Flashback to Childhood Swimming

Yesterday, as we watched, the kids splashed about in the teacher's pool. They were taking turns with the instructor and supposed to be practicing the latest lessons. All I saw was a lot of splashing and smiling.

Suddenly, I started laughing so the adults (including my husband) asked what was so funny.

"When we were little, my sister used to to an inverse 'Nestea Plunge'," I said while wiping the laughter tears from my eyes. "She used to fall face first into the pool with her arms spread like an eagle and yell 'Dead Bird!' It was the funniest thing ever."

While I kept laughing, the adults looked at me oddly. What funny things kids do.

Until the next nap time...

Tickle Your Kids' Art Tendencies at the Free First Sunday Event at MFAH

Families will discover the exciting world of Movement in Art. Don’t miss the innovative artists of the CORE Performance Company. They will share a dance specially created to be performed outside in the Cullen Sculpture Garden where families will also create wire sculptures full of movement and sketch beautiful works of art. Inside the museum, create a colorful paper collage, get moving on a family gallery experience led by an MFAH Educator, move your body as you listen to a story and look at contemporary art, and more.


When: 1 – 5 pm on Sunday, May 2, 2010
Where: The Museum of Fine Art (MFAH)’s Caroline Wiess Law Building is located at 1001 Bissonnet Street with free parking across the street. Call 713-639-7300 visit www.mfah.org/planyourvisit for more information.

Free admission for all throughout the day (the museum is open 12:15-7:00 p.m. Sundays)

Enjoy! Until the next nap time...

Week of Earth Day

Earth Day is April 22. At Little K's school, they are celebrating all week. Over the weekend, we were asked to collect recyclable products that the kids could turn into musical instruments in class. Little K took an empty, plastic coffee jar with dry pasta inside. When she shook the container, the dry pasta made "music". During class, Little K said she put beautiful stickers all over the can. Later this week, her class is going to have an Earth Day parade, making music with the items produced in class.

Today, the classes will be planting flowers around the campus as part of the celebrations. Not only will it help beautify the grounds, it also teaches the kids about nature. I love gardening with my daughter. While her attention span is still short, it's good to show her how things grow when they are nurtured. That works for plants and people. :-)

What are you doing this week in celebration of Earth Day? I'm thinking about going to get some vegetable plants to add to our garden.

Until the next nap time...

Backwards Day

Have you ever had one of those days where things seem backward? Yesterday was Little K's. After school, we begged her to get her swim suit and a cover-up on so we could run by a networking event in the Heights and then head to Little K's swimming lessons at 6:10 pm. We had so much to accomplish yesterday that we were literally running from place to place. Finally, my husband Trent went into our daughter's room to "encourage" her to get dressed.

After a quick networking stop, we journeyed on to swim lessons. I chatted with my husband and some other parents while Little K and two other children practiced in the pool with their teacher. I noticed that Little K's bathing suit seemed to come way down in the front. Luckily, she doesn't have anything to show but it looked really weird.

Maybe she just needs to pull up her suit, I thought.

Ten or fifteen minutes go by. I watch Little K practice her freestyle swim and she's really trying to work on her arms. Unfortunately, I'm distracted by the fact that it looks like she's wearing a skimpy bathing suit because her backside is hanging out of her swim suit. That's when it hit me.

"Trent, did you help Little K get her bathing suit on today?" I asked my husband.

"No, I told her she could do it herself," he replied. After all, she's 5, right? I get the thinking here.

"Well, she put it on backward. Look!" I said.

There went my Little K paddling away with her bottom hanging out. Maybe I should remember she's my LITTLE K.

Flash forward to dinner time. We were starving so Little K quickly changed into play clothes and we went to a restaurant to eat. By the time we got home, it was past Little K's bed time so we started putting on her nightgown. She was so exhausted from the full day that she lay on top of her bed like a wet noodle. I just looked at my husband and laughed.

"What?" Trent asked.

"Her underwear is on backwards. I've got to fix it for her," I said. "What a day!"

Hope your Friday is better and that all of you have a wonderful weekend! Until the next nap time...

Spring Time Hot Tub

After a great 5th birthday (thanks to many friends), we relaxed in the back yard. Little K loved time in the hot tub but begged for the swming pool.

"That's what summer is for


," I said. Someone has to look ahead.

Until the next nap time...

Bay Area Mom Updates Blog for Local Parents

Here's another good family-oriented blog for folks living in the Bay Area (outside of Houston & Galveston). See http://bayarea-kidsactivities.blogspot.com/ for details.

Until the next nap time...

Bluebonnet Sighting

Yep, spring is here. I just saw bluebonnets at Loop 610N & East TC Jester. Park at the Boy Scouts office & walk on over! Great photo opp!


Until the next nap time...

Spring is Here

There's just something about


being barefoot in the spring. We got so lucky with the blue sky weather for Easter weekend. I know different families have


different traditions for this holiday but my favorite is the family time.



Until the next nap time...

Go Western Art

While the rodeo in Houston has come & gone, some western art is making its debut. We learned yesterday that Little K's artwork would be on display at the


Kroger grocery store located at 43rd Street & Ella Blvd. She created her masterpiece during art class at St. Rose School as a way to kick-off rodeo time.

So our family HAD to make a


grocery store run yesterday. Here's what we discovered.

Until the next nap time...

Spring Break 2010

With 2 working parents, Spring Break has required a nit of shuffling but the time together has been well worth it. On Monday, my sister took Little K & her daughter to the Madd Potter to paint their own pottery. Since Easter is just weeks away, Little K painted a statue


of rabbit in "rainbow colors", of course. Baby Claire painted an Easter egg two shades of purple...with her Mommy's help. We'll pick up the items next week after the staff fires the masterpieces. They'll be great Easter decorations. Big thanks to my sister for watching Little K Monday afternoon.

Tuesday & Wednesday mornings, Little K enjoyed gymnastics at Discover Gymnastics, followed by playdates each afternoon with neighbors. Wednesday's playdate was actually a St. Patrick's Day party for children. The kids painted a small flowe pot with black paint. The hostess then used a glue gun to create a handle with a green pipecleaner. Once the glue & paint dried, Little K filled the pot with artificial grass & gum disguised as gold coins. Ta Da! An instant pot of gold from a friendly leprechaun!

Thursday, Little K went with her Grand, Aunt Juji & cousin to the zoo. They stayed for 5 hours so I was so glad we packed waters, snacks & lunch.

TGIF! Today, we ran a few errands & are now heading to Galveston for the weekend. Even if the weather turns cooler as is being predicted for Houston, we'll have some relaxing family time. Little K's Cici (parternsl grandmother) & her Aunt Susu will be there, too.

Something tells me returning to school on Monday may be a challenge. Any suggestions?

Enjoy the rest of your Spring Break! We'll post photos from the island.

Until the next nap time...

Trip to the Zoo Made Easy during Spring Break

Thanks to the Houston Zoo for these tips on making your trip to the Zoo during Spring Break much easier.

Looking for Fun in Houston This Spring Break?

Hope you all will come visit me at the Barnes & Noble on West Gray in the River Oaks Shopping Center on Saturday, March 13 from 2-4 pm. I'll share ideas for fun local things to do this Spring Break in and around Houston.

Hope to see you there!

Until the next nap time...

I'm Alive and Well

The events of the last 2 weeks have been frought with pain, anticipation and relief. I've looked for emails that I could copy and paste here but haven't found the full story... so here it goes. I hope all who read this understand that writing is a helpful process for me. I never write to antagonize or bare all.

We left Wednesday, 2/24, to head to Galveston to be with my father-in-law. He was in home hospice and we were all in for a ride. When we arrived, Steve had limited verbal abilities, quite a handicap for an attorney who made his livelihood from speaking eloquently & using his hands. This accomplished attorney suffered from liver & pancreatic cancer. It was not good. Thursday, Friday & Saturday, we spent by his side. This proud man was weak and it broke my heart. I won't go into too many details. On Saturday night, before we went to bed, a new home hospice lady came to the house for an 8 pm to 8 am shift. It was her very first shift, although she had previous worked as an EMT. Trent & I told her, as we headed up for bed, that if she had questions or concerns, she should call Trent's cell phone, not his Mom's. She needed her sleep.

The next thing I know: Trent was listening to the hospice lady and told me that we needed to head immediately downstairs. I told Trent to get his Mom while I got his sister and we'd all be downstairs together so his Dad wouldn't be alone.

After waking Trent's sister, she needed a minute to collect herself. I headed for the stairs.

Trent & his mom held hands around his Daddy. Trent touched his father to check his pulse, pulled back and said: "Mom, I love you. Daddy is gone. His pain is over."

CRASH!

You can maybe imagine what my husband said aloud. I won't write it here. The poor man ran to the back stairwell to find me. I had fallen in my rush to get to my father-in-law, from the top 3rd step. Trent said I must have missed all the steps and landed on the landing. When he went to reach for me, he found a pool of blood and I was unconscious. The hospice helper, who was a former EMT, told my husband how to hold my neck & head. My mother-in-law called 911.

I'm told I asked 5 questions again & again. All I remember is waking up in the hospital with a broken nose, two purple eyes & a worried husband. I was released that day after a cat-scan, an X-ray and other tests. We had the visitation on Tuesday; we had the burial and memorial on Wednesday. I did one of the eulogies. My dad picked me up from Galveston and brought me to Houston on Thursday.

I slept for close to 13 hours Thursday night at my parents' home & I'm doing better & better, despite being away from my husband and baby. It seems weird. But how can I not do better when each day I look better, and feel better despite the pain our family feels.

Trent & I are quite fond of the song by Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews called "I'm alive and well." And it's quite true for me. Is it fair to say "onward & upward"?

Until the next time...

What to give up for Lent

During Ash Wednesday mass, the priest asked who was giving up what for Lent. It was the Children's mass. Little K proudly waved her hand in hopes of being called on. Luckily, the priest did not call on her.

Instead, I asked Little K what she was going to give up for Lent.

"Wine," Little K said.

Super, I thought, super.

Until the next nap time...

Pulling together as a Family

My blog posts have been few & far between of late due to our heavy & busy schedules. My knee surgery was completed in late January but I'm still on two crutches for another 2 weeks. That's a total of 6 weeks after which I graduate to 1 crutch for who knows how long.

My poor father-in-law continues his protest & strong fight against cancer. It's interesting although somewhat painful to talk through all this with a young child. The other night at bed time, Little K & I were praying.

I said: "we should ask God to miraculously heal Popi or ... "

Silence. What should I say?

Little K replied: "or he could go to Heaven & not hurt any more."

"Yes, you're right, baby," I said.

"But I'll miss Popi when he goes to Heaven," Little K said.

"Yes, baby, I will, too. We all will."

So we continue as a family, the way it should be. Keep the prayers coming.

Until the next nap time...

Hats Off to Catholic Schools Week

This is Catholic Schools Week and it's really been fun to watch Little K preparing for school this week. All the activities have been wonderful for increasing the already-high school spirit. Maybe other schools can use some of these ideas.

Monday: Hats off to Catholic Schools aka Favorite Hat Day. Little K wore her favorite white bonnet despite the fact that you're not supposed to wear white before Easter. Oh well.

Tuesday: Dress Crazy Day (Little K wore her chitah-print robe and orange star sun glasses.

Wednesday: Wear your Steps for Students 5K t-shirt to school.

Thursday: Add your favorite tie to your uniform

Friday: Pajama Day. Too bad Little K's slippers got soaked in the rain water on the driveway. This was the day she was most excited about. Funny, huh?

Throughout the week, classes have competed with pig races. No worries about a mess though. The school used battery-operated pigs. The finals are this morning.

While the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week is today, we continue on our fundraising campaign through February 20, when our school mates will run/walk a 5k. All the funds that the Salch family raises will go directly to St. Rose School. Won't you help us? Details & our progress are online at http://www.firstgiving.com/salch.

Until the next nap time...

Until the next nap time...

Doctor Update

More good news. We just got back from the doctor's appointment and all 9 staples were removed. Phew! I actually start physical therapy (PT) on Wednesday so hopefully that won't be too painful. I'll need to go to 1-hour PT twice a week for 3-6 months and then I can maybe start doing PT closer to home. That would make it easier.

Until the next nap time...

Course Work for the Artist in Training

Students find inspiration from MFAH works and learn from time-honored tradition

For centuries, art academies required students to copy the work of the Old Masters. From drawings and prints, students learned to create lines, master shading and contour figures. From paintings they learned composition and how to develop visual narrative.

Kingwood Park High School Art Teacher Kara Czepiel has revived this time-honored tradition with her Advanced Placement (AP) art students to introduce them to the many approaches to the creative process and to spur them to ponder the source of their ideas. As part of their program, students have the freedom to work within a concentration of their choice with most choosing to draw, paint, collage and photograph with the use of Photoshop for their concentration.

The rigorous curriculum requires a piece of quality artwork due every week to the College Board for their AP credit.

Their work is on view now through Sunday, June 27, 2010 as a Kinder Foundation Education Center exhibition New Masters on Old Masters through the MFAH Education Center.

The 16 pieces in this exhibition reflect both Czepiel’s students’ command of the technical skills of art-making and their discovery of the infinitely nuanced process of conceptual thinking: the invisible choices artists make before pronouncing their work “finished.”

“Teachers focus on skill-building, but the thought process about why a student is inspired to make a work of art often becomes lost,” said Czepiel. “So, I decided to make my students into visual interpreters, by instructing them to find a work from the museum’s collection, then to create their own version of the work. As the students became intellectually curious about the pieces and dug deeper into the artists’ lives, the concepts of interpretation and creativity began to take root.”

Until the next nap time...

Valentine's Day with Kids at Home

This year, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday, which means that parents need to prepare themselves for holiday activities. What ideas do you have for spending February 14 with the kids at home? Please post your ideas using the Comments feature. Everyone who adds a comment to this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a Barnes & Noble gift card. Let's generate some fun ideas for kids and parents alike.

Until the next nap time...

Good News Abounds

So last night was my first real outing since my knee surgery a week & a half ago. Little K & her classmates sang 3 verses of "Jesus Loves Me" at the conclusion of the 5 pm mass. (I didn't know there was more than 1 verse.) Then our principal announced that St. Rose School will open 6th grade starting this fall with 7th & 8th grades opening the subsequent years. The congregation erupted into applause! Trent hugged me in excitement & my eyes swelled with tears. We have worked & prayed long & hard to make this happen. God is good.

Next, this morning, I bathed all by myself. Zero help from my hubby for the first time in ~ 2 weeks! My 4-year-old daughter & I now have something else in common: bathing without supervision! (Come on. That's funny!)

I'm also celebrating that we finished the 10th & final shot today. Trent's been giving me one shot a day in the stomach to prevent blood clots. (Don't they make a pill for that?) Little K said she was sad they were over because she really enjoys seeing other people gets shots! I'm either raising masochist or a doctor! Little K said she didn't want to be either of those when she grows up. She wants to be an artist.

My next doctor appointment is Tuesday, when the rehab begins. Wish me luck

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