Well, today we finally hit the beach. Sixteen days after arriving in Redondo Beach, we finally introduced 'Shroom and Lolli to the beaches of LA (today, we were in neighboring Hermosa Beach).
'SHROOM
Since 'Shroom was about two years of age, we've known that he has a sensory integration disorder. He didn't like getting his hands dirty even to play with dough, putty, shaving cream or any other typically "fun" textures. He resisted walking on grass (even with shoes), hated loud noises, and couldn't stand the tags on the back of his shirts. Well, today we confronted his dislike of the sand head-on. After a half hour of cajoling him to take off his flip-flops (or simply walk on the sand with them on), he finally took the plunge and stepped in the sand.
LOLLI
On the complete opposite spectrum, Lolli had no problem with the sand. She had her flip-flops off before I was even near the sand. She giggled with delight as she felt the smooth sand squish between her toes. As you can see in the photo above, she is more than happy to plop herself down in the sand and watch 'Shroom bury her feet. Something tells me she is going to fit right in with the beach scene. She even wanted to play volleyball with Air Boss and the rest of the adults.
Anyway, just wanted to share this milestone with you all. Perhaps one day, 'Shroom will actually enjoy the beach. Maybe next week we'll introduce him to the ocean . . .
Monday, July 30, 2007
A Big Wig, Credit Card Fraud, and 19 Books in 5 Days
BEETHOVEN'S WIG
We've recently been introduced to a fun group of people who sing wacky lyrics set to tunes of famous classical pieces. Thanks to Air Boss' older sister, we've been listening to how big Beethoven's wig was (set to the tune of his 9th Symphony), learning about Dvorak the Czechoslovak (sung to his Humoresque #7), and laughing at "Moonlight Sonata" sung as a traffic jam (the melody line acts as the car honks).
We attended this group's LA concert this weekend at the Ford Amphitheater (outdoors as you can see from the photo) and there were just as many kids as adults there. At one point in the show, the lead singer asked how many in the audience have been to Venice, a setting for one of the pieces performed. Tons of kids raised their hands; I was surprised at how many had already traveled overseas. Then I remembered that we weren't too far from Venice Beach. Ha, ha, ha! . . . only in LA!
CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Since we had moved out to LA with a relatively light load for a family of four, we've been trying to replace needed items these past couple of weeks. We've purchased some large ticket items and have also wracked up three-digit grocery food bills (I tell you, stocking up an empty refrigerator and pantry as well as re-starting a non-existing spice and condiment section can get quite costly). Well, Air Boss had purchased a TV and - long story short - the order didn't get placed. Our credit card had so much recent activity on it that it was suspected that our card had been stolen and was now being abused! Although it was a bit of a hassle to verify and explain all the charges, it was good to know that the credit card company was trying to be proactive.
THOUGHTS ON BEING DIRTY
Although one of the heftier charges on our credit card was a washer and dryer, we still have more than a two week wait before we receive the pair. In the meantime since we're taking all our laundry to be washed over to Air Boss' parents' place, I'm trying to keep our dirty duds to the bare minimum. This includes: no washing of bed linens, recycling clothes by wearing everything AT LEAST twice unless there are visible stains (this does NOT apply to undergarments . . . ewww!), and even then, localized stains can be hand-washed and air-dried.
I miss having a washer and dryer. And a dishwasher (from someone who ran the dishwasher once every day to every-other-day). It doesn't help that since we don't have our hook-ups blocked by a W/D, whenever the neighbors run their dryer, the air gets piped right into our apartment. It's like adding insult to injury to have to smell someone else's clean laundry while we pathetically pick off crusted food bits from 'Shroom's and Lolli's clothes so they can wear them the next day (okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. About the crusted food bits).
KEEPING THE KIDS ENTERTAINED . . .
. . . hasn't been all that easy. My familiar resources (playgroups, water parks, favorite shopping places, neighborhood friends, community activities) have been stripped away from me and now I'm starting all over from scratch. I've already taken the kids to the local library twice in one week. We made it for one story time but alas, it was the last storytime of the summer. We joined the reading program but again, it was almost over. Together with 'Shroom and Lolli, we read 19 books in 5 days to earn their prizes. Maybe it's okay to watch some TV . . . oh wait, no TV yet.
Anyway, we survived our second week here in RB. Air Boss is feeling much better and is even making plans to play some beach volleyball later on. Me? I'm still trying to figure out how to back the car out of the garage (without hitting anything) and how to make it from homebase to Points A&B and back without getting lost . . .
We've recently been introduced to a fun group of people who sing wacky lyrics set to tunes of famous classical pieces. Thanks to Air Boss' older sister, we've been listening to how big Beethoven's wig was (set to the tune of his 9th Symphony), learning about Dvorak the Czechoslovak (sung to his Humoresque #7), and laughing at "Moonlight Sonata" sung as a traffic jam (the melody line acts as the car honks).
We attended this group's LA concert this weekend at the Ford Amphitheater (outdoors as you can see from the photo) and there were just as many kids as adults there. At one point in the show, the lead singer asked how many in the audience have been to Venice, a setting for one of the pieces performed. Tons of kids raised their hands; I was surprised at how many had already traveled overseas. Then I remembered that we weren't too far from Venice Beach. Ha, ha, ha! . . . only in LA!
CREDIT CARD FRAUD
Since we had moved out to LA with a relatively light load for a family of four, we've been trying to replace needed items these past couple of weeks. We've purchased some large ticket items and have also wracked up three-digit grocery food bills (I tell you, stocking up an empty refrigerator and pantry as well as re-starting a non-existing spice and condiment section can get quite costly). Well, Air Boss had purchased a TV and - long story short - the order didn't get placed. Our credit card had so much recent activity on it that it was suspected that our card had been stolen and was now being abused! Although it was a bit of a hassle to verify and explain all the charges, it was good to know that the credit card company was trying to be proactive.
THOUGHTS ON BEING DIRTY
Although one of the heftier charges on our credit card was a washer and dryer, we still have more than a two week wait before we receive the pair. In the meantime since we're taking all our laundry to be washed over to Air Boss' parents' place, I'm trying to keep our dirty duds to the bare minimum. This includes: no washing of bed linens, recycling clothes by wearing everything AT LEAST twice unless there are visible stains (this does NOT apply to undergarments . . . ewww!), and even then, localized stains can be hand-washed and air-dried.
I miss having a washer and dryer. And a dishwasher (from someone who ran the dishwasher once every day to every-other-day). It doesn't help that since we don't have our hook-ups blocked by a W/D, whenever the neighbors run their dryer, the air gets piped right into our apartment. It's like adding insult to injury to have to smell someone else's clean laundry while we pathetically pick off crusted food bits from 'Shroom's and Lolli's clothes so they can wear them the next day (okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. About the crusted food bits).
KEEPING THE KIDS ENTERTAINED . . .
. . . hasn't been all that easy. My familiar resources (playgroups, water parks, favorite shopping places, neighborhood friends, community activities) have been stripped away from me and now I'm starting all over from scratch. I've already taken the kids to the local library twice in one week. We made it for one story time but alas, it was the last storytime of the summer. We joined the reading program but again, it was almost over. Together with 'Shroom and Lolli, we read 19 books in 5 days to earn their prizes. Maybe it's okay to watch some TV . . . oh wait, no TV yet.
Anyway, we survived our second week here in RB. Air Boss is feeling much better and is even making plans to play some beach volleyball later on. Me? I'm still trying to figure out how to back the car out of the garage (without hitting anything) and how to make it from homebase to Points A&B and back without getting lost . . .
Friday, July 27, 2007
"We Have No More Friends"
This line was uttered by Lolli (as you will quickly realize, the more verbose and communicative of the two kids) this morning.
"Do you think we should make some new friends?" I had asked.
"Well, we don't know who our new friends are. No more friends. No more Green House."
True. Not so true. And true.
Today marks the end of Air Boss' first week back to work (at home) and the close of our second week here in the LA area. The boxes are mostly unpacked with about 10-15 remaining (no room to put the box contents but not "un-useful" enough to shove in the garage) and we even have some of our artwork hanging up on the walls. We've just opened up a new bank account but have yet to swap the car plates to CA.
With the "to do" list slowly getting shorter and shorter, I find that there is more time to remember the things I miss. And that's when it gets harder.
Air Boss is sick with a fever and chills. We're hoping it's not the flu. We don't even have doctors here to call up or a health clinic that I know that accepts our type of health insurance. Yes, we'll eventually figure this all out.
I am reminded though of how gracious God was to our family as we traveled to LA. Not one of us got sick and we were able to travel without the worries of an illness. Air Boss has been truly the pillar of this family as we've traveled and made the transition our new home. Now it's my turn to take care of him and I hope and pray that it's nothing serious.
In the meantime, we'll have to figure out how to meet people and "find new friends" as Lolli puts it. I'll keep you posted!
"Do you think we should make some new friends?" I had asked.
"Well, we don't know who our new friends are. No more friends. No more Green House."
True. Not so true. And true.
Today marks the end of Air Boss' first week back to work (at home) and the close of our second week here in the LA area. The boxes are mostly unpacked with about 10-15 remaining (no room to put the box contents but not "un-useful" enough to shove in the garage) and we even have some of our artwork hanging up on the walls. We've just opened up a new bank account but have yet to swap the car plates to CA.
With the "to do" list slowly getting shorter and shorter, I find that there is more time to remember the things I miss. And that's when it gets harder.
Air Boss is sick with a fever and chills. We're hoping it's not the flu. We don't even have doctors here to call up or a health clinic that I know that accepts our type of health insurance. Yes, we'll eventually figure this all out.
I am reminded though of how gracious God was to our family as we traveled to LA. Not one of us got sick and we were able to travel without the worries of an illness. Air Boss has been truly the pillar of this family as we've traveled and made the transition our new home. Now it's my turn to take care of him and I hope and pray that it's nothing serious.
In the meantime, we'll have to figure out how to meet people and "find new friends" as Lolli puts it. I'll keep you posted!
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