The 5 Year Old Artist

This is about the extent of my birthday parties growing up. A cake (usually shared by my sister and I for our 3 day difference in birthdays) and the Zurasky girls.  There are certainly a few exceptions of a rollar skating party and a party at my house one year.  My only rule on birthday parties is that the kids have to be old enough to ask for their friends, otherwise it's just family. Aside from that, I'm all in. I love an excuse to plan a party!

While I thoroughly enjoyed Ruby's 4th birthday party, I'm busy at work and decrepid due to some crazy hip problems so when Ruby declared "art party" I thought "Not at my house". Michael's had a great birthday party arrangement so we had it there. I found some cute decoration ideas online so my mom and I made buckets of paint fall from the ceiling onto the table and arranged cupcakes on easels to look like paint splatters.

Ruby and her friends had a great time. It's fun to see the natural instincts of each kid. There were the realists and the abstract artists. The great thing is all the kids have absolute faith in their own artistic ability. It made me glad I pasted this quote from Pablo Picasso on each goodie bag.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso

No Clean = Sad

Ruby takes after her dad in certain ways, most particularly art and cleanliness.  Recently, I got upset at Ruby because she took her drink into my room and spilled it on my carpet. I cleaned it up and went on to other things. About 10 minutes later, Ruby comes in crying and starts hanging artwork on her playhouse.  Here is the first one.

When I asked for an explanation. I was informed that Ruby wanted to clean up her mess and make me happy but I had already cleaned it up and that made her sad.  Apparently, very sad because here is the second one.

All I want for Christmas is to explode some pigs

Do you want the next thing she touches to be an expensive electronic?

Cora is fascinated with computer. Everything about them. And when she doesn't have computers, she wants your phone.

So thank goodness she doesn't talk so I don't have to explain why an iPhone and an iPad are not gifts I'm giving my 1 year old. That's right! If anyone is getting an iPAd2 in this house, its me!

So, you may ask yourself, how many stockpots does a girl need?  Well, I got three for Christmas.  I am set!  I gave one to my mom and decided to keep one. Once I found out what Jamey spent for the one he gave me, I turned that one in for an iPad2.  So Merry Christmas to me! Ruby Cora and I fight over who gets to play Angry Birds next. I have weight on my side, but Cora has the ability to wipe her snotty nose on my clothes and Ruby can talk till I just give up. It's an even and fair fight. The only real losers are the pigs, unless Cora's playing. She feels she should finger swipe the direction she wants the bird to go, which naturally sends it in another direction as it leaves the slingshot. What can I say? I didn't place slingshots high on my 1 year old present gift idea list either.

I thought we did rather well at our Christmas card this year... Jamey liked the 50's Stacy alot. I told him I would wear frivolous dresses and bake cookies everyday if he has me stay home. He decided he likes 2000s Stacy better then.

I know I am completely biased, but Ruby is the coolest 4 year old ever. And this all relates to the only time of the day when she doesn't talk, story time!  Ruby has a great attention span for her age. I decided she could handle real books.  I described the plot of Charlie and the Chocolate factory to her around her 4th birthday (last June) and she said "That sounds like an awesome story!"  Since then we have read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Bunnicula and the Hobbit. I'll admit, I've never read the Hobbit because I couldn't get past the singing. Singing and books do not go along in my mind. Especially made up lyrics that require no thinking of a tune. Jamey read that one to Ruby. I would like to know how he handled the songs. If it were me, I would have sang them all to the tune of Oh Susanna.

By far the main book milage has been the Little House on the Prairie books. Reading them as an adult is a much different experience than reading it as a kid. As a kid, you get the impression that they are a family that keeps close together happily though tough times that they have no control over. As an adult, you realize Ma is passive passive and Pa can't plan his way out of a paper sack. Ma tries to shoehorn Laura into her idea of ladylike behavior which includes no laughing (even on Christmas), no crying (even when the dog dies) and no excitement of any kind (even if Pa had wolves follow him home that have surrounded the house and whoops! Pa hasn't built a door yet!).  Pa settles in Indian Territory and gets a bit miffed when they have to start over because they settled in Indian territory and have to leave.  It doesn't help that little Laura grew up to be a lier. The dog didn't die, Pa gave it away becuase they had to move. They had to move (this time) because the nice Norweigan man who sold them the sad little farm in a big hurry with a huge smile on his face neglected to tell them it was a grasshopper breeding ground. Oh well, we've started the Long Winter and I'm sure it will be more positive!  After all Almanzo, her future husband has arrived and is making eyes at her. Wait a minute, they are 10 years apart. EWWWWW She's like, 14 dude. Maybe I will quit reading Wikipedia... I do have one issue. Pa plays the fiddle. Alot!  Not a problem. The problem is there are songs in the books I don't know the tunes for. Argh! Break out the Oh Susanna tune.

Anyway, since the Hobbit is through and we went through the first 5 Little House books, Ruby got Harry Potter book 1, RedWall book 1 and the rest of the Little House books for Christmas.

I gave Cora a broom.  Hey, in Little house that would be a BIG gift, especially since it's a "boughten" broom. After all, Laura and Mary's big Christmas, they got their own tin cups!  They don't have to share anymore.  Spoiled little brats.  Laura has that doll made out of a corncob too.  Maybe Cora can get that next Christmas.

Santa and the rest of my family hasn't been reading pioneer novels, so the girl's loaded up from him and the family.

Halloween 2011

What better way to begin the night than "brains", chicken spaghetti in a bell pepper jack o lantern.  At first Ruby and Allison refused to eat it, then we told them to "dump the brains out" and they were down with that.

The Dinsmore's rocked their Halloween costumes as always.

My brohter continues the tradition of dressing his babies as food. There's probably some Greek tragedy in the making.

Cora was extremely entertained by Uncle David having the glowing spiders smack him in the head.

 I did not recognize Jamey's costume becuase I have never seen the movie.  Alison (Peek a Blue) and Ruby (Kim Possible) are in the background.

She-Ra and Katra really just needed an irish whisky to get along.

Which picture is the ladybug more frightened?  Above or below?

Moving on Up

Cora has moved up to her toddler class. As a graduate of "Baby Birds" and moving up to "Busy Bee", I decided to give a nice little compilation of her status sheets from Baby Bird. Jamey is in charge of dropping the kids off. This is a big job involving a less than relaxing ride to and from work. However, Jamey felt it needed more effort. As such, he looked through the news every morning determined to find the best representation of "child's mood" to fill in on the daily status sheets. I also enjoyed the reaction (or lack thereof) from the teachers under "Teacher's comment's" Here is a best of collection

 3/28/2011
Child's Mood: A SWEDISH MEDICAL STUDY FOUND THAT REGULAR JOGGING MAY ACTUALLY BE GOOD FOR THE KNEE JOINTS - PROMOTING CARTILAGE GROWTH AND INCREASED BONE MASS. THE STUDY MADE NO MENTION OF THE EFFECTS OF CRAWLING ON KNEES. SO CORA SAID SHE WOULD TAKE IT EASY - JUST TO BE SAFE. Teacher's Comments: None.

 3/29/2011
CHILD'S MOOD: PEDIATRICIANS ADVISE YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES TO NOT WEAR SPANX. CORA SIGHED LOOKING AT HER THIGHS AND SAID NO AMOUNT OF SPANX WOULD MAKE A FASTER CRAWLER ANYWAY.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora enjoys playing with the sensory bottles (Stacy note: water bottles with crap in them and the lid hot glued on) today. She seemed very happy today.

 4/1/2011
Child's Mood: THE NATIONAL BIRTH RATE FELL 4% BETWEEN 2007 AND 2009 - MORE THAN IT HAS ANY TWO YEAR PERIOD IN THE PAST 30 YEARS. CORA SAYS THE BIRTH RATE IN HER HOUSEHOLD HAS ALSO SHARPLY DECLINED.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora enjoys playing with the tactile teethers with friends today. Have a great beach vacation!!!

6/14/2011
Child's Mood: BAGGAGE FEES FOR AIRLINES IN THE US REACHED $3.4 BILLION IN 2010. CORA SAYS SHE'LL GLADLY PAY EXTRA IF IT MEANS SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO LEAVE HER 2200 WATT HAIR DRYER BEHIND.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora did a great job today trying new foods from the menu. She really enjoyed being able to sit and eat with the other children. She fussed a little if we did not bring her food quick enough. :-)

6/6/2011
Child's Mood: CORA CASUALLY DISMISSED THE RECOMMENDATION LAST WEEK FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRICS WHICH STATES CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS SHOULD NEVER USE ENERGY DRINKS. WITHOUT HER COFFEE AND RED BULL, SHE'D NEVER GET THROUGH THE DAY.
Teacher Comments: Cora enjoyed playing in the tunnel and practicing to walk with Ms. Brittany today. 

6/9/2011
Child's Mood: FACING POWER SHORTAGES, SOME JAPANESE OFFICES ARE TRADING AIR CONDITIONING FOR OPEN WINDOWS AND THE SUIT AND TIE FOR HAWAIIAN SHIRTS. CORA GIGGLED AT THE THOUGHT OF AN ENTIRE BUILDING FULL OF PEOPLE DRESSED LIKE PAPA.

6/10/2011 Child's Mood: US NEWS AWARDED THE DASH DIET A 3.9 OUT OF 5 STARS. CORA IS CONSIDERING GIVING IT A TRY TO GET READY FOR SWIMSUIT SEASON. BUT SHE'LL START MONDAY, BECAUSE SHE IS NOT SKIPPING BIRTHDAY CAKE THIS WEEKEND.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora enjoyed water play today. She loved being outside and did not mind water splashed on her. Have a great weekend. Enjoy the birthday cake before your big diet Cora (Stacy comment: This is the only reference I ever say that they read the mood)

 6/13/2011 Child's Mood: A NEW TYPE OF ARTIFICIAL HEART KEEPS 8-MONTH-OLD CALF, ABIGAIL, HAPPY WITHOUT A HEARTBEAT OR PULSE. IF ABIGAIL GROWS UP TO HAVE A CALF OF HER OWN, CORA WONDERS WHAT SOUND TO PLAY IN THE BABY'S CRIB TO KEEP IT HAPPY?
 Teacher's Comments: Cora enjoyed tossing small balls in the tunnel today with Ms. Brittany. Her hand and eye coordinating is developing more and more.

 9/2/2011
Child's Mood: FEDERAL AUTHORITIES RAIDED AND HALTED WORK AT GIBSON GUITAR FACTORIES IN TENNESSEE IN A SEARCH FOR ILLEGAL WOOD. CORA IS GLAD THE RAID WAS TOO LATE TO IMPACT SHIPMENTS TO GUITAR CENTER FOR THEIR BIG LABOR DAY SALE, BECAUSE THAT 15% OFF COUPON IS BURNING A HOLE IN HER POCKET.
Teacher's comments: Cora enjoyed Thomas's birthday party today. It was a great start to a long weekend. 

9/1/2011
Child's Mood: THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS SAYS NO MORE BOXING AS A SCHOOL SPORT. THIS IS GOOD NEWS FOR CORA'S CLASSMATES WHO NOW HAVE A LEGITIMATE EXCUSE TO DECLINE HER REPEATED TAUNTS TO MEET HER IN THE RING.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora enjoyed playing with small balls and squeeze toys today.

 9/12/2011
Child's Mood: CORA WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN SHE WAS TOLD YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY EAT A "DOUBLE-IRISH DUTCH SANDWICH", BUT CHEERED UP WHEN IT WAS EXPLAINED SHE COULD USE THIS STRATEGY TO PAY SINGLE-DIGIT CORPORATE INCOME TAXES ON HER LIFE COUCH CONSULTING SERVICES BUSINESS. Teacher Comments: Cora enjoyed playing peek-a-boo while in the tunnel today. She also took one step by herself today. Yea Cora!

 9/15/2011
Child's Mood: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING JOBS REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN OUR STRUGGLING ECONOMY. CORA STRUGGLES WITH WHETHER SHE SHOULD LEARN OBJECTIVE C OR JAVASCRIPT FIRST.
 Teacher Comments: Cora enjoyed playing in the blue tunnel. She really liked making funny faces at Ms. Brittany while inside the tunnel.

 9/6/2011
Child's Mood: CORA PREPARES TO SAY HER FAREWELLS TO THE PARTICLE COLLIDER OUTSIDE CHICAGO AND LOOK TO THE LARGER HADRON PARTICLE COLLIDER NEAR GENEVA FOR ALL HER QUANTUM PHYSICS RESEARCH NEEDS.
 Teacher's Comments: Cora did not take a second bottle today. She waited till snack. If she keeps this up, we may take the second bottle away also.

 9/7/2011
Child's Mood: CHILDREN MISS AN AVERAGE OF ONE MORE SCHOOL DAY A YEAR IF ONE PARENT SMOKES AT HOME; ONE AND A HALF IF BOTH PARENTS SMOKE. CORA THINKS NOT GETTING TO GO TO SCHOOL AND SEE YOUR FRIENDS IS A FILTHY DIRTY HABIT.
Teacher's Comments: Cora was surprised to see herself in the Mirror Me book! :-)

 9/12/2011
Child's Mood: CORA WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN SHE WAS TOLD YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY EAT A "DOUBLE-IRISH DUTCH SANDWICH", BUT CHEERED UP WHEN IT WAS EXPLAINED SHE COULD USE THIS STRATEGY TO PAY SINGLE-DIGIT CORPORATE INCOME TAXES ON HER LIFE COUCH CONSULTING SERVICES BUSINESS.
Teacher Comments: Cora enjoyed playing peek-a-boo while in the tunnel today. She also took one step by herself today. Yea Cora!

 9/15/2011
Child's Mood: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING JOBS REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN OUR STRUGGLING ECONOMY. CORA STRUGGLES WITH WHETHER SHE SHOULD LEARN OBJECTIVE C OR JAVASCRIPT FIRST.
 Teacher Comments: Cora enjoyed playing in the blue tunnel. She really liked making funny faces at Ms. Brittany while inside the tunnel.

9/23/2011
Child's Mood: CORA HAS LONG BEEN A FAN OF MIXING ANIMAL PRINTS IN HER WARDROBE, SO SHE WAS HAPPY TO HEAR OF AFRICAN FARMERS MIXING COWS AND ZEBRAS ON THE RANCH. COWS AND ZEBRAS PREFER DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE GRASS STALKS,S O THEY MAKE GREAT GRAZING BUDDIES.
 Teacher's Comments: None.

Cora Zee is One!

Cora had a jam packed birthday this weekend. She celebrated for three days... at least.


A party at the zoo which even included her 7 day old cousin Max was a hit. I gave out Bingo cards for the kids to fill in as they found animals. Cameron had fun trying blackout. I still question whether there is a porcupine. Cora got to get close to her favorite animal...ducks!


For some reason, Cora likes to put food on her head now. The cheeseburger made the best and.. honestly, less messy, hat.


Grandma gave the favorite gift....a chair just like Ruby's. Cora loves to climb in it.

Not pictured is the awesome toddler guitar I got Cora. It plays real music like the Police, Elvis etc and.... the most important feature, volume control! You can play the strings while the song is playing and it adds effects. There is also the all important whammy bar. Ruby is the one who loves it the most. She told me today "I like it almost morer than Cora." This is not the dig on Cora you might expect. Ruby went into our driveway this morning and played every song complete with dancing motions. Ahhhh... it's awesome being our neighbor.

Ruby's first girlie birthday party

Ruby had her first truly girly birthday party experience. The salon hosting it did a good job. Personally, I would have spent about 5 minutes doing a 4 year olds nails, but they were true perfectionists! The makeup on Ruby was the best. Rainbow punk rocker sheek. I love it!

Ruby has two extremes. She wants to be just like a boy or be the girliest girl ever. There is no in between. Princess dresses or spiderman clothes. Since this was girlie enough on the princess side, it made it acceptable. After being made up, the girls posed for some future album covers.

We stayed out till 9:30 which is way late...for the parents. Ugh, when did I get so old. Not to worry. A trip to New York two weeks later convinced me I can stay out late as any late thirties year old trying to reclaim their youth. Post to follow...