The Blohms

I had the pleasure of capturing some tender moments with this sweet couple last weekend. They truly are an amazing story. This pregnancy is nothing short of a real miracle and their willing to allow me to document this huge moment in their lives was just awesome.
Here are some of my favorite shots:

Mischief Fairy Strikes!!!

I'm pretty sure there's a Mischief Fairy. I imagine it being a little orange guy with a big pouch of special mischief pixie dust. He comes during nap time, quiet time, or really any time you are not in the room or have your eyes on your children. He whispers ideas in your little ones innocent little ears, while sprinkling said dust over their little hands. He's so quick in stealthy about it that even your little ones don't know how they got the idea to do what they've done. So when you ask, "What were you thinking??" and they answer "I don't know!"  They are right! because this little devil fairy planted the stinking idea into their little heads with their magic dust!!!
Where did I come up with this you might ask??
It wasn't until yesterday, when I discovered Max in the living room, naked from the waste down, covered in diaper cream. But it doesn't end there! OH NO!! He ventured into my bedroom where he found all kinds of treasures! Like my lotion, Adam's deoderant, a vicks vapor fan, a big jug of little orange bb's for the air soft guns. We found all of these "treasures" in his room on his bed. thankfully the bb's container was closed tight enough that he couldn't sprinkle his room with them. the deoderant was picked clean leaving his bed smelling very strong of Old Spice. You can imagine the disturbance in finding the bottle of lotion in his bed though. Thankfully he left little to no mess (that I've seen yet).
The fun didn't even stop there...oh no. The toothpaste exploded in the bathroom all over the sink too. By the time I discovered that...i just threw up my hands and said "of course. why not!"
How did he do so much without my knowing? Well, when it's  quiet upstairs at nap time,I assume it's because they are sleeping.

This morning, he had a little extra mischief left over. While I was upstairs listening to Abby read me a story, he got into a brand new set of Crayola paint. He emptied three whole containers into a paper plate.
So when I do write things on FB like,  "Dear mischief fairy, please don't pay us a visit anymore, I think you overdosed my son" just know that behind such posts there are usually little ornery boys getting into trouble, keeping me on my toes.

I love this little mischievous nut.

 

Princesses and Their Moms...What's Up with It Anyway?

**************UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM FROM 5-20-13************************

I was thinking the other day...well about a lot of things, so forgive me if I run off here or there on tangents because really my thoughts were everywhere about this, which is why I decided to write about it.

Abby and I don't have an Amazing mother daughter relationship. I know she's only 4 (almost 5) and like any relationship it just needs time to grow and strengthen, but even considering, we just aren't super cozy bundles of sunshine and roses with each other. We love each other, very much. She tells me all the time that she loves me...I tell her all the time that I love her. We send each other notes, we give passing hugs and kisses, we snuggle up with a book....but ask her to help me do something she doesn't want to do? and the gloves are off and the power struggle begins. I think it has a lot to do with our similarities that cause us to butt heads.
So anyway, thinking about this the other day while I was driving and it hit me...NONE of the Princess movies we've seen show a good healthy Mother-Daughter relationship! Lets take a look:

Cinderella - mom is dead, step mom hates her and turns her into a servant
Snow White - mom is dead, step mom tries to kill her
Sleeping Beauty - mom sends her away to protect her, so fairies raise her.
Jasmine - mom is dead
Pocahontas- did she have a mother? I know she had Dad.
Belle - mom is dead
Gizelle (Enchanted) - No Parents!
Tiawna- oddly enough, she did have a pretty good relationship with mom...but it didn't show a lot.
Ariel - no mom
Mulan - while mom was there she did not play much of a role except getting her ready for her "test" in the beginning of the movie, the focus was more on Mulan and her dads relationship.
Rapunzel- her parents love her very much, but she was kidnapped as a baby by Mother Gothel and grows up believing MG is her real mother....now this one is one messed up example.
Merida- While I haven't actually seen this one yet, (Adam and Abby have) I hear that it does show struggle between mom and daughter. I'm sure I will see it and see a bit of the same pattern as above, if mom is in the picture, there is a struggle of some kind or she doesn't play a very big role in the story.

If you know me at all, you know that I've always struggled with the Rapunzel movie. Abby and I throughly enjoyed it,and it is among the top princess movies that play in our house. However the relationship between Rapunzel and Mother Gothel is pretty complicated, especially to my four year old and served as quite the hurdle to get over when we first brought the movie home and watched it. How do you explain to her that Rapunzels "mother" doesn't really love her? That when they say "I love you", "I love you more", "I love you most" and embrace in a tender moment hug that she's lying and is really the bad guy? Abby went through a phase (after seeing the movie and my explaining that MG is really the bad guy and lies to her about loving her) and called me "mother" for the longest time. I was afraid that she thought I was lying when I told her I loved her. We've had a few talks since then, reassuring her that I am not lying when I hug and kiss her and tell her I love her.

Where I'm going with this is, it occurred to me the other day while I was thinking about all of this that there aren't really any movies (or shows) that depict a healthy good mother daughter relationship or family dianamic!  It makes me want to write Disney with a challenge....show me a movie that gives a good example of a WHOLE family (no dead relatives) that really love , respect, protect and support each other. (Instantly after reading that last sentence the Incredibles came to mind).  Bigger challenge?? make it a princess movie! I recently saw a little video, I AM A PRINCESS . It was really good, a great message, and I hope that Abby gets all of that out of seeing these movies, but still, there's a lack of family structure that, I'm afraid, will leave our little princesses thinking that they have to be from a broken hurt home to become something special? I don't know. It's just an opinion. I'm sure there's a lot I've left out and haven't thought about.
We love the princess thing, obviously, have you seen my daughter? I also know that I can't leave it up to Disney to show her what a real (good) family looks like. I'm just thinkin'.

************UPDATE BELOW***************

I am so glad I came back through some of my posts and read this one. I wanted to take a moment and give Disney Props for the movie Brave. I finally have seen it (about a million times by now) and was so pleasantly surprised by the family dynamic change! Mom and Dad are married and from the booty pinches and snuggles, conversations, and support shown between them, they really seem to love each other! Dad's a bit of a doofus at some points giving Mom a stronger woman kind of roll, but otherwise, I am quite impressed with how the family is depicted in the story.
While there were other aspects of the movie I wasn't super amazed and keen on, the family message was a vast improvement. so there you have it. Disney, you have done something really good here. Lets keep moving in this direction. :) 

My Ballet Adventure (part 2)

I am happy to say that this week (3rd and 4th in) I am starting to recognize the terminology. Here are a few of the things we've worked on, and their definitions (I totlaly stole this from Wikipedia...so no I didn't remember them...I vaguely recognized their names then googled the images to confirm). This isn't ALL of the terminology...but most of it.

Adagio

slow, enfolding movements, performed with the greatest amount of fluidity and grace as possible. In a classical ballet class, the Adagio portion of the lesson concentrates on slow movements to improve the dancer's ability to control the leg and increase extension (i.e., to bring the leg into high positions with control and ease). Adagio combinations typically occur in the centre following exercises at the barre, and consist of the principal steps, plie, developpe, attitude, arabesque, and grande rond de jambe, to name a few.  In ballet, the word adagio does not refer to the music accompanying the dance but rather the type of balletic movement being performed.

This is my favorite time...not because of the exhausting use of muscles so much as the fact that all the movements are broken down and done slowly and I have time to think about it and do it without feeling rushed. It is a little harder on the body because moving in slow motion is HARD! but it is beautiful and graceful.

Arabesque

Tthe position of the body supported on one leg, with the other leg extended behind the body with the knee straight. The standing leg may be either bent in plie or straight. Arabesque is used in both allegro and adagio choreography and generally concludes a phrase of steps.

This is one of those ones where you think and feel you look like this:

millicentmouse.wordpress.com

 but really look like this: (wobble, wobble)

It's much easier said than done when you haven't quite found that balance yet. I do like it though.

 

Attitude

basically like an arobesque, but that lifted leg is bent...in some ways it is easier, in some ways not, depending on if you're attituding front, side or back. ;)

Battement

A beating movement of the working leg (i.e. the leg that is active). Battements are usually executed in front (en avant or à la quatrieme devant), to the side (à la seconde) or back (en arrière or à la quatrieme derrière).

I stubbed my toe doing this one wrong...you have to be careful not to beat the wrong part of your foot!

basically you beat your foot on the floor in a swooshing motion, to the front, to the side and to the back...not sure how else to explain it...keep your toes pointed when you extend your leg...I dunnno..it's supposed to strengthen your toes and feet.

Chaînés

A series of quick turns on alternating feet with progression, or chain, along a straight line or circle. The turns are done with the feet in a small, tight first position releve. "Spotting" of the head is used to avoid dizziness in this and all turning exercises in ballet. In classical ballet it is done on the pointes or demi-pointes (on the balls of the feet).

This one is the one where you realize as you get older and after having kids, no matter how much spotting you do, you are  going to get dizzy and spin into the mirror (like I did) if you are not careful!! 

Elevé

Literally "rise". A relevé without the plié, so that the dancer simply rises directly to demi or pointe from flat feet and straight legs all the way to the balls of the feet.

I'm pretty sure our instructor throws this in there to see me squirm and wobble. Actually it is kind of neat to find my balance and rise from that to my toes...everything looks nicer on your tippy toes...even if you are a little wobbly.

What I WISH I looked like:

blackhearts-selina.blogspot.com

But this will have to do:

Fondu

Literally "to melt". Abbreviation for a battement fondu. A term used to describe a lowering of the body which is made by bending the knee of the supporting leg. Saint-Leon wrote, "Fondu is on one leg what a plie is on two."

I just wish it ended with more chocolate or cheese. haha.

Grand plié

A full plié, or bending of the knees. The back should be straight and aligned with the heels, and the legs are turned out with knees over the feet. As a movement, it should be fluid. It may also be in preparation for another movement such as a leap. Often done in first, second, third, fourth, or fifth position.

a Demi Plie is going half way, instead of all the way...we do more demi than grand.

Again...You think you look like this:

old.bpsd.org

  But really...




*sigh* it's so sad isn't it? I mean really! Am I Grand Plie-ing or squatting to pick something up? or worse! Squatting to POOP! oy.

 

 

 

Pas de bourrée

It consists of three quick steps i.e. behind, side, front, often ending in a demi plié.

I am pretty sure this is what was tangling up my feet the first day of class, I'm not 100% sure though.

Passé

Meaning 'to pass'.
As a position passé means when a foot is placed near, on, or below the other knee.
As a movement passé refers to the working foot passing close to the knee of the standing leg. When the foot arrives by the knee, it passes from the front to the back or back to front, and continues either to return to the floor by sliding down the supporting leg or into an arabesque or attitude etc.

What I think I look like:

sarah--says.blogspot.com

                          the goal anyway,















What's really going on there:








I wanted to do it eleve but this particular day, for whatever reason, I had absolutely NO balance! It was awful..I totally ate it at one point doing a pirouette!

 

 

 

Pirouette

Literally means to "whirl"; A controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retiré position, or in attitude, arabesque level or second position. The pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise.

Well, This week was the first time we tried this.
In class, I tried and tried and tried, but only managed to do maybe half of one. I was so frustrated with myself. I would bring up the wrong leg, turn the wrong way, or just throw myself into a spin that made me topple over. At the end of class, Tanya did help me a little with some pointers. I did it mostly successfully both to the left and the right. I did not end gracefully, more like toddling, noodle legged mess, but at one point...I was up, on my toe, hands positioned, balanced and did a full turn, in the right direction with the right leg bent.
I succcessfully did it again...at home..the next day..with no one but the dog and three little kids as a witness. Again, I did not end gracefully, but I think it had more to do with the baby that snuck up under my lifted leg and a dog that barked at me in amusement.

this is just a matter of practice practice practice.

Rond de jambe

Literally "circle of the leg". Actually, half-circles made by the pointed foot, returning through first position to repeat; creating the letter 'D' on the floor. From front to back rond de jambe en dehors, or from back to front rond de jambe en dedans.

Tanya LOVES these. I see her doing them all the time. now that I know what they are and have done them too, I also like them. Such a nice fun way to stretch your legs.

Tendu

Literally, "stretched"; a common abbreviation for battement tendu. Usually done as an exercise at the barre from first or fifth position, the working leg is extended to either the front, side or back, gradually along the floor until only the tip of the toe remains touching the floor (tendu a terre) or even further stretched so that the tip of the toe comes up off the floor a few inches (en l'air). A tendu can also be used in preparation for other more complex steps, such as pirouettes, or leaps.

I don't know why, but this is a favorite. I like doing our Tendu exercises.

Here's what it looks like...

pliestopirouettes.blogspot.com

WELP! That about sums up what we've done so far. I like having these definitions here to reference. And now they are here for you too!   Maybe I won't be so lost in the next few sessions! I am hoping to use THIS terminology from here on out in my updates, and not "hop-twist-turn-thing". I hope to add pictures in a couple of weeks to keep track of improvement and hopefully there will be enough to see! I would say, over all, that it's not "bad" considering I've never done any of this before!

My Ballet Adventure

After seeing Abby in ballet, and loving it so deeply, and then running into my best friend  and an opportunity to do an adult ballet class with her, I decided to venture out and try something I've always wanted to try.
So, I took the plunge, signed up, ordered the shoes (I didn't even think ballet slippers came in my ginormous size!), leotard, and tights and started stretching at home (I will NOT be that person in class that can't touch her toes!) and with a deep feeling of giddy meets nerves, I went to my first class.
Well I didn't die. I am still here, but it was totally not what I expected. The only ballet class I've ever seen was Abby's where a bunch of four year old cuties are learning each position, stretching, and then galloping accross the floor on their tiptoes. Sometimes there would be some barre work, but it was just pointing your toes this way or kicking a leg that way. How hard could that be, right? A lot harder than I thought it would be and I felt AMAZING afterward. I don't know what I expect to get out of this class. At first I was just doing it because I was suckered into the classic "I'll do it if you do it". I figured it would be a great way to get some exercise, gain and maintain some flexibility, and honestly, I've always wanted to try it. It's so beautiful and graceful and effortless (looking...LOOKING!). Abby seems to enjoy it so much and I watch her little class and think "why not? I could do that!"
That is where the "not what I expected" came in. I thought we'd be doing some simple stretches, a little bit of barre work...learn first and second MAYBE even third or fourth positions...
OH MY GOODNESS! we went straight to the barre, did some crazy bending and movements I didn't even know I could do, bend here, toes that way, butt tucked, pull from your tummy, use this muscle not that one, remember to keep your head high, arm out this way when your foot is like this, that way when it's like that...my brain nearly exploaded about half way through from the terminology alone!
There was a couple of exercises where the footwork had me all tangled up and I just hid behind the instructor and shuffled in the general direction she was going, hoping she wasn't watching my feet.  Then we twirrled and spun across the room, where I forgot to spot and nearly flung myself into the big wall mirror. Yikes! the second time across wasn't so bad because I actually remembered to spot!
We leaped and jumped and finally finished off with a slow and steady "follow the leader" type thing.
I survived. I felt AMAZING and I couldn't wait for the next class. The hour goes by fast. I did not want to leave yet!
My second class was a lot of the same barre work. I knew what to expect, so the terminology didn't cause nearly as much brain damage as the first time going through it.Tthere were a few new moves that were just awesome. stretching in this way was so great for my mind and body. Challenging? absolutely! but in a good way! I was able to focus a little more on my form, keeping my arms and head up correctly and LEGS STRAIGHT! We got to the floor stuff where we did the same step combo that had my legs all in knots the first time, but when I relaxed and just did it, I actually DID it! a couple of times! correctly! We did our spins where I learned how to spot a little bit more accurately so I was able to avoid the mirror and get across the room without feeling like an out of control tornado sweeping through the room.
Next we did another spin step hop thing that nearly broke my brain. It was by far the most challenging part of the night. Step backward one step, turn step, hop turn, land on opposite foot with other leg out straight behind you...WHAT?  I had to watch it several times and begin again and again before I almost got it right. I got across the room without any major injuries and then heard "okay, again with the left foot this time, but lets do two people at a time because we're nearing the end of class" So I partnered up with Tanya (my sweet BFF) and while the first leap twist thing was a success, we almost hopped right into each other!
I can't wait to see what this next week brings us. I am going to practice that leap-turn-hopper-thing (this is my terminology...clearly) and hopefully be able to do it for our next class...if we do it again. :)

You Did What???

We acquired a dog. That's right, through some (unfortunate) events my brother is moving and can't take his pup with him, so I "volentold" him I'd take him. After much begging and convincing both our land lady and ourselves, we now have grown our family by four paws.
I'm pretty sure he was named with the anticipation of his getting really big being part lab and all, but after some further examination and my own "experty" judgement (ha!) I'm pretty sure he's also part beagle and won't be getting much larger than he already is.
He has enough personality in that  puppy body to fill out his name. He is rambunctious and  sweet all at the same time. He is AMAZING with kids (thanks to good training by my bro!) and despite Titus' efforts, will NOT eat that peanut butter sandwich, no matter how many times Ti tries sticking his hand into his mouth with a fist full of sandwich, or corn dog, he will not take a bite...although today he did have the corn dog stick with a bit of dog left on it and looked at me like "Honest! I had no choice! I would have choked had he stuck it any further down my throat! please don't hate me!"
He is a great dog so far. Titus and Max wallow on him and with him and he's so gentle in his playing with them. He is patient and willing to give up whatever toy he has to whichever little hands are grabbing his way, especially if it means that said toy will be tossed to be chased. He is still puppy though, so there is a lot of jumping, gnawing, chewing and barking. Mostly at the grownups. He has a little ways to go yet on manners, but over all, a great dog!
So what were we thinking? Adding an 8 month old puppy to the litter of children I already have running around? Maybe I was bored and needed a little extra work to do around the house? Maybe I was thinking I was getting baby fever and needed a fix quick before we made any rash decisions! Or maybe I saw  an opportunity to help my brother out in a situation that demanded help but I didn't know what else to do but take his dog and run!  Honestly I don't know what possessed me to take on this challenge, but so far (one whole week into it) I am glad I did. Is it fun cleaning up the poop and pee because we haven't quite figured out when he's saying "lets play" or "I need to go out NOW"...no, but we're getting there and  I think it will be worth it. The kids love him. Abby is still a little timid with him, but the boys have bonded and are on their way to having a great relationship with their first dog.
I really hope this works out well. Challenging? yes. Crazy? maybe. Worth it? I think so. at any rate...meet Tank: