Arm Dangles

While I was writing the last post I was trying to remember another subject that Gage and I talked about on our way to his school last Friday. I thought of it while I was doing my Wii Fit exercises this morning...arm dangles. (For more on the Wii Fit, look at my Free Form blog...there's a link to it on the right.)

A while back the boys got out their little doctor kit and proceeded to give me and examination. Zane ran the thermometer across my forehead, pronounced me sick and gave me a shot (and put a band aid on it.) They listened to my heart and took my blood pressure. When he put the blood pressure cuff on my upper arm, Gage noticed my arm dangle and became quite fascinated. He put his finger under it and keep pushing it up until it grossed Wendy out enough that she told him to quit.

As we were driving to school on Friday, he was in a good position to notice my arms which were in the 10 o'clock-2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. He said, "Cookie, is that your muscle hanging down on your arm?" I replied that it wasn't. He then wanted to know what it was. I told him it was my arm dangle. I further cautioned him that while I didn't mind if he asked me about my arm dangle, he shouldn't ask other ladies about that kind of thing. He wanted to know why not. I don't remember exactly what I told him, but the gist was that arm dangles happen when you get older and aren't as strong as you once were and that ladies aren't proud of them. He then informed me that they felt funny. Evidently he had remembered that from a couple of months ago.

Note to self: Keep my arms in the 4 o'clock-8 o'clock position when I drive the kids around.

Grandparent's Day Breakfast

I don't know where all the other grandparents were...enjoying their second cup of coffee, I guess. I saw very few people over 4 feet tall at the Myatt Elementary Cafeteria this morning. I got to the Garners' house by 7:10. Gage was tying his shoes. Then he had to put a belt on since his shorts had belt loops. He needed to show me how he threaded each loop, especially the ones in the back which he felt for with his fingers. Everything was done at a fairly leisurely pace. We finally got in the car, strapped in and on our way at 7:25. It was after 7:40 by the time we got to the school. I parked in the teacher's parking lot and we schlepped through the dewy grass to the front of the school, where I saw they had plenty of parking for visitors. Sign in and then a short walk to the cafeteria where Gage instructed me we had to stand on the "X's". Moving from one X to the next until we reached the food line. Gage picked up chocolate milk and the tray he received had cereal, toast, and grape juice. He picked up a dish of peaches, but had to put it back because he could only have 3 items in addition to the milk. He had already eaten breakfast at home, so I don't know why he needed any of it. I got chocolate milk and then was given a tray with a cinnamon roll and toast. We found a place to sit and I managed to get my legs under the table. By that time we had about 5 minutes left to eat before Gage had to get to class. I hate to tell you how much food got tossed, not only ours, but many of the children ate very little from their tray. What a waste!

After returning the trays, we joined a long line of little people marching, with arms crossed, toward the kindergarten wing. Teachers stood at each door, welcoming their little charges with pleasant "good mornings." Gage informed me that his room was the "last room on the right." His teacher, Mrs. English, shook his hand and said, "Good morning, Gage." And then instructed him to say, "Good morning, Mrs. English." Which he did. I introduced myself and that was that. Back down the hall to the front of the building. I saw Kristie David there and asked if she had reminded her mother about the breakfast. She said she had, but Jackson (her kinder kid) wanted to go to the doughnut place, so that's what they did. Who knew that was an option?

On the way to school, Gage told me that he wanted to be a dirt bike racer when he grew up. I asked him why he wanted to do that and he replied that he wanted to get a big trophy.

We talked about other things, too, but I can't remember what for the life of me. Should have made notes, I guess.

Labor Day

Wayne needed a little help getting in the last 20 or so acres of cotton, so Kelly was called into action. Since Kelly was going to be gone and Wendy needed to mow the yard, I was called into action.

When I got there, both boys were busy with activities in the kitchen. Gage was drawing the race cars from "Cars." He did a really good job of it. Zane was playing some type of electronic game. Gage was helping him when he needed help.

Wendy and I talked briefly and then she went out (in her field hand outfit) to cut the grass. I wish I had a photo of her in that getup. She saw herself in the mirror just before she went out and commented to me that she didn't know how I had kept a straight face.

Almost immediately after sitting down with my book, the boys finished their activities. Wendy had given permission for them to watch some television, so we put "Madagascar" into the DVD. Zane sat in my lap and we settled down to watch the movie. It really is a cute movie. After the movie was over, Gage danced to the catchy music while the credits rolled.

We played a Memory matching game and then Old Maid. Then we went to the playroom where they kept finding ways to toss, sling, or fire small items at me.

Kelly and Wendy got in about the same time...both covered with dirt from their afternoon activities. I tried to get Gage to talk more about kindergarten, but I guess he wasn't in the mood. I'm taking him to school on Friday and will have breakfast with him there. A Grandparent's Day thing, I think.