Drawings by the Boys

Depending on who makes Sam's lunch in the morning, either J or I leave a little note for Sam. I started this tradition on his first day of kindergarten, and Sam really looks forward to it. If we ever forget to leave a note in his lunchbox, he lets me know the minute he walks off of his school bus at the end of the day.

Anyhow, I can't compete with the little drawings that J leaves for Sam. If Sam really likes a note, he saves it in his lunchbox and sticks it up on our refrigerator when he gets home. These are two notes that currently decorate our fridge (Sam especially got a kick out of how the "X-CELLENT" was a play off of the x-wing jet):

 

Speaking of drawings, I really liked this drawing of our family that Sam created at school last week. My favorite things are the hearts that Sam placed above his family members' heads, as well as how Lucy is swaddled in a blanket:

Lucy's Third Month

This is by far my favorite picture that we have taken of Lucy!

Lucy is now three months old. She is still smiling a lot and also does a happy little exclamations, although they aren't quite laughs yet. We aren't quite on a regular routine, but she does usually stay awake for an hour and a half between her nap times. The length of her naps is still unpredictable, though.

She is getting more interactive, which is really fun. She likes to make little coos and have "conversations" with us. I've also noticed that she sustains some of the tones of her coos a little bit longer when I sing to her, which makes me wonder if she is trying to sing with me. She coos the most when I sing a slow version of "Camptown Races" to her.

Sam also likes that Lucy is getting more interactive. This weekend, when Sam was pretending to be Iron Man, he decided to let Lucy "play" with him by assigning her the character of a villain which he invented: "The Black Baby." The Black Baby can shoot lasers when she sucks on her pacifier. She also has power to create earthquake shock waves when she cries. She uses me (I was also a villain) to "power up" with her energy (through nursing). Although we don't have any black clothes for Lucy to wear as a costume, we were able to envision her in all black while we played.

Here are some pictures of Lucy over the past few weeks:

This is when I taught Lucy how to take her first "selfie"

This is the "before" picture. This is what happens when you wrap up a baby in a foofy, fluffy tutu outfit. Here is the "after" picture:

Pop! This outfit was given to me by a friend with three girls who love to dance. I can't help but think of the little poofy dresses that my little sisters C and E wore when they were younger.

She is extending her arms to reach out and touch things with her hands, although she often keeps her fists clenched shut. She does, however, like to splay her fingers when she rubs her hand against J's beard.

This isn't the most centered or focused picture, but I love that her roundy-round face is looking at the camera

Lucy and J on our family hike to Franklin Falls, with Sam photobombing the picture with his baseball cap

We love our little Snuggle Bug! Her nicknames have evolved to be "Snuggle Buggle," "Snuggly Buggly," or often just "Buggle." We also call her "Lucy Loo," "Loo," or "Lovey Loo" (the latter being a nickname that I also called Sam).

King of Jesters!

Since I discovered the blog The Danny Kaye Show a few weeks ago, I decided to read the biography of Kaye that was written by the owner of that blog, David Koenig. I liked the book Danny Kaye: King of Jesters alright, although I do wish that there was a little bit more information about Danny's personal life and friendships. Instead, this book focuses on Danny's career, with comparatively limited discussion of Kaye's personal life. Kaye's relationship with his wife, Sylvia Fine, is discussed in detail quite a bit - which makes sense, since Fine's musical compositions, lyrics, and overall micromanagement of Kaye's work was a large part of his career. I don't think that this book would be interesting to the casual reader, but it was interesting for me to learn more about many of the films that I enjoy so much.

I also discovered some interesting things about Kaye's career and work, and I also learned about some films and performances that I have never seen (yet!). Here are several things that I found interesting in this book:

• Danny coveted the role of Hans Christian Andersen until it was given to him. Another actor who was really interested in this role was Jimmy Stewart. Stewart’s interest in the film helped in the negotiating with Kaye, since Kaye was a more natural choice (Koenig, p. 145). Can you even imagine Stewart as Hans Christian Andersen? He would be personable and lovable, of course, but his slow drawl would seem a little absurd to me in this context: "Well...once...there was...an ugly duckling..."
• Perhaps, since I have a little baby right now, I was touched to read about how in a stage performance in Omaha, Danny finished singing the final number when a baby, who was seated with his mother in the front row, started to cry. The mother couldn't quiet the child, and Kaye announced from the stage that he would sing one more song: a lullaby. He walked down to the baby in the front row, picked it up, and went back on stage. As Kaye sang, the child slowly grew quieter, and finally became silent. Upon finishing the song, Kaye put a finger to his lips to prevent the audience from applauding. He quietly returned the baby to its mother and then, still with a finger to his lips, walked back up on stage and off into the wing. The child slowly grew quieter and finally silent. Kayte put a finger to his lips to stop any applause and quietly returned the baby to its mother. Danny, still with a finger to his lips, walked back up on stage and off into the wing (Koenig, p. 156-57).
• The song “Willow Willow Waley” was pared down in length and “Pass the Basket” was entirely cut from The Court Jester. Danny still recorded a full version of these songs as well as “I Live to Love” and “Where Walks My True Love” (recording by Jeri Southern HERE). The latter was another song that was cut, but does appear as instrumental music when Hawkins is traveling in a cart with Maid Jean (Koenig, p. 176-77).  
• I was interested to read about how Kaye wanted to set himself apart from Jerry Lewis. In a sketch with Lucille Ball on The Danny Kaye Show, there is a scene when they are getting progressively drunk. Kaye was letting the food slop out of his mouth during rehearsal, and the producer Oppenheimer said, “'Well, [that’s] something I would expect from Jerry Lewis, but not from Danny Kaye,'” and he just froze over and turned on his heel…but by golly, he turned over and took all of the gross stuff out. And maybe ten times after that, during the course of the show, any time there was a little discussion or something, he’d say, 'Do you think that’s maybe what Jerry Lewis would do?' So it really touched him" (Koenig, p. 209).
• Can you imagine Kaye as Professor Harold Hill, Tevye, or Professor Higgins? "Over the years offers...trickled in [for Kaye] on Broadway, such as originating the lead roles in The Music Man in the 1950s and Fiddler on the Roof in the 1960s, and filling in for Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady for three months" (Koenig, p. 259).
• Kaye did the voice for the narrator in Here Comes Peter Cottontail, an animated classic by Rankin and Bass. This film never reached the same amount of popularity as the claymation Christmas TV specials by Rankin and Bass.
• Kaye played Captain Hook in Peter Pan in London. Mia Farrow played Peter Pan. The show was planned as a Christmas special and televised in London. It was taped 1975, and aired in 1976 on NBC (now available on YouTube) (Koenig, p. 268).

• I love the expression of Danny Kaye's face in this photo. A copy of this photo appeared in Koenig's book. The biography explains how Kaye tried to create a persona for himself on stage which was so friendly and warm, to the point that the audience thought that they had really got to know who Danny Kaye was as an individual. Although Kaye seems to have been much more difficult and less personable in actuality, I like to think that the warm, kind person that he created on stage did exist within Kaye himself, or else he wouldn't have been able to portray it at all. In this photo Kaye appears with Victoria Paige Meyerink, a precocious four-year-old who appeared on Kaye's show several times (and received a lot of fan mail in the process!). I imagine that Meyerink has just said something amusing, and Kaye is looking out to the audience to connect with them in that amusement.

 

• I was really surprised to learn that in the 1970s, Kaye took a break from show business to be a part-owner of the new Seattle Mariners team! Kaye owned several radio stations in Seattle too. After six losing seasons, though, Kaye sold his interest in the team (Koenig, p. 270). 

Since I started to read this book, I have also been interested in listening to a little bit of The Danny Kaye Show that aired on the radio in the 1940s. Episodes of this show are available at the My Old Radio and Radio Lovers sites. I don't think it's as fun to listen to Danny Kaye as watching him, but I still have a pretty good idea of the facial expressions and hand gestures that he might be using during the radio skits.

Dr. Better!

I rarely drink soda. If I do drink any type of soda, it is usually Dr. Pepper, which is hands-down my favorite soda pop drink. If I ever have a glass or can of Dr. Pepper, it is usually when I am at a restaurant; we hardly ever buy any type of soda from the grocery store.

Today, though, I did buy some soda on a whim. I walked down the soda aisle of our local store to see if there was any Guaraná for sale. I'm teaching a class on Brazilian art that starts this evening, and since I only have nine students I thought that I'd share some cans of Guaraná with them on the first day. QFC didn't have any for sale, but I did stumble across "Virgil's Dr. Better." I immediately noticed on the label that it is 100% natural and is caffeine free.

One of the reasons that I don't drink too much soda (apart from the fact that it isn't good for you - especially all of that sugar), is that I'm really sensitive to caffeine. Even a can of Dr. Pepper will keep me up for several hours in the night. As a result, during my pregnancy and these past few months with Lucy I've avoided Dr. Pepper even more than my usual avoidance of soda; I don't want to be kept up in the night since I'm already sleep deprived. But now I have hope for an occasional indulgence! Dr. Better is something that tastes like Dr. Pepper, but won't keep me awake. And there are only six ingredients in this soda, which are all natural basic ingredients: carbonated water, cane sugar, natural caramel, phosophoric acid, and a touch of prune juice.

Now I just need to get back to my original quest and find out where Guaraná is sold in the Seattle area...

Muppets in Academia and Musicals

I feel like I've been writing about the Muppets a lot lately for some reason. But I saw this picture on Twitter today and had to share it. Since I don't have a PhD, yet teach as a adjunct lecturer, I suppose that I would fit somewhere on the spectrum between Rolf and Beaker? I wonder what would be a good Muppet to substitute for me and my place in academia. I feel like I'm a energetic and perhaps goofy (nerdy?) teacher, which maybe would make someone like Gonzo or Scooter appropriate. But, considering all of the discussion about adjunct unions on our campus over the past year, perhaps I need to pick someone more disgruntled to represent underpaid adjuncts, like Oscar the Grouch?

Speaking of Muppets, for a few weeks I have thought to type up an idea for a movie: a remake of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with the Muppets. I came up with this idea probably six or seven years ago, but my sister C recently reminded me of it. I still think it would be a cute idea, although I don't know how many fans of Joseph would also be Muppet fans. This is probably a very limited, specific audience which would prevent producers from picking up this idea! Nonetheless, this is who I would cast:

Narrator = A human soprano, probably Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenowyth
Joseph = Kermit
Reuben = Rolf ("One More Angel in Heaven")
Simeon = Dr. Teeth or perhaps The Swedish Chef ("Those Canaan Days")
Benjamin = Robin ("Benjamin Calypso")
"Hairy Bunch of Ishmaelites" = Animal and Sweetums
Potiphar: Sam the Eagle
Mrs. Potiphar: Miss Piggy (who else would try to seduce "Kermie"?)
Pharaoh: Fozzie
Baker and Butler: Dr. Honeydew and Beaker, or Gonzo and Rizzo

Cameo: Donny Osmond

Would you cast the Muppets differently in these roles? I'm still uncertain as to who I would want to have play the "French" brother Simeon, but Dr. Teeth or The Swedish Chef might be alright. I think Kermit's personality fits well with Joseph. In the Muppet movies, Kermit often gets discouraged about one thing or another (which fits well with "Close Every Door"), but then things work out all right for Kermit in the end ("Go Go Go Joseph!").

And finally, you should all know that when I was looking up images for this post, I typed in "kermit" and "coat" and was presented with images of Lady Gaga. This is, truly, an amazing technicolor dreamcoat:

On Kindness

I have been thinking lately about kindness and the impact of kind words. I'm not sure why, but a couple of days ago I was thinking about how I can still remember some unkind things that were said to me years and years ago. The first was a comment that was made when I was in eighth grade, and the second was a passing remark someone made about nine years ago. And to be fair, I think that one of these people didn't even realize that their remark hurt my feelings. Both comments were about inconsequential things (my makeup and my striped yellow shirt), but they have been ingrained in my memory. Really, though, I'm glad that I remember these instances, because they remind me to be careful about the things that I say, especially when it comes to someone's appearance or fashion choices.

Whenever I'm reminded of these two instances, both of which I remember quite distinctly, I always wonder if there is someone who remembers unkind things that I said to them. Perhaps I have unintentionally said unkind things that someone remembers as distinctly as I remember the things that have been said to me. I hope not, but I can't be sure. I do remember needing to apologize to someone for saying something unkind when I was on a study abroad in college. This friend was very noble and has continued to be very kind to me over the past eleven (!) years. I can't even really remember exactly what I said that was unkind; I hope that this friend has forgotten whatever I said, too.

I've also been thinking about kindness over the past few months because of two books: Wonder by R. J. Palacio and The Kindness Book by Welleran Poltarnees. I received The Kindness Book for Christmas when I was younger (there is a dedication in my mom's handwriting from "Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus" on the inside cover), but I had forgotten about this book until my sister sent it to me several months ago. This book reminds me of my mom, not only because of the dedication but because it is full of turn-of-the-century illustrations that I'm sure she liked. For that reason, I keep this book on a side table in our bedroom. Sam has asked about the book several times and we've read some of the quotes together. Here are two of my favorites:

Life is short, and we never have too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh, be swift to love, make haste to be kind! -Henri-Frédéric Amiel

Let us open up our natures, throw wide the doors of our hearts and let in the sunshine of good will and kindness. - O. S. Marden

The other book, Wonder, is one that I read several months ago. I think it is a great book for young teens to read, especially those in middle school. I especially love this quote that is given at the end of the book as part of a graduation speech:

[Be] kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. Be kinder than is needed.

I feel like there are ways that I could improve and be more kind. I've had a lot of kindnesses shown to me recently, especially since Lucy was born, and I want to extend similar kindnesses to others. I'm trying to not get frustrated with Sam when he doesn't quickly respond to my requests or instructions. (I feel like I've been getting after Sam a lot, lately.) I can extend myself more to people who need my love and support. I can be less protective of my routines and my space, especially if it means that I can be kind to others in the process. Maybe, one day, I will attain enough of a kind and loving heart that I won't even worry about myself or my selfish, silly concerns when I interact with people.

"Cookie's Crumby Pictures" Clips

Over the past few days, Sam and I have been enjoying some clips from the Cookie's Crumby Pictures channel (hosted by Sesame Street) on YouTube. This channel has about ten clips, all starring Cookie Monster, that are spoofs from popular movies. The clips, though, also are geared toward teaching children tips on how to understand feelings, focus on completing tasks, remember directions, listen to others, and follow instructions. I feel like a lot of these tips are especially helpful for kindergarteners and first graders. Sam liked noting how several of these tips are also taught in his classroom, so I was glad that we could reinforce these concepts in a fun and creative way.

Our favorite clip is "Star S'Mores" (that I've embedded below). They are all cute, but my other favorites are "Cookie of Oz," "The Hungry Games - Catching Fur" and "Les Mousserables." Sam likes "The Biscotti Kid" (which J hasn't seen yet, but I'm sure he will like the "Karate Kid" references, since that was one of his favorite shows growing up). All of the clips have pretty clever impersonations and witty references to the films they parody.