Square Dancing

Last night at my son's school they had a dance.  It was really a dance presentation.  All of the different grades had a specific international dance to do.  For instance, the 4th grade did "Tinikling" a popular Philippine folk dance. The 6th grade did a "Bollywood" dance to represent India and the 5th graders (my son's grade) did "The Virginia Reel" a square dance to represent America.  It was truly a delightful event to watch as the different kids danced. It also was a wonderful snapshot in childhood to see how committed some were and others who clearly wished they could have been anywhere but there. The square dance also brought up lots of memories for me as I remember learning those same dances in P.E. on rainy days.  It was Junior High School, now known as Middle School.  We would get into our gym clothes and go upstairs to the gymnasium for our lessons.  We didn't do the dance with the boys, not sure what they were doing, we did the square dancing with girls only.  I remember lots of giggles and a very good work-out.  

I also remember LOVING school dances. I was the whacky girl that would ask the boys to dance just so I could dance.  Just being able to move.  Not caring one bit if anyone was watching or what anyone thought. To quote my son, "ah, good times, good times".

In the Village, We are All Parents

In the last post I wrote about our wonderful library.  I also mentioned the decadent food truck that sits parked outside the library after school.  As I said, "who knew chicken and cheese fries could taste so good". I'm writing though to share an interesting experience I had while waiting in line for those delectable fries.  One day last week, Connor took the books and DVD's to the library while I waited in line to indulge.  Once he would drop off the goods he would join me in line at the truck.  There were two high school boys in front of me and off to the side was another boy who was waiting for his food.  He clearly knew the young man working inside the truck as they were discussing some friends they knew.  The real shocker for me is how they were discussing the friends.  The young man inside the truck was dropping F bombs like I have never heard before in my life.  Now mind you I have been around.  Here's an example: "man f@#$, she f@#$ and f@#$ we had F@#$ car and she was f@#$ but I'm f@#$ and you cannot f@#$ believe f@#$".  Using the word as a noun, conjunction, verb and adjective.  The two boys in front of me kept glancing nervously in my direction because the f police needed to be called.  Once I got over my initial shock and amazement of this conversation I realized Connor would be coming back any minute and I just didn't want him to hear this.  So I spoke up and politely asked the young men to please watch the language as I have a young son and I just don't think it's cool for him to hear that.  Not only did the young men stop the conversation, they actually apologized to me.  They were then able to continue their conversation without a single f bomb.  The two high school boys in front of me watched the whole exchange with wonderment.  I realized the outcome could have come out differently but I feel I approached them with respect.  Would they speak like that in front of their parents?  Was it my right to correct them?  Let me say if this were my child I would hope another "grown-up" would do the same.  How do kid's learn what is appropriate?  Do we continue to turn a blind's eye to behavior that's not okay?  There is a part of me that was surprised I spoke up but there's a bigger part of me that feels it's more necessary than ever to help with the parenting of all our children.

Our Local Library

First off let me apologize for not blogging in awhile.  My computer decided to take an un-approved vacation.  I have since ordered the part and said computer is now complying with company policy of only approved vacations.  As I have learned as a parent, "you make plans and God laughs".  So without further ado my local library:
Our branch, the Memorial Branch, located right across the street from Los Angeles High School.  It is about 5 blocks from our house so that makes it walking distance.  The librarians are wonderful as is the staff.  We probably visit it at least twice a week if not more.  In fact we've become regulars as money has become tighter and we cannot frequent the book stores like we have done in the past.  Plus, as we've put time limits on Connor's electronics he has become much more of a reader!  Cue the hallelujah chorus, it has worked.  If our library does not have a book he wants he knows to go to the reference librarian and she will order it from another branch.  They are great with notification through e-mails to let you know your book has arrived or that your book is due to come back in a few days. They even have DVD's you can check out.  They have a 2 day limit on DVDs, but tons of titles.  I cannot recommend it enough how important it is that you get to know your local library.
BTW should you happen to come to our local branch there is a food truck parked there from 3 to 4, "Felix and Mama" and they have the most decadent chicken fries I have ever had.  Quite frankly I've never had the combination before but when Connor and I saw the line of kids outside the truck we interviewed them and then had to dive in.
Fries and a good book.  Really, who can complain?