Oh Say Can You See...

I post this with the intent of laughing at it many years from now. The country celebrated President Obama's 2nd Inauguration a few weeks ago. It was a Monday holiday in honor of MLK Jr.'s birthday. The kids were actually quite interested in it. Especially when they saw Beyonce. And Luke, being the adorable age of 3 and has no clue he isn't supposed to think Beyonce is cool, was really feeling her rendition of the National Anthem.

Germaphobic

We celebrated Oma's 61st birthday Saturday night with the Tucker family. Lisa baked a cake and we set it in front of Oma for the photo opp with the kids. All went well until the end of the song.

Look carefully at Zac.

This was snapped seconds before he stood up and announced, "Well no cake for me!"

If you don't know my son well, he has inherited a phobia carried on the Henderson side of the family. Other known relatives with the phobia are his grandfather Butch, and uncle Mark. There is no cure. You just eat less cake at birthday parties and frankly, never get sick.

A New Year 2013

Christmas was fabulous. Thankfully Santa chose well and we had a house full of happy Tucker kids. With the horrific event that just occurred in Connecticut, I am forcing myself to slow down and enjoy all of the laughter, the yelling, the running, the chasing, the tears, and all the fun. And we have had a lot of all of that this winter break!

New Year's day Eric and I had the crazy brilliant idea to take the kids (and the dogs) to Big Bear and attempt skiing for their first time. I'll save some time and recap it in report card style.

Zac Tucker, Third Grade, Age: 9 years
Grade: A+ Comment: It's as if you have been skiing all of your life. Great job!

Claire Tucker, First Grade, Age: 6 4/5 years
Grade: C+ Comment: Maybe with time (and ski poles) you'll build the confidence it takes to get down the mountain without the help of daddy and "NOT mommy!"

Luke Tucker, Preschool, Age: 3 1/2 years
Grade: F+ Comment: Next time you can go with your dad. Sitting in the middle of the mountain with your mom, screaming and crying for daddy is not the best way to accomplish your goal. See you in 5 years.

Eric Tucker, Age: over 30
Grade: A+ Comment: You'd think the 80's style ski suit and the fluorescent skis would have held you back. But no! It's like riding a bike. You never forget. Good job!

Maria Tucker, Age: feels like 50
Grade: E for effort Comment: Perhaps attempting to snowboard after 10 years in an effort to save money wasn't the best idea. Next time pack some anxiety medication and perhaps a flask. And don't worry, walking down the mountain carrying your snowboard wasn't that embarrassing.

Looking forward to 2013!

Church School Again

I should be posting about our wonderful winter vacation but this update needs documentation.

My conversation while driving Claire home from a birthday party last night.

Claire - Mom! There's a plus sign lit up with Christmas lights on the mountain!

Me - No Claire, that's a cross.

Claire - Oh yeah. I meant a cross.

Santa

Every year we go visit this guy. He resides at Victoria Garden's and the consensus is that he is the "actual real Santa," not just a helper.

Zac: Are you nervous Claire?

Claire: Yeah. Super nervous.

Zac: Me too.

I hope they always believe!

Report Card Time

I attended Zac and Claire's parent/teacher conferences today marking the end of the first trimester for first and third grade. Both kids teacher's had very nice things to say. I admit, it's always a relief.

Here is what Zac shared with me at his conference. I don't know if it's extremely entertaining only because it's by my child. You tell me.

Glad to know he isn't suffering from any esteem issues.

Church School

I'm currently teaching church school for Kindergarten and first graders at church. It's Claire's group and they are so sweet and fun. But frankly, I can't stand teaching church school. I feel like I'm at work on the weekend and I really don't know much about the "curriculum."

Case and Point,

Claire - Mommy what's that big "T" over there?

I'm driving to a soccer game on Saturday with Claire and Luke in tow. We pass by the Lutheran church on Baseline in Claremont that has an enormous cross in their front lawn when I'm asked this question. I stifle my laugh at my obvious parent failure that the granddaughter of a pastor thinks a cross is simply a letter.

Me - Well that's a church, and that's their cross.

C - What's a cross?

Me - (Continuing to kick myself for my serious neglect) Jesus died on a cross and so churches use it as a symbol.

C - How did a cross kill him?

Me - (Wow) Some bad people thought he should be punished and they nailed him to a cross where he died.

C - That's gross! Poor Jesus.

Silence

C - If I were there I would have punched those bad guys and said, "Don't kill Jesus you bad guys!" Then Jesus would have been saved.

Me - (laughing) That's nice of you Claire.

C - Did the bad guys where all black with dark caps on their heads and face?

Me - (laughing hard) I have no idea!