MonsterBlog

Still Here!

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 07:41:00 +0000

Yes, we are still here.

Okay, bye.

Soccer Season is here!

noreply@blogger.com (MonsterMom) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:47:00 +0000

And with that comes the pure awesomeness that was yesterday's boys game. The kids played last year, and I coached last year. It was a year of frustration and great anguish for me. Tuesdays were spent frustrated as I was attempting to get these 7 boys to at least somewhat pretend to pay attention to what i was trying to teach them. One day we had guest coaches come from the soccer camp and take my team. I sat amazed watching as these 7 little monsters listened and did what was asked of them. I then tried to convince (my awesome) assistant coach to talk with an accent because those other two coaches seemed to hold their complete attention. Well this year has proved to be so much better!!!
My boys team is great. We play freeze tag while dribbling a soccer ball to warm up, not only do they do it without taking off in 20 different directions but they are running and showing great ball control. Even more importantly they all seem to be having a lot of fun with it. In our game yesterday it started with my great surprise as Matt was actually playing. He was getting in front of the ball getting in the middle of a group of kids and actually kicking the ball. It was completely crazy! He played more in the first quarter than he did all of last season. In the second Quarter HE SCORED A GOAL!!!! Our team did so well we had to 'close the goal' in the second half beecause we were beating the other team so badly(not that we keep score in a U6 game but...). Last year I would never have dreamed that we would ever close the goal. As it stands right now I am not dreading Tuesday practices and Saturday games. I am looking forward to seeing these kids play and learn and have fun with a sport I love.

The girls game.... that might be another story. last year Katy loved soccer she played fairly well I was the assistant coach and never had to do much becasuse her awesome coach seemed to handle it all so well. THis year I am the coach. it is hard. 7 year old girls are moody. I say lets go_______ and get eye rolls and sighs. I will give out positions and get them before I can even say what position they are going to. Oh well. I have hope that the season will go ok and I will still be able to tolerate other peoples kids. Our asssitant coach had a great way of teaching the girls to play defense and a couple of the girls love playing fullback (they understand positions at this age...yea.) they were an unstoppable force. It is going to be a challenge for me to move them all around the field and let them play all the positions when I know the goal end of the field is safe when they are there. we have a forward with one heck of a boot. I hate that she loves forward so much because she is meant to be a center half. she gets the ball and though somewhat slothlike in practice (yes I did say run....) the game starts and she is on fire. Katy.... well lets just say that last year she was really good at soccer this year I am thinking we will be looking at art classes or a book club or something she finds interesting because soccer definitely does not seem to be her forte. She did get 2 books from the library after (both scholastic says are about a 6th grade reading level) and she finished the second this morning before getting out of bed. We always knew she was smart but holy moly she is 6 years old and reading at a 6th grade level.

totally OT but as it might take another 3 months to update. Johnny turned 3 in August.... did nothing of interest buit had fun with a couple friends. He started preschool last week and loved it. Working in the class with 20 3 year olds is very tiring. I came home and took a nap... then went to bed early. I am still tired 3 days later. Y

ea, nap time is calling.

See Spot Run

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Okay, so this posting is really delayed, but Lisa can do these too you know...

On Thursday, May 28th, 2009, our house got another Reader. For some time now Matt has been trying to learn his letters and read all the exciting books that Katy keeps talking about. We have told him how she has two school levels on him and just to give it time, but he is a persistent bugger. That magic switch has flipped in his head and he is now reading. We bought the "Bob Books" series to help Katy learn to read and I must say Matt is one-uping her on it. He made it through seven of the progressive books before he hit a bit of a snag and got frustrated on some letter combination sounds, but overall is doing a great job "smooshing" letter sounds into their words. There are some letters that just aren't clicking (U does not make the wa sound, as it turns out) and Lisa has to remind him often that the only permanent rule in the English language is that there are no permanent rules in the English language. You forget how confusing it all is until you try to teach someone. Something as simple as letter sounds - Y makes the ya sound.. unless it is at the end of a word like Katy, then it makes the eee sound, which is different from the E sound which is eh... Yes son, my head hurts too.

I have some video but it needs to be cut down for your viewing pleasure. I will get that up... eventually. If you want, Matt would be happy to read to you personally instead.

And for my next trick

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:22:00 +0000

Johnny continues to amaze, folks. Today, he was able to climb into his car seat and buckle himself in! Add this to his very nearly completed potty training and you have yourself one little big-man ready to take on preschool next year.

Katy and Matt of course are growing as well, but that swell of amazing progress is not quite the same in the older kids. Katy is reading everything she can get a hold of and loves to let everyone know that the librarian gave her books for "3rd through 5th graders".

Katy and Matt also have some exciting news - they are both getting glasses like their parents. If you think of an eye exam as a test, I would have to say Matt passed and Katy failed miserably - but this has nothing to do with the results. Matt answered very clearly and consistently as to what he could see and when the letters were too blurry, etc. Katy, however, wanted glasses so badly that her eyes could not focus. A number of times the question of "Which is better, 1 or 2?" was followed by "Neither". We tried hard not to laugh, but we also failed at that test. This was followed by the glasses selection - where the main criteria was what Disney-oriented label was affixed to the sample lenses (which Matt insists helped his sight).

Overview of awesome

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Here is a profile shot of this beauty

The Coolest Thing Ever

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:09:00 +0000

Our Pavilions has new kids' carts. But instead of just thowing a
cheesey plastic car on the front of a half cart, they have outdone
themselves. This tricked out, pimped out ride has locking doors, an
overhead basket, and not one but two screens! The child (Johnny) can
stay occupied with Wonder Pets (pictured above) among other current
Nick Jr. hits while the parent is free to ignore a number of coupons
and video tips.

Sadly, Matt was folded in half while trying to enjoy the splendor.
Good to know that even today the cool stuff always arrives too late,
just like when I was young.

Congratulations are in Order

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:03:00 +0000

The Hapkido Monsters have struck again (literally). On Friday, they both tested and earned their new belts in the Korean Martial Art.

Katy got to break her first board by applying a strong running jump side kick. She suffers the same infliction as Matt, however, and it took a couple times for her to remember not to jog and skip gingerly across the mats before bouncing off the balsa wood. Matt had a new kick this time - the turn kick. It is a relatively harder kick to aim, but perfect for him because it involves spinning around in a circle and kicking behind you, which he does as often as possible. Matt was also tested on his nunchuck skills (Napoleon, eat your heart out). MonsterMom loves that, because it means now we can put them away and no one has to touch them again for many months. We are eager to find out which weapon he will be training on next. We think it will be the bong, which is good because he hasn't used it since he got it for Christmas.

That's right. A bong. For Christmas. For a 4 year old.

P.S. - Bong is Korean for staff (long fighting stick)

Anyone have the number to social services?

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 06:52:00 +0000

We had a great dinner tonight with Uncle Sean and his fiancé Shannon. We went out to a restaurant that Lisa and I had been to in Colorado, but only once. It was a great atmosphere, great food, and just a fun time overall. It can be so hard finding good kid-friendly places sometimes. Matt and I won a round of Bingo while we ate, and Sean (with lots of help from Johnny) won a customer-modeling contest. We will definitely have to go back there next time we go out with them.

Did I mention the name of the restaurant? No? It was a little place called Hooter's.

Don't judge. They have great food and it was really fun. Yes, their "uniforms" are... unusual. But cleavage not withstanding it was a great place for the kids. It was loud and busy, perfect for our monsters to be monsters. And where have you played Bingo and strutted your stuff while stuffing your face with hot wings and burgers?

That's what I thought.

(Despite Matt's request otherwise, we let Sean keep the calendar we won)

A Day of Painting

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:49:00 +0000

Today was a beautiful day at the beach. And surprisingly, we actually
did go to the beach...

Matt's preschool is continuing their fundraising by painting tiles for
their playgroun wall. The monsters were a bit upset not to be
included, but luckily they had their own painting to do.

It's March!

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:02:00 +0000

Wow, another month gone and not a blog update in sight.

I really don't have much to say, just seemed a shame that we haven't updated in so long. So what has happened in the past month? Well, not a whole lot. We are about 28 days closer to summer. Johnny's spot has been reserved for Preschool next year at Seal Beach Playgroup. It isn't technically our first choice, even though Matt goes there. Our first choice is Sun N' Fun. Why, you may wonder? Is it a better school? More prestigious? Cheaper? Not really. But it is right across the street from our house. Literally. Yes, we are that picky in our preschool choice. Unfortunately, they only accept about 25 kids per year and we have a feeling they will not have room for new/non-alum students. No big loss, we are pretty happy with Playgroup. I just hope we get better jobs next year...

Don't Throw Your Underwear on the Table

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:39:00 +0000

Isn't it amazing what we find ourselves saying as parents? Things you would never, ever, ever imagine ever saying. Ever. Things like "Don't lick the dog", or "The cheese does not go in your hair". We have talked a few times about writing a book and including all the inconceivable things that come out of our mouths. You know we won't, but it is fun to talk about.

Oh the joys of being a parent.

Any Given Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Hard to beat a lazy afternoon in the yard with a skateboard. Except
perhaps going to spend the night at Nana's after.

Attempt two

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Let's try this again...

Testing, Testing, 1 2 3

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:03:00 +0000

This is a test posting from my phone. You may have noticed that the last posting's video was not of the best quality, so I am experimenting with an alternative that can be accomplished completely mobile instead of having to be home to upload and convert the file. If all goes well, I should even be able to watch the video from my phone =)

Wish me luck!

Teacher's Helper

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:58:00 +0000

We were hesitant when Katy asked to join Hapkido. For so long it had been Matt's domain and we wanted him to have "his" thing without feeling pressure and competition from his sister. But since Matt had graduated to his Green belt and moved up to the big kids class, we figured he had enough of a head start and let Katy join, half expecting her to drop out after a month or two when the novelty of it wore off. Were we wrong. Katy is going strong in class and should be testing for her first belt later this month. Not only that, but she is so good at the motions that Mr. Kim had her teaching the new kid!

Happy Birthday Matt!!

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:17:00 +0000

These kids just keep getting older.

Take Me Out To The

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Hockey game! We took the older two monsters to their very first Ducks game tonight. At 3 hours long, we didn't think Johnny would be interested. Crazy, I know. Katy and Matt had a nice enough time, but I think it was pushing their attention boundaries as well. I sat next to Matt who asked a million questions about what was happening the whole time. Luckily since the kids were in soccer I had a basic framework to draw a comparison to most things. Every time the Ducks scored a goal, they blew what can only be described as a foghorn. Not exactly quiet in the confined Honda Center. Katy seemed to like it, but Matt lived in fear of the next time it blew. BTW - Ducks beat the New Jersey Devils 4 - 3

Fun at high school musical on ice

noreply@blogger.com (MonsterMom) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 04:46:00 +0000

On a spur of the moment girls night katy and I got to join the Pekar
girls at high school musical on ice.

What Day is It?

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:53:00 +0000

It can't really be Christmas Eve already. It can't. I know the calendar says 24th, but I just don't buy it. The year has gone by way too quickly and we just don't feel that "holiday season" feeling you are supposed to get around this time of the year. Is this part of growing old and losing that Christmas magic or is it just an off year? We've been so busy taking care of the day to day family needs that perhaps we just haven't had time to otherwise greet December properly. Add my Night Shift schedule to the mix and you have a recipe for craziness with no room for prepatory cheer leading up to the big day.

I can only hope to drown my lack of Christmas cheer in some sparkling cider and cool new toys. =)

On a positive note, we did have a lot of fun with Auntie and all the Happy Family. Since there is no snow around, we decided instead to go sand-sledding at the beach. I would frankly prefer coming home wet to sandy, but it was a lot of fun and we are thinking it should become a family tradition.

It's about time

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 07:14:00 +0000

Johnny is finally a full Berry child!

This afternoon the little bugger was getting himself in a bit of
trouble. I can't remember what he was doing, but he was upstairs and
was supposed to be downstairs and was refusing to correct that
situation. As is our habit, Lisa counted to three to give him a chance
to mend his ways.

One...

Two...

Three...

"Four" comes the reply from the top of the steps.

So there you have it. The smartass genes have awake from their dormant
state and are in full swing. I must say I am just a bit disappointed,
however. Katy got it at "three".

Win Some, Lose Some

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 10:08:00 +0000

She's at it again. Katy continues to grow up before our very eyes and this week's milestone is her first tooth... Or rather a lack of. After many days of a squeamish mother being grossed out by the wiggling, Katy's first loose tooth has become her first missing tooth. Just in time, too, because now for Christmas she can ask for her front tooth! Hopefully the Tooth Fairy, aka the Molenator, will cash in that legal tender for some big money. We'll see how the recession is hitting him in the morning.

Going Green

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 05:06:00 +0000

No, not the environmental kind.

Matt tested today and earned himself a fancy new Green Belt in Hapkido. The main page has been updated to include a video of his powerful jumping side kick breaking a medium-grade board.

Yes, that trophy is taller than Master Kim in the picture. I think he was ducking a little to reach Matt around the enormous structure because he is not a particularly short man. But no, that is not just a "Green Belt" trophy. It isn't even a Best Test trophy like he was awarded when he earned his Senior Orange Belt. We are proud of Matt for his Green Belt, but even more so because Matt was voted (by other parents, we swear) to be the 2008 Student of the Year in his age group. We in fact purposefully did not nominate him because there is no good place to display a 5'6" trophy in our house. In the presentation, he was honored as being well disciplined, respectful, committed, and just an all around great kid as voted by "a large majority of parents and instructors".

Along with his Green Belt, Matt officially "graduates" from the Little Ninja's program and advances into the Pee Wee program. That is where Katy is; Pee Wee level is for kids 6-9 and in First Grade and up. If you are scratching your head right about now, you remember correctly that Matt is still only in Preschool. And while other kids we know who are already 6 but in Kindergarten are being denied the chance to advance to Pee Wees, Master Kim believes that Matt is ready for the move a full year (by age) or two (by grade) ahead of schedule. By moving up he will now start getting into weapon techniques as well as grappling and sparring with students potentially twice his size. Now that is self-defense training!

look school is good for something

noreply@blogger.com (MonsterMom) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:05:00 +0000

who would have thought that the most productive thing I have done this semester was to take a photo class. It has forced me to put down the cell phone, dust off the camera and get at least one good shot of each of my kids. (so the learning and blah blah blah other stuff was worthwhile too I suppose) None of these pictures are exactly class material but they make great blog material...and hey they weren't taken from my phone.

so first picture first. Katy ot an award at McGaugh's award ceremony today. Proving that she really is our child (since looks weren't enough for anyone) she got an award for Math. We are very proud of our future little brainiac

Next is Matt. He just got the go ahead today (a little black strip on his belt) to test in the belt test this month. He will be going for his green belt and in doing so will graduate from teh little ninja program. This was at class last week as he was learning a new wrist escape technique that includes throwing the person. Luckily he had a great teacher showing him, and we could almost call him spazzy like Matt with the way he was throing himself on the mat during Matt's throws
Johnny gets left out of all the new exciting things he is doing which is pretty nice for a change. No major issues to complain about except maybe the part where he thinks he is allowed an opinion. But he is adorable as always, speaking in sentences, we are workign on the potty training thing much to his dismay (though to be fair I'm not sure how his pants will stay up without the diaper helping). Oh well, our little talker did refer to himself by name today so that was pretty exciting.

And thus it begins...

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:43:00 +0000

... the seemingly endless string of holiday meals that litter November and December.

Matt's school had the honor of serving us our first taste of Thanksgiving this morning. While I don't think the Pilgrims had the benefit of Mickey Mouse chicken nuggets, the student-made cornbread was pretty good.

Shining Star(s)

noreply@blogger.com (My2Sense) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:08:00 +0000

Despite he and his mother's best efforts to lose them, Matt has reached 100 stars at hapkido. Up to two stars are awarded each week to denote attendance, clean fingernails, and positive progress reports from home. To mark the occassion, his studio rewards what some might describe as a generous-sized, personalized trophy. Fortunately we didn't bring Lisa's fancy camera, but another hapkido/preschool mom was there and took some better pictures than these.