Sunday, May 6, 2018

Bearded Man Does Paint Night

     I write this, as I watch George play in a mud puddle, with the Tupperware he bought himself during the Maple Fest last weekend. I feel like the sales lady who sold it to him would have refused the sale, had she known what he planned for it. 

     This past weekend brought the Opening Ceremony for Little League baseball in our town. Every parent I know, had pictures of their children plastered all over Facebook. Super Mom here did not get even one picture of George in his uniform, nor even one part of the game. I figure I have lots of games coming up, I'm sure I will remember to take a picture eventually. While I did not manage to grab a photo of my kid, I did manage to get a few of the deer. All games at the field came to a standstill, as a deer wandered through to check things out. I've heard about this deer. Some say it's sick. Others say it's just domesticated. It lives in the village, and pretty much wanders around town socializing. I really don't know if it's healthy or not, but, the kids thought it was a fun addition to the games. 

     We really didn't have much time after the game, before we headed over to some friends house for a couple's paint night. Bearded Man's friend since school, Josh, and his wife Michelle hosted the paint night. Michelle is a very talented painter, and led the paint night for the rest of us. I should have known, when Bearded Man made a side stop for beer on the way, that it was going to be an interesting night. 
     It was the first time Bearded Man had ever attempted to paint anything that required using paint that didn't need to be mixed up at the paint counter of the Home Depot. Beer in hand, he gamely tucked in to attempt this unknown territory. He was the only person in attendance who hadn't yet done a paint night. At some point, it was decided by the men present, that every time the term "wispy" was used, a drink needed to be taken. There was a lot of wispy in our paintings. The more he drank, the louder he became. "Jasin! You are getting pretty loud..." I said, and I was informed that the only reason he seemed loud, was because I was sober. 
    Several times, everyone stopped to take breaks. And then got to talking and forgot to start back up again. I believe, all told, the paintings took approximately three and a half hours. Even though the men had taken entirely too many "wispy" related drinks, the paintings turned out pretty good. I was a little worried though, because today was the last day of Sunday School, and Bearded Man was an integral part of the plans. 
      The year that I played "Blue's Brothers" for the Last Day of Sunday School party has continued to haunt me as one of the most talked about memories in the household. Looking at my bored and unimpressed class a few weeks ago, I decided to talk about the last day party. Since I honestly have no VHS tapes that any 7th or 8th grader wants to sit through (It's Disney or Blue's Brothers around here. There's really nothing in between.) I hit on a stroke of inspiration, and asked them if they would like to do a hot dog roast outside in the church parking lot and gardens this year. I offered to bring our badminton net and racquets and a volley ball and all sorts of outdoor things to play with. It was the most enthused I've seen them all year. So, it was decided to plan an outdoor picnic. And then within ten minutes, it spread through the other Sunday School classes, and, we included all of them in the plans. 
      In addition to the badminton set, we brought a volley ball, basket ball, cones to make an obstacle course, piles of sidewalk chalk and stencils, a bubble machine, jump ropes, hula hoops and hot dogs, rolls and condiments. The other teachers brought food to add to the picnic, and we waited to see how it would go. Bubbles were floating through the festivities, and the kids arrived, walked past the teachers, and had the best day of Sunday School this year. They were spread all over the church grounds, engaged and content for the entire duration of the party. I did have to ask Kaila to please cover up the Illuminati symbol someone had drawn right in the middle of the rectory driveway, very nicely for the pastor to see. And, I also asked a group of boys to please cover up and/or erase the anatomically correct drawing of a male (monster? I don't even know. It was creepy)that was apparently urinating over a toilet. I decided to pick my battles, and let another drawing of a monster stay. Otherwise there were pictures of rainbows and flowers and such. 

   Jasin and Josh were texting each other first thing this morning to inquire as to the recovery of the wispy drinking. Neither of them drink more than the occasional libation normally, but, they both claimed to be in tip top shape this morning. I had been concerned that he wouldn't be functional for the Sunday School party today, but, he seemed okay. I had privately thought that possibly if he wasn't high functioning, I would finally be able to relinquish my "Blue's Brothers" notoriety. He seemed fine, if not quieter than usual, and managed to grill hot dogs and transport everything I needed him to with minimal complaint. 
     
     One more thing of note: Lexi has discovered Harry Potter. She's reading through the series faster then the library opens for her to get the next one. I am not even kidding when I say that she has been curled up in whatever quiet place she can find, reading those books, while wearing a tiara. A tiara because she is Lexi, and we expect nothing less from her. 
      Not sure if Joe will get into Harry Potter, or not. He's currently into mythology. I literally had to pause writing this to order the latest book in the current series he's working on. 
      Both of them sold flowers for the annual school 7th and 8th grade flower sale. The orders were turned in last week, and everything all set, when Bearded Man pointed out I will be out of town when they come in, and he has exactly no idea what the difference is between "Salmon" and "Pink" geraniums are. Nor does he know what  "blue pearl" vs "lipstick" impatiens are. This could be problematic, as, we sold lots of flowers. I think the best I can  do is have him bring them home, and water them occasionally until I can distribute them after I get back.

     One more update regarding the library book sale Mary Higgins Clark dilemma mentioned in the last Blog: I went back a few days later and bought them all. Every last one. 

     I am sure this could have been more exciting, but, this is the busiest time of year for us. I don't expect things to settle down again until school is out for the summer. Till next time!
 

     

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