Am I Old Fashioned?

Went to a Holiday Open House party with friends and neighbors yesterday. The older teens were given the option of attending or staying home. Both chose to come with us for a few hours. Before we left, my eldest asked if he could bring his IPod "in case I get bored". My response was an unequivocal "No. We are going to a party to socialize with other people. Face to face. If you don't want to do that, you should stay home." He didn't argue the point and the IPod stayed at home.

The party was split with mostly adults upstairs and kids of all ages downstairs. Because my 2 year old was floating between the two levels, I had to go downstairs frequently just to get a visual check on him.

Most of the kids brought their IPods or phones and were using them at various points throughout the afternoon. It seemed that the usage increased as the time ticked away. As if they ran out of things to say to the other kids within 20 minutes and reverted into playing games and texting people who weren't there. Within an hour, most of the kids were glued to their devices.

I don't get it.

Blame the kids? Blame the parents? Or is that simply the way we are headed? Are we veering towards a society where we don't actually talk to people but simply communicate through a 2x3 screen? Makes me think of that scene in Wall-E where everyone is shuffling along not actually talking to each other until he bumps one lady's monitor away from her face and she realizes that there is an entire world at her feet that she has never seen.

I talked to my sons about it when we got home. Declan said he doesn't get it either (he is very social and prefers to talk face-to-face. A lot.) but Angus said that not having his Ipod only made him feel more awkward, more like a 'loser' for being the odd man out. I understand about the need to fit in and conformity as a teenager, but really? What is the point of going to a social gathering if you aren't going to socialize?

Someone I know likened this activity to the bookworm of yesteryear but I don't think it is quite the same thing. I think we all knew the person who had their nose in a book instead of playing marbles on the playground. For me, it was my oldest brother who preferred the company of novels instead of us. But it was the exception ~ most of us were engaged in the discussion, play, activity, etc. The bookreader was the odd man out.

The norm today seems to be to not be engaged ~ or at least not fully engaged. Declan goes to a monthly dance at school... there is a DJ and dance floor in one room and a multitude of games going on in the other: chess, checkers, basketball, etc. DS reports that tons of kids that make the decision to leave their houses and attend this public event yet choose to spent the time on their IPod or phone, texting the friends who aren't there and playing video games. I have to ask: Why bother going? Is the satisfaction simply by sharing the same space with other individuals who are equally isolated? It just feels wrong to me.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who will say it is how kids communicate these days and we parents need to accept it for what it is and learn how to adapt to their way ~ but I have a hard time accepting this. I don't see the benefit to communicating electronically for 90% of your interaction (as the mom of a 2 yo, I certainly see the benefits to E-communication). People can behave differently when they can hide behind a computer screen. There are no consequences, that they witness, to the affect their words have on others. And we all know how sometimes what we intend to say and what is actually perceived are two different things. When talking face-to-face, it is easy to see the misstep in communication and correct it ~ electronically, this is much harder. But maybe that is the crux of the issue: maybe it is too hard to take ownership of your words and be responsible for the effect they have on others. It is easier to just blog it, text it, facebook it and move on with your life and let the chips fall where they may.

It isn't limited to just kids. It is easy to chalk the behavior of the kids up to their lack of maturation, lack of parental guidance and limits, lack of training... but the adults??? I don't understand what the need is. What is the void that the blackberry fills? Do we constantly need to have our finger on the pulse of everything out there but never really connecting to any of it?

Don't Bite the Hands that Feed You (a letter to Billy Starr)

This has been a difficult choice to make. We have tremendous admiration for the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, its history, purpose, and the money they are able to raise year after year for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. However we are standing off our bicycles this year in our own silent protest of the administration of the PMC and some of the changes they have made recently.

Most notably, the PMC has raised the minimum fundraising to $4,300 per rider (on top of $170 registration fees). For both of us to ride, we would need to raise nearly $9,000.00. That amount is certainly doable, but we are not confident that it is a realistic goal for us year after year. The minimum fundraising requirements have been raised repeatedly over the past ten years to the point where it has become a deterrent to the cause for which the PMC was founded.

This hike in fundraising requirements have distinct benefits to the PMC. It limits number of bikers out on the routes of the PMC, which would helpfully ensure a safer ride. It reduces the amount of people they need to provide food and housing to as well as transportation of riders and bikes to start lines. In essence, it gets the PMC the most bang for the buck. But it comes at a price.

While there are some who will always be able to meet and exceed their fundraising requirements, we do believe for the average rider this tendency to continually hike requirements will discourage loyal long-term participants. We are lucky to have such strong supporters, such as yourself, but with each year that the minimum is raised, we need to either (a) find more friends and family or (b) ask our supporters to dig even deeper into their pockets than they have in the past. In consideration of these difficult economic times, it does not feel prudent to ask for more from those who have always stood by us. We understand that cancer does not recognize the economy, just as it does not have age requirements or prefer one socio-economic strata over another; however we are starting to question the tactics adopted by Mr. Starr and the PMC.

This increase in required fundraising will have some detrimental repercussions. There will be a higher turn-over of riders which means that those riding will:

1. not inherently have experience in fundraising for the PMC

2. not have experience with the routes and physical strain of the event itself. This will increase opportunities for dangerous situations on the road.

No matter if a registered rider actually completes (or participates in) the ride or is able to raise the required funds, the PMC still obtains the full amount promised. Upon registration, a rider provides his credit card information to the PMC which will immediately charge any outstanding balance after the fundraising deadline has been met. Can you afford to make a $4,000 charitable contribution, year after year, until the next time Mr. Starr decides to increase it even more? We can't.

Mr. Starr has forgotten the purpose of the origin of the PMC of thirty years ago: to raise money AND awareness in the fight against cancer. He has perfected the former but we wonder if he is really being most effective in the latter at this point. Riding in the PMC should not be an exclusionary club that only the wealthy can participate.

So we won't be riding the PMC this year but we will still be making a financial contribution directly to the Jimmy Fund. We recognize that you have been a faithful supporter through these years by supporting our rides. For that we sincerely thank you and pray that we can count on your continued support in the future. For this year, if you would still like to make a contribution to help in this fight against cancer, please follow the link below.

http://www.jimmyfund.org/gif/gift.asp

Jumping

After weeks of 'practice jumping', Isaiah is getting closer and closer every day to actually getting off the floor. I have no clue as to why he insists on jumping on the red floor mat I keep in front of the kitchen sink, but here it is

He will spontaneously grab the mat and start jumping but seems to enjoy it much more when Steve or I join in. You can see his little brain working as he watches, his body readies, and then ... after a processing delay ... he JUMPS.

Cracks me up Every Single Time. Enjoy!

Made in China

It isn't that I am anti-China (is that a word?) but I find it alarming that so many more products and foodstuffs we consume are imported from and created in China. I understand about the cheap labor but believe me, I would be more than willing to pay ten times the amount I normally pay for sidewalk chalk if I could be assured that it doesn't have asbestos, lead, or any other dangerous chemical in it.

The other day while doing my weekly grocery shopping, I found these

http://www.ausometreats.com/home.php

and thought hmmmm.... thats not bad, 66% fruit ingredients ... not bad for a 'gummie'. No geletin, no artificial colors or preservatives, not even any HFCS. It even claims, right on the front, "Made from American Grown Fruit". I was attracted to that. It isn't like I'm all woo-hoo Gotta buy American, but I do believe that the USA does tend to be a tad more stringent on testing for safety when it comes to food.

And then, buried on the back, it says "Made responsibly in China". Booooo. I'm sure China is capable of making some products responsibly but geesh, they don't really have a superb track record nor are they forthcoming to owning up to their 'mistakes' when caught and evidence is presented against them.

A company (and country) that is willing to knowingly put lead into a child's trinket toy, or harmful chemicals in their milk forumla, or a mystery ingredient (yet to be identified) in flouride added to 40 Massachusetts community wells doesn't win any points in my book. I will still try to choose products Not Made in China and continue to advocate and write to companies who do. Sometimes, there just aren't other choices readily available to consumers but perhaps if more Americans are willing to be slightly inconvenienced and pay more for a safe product, some changes might happen.

Neighbors and Cookies

We are fortunate to live in a quiet neighborhood full of children. Isaiah is the youngest, but there are 3 other boys within 1.5 years of his age. A walk down the street often reveals plenty of playmates to tandem play with.

I have a new appreciation for thumb-print cookies. Much more labor intensive than I had planned on, these are well worth the effort, even if it is just once a year. Recipe to the right...

Warning: These are not for diet watchers.

Spring 2010

What a relief. What a gift of sunshine and warmth after local flooding (not our house) followed by more rains. I don't think I have ever seen the lawn raked so early in the season. Angus showed Isaiah how to look for bugs in rotted wood and under rocks, so now the little man runs from stick to rock, peering in and under to find "Buh Buh Buh"

We spend a LOT of time collecting sticks, rocks, pinecones, and acorns. I only recently discovered that the back of his trike has a dumping feature. Isaiah can't quite manage unlocking the mechanism yet, but he will soon...

Here at the Hauser Household, we like to start chores at an early age. When we rake, so does Isaiah.

New Business!

In the middle of a snowstorm, Declan hand delivered flyers to all our neighbors, advertising his new business "Walkway Shoveling". Any size walkway, any size snowfall for a mere $6. He made nearly $30 in two days! How awesome is that?!?

Hearts Aplenty

Valentine's day is approaching. Angus and I made stain-glass hearts that hang in the windows, filtering light.

We took crayon shavings (red, blue, purple, green, yellow, pink) and sandwiched them between two pieces of wax paper. A quick application of iron melted the wax, creating a stain-glass effect. Quick cut outs gave us these pretty hearts that wave when the heat comes on.

Declan and I made heart-shaped cookies tonight. Yummmmm.

Mushrooms Anyone?

Wowza. The mushroom kit that Gramma gave Angus for Christmas is producing like crazy. I got to tell you, I was a little concerned about keeping a box of manure and spores nice and cozy in the house. But now it looks like we'll be eating them every day for quite some time!

Busy Busy Busy

These are hectic times and I haven't feel very inspired to write. The news of McKinley's suicide rocked me in a way I don't like. Death ... most deaths ... is a natural thing. It is part of the process of life. People die in all sorts of ways and there is a natural mourning process we go through when we lose someone close.

But suicide... that is a different monster. I was not prepared to deal with these waves of anger, guilt, relief (and then guilt for feeling relief), an improper sense of responsibility, all the while sadness rolled through constantly. I feel a tremendous sense of loss and a lack of closure. I suppose that is natural when we lose someone unexpectedly. I'll keep working through it.

The rest of Life, however, is busy as all get out.

The 7th grade play is in full swing with practices

after school (for Declan) and I am busy with the ticket and publicity committees, trying to settle on a logo and means for getting the word out.

So mark your calendars now:

March 11th 3:30 pm

March 12th: 7:00 pm

March 13th: 7:00 pm

Declan will be a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, and a

member of the Emerald City Ensemble. :)

Both boys are involved in the Chinese New Year festival this year. Declan will be performing on stage while Angus works the lighting system.

Basketball season for Declan is winding down. As point guard he has improved tremendously this season and I think he might just continue playing even after the season ends.

The Library's Pot Luck supper is this weekend and we are starting to think ahead to the used book sale which will be the last Saturday in June again this year (I believe).

I put this on FaceBook but for you, mom, here is your youngest grandson playing with Miss Maggie this morning.

Cute Baby Moment #763

Isaiah loves snowmen. Don't know how to say it more clearly. The kid goes nuts for them. If he sees a picture of one in a magazine, he smiles, says, "mmmmm", and kisses it. If he sees one in real life, he runs up to it, hugs it and kisses it. Then declares, "Co Co Co" (that would be "cold" for all you non-Isaiah speaking people). We have several snowman ornaments on the tree which are hugged, kissed, and admired daily.

Steve thoughtfully built a small snowman on the deck, right outside the french doors off the family room, so Isaiah could admire it throughout the day; wave 'night-night' in the evening; and probably dream about it in between. A warm, rainy spell killed the snowman one day. Poor Isaiah stood at the window, pointing and wailing at his loss. Steve finally went out and removed the two stick arms, the only remaining parts, to help alleviate his painful reminder...

Thankfully, cooler weather returned and a new snowbaby has taken up residence on the deck. Topped with a red hat and pinecone nose, he is stylin' in his new digs.

to the Pedi

I confess, we haven't been to the pediatrician since Isaiah was 9 months old. The boy has been healthy and strong and we haven't had any concerns ... however, every now and then it is just nice to get another opinion (and a skilled one at that).

Just gotta say, I totally Dr. Cooper. He is so calm and soothing, spending plenty of time observing Isaiah and asking questions about his development. Both Steve and I wonder just what would it take to rile the man. Any way... if you are keeping stats, the boy at 16 months old is a mere 22.5 pounds and is 33 inches long/high. Kinda tall and skinny. We are still holding off on the vaccinations for now.

We had been a little concerned because a couple of weeks ago Isaiah had started substituting his words (verbal and signing) for grunts and points. Pedi says no worries ... he is making development gains in other areas and the language will return (it already has). He has been sleeping at night much much better ~ often spending nearly the entire night in his crib (still side-carred to our bed) with just a couple of quick nursings. I'm feeling renewed energy with all the sleep I have been granted and am taking advantage. Too bad you can't store extra sleep for later on...

Merry Christmas!!!

I admit it, I had a hard time getting into the swing of things for Christmas this year. Seems like I say that every year when I'm scrambling at the last minute and swearing that next year will be different...

next year will be different! Right????

I was even out on Christmas eve shopping. Thats how bad it was. No matter. It all got done one way or another and whatever didn't get done... oh well. It was a success and when I hear one of my children say, as they head to bed that night, "That was the best Christmas ever", it makes my heart warm all over.

As I prepared dinner on Christmas eve, Angus and Declan asked if they could string popcorn to put on the

tree. Not something I had to think about for long. I was a little worried Isaiah would choke on the popcorn but he handled it quite well.

You can see him in this picture, behind Angus, eating 'Floor Pie' of popcorn.

Of course it wouldn't be Christmas without the traditional tea ring. The last couple of years, Angus has been happy to help make it and, quite frankly, I'm happy to have his help. This year was no different.

Don't you love that smile?

Christmas morning came and all went well. Even though the presents were a little sparse this year, the boys seem to really enjoy their time. Isaiah loved his new toys, Declan got a lot of games and IPod/Tune stuff, and Angus has enough to read for a couple of months. well... at least for a couple of weeks. Life is good.

The morning after Christmas, as Isaiah descended the stairs next to the tree, he started applauding. He has already started to associate the tree with all good-things-holiday. Good food, family and friends, new things to play with and look at. :D

Not a Baby Anymore

At nearly 16 months, Isaiah just doesn't look like a baby anymore. He is definitely his own little man, charging about the house and exploring his surroundings. Yesterday when we took him for a walk down the snowy road, I had to marvel at him ... wearing real shoes, fleece jacket and pants, his sheep hat and discarding his mittens at every opportunity. He marches with a purpose, swinging his arms and always always looking for something cool to pick up.

His favorite game these days is hide-and-seek where he hides and we seek. I have to say he is a really good hider. He can stay sooooo quiet for such a long time while we search high and low. And the sneaky little Hauser actually will move positions while you seek, making it even more difficult! He also loves to be chased around the kitchen. He zooms around the island and kitchen table, making figure 8s and then dashes into a corner to hide from the chaser.

And he just loves his books. We read to him dozens of times throughout a day, although I think that Steve does the bulk of the reading. He'll bring books, one by one, to be read as he either sits patiently in our lap or dashes about, just listening to the story. But sometimes he just reads by himself. Sets open a book and 'oooh oooh', 'weida-weida-weida', 'wowow', 'fo-fo-fo'.

He discovered he can clasp his hands behind his back. He thinks its funny. Yesterday, while showering with Steve, he elected to dip his face in the water stream. over and over again. He didn't laugh or seem all that amused, but kept going back for more, so he musta liked it.

We cut his hair this morning. Didn't want to, but the rats nests in the back were just getting out of control and it was losing its appeal. He looked more like a balding old man who was trying to hang on to the hair he had left ~ all wispy and sparse. Didn't even get a good curl to keep. Yep. He definitely isn't a baby any more. I'll post a picture as soon as I get one. I think he looks kinda cute!

Not Ready for Christmas

Danggit. Every year I vow to be more prepared and ready for the holiday season so that I can slow down and enjoy the last couple of weeks. Wouldn't it be nice to have all the shopping and wrapping done by December 10th so that you can just relax and bake? Someday.... someday I will do this.

Our tree is up. It was much bigger than I thought it would be. Not a whole lot taller than last year, but much more solid and heavy. The bucket of rocks just l

ooks insufficient and we have it anchored in three different directions to the wall. Both the cat AND Isaiah could climb it and it isn't going anywhere. I hope.

I love the fact that Baby Duncan is still on our tree. I need to tell friend Anna that he is a favored ornament.

I have been working on some knitting projects but every now and then feel like I need to do something short and easy. Gnomes were the perfect solution. Of course I couldn't resist adding a Santa Gnome to the collection...

I hope to finish the rest of measly shopping in the beginning of the week. For now, I'll leave you with this sweet picture of Isaiah.

a trip to the aquarium

I'm starting to really love professional days at school. With Steve home, it is a perfect way to do something together as a family that brings us closer. I keep thinking that one of the these days Angus or Declan will decide that they don't want to do these things together, but they keep surprising me. Last professional day we went into Boston and enjoyed the Museum of Science that was nearly empty. This time we headed back into Boston to play at the Aquarium.

Isaiah enjoyed the penguins, sea turtles, and jelly fish the most. I presume it is because they were so easy to see and didn't move all that quickly. Spent most of his time pointing out the wonders of the sea to us.

I have to give my thumbs up on making these visits to very popular activities. By going in the middle of the week we miss the usual vacationing or weekend crowds that keep us far from the exhibits.

And I have finally decided to become more organized and start utilizing the free or discounted passes at the library for these types of things. We have a yearly membership at the Museum of Science, but our recent outing to the deCordova was free and the Aquarium was a greatly reduced price, which makes the $35 parking more palatable. Thank you Friends of the Gleason Public Library!

After the aquarium, we walked over to Quincy Market for lunch. Not my favorite place to eat or hang out, but I thought it would be a nice treat for Angus and Declan. Poor Angus still struggles with public shyness and had a very difficult time deciding on something to eat and actually ordering it for himself. But he did it. :)

awwww ... that just stinks!

Declan, who has never been able to save more than $5, managed to work and save since April enough money to buy an IPod Touch for himself. We are so very proud of him and purchased a case to help protect it as a reward.

He is just tickled and has eagerly been awaiting the arrival of his device since we ordered it on Black Friday. He has been so hyped up about it all week, insisting that I check the tracking every single day. Sometimes more than once. We followed it from China to Alaska to New Jersey, where it stayed longer than planned, and then Framingham, MA. Finally, today, it arrives here. Well let me correct that statement ... the box arrives. Empty.

He was crushed.

Somewhere someone is walking around with a brand new IPod Touch that has "Declan Godbout" inscribed on the back. They have no idea how hard he worked and for how long. It just stinks. Steve did an amazing job squawking at FedEx and pleading Declan's case to Apple for a speedy replacement. Declan, feeling very loved and protected, was extraordinarily grateful.

Yes Apple is sending a replacement. Maybe they will toss in a little ITunes gift-card for his troubles.

The Chickens

Our walks to the chicken pen down the street are becoming more and more frequent. I finally deciphered Isaiah's sign for 'chicken' which is different from the ASL one I had been teaching him. I still use the ASL sign but now understand what he is talking about when he makes a bouncing T with two hands.

"Isaiah. Do you want to go play (sign) or go visit the chickens (sign)?"

"Pay. Pay." he says while he signs for chicken.

I guess we go and play with the chickens.

The walk today was a tad chilly but no complaints from me considering it is third week into November. The robins have gathered in the trees on our route, eating berries and fattening up for their journey south. We stopped to watch them and listen to their gentle sweet chirps. Isaiah is quite pleased with himself that he is allowed to carry the bag of treats for our chicken friends. A downy woodpecker raps out a song, looking for grubs in a dead branch.

I love the chicken greeting we get as we round the corner of the barn. "Bwaaark Baaarrkk, Bwaarrrrk ark ark" and excitedly they rush the fence. We enter the pen with our bag of goodies while they dart in between and under my legs. Today I gave Isaiah some potato bread to hand off to the birds but he started eating it instead. Crouching down I feed happy chickens from my hand, cocked back so that they are only inches from Isaiah. He is quiet. Inside he might be squealing with delight or crying in terror but he says nothing. Even the rooster eats from my hand.

As we are leaving the chicken owners Peg and Philip show up with water and their own hearty supply of chicken dinner. We chat about what foods the chickens seem to like best and Peg invites us (actually she invited Isaiah but he was attached to me with the backpack) in to look for eggs. One hen is in the nesting boxes and plenty of eggs are laying around. I can tell already that Isaiah will be excitedly doing this task on his own when he is a little older. Peg gathers the eggs, offering Isaiah one to touch and hold. As we are getting ready to leave, the sitting hen shifts and reveals another egg. Isaiah's egg. Peg offers, and we accept, to take that special egg home for Isaiah to eat for dinner.

Isaiah and Art

Took Isaiah to Decordova one gorgeous afternoon. Thought I share some photos...

Sharks circling overhead. He was a little scared of this.

He loved the giant stone face...

two hearts

sniffing giant metal 'walnuts'?

Wow

What a crazy week at school. Superintendent gave her notice that she will be done June 30th of this year (her contract was up anyway and I'm quite sure the school committee was not interested in renewing it). And that was the good news for the week ...

Two kids in 8th grade were busted for smoking pot in the boys bathroom ... in the bathroom directly across the hall from the main office. Duh.

The next day another boy was sent home for writing threatening messages and leaving them in the boys bathroom. He too was caught.

And then today, someone calls in a bomb scare. WTH? Kids were corralled down in the playing fields while bomb sniffing dogs and police checked the school.

Hopefully this will end our week of bad luck and ill feelings.