Definition - Irony

Irony (ˈī-rə-nē), noun, ironies; a) the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning; b) a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by ironic expression or utterance; c) incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result.  Example:  Young child (aka Ben) running into mother's room in order to tell the mom that other older child (aka Caroline) called him a tattletale.

A Nice Log and a (Not-So) Gran Rodeo

Abby, Caroline, Scott and I went to Longwood Gardens on Sunday since I thought the daffodils and magnolias might be blooming.  It turns out that we were a little early for those flowers, but we did get to enjoy the Orchid Extragavanza event they were having instead.  (Ben was busy exhausting playing with Grandma and Grandad at their house for the day.)

Of all the beautiful and varied exhibits at Longwood, I think the girls' favorite part was running/dancing across this large 'balance beam' that was nearby one of the treehouses. A close second favorite was the scavenger hunt cards in the children's garden in the Conservatory. By the way, if you have a chance to visit Longwood, the Conservatory is especially spectacular right now. Scads of bright blue delphiniums are an especially welcome site after dark gray rainy skies.

Since the cafeteria at Longwood closed early (and we had promised to take the girls out for dinner), I thought it would be fun to try the Mexican restaurant, El Gran Rodeo, located at the intersection of Rts. 202 and 1.  I'll give it a mixed review.  The chips and guacamole were delicious.  The dinners were kind of....um.... ploppy.  My dinner also had a nice piece of plastic embedded in the lettuce (the lettuce bag wrapper), which wasn't so great.  The waiter looked horrified when I told him and then ran to get me about 20 napkins.  I don't know exactly what the napkins were for, but it was a nice thought.  I sort of figured he'd take my dinner of the bill, but instead he discounted my dinner by $3.75.  I was wondering if they have a set discount for dinner mishaps?  Fortunately, the margerita I ordered was very, very tasty, so no harm done!  (I would probably recommend trying a different restaurant if you're in the mood for Mexican food.)

It was very strange to be without Ben for a whole day.  We really missed the little guy.  Ok, we didn't miss the diapers or the unpredictable running around or safeguarding the toothpaste, but I missed all my hugs and kisses and all his lovin' (his word).

Heard and Seen Around the House

It's Sunday morning and Frank Sinatra's Coffee Song is playing right now on the radio. Scott likes to listen to Sunday mornings with Sinatra, with Sid Mark on 1210AM.  After 10+ years this seems normal to me now, but clearly this program is geared for older generations and/or people with Italian heritage based on the advertising.  Current sponsors are for the program include great deals on caskets, wills, life insurance, medicare, Pica's restaurant, and Cento Fine foods.  Lest you think I exaggerate, please check out the sponsors on Sid's site (http://www.soundsofsinatra.com/). 

Have you ever heard the Coffee Song?  It's peppy and fun!  It's one of the family favorites -- and it's about coffee (one of my favorites)!  You know who really loves coffee?  Ben.  If you ever come over, keep a close eye on your mug or wonder boy will sneak over to your cup and drain it.  You think 2-year olds are active?  Try a 2-year old on a few sips of caffeine.  I learned my lesson the hard way on that one. 

In other news, it must be getting close to Emmy time at our house since the kids are making their respective cases for lead actor/actress in dramatic series.  However, it's hard to stay in the character of devoted mother when the kids tweak their expected lines into something unexpected.

Ben (pathetic, sad voice) :  "Mom, I have a cold."
Mom:  "I'm sorry to hear that buddy."
Ben (even more sad):  "Mom, I have a stuffy nose."
Ben (close to tears):  "Mom, I have tea for two."

Caroline (after rousing game of tickling):  "Let's eat breakfast now, I'm staaaarving."
Dad:  "Ok, let's head down for pancakes."
Carline (Shakespearean tone):  "Ooooh Grief!"

Without my even noticing exactly when, Abby has passed the line of childhood when you stop using words in charming and unexpected ways (sad!).  She's a master of her vocabulary nowwith more words being added all the time. 

Abby (irritated):  "Caroline, stop being so impulsive!"
Caroline (looking confused) :  "What?"
Mom:  "Abby, do you know what impulsive means?
Abby (authoritatively and accompanying eye roll):  "Yes, Mom.  Impulsive means acting without thinking first.." 
Mom (thinking wistfully):  Goodbye Abbyisms!  Sniff, sniff...

Fortunately, we still haven't passed the line on visusal surprises for all the kids.  We never really know what to expect when the kids round the corner in terms of clothes.  The combinations of strips, prints, polka dots and colors are always surprising (and at times jarring).  But, the real question is whether or not the kids will be wearing clothes or not.  Ben surprised me a few days ago with pajama pants, yellow rubber rain boots, a winter snow cap with ear flaps and no shirt.  I didn't even know Ben could take his shirt off!

Finally, guess what was at the bird feeder this morning eating suet?  BLUEBIRDS!  I didn't title the blog BLUEBIRDS so you're eyes wouldn't glaze over from too much birding news.  But, I'm absolutely thrilled at the prospect of seeing bright bluebirds in the yard this summer.  We're still a couple of years from taking the kids on long woodland hikes, so I have to enjoy my nature close to home.  I never could have hoped for bluebirds at the old house.  I think some nest boxes might be a good Easter week project.

Too Many Meetings!

I am offically all meeting-ed out for the month of March.  Overall, nine meetings down, and one more to go. Since I've been home from work for so long, I clearly have lost my stamina for meetings.  By hour #2, I just want to run out of the room and play with Legos.

Tonight is the sixth of six Planning Commission-related meetings for the month of March. Usually there are only two Planning Commission meetings per month, but due to some super riveting zoning ordinance training, this month's total will be much higher.  I'm going to be honest, I'm fairly sick of zoning at this point.  I need a zoning break.  And, probably another cup of coffee too. 

I know that I volunteered for the Planning Commission, so I really shouldn't complain out it.  But, it's tough when the level of required effort is so much higher than initially expected!  I am very much looking forward to Spring Break next week when the schedule slows down a little and we can relax.

Feel free to remind me that I said that next week on Tuesday around 10 a.m., when my kids are driving me crazy, ok?

On a happier note, I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in Caroline's preschool classroom this morning during her Easter party.  My job was to select a "game" to play while the teachers hid Easter eggs on the playground.  The classroom is too small for a very active game, so instead we pretended to build a giant bird's nest out of large sticks, small sticks, and twine.  The kids seem to enjoy the game, and I got a chance to observe Caroline in her classroom with her peers.  I wish that I could be a fly on the wall and watch her sometime without her knowing I was there!!  I am happy that she is so happy in her school and is a confident little girl.   

Birthday Cake

....was about the only thing that saved the party yesterday.  Although I'm usually a half decent cook, my birthday dinner for Scott yesterday bombed.  Hard.  It was so bad that I stooped to the level of bribing Ben with extra cake if he would eat my fish.  During the meal, I actually whispered in Ben's ear and said, "Ben, if you will eat some of my fish, I'll give you an extra piece of cake for dessert. "  Ben whispered back, "OK Mom, I'll do it."  He was even discreet about it!  That is definitely a sign of a baaaaaaaad dinner. 

The family tradition is to have the birthday person select the birthday dinner and type of birthday cake.  Scott chose whole fish, rice, and asparagus for dinner. He selected German chocolate cake for dessert. By the way, did you know that German chocolate cake is a tough cake to make from scratch!? When you have some free time, check out how many steps are to that cake in Joy of Cooking -- you have to melt some chocolate on the stove, sift some other ingredients, fluff the butter, make meringue with the eggs....good grief! And then there is the clean-up!  Anyway.....

Whole fish.  Sigh... Only Scott.....  So, no one in the family really likes to eat whole fish (except Scott), but he says it "makes him feel like a king" and why wouldn't you want to do that on your birthday?  (Well, one reason I can think of is that the fish is staring at you through the meal, but I digress).  So, I went to the local fish store to purchase a whole fish yesterday -- a seafood specialty store, no less, only to find out that they don't have any whole fish at that location, only fillets.  Part of me though, hmmmm, no fish at a fish store.  Strange.  The other part of me thought, darn, I was so looking forward to deboning a fish. So, instead, I got some salmon fillets stuffed with crab cakes.  I thought that would be a nice fishy birthday treat.  I paired the fish with broccoli rice au gratin and steamed asparagus.   

The asparagus were tasty, but the fish and the rice were just plain awful.  1) I definitely need to find a new seafood store. You know, like one that sells fish.  2) The rice was like eating a cheesy salt lick.  I don't usually make rice from box kits, and we had all forgotten how salty it is!  Ewww! 

Poor Scott asked after dinner, "Have I been extra bad this year?" No dear, I just forgot how to cook yesterday.  Sorry!!  Fortunately, the cake was tasty, even if it does have coconut in it.  Happy Birthday again, Dear!  (Enjoy your economic tome and unassembled wheel barrow too!)
 
(Here's a photo of a VERY happy Ben eating his second piece of cake.)

Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers

What a glorious weekend we just had!  Seventy degrees in March -- what a treat!  We were so active this weekend that Monday's rain is almost a relief to have to sit inside for a little while, at least for me.  Maybe even for the kids too, who spent just about all day Friday through Sunday outside exploring the yard and playing with the neighbors' kids. 

Scott and I also played outside too -- cooking on the grill, eating for the first time outside on the deck, and even tackled what will be the first of many, many (many...) yard tasks by trimming and bagging all the low-hanging branches from a super thorny tree.  Although it's hard to ID without foliage, I'm pretty sure the thorny trees are common honeylocust, and they have these crazy 3-4" long (yes, really 3-inch long) thorns on the branches.  You could get seriously hurt on these things -- farmers out west use these trees as natural fences for cattle!  By removing the low branches, we've hopefully prevented the kids from impaling themselves on them. I'm really happy that the first phase of yard safety is over since those thorns really hurt!   

I've been looking forward to the spring to see what sort of birds live in our yard. Since we have some large hardwoods in the neighborhood and a very large meadow habitat pretty close, I'm hoping we have an even wider variety of backyard birds than at our previous house.  One of my neighbors, a hard core birder, mentioned that our town is along the migration route for hawks so the fall should be pretty spectacular too. 

It's been a few years since I've noticed any new species of bird at the feeders or in the backyard, so I was very excited when I spotted something new climbing up the sweet gum tree outside the window.  I grabbed the binoculars hung by the window to check it out.  A long running family joke, Scott said in his most authoritative tone, "Is it the yellow-bellied sapsucker?"  (Scott guesses yellow-bellied sapsucker for everything.)   I ran upstairs to a higher window for a better look.  Would you believe it really was a male yellow-bellied sapsucker?  Imagine our surprise!  That's fun birding humor, right?  Is anyone going to read this blog anymore if this is what passes for funny?  Regardless, Scott is going to have to pick a new random bird species to guess for the next years. Perhaps a yellow-throated vireo...

Opening Day Jitters

It's finally here!!!  Opening day for lacrosse umpiring!  My first game was supposed to be tomorrow, but my assignor asked if I could take an extra game this afternoon, so now today is opening day (huge thanks Pete for last minute babysitting!). 

I never think that I'll be nervous before early season games, but yet I am.  Today is not even a "real" game -- it is a scrimmage so both the players and the umpires can get the feel of the game.  Still, it's about 1:30pm and the nerves just kicked in.  Big time.

I really don't know what I'm worried about.  I know the rules and arm signals.  I am sure of field positioning and foul position setups. I'm in good shape. Overall, I'm ready.  And, I have an excellent 'mom' voice (and a shiny set of yellow and red cards) if anyone really acts up, so things will be under control -- and hopefully will even be fun since it is a game and it's 60 degrees outside in MARCH!  So, why the nerves?? It's only high school lacrosee right??

Hmmm.  I'll have to ponder that one.  Maybe the nerves have to do with being so conspicuous after so many months of hiding indoors.  Maybe I'm secretly worried what people think of me in my little black kilt and oh-not-so-stylish all black turf shoes.  Who cares -- it's 60 degrees and it's time to go get ready!

Little Mirrors

Partly driven by Lent and partly by a desire for a calmer household, I've been making a very conscientious effort to be more patient and even-tempered lately. (Not that I wasn't trying before, I swear!)  And, even when I'm not feeling so patient on the inside, I've been trying to keep my voice even and "pleasanter" so I don't sound like a raving lunatic so often.  Having a small child that is a small monkey with selective hearing makes this challenging.  (Note to Ben, you cannot 'qualify' for cookies after breakfast so don't bother to have a tantrum about that one again, OK?)

In yet another ongoing household experiment, I've come to realize that children reflect my mood like little mirrors. When I'm happy and bubbly, we're all happy and bubbly.  When I'm feeling stressed or moody, they are too.  Biologically all this reflection this makes sense because children are programmed to copy their parents to learn language and behavior.  I just never realized that this applied to emotions too. It's only taken 7 years of observations to get to this point of realization. Good one, Scientist CC. 

So, the positive news is that I can, in part, control how pleasant and kind we are to one another during the day just by setting a good example!  Just!!  So that's not so bad, right? A calm mom coupled with the lack of food dye and nearing the end of the terrible 2s means that things are going to steadily improve!  

The bad news is that this parenting thing has just gotten a little bit harder...again.  There are already so many other things to think about on a daily basis (raising children with healthy bodies, healthy minds, coordinating schedules, managing bookbags, juggling activities, supervising homework, pulling Ben off the furniture, doing the household stuff, etc., etc.).  Now, I have to try to do an even better job of keeping it a postive attitude, even through some of the less pleasent stuff (the "drudgery").  One thing at a time, I guess.

Speaking of one thing at a time, it's awfully quiet upstairs....where's Ben?
(Oh, right, he's eating the toothpaste again.  Awesome!)



 

Hark! It's the Carpet!!

This weekend we found Caroline's carpet!  If you'd seen her room of late, you would know that this was no small feat. Caroline is the keeper of all the teeny tiny toys in the house (e.g., Polly Pockets, Calico Critters, Pet Shop, Dollhouse, etc.).  Her room had become a giant jumble of little colored plastic things strewn in a thin layer over the entire floor.  Actually, I'm embarrassed to admit that her room had started spilling out into the hallway.

In the past, when we cleaned up her room, the cleaning consisted of putting one type of toy into a ziploc bag or box and then sticking the container either on the closet floor or around the perimeter of the room.  Even though her room was picked up, it didn't really feel clean. 

Perhaps fueled by the super fun doctor's visit on Friday or pent up energy from being stuck inside (but more likely from subliminal advertising on Clean House), I decided to tackle Caroline's room and find some sort of system of organization.  Target anticipated my need to declutter and kindly put their cubby storage system on sale this weekend (thanks Target!).

Caroline and Abby really got into helping me clean things up, especially when she saw the labels I made for the bin.  The labels, unfortuantely, aren't staying on too well with tape, so I'll have to break out the glue gun later to make this more permanent, but you get the idea.  There's one type of toy per bin.  They're easy to take out and easy to put away.  The real test will be to see whether this level of cleaness can be maintained for any period of time.

It's too bad I don't have a before and after shot, but I probably would have gotten a call from Social Services for the before shot anyway.  Here's the end result:    

   
AND this wasn't even the only home progress for the weekend!  Scott hung some blinds in the bathroom, so we no longer have a sheet over the window!  We're expecting calls from the neighbors later today expressing their thanks on this one.  :-)

Two Cookies and a Shot of Whiskey Please.....

Deep, deep sigh.

This morning was Caroline's 5-year old well visit at the pediatrician. Those of you with 5-years olds know that the 5-year old well visit is a doozy because multiple vaccinations (i.e., SHOTS!) are necessary. Abby had to get 4 shots at that visit, and I wasn't sure how many Caroline would need. Caroline, of course, knew about the impending needles and was....less than thrilled by the prospect of the appointment.

I don't know why exactly but the well visits always take at least 45 minutes and usually an hour, so this time I planned ahead and brought four books to read, three of which were new from our recent scholastic book order. I figured I could keep Caroline and Ben mostly occupied with four fairly long picture books.

We arrived about 10 minutes early for our 9:45am appointment. Unfortunately, the appointment was scheduled at 9am. I completely blew it. Today's doctor visit was for 9:00am, but next week's dentist appointment for Caroline is at 9:45am. So, I asked the nurse if she'd like me to reschedule, but she said we should stay. I had had Abby's 7 year old well visit last night (no shots required), and the doctor's office was running 25 minutes late even though we had the first appointment after dinner break. I figured the nurse was being nice to us today since we were understanding last night. Good karma and all.

Take a guess how long we were at the doctor's.

No, now guess higher.

TWO HOURS AND THREE MINUTES!

Do you know how difficult it is to keep a climbing 2-year old off a computer, a spinning chair, and out of a trash can and a biomedical container for 2 hours while trying to comfort a completely hysterical Caroline? (who only needed 2 needles and one nasal vaccine) Any germ that was lurking in our exam room was found by Ben who had time to touch each and every surface in the room.

We quickly went through our 4 books. Then we read the two books provided in the exam room: the magazine "American Lifestyle" and a nonfiction book about sloths. Sloths?!

I had promised Caroline that we could go to the bakery and get a cookie after her shots, if she was brave. OK, she wasn't brave at all. I had to use a full body restraint on her for the shots, but we were all starving and fried by the end of the appointment. I thought a tall shot of whiskey would be nice in lieu of a cookie, but I settled for an egg salad sandwich.

Taking children to the doctor could be one of the circles of hell in Dante's Inferno. Taking kids to a crowded post office would be circle 5 or so, and taking kids to the pediatrician is more like circle number 8. I'll reserve circle 9 for later.

Hey, at least it's going to rain all weekend.

Channeling Jack Bauer

Does anyone watch the show 24?  You know when Jack Bauer screams, "Nooooooooooooo!"   Well, that is my day now.  All day. 

Ben is putting the capital T in Tantrum lately.   While I realize that he is 2 years old and this is how it is, he is officially making me crazy.

Me: "Ben, it's time to put on your shoes."
Ben: "Nooooooooooooo!"

Me: "Ben, you have to finish your grapes before you get some pretzels."
Ben: "Nooooooooooooo!"

Me:  "Ben, we're leaving to pick-up Caroline from school soon."
Ben: "Noooooooooooooo!"

Me: "Ben, you are the most ornery person that I know."
Ben: "NOOOOOOOOOOO!"

You get the picture.  I've been taking deep breaths and praying for patience.

Fortunately, he still has his good moments too (between the tantrums).  He's still a cute and loving little boy.  Caroline has added the "Who let the Dogs Out" song to his repertoire, so that is entertaining when alternated with the "If You Want to Be My Lover" song.

Here is a recent good moment.  Caroline spelled out the message in blocks (although it's a little dizzying to read over the carpet).  How can someone that cute and innocent looking be capable of such intense tantrums??

Hidden Treasures

We moved into our new house in November, long after all the perennial stems had withered away.  So, we really don't have any idea of what (if any) fun bulbs or plants have been hiding all winter under the snow. 

Today I noticed the first little treasures poking up!  Snowbells!

And So the Peer Influences Commence....

Yesterday, our neighbor kindly asked if Caroline could go next store and play with her daughter Ruby for the an hour or so before dinner.  Seriously, I thought?  You want Caroline in your house for the "witching hour" as we like to call it????  Yes!!!  Try not to let the door hit you on the way out, Honey!

So, about 90 minutes later Caroline walked back into our house.  Took her coat off, and then belted out:

"IF YOU WANT TO BE MY LOVER"

Uh....what?

"IF YOU WANT TO BE MY LOVER"

I only wish you could have seen the corresponding hip and arm movements.  Yes, that is part of a Spice Girls' song from back in the 90s.

Caroline, eyes shining with excitement, then started a run-on sentence that lasted about 5 minutes describing all the glories of Wii, how we need one, how you can dance to it, how they are available in stores, and showed me some sweet dance moves.  I think she might have drawn a breath in there, then started screaming, "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?  WOOF WOOF WOOF" and then left the room without me even replying.  I'm pretty sure I just sat at the table with my mouth hanging open.

So, Caroline is now just dying to get a Wii.  I have many fun video game memories from my childhood (Brian,  how about the summer playing Legend of Zelda?) so we're not opposed necessarily.  Of course, we're not just rushing out to buy it just yet.  I just thought we wouldn't get peer-based requests until she was a little older, you know, like when she's 6 or 7. 

And so, to top it off, Ben spent dinner and breakfast singing, "IF YOU WANT TO BE MY LOVER," over and over and over again. That just doesn't sound right coming out of a 2-year old's mouth.

Capturing Small Moments

Last week was one of the most hectic weeks we've ever had.  After hibernating for most of the month of February, all possible work and volunteer activities re-commenced and/or were re-scheduled for the first week of March.  Somehow we ended up with a total of six evening meetings, including two separate 3-hour training sessions, between Sunday and Thurday night + kids activities + Scott traveled for day +  Read Across America event at school  + full week of regular school + a birthday. The week was so crazy that we called in reinforcements.  (Thanks Grandma!)  'TGIF' didn't really begin to cover it when we collapsed at the end of the week.   

With all the craziness or perhaps the nostalgic feelings that accompany birthdays, I was feeling more sentimental than ususal.  On Wednesday morning when I came downstairs to my family sitting around the kitchen table, I was serenaded with a very, very precious Happy Birthday. Abby and Caroline sang heartily in full voice.  Ben's cheeks were still rosy from sleep, the morning sunlight was shining on his face and red railroad pjs, and he was so excited to sing for me that he could barely stay on the chair.  Between the dimples and the 2-year old cute boy voice, I could have stayed in that moment forever.  But, even as they were singing I felt a little sad that the moment would end and we'd have to go back into the Move-it-People-We-Have-to-Get-to-the-Bus-Morning-Frenzy.

Later at the playground this weekend, I wish you could have seen how big the smiles were on the kids when they sprinted down the hill and headed for the equipment.  Huge, happy ear-to-ear smiles when they started swinging.  Heads tilted back, hair flying, jackets off, just pure joy for the love of finally being outside in the sunshine.

How I wish I could capture these moments forever!  Even if I had had a camera, it wouldn't have been enough.  I guess I will just write them down and hope they will jog something in my memory later on.  Better yet, I have to enjoy them completely in the moment, which is a surprisingly hard thing to do.  I wish these special moments weren't so fleeting!

Old Lady

I had been feeling pretty good about my birthday this week until I got my AARP membership card in the mail this afternoon....

No, I'm not kidding.

First Victory for Turkey

The country of Turkey has never won a medal in the winter Olympics. However, that didn't stop Caroline from selecting Turkey as the country to represent in the preschool winter Olympics held over the last two weeks. While Germany was a close second choice, Turkey was selected in honor of our friends Geoff and Fritzie currently living in Ankara.  Caroline is holding the Turkish flag that she and dad made together at the recent Donuts with Dad event held at school.

Caroline is proudly wearing her gold Olympic medal, which is Turkey's first ever winter medal! I haven't gotten a very clear answer about for which event the medal was 'won'. It was either for the luge event held on mini-scooters or for ice skating (singles, free skate) held on a large plastic sheet.

Caroline is very, very proud of her Olympic medal (she has long been jealous of Abby's paricipation trophies for soccer and field hockey). She is so proud of her medal that she wore it over to the District Office for Kindergarten registration earlier this week. When we arrived we were surprised to find her close friend Sanya at registration also sporting her gold medal. Apparently, the recent Olympics were quite a hit! Sanya represented India, which is another country that has never won a winter olympic medal. Great job girls!

Flower Show 2010

Yesterday I made my annual pilgrimage to the Philadelphia Flower Show with my mom.  I really enjoy looking through all the exhibits, but my very favorite part is to stand near a large display of hyacinths and just inhale the smell of spring.  Ahhh....

This year's Flower Show was delightful as usual.  There were impressive large exhibits (including a stand of bamboo that nearly reached the convention center's ceiling), creative smaller exhibits, beautiful orchids, and (my favorite) lots of crazy cactus and succulent specimens.   Overall, loads of fun and a lovely 6-hour parenting break and some much-needed "quality" time with mom.  You know, you never get too old to need quality time with mom. 

This year's theme was "International" so the larger exhibits featured different countries:

INDIA

CHINA

NEW ZEALAND

SOUTH AFRICA

 

And a few other things that caught my eye:

Arrangement Suspended from Ceiling

Rainy Day Flowers

Crown Made from Dried Plants and Nuts

Modern Arragement 

Pressed Flower Postcard

Grand Entrance

Fun Succulent

Specimen Displays

Weirdest Afternoon of Exercise Ever

Yesterday afternoon I was was coerced into trying a new exercise class at the gym (called 'Drums Alive!') as part of a kickoff event at the local gym for a cancer awareness program. The kickoff event featured four 25-minute classes on a rotation. While the other classes in the rotation were pretty typical (e.g., cycling, body pump), the drumming was definitely way way outside my comfort zone.

Try to imagine what it would look like to have 30 full grown adults hitting large rubber exercise balls with wooden drumsticks while doing aerobic movements -- in a small room.  Now, superimpose some heavy drum music and an overly enthusiastic instructor and it make for a really...um...interesting experience.  Keep in mind we're all in our workout clothes, so I was doing this in spandex pants.  Have you ever seen the Saturday Night Live skit with Will Farrell hitting the cowbell?  THAT was the instructor with the drumsticks over her head.  MORE DRUMSTICKS!!  It was completely surreal.  I really can't put how bizarre it was into words.  I'm typing this about 20 hours after the class ended and I'm still shaking my head. 

I have to draw the line at a group of people doing jumping jacks with drumsticks.  Does that seem like a good idea to you??  Fortunately no one got impaled.  Although one of the other paricipants sassily noted, "This class would be a lot better if we were allowed to run people through with the drumsticks. Now that would be a class." 

A couple of people really, really got into it though.  I was happy for them and also for the instructor, or otherwise I would have felt bad for her.  I honestly attended with an open mind but the unsatisfactory fwap-fwap noises on the rubber ball were very undrum-like. 

Maybe another time I'll describe the hip-hop dancing warm-up that preceeded the drumming...