Learning, Learning

The first full week of kindergarten is under Jack's belt. Yesterday his folder was brought home in the backpack just as it is everyday. Fridays, it seems, are a rather enlightening day of the week as moms and dads get to read a little anecdotal note that has been recorded about their child's progress. I like this idea very much as Jack doesn't tell very complete stories about his day. The only regular and consistent kindergarten report that we receive at home is the story of how Jack goes outside everyday for three recesses. The recesses are hot. Jack just wants to get into the tunnel slide "for some shaaaade, but everyone just keeps sliding into" him. Ohhh, Jack.

Anyway, I read the Friday note about Jack. And I enjoyed a good laugh.

"Jack is a sweetheart," she says. "He likes to make silly noises with his mouth at group time. I am encouraging him to save those noises for recess time."

Chuckling. I wish her the best of luck with her encouragement.

Additionally, Jack is working at home on shoe-tying. The kindergarten teachers are adamant that they will not tie shoes nor teach the kids how to complete the task. I can't say I blame them... wow, this is hard! Jack has a handle on the procedure and knows exactly where all the strings go and at what time. It's just the doing that is tricky. He's sure getting close!

On the Emma front, she is working at home on waving goodbye. She has, for a long time, been able to raise the hand in a "Hello!" or "Farewell!" gesture. This morning, though, she noticed that daddy moves his fingers up and down when he waves goodbye. Hmmm... that interested her. Emma is sitting now, studying her hand, awkwardly imitating the motion.

Learning is a process. I love to be the witness.

90 Seconds

The ornery baby at our house has just located (with lasting memory) the stairs. Yeah, that's right. "Uh-oh." I put Jack in the bath the other night and returned to the lower level of our house, having been away from Emma for not longer than a minute and a half.

I found her on the third stair.

I remember hearing myself let out this strange yelp-gasp-scream combo of a sound. And then, not longer than another minute and a half later, the words "additional baby gate" were added to the grocery list.

2008 Season Concluded

Jim competed in his final triathlon of the 2008 season this past weekend. It was Republic's second annual Tiger Tri . It's an ever growing event, it seems, with this year's total of competing athletes reaching above 300. In the end, Jim finished 15th (overall) and 2nd in his age group. Here's a handful of pictures from Jim's last two triathlons of the 2008 season. Good job, Jim!

Nifty Tracking Thingymabob

I was reading a most entertaining blog entry the other day. It was about who visits the entry author's website and why they come, in particular. (The writer also threw in some scattered opportunities to laugh that this reader appreciates, thank you very much.) My point is that I think I relate to that commentary/curiosity about blog readers.

My own nifty website tracking thingymabob sheds a little light about why you've come here, and I have to say that I'm fascinated at all the ways people stumble across The Hoodenpyle Family's bloggy little path.

Some visits are purposeful, and I know that when I see you've simply googled "hoodenpyle family blog." Glad you found who you were looking for, by the way. What's new with you?

Some visits are hilariously accidental though. While I'm totally unashamed to laugh at your expense, it must be frustrating to be in earnest internet search of "Silver Dollar City Salt Water Taffy" outlets and ultimately be led to this spot. All you find is one girl's rant... and not much of anything about the taffy (unless you look at the comments).

Many of you seem to want to genuinely know more about "Ozarks Tarantulas." I'm sorry about that. It was a good story though, you have to admit.

If you're wanting to know about "Grandpa Humor" (and it seems that a LOT of you are) maybe it'll make you less annoyed to know that I wasn't aware that this was a real and searchable term. It just seemed like a good title.

Lastly, I apologize to all of the loyal fans of Ice Cube... or is it Ice T? Regardless, I'm glad you stopped by.

Happy 101st blog entry, by the way. Where's a cupcake with a candle on it when you have real need?

Zzzzzzz.

New school year. New schedules. New routines. You might say that everybody's tired.

How Was School, Dear?

Life goes on no matter how hard you try to dig in your heels, doesn't it? Today was the first day of school for exactly one half of the people who live in my house. And with summer's hasty exit, I've noted yet another application of the Cinderella song, "Don't Know What You Got (Til It's Gone)." (Excuse me while I consider the valid point of the song title, all the while completely making fun of the band. There's nothing better than the silhouette of a guy who's used too much hairspray.... swaying in his long 80's coat.... jamming on his guitar..... in front of a lake backdrop....)

I've gotten off track.

So, how was the first day of school? "Good." Yeah, it seems like that's about all I'm going to get out of Jack. Just like last year in preschool, we have only sketchy pieces of stories on how this, his first day of kindergarten, went. Although he's not the best at reporting, here's what we do know:


"I asked the teacher over and over if we were going to do centers. She said we would do centers. We didn't do centers."


Also, we know that he did some sort of project over the picture book, "The Kissing Hand." And of this project, he is very protective. See the following video of typical Jack problem-solving.

On my end, school was also "good." From what I can tell, I have a sweet group of kids who helped me survive the day. Here we all are having some fun.

Emma is not nearly old enough for school yet, but that doesn't mean that she's not learning new things. Here she is showing off her latest trick, but don't blink. It's quick.

It's Been Fun

It's been fun, summertime. Let's meet up here again next year - same time, same place.

Kindergarten Homework

Jack starts kindergarten on Wednesday. All conversations with family and friends involve the big kindergarten question these days, "Jack, are you excited about being in kindergarten this year?!" He smiles and says, "Yes!" And then, I've noticed there's always a look immediately following this question- a look at me. It's a look that searches my face out of concern and really asks, "Is mom okay with her child growing up and taking this huge step???"

Well, sure I am. I guess it's less of a big transition for all of us because Jack has been going to preschool for two years already. And it helps that he's been in the very building that would-be kindergarteners would go as well. So yeah, Jack's excited. And Mom is doing okay too.

But I am laughing, and I'll tell you why.

I'm sitting here at the last minute of a Sunday night before the kindergarten Open House, and I'm doing homework. This probably isn't funny to most, but it's worth a chuckle in my book. As a teacher you always wonder why such large portions of homework and various projects are done completely by the parents of your students. Why do these adults do this to themselves? Math homework returns to school in the perfect mom-ish handwriting. Projects are carried into school by dads who have a mysterious twinkle of ownership in their eyes. And Valentine boxes... yep, I remember that Mom always made my masterpiece too.

Over the years, I've decided for myself. That's not going to happen in my family. Oh, I'll be available to help and supervise if needed, but Jack will always be the major contributor. For sure. Absolutely. No doubt about it.

But here it is- past eight now. Jack's in the bath, and I'm alone in the middle of the floor with my black magic marker. I have written "Jack H." on every item on the list. Glue bottle, glue sticks, scissors, watercolors, notebook, backpack... all labeled and re-checked. As per his teacher's instructions, even every individual crayon and marker bears Jack's name.

This first major assignment of kindergarten is complete, and I just want it documented that mine is the hand that is cramping for it. Serves me right, doesn't it?

The Hoodenpyle Olympics

On these last few days of our summer together, the Hoodenpyles have been enjoying the Summer Olympics on television. (Well... excluding Jack, who sometimes is into them but more often says, "How many more days are we going to have to watch these races? I want to watch SpongeBob.) And in keeping with the Olympic spirit of things, some household medaling of our own seems appropriate.

Emma Hoodenpyle:
Events: Synchronized Napping (Gold), Pulling Up to Furniture and Then Toppling... and Then Crying (Gold), Snorting (Gold)

Jack Hoodenpyle:

Events: Nonstop Talking (Gold), Speed Toothbrushing (*despite some scandal having been raised in the media recently over whether he does actually brush ALL of his teeth while engaged in the event... investigation is pending.) (Gold)

Jim Hoodenpyle:

Events: Speed Toothbrushing (Silver), Recliner Swimming While Watching Michael Phelps (Gold), Speed Lawn-Mowing (Gold)

Whitney Hoodenpyle:

Events: Synchronized Napping (Gold), Mattress Somersaulting (Disqualified)

Cookie Hoodenpyle:

Events: Frantic Running For No Reason (Gold), Target Puking (Gold)

Miscellaneous Things That Don't Fit Into Other Blog Posts

Another hodge podge entry is due... it's been awhile since I've had a busy week like this, and at the end of it, let whatever's in the brain (however unrelated) just kind of hiccup out and onto the screen in a big pile. Here we go with no real plan or outline... we'll see what happens.

First and foremost, Emma started saying "Mama" recently. At first we were very excited, and I was secretly thrilled as "Dada" typically comes first. "Yeah, meee!" So yeah, I felt pretty important.

Aaaaand then it seemed evident that Emma's "mama" was just her babble talk, referring to nothing in particular. "Mama" as she crawled around on the floor. "Mama" as she sat in her walker. "Mama" as she talked to her toys. You get it.

Aaaaand then I felt pretty stupid as we realized that "Mama" could actually be her word for "I despise the current state of things, Moron. Do something about it." We hear it now when she cries. We hear it when she has bumped her head. You might say that "mama" has shifted into the baby profanity category.

And since we are talking about profanity... Jack turns out to have inherited the gene that causes one to sling your first bad word (like you mean it) toward a video game. Once upon a time, I remember calling Frogger a "bastard" just as he missed his passing log under my control. I was mortified when my mother stopped in her tracks, and I learned that I'd just said something completely unacceptable. She was sympathetic enough not to punish me, observing that I was three shades deeper red in the cheeks and terribly embarrassed. I never said it again as a young person. (Remind me, sometime, and I'll tell you about the day that I first sang Madonna's, "Like a Virgin" around the house.)

A couple of nights ago, Jim and Jack were enjoying the old-school Super Mario Brothers 3, and Jack's character hit one of those ugly turtles - the ones that look like they have a turkey waddle on the chin. (Who designed these things?) He shouted out with exasperation, "What the Hell?" Jim immediately paused the game, and we looked at each other as if to say, "What the Hell did he just say?" Now Jack knows better. He heard it on a show, but he's very sorry. He'll never say it again. The teariness has subsided, and his cheeks are no longer bright red. Poor little guy.

New topic. I bought Jim a shirt recently. Backstory: Jim hates the very existence of croc shoes. In fact, he banned them from Jack's closet for the longest time. But, as you know by now... crocs don't ever seem to go away. They don't die. (Jack does own a pair now by the way... they make great pool shoes.) So I saw the following shirt on the internet, and purchased it for Jim, laughing hysterically the entire time. And now, the shirt has arrived. Jim has opened it and given me a little chuckle.

And now Jim has folded it up and put it on the floor beside his chair to return to working. Ahhh, well... it seemed funny at the time.

Unexpected subject change.. (coaxing Daddy out of his office - the Emma way.)

And last... I think I'm about ready to dust my hands of classroom preparation. The grunt work is about done. What do you think?

Give Some Thought to Thinking on Thoughts

Danavee sent me a link via email this morning that totally appeals to the teenager in me - the one that took every single quiz the teeny-bopper magazines used to offer her. Since then, I guess I've not grown up all that much. Or if we look at it in a more constructive light, I love to understand the way people think, and this includes learning more about myself. Being a teacher, one is encouraged to continue learning and going to school throughout one's career. And in doing so, I've learned more about people's thinking patterns than I ever thought I would (and have incidentally collected a very meaningful Master's degree... heh heh heh, it's not that meaningful).

I guess people have their own thinking/learning 'fingerprint' - and although there are defined categories that some experts outline and obviously believe in, I think it's amazing how uniquely and intricately our brain's are wired, built, and created as a masterpiece. Some of the most interesting classes or workshops that I've taken have to do with multiple intelligences, personal thinking patterns, yada yada yada. (I don't get too caught up in the titles of these theories as I'm so distracted/mesmerized by the actual content within them, see.) Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed these books by Markova and Powell, and for a short time, I became obsessed with "typing" all of my friends, family, students, and people who approached within 15 feet of me. (I fit into the VAK group, by the way, and if you were ever close to me, it's pretty darn likely that I've silently surveyed and tentatively classified you too once upon a time... you may just not know it.)

Now, having said that --- I'm not really sure if I've swallowed this material for absolute truth in my readings, but I will say that it sure is fascinating. And I *hate it when analytical evaluative tools (or worse yet, people) take their assessment of you, smack it on your forehead with surety, and then you think to yourself, "Uhh... no. That's not quite me. You're so far off the mark, aren't you?"

Maybe that's why it's so fun when something comes along and gets it so right. This stuff, above, pegs my style of thinking/behaving pretty darn well. And it helps me understand other people's thinking and behavior better --- an added bonus to my life and profession.

Big sighhhh. And after all this serious discussion... Danavee comes along with her fun email. And doesn't it make you grin when something silly like this gets it pretty darn right too?! (laughing...) Hitting "redo", I believe, will erase my junk, and then the flipping-through-the-magazine teenager in you can play too. Fun.


*other things I hate (but that are distantly related to the blog entry above):
...the automatic and arrogantly presumptive thingy in the cell phone that predicts your thoughts and tries to "help" you finish your words via text. Ugh... just let me do it myself! Is there a way to stop that function?

Stinkin' Cute

Monday Piddling

Okay... it's the first week of August, and I'm back at work. I'll admit that I'm always a little excited and depressed by this... all at the same time. It's daunting to come into an empty, broken apart classroom that needs restoring and the reestablishment of the school year routines. But it's fun in a weird way too. The walls are bare, May's calendar is still up from a time when I ran out a little too hastily last school year, and everything has a layer of grimy dust that needs wiping. With a couple of weeks yet until school starts, I'm here by myself... partly focused and working, partly piddling and playing. Right now I guess I'm piddling. It's quiet in the room, and I haven't yet put on the yellow rubber gloves to start scrubbing desks. Instead I'm thinking of you - my own form of stalling today. You have a lot of different faces as I write this, and I wonder where you are as you read. Often you have my mom's face. Or sometimes you are another family member. Sometimes you are one among my small circle of girlfriends. Could it be that you are a friend that I've been sad to lose contact with? Or maybe you're someone I don't know well at all. Either way you're here, and since you are, let's piddle away some minutes together and further delay the work we must get done today.



Let's pass the time by playing a game. Pick one (or more if you insist on showing off) of the following questions, and answer via comments today, tomorrow, or whenever you show up. I'll play too.


1. Name one great thing about Mondays (because naming the unappealing things would be too easy).

2. Name all the objects in your immediate proximity that begin with the letter "d."

3. Would you rather have a pet chinchilla or pot bellied pig if you could choose between only the two? Defend your answer.

4. What one item would you purchase for yourself if money were no object and nobody really cared that you were indulgent and completely selfish for buying it?

5. Name one compulsive habit that you have, don't really understand, but you do it anyway.

6. List the first three breakfast cereals that come to mind.

7. What is the earliest memory you have? How old do you think you were when you were in that moment?

8. Back to the Future I, II, or III? (No brainer.)

9. Name a life goal that you haven't accomplished yet but want to.

10. Make up your own random question. Answer it.


It is strongly encouraged that you play, and avoid being a stick in the mud - yeah, even if you've never commented before. I'm pulling on the rubber gloves and leaving you some time to think about it.