August 2009 Archives - hooey!critic

Jump Start Pet Rescue: A Review

August 31, 2009 By Neena 1 Comment

A while back I did a review on Jump Start’s interactive website for kids. I was lucky enough to get to meet some of the Jump Start folks while I was in Chicago and was offered the chance to review their new Wii game, Jump Start Pet Rescue!

My kids loved the website so much that I knew the Wii game would be a hit. Once it arrived in the mail the kids couldn’t wait to play it. They were so anxious to see what adventures they would have that they almost couldn’t sit still long enough to be given instructions on how to play.

The game is rated EC for early childhood and contains over 30 different games and over 100 different activities focused on learning and skills! The game allows each character to personalize their look and outfit in the dressing tent. Each player can build their own house, visit the library to read books, and adopt and care for a pet of their choice.

While my kids struggles a bit with the coordination it took to use the Wii remote they absolutely loved the game. They enjoyed the adventures and couldn’t wait to play longer to see what other treasures they could find. The baby, who’s only 20 months, even sat on the floor mesmerized by the colors and movement on the screen.

As a parent I loved the fact that they were learning while engaged in this type of play. I felt comfortable leaving the room because I knew they wouldn’t encounter anything that would be inappropriate. The game was on their level and kept them excited and focused for quite a while. I even managed to read a few chapters in my book while they were playing! I say that makes the game a success.

I think the folks at Jump Start are on to something. Their computer games, and now video games, are engaging, exciting, and valuable to the kids that are playing. They aren’t mindless ways to kill time and I appreciate that. I only wish more games like this were available for such a young age group!

If you are interested in learning more about Jump Start and their line of great learning products, please check out their website.

Filed Under: review

In pursuit of a better weekend

August 31, 2009 By Neena 5 Comments

This weekend we challenged ourselves, as a family, to limit the amount of time we spent with the TV on. We don’t necessarily watch a ton of TV, but it’s very easy to flip it on for background noise or to occupy the kids while we attempt to work through the mundane tasks of cooking, laundry, and just generally being a grownup. But, this weekend we wanted to see what difference even less TV would make.

And, what did I learn?

I actually began to remember what it is I like about my family. I remembered that it is entirely possible to find new and exciting activities that allow us to be together and have fun.

We started off Saturday morning at our local Farmer’s Market. After a bit of research I actually discovered that our town has it’s own Farmer’s Market. Sure, it’s a handful of folks selling produce out of their trucks and under tents, but it was a Farmer’s Market. The kids were fascinated to see what figs actually look like and we managed to buy some wonderful cherry tomatoes and a jar of something called carrot cake jam. I drew the line, though, at buying shrimp out of some dude’s cooler. I’m just not that adventurous yet.

In the afternoon I took my oldest with me on a journey to find canning supplies since I’ve convinced myself that this will be the skill I perfect this Fall. We returned home after some enjoyable one on one time and spent the afternoon making volcanoes.

Yes, volcanoes.

Hubby became Mr. Science Geek and totally had the kids mesmerized by his knowledge and ability to cause not one, but two volcanoes to explode in our kitchen. They all loved it.

I prayed my kitchen might recover.

The evening was spent enjoying dinner together, splashing in the tub, and playing board games with the older two. Once bedtime arrived everyone went down easily and us adults managed to enjoy an evening of laughter and simple closeness.

It was nice.

It was the first time in months that we didn’t let the ‘to-do’ list dictate the weekend to affect our ability to have fun.

It was exactly what we needed.

As if Sunday could get any better…

We managed to make some homemade blackberry jam and squeeze in a three hour nap while it stormed outside.

I’d say a better weekend was achieved by all. And, it may not be like that every weekend. But, it’s nice to know that we’re capable of the togetherness and all still come out alive on the other end!

Filed Under: weekends

Clean and Funny

August 28, 2009 By Neena 3 Comments

Proof that it is entirely possible to be clean and hilarious at the same time. I love this guy – he’s one of my favorites. Anyone want to help me score tickets???

Filed Under: video

To a man it’s the equivalent of getting flowers

August 27, 2009 By Neena 2 Comments

a pit stop on the way home from class does a happy husband make.

put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Night!

Filed Under: hubby

missing my grandma

August 26, 2009 By Neena 8 Comments

My grandmother passed away over four years ago. I miss her.

Some days I miss her more than others.

My mom and I have often joked that we can always tell when Grandma is checking in on us. The children will randomly start talking about her even though they didn’t know her. One of the kids will use her nickname, Mimi, at the most random times. Or, the dogs will weirdly look upward as if they see someone just hanging around.

“Grandma was visiting again,” I would say.

“Oh, great!”

I have thousands of fond memories of her. When I couldn’t’ sleep the other night my mind began wandering back to so many of those wonderful and delicious moments.

When we were lucky enough to spend the night at her house she would give us baths and allow us to splash and dump water with old pantyhose eggs she had collected and stored just for our enjoyment. She’d read Johnny Appleseed before we went to sleep and would always offer us Frosted Flakes with whole milk or a ‘fluffed egg’ for breakfast the next morning.

She always kept her nails painted a deep mauve and only ever wore lipstick which she used on her lips and as a form of blush. She smoked for many years, but never once smelled anything other than like the sweetness one can only associate with a grandma. She used to keep a bowl of change in her kitchen cabinet for those moments when we could play a card game or bingo for money and she rolled pennies every year to put in savings accounts she had for each of her grandchildren.

She often wore a fanny pack when she traveled and would always hide her purse upstairs when people came over in an attempt to keep them from stealing her money and her pills. She drank instant cappuccino and would always let me have a cup when I would visit – even if I was too young for coffee. She wore a necklace similar to a dog tag that was meant to inform medical personnel of her allergies if she was ever in a medical situation.

She would drink hot tea with her meals and would steal all the unused jelly packets from a restaurant. She liked to knit and would knit handmade, personalized Christmas stockings for everyone in the family, in the family’s family, and anyone associated with them. She took naps on the couch with a mustard colored afghan and would jump up at an instant if we ever came to visit while she was resting.

She loved Matlock, crossword puzzles, and all children. She was a teacher for over 30 years and became a substitute after she retired. She always brought pretzel rods with her when she would sub and would give them out as treats at the end of the day.

Her hugs were tighter than any others I can remember and she would cry every time we left. I never understood why until I was a mother. Now I know exactly what she was feeling. She worried. A lot. She kept desks in her basement so we could play school or office. She played the marimba and the piano. She would always go to Sunday School at the Methodist Church, but would rarely go to the service; she liked to listen to it at home on the radio.

She used to correct our grammar and I hated it. When I was in college she’d always slip some money into a note and follow it up with a promise that I wouldn’t tell Grandpa. I’m pretty sure he knew she was doing it, but let her keep the secret for reasons he may have never known. They would always call once a week as I began to grow up – and my Grandpa still does.

She was meant to be a grandmother and always wore some sweatshirt or another claiming to the world the names, ages, or handprints of each of her grandchildren. She took pictures of everything and never let anyone visit without getting a picture before they left.

She drove dark blue cars. Always dark blue. And, she had a Louie Armstrong tape in the car that would play ‘What a Wonderful World’ when we would drive. She loved Big Lots and bargain sales. At Christmas she gave every grownup a laundry basket filled with canned goods, non perishable items, soaps, dish towels, and other practical necessities.

She collected Precious Moments. To this day each one has a small pencil marking on the bottom indicating the occasion for receiving the gift. She loved taking us to the park to feed the ducks and only let us eat in the family room once a year when the Wizard of Oz would come on TV and we’d eat popcorn out of these metallic bowls I never saw any other time.

She knew immediately that I would marry my Hubby despite the fact that many said he was too quiet for me. She adored him. She lived long enough to meet my first born, but passed away just a few months before my second arrived. The last time I talked to her was Mother’s Day 2005. She was in the hospital and couldn’t speak due to the tubes. I told her I loved her and that I would be there in two weeks for a visit we had already planned. She passed away before we got there.

When she passed I never had any regrets or remorse. I knew how she felt about me and I never hesitated to tell her how much I loved her. But, sometimes when the world get overwhelming, I’d like nothing more than to sit at her table in the warmth of the kitchen and talk and laugh the world away. She was good at that ~ just making the world melt away.

Filed Under: family, nostalgia

Days of the week

August 25, 2009 By Neena 4 Comments

Sometimes I’m really glad to see Monday arrive.

Yesterday I was really glad to see that bastard go.

We started off the day by heading to get Jacob his back to school haircut. I got there about 3 minutes before it opened so I waited in the car. Then a woman pulled up, saw me in my car, rushed to the door to wait until it was unlocked, and then got signed first. This meant that I had to wait 15 minutes to get my kid’s hair cut all the while listening to her little heathen scream bloody murder. Plus, she was dressed all nice, her pedicure looked fresh, and her makeup was flawless. That just pissed me off.

We then headed to the mall so I could look at a pair of shoes. I didn’t buy them and Charlotte screamed the whole time. I managed to get Jake a few cool tee-shirts for back to school in the midst of Charlotte’s meltdown and my sad attempt to try on all the wrong style of clothes in the dressing room of the Old Navy.

We came home and proceeded with quiet time. Luckily, that was uneventful. But, that also meant that after quiet time I’d have all three kids home. And that, my friends, is a recipe for disaster. There was the whole incident with the kid scissors and my attempt to cut flashcards that ended with me feeling like a total bitch for even attempting to help my oldest with her homework. There were the apples for snack that ended up leaving 47 thousand pieces of skin all over my clean floor. There was some unbelievable lack of volume control while I tried to read a crappy 23 page article on qualitative research. There was the lack of eating the dinner I spent forever making – and by forever I mean 25 minutes. There was the sheer torture of making them play outside on this gorgeous day when, oh no, there was a bug! There was the fight to get in the pajamas, the fight to clean up the bedrooms, the fight to close the door, and the inevitable argument of ‘No you can’t call your grandparents or your daddy for sympathy.’ There were some ‘You don’t love me and I need to move in with my teacher’ dramatics, a speaker phone lecture from the working parent, and some major jaw clenching.

Add to all this the fact that every cat we have seems to be having a Let’s Puke Up the Hairballs Party and it just gets worse.

Now, do you see that little pink bundle in the picture?

That’s my youngest sticking her head in the dog bowl in an attempt to drink all the water. By the time she started doing this I was too tired to care.

So I just let her.

Filed Under: daily grind

Book Review: A Different Kind of Wild

August 24, 2009 By Neena Leave a Comment

School is finally back in session and that means that I’m back to some good ol‘ carpool reading! I recently had the chance to read through a book that’s rather different from what I normally read. I’ve teamed up with a group to participate in some non-fiction book tours as a means of trying to expand my reading horizons. The first book up on the tour was completely different from what I would normally choose – so that was a good start!

A Different Kind of Wild, by Debbie Alsdorf, is a book that forces women to ask themselves a simple question: Am I wild about Jesus? This book allows women the opportunity to examine their own faith and how they approach it’s grown and choose to share it’s glory. The author wants women to take a close examination of their beliefs and faith in order to develop what she calls ‘The WILD” (Women in Lifelong Development).

I’ll admit that I don’t have much biblical references to support my faith and beliefs, but I liked how this book provided detailed scripture to reinforce the points Alsdorf would raise. For example, she dedicated and entire chapter to women worrying less and trusting more and each piece of scripture used in the chapter supports that central idea.

Alsdorf also includes numerous reflections throughout the book that force the reader to really look closely and think about the ideas being presented. But, what I think was most powerful about this book is how the concept can be applied to other’s beliefs as well. Alsdorf obviously focuses her book on Christianity, but the idea of being wild about one’s beliefs can easily stretch beyond the walls of one specific religion. I’ve always felt that it no matter what you believe, believe it with conviction. This whole idea can carry through no matter if you’re Catholic, Buddhist, or Muslim. Be wild about the beliefs you do have and make it a part of every aspect of your life. She challenges readers to ask themselves if their faith is too tame.

This is a book I would certainly pass along.

Filed Under: book review, Carpool Reader

Riding in my big red car

August 24, 2009 By Neena 7 Comments

How often do you get to ride by yourself in the car?

Me? Not very often.

There is always between one and three kids tagging along. On a weekend that can also include a husband. It can be overwhelming sometimes.

I had the chance yesterday to run to the store for garlic salt (the world’s perfect spice!) all by myself.

Let me repeat: All. By. Myself.

I actually got in the car, drove to the store alone, shopped quietly, and rode home in silence. It was blissful. Divine! I think I’ve decided that the reward for all this school crap I’ve gotten myself into is the fact that twice a week I’ll get to drive 45 minutes to school and 45 minutes home without anyone in the car. I’ll get to be alone with my thoughts – or lack thereof.

I won’t be forced to engage in any of the following…

“Speak up, I can’t here you!”

“Mommy, can you turn down the air?”

“Mommy, I can’t hear the radio.”

“I don’t want to hear the Wiggles.”

“Jacob, don’t hit your sister!”

“Yes, Charlotte. Broccoli yummy.”

“Mommy?”

“Yes, honey?” (turning down that damn Wiggles CD)

“I love you.”

“Oh, I love you, too.”

“Can you turn the radio back up now?”

“When we get home -insert threat here-!!!!!”

“Mommy, I lost my shoe. Can I unbuckle?”

“No!”

“Charlotte, I’ll get your binkie when we get home!”

“I wanna call Ma/Granddaddy/Grandma/Grandpa when we get home. They love me and let me do stuff!”

“She touched me!”

Oh, the silence will be glorious! I’d invite you to come along. But, frankly, i don’t want you there. Sorry – I’m just that overdue for control of the radio, air, conversation, and mood.

You can follow behind in your own car.

Filed Under: cars, kids, noise

To be a grownup

August 20, 2009 By Neena 6 Comments

I was getting ready for bed the other night and was suddenly hit by the realization that I’m a grownup.

I’m a grownup. I’m married with three children and a mortgage.

It wasn’t the realization of all the responsibility that got to me. It was the motion of doing one simple thing. Putting in eye drops.

There I was, dressed in my worn nightgown and socks, setting the alarm for 6:00 AM, and putting prescription eye drops in my eyes in an attempt to relieve what feels like a rather grown up condition. I grabbed the bottle of lotion on my nightstand and took a minute to moisturize my hands and elbows to try to mask the drying that has come with age. I pulled back the covers, snuggled down with my orthopedic pillow, moved in close to my husband, flipped off the light, and sighed.

I laid there thinking about what I needed to accomplish the next day, wondering if I had signed the homework paper, planning meals for the nights my in-laws watch the kids while I’m in class. I thought about the daily vitamin I take and if my eye would ever truly heal. I thought about paying for preschool tuition and karate classes. I wondered if my husband would ever quit smoking or if I would ever start up again. I thought about diets and exercise, allergies, and refills on heart worm medicine for the dog.

I wondered if I should invest in a few pairs of sensible shoes, a blazer, or a simple blouse. Would we really ever be able to afford a bit of land and a couple horses? I wondered if I would always be able to protect the children or how I would feel knowing upfront that I couldn’t.

I sighed again.

And thought about how being a grownup was much easier when I fell asleep to something trashy on television.

Filed Under: daily grind