I am Opposed to Cheap Plastic Toys

I know there are some major issues out there: unemployment, health care, the deficit, the market tanking, moral degradation, political corruption, terrorism, hedonism, the threat socialism poses to capitalism, lack of ethics in big business, I could go on and on. All of these issues deserve our attention, but I want to bring to the forefront an issue of considerable concern: the manufacturing and consumption of cheap plastic toys.

I feel an obligation to speak out against this senseless waste of money and energy. Aisles and aisles of cheap plastic toys, bins and baskets of cheap plastic toys. More and more cheap plastic toys. And when I go to the store what do my kids ask for? Cheap plastic toys. C'mon!

"Hey mom, mom, will you buy me a toy."

"No, you have enough toys!"

"Nooooooooo," Owen draws out his exclamation in a long high pitched moan, "I don't have any toys, I don't have anything to play with." he looks at me with sad eyes and a pitiful expression. Wow, this kid's good. Luckily, I have been around the block a few times and after my fifth child I am starting to recognize when I am being manipulated.

"Really, you don't have any toys?"

"Ummm hmmmmmm," Owen moans, "I have nothing."

" So what are all those colorful molded plastic objects all over my house? What are all those super heros with movable parts and muscles bulging, What are those boxes of blocks and bins of track and trains, what are all those grotesquely formed monster guys, what are those dinosaurs, farm animals, cowboys and Gi joes that I find under your bed and in the corners of your room. What are those lego bricks that I keep stepping on all over Heathdom. If those aren't toys, then I don't know why I keep picking them up and sorting them into their proper bins(a job that I despise by the way). What joy! What a discovery! If those aren't toys, then why on earth do we have them."

Great question!

Cheap plastic toys, I have decided, are a menace to society, upsetting the social dynamic of the family and the order of my home, reeking havoc on the environment, stunting the creativity of my children, and are down right driving me crazy.

So, I stand up and say No More Cheap Plastic Toys! C'mon, who is with me. Really, what do kids really need but a ball, a stick, some crayons and a box. I think that is all I had when growing up. My mom was really good at cleaning out our toy closet. That was her super human power: cleaner/organizer. She must have been super human, that is the only way I can explain the way she could enter my home and begin organizing and sanitizing and have it model perfect in one hour. Anyone who knows my mom can attest to this. My boys toy closet, on the other hand, looks similar to Sid's room on Toy Story, guys with swapped heads, pirates with broken limbs, cars without wheels, naked GI joes with beards drawn on their face. It is time I clean up. It's time to economize, to rid myself of the fat, the futile fluff that are cheap plastic toys.

Stick with the original is what I say. Every toy produced is a cheap reproduction of what a stick, ball or box could ever be on it's own.

Perhaps you think I am a making a mountain out of a mole hill. If you think so, you have never had to free said toys from their packaging. This alone would convince you of the logic of my argument. They are secured in there so tightly, mummified almost by countless twisty ties. For what purpose? I wonder if the Chinese government is trying to create new jobs by multiplying the number of necessary twisty ties by ten. You'd think the toys were dangerous to society and aren't supposed to be released to the child. I say your right. Keep them in the box. Send them back and get your child a stick, a ball or box. They will be entertained and you save your money.

That is unless your honey just had his kindergarten shots and needs to be appeased, in this case cheap plastic toys are perfectly appropriate to purchase.

Will S has turned 7

My boy,
my sweet William,
my little king,
my ham,
my tender heart,
my guy
is growing up. He just celebrated his 7th birthday and he is just the little man. William has always been playful and fun. He always has had a great smile and would often use it on me. I was like puddy in that boys hands. He would flash me that smile whenever I would discipline him and I had to turn away or I would start laughing or smile back. He tried it on his Kindergarten teacher too. I didn't work as well with her.

William is faithful. He loves to say the prayers and often asks for me to come in and have quite moments of prayer if he feels scared or sad. William is a great helper. He loves to work and help out with whatever needs to be done. He is very competitive and enjoys games, but doesn't like losing. Being a good sport is one attribute that we are working on. He plays an amazing game of memory. That boy can pull matches out of a hat.

Will loves the water. He has always been completely relaxed in the water--like he was meant to be there. His cousins were swimmers, maybe he is meant to be one too. He loves the beach and takes too many risks in the water. Although he is 7 now he wants to be one of the big boys braving the big waves.

Yes my boy is growing up. He is the big brother to Owen and they are best friends. They love to share everything and rarely fight. They wrestle, play war, pirates, cowboys, blocks, legos, basketball, soccer, and wrestle some more. Will wants Owen to do everything with him including going to the bathroom. . .I wonder when they will decide to give up that brotherly moment together.

Some of the hobbies that Will likes to participate in are fishing, playing lego video games, the drums on Rock Band, riding his bike, playing handball, and art. He loves to draw cartoons and can make very creative monsters and aliens. He is experiencing his first season in organized basketball and is learning a great deal thanks to a great coach and Wills attentive practicing. He will begin baseball in the spring. Go Will!

Will, I love you and am amazed at the way you have grown. I am proud of the friend you are, of the good boy you strive to be and your kind, kind heart. The "S" in Will S is in honor of his Auntie Sue Sue who shares the same birthday. Happy Birthday Susan.

Will 7 February 3, 2009

Will wanted Chuck E Cheese for his birthday dinner
(No, he hasn't grown out of that yet. But all the kids were so happy) William also got a call from his friend Dylan in Valencia. They have shared many birthdays together and it was very thoughtful of Dylan to call and say Happy Birthday!

Emma, Lily, Will, Owen

Will making a seven with his hands (his idea)

Will loves to play war with his dart guns

Every boy want a sword. This is a soft nerf sword

This is probably the third trouble game we have purchased for our family. But you gotta love the game. Although often someone ends up crying.

Of course Legos

Will wanted cookies and cream and chocolate icecream cake. Yummy

January 31st in So Ca!

Can you dig it?











'nuf said

Dinner Conversation

When the last person sits down, we begin with a prayer.

"Hey mom, hey mom does this gives you a heart attack?" says Owen. I am attempting to toss the salad with the remaining tablespoons of blue cheese we have in the jar, and don't answer.

I look around the table and ask, "Who's ready for a prayer?" William is sniffing the Ranch dressing and moaning while rolling his eyes to the back of his head. Emma is chomping, Lily is comparing her steak to Emma's and Owen is chattering.

"What are you doing?" Mitchell asks Will in an baffled tone. Mitchell lives in a land of munchkins. His closest sibling is 8 years younger and while he enjoys them much of the time, he is completely bewildered and exasperated by them a lot of the time.

"Mmmm it smells good." Will croons. I guess he is hungry after running around and flying kites at the park.

Richard asks Emma if she would like to give the prayer, she is chewing on a piece of steak.

"Hey where's my fork?" Will pipes in.

"It's right there by your plate." I say

"I've already had a bite," Emma confesses. In our house if you have eaten part of the meal then you can't offer the prayer, why, I do not know. Really, does Heavenly Father care if you have had a bite of the meal or not. Are we not worthy to give the prayer if we've had a little smackral of the dinner?

"Oh," Richard says, "Will, how about you, will you give the prayer?" Will shakes his head no, I guess he has had a bite too.

"Mom does this gives you a heart attack?" There is Owen again asking me about the piece of steak stuck on the end of his fork. I shake my head no as I stand and begin serving the salad as Richard asks another family member to say the prayer. . .

"Yuck I don't want yettuce! No yettuce for me it's gwross!" Owen shouts

"Yes you will get salad, you like salad." I serve him up some salad making sure there are no tomatoes, that is one fight I will not fight now. If I can get him to eat his carrots and brocoli, I am happy. When Owen sees me place the salad on the plate he sticks out his tongue and makes gagging noises. Everyone giggles.

"I yike yettuce," Will states sticking his nose in the Ranch dressing again, "especially wif wranch."

"I can't say the prayer, I already had a bite," Lily confesses

"I can't either," says Mitch, I am next in line. I've already had a bite too, but so that we can get the ball rolling and actually begin eating this meal "legally" I keep my little secret and say the prayer.

Right after the prayer:

"Mom, hey mom, does this stuff gives you a heart attack?" Owen chirps again sticking his fork with a piece of steak in my face, he is serious. How in the world did he get that in his head?

"No the steak does not give you a heart attack. If all you ate was steak every day, every meal, all the time, and you were my age, it could hurt you. . . give you a heart attack, but your little."

"That would be bad," says Emma. "You'd die."

"You wouldn't necessarily die, but it isn't good."

"It would hurt," says Emma.

"Yea but we don't eat a lot of red meat!" says Mitch,

Will still is sniffing the bottle of Ranch as I continue to serve up the salad. "Will's a sniffer," Mitchell concludes, "like you dad."

"Yep I am a smeller. I have always got to smell things." He is right, he is part hound dog. The first thing he did when our children were born was smell them. It was quite sweet really, It was like he wanted to experience them another way, sight, touch and smell. He then confesses he smells everything, even his belly button to make sure it's clean, and he checks his breath by smelling his upper lip. "Italian dressing is the worst!" he says, I shake my head staring down at my meal, and ask to change the subject.

"Mom, Mom, hey Mom, does this gives you a heart attack?" Owen asks AGAIN! everybody laughs.

"How did you get that in your head?" I say.

"I told him, we learned about it in science," Lily shares. "It clogs your arteries."

"No honey, it won't give you a heart attack. Don't worry, enjoy it."

"Yea, and eat your salad, because that keeps your body from having a heart attack!" Richard reminds Owen.

"Yea, those veggies are good for you. eat up!"

"What would you rather have, cancer or a heart attack?" Lily curiously asks.

"Neither of them!" Richard says, I nod my head in agreement. I don't want to talk about that either. I would rather talk about smelling belly buttons.

"Yes neither!" I agree.

"Is there any more steak?" Will asks,

"Eat the rest of your salad and potatoes, and then you can have more steak?

"There's no more steak." Richard warns

"There's no more steak?" Mitchell whines, he has half of his left still.

"Your piece was hUge," I say

"Yeah you got the biggest piece," Richard chimes.

"Oh yeah," Mitchell backs down with a smile. I look at my piece, Mine was Uge too. I cut off a chunk and reserve it for the "wild pack" less they attack.

"Eat your veggies and then you can have more."

"Stop that, your always putting tomatoes on my plate!" Lily squirms. She looks at me tilting her head to the side and moans,"She always puts tomatoes on my plate and the juice and seeds get on my stuff." Emma is smiling at her joke. I glance at her sternly and she picks up her tomato and pops it in her mouth then she comes over to me and sits on my lap. "It's irritating Emma, it really bothers me!" Lily shares.

"Mom, mom, hey Mom. Dos this stuff gives you a heart attack?" Owen is sitting next to me holding his fork full of steak in my face, and is looking up at me. I stare back at him smiling. I really don't know what to say.

President Obama: A Perspective

I watched the inauguration and stood, along with my son Mitchell, as President Obama was sworn in as the next president of the United States and was happy. I was happy for a few reasons:

First, because Obama rhymes with Mama and that is what I am!

Second, to see and celebrate the peaceful exchange of power within a nation. For over 200 years we come together as a nation, and witness this change and celebrate it, setting aside our political view for a moment to recognize the great hope that is democracy--that the voice of the people has been heard. Not many countries can claim such a peaceful resignation of power so consistently. That is truly something to celebrate.

Third, I celebrate the fact that we have a black president. I feel it is historic. We have come a long way from our past. Really. When President Obama made mention that he stood at that podium addressing our great nation as the new president, when not so long ago his father would not have been served in a restaurant, I realized what an amazing social transition was able to take place in one generation. Good for you America! It brings me joy. On election day, I was deeply moved when I witnessed many blacks crying at the thought that they too can be president. Yes, You Can! Can you imagine what hope that gives young black men: to see a black man holding the highest position in office. A man who had nothing given to him, but had to work for everything he earned. A man who came from a very supportive family, but with very modest means. Like him if they work hard enough they too can become president? Yes You Can! It makes me a little giddy! really!. I can't help but think of all the kids who crossed my door into my classroom. I tried to teach them that they have the power within them to be great. That words are power and to educate themselves will make great change in their lives, but who am I, a white woman talking to them. I don't know how much credibility I had, when they had their real life experiences teaching them otherwise, but they knew I loved them and wanted them to succeed. However to see it happen, for them to see that it can be done, that is where the money is. They will believe us now! I am curious how this will effect black pop culture. How will this historic event sway the hip hop/ rap scene. What music, art and poetry will be created now, will there be themes of hope. . . I bet there will be! As an educator, citizen, mother, I celebrate this!

Finally I have hope he will be a great leader and lead us into change that will benefit our country. While I don't agree with all of his politics, I still hope he will be a great leader, one who can invigorate this nation, shake us out of complacency, and bring hope. I can't help but feel hopeful when I listen to him. I can't help but feel that the call he makes to each one of us to make more responsible choices, to appeal to the higher sense of ourselves, to reach out to others to make change, to become involved in our communities, to prioritize our children, to make tough choices that will benefit our world, our future and the future of our children is a call from a leader who will lead us into change. I can't help but think that he is right. A great leader inspires those around him/her. I have hope he can be such a leader. The power of democracy is in the people. We are the ones who make a difference.

Why do I feel this hope? Why do I like what Obama has to say, because he says that this country is great, and it is great because of its people, and whatever challenges come our way, we will rise to that challenge and triumph over it. Because of our heritage, our founding documents, and our values as a nation, despite the differences in race, religion, social status, and politics, we will come together and garner strength in one another and overcome. I believe it. And I believe him.

For two years I have received many emails and seen many posts about then senator Obama. Most of them have been negative and emotionally charged, some of them bigoted and fearmongering in nature. At the time, I was undecided about my vote, however, I was not persuaded or impressed by such efforts to influence my vote. After the inauguration I was curious what people people might say and was not surprised to see that of my friends that commented none were positive. That is perfectly okay with me. I am not offended, just curious why so many people dislike him so much.

Knowing that most of my friends and family may not agree with my stance that Barack Obama can be a good president. They feel that more conservative economic policies would better serve our country(in some cases this may be true, however, no conservative president has been able to overturn Roe vs Wade since it's decision although we would hope to be the case) I would like to call all my friends and family to engage in a discussion about President Obama and his policies. I have already heard from some of you on Facebook and have enjoyed the exchange of ideas there. I am coming to this with an open mind and ready to learn and discuss. Please feel free to share your ideas. I am looking forward to it. I want to hear what you have to say.

Post Script: I want to make plain that I do not support abortion or the freedom of choice act. I am pro life. My above statement was simply acknowledging that a change in the roe v wade decision has not come to pass while a pro life president has been in office.

Big Guys and Little Guys

"Big Guy" and" little guy" are terms of endearment in my family. At least I use them as such. It all started with This guy: The Big Guy

The Big Guy aka "Bob" with Wills in '02

Notice I use the article "the" when calling this guy The Big Guy. That is because he is "The" original, "The" first, "The" Big Guy. It's true. The term has been used since when talking to my boys and one or two other guys who qualify for various reasons, but it originated with Bob, my dad. Why is he called The Big Guy? well for one thing, he is big, he is tough and he has a big heart. To tell you the truth, I don't actually know where the name originated from, we just accepted it and never questioned it, it just is. Here is the Big Guy when he was little:

My Grandma Edna curled The Big Guys hair for this photo. Let's keep that to ourselves, if it got out it might ruin his reputation as a tough guy.

Then we have the Little Guy, or as we like to call him yetta guy, Rob--he is my younger brother. Yetta Guy took after The Big Guy in looks and in manner, hence the name, of course he had other nick names capt. barf, and The Fonz for example, but Yetta Guy stuck.

The Yetta Guy aka "Rob" in '75

Here is The Little Guy now that he is Big:

Rob and I last Summer at Santa Cruz Island

Here is The Little Guy and I when we were young.

in the front room of our house in Diamond Bar

Here is both The Big Guy and The Little Guy in the Aug. '85

Outside the Chicago Temple at the Open House before it was dedicated.

Now here is this guy. This is my yetta guy, Os.

This Little Guy takes after The Big Guy in looks and manner as well. Like The Big Guy, he is the biggest of all his siblings by comparison. One day we will call him Big Guy too. I am sure of it. And this is where the story begins. . . This guy has a friend. Not any ordinary friend, mind you but an amazingly brilliant, talented, incredibly privileged, and remarkably nimble friend. I have never actually met this friend, but I hear about him all the time, in fact we all do and feel like he is part of our family. His name is Little Jacob. . .

Here is Big Jacob. . .

Big Jacob is like another brother, in fact he is Mitchell's brother from another mother as we like to say. I am pretty sure that Little Jacob, Owen's best friend, stems from this Big Jacob, whom we all love.

Now Back to Little Jacob. . .

Here is what we know about Little Jacob. Little Jacob lives in a match box house, I am not sure if that means it is small like a match box, or is full of Match box cars. Another thing I know is that he has every toy imaginable and thousands of legos:

"Wow," I said, "Thousands? where did he get them all?"

"For his birthdays!" Owen shares enthusiastically.

"Really, how many birthdays did Little Jacob have?"

"A hundred!" Owen says confidently. And I believe it too, because it seems like every week Owen is invited to another one of Little Jacob's birthday parties. And they are themed parties too: spiderman, superman, batman, or GI Joe parties. Owen is always invited because he, of course, is Little Jacob's best friend.

Little Jacob can do some amazing things. Just yesterday, Owen told us that Little Jacob could stand on the wall upside down. Emma retorted that she could do that, and immediately began forming a head stand.

"No," Owen corrected, "Little Jacob can stand on the wall upside down!" and then he points to the ceiling.

"Really! You mean Little Jacob can stand on the ceiling like Spider man?" Owen, wide eyed and smiling, shakes his head yes. We all are amazed. This little Jacob is quite the phenomenon.

Little Jacob goes to school, but not your average school, he goes to Camp School."Camp School?" Mitchell questions, "What do you do in camp school?"

"All camping stuff, and he has to set up tents, and then he does his school work in the tents."

"Oh wow, that's fun, what else does he do?"

"He cuts wood with axes, and he goes in the mountains, and he plays with sticks, and he climbs on things."

"Wow little Jacob is really lucky," we acknowledge.

"Yes he is and, (a pause). . . can I go to camp school?"

"We can go camping, but I can't send you to camp school. Little Jacob is really lucky."

Little Jacob has some amazing strength. He can lift cars, jump off houses, run through fire, climb up rocky cliffs and other super hero feats that would make the hair of any mother stand on end. I am just glad that I am not Little Jacob's mother or I would never sleep restfully at night.

Surprisingly, however, Little Jacob can't swim. We were all amazed. But, he can walk on water.

"He can walk on water?" Richard questions.

"Yes, on hot water." Owen pronounces, "Little Jacob can run on hot water!"

The adventures of Little Jacob continue to weave through our lives. I felt I should write just a few down before they are gone forever.

We love our little Jacob, just like we love our Big Jacob. Keep those stories coming Os. Oh and by the way, We love you Big Guy!!! and the yetta guy too!!!