Something Odd is Happening

I've had the worst cold for the past week, just enough energy to carry on through the day. It's still lingering, terrible headache today, temperature issues (toohot/toocold) and bad sinuses. But I did manage to get the baking done for the week, and I have pizza for lunch for tomorrow and Tuesday. Grocery bill this week; $38 and some change, but I have a lot of stuff leftover from last week. I will survive.

Today was kiddo's first round with a private coach. He did great, did a true two foot spin and some crossovers, I was impressed! I should have warned Coach that he will cheat in any way possible, but she learned that when he tried to pull some wonky hops and just refused to do a hockey stop. Other than that, he got a lot out of it so we'll continue every other week. (as promised.)

It's strange, something is happening here. Something that's not the skating but is a direct result of it. For the past two years I've been waiting for THE BOY to arrive. You know, the mouthy, argumentative, pushy, daredevil, testy boy. He didn't show up, and I was enjoying a cuddly protraction of toddlerhood. But over the past weeks I've seen a distinct change in my little boy, and he doesn't seem so little anymore. I think THE BOY is here. I see him on the rink, skating around and refusing to do anything for me, MOM, but he'll try a "shoot the duck" for Coach. He skates very well, and the confidence is starting to carry over and out of the rink. He did a lap backwards and two laps without lifting his skates off the ice, challenging himself. He's never done anything like that before, and I'm proud more of the fact he's testing himself rather than he skated backwards.

I'm glad, but I'll miss my cuddles. I was starting to wonder when and what would start to grow him up. If it's skating, then I will start pinching my pennies.

Private Coach mentioned that perhaps I should move him out of the PA2 class and into her Alpha 1 class. This might interfere with our "get the patches" mission, and there's certainly no harm in letting him stay in PA2. I told PCoach "We'll see," which as anyone knows is Mom Code for "No." I like Group Coach a lot, and I like the other parents in that class, too. For me to move him would be making a statement I don't want to make. And it's not like it's going to retard him to stay in PA2.

I skated a bit with one of the other moms, and we finally vented about Old Group Coach. We are both glad to get our kids away from her. She obviously didn't like the little kids. Her every move and expression belied the fact that she was wanting to be elsewhere. She was overly physically aggressive at times, at one point jerking up Kiddo's arms, and at another point pushing one of the girls downwards to correct bad posture. (Makes a lot of sense, I know.) I figure if Kiddo can get through her, then perhaps he stands a chance against other future bad coaches. And now I have a good idea of what bad coaching looks like.

What I didn't know was the incident after the "midterms" last session, where Poor Coach yelled at this other mom for her kids not being able to skate. "There's nothing to see, quack quack quack." According to Other Mom, this is a direct quote. I think at that point I would have gone to another coach for guidance, but as it was Kiddo was skating fine so Poor Coach let him be.

During Friday Skate, I noticed one of the "cooler" coaches taking a peek in at the rink and speaking with one of the guards. (the nice one who first showed Kiddo a crossover.) Later, Guard skated over and told me that Cool Coach had his eye on Kiddo. That felt nice, and a good affirmation that what I see is talent and not Mom Goggles. I didn't tell Kiddo, as Cool Coach does pairs, and Kiddo does not want to do Pairs.

Ah well. One day at a time.

Things I have baked:

Cinnamon Rolls, Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Pita Bread, Pizza crust, White bread and now pepperoni Pretzels. I will never have to buy store-bought baked good again. As soon as the pretzels get done, a 30 min batch of Snickerdoodles for my sweet tooth.

It just felt so good to walk PAST all the bread and stuff. Next weekend I may try bagels! Seeing as how baking is now more intense, I may have to make grocery day earlier and start baking sooner, always doing the bread while we're out skating.

Haven't done the maths yet on this week's menus... will get to that tomorrow as it's a holiday.

Private Lessons are a yes...

I told one of the guards at the rink that Kiddo wanted private lessons, and I'd filled out the form. The kindly guard then showed Kiddo crossovers and two foot spins. Bless him, I owe him baked goods. (He did a crossover!!)

Skates are working out fine, I think my feet were a bit swollen yesterday.

White bread in the breadmaker, cinnamon loaf tomorrow. Yeast and I don't have to have such a tumultuous relationship, Breadmaster can be our go-to guy.

Oh god...

Two things: I got the breadmaker I wanted (which is baking as we speak!)

New skates are very tight. Not sure if this is just because I need to break them in to my feet or if they are indeed a scant too small. My feet hurt, but not like the hurt I had with my old skates.

Kiddo reports pain on the bony parts of his ankles, so I will investigate pads for that part of his feet.

I filled out the form for privates.

BREAD NAO PLS!!!

Snoopy Skate Bag!

One Snoopy on Ice! Kiddo loves it. Hope it dries in time for tomorrow!!

Yes, it's Spinach and leek soup night!



View recipe here.

Here's my math:

Spinach, non organic, $1.49
Leeks, Organic $3.00
Can o beans: $.65
Garlic and Spices: Estimate $.25
Chicken broth: $1.49
Bag of small pasta: $.40

Eight servings? $.91 cents each.

Freezes great and is perfect with a dollop of siricha hot sauce.

The trouble with leeks is that the dirt tends to hide in the tick leaves, and I often don't catch it until I'm about to toss it in the pot. I cook mine in my 4qt dutch oven.

And it's midweek cleaning night: Bleach all kitchen and bathroom surfaces, tidy the bedrooms, sweep all floors and dust.

After Kiddo goes to bed I will start to paint the Snoopy. I sketched him out last night and it's not half bad!

Goulash

This is Kiddo's favorite food. I'm pleased that one of my home recipes is a favorite, but this is incredibly easy and quick.

You need:
1 lb. ground meat. Beef, turkey, chicken whatever. I haven't tried a meat sub but I'm sure it would be fine.
1 big oni0n. Vidalias are great if they're in season.
3 Ribs celery.
2 big Carrots.
1 14oz. can diced tomatoes. Italian style if possible.
1 small can tomato paste.
2 cups pasta. I use whatever is left; tonight was a rotini and egg noodle mix. Tasted great.
Cheese. Again, whatever you've got. Cheddar is good, american is fine, I've even used string cheese in a pinch.
Garlic Salt and Pepper to taste. (If you use American Cheese, taste before adding salt. American cheese has a high sodium content and you might not need it.)

Okay, toss the meat into a dutch oven or stew pot. Turn heat on med/low. Dice up onion, celery and carrots, and add that to the pot. Turn up the heat a bit and let everyone cook. While that's happening, cook the pasta. When the onion and celery begin to turn and the meat is brown, kill the heat and drain off some of the fat. (I would think that with a meat sub, some oil would be in order.) Add the tomatoes, juice and all, and the tomato paste. add one tomato paste can's worth of water. Turn the heat back on, stir thoroughly. By now the pasta should be done, so drain. Toss it in the meat mix and kill the heat. Add the cheese, stir to melt.

Voila. Shouldn't have taken more than 20 minutes. A big pot like this gives me 5 or 6 servings of leftovers, and is great cold for breakfast. Leftovers hold for about ten days. Very cheap, depending on which brands you use, the math works out to about 1.20 to .75 per serving (beef or turkey base) of 1 cup. More pasta can stretch this even further. I've found this doesn't lose it's popularity despite the heat of summer, so I may have to try a camp version.

Next up; Spinach and Leek Soup.

Weekly Menu

I had to do the menu Saturday due to excessive volunteer work and timing on Sunday just wouldn't have worked out. Transitioning from Winter to Summer fare is always hard, because I'm a leftover cook and fresh foods typically don't last as long as I need them to.

Monday: Jambalaya in the crock pot. DH can eat this while he's home all week. We ate until we were stuffed and there's still three quarts in the fridge for later. (Bonus; Frozen Shrimp comes in a 2 lb bag, only 1 lb goes in the Jambalaya. That leaves me 1 lb to toss on the Grill this weekend!)
Tuesday: Goulash. We ate something Kiddo hates last night, so tonight is his favorite. this will also leave lots of leftovers and is good cold. I'll post that recipe this weekend.
Wednesday: Spinach and Leek Soup. Very nice Summer Soup. Very light, and will provide leftovers.
Thursday: I am slipping out of work early so I can hit the PS and try out my new skates. Afterwards, Tuna Salad Sandwiches. We should get home by 8pm.
Friday: This is payoff night. Kiddo and I can reheat whatever we want, and then hurry out to hit the Ice until 9pm. (And he wants to stop at the Dominick's on the way home for Cookie Crisp. Done.)

I don't cook at all on the weekend. There's lots leftover to reheat and we usually are on the road for lunch.

I try to make menu choices segue into each other for the following week, so ingredients don't get abandoned. Last week's pasta that didn't get cooked goes into the Goulash this week. Lots of rotation goes on in my kitchen.

I had a thought to paint a skating Snoopy on Kiddo's Skate bag. He definitely wants that! So, no more boring black bag. I'll hit the craft store for fabric paint.

Too many girls....

This was the reaction to the ice show by Kiddo. "More girls," he'd sigh as a bevy of beauties began skating. "Why are there so many girls?"

Here we go.

"There's a boy soloist, he's pretty good," I pointed him out. He was good, great spins! "There's a group of boys."

But sadly, out of a two hour show, there was: One boy soloist. Two boys together. A groupd of ten or so boys, and one uncomfortable looking boy in a group of girls. That's thirteen boys maybe. Fifteen tops.

Kiddo perked up everytime a boy took to the ice, and applauded only the boys. He wants a guy as his private coach, and I said I'd see what I could do.

I emailed DH that night, expressing Kiddo's sadness over the lack of boys, and DH agreed. There is nothing to encourage boys to skate, other than "so the girls can do pairs." Even on the internets, every article bemoaning the lack of males spends half the page saying that girls NEED the boys to do pairs. Kiddo doesn't want to do pairs, and he's said that from day one. Doubtless, he's six. He may well change his mind as he begins to see girls as less of an annoyance and more as nice legs. But for now, there's nothing out there telling him to skate for himself. Nothing but me and dad.

We went to get skates sharpened, and I got him his own skate bag. (Not a Zuca bag, I refuse.) It's black. My other choices were; teal, pink, pink zebra stripe, glitter blue, glitter silver, hot pink and leopard print teal. I got him blade guards. They are black. My other choices were; glitter rainbow, pink, glitter pink, purple, purple glitter, light up rainbow (HA!) and pearlized teal. Did we pick up any skatewear? Not a chance. The walls were all dresses, fitted tees, leggings with hot pink and teal stripes, and sweatshirts emblazoned "SK8TRGURL."

You see my dilemma?

I need a male coach, and I need one now. I need Kiddo to see that not only can boys skate, but boys can tear up the ice in ways girls can't. That he doesn't have to do pairs. Girls can be all pink and glitter, boys can SKATE. In January, had anyone told me that Kiddo would take a crushing fall and GET UP to KEEP SKATING, I would never have believed it. Kiddo quit everything at the drop of a hat, but not this. I don't want him to lose this.

He doesn't want to be in the winter show, but maybe I can get him to work backstage. *Sigh* I jsut go one day at a time.

Whoa

So I volunteered at the school Carnival. I was painting faces. Mom walks up with her very young son and points to the menu of things I can paint. "Pick one."

The boy points to the star.

"No, pick something boy," says mom. "Pick the soccer ball."

Boy points to soccer ball.

Mom looks at me. "Can you do one on each side?"

Sure, please don't hurt me.

So I begin to paint. Soccer balls are fine. I'm painting and I ask the boy, "Do you play soccer?"

"Yes he plays soccer. He's going to be a big soccer player someday, make millions of dollars. Right baby?"Mom takes over.

Boy looks at the ground.

Uh, wow. I hope none of that was serious.

Back again...

Yes, I disappear from time to time. No, I'm not lazy. Chances are good that I'm just not thinking about the internets for awhile.

Keith has begun to ice skate. Not hockey skating, there's no chance of hockey skating. He wants to Figure Skate. I'm not all that surprised.

Kiddo has always been unique. I'm not saying that in a "he's better than your kid" way, he's just unique. In some respects, I'd give anything for a clear-cut boy with boy things like Action Figures and Heroes and stuff. I'd kind of know what to do there. But that hasn't come, and I don't think it ever will. The Transformer toys and Hot Wheels sit in his room, largely unused, while there's scraps of paper everywhere from art projects and "office supplies" where he runs some kind of evil empire to make millions of dollars. I bought him an electronics set, and he builds water detectors and radios and he still wants to do the lie detector.

He has no idea who Ben Ten is, and he watches Teen Titans with only marginal interest. GI Joe just isn't in his lexicon, Iron Man neither. People ask me, What does he like? And I have to shrug. Ask him, I don't know. He likes trains, but not in the talking cutesy train sense, he likes the GTF Off the Crossing trains and the noise they make. He's just not going to fit into any of those categories like Star Wars kid or Spiderman Kid. Sorry.

And when it came to Sports I truly had nothing. He showed some marginal interest in basketball, but he's on the short end of short, so that basket was like staring up at the Hancock Tower. I never knew he had an interest in skating until one afternoon during one of our "fancy lunches" he said, "I like this song. Sometimes I imagine I'm spinning and twirling to the music."
"What, like ice skating?"
"Yeah."
"Uh, we live near a rink. Do you want to try lessons?"
"Yes."

And ever since then it's been a unending demand to attend every open public skate session we can. So now, when people ask me what sport Keith likes, I can say "Figure skating," and watch the OMG's roll in.

The Skating thing brings me new challenges, though. There is NOTHING for little boy figure skaters. NO-THING. At all. Zero. Zip. Sorry. Check out time. A little boy figure skater seems to be largely on his own for motivation and style. Girls have an endless line of dresses, sparkles, spangles, tights, legwarmers, gloves, fancy gloves, fancy bags, light up guards, and all at an amazingly exhorbant price. Boys? Have some black skates. Are you still here?

The upside of this is that kiddo's choice of sport for HIM will reside largely with HIM and not in the various accessories. I can't say, "learn this thing and I will buy you a new dress." It will be "learn this skill for the sake of doing so, and take pleasure in that." In that respect, figure skating matches well with our parenting philosophies here. Skating seems to require an emotionally and intellectually mature kid, and Keith is just that. Again, not trying to implicate that he's somehow better than other kids, but he's got an innate horse-sense about him that will serve him well if he pursues this.

And he's good at it. People see him skate and tell me that's he's good for Pre-alpha. He does skate better than the other Pre-Alphas. Which is leading me to think about a private lesson every so often to stave off boredom and give him a challenge. We'll try one next month and see what happens. I bought him a membership in ISI, so he can earn the patches, which he is eyeing with a resolute determination. "I want all of them," he says, scrolling down the internets page.

No Ice this weekend, though, and he's a little irritated. I tell him that it's Ice Show weekend, which we will go see, and this gives his head a chance to heal. Last weekend he took a front-end dive into the boards, leaving him with a mark that made me fear calls from DCFS. It's yellowed and healing now, and he's saying YES YES to Monday skating with Dad. (also YES YES to all weekend Public Skate sessions, including the dreaded "Late Skate" Saturday, where he got his injury last week.) Also, we will get his skates sharpened.

I called the Pro-Shop to ask about skate sharpening. It was funny.

"Can we just stop by?"
"Sure, just come on by and drop them off."
"He wants to watch. Can he watch?"
"What?"
"He wants to watch. Can we schedule the time so he can watch while you do it?"
"Uh... sure... what time?"
"Sunday noon?"
"Oh.. kay..."

See, this goes in with "nothing for boy skaters" thing. Skate sharpening involves this cool grinding thing with sparks flying all over. He thinks that's COOL. And then, not only were those sparking things HIS, he gets to WEAR THEM. HA!! I can't imagine a little girl skater finds the sharpening process as cool as a mechanically inclined boy does. Girls are free to tell me I'm wrong.

So, once again my life takes a weird turn, as there's a poster of Jeremy Abbott, (Keith's favorite skater) and Michael Weiss (OMG HOT) on my kid's wall. Keith has more than once caught me standing in the doorway, staring at Weiss, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," I say, and move on.