May the Fourth Be With You 2013

You aren't truly a Star Wars fan if you don't celebrate all things from a galaxy far, far away on May 4th.  At our house, I usually observe the day by making a batch of Darth Vader cupcakes.  But this year, our local library put on a fantastic "May the Fourth Be With You" party for us.  Laura Polak, Youth Services Specialist at Oak Bend Library is truly gifted at creating fun ways for kids to extend their learning and just have fun.  My kids and I have had the privilege to take part in many of her programs, but I have to say, she really outdid herself this time.  She began by warming up the crowd with a few quick rounds of Star Wars trivia and encouraged kids to shout out the answers.  Interestingly enough, many of the answers came from Dads who couldn't help but participate. Per usual, Laura was more than prepared to keep a roomful of precocious Padawans occupied.  She set up half a dozen or more activity stations including; creating light sabers, Leia buns and Yoda ears and making Yoda origami finger puppets.  For those in need of more physical activity she offered Empire Strikes Back bowling and a game of Destroy the Death Star in which eager players used Nerf guns to hit a small opening in a cardboard replica of Darth Vader's battle station.

And, the best part...it was all FREE.  Summer is only a few weeks away.  If you are looking for fun, educational and FREE ways to keep your kiddos from climbing the walls, be sure to check out the numerous activities, shows and special events happening at your own area library.  

Connor and Noah cut out hilts for their lightsabers.

Natalie and Ava add sequins to their Leia buns

Padawan Partners

It's always a good day for a lightsaber duel.

Having fun making Yoda origami finger puppets

Strike a pose

                                 

Mostly it was all about the light sabers.

Like Two Peas in an Escape Pod

On Friday afternoon after a particularly trying homework session, Noah began a downward spiral of negative self-talk.  From him I heard, “Why did God have to make me this way?”… “I have no friends.”… “I try to talk to kids, but they just don’t understand anything I say.”

My knee jerk response was to tell him that God made each one of us to have special gifts and challenges.  And, although I may not always know how to help him with his struggles, I promised to be tireless in my search to find someone who could.

That evening I contacted my friend to see if her son, Ross, could come over to hang out with Noah.  Although he is 2 ½ years younger than Noah, it’s a good match as Ross has similar interests and both boys fall somewhere on the awesome spectrum.

Ross was over the moon to see Noah…so much so he made him a card. On the inside of the card he wrote, "I really like you and I am playing the Wii and I like skating with you.  I really like spending time with you."

Front of Card

Back of Card

On the car ride over Noah said, “Ross, I organized my room to make it easier for us to play in."  

(Hmmm...not a typical way for a 9 year old to start up a convo, but Ross didn't seem to notice. And, by "I" I think Noah meant "my mom" but no need to get picky with the details.) 

A short time after we arrived at our place, Ross asked me if he could come back to our house in 7 days. 

(I think my heart grew 3 sizes.)

Although the two boys see each other very infrequently, they quickly began talking “LEGO shop” and then settled in on a game of R2D2 Trouble.  Next, they decided to play the Wii.  

Noah asked Ross, “Would you like me to put them in two rows or three rows?”  

“Two rows,” replied Ross.  

Apparently, Noah not only thought it necessary to remove each and every Wii game from the T.V. cabinet, he also believed it best to carefully place them into rows, prior to making a game selection.  But, the best part was that Ross was completely onboard with the protocol.

A few minutes into playing on the Wii, Noah announced that he was going to play in his room by himself and Ross didn't seem concerned at all.  However, I told both boys that they could spend 15 minutes doing their own thing, but then they’d have to find something to do together.  Both agreed without complaint and went on to enjoy a lightsaber duel and a few games of LEGO Ninjago.

I love it when a plan comes together.

Decisions...decisions

God Created All

I'm always surprised by how much I learn from my kids...

Did you know God created everything...even Wampas?

Natalie made this picture at Sunday school, but when she returned home she added a Wampa to the scene.



May the Fourth be with You

Happy Star Wars Day to you Noah!

Today is the day Star Wars fans across the planet celebrate their favorite holiday.

Serve up Darth Vader cupcakes in our home we will. 

To learn more, check out www.maythefourthbewithyou.com or www.starwars.com

Noah was only mildly impressed with my lightsaber cupcakes. 
He wanted each one to have an actual icing replica of the Dark Lord.

In a Kitchen Far, Far, Away

Though we own quite possibly every Star Wars figurine, game, ship and card ever stamped with George Lucas’ seal of approval, I haven’t yet found or maybe George hasn’t yet figured out a way to capitalize on the aroma that is Star Wars.  If he did, I can assure you – I’d be having my Galactic Republic spices of Glitterstim and Ryll from the planet Kessel overnighted. 

Noah may resemble my husband and I – but our little clone has taste buds that come from a galaxy far, far away from ours.

One evening while preparing Fettuccini Carbonara, Noah, six at the time, walked by the kitchen with his face all screwed up and puckered and demanded, “What is that smell?" 

“I’m just frying some bacon,” I innocently replied. 

“Well, I don’t like it,” he stated.  Then added, “I only like Star Wars smells.”

Well, not only was my kid cuter than an Ewok, he was a marketing genius!  Why in the world hadn’t the King of Galactic enterprises, not thought to expand his Star Wars merchandising empire to include a line of spices and sauces, like Ectoplasmic Hot Sauce or Eukamint oil?  Mealtime in our household would be much more pleasant.  Right about now I could be sautéing my veggies in Fleek oil instead of lame o’ olive oil that sends my kid packing.  As I considered this, I lamented that I didn’t continue my college art education.  Instead of listening to a chorus of complaints from a pint-sized Padawan, I could be sculpting meatloaf into Wookiees and teddy bear-like Ewoks that no Jedi in training could refuse.  

To read more adventures with Noah's food sensitivities, click "Life on the Ranch."