A Curiously Awesome Good Time

 I am a planner's planner. I'm a terrible procrastinator. My Meyer's Briggs tells me I prefer things settled and decided. I like to make lists so I can check off the items as I do them. Sometimes I do things and then write them down on my list just so I have something else to check off. However, when it came to Noah's 16th birthday -- I must have hit the pause button on my brain because I had no idea where we could go that would be cool, fun and something out of the ordinary. (That is, after his allergy testing and ENT appointment...I know! It sounds terrible -- How could I schedule those things on his birthday, but the reality was the ENT had taken a second look at Noah's CT scan and he wanted to see him and ordered allergy testing. Schedules were tight on both ends. It was either do it on Noah's birthday or wait til end of summer to be seen. Thankfully, my friend Barb came to the rescue. She called to wish him a Happy Birthday and told me she had heard about a local company that made youtube videos and offered tours. She was sketchy on the details, but one thing she mentioned got my attention -- they have a prize wheel to spin at the end of the tour. Hmmm...

I had no idea what Vat 19 was, but I was getting us a tour. It was either going to be really awesome and score me points with my surly teen or really stupid. I took a chance and we snagged the last remaining spots for the afternoon tour. As Noah and I headed out to his appointments, I asked Natalie to start watching some of Vat 19's videos because we needed to know what we were getting ourselves into.

When we returned home, Nat was still glued to youtube.

She began filling us in on what she learned, but her tidal wave of giddiness had us hearing a mish-mash of topics that didn't make sense like a toe of Satan sucker, a spicy nut challenge, a burrito blanket and something about a man sitting in a tub of putty. She was talking so quickly and her voice went up two octaves as she spoke.

"I couldn't stop watching them," she said. 

"Great! Get in the car. We need to go now if we are to be on time." I replied.

As the kids and I entered the doors of Vat 19, our mouths remained closed as our brains tried to take in the potpourri of  eye candy --  a stuffed toy fox head on one side, an enormous floor to ceiling rendering of Abraham Lincoln made out of pennies on another. A skeeball game and dozens of toys and products adorned the tables while the walls were covered in artwork from Vat 19 fans from all over the world. I was still in the dark about what Vat 19 was about when our tour guide and company owner, Jamie, led us through the offices of the many departments who have contributed to Vat 19's gold button Youtube subscriber status. In a decade their subscriber-ship has swelled to nearly 7 million. They are closing in on earning Youtube's coveted 10 million subscriber diamond button award. Jamie talked about their company's history and pointed out some of the props from past videos like Just Cereal Marshmallows -- a five foot tall cereal box they filled with two million cereal marshmallows. Later he showed us the enormous gummy pizza box which once contained a gummy pizza so large each slice weighed in at 28 lbs! We met the product buyers writers, editors and actors who create videos to entice, entertain and sell "curiously awesome" and sometimes dumb, but awesome gifts. Everyone we met was kind and a good sport about answering everyone's questions. We walked through their extensive prop room and took in their various sets and camera equipment. I noticed many of the tour-goers talking excitedly amongst themselves when they spotted props from their favorite videos and being star struck as they had their photos taken with the actors. I patted myself (Thanks Barb!) on the back for scoring a fun day with my kids and grinned as I watched them entranced and enthused by all they saw. I could see the wheels turning in Nat's head.

"I can't decide if I would rather be one of the writers, editors or the actors! I want to do it all!"shared Nat.

Next we had the opportunity to preview a video not yet released for a new toy they are about to launch. We ended the tour with a trip to their warehouse. Since Vat 19 is strictly an online store, it was kind of a special opportunity to shop the aisles live and in person.

Vat 19's 16 catergories of products includes gummy, spicy stuff, fun and strange stuff, thinking putty, crazy candy food and drink and much more!

I found anniversary gifts for Steve and a birthday gift for Barb. The kids each bought Vat 19 hats which they have been happily wearing every day.

Here are some of our favorite videos. If you are looking for something fun to do to connect with your kids -- especially your tweens and teens - I highly recommend a trip to their Maryland Heights headquarters.

Toe of Satan Lollipop Challenge
Gummy versus Real Challenge #1
7 Gifts So Dumb They are Actually Awesome
Gummy Versus Real: Live Animal Edition

 

Letting Go of 15

Yesterday was Noah's birthday yet it has taken me a full day to process my 15 year old is now 16. Why? 16 is only 365 days older than 15. It's no big deal, right?

Not for me.

This month we had Noah's transitional IEP. Since Noah would be turning 16 before his next IEP, Special School District begins looking at his case a little bit differently. Things get real. The SSD case manager begins asking questions like what path/future do you see for your child. Do you see him working full time in a competitive job? Part-time? Volunteer work only? Does he have stamina to work a 4-5 hour shift?
Next came a question I've wondered about, but had never addressed formally with educators

Is Noah pursuing a high school diploma or a certificate of completion?

When the SSD case manager asked the question, I didn't answer immediately. Instead other members of Noah's educational team began wrestling with the question aloud.

"I don't know. This is so hard. I see so much potential in him. He is smart in so many ways." said Cindy, Noah's OT/counselor/friend. (She has been part of our journey since Noah was five years old.)

(I've heard this kind of talk for most of Noah's school career, yet, he's now 16 and test scores and his current output of work seem to point his future in another direction. In my heart I knew but my mouth remained silent)

Next came a voice from an educator, an expert and someone I consider my friend. Always kind, and patient, yet firm and convicted. She spoke up when I couldn't.
"I think he is 16 now and it's time. I think a certificate of completion is appropriate," said Mary, Miriam School Head of School.

When she spoke I knew it was true. In my mind I envisioned a set of heavy doors slamming shut. I began making a mental list of other things that were also true.
* Noah is almost 16, but he will never drive a car.
* Noah is 16, yet he isn't ready to leave our street without supervision
* Noah is 16, but I can't leave him home alone for more than an hour to run to the store.
It was like I was trying to punish myself for letting go. For giving up or giving in.

But, Mary spoke up again, her voice pulled me from the negative mental vortex I was dragging myself down into.

"I think Noah would be a good candidate for the Succeed program at UMSL."

(I had never heard of this before, however, the idea of Noah taking part in a college program gave me a flutter of hope -- his path may not be straight, but the opportunities are still wide open)

Hope floats, it raises you up so you can tackle another day.

Yesterday Noah turned 16, but I turned a corner. I'm less fearful for what lies ahead. I'm talking to God more. I'm letting go...of 15, anyway.

Happy 16th Birthday Noah!
I may need to look up - to look you in the eye and I may not be able to carry you in my arms, but...
"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as your living, my baby you'll be."
Robert Munsch

A Day in the Life of a Mom

As a mom sometimes days run into each other. A long, hard day velcros itself to an even longer, sleepless night. Back to back without a reprieve. The other night thunderstorms had Truvy restless and noisy. From 12:30 p.m. til 2:30 a.m. she rang her bells to go out, circled her bed, clicked her nails on our wood floors as she paced from room to room. I called her to bed. I commanded her to "go lay down".I even brought out the heavy...the pink, polka dotted jacket that she loathes to wear, but it often calms her as a thunder jacket might.
None of these things worked. In the end I found myself standing in the rain with weighted lids at nearly 3 am. At 5:30 a.m. Steve's alarm went off. I dozed for a few minutes before rising with him. I kissed him out the door at 6, then turned to Truvy who seemed bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to face the day.
 "Do you want to wake the kids?" But, before I got to the end of my question, she was already sitting outside Natalie's bedroom door. She was ready to get their day started. The morning was fraught with anticipation and a little anxiety on Nat's part. She was getting her braces off and was worried it would hurt or she'd gag while they took impressions to create her retainer.
Once we had successfully coaxed Truvy into the crate, we headed out the door at 7:15 a.m. to pick up our carpool, drop her off at school and then head to the orthodontist for an 8:30 a.m. appointment for both kids. An hour later we emerged from the office with one kid in braces and one without! Woo hoo! Back on the road I headed to Town & Country to drop Noah off at school then drove back to Webster Groves to drop Nat at her school. It was now almost 10 a.m. I returned home, released the beast and took advantage of the reprieve from rain. I walked the dog til 11 a.m then carried her to the car (as she is still less than enthusiastic about car rides) to take her to the vet for a flu shot. Once we returned home I tried unsuccessfully to load her back into the crate. At 12 noon I was back on the road again with my fluffy sidekick. This time we were headed back to Town & Country to pick Noah up from school at 12:30 as he had a half day. After dropping off our carpool Truvy dog began barfing in the backseat. It wasn't pretty-- the volume produced was actually quite epic especially since it was 1 p.m. and she hadn't eaten since 6 a.m. I pulled up to the house -- hosed out the car, hosed off the dog, hosed off myself then drove to McD's because I had promised to take Noah out to lunch. As I turned into the drive through I realized I could no longer ignore the searing headache -- a vice pressing on either side of my temples. I returned home -- apparently Mother of the Year to my son who loves cheeseburgers almost as much as he loves Star Wars. I took a shower and put myself to bed. It was now nearly 3 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. I was bolted from sleep as Truvy greeted Natalie with a hearty welcome and Nat made a beeline for my room.
"Mom, my permanent retainer fell out today at lunch."
Then Noah suddenly appeared and although it had been less than two hours since he ate lunch..."Mom, what's for dinner?"
This account is typical for me and likely commonplace for many moms.

I'm happy to report that today -- this Mother's Day I didn't have many to do's on my docket and bickering between the kids was mild. Noah made me a card and sang karaoke -- Elton John's "I'm Still Standing". How apropos. Natalie made me a card, a "chore voucher" and a worry pin (complete with a clothesline to hang it on). Steve played it safe and expressed his love with Kakao's chocolate caramels.  He's a smart man.
To all the strong women out there caring, cooking, cleaning and keeping their children from killing one another  -- Happy Mother's Day to you!

Deep Thoughts From Noah #94

I just walked in from having my hair cut into a new 'do. Upon seeing me Noah said, "Mom! You look so cute!" then he joked that he almost thought "stranger danger" when he first saw me.

Deep Thoughts From Noah #93

Noah: Mom, I named my voice crack.
Me: You did...what do you call it?
Noah: Jimmy
Me: As in Jimmy Cracked Corn? Noah, you are too much.
Noah: Who is that? No, I just named it Jimmy because I can.

Deep Thoughts From Noah #92

Me: Noah, I just received a call from Shrewsbury Parks Department -- You got the job!
Noah: Really?...So, I guess it was because of the interview?
Me: Yes! You did a great job!
Noah: Mom, would you email them and tell them it would be an honor?
Me: Of course.

June Who?

Natalie recently entered the St. Louis County Library's Write Stuff writing contest. She was competing with 6th, 7th and 8th graders and had to create a story 500 - 750 words, based on the following concept: someone wakes up in the morning, and no one remembers who they are. She didn't win the contest, but her story is a winner.

June Who? 

The sun rose, roosters crowed, pigs snorted and turkeys gobbled.

June lifted her head off her pillow and squinted at the acres of land she could see through her window. Cattle were scattered across the fields, grazing. She heard footsteps and threw her beloved stitched quilt over her head and pretended she was still asleep.

“Roy! Taylor! David! Get yer lazy bums off yer beds and get up! The cows need a-milkin’ and the chickens have laid eggs during the night and…” a stern voice yelled.

She knew immediately it was her Grandma, from the toughness in her voice and the slow-as-molasses walk. The floorboards creaked, bedsprings groaned, and door hinges squeaked as June’s three eager brothers leaped out of their beds.

“Breakfast!” they sang in a happy, hungry chorus.

The smell of bacon and biscuits and gravy wafted through the hallway and June sighed as she slowly flipped her covers off of her. She put on her favorite button-up shirt and overalls, stumbled into the hallway and into the kitchen. As she slumped into a chair, she realized her family’s eyes were all on her.

“What?” June asked sleepily, snatching a piece of bacon off her plate.

Her Ma’s eyes and mouth were wide open. Roy’s eyebrows were arched. Taylor’s forehead and nose was squished in confusion. David’s face was covered in gravy.

It was Grandma who first spoke.

“Excuse me, do we know you?” she said.

June dropped her bacon. She giggled nervously, thinking her family was just playing a big joke on her.

“Um, I’m June. Remember?

David looked up from his meal.

“I don’t have a sister.” he said, unhelpfully.

Ma slowly backed away.
“Dear, we don’t know who you are.”

June frowned. This joke was getting annoying.

“Guys, quit fooling around.

Ma picked up the telephone.

“Hon, do you know where your parents live? Do you know their phone number?”

June huffed, “Stop! I am June! You know exactly who I am!”

The family shook their heads in unison.

“You...you all don’t remember who I am?” asked June.

David put a messy hand on her shoulder.

“It’s all right, lil’ girl. We’ll find your Ma and Pa soon enough.”

June huffed, “You really don’t know? Are you people insane?”

The family shrugged.

“Unbelievable!” shouted June.

She grabbed another piece of bacon and a biscuit and stormed back to her bedroom, where she hid under her covers, eating her food and getting massive crumbs all over her bed. June sniffled and pulled out her prized storybook, Alexander the Dragon and 525,600 More Stories about Dragons.

A few hours later, Ma walked into her bedroom and sat down on her bed. June poked

up from underneath her blankets, pouting. Ma began to stroke June’s head.

June huffed “So you remember me now?”

Ma smiled, and started to laugh.

“Actually, honey, the strangest thing happened! We were going to call the police to help

us solve this mess, when David noticed something on one of our flour packages!”

June perked up.

“There was apparently side-effects under the list of ingredients! ‘Craving of walnuts,

extreme memory loss (for a few hours) and the mindset of a chicken...’ You better

believe we will NEVER use that flour again!”

June began to laugh, and the two hugged and felt relief. She lifted her head toward her

mother, and suddenly frowned.

“What’s wrong?” Ma asked.

June’s eyebrows crinkled, “Do I know you?”