Desi Book Club - #1

I wanted to join the new Oak Park chapter of the Desi Book Club but just didn't have the time to read the book. But then I hung out with MAM at her place and it was book club time so I got to join in - even though I had not read "The Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

At the start of the meeting, everyone went around and introduced themselves. Of the nine women, there were 2 medical doctors, 2 psychologists, 2 PhDs, a receptionist, and me (admissions and marketing director). Clearly, I was in good company should I collapse or go crazy.


In addition to being incredibly smart and accomplished, these ladies had beautiful, melodic names: 
Dipika, Shakuntala, Gauri, Surinder, and Bashanti.

I could have stayed and listened to the stories about their lives and careers and volunteer work all evening but we were there to discuss "The Palace of Illusions." It sounds like a fascinating book told from a unique perspective - that of Panchaali, married to 5 royal husbands who were cheated out of their father's kingdom. The story takes us back to a time that is half history, half myth, and wholly magical, giving new voice to the epic Mahabharata. Epics are often told from the voice or viewpoint of men. Divakaruni's book is interesting because it is from the female viewpoint.

Now I have the book and the time so I plan to read this fascinating story and see for myself what these women were raving about.

Lofty Goals

This summer, I have very lofty goals. The children are gone for 8 weeks again. I would like to spend that time writing, reading, being more intentional about creative inspiration and enjoying my husband - not necessarily in that order.

Reading

I’ve joined a Desi Book Club. I’m part Indian on my father’s side so I qualify. We meet monthly. The books selections are by Desi authors. I’ll be blogging about my first Desi meeting soon.

I want to learn more about the Hindu faith. My dear friend, MAM, is South Asian and has frequent socials that have enabled me to meet many people who are Hindu. And, interestingly enough, I meet many Hindu families who want to send their children to the private Christian school where I am the admissions and marketing director. It makes sense for me to know more about this faith.

And I am just simply interested in Kaballah and Buddhism. My plan is to read a Kaballah book I was given and to attend some of their meetings. I would like to read about Buddhism. If time permits, I'd like to visit a Hindu temple and a mosque this summer.

Writing

It is time to add the next installment to the short story I began last summer. I have been mulling over the ending and how I think it should play out. It’s called, “ – wait. I can’t tell you the title. I hope to get it published one day but I will have to do so under a different name because it is scandalous! Hahaha!!!

It is also time to do some editing on an adoption short story that needs to be extended to book format. I’ve been mulling over what changes need to be made and I think I have the writing chops now to do it greater justice.

I also want to blog more.  Blogging brings out my creative juices.

Creativity

I want to take more photos of the things that inspirte me. I could spend days taking photos of all kinds of stuff at MAM’s home.  She inspires me. I also want to take photos of things in the city that inspire me. I got the idea from a webinar for creatives. I need to keep my creative juices flowing to do marketing effectively in my job.

Love J

I also plan to spend lots of time hanging out with my husband. This solo time is such a gift for us. No plans on turning on the TV this summer!

What are your summer plans/goals?

A Fine Line

I work at my kids' school. As a staff member, there are things that I am not privy to because I am also a parent. I strive to differentiate between parent and staff. Sometimes, it can be a fine line. It may also be hard for others to know where that line is. It is important for me and my colleagues to be attentive to the line. When I explain the "Scenario" you will understand why.

Parent/Staff Distinction - Example 1
I am the admissions and marketing director. In my capacity, I should have access to the financial aid (FA) documents to ensure they have been received in a timely manner and work with the financial aid committee to determine acceptance of FA requests. However, as a parent, I should not know who is receiving FA and certainly not how much. To maintain parent confidentiality and retain impartiality a non-parent on staff handles this.

Parent/Staff Distinction - Example 2
We have a great staff and faculty that I love dearly but they are are not my Facebook friends. Our school policy (and my personal policy) is to refrain from social media contact with students and alumni under 18 years of age and it is advised to refrain from social media contact with parents. I am not even FB friends with my principal whom I consider a friend.

School Environment
Our school teachers, classrooms, staff are very open and accessible within the school environment. If kindergarteners are working on a project to find and name purple items, they freely walk in and out of any classroom or office they need to. It sounds chaotic but there are controls and checks and balances in place - i.e. kids walk around in pairs, closed doors are off limits, etc. Our school is a safe environment for students to gather knowledge.

The Scenario
I returned to my desk to find a note from a student. The note said that my son had yelled in her face in after school care and could she please discuss it with me that day. I was livid! If I were any other parent, that student would not have been permitted to walk across town to my office and leave me a note. I put the note aside and went about my busy schedule (6 tours, 3 meetings, and lots of projects due).

At my first opportunity, I asked my principal if I was wrong to think the school should deal with it first. She agreed with me. I said I would reach out to the teacher.

Bad Timing
To compound matters, my son's class was out of school from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm on a Learning Excursion to our state capital. Under normal circumstances, I would have been able to ask the girl's teacher to pull my son out of class and work on conflict resolution. Under normal circumstances, I would have asked my son about it when we got home. As it was, we got home at 7:50 pm and he was in bed by 8:00 pm.

Work It Out
It is a private Christian school that adheres to biblical principles when dealing with conflict resolution. This means the offended party goes to the offending party and tries to work it out. Our teachers are amazing at helping our students voice their feelings and concerns and allowing an opportunity for forgiveness and grace. If the situation cannot be resolved student to student with teacher direction, the teacher initiates next steps. Throughout, students are learning valuable life skills.

The Dad
The girl's father approached me the next morning at my desk. He wanted me as a parent to know what had happened and for us to resolve the situation. Dad said my son had apologized at the time but that his daughter did not think the apology sincere and that she was distraught over the situation all long weekend and much of the school week.

I explained Parent/Staff Distinction, Bad Timing, and Work It Out. Told dad my son needed an opportunity to rectify the situation without parent involvement and that I would discuss it with my son afterwards. Dad hugged me and left.

Rock and Hard Place
This dad and I have worked on committees together and he is an active, involved parent. The 10% that you can always count on to step up to volunteer. If I screwed up in this parent situation, I could cost my employer a great volunteer and a tuition paying student.

Teacher
The teacher read my email and came to me. She apologized for not reading the girl's note first. Had she read it, she would not have allowed her to come to me. It was just a rare oversight on the teachers' part. Teacher said she would get the two students to talk it through. And she did. And it was resolved student to student. You see now why I love my kids' teachers and this school?

The Whole Story
The kids were playing dodge ball. Motor Mouth explained to Girlie that she was out. While that was going down, Motor Mouth yelled something to the effect of, "Aw man! Holy crap!" because a dodge ball almost hit him. Girlie thought he was yelling this to her and up close in her face.

Mother's Day 2012

I love Mother's Day.

For a while there, it looked like this wasn't going to be my day.

Then one day in 2003, I became a MOM!!!

About two months later, our church held a baby dedication

(like a christening) and that is how I celebrated

my first Mother's Day - thanking God for my blessing!

Three years later in 2006,

I got to spend my Mother's Day the same way!

This year, my favorite husband brought me breakfast in bed.

Both kids gave me necklaces. That they made.

Motor Mouth made a necklace with a half heart for me

and the matching half heart for him!

Mini Me made me a glass heart necklace - purple, my fav color!

We had a great family day - that's what it's all about.

All They Can Say Is "No"

The kids' school does very low key fundraisers. This is the second year they have done a flower fundraiser. It's real flowers - flats, pots, hanging baskets, for less than you can get them at Home Depot.

This year, I took the kids with me around our condo complex. They gave the order forms only the neighbors we know by name. About 14 neighbors. Of those, 4 neighbors placed orders. That's 4 more than their school would have had if they hadn't taken 15 minutes out of their evening playtime.

The kids had a blast! They got to visit their friends and walk around the building visiting their friends' dogs. And by friends, I mean adults. When the orders started coming in, the kids were ecstatic!

J thought I was insane but then when he saw the orders rolling in, he began to catch the excitement.

I think it is important to teach our children the importance of going outside their comfort level. To teach them that the worst someone can say is "no." To teach them the joy and excitement that comes from getting that "yes." To teach them to give back to their school. To teach them that they can make a difference. To teach them that they can leverage their sphere of influence to make a difference or to create change.

All those life lessons from a handing out an 8.5" x 11" color brochure with pretty pictures of flowers. 

Mini Me Poetry

Mini Me has to recite a poem in front of her class and the parents next month. She wanted it on doctors and vets b/c that is what she wants to be when she grows up - and a dentist. Hard to find appropriate poems she can read w/her speech issues. I was panicking - I couldn't find anything and her selection was due the next day. I emailed her teachers for an extension because I decided to write one for her - at 6:30 am today. I thought I would need the weekend.

Then I did it! This morning I wrote a poem for Mini Me to recite.
She approves! Enjoy. 

A doctor, a dentist, a vet too,
That's what I want to do.
When I grow up big I will,
I will care for the ill.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 
I will care for the weak.
Thursday and Friday,
It's the teeth I will tweak.

Saturday and Sunday,
It's for animals I'll care.
Oh me, oh my,
There's no time for my hair!

- By Widney Woman




So I won't win a literary award but my kid loves it and the teachers approved it. Watching Mini Me perform it will be award enough.

Pink Hair

Mini Me has pink hair. She LOVES it!

I do admissions and marketing at a private school. In my job capacity, I see a lot of children. Most of them are very cute. It is so easy to comment on a child's looks or clothing. It involves no thought. It involves no effort. "You are so cute!" or "What a great pink dress!" Child smiles and we move on.  Instead of talking about a child's appearance, I ask what their favorite book is, or what book they are currently reading, or what their favorite sport is. These are things the child has control over. These are things that do no focus on looks but on a child's knowledge or interest.

By focusing on a child's beauty, especially a girl's, we are perpetuating society's focus on physical beauty. Some children are beautiful. Others are not.  We have no control over our facial features (until we are old enough for plastic surgery).

Same goes for a child's clothing. The child may get to chose what he/she wears from day to day, but most often, the parents went on the shopping trip and chose the clothes the child gets to pick from. A child has little to no control over the cute outfits their parents purchased. This once again is focusing on something a child has no control over.

Mini Me gets LOTS of comments on her appearance. For her entire life, the message she has been receiving from well-meaning strangers is that she is beautiful. Mini Me is smart, funny, caring, generous. None of these attributes are being highlighted. Only her looks.

Until we dyed her hair pink! J asked Mini Me if she wanted to color her hair. "Yes!" was her response. Then he asked if she wanted to dye her hair pink, purple, or blue. Mini Me chose pink. She had control over whether or not her hair was dyed. She had control over the color of her hair. And whenever we ask her if she still wants pink hair, that gives her continued control over her hair color.

Now, when we go out, people comment on Mini Me's hair - not her beauty. Coloring Mini Me's hair was the perfect thing to do to draw the focus away from an unchangeable to a changeable. 

MotorMouth's Sonic the Hedgehog Birthday Party

Motor Mouth's latest OBSESSION is Sonic the Hedgehog. 

It took a bit of work but we managed to put together a special party for him for less than we would normally spend on his cake.

J made the above graphic. J took a pick of Motor Mouth and added Sonic.

He asked Motor Mouth what his favorite Sonic scene was = Street Scene. Voila!

This was posted on our TV and iPad and was shown between photos of Motor Mouth from birth to now.

Sonic Food Table

- Popcorn

- Water Bottles

- Cupcakes (notice the swirl patterns..?)

- Funions

- Blue Corn Chips

- Skittles

- Hummus (nothing to do with Sonic but J made from scratch)

- Sonic plates and napkins from Party Express

Sonic colors are blue and yellow.
Not many blue foods but there's blue corn chips!!!
How perfect is that.

Sonic Gold Rings

Sonic is always trying to get gold rings. 

Yellow is one of Sonic's signature colors.

And Sonic loves onions.

How perfect are Funions?!!

Sonic Bottled Water

I peeled the labels off mini bottled water bottles then 

used home printed shipping labels to the front

Sonic the Hedgehog Popcorn

Not only did I steal this idea from my friend, Dr. C., I also borrowed her popcorn holder!

It's just a box with wrapping paper and square holes cut out

but it saved me time!!!

I found a Sonic graphic, printed it on card stock and taped the edges. 

Chaos Emerald Skittles

Yummy and easy - Open bag and pour!

 Sonic Cupcakes

Box of cake mix, $1

Divide into equal parts and use a LOT of food coloring.

You want to get a really vivid blue and vivid yellow

We put yellow icing on the blue cupcakes and blue icing on the yellow cupcakes

J put them in a swirl pattern on a platter (covered with red tissue paper)

Pin the Tail on Tails

Motor Mouth free hand drew Tails from Sonic.

The boys were blindfolded and pinned a "tail" on Tail 

 

Sonic the Hedgehog Take Home Gift Bag

Contents:

- Blue Canvas Bag

- Custom Sonic the Hedgehog Coloring Book

- Chaos Emerald

 Canvas Bag

3/$1 at Dollar Tree

 Custom Coloring Book Cover

Motor Mouth is a great artist so I had him freehand draw an original cover for each of his friends.

He found Sonic poses on the Internet then drew them himself.

The front and back covers are card stock.

I saved (hoarded) free binding comb samples for years.

And, I just so happen to have access to a binding machine...

 I Googled "Free Sonic the Hedgehog Coloring Pages"

Then I printed it b&w 4-up on regular paper

Chaos Emeralds

Sonic is always collecting Chaos Emeralds

I found these small bags at Michaels, 175/$2.99

"Emeralds" were $1 at Dollar Tree in a pack w/jewelry beads

I wrote up and printed the inserts using regular paper

 Edible Chaos Emeralds

We could only find Easter Skittles so I covered the 

easter bunny with a Sonic and friends label

Gifts are never the goal

The Chicago Widneys are a social group that enjoys being with friends

I hope some of these ideas can be implemented at your Sonic the Hedgehog party. It's fun to see how creative other people are and how ideas are translated for different environments and people. If you do use some of the ideas, I would love to see what you did. Please comment and/or include a link so I can see your pictures. Have fun creating!

Mini Me's Peace Sign Birthday Party

Peace Sign & '70's Themed Birthday Party

Mini Me LOVES peace signs. 

Has ever since she was 4 years old. 

For her 6th birthday party, Mini Me chose the 

peace sign plate and napkin from Birthday Express. 

Birthday Graphic

J created this graphic for our TV and iPod screens. 

This image rotated with images of Mini Me as a baby.

J found the fabric and created her headband and "bell bottoms."

The funky colored hair is hers (again, done by her father).

Mini Me has been sporting the hair color for about three weeks now.

Birthday Party for less than the cost of a cake!

My dear friend, Dr. C., had a great birthday spread for her babysitter's 30th birthday. I stole some of her ideas and borrowed a few things from her. I also went online and Googled "peace sign birthday ideas." Here is how my version turned out...

 Peace Sign Water Bottles

Image found via Google and printed on shipping label paper.

I cut it out using a paper cutter.

You can get the right sized labels if you want.

I just used what I already had.

 The Food Table

 Tie Dye Cupcakes

Vanilla cake mix $1 at WalMart. 4-Pack food dye $2. 

Vanilla icing $1.50. Paper cupcake cups $1.

Make cake mix per instructions.

Divide cake mix in 4 bowls.

Use a LOT of food dye to get dark, vivid colors.

Use a teaspoon to scoop approx. 1/2 teaspoon of each color (1-by-1) into paper cups.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Bake per instructions. Let cool.

Use icing bag to make Peace Sign on cupcakes.

We happen to have a professional server tray that I covered with pink tissue paper $1.

Arrange on tray in Peace Sign (took 21 cupcakes)

 Skittles 

'70's colors, right...?

'70's Fabric

$3/yard fabric from Wal-Mart left over from Mini Me's outfit

 Peace Sign Popcorn

Dr. C. loaned me her popcorn box.

It's just a box covered in wrapping paper w/square holes cut out.

I messed up the popcorn logo.

The logo was supposed to go inside but I couldn't get it right.

J was sleeping and I didn't want to wake him to get help on it. 

The girls are 6 years old - they didn't notice or care!

16 popcorn cups = 2 bags of microwave popcorn

Use card stock paper and clear tape.

 Water was chilled first

Also, I used multi-colored Sharpies to write the kid's names on the bottles

Brownies

These were "kid friendly" brownies

It was a Brownie mix. 

I normally make things from scratch but I was kinda busy.

Wii Dance Party

Dr. C. loaned us the color changing lights that moved to the beat of the music.

This kept them busy ALL evening.

Most of the time, ALL of the girls were up dancing with or without Wii remotes

70's Party Games & Outfits

I remember playing Hot Potato and Musical Chairs when I was a kid in the 70's.

The guests were invited to dress in 70's/Peace Sign outfits. 

The girls were all so very cute and creative!!!

Hot Potato Game

I found multi-colored tissue paper at Dollar Tree for $1. 

I also found glow in the dark bracelets 15/$1 at Dollar Tree and Michaels. 

I wrapped one glow stick in each layer of paper, enough layers 

so each child at the party got a glow bracelet. (see it on the wrists above?)

Each time a child was eliminated, they peeled a layer and got a glow bracelet.

Musical Chairs Game

We only invited 6 friends (6 years old = 6 friends) 

so we had enough glow bracelets for everyone to have 2.

I had them play musical chairs. Each child eliminated got another glow bracelet.

Bracelet Making

This was BONUS!!!

Mini Me's brother is having a Sonic Birthday Party. We found "Chaos Emeralds" at Dollar Tree for $1/bag. There were so many non-Chaos Emeralds left over, I bought stretchy bracelet string ($3 WalMart) and let the girls make their own bracelets. J helped the girls.

Birthday Gifts

Gifts are never expected - 

Widney's like to have fun and spend time with friends!

Peace Sign Gift Bags

Canvas Gift Bag

Purchased at Dollar Tree. 3 for $1!!!

They had pink, green, blue, red

Peace Sign Take Home Gift Bag Contents

- Pink Canvas Gift Bag

- Custom Coloring Book w/peace sign pages

- Celebration Packet w/tie dye confetti

- Pet Rock

- Pet Rock Care Instructions w/Extra Eyes & Nose

Coloring Book

Okay, so I have access to a binding machine and I always get sample binding combs from office supply stores that I saved (hoarded) for the perfect opportunity. 

I Googled "Peace Sign Coloring Pages" 

then printed them black & white, 4-up on 8.5x11 paper.

Same with the cover, only that was in color and

 on card stock. The back page was blank card stock.

All the same size. 

I cut one long binding comb in half so it was even cheaper.

Bound the book and I was done.

Coloring Book Back Page

I had extra stickers so I stuck them on the back of the coloring book.

I also gave one to each kid as they arrived.

Celebration Packet

I received a "Thank You" card from Kendra Smiley (parents, buy her books!) 

that had a "Celebration Packet" in it. 

Flat out stole her idea. 

"Toss contents in air and celebrate!"

I don't know how or where I got tie dye 

Sticky Notes from but I found them sitting in our living room

 about two weeks before the birthday party.

I got out my trusty 3-hole punch and made confetti.

Each packet contains about 7 regular size

Sticky Notes hole punched.

Note: I cut off the sticky part first.

Mini bags from Michaels, $2.99 (for 175!)

They can be found in the bracelet/jewelry section

and are about 2"x 3" (give or take).

(The other side of the white confetti has tie dye colors too)

Pet Rock

Michaels had everything!

Bag of about 15 stones, $2.47.

Neon Eyes, $1.97.

Fuzzy Noses, $1.97. 

Hot glue gun and voila!

Be careful gluing the eyes. You have to bend them down so the pupils are on the clear plastic. THEN dab on glue. Otherwise, the eyes can get melted on to the back and not move around. No one wants their Pet Rock to have a lazy eye. Or maybe you do if you or kid has a lazy eye.

 Pet Rock Instruction Packet

I had SO freaking many eyes and noses left over and sometimes they fall off easy. So I put an extra set of the same color eyes and nose in a dime bag with instructions. 

The "dime bags" were purchased at Michaels for $2.99 (for 175!). They can be found in the bracelet/jewelry section and are about 2"x 3" (give or take).

Pet Rock Win!

I have to tell you. 

P slept over and he wanted to sleep with his Pet Rock in bed with him. 

Made my week!

There you have it. I'm sure we did a few other things but well, that should get you started. If you take any of these suggestions, I would LOVE to see your version. Please leave me a comment if you do and a link to your site so I can go check out your photos. Have fun!!!