Magoo went missing yesterday and I nearly lost it. Has this ever happened to you? Did you freeze? Panic? Or look for them with a singleness of purpose?
National Day of Listening
My sister KayLynn is guest posting today to talk about the National Day of Listening. I am a huge proponent of capturing the stories of those we love and I think this is a great way to spend our time on Friday. If you have contact with your parents or grandparents, take some time to listen and record what they have to say.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. Good food, family, and reminders all around of all that we have to be thankful for. One thing that has been on my mind lately is how grateful I am for my wonderful family and how they have impacted me in my life. I have shared so many good times, been supported through hard times, and been blessed so much because of my parents and siblings.
This year, as I sit around the dinner table for our Thanksgiving feast, I want it to last longer than just a day. I want to always remember the stories my dad tells about his college days, or the stories my mom tells about her parents and growing up on the farm. More than always remembering the stories, I want my children to be able to know their grandparents and great-grandparents, to know where they got their blonde hair or short legs or patience or ability to make others feel loved. I want to read them bedtime stories of their great-grandfather’s escapades in the Air Force or of their great-grandmother’s love of gardening.
Preserving the stories of our parents and grandparents can seem a monumental task. However, as I have started writing and reading the histories of my family members, I realize that this task is completely worth it—not to mention extremely fulfilling. And to help in the task of recording and preserving your family’s stories, StoryCorps (starting in 2008) instigated a National Day of Listening on the day after Thanksgiving: November 26, 2010. This Day of Listening is basically a day set aside as a time for you to record (in any format) the stories of your loved ones. If you are hesitant on how to begin, read more at myunwrittenlegacy.wordpress.com/, or you can find many resources at nationaldayoflistening.org/.
Giveaway – Life House and Kris Allen Tickets
The winner chosen at random.org is Stephanie, comment number 8. Congratulations!
Lifehouse is coming to Seattle next Tuesday and AEG Live is giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky Daring Young Mom reader.
They’re bringing Kris Allen and Alyssa Bernal along with them and it should be a great show at The ShowBox SoDo Theatre.
Leave a comment below if you’d like to go and I’ll draw a random winner Sunday night.
If you post the contest on your own blog, come back and leave a comment letting me know and you’ll be entered twice.
Good luck!
What Do you Need to Know?
When a boy from our local junior high was arrested for planning to kill several students and teachers, the school district decided not to inform the school’s parents. [read more at Parenting.com]
The Lone Wolf
Wanda’s learning to walk but only when no one is looking.
“She took in my applause graciously and then ceased all mobility-related activities. I haven’t seen her walk more than a step by herself since that time and I’m starting to wonder why she only likes to walk in secret. I have four possible theories.” [keep reading at Parenting.com]
The Shock of Pajamas
I’m thinking notes in their lunches, pajama-themed bedtime stories, and labels sewn to the front of all their favorite clothes that read, “Temporary Clothing Unit – Pajamas will be worn during periods of sleep.”
Greener Grass
I am not staying on top of things. I firmly believe that the grass will be greener and the house cleaner on the other side I’d the soccer season.
It Starts
I saw my breath when I took the kids to the bus this morning.
My name is Kathryn Thompson and I do not approve this message.
Wanda Takes a Nibble
No one knows why Wanda went all Mike Tyson on Dan while we stood on the sidelines watching Laylee play soccer tonight. Everyone knows we’re glad that she did it a second time so I could take this picture. I mean, “WHAT?!”
Huey Lewis and Batman
As we drive around town, Magoo, smart kindergartener that he is, shares the facts with me. Sometimes I get the idea he’s making the facts up as he speaks. He’s learning about the world and he wants to instruct others, share the knowledge and the love.
Sometimes he says things like, “Two plus four is totally six,” and then stares out the window with a big grin on his face.
Today we sat parked next to a soaking lawn in the U District, because cars are always stopped in the U District. It is always rush hour there. And he said, “You don’t really have to worry about wet grass.”
“What?”
“Well, you always worry about wet grass and other wet stuff and it’s really okay.” Here I think he must be referring to slugs and I resent him suggesting that I have a problem with wet things when my real issue is with muddy wet grass on my carpet and slime on my feet.
A little later on the drive the song Cruisin’ came on the radio with Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow. There’s a section of lyrics near the end of the song where they sing, “Baby let’s cruise. Let’s flow, let’s glide.”
Magoo is really conscious of lyrics and likes to interrogate me about them/ come up with explanations of what they mean.
Magoo: Why did they say, ‘We’ll glide?’ Because persons can’t glide.
Me: I’m not sure Buddy.
Magoo: The only one that can glide is Batman.
Pause.
Magoo: Because he’s got a glide suit. I mean, come on!
Longer pause.
Magoo: Batman’s not real, is he?
Me: I don’t think so.
Another long pause as he looks very serious.
Magoo: You know what? I bet that guy singing is Batman. THAT makes sense.
Me: So he’s just singing about how he’s going to put on his glide suit and go flying?
Magoo: Yeah. He’s totally Batman.