In the midst of all the bad economic news and puzzling prognosis for the financial sector, there is one silver-lining story I can share.
Wylie tried something new this weekend: a Wonka Bar.
Yes, that zany brainy chocolatier from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired my new-taste-averse son to actually try a bite of chocolate.
(Fade to black): [camera zooms in on the nose of a ten year old boy sniffing an unwrapped Wonka Bar like a mouse sniffs a new piece of old cheese]
WYLIE: It smells wierd, do you think I will like it? It's melting in my hand!
MOM: Go ahead and bite it, Wylie!
WYLIE: (biting a millimeter of chocolate off with mouse-like motions) Hmmm. Well! It's not half bad!
Cue the Oompa-Loompas!
God Bless Willy Wonka!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday Round-Up
This week saw me getting back into the professorial groove at CSUSB. Feels good. I love teaching; meeting the students for the first time is always very invigorating. All told (with all the courses I will be teaching at CSU and U of R this fall), I will get to know 150 more souls. Love it. Each soul = a story.
Meanwhile, Wylie and Campbell are happy that Saturday is "a do nothing day" in Wylie's parlance. They all do quite well with our pace of life and our activities with Solid Ground, YST, and school. However, Wylie especially relishes the random Saturday where there is nothing scheduled.
I have to tell you: so do I.
Meanwhile, Wylie and Campbell are happy that Saturday is "a do nothing day" in Wylie's parlance. They all do quite well with our pace of life and our activities with Solid Ground, YST, and school. However, Wylie especially relishes the random Saturday where there is nothing scheduled.
I have to tell you: so do I.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Quotable for Wednesday
Campbell explaining what a "binder" is to Wylie:
Campbell: "You know, a binder. It's the thing that holds all your memories and stuff from school".
Wylie: "Well, how many memories do you have? Geesh!" (Campbell's binder is pretty big)
Watching Dancing With the Stars on Monday:
Me: "So, who are you voting for Wylie?" (me referring to which dance couple he liked this season)
Wylie: "Denise Hoyt" (she's running for city council here locally)
I'm sure there will be more election-related posts as Wylie is very dialed-in to the democratic process.
Campbell: "You know, a binder. It's the thing that holds all your memories and stuff from school".
Wylie: "Well, how many memories do you have? Geesh!" (Campbell's binder is pretty big)
Watching Dancing With the Stars on Monday:
Me: "So, who are you voting for Wylie?" (me referring to which dance couple he liked this season)
Wylie: "Denise Hoyt" (she's running for city council here locally)
I'm sure there will be more election-related posts as Wylie is very dialed-in to the democratic process.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Back + Breast + Relay = DS
Wylie has had a banner year.
Not only has he stared fear down in the face several times to do pretty amazing things, he has worked through "worst case scenarios" in many instances and persevered to grow through the circumstances and emerge a heartier soul.
I could not be more proud of him.
Saturday's meet was a mixed bag of results in terms of score-keeping: he made it through his 50 back, got DQed in the 100 breast for a late second hand on the first length, and swam his heart out on the free leg of the boys 4 x relay...only to have the team DQed on another swimmer's entry. Still, he navigated the maze of emotions.
He was jubilant after the 50 back; he got out of the pool and was very energized that he had done the race.
He was deeply disappointed when the ref came to tell him about the breast DQ--so much so that he could not even look him in the eye.
The relay was a last minute entry and Wylie was not "prepared" even to swim in it. Yet, it was just what the doctor ordered. Wylie was already saying "I'm never...." about future meets and wallowing in the agony of defeat. But, when he had to rally for the other boys on his team, he did it. And, he did it with great flare. I've never seen him swim as "hard" as he did that first 25 of the free. I think he took two breaths. At this point, none of the boys knew they were already DQed. It was very touching.
So, ZigZag readers know all about Wylie's quest earlier this month for the 200 items and the Nintendo DS. Well, I made a bargain with Wylie. He is the proud owner of his own DS and the newly committed YST swimmer who is going to attempt anything Coach Kathy thinks he is capable of in the season this year. I believe the bargain will serve him well.
I didn't stay involved in organized sports as a kid. There were a lot of complicated family dynamics, but mostly it was just that my interests were more artistic and creative and I ususally had my head in a book when I wasn't doing school stuff, etc. I did participate in a girls' service organization for 8 years and was active in other school clubs. Still, I played tennis, volleyball, and softball (just long enough to scar my knees permanently). I liked being part of a team. And, I learned perseverance in other areas of my life.
As a parent of a unique child like Wylie, the benefit of participation in swimming cannot be overstated. Learning to fail, learning to succeed, learning to support a team, learning to become better at something, attending practice when you don't feel like it, listening to direction, taking direction, persevering through disappointment, coming back to try again, cheering for other swimmers, feeling the pride of accomplishment when you achieve something you thought impossible...these things are all valuable for life. And, so, once again I am taken with the metaphor of sport as life.
Every race I watched on Saturday was inspiring. I almost tear up at everyone. It could be hormonal, I'll grant that. But, I think it's just the power of seeing courage on display. It moves me.
Wylie and Campbell and McKenna and all the swimmers are very courageous.
That's worth a few dollars in a bargain for the future.
Not only has he stared fear down in the face several times to do pretty amazing things, he has worked through "worst case scenarios" in many instances and persevered to grow through the circumstances and emerge a heartier soul.
I could not be more proud of him.
Saturday's meet was a mixed bag of results in terms of score-keeping: he made it through his 50 back, got DQed in the 100 breast for a late second hand on the first length, and swam his heart out on the free leg of the boys 4 x relay...only to have the team DQed on another swimmer's entry. Still, he navigated the maze of emotions.
He was jubilant after the 50 back; he got out of the pool and was very energized that he had done the race.
He was deeply disappointed when the ref came to tell him about the breast DQ--so much so that he could not even look him in the eye.
The relay was a last minute entry and Wylie was not "prepared" even to swim in it. Yet, it was just what the doctor ordered. Wylie was already saying "I'm never...." about future meets and wallowing in the agony of defeat. But, when he had to rally for the other boys on his team, he did it. And, he did it with great flare. I've never seen him swim as "hard" as he did that first 25 of the free. I think he took two breaths. At this point, none of the boys knew they were already DQed. It was very touching.
So, ZigZag readers know all about Wylie's quest earlier this month for the 200 items and the Nintendo DS. Well, I made a bargain with Wylie. He is the proud owner of his own DS and the newly committed YST swimmer who is going to attempt anything Coach Kathy thinks he is capable of in the season this year. I believe the bargain will serve him well.
I didn't stay involved in organized sports as a kid. There were a lot of complicated family dynamics, but mostly it was just that my interests were more artistic and creative and I ususally had my head in a book when I wasn't doing school stuff, etc. I did participate in a girls' service organization for 8 years and was active in other school clubs. Still, I played tennis, volleyball, and softball (just long enough to scar my knees permanently). I liked being part of a team. And, I learned perseverance in other areas of my life.
As a parent of a unique child like Wylie, the benefit of participation in swimming cannot be overstated. Learning to fail, learning to succeed, learning to support a team, learning to become better at something, attending practice when you don't feel like it, listening to direction, taking direction, persevering through disappointment, coming back to try again, cheering for other swimmers, feeling the pride of accomplishment when you achieve something you thought impossible...these things are all valuable for life. And, so, once again I am taken with the metaphor of sport as life.
Every race I watched on Saturday was inspiring. I almost tear up at everyone. It could be hormonal, I'll grant that. But, I think it's just the power of seeing courage on display. It moves me.
Wylie and Campbell and McKenna and all the swimmers are very courageous.
That's worth a few dollars in a bargain for the future.
Friday, September 19, 2008
First Meet of the Season
Cross your fingers, say your prayers, will with all your might: Wylie swims in his first meet of the season Saturday morning. His events: 50 back and 100 breast. All we want is no DQ so he can begin his season with some new points toward his 100 point trophy.
In his prayers tonight he humbly asked: "God, please no end of the world" (code for "being disqualified").
It happens to all swimmers once in a while. It's happened to Wylie, Campbell, and McKenna. It's just that now, there's more on the line for Wylie because he understands what it means to improve. To make progress. And, he wants to get better now. He really didn't care before.
His coach is an angel. The team is pulling for him. I know you are, too.
Will report soon...
In his prayers tonight he humbly asked: "God, please no end of the world" (code for "being disqualified").
It happens to all swimmers once in a while. It's happened to Wylie, Campbell, and McKenna. It's just that now, there's more on the line for Wylie because he understands what it means to improve. To make progress. And, he wants to get better now. He really didn't care before.
His coach is an angel. The team is pulling for him. I know you are, too.
Will report soon...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Nose Knows
Wylie's olfactory sense never ceases to amaze me!
The kid can smell a french fry (or other offensive odors) from a mile away or within a nanosecond of it hitting his nose.
Case-in-point: today, I snagged Ken from school and we picked up french fries and sodas for an after school snank en route to pick up the boys.
I said to Ken: "how long do you think it will take? less than 5 seconds before he says 'what's that smell' or something like it?"
Ken said she thought less than 5 seconds.
We hide the evidence.
He opens the door.
In less time than Phelps won the 100 fly, Wylie says:
"Why does it smell like french fries in here?"
It's like lightening.
His nose knows.
The kid can smell a french fry (or other offensive odors) from a mile away or within a nanosecond of it hitting his nose.
Case-in-point: today, I snagged Ken from school and we picked up french fries and sodas for an after school snank en route to pick up the boys.
I said to Ken: "how long do you think it will take? less than 5 seconds before he says 'what's that smell' or something like it?"
Ken said she thought less than 5 seconds.
We hide the evidence.
He opens the door.
In less time than Phelps won the 100 fly, Wylie says:
"Why does it smell like french fries in here?"
It's like lightening.
His nose knows.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Sportsmanship
The YST Swim Banquet was held in Park View Middle School's Fine Arts room last Saturday evening. It was a "Rewind to the 80's" Theme complete with a costme contest. Slash was there as were a few Madonna-look-a-likes.
Among the swimmers honored was none other than: Wylie Harris.
He received the Sportsmanship award for his age group from his coach, Kathy Fellenz.
She has coached Wylie for three years now. He is probably the oldest swimmer in her group and he has traditionally swam last in the lane (until recently...see archived posts from July).
But, last Saturday Coach Kathy and the entire coaching staff recognized Wylie for his character, his attitude, his persistence, and his courtesy toward other swimmers. He was presented a plaque along with his team trophy. The plaque joined his three other trophies from YST.
Now, these trophies used to sit on the trunk with all our downstairs "library" books and games behind the sofa. But, since Saturday's festivities these items are on proud display on the tray on our ottoman. I tried putting them back once already, to which he exclaimed:
"Mom! That's my trophy wall!"
I guess even Michael Phelps probably hasn't put away all those golds just yet...
Well done, Wylie!
Among the swimmers honored was none other than: Wylie Harris.
He received the Sportsmanship award for his age group from his coach, Kathy Fellenz.
She has coached Wylie for three years now. He is probably the oldest swimmer in her group and he has traditionally swam last in the lane (until recently...see archived posts from July).
But, last Saturday Coach Kathy and the entire coaching staff recognized Wylie for his character, his attitude, his persistence, and his courtesy toward other swimmers. He was presented a plaque along with his team trophy. The plaque joined his three other trophies from YST.
Now, these trophies used to sit on the trunk with all our downstairs "library" books and games behind the sofa. But, since Saturday's festivities these items are on proud display on the tray on our ottoman. I tried putting them back once already, to which he exclaimed:
"Mom! That's my trophy wall!"
I guess even Michael Phelps probably hasn't put away all those golds just yet...
Well done, Wylie!
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