the potato (see bottom left photo) on these small potatoes I can get about 3 wedges cute out. Your BIG daddy sized dinner potatoes you could get more wedges. More wedges. More butter!

Each potato gets a sheet of foil (I LOVE these precut sheets)

Time to get messy. I use a brush and my cooking oil, paint some oil all over the potato. Get in the wedges too.

In each of the wedge spaces I add butter. I seasoned with the chicken rib rub. (I season with whatever my little heart desires. Bacon bacon, garlic seasoning, steak seasoning… do NOT be afraid to season!)

This time I also added parmesan cheese. It added a fun taste to it.

Now fold each foil side over, and I just crunch the ends of the foil to shut it.

I make a bunch, we can reheat them later for lunch or add them to left over meat for a quick dinner.

Note these take forever to cook (you could nuke them in the microwave for about 15 minutes to get a jump start if you didn’t want to wait as long. Don’t boil them. They’d be all mushy… not the good mushy. More a mess mushy)

It was of coarse the hottest day of the year yet when I went to cook these. So instead of heating up the kitchen, I tossed them into the crock pot on high. I left them there for 2 hour and they were perfect. (note not all of them fit on the bottom of the crock pot, stacking them worked. Everyone got cooked)

After they are done, you can add shredded cheese.(optional!) I just open the foil a bit, cover in cheese, and close it back up for a few minutes. The hot potato will melt the cheese.

OH and the little wedges you cut out. Don’t leave them out! Oil, butter and season those too. Make a nice snack, or I enjoy eating them with eggs the next morning.

That’s it. It’s simple, a bit messy, and takes time to cook. But worth it in the end if you want home made awesome baked potatoes.

I have to say, growing up my mom NEVER bought the potato mixes. Those premade ones. When I was first married, that was ALL I used. Simple, cheap and after a long day at work. I just wanted a 5 minute potato.

I guess it took me having children, and being home all the time to want to make home made potatoes again. And on the budget I’m realizing a 10 pound bag of potatoes for $3.77 goes A LOT further then the premade mixes do. They taste better too.

(except those big tubs of premade mashed potatoes… I have to go against myself and say those are pretty damn good. And work well for picnics. Dump in crock pot heat up!)

Happy Potato cooking!

JCat McGack

Nice to Meet You

 

I’ve talked with others about the subject of meeting neighbors. Things like, how long do you give them to move in before you go say ‘hello’ and do you bring them a small gift? Or just go over and start conversation?

I’ve had people tell me that they don’t really do the ‘Get to know your neighbor’ thing. They just wave. And call it a day. Some people say they don’t want their neighbor all up in their business.

And I get it. To each their own. I mean I’d totally get it if you lived on a acre or more, had land, or lived on an island.

I’m social to begin with. But the way I see it, is I HAVE to live by you. YOU have to live by me. We should look out for each other, I’m not saying to hang out daily, or have to chat every time we are outside at the same time.

I just like to know who lives around me. Some of my neighbors laugh, and call me the neighborhood watch. That’s fine with me. By default of being a stay at home mom I am home ALL day EVERY day. I have two small children. So if they are outside, I’m outside.

I’ve been in my neighborhood for 9 years now. We live in  what I call cornfield suburbia. It was a subdivision built where a cornfield once was. So there are NO mature trees. Most of the trees are under 10 years old. We all have (by requirement) 4 foot fences. ZERO privacy. I also live on the BACKSIDE of a cull-de-sac. Being on this curve, and being in the center of it all. I can see 12 back yards from my yard. That’s A lot to see!

I share to much, I don’t care what people think. I’m open about my family, I enjoy learning about all my different neighbors. I’ve learned not to judge the guy behind me. He’s stocky, he never wears shirts with sleeves, he smokes, home all day.

Sure you just judged him by the profile I just gave you… I did.  I finally chatted with him one day. When the kids and the dog were inside and I could carry an over the fence conversation with out yelling it. Found out he’s a nurse who works grave yard. I started the conversation because he was working on planting some big trees and a garden at the back corner of the yard where our corners meet.

Found out he loves gardening, and is a big fan of bird watching. I didn’t see that one coming!

I have made friends with all of the neighbors with in a 4 house radius around us. I know the adults, kids, and most of the pets names. I’m not nosey, well maybe a little bit. But I’ve also learned that a few of my neighbors are not the social neighbor kind. They wave. Say ‘Hi’ and I get that. They are those people who are busy and do their own thing.

Now to today. I was hosing down my cat’s 5 foot carpet tower. (gross) It’s going to get up to 90 today so I thought it’d dry fast in the sun.

While trying to come up with ANYTHING else to do but that, I see the new neighbors a few houses down out in their yard.

Hmmm….

I go get the scissors and cut a variety of flowers from my yard. I have old Starbucks glass bottles just for this occasion. Tied some ribbon around it, and I had this cute card I made. And simply wrote “Welcome to the neighborhood”

(Daisy’s, Silvia, blooms from my ivy, and hard to see but my beautiful bee balm is on the side… I’ll get you a better view. To pretty not to share)

I walked over, and introduced myself. I chatted with them for a few minutes. They have met most of the neighbors around them. They remind me of Blue and myself when we first moved here.

We talked about our crappy dirt/clay yards. I gave them the tip to pull weeds after the rain.

I like to make a good rapport with my neighbors. I’m not looking for my next best friend, I’m not looking for weekend barbecue's. I’m looking to be polite, to enjoy the fact that we are all on quarter acre land plots, with low fences, no privacy and just trying to enjoy our live together.

So are you the neighborhood watch? Someone who barely knows their neighbors? Or in between?

Happy Weekend!

JCat McGack

A Day in History and a rant.

I saw it first on facebook, I then followed the link to watch this video from President Obama, yesterday. I cried.

It’s a huge day in history, it makes him the FIRST American President to flat out say it. Out loud. To support gays in marriage rights.

It may not happen right now. It may not happen for years… but he said it. And hoping this is one of those moments in history that get’s the ball rolling, that changes history and someday we look back and wonder why it took us so damn long to stop judging and let people love.

If you don’t know it by now, I’m a HUGE fan and supporter of the LGBT community. I’ll be attending my 6th Annual Chicago Pride Parade this June. I go with my best friend, our good friend mm, other friends who come along (every year it’s different people) and of coarse I go for my Robbie. He’s my cousin who is more like my brother. His partner Phil and I met a few years back at a parade. It’s an amazing event.

It’s not perverted and gross like some think. It’s beautiful. it’s one HELL of a rainbow day. It’s people saying “Happy Pride” ALL day long, It’s that ONE day of the year, you can be YOU. And not be judged. It’s strangers smiling at each other, wishing for equality, and supporting each other.

I received this email today from Obama…

Friend --
Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:
I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:
http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage
I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.
But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction.
What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens.
Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently.
So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.
I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

Political gain? Meh… I’d like to think it’s not. I’m not naive, I know it’s an election year. This may make or break it for him. But I do believe that in his heart it was time to stand up for what he thinks is right.

I thank Mr. Obama. I’ve been a fan, I voted for him into this Presidency, and will again this fall. This just made me more proud to call him my President.

Speaking of Political gain… today my Village Idiot (President) posted on his facebook page, that President Obama should be talking about issues that really matter, war, job loss… and on and on about how gays and marriage is not an issue.

I was appalled. I knew this was a close minded town, and I know around Christmas this same Village Idiot went on and on, on facebook about how CHRIST was in everyone in our towns Christmas, and poo poo’d the people like me who say “Happy Holiday’s” and celebrate Christmas for the sake of Santa, stockings, snow and family time. I wasn’t a fan that he was talking for ALL of us.

I HAD posted a comment on his facebook hate of Obama rant, and non important issues like gays. I said “This IS a real issue…” but I removed it because I was disappointed in the amount of people who agreed with him, and was slamming the topic. I just couldn’t handle it in my in box. Not this early in the day, not before my coffee.

I feel horrible for the children. Of these people. That they are learning to judge so early in life. That they are taught that same sex love is wrong, that marriage is ONLY between man and woman… OPEN your heart and understand it’s NOT the way it’s meant to be. And PULLEASE don’t pull any of that bible verse on me. I don’t get how people can run with one verse about one thing, twist another verse, and then ignore some all together because times have changed.

And I’m not saying that people have to agree with me, or my views. But do NOT teach your children to hate, to judge to look down on others because it’s not what YOU believe it right. It’s just down right bad parenting. It’s bad behavior. It’s your job to teach them to to love, to judge on character.

It’s pathetic that my Village is run by this ass. Who by all means is allowed to have his own opinions and ideas. I sure don’t agree with them, but when you’re a leader of some sorts, I’m thinking you can keep these to yourself. Probably not post them on facebook for all the village to see. But maybe it’s a good thing. Because now I see what he is truly about.

I only hope more and more people from Chicago and the suburbs move out here, that this small town becomes more open minded, about gays, race, or religion.

A big SMH (shake my head) to the Village Idiot. And a big hug, high 5, and thank you to Mr. Obama for standing up for your views, for saying it. Out. Loud.

JCat McGack

For more awesome clips on this….

May the 4th Be With You

I JUST read this on Facebook, thanks to my friends and other Star Wars junkies for letting me know! I’m still new to this obsession of Star Wars. And well a national holiday is a must for a post about how this franchise has taken over part of my world…

My good friend Paco’s son is older now and growing out of his kid toys. So they gave Buzz this awesome Darth Vader helmet. I mean it’s SO cool. An adjustable mask with a back helmet that attaches on, so you get the WHOLE helmet feel, and the voice box that really works.

At first it was a novelty to have around the house. Funny to play with. But he didn’t have a clue to who this was. Or what it would mean to him someday.

I took this picture this winter. Blue decided that Buzz  needed to learn ALL about Star Wars. It’s amazing what you learn about your spouse even 13 years later. The entire Star Wars DVD collection has been sitting collecting dust on a high shelf. It’s a cool set to have, but I didn’t think we were that into it.

Having a son has made me see the little boy in Blue. Out comes a BIG blue travel bag from the 80’s. He unzips it for Buzz. There was close to 100 different action figures. 98% of them were Star Wars. Some I’ve never seen before. Blue knows them all.

He puts in a DVD, starting with #4. Just like we did as kids. We thought Buzz was a little young, some parts are scary. Damn those Sand Creatures!

Blue was right on the money with this one. He was absorbed into the world faster then we could have imagined. Buzz would hold Blue’s finger, because daddy get’s scared, and Buzz tells him it’s ok. Since this one movie viewing day. EVERY week when Blue is off, Buzz and him watch or re-watch Star Wars movies. When I say I hear and think Star Wars ALL the time, it’s because it’s like we are cramming for some Star Wars test.

Even when the DVD is over they leave the room to the main menu of Star Wars music filtered through out the house.

What do I think?

I’m a toy junkie. I love my kids to dive into imaginary worlds, to take these franchises and embrace them. To become a Jedi Master, to become Darth Vader, to fight off Storm Troupers. Just like I want my Tink to be a fairy or a princess, a rock star or a ballerina.

Imagination is often lost too early in kids. I was taught by my mom something simple. “Don’t grow up too fast. Take your time” well mom. I still am growing up. I enjoy creativity, imagination, and playing even still as an adult. And I can only hope to instill this in my kids like she did with my sister Frances and I.

So this Star Wars obsession couldn’t have come at a better time. Blue started to get Buzz into it, and we had a trip to Disney World coming up. Hello Hollywood Studios!

Fast forward to March 22nd 2012. We were up and headed to Hollywood Studios for the day. And after talking to the concierge at the hotel he suggested that I  RUN to the sign up for Jedi Training for Buzz, AS soon as we get to the park.

I don’t mess around when people suggest these things. We arrived when the park opened at 9 am but with security lines hundreds deep I was saddened to think we wouldn’t get him signed up.

I gave Blue my bag to take through security and he stayed with my parents, sister and Tink. I took JUST Buzz and myself one stroller and went through the super short security for people with NO bags to search.

We JOGGED through the grounds of Hollywood Studios and arrived at the Star Wars area to find out that Jedi Training sign up is back at the ABC building, I passed it.

I had to take my Star Wars obsessed son AWAY from the GIANT life like Star Wars area, I explained we’d be right back. I arrived at the ABC building to a long line, we waited. At 9:35 am it was our turn to sign up. We arrived 35 minutes after the park opened and with Jedi Training shows every 45 minutes, they only had available a spot for the 5:30 pm show or the later 6:15 pm show. ALL the earlier shows were already full.

I took the 5:30 pm show and got this golden ticket

We enjoyed our day of Buzz and Woody, Toy Story Mania, Beauty and the Beast musical, Disney Jr. and a lunch with Jake, June, Oso and Hanny Manny, watched the Pixar Parade, and finally headed to our Jedi Training, hoping it’d be as cool as it sounds… I had no idea it’d be THIS cool.

Buzz is the ‘Wild Child’ it’s a Chewbacca t-shirt (from Target).

We started back at the ABC building for Star Wars Trivia, this was more of a learning experience, and enjoying the Star Wars freak fan parents whispering ALL the answers to their kids.

Our little Padawan’s were all suited up in the one size fits all Jedi Training robes. They had to tie up the ends of Buzz’s so he didn’t trip.

Every detail was there. The Jedi Master came out hood up, and the POOF off with his robe, and his assistant, who was very serious and Jedi like herself was right in character.

I’m not sure how they choose to place the children where. Maybe it’s by size? And since Buzz is tiny he was on that front spot. He’s front and center with his back to us.

This spot must be the ONE spot the Jedi Master messes with. And lucky us it was Buzz’s spot. And right on cue this kid hammed it up for the audience. I didn’t know how he’d do on stage… well he did us proud.

No Oath from you

The Jedi Master had us ROLLING, and these looks that Buzz was giving made it even funnier…

Ewok height

They trained the little Padawan’s with some basic moves…

Jedi Training skills

AND then there is the EPIC fail on my part. And I have to say my Nikon did it’s best to keep up with me all day. BUT the battery died RIGHT when I went to take the video of Buzz’s turn to fight Darth Vader (he was the LAST kid to go) I DID however get all the pictures, from the Walt Disney Photo Pass guy. However I wasted some of my battery on this really cool entrance of the one and only Darth Vader…

Darth Vader enters

So each kid one at a time went up and fought Darth Vader with the moves they were taught in their class.

After the fight with each of the Padawan’s, Darth Vader retreated.

Leaving the Storm Troopers to a comedic exit themselves.

Needing the Jedi Master to use his force to open the doors so the big bad Storm Troopers could exit. And before the doors closed one of them  said “Uh… thanks. Have a nice day!” to the Jedi Master, then the other elbows him and we all laugh.

We end this show with all the kids cheering around their Jedi Master for fighting off Darth Vader. And we hear a voice… Yoda speaks to them all saying how proud he is of the new Jedi Trained younglings. Diploma’s are handed out and our little Padawan’s, now Jedi Trained, return to their families.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for Buzz. He talks about it every day, still. Queen Gigi had bought them light saber’s from the Electric Parade in Magic Kingdom, and with the helmet from Paco and the new awesome Mickey Mouse Jedi Robe from Aunt Frances, Buzz is a serious Jedi around this house.

His official 4th birthday, was ALL Star Wars themed. He had Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Halloween and Star Wars for options but after this experience all he wants is Star Wars everything.

We had more then one party, and so of coarse more then one Star Wars cake.

And as soon as he opened his Star Wars toys he’d run them to Blue to show him his cool new toys. He went nuts over his Star Wars ‘Squinkies’ if you haven’t had the pleasure of these toys, they are TINY. BUT they are soft. So stepping on them isn’t painful. FINDING them is painful.

From us, and Queen Gigi and Papa Carrots he got his big boy bed. the IKEA Kura bunk bed. It’s got a lower area… I seriously need to update these pictures though. he DID get car blankets with it, he picked it out. (I use it as a spare) We were waiting for him to get his VERY awesome Star Wars sheets, and comforter in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Mc. By the way the SHEET GLOW IN THE DARK with out the need of all day sunlight. Too damn cool.

Birthday cake mask was worn by all of us for some funny shots…

Papa Carrots and Buzz

Queen Gigi and Tink (in her Belle Dress of coarse)

Aunt J and Daddy Blue

Aunt Frances and myself.

So to ALL of you, I hope you enjoyed more of our Disney memories, and our Star Wars tribute to today.

“May the Force Be With You”

JCat McGack