Go 'Noles!

I Need a Nurse Pass

It is the procedure at my workplace to send ill children to the school nurse. One listens sympathetically to the list of symptoms and then records the problem on the standard issue nurse pass. The child then carries the pass, often hobbling for dramatic effect, downstairs to the comforting nurse.

Today, I think I need a nurse pass. On my pass, I would not write "is sure her papercut is infected" or "thinks her ear is going to fall off." I have written complaints not unlike this for children many times, and those children are surely convinced that these problems will very likely shorten their lives. These are serious incapacities, and they do deserve TLC.

But seriously, I think I need a nurse pass today. I find myself scowling. I am sleepy. I am in a bad mood. My neck hurts. My legs are achy. My arms feel heavier than they should. My left shoe is not staying tied. My t-shirt tag is poking my skin. My car is almost out of gas. Orange is really not my color. And I am sad.

While this list is impressive, and I could go on, I think I'll just write: "She knows it's Friday, and even THAT'S not making her feel better." Oh yeah... the nurse will know the seriousness of my condition then.

Secrets

On the way home from school on Friday, Jack leaned in close to my ear to whisper a secret. Before he made this move, he made sure to explain to me that he had this secret, and I was not to tell Daddy about it.

"Okaaay, Jack. What's your secret?"

Shhhh.... Jack can apparently swing all by himself now. He learned at school. Daddy is not to know. Shrug.

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?