Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Sun Came Out...

I was thrilled today when the sun came out for the first time since Sunday.  Now, this was short lived, but occured at optimal park time.  After getting to pick up my daughter earlier than usual, I asked her, "Honey, do you want to go to the park?"  A normal response from her is something like, "That would be a really great idea!" or "Sure." pronounced with three syllables. 
However, today the answer was no.  It was no all three times I asked.  So when we got home, I asked if we could play Play-Doh.  "No."  I tried coloring, painting, and watching TV together.  Instead of any of those fabulous activities with mom, she just told me she wanted alone time in her room, and up the stairs she went.  So, I turned on the monitor in my bedroom, layed down in bed and took a little nap! 

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A Letter to my Tigers...

While, I started this blog to discuss how I try to have fun everyday, some times I know that we have a low point.  Last week, a great disappointment occured for Mizzou Tiger fans across the country.  We lost, unexpectedly, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.  While it has taken me a bit of time to get over the disappointment, I wanted to write a brief note of thanks...

Dear Mizzou Tigers Mens Basketball Team - 

A year ago when our coach left, we felt abandoned.  Several months ago, when injury hit a key player, we felt great disappointment.  When our new coach, Frank Haith was hired, we felt bewildered.  As the season approached, we felt no apprehension, we were just prepared for mediocrity.  With this combination of events, we just couldn't set our sights too high.

You blew us away.  The team we watched play as individuals trying to gain attention for themselves became selfless team players who understood their role in a system.  The coach Tiger Nation rejected vehemently, proved through his actions we had misjudged him, and for that we are truly sorry.  

As a long-time Tiger fan, I thank each member of this Mizzou Tiger basketball team. You brought home the Big 12 Tournament title and Frank Haith was named coach of the year.  We did ask for more as the season began its conclusion, but in retrospect we have enjoyed and loved the incredible fun we have had watching amazing basketball played by talented young men. 

Thank you for loving the game and helping us love it a little more each time you stepped on the court.

With great admiration and respect, Tiger fans thank you!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Go Tigers!

That is really all I have to say until after the game. I am so excited for my Tigers to begin their journey to the Final Four...Zou Orleans here we come!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Grandma & Grandpa's

Nothing could be more fun for my three year old than visiting grandma and grandpa! She is a ball of energy that goes from one fun thing to another while we visit. Watching the joy on her face while she is able to "get away" with things here, is enjoyable for me - even knowing the consequences I will pay when we go home.

Yesterday we went to the park and she had grandpa bury her feet in the playground sand. She hand grandma come and watch anything and everything she did (and grandma of course obliged with contant reassurance that what she is doing was amazing and awesome). Mom and dad were simply there - and frankly of little use since we don't suggest ice cream and marshmallow cereal after every activity.

In conclusion, the last day and a half of fun for me has been watching her pure joy. I know this level of excitement for seeing grandma and grandpa is fleeting. As kids grow older the reactions change and the pure joy is harder to see. I will spend the next day and a half enjoying it a bit more before we return to the routine of being home.

What has your "recess" been lately?

Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring Weather

Today should have included more fun than it did!  The weather was sunny, warm, and absolutely beautiful for March in Kansas City.  Unfortunately, every attempt at fun out doors was thwarted with work, meetings, or a cranky three year old!  Tell me about the fun you had today, so I can try again tomorrow! 

Sunday, March 11, 2012

March Madness Continues

The fun of March Madness is an intangible most struggle to adequately describe.  Those of us who are sports fans become a bit "mad" throughout the entire process regardless of our affiliation.  In fact, most of the time our teams have been knocked out quickly during the playoff process. 

Let me start with this, I had the opportunity to attend two games during the Big 12 Tournament.  This was amazing for two reasons:  1)  Even though I have been in Kansas City for 12 years, I have never managed to attend a Big 12 Tournament game.  2)  With Mizzou leaving to go the SEC, there will never again be a reason for me to attend a Big 12 Tournament game!  What a storybook ending to spend my first time watching my beloved Mizzou Tigers win the Big 12 championship.  For those of you who are not Mizzou fans, this season has been the kind that is astounding.  Based on where we were a year ago, the struggles the school/team/players/coach had throughout this process makes it rather incredible that we ended the season with a Big 12 Tournament victory!  Go Tigers!

Now the story continues as we move towards the Big Dance.  It will be a week of more excitment for all Tiger fans.  We are an excited crew that sticks with our Tigers through thick and thin.  We just hope this is the time we finally make it to New Orleans to play in the Final Four and then the Championship.  Who knows?  Maybe our storybook ending hasn't actually happened yet...maybe the perfect ending is yet to come!

So...when March comes around, this is my fun.  This is what I enjoy watching and discussing.  You start with the selection, fill out the brackets, enter the pools, and count your wins.  At the end of the process, you have shared a national traditions with many, many others.  Here is to March Madness - and Go Tigers!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

I love March Madness!

I know it is just beginning, and I love the excitment in the air, the fervent fans and their gear, and the passion displayed on the court and in office pools.  There is speculation, cheering for the underdogs, and lamentation when your favorite teams loses their last game.  I LOVE March Madness.

This year, I love that I get to start it a bit early by attending my first and last Big 12 Tournament.  My Tigers are leaving for the SEC, so I will never again have a reason to spend time at the Big 12 Tournament.  However, this year, the last year we are part of it, I get to go!  I have been excited since I secured my ticket.  Fate wanted me to go this year because it was by chance/accident/strange coincidence I even became aware of the opportunity.

Now THIS is going to be fun!  Go Tigers!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Cuddle with the Fun

Yes....strange title, I know. However, tonight I was able to spend a solid fifteen minutes simply cuddling with my three year-old. For a non-snuggling little girl, It was amazing that she sat still that long. I was happy to have her hang out with me. Of course, it did involve The Fresh Beat Band, and I found myself singing along...

That is entirely different post...

Would lve to hear about your fun today!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

College Days Reminiscing

I spent a good chunk of my weekend in Columbia, Missouri at the fun my girlfriends and I planned about three weeks ago.  It was great to see the girls!  We spent the weekend at the Kappa Delta Alumnae Weekend, which was a fantastic event planned and executed by a fantastic group of young ladies in the Kappa Delta chapter. 

Thank you to these young ladies for providing food, entertainment, networking opportunities, and many moments to reminisce about the good ole days of college.  I could not have asked for a better reception.  These young ladies were bright, appreciative, interested in out stories, and overall made this group of (not so old) alumnae feel appreciated

Thank you for the weekend of fun!  We look forward to seeing each and every one of you again!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Happiness is a Fresh Beat Band Concert

My daughter LOVES the Fresh Beat Band.  I only let her watch Nick Jr. and the reality is she has limited herself to an occasional Pocoyo, possible Kai-Lan, but all she really wants is the Fresh Beat Band.

For the last week, I had been setting the scene with my daughter for a date with her aunt and cousin.  A girls' night out!  It was great because she was getting excited to see her cousin and go on date!

What was the big "date"?  Her first concert!  That is right - concert.  The grid-lock in the Power and Light District at 4:15pm for the Fresh Beat Band made me laugh out loud.  Who knew that this group of four with a little show on Nick Jr. could send the area into a frenzy - and the poor business men could not figure out why all these small children were being herded into the Midland Theater.  

Once the show started she was enthralled.  Every time they would look, talk, or wave in our direction she would say, "Did Shout/Twist/Kiki/Marena wave at me?"  "Of course sweetheart," and she would wave back.  Adorable!

What is the big event that has brought that look of pure joy to your child?

You need the routine to get to the fun...

Having fun is truly a difficult feat when you are a mother, wife, sister, employee, housewife, and - geeze - you get the picture.  I try to be impromptu - sometimes.  I try to "go with the flow" and not schedule everything, but that doesn't really work when you are juggling the responsibilities of a household.

So, I randomly decided - Let's go to the park!  My daughter clapped her hands.  Said, "I am so excited, mama!" and we jumped in the car.  As we arrived at the "Castle Park," we talked about all the kids there enjoying the unseasonable 65 degrees in February.  We jumped out of the car, and ran to the equipment.  Soon there was jumping and sliding and trying to hang off of "stuff."  Then we finally got up the nerve to go to the big slide.  And I mean the BIG one.  You have the climb up two tiers to get to this fantastic ride.  Once at the top, my daughter kneels down to get on the slide, makes "the" face, and says "I have to go potty!"  

Are you kidding?  It is February at the park in Missouri - most of the time the water for the fountains isn't even on yet.  There are no bathrooms nearby - except the grocery store.  So I convince her to come down the slide and we run to the car, drive home, and go potty.  

This is what I mean...going to the park is fun.  Breaking from the routines I need to go through before leaving the house with a three year old is not.  It seems as if I rush to the fun because if it isn't planned, I feel like I am in a race to squeeze it in.   My efforts at being "fun" often to lead to near disaster because I break from routine which is also necessary.  I think I am scared I will change my mind, realize it is too much work to get to the park today, and then we will just sit at home and watch The Fresh Beat Band - again!

I guess what I need to remember is that in the grand scheme of things, what my daughter will remember is that we went to the "Castle Park" and then also the "Frog Park" all because she needed to go potty.  I just hope I can refrain from remembering that we spent more of the remaining daylight in the car driving to the park, back home, to the park, and back home than we spent IN the park.

So...did you have fun today - or did you provide fun today?  Either way you win.  I would love to hear from you!    

Thursday, March 1, 2012

A Visit From the Past Brings Happiness!

With great difficulty, I have attempted to determine if my story today is truly one of fun.  As I refer to the definition, which indicates fun must provide mirth and/or amusement, I am still not sure.  However, one event today certainly filled me with happiness.  

A former, rather problematic, student stopped by my school today.  It was a surprise to see this student because coming to school was not a top priority in the past.  In addition, this student had seen a certain amount of concerning behavior.  However, today I was more than pleasantly surprised to hear this former at-risk student had managed to enroll in a technical school.  Not only enroll, but flourish in technical school.  Dean's list.  Perfect attendance.  Serving as a representative to recruit students! 

Wow!

What was most pleasing was that this former student sought me out - and this was no easy feat today - to tell me all of this information.  I am so proud and so happy to hear of the success.  

So, was this fun?  For me, yes!  Not only fun, but rewarding and uplifting during a difficult week .  Do you have a story to share?