Cavalia Odysseo

My brother called a couple of months ago asking if my son and I would be interested in coming down to Boston to see Cavalia. I'll admit that at first I wasn't sure I was excited about it, not knowing what the heck it was. However, a quick search on the Internet made me extremely excited to see the show.  It is a cross between an equestrian show and Cirque De Soleil. (Sp?). So, I talked to my son about it, showed him a trailer of it on YouTube and he was hooked too. 

My brother, who is generous to a fault, bought the tickets, and train tickets for my son and I.  We arrived at North Station and were greeted by my brother, we drove to his condo where we met his wife and we all took off once more to a sidewalk arts/crafts show about 1/2 a mile away. Turns out it was right near where Cavalia was all set up for their spectacular. This is how I was able to get a picture of the huge tent.  We had lunch at the local Burger Dive, and meandered through the stalls looking at the amazing things people have made. There really was some fantastic things, and a couple of scary things (someone was selling mason jar lights that were filled with dolls---can we say creepy!)

After we went back to my brothers to chill for a little bit before walking down to the show. It was very impressive from the start, we found our seats and as the lights went down my son looked at me and stated he needed to go to the bathroom. Really??? You couldn't have said something 5 minutes ago?

So, off we went disturbing about 6 people to get to the aisle, we got outside where the bathrooms were set up.....he didn't make it....he left a trail of diarrhea to the bathrooms. After a couple of minutes I followed him into the men's room and helped him clean up. I don't understand, how did it get on the walls?  It was on the floor, all over and down the side of the toilet, but seriously...how did it get on the walls?!?!  I rinsed out his shorts as best I could...not a lot of water pressure so you can imagine how well I did. I washed his sneakers because he got it on them (and he stepped in it with deep treads-yuck!). We got back to see most of the first half, but the smell was distracting. 

The show was amazing!  It was fantastic!  The acrobatics my favorite parts, but the horses and horse tricks were close. We got to the intermission ad my son said he needed to leave because sitting in smelly wet shorts and sneakers were too uncomfortable. (I can't say I blame him!). My brother and sister-in-law wanted to stay because the show was so good but also because they paid a lot of money for us to go. (Can't say I blame them either!)

So, during the 30 minute intermission my son and I ran down the road and across the boulevard to a Kmart, bought a new shirt, shorts and shoes for $15.95. I was pretty impressed with that. Then ran to the back far corner to the bathrooms. He changed into his new clothes, we triple bagged his soiled ones and booked it back to the show. I was very surprised that we made it into our seas just as the lights were going down for the second half. I could finally relax and enjoy the show!  I could catch my breath and soak in the sights and sounds........NOT! 

2 minutes in my son turned to me- "I need to go o the bathroom again."  NO!  This seriously could not be happening to me right now. We just went through this. 

Off we went, this time he made it to the port-a-potty and threw up. We walked back and then had to run back so he could throw up again. The Cavalia people were wonderful and found us aisle seats near the front so we could sit and enjoy the show knowing we could get to the bathrooms faster an without disturbing people. We were able to watch about half of the second half between bathroom runs but missed the grand finale. Oh well, what we saw was great, but the poor people in charge of cleaning that bathroom.....I'm sure they never want to see us again!

At least it wasn't a boring trip!

This picture is of the huge tent erected for the show 

This one just made me giggle like an immature pre-teen

My son walking to the show

Driving

My father let my son drive his John Deere mower. He did a great job, although I guess the first time around he almost took out my mothers car. He was so proud of himself. As well he should be...

I was given the same opportunity at his age by my grandparents. They let me try their ride on mower.....I drove it right I to their back steps. Needless to say that at the age of 40 I haven't been on one since. 

When I was 12, I drove their 4-wheeler---right into the electric fence. This time they did let me drive it again and I did get better. However, I was riding out in the fields one day and stalled it about 1/2-3/4 of a mile out. My grandfather had to walk all the way out to start it again for me. I was told I couldn't ride it again until I could start it. (It was a pull start)   Again, needless to say, I never rode it again. To this day I even have an electric push mower. The electric cord is a pain, but I can start it.....

Long story short- my boy is growing up and so far he is a better driver than I was at his age. We'll see though, I will officially label him a better driver if he can refrain from driving into his high school in front of a bus full of students, a teacher AND the principal. (True story!)

Angles are everything

I took my son to see Disney on Ice last night. I took a bunch of pictures of him there and took a final picture when we arrived home to commemorate the night.

He was wearing the fairy flower hat and holding his sword. He was a fairy warrior! He then wanted to take my picture wearing the hat and holding the sword....

I decided that I would kind of crouch down---hoping that the angle would hide my 5 chins (ok, I only have 3 but you know what I mean). It may have slightly minimized my chins but he got my entire body.

I look like we had been in a battle and he had cut off my leg. In reality, when I see this picture I have to laugh because I see a bonbon on a stick...

I guess I really need to get serious about my weight loss. This is NOT the first time I have looked like a bonbon, and unfortunately I will probably look like one again....

The weirdest thing about this? Whenever I say "bonbon on a stick" (which is a lot today because it makes me laugh) I say it in a Mexican accent -yes, even in my head right now- because for some reason it reminds me of Jeff Dunham's Jose the jalapeño on a stick. Weird right???

Sometimes you just wish you had a video camera

My son and I went to visit my parents today. When he took his jacket off I noticed something on the back of his shirt. I came closer and realized it was a tangled piece of thread, most likely from the jacket. I took it off his shirt, and spontaneously decided to joke with him. I told him I just removed a spider from his shirt. He didn't buy it, and told me so. I went to show him the thread when it accidentally fell on his arm. He screamed and backed away from me as fast as his legs could carry him.

My parents helped me to calm him down, I apologized but he wouldn't come near me for about 5 minutes. He was really mad at me. I know I should feel bad, but I was laughing too hard. My mom scolded me for laughing.....(while fighting a smile of her own)

It was one of those moments I really wish I had my video camera on. I could have made a fortune on AFV! Trust me, it was hilarious

Why I refuse to go in blow up attractions

While walking around Pumpkinland with my child this weekend, he was filled with a joy and wonder when coming across a blowup haunted house, or pumpkin he could crawl into and toss balloons high into the air to watch they swirl in the air currents before landing somewhere only to be tossed again. He went into the haunted mansion only to NOT reappear through the exit. I waited patiently while others came and went several times over. My sons staff finally offered to go in and find him. I had to take her up on the offer as there was NO way I was able to go into that inflatable structure. No way, no how!

What could make me so adamant about this when so many were enjoying themselves so much? The entrances and exits. As sad as it is.... I could not get over how much they resembles a vagina. Yes, that is where my mind went, and where it stayed. I just could NOT make myself enter or be "birthed" out at the end.

My license plate

My son has recently pointed out to me that my license plate had the letters SX and that spelled sex without the E.

Now, it doesn't help that the number were 3999. Now every time I look at my license plate I see a sign for a cheap hooker: $39.99 SEX! I feel like I'm advertising for a sale. I mean, couldn't my plate advertise me as a highly paid, high class call girl? Oh well, a girls got to do what a girls got to do.........(or NOT)

Another immaculate conception. It's a miracle

What could I possibly be talking about you wonder? Well, I just found out I will be a grandmother.

How is this possible? I'm only 39 years old! Ok, so my age does not mean its impossible. I get that. What makes this a miracle is that the person pregnant is my 10 year old son. Yes, you read correctly: 10 years old. SON!

This is what happened. Last night my son calmly told me that it felt like something was moving in his belly and he thinks it feels like it would if he were pregnant. I sympathized with him and explained that it was his intestines and the gas that was trapped there. I told him I had felt this way many times, most people have. Anyway, the matter was dropped and we moved in with our night.

This morning I dropped him off with his dad. I went to work. I got a call at 8pm from his dad telling me "Your son is saying he's pregnant. He also says that we are all Gods puppets and God can make anything happen. God has made me pregnant. It's what he wants."

His dad sounded furious, I don't think he was at all impressed that I found this so hilarious, or that I was so impressed with my sons argument, but I did and I was.

I happily admit that I am a Christian. I will also admit that I have not taught my son about God and Jesus and spirituality as I wish I had. We talk about it sometimes but it's really hard when you have a son with special needs. If he's not interested you might as well save your breath. We're getting there though. Because of this I think my ex blames me for our sons thinking and is NOT impressed. I don't know what to tell him, I do not think we are Gods puppets and have not told my son this. This is his own deductions about God, and I can't help but be impressed that he has thought about God at all on his own.

So now I have promised my atheist ex that I would have a talk with our boy when I get the chance. (its probably a good idea because his dad has a completely different approach and is not always successful in communicating his thoughts in a way that works for our son).

So, I think congratulations are in order, I'll be listing what he wants for the baby shower in a later post as the pregnancy progresses. Don't worry, I still have his crib and changing table. (so glad I didn't get rid of them now). My son and I will have to sit down and talk about his birthing plan----I will be strongly suggesting a C-section.

For those of you reading, if we are friends on Facebook or twitter I ask that you post to my wall "congratulations" just to know you're reading and appreciating the situation I find myself in. Have a wonderful night everyone.....


Look at the picture, he's starting to show.

Children are not pillows

As I was hanging out with my son today I laid down on the bed with him and used his stomach as a pillow. He makes a good pillow what can I say? This is actually a game we have played throughout the years. He giggles and pushes me away, and I keep trying to use him as a comfy pillow.

Today went a little different than usual-

I laid my head down ad told him he makes a good pillow. He pushed me off and then jumped off the bed yelling "no!"
Me: come back! I need my pillow
Son: no! I am not a pillow.
Me: but you make such a good one.
Son: you can't make me, and it hurts me
Me: how?
Son: well, I'm not saying you're fat...
Me: I gave him "the look" (the one that moms give so well saying you're treading on very thin ice right now, be careful what you say)
Son: I'm not, but how can a 10 year old boy support the weight of a 35 year old adult?

Boy he's good, I'll give him that. He danced his way out of serious trouble, and told me I was 4 years younger than I am. He's good, but I've got my eye on him........

He really does make a good pillow...

Help! I'm peeling

So, remember that sunburn I got almost 2 weeks ago? Yeah, that's the one- I had a raccoon face for a couple of days and couldn't wear a bra for longer. Well, last Thursday, (a week after the burn incident) I finally started to peel--right before I started to blister, I know right? What the heck!

Anyway, I was so happy to be peeling. It's my favorite part of getting a burn. I know that burning is really NOT good for your health and all that, but when I was young, my best friend and I would lay out to get a burn in the hopes that we would peel. Then we would get together and peel each others backs.

It surprises me how many people are completely grossed out by this practice. Cause I've got to tell you, I LOVE to peel skin. It's so satisfying, especially when I get a large "sheet" to come off at once, and it feels great having it done too. A little like a light back scratch, a little like a tickle too.

I texted my friend: "Where are you, I'm peeling!!!". This caused my friend a great deal of confusion as she read "where are you, I'm peeing!!!". See? Very different statements. When we cleared up the confusion it made much more sense to her. Alas, she was not able to help. So, while at my parents home I enlisted my mom to peel me. My father was incredibly disgusted. For the last few days I've been instructing my son in the art of skin peeling. He'll get the hang of it in no time. Soon to be peeling large swatches of skin in a single yank.

Is this wrong? Teaching my son to do this? Will Clarice soon be after my son? Ok, probably not. I mean he's not demanding I "puts on the lotion" so I think we're ok, at least for now.

Kids say the darnedest things

I used to love watching that show. The kids were so guileless and honest. It was always in that honesty that the humor showed through.

There are times I wish I could put my son on that show. Sometimes he sounds like a little old man, sometimes he blows me away using words and phrases I would never have thought someone his age would have heard let alone know how to use in the right context.

For my birthday I got a card addressed to MOMMAH!!! (a.k.a. Mommy). What nine year old uses that?

Or how about last Friday when I got dressed up to go pay my respects and support to a good friend whose father had passed away. I put on a nice outfit and make up (yes, for those of you who know me- I do know how to apply make up I just choose not to most of the time) I walked down stairs and my son says "Wow! Mom you look gorgeous.". So I replied with "Thank you sweetie, gorgeous may be a little strong, but that was so nice of you.". To that his reply was "well, not you, your shirt is gorgeous!". How sweet right? Guess I know now to just say thank you and move on...

That same night he spent the night at my parents house. He loves his sleep overs there as he gets to sleep downstairs with my mother. Well, he informed my mother that at home he likes to sleep "au naturale" my mother was so surprised she asked "what?". So my son explained that it means naked.

My son is way too smart too. I can't get away with a simple explanation of anything. He wants to debate EVERYTHING!!! He tried to get me to buy him a toy over the Internet because he really wanted it and it only cost £1.99. I explained first that it cost more than 1.99 as it was in pounds not dollars, and second that I didn't have the money to spend on silly little toys right now. So he proceeded to ask me how much I spent on the weed whacker I bought the day before. I explained it was not his business what I spend on household items. He came back with "yes it is, because I'm a part of this family." I then ticked him right off with my response: "Yes, you are a very important part of this family, but that does not give you the right to know about the expenses in the house. When you get a job and start contributing financially to this household you will have the right to certain financial details and not a moment before.". Ohh didn't that make him mad.

I'm sure this won't be the last post on his saying the darnedest things....

Bowling

So I took my son to a bowling party yesterday. To watch him play with the big balls was surprising. He handled his balls well. Whenever I've played with the big balls (only twice). I've gotten bowling injuries.

Yes, I am THAT good. See, I grew up playing with small balls, and even then I was never good with them. I had never played with big balls until a friend had a party. The big balls scare me, so I tried out different weights, found one that I thought I could handle. When it was my turn, I threw my ball backwards almost knocking out the birthday girl. The next time I was up I three my ball in the right direction---sort of---- I even got a strike! Well, it was 3 lanes over, but it was a strike nonetheless. The gentleman in that lane was ok with it.

Now, that same throw I fell and landed in the gutter bruising my hip. Yeah, I'm impressive when it comes to handling my big balls. So, if you want to play with the big balls let me know and I'll be your entertainment for the evening.

I guess what it comes down to is that my son is better at playing with his balls than I am with mine. That's as it should be I think. 😊 Although I am much more entertaining with mine.

Update

She's still alive! If a little blurry.  I hope this is the continuing trend with Sophie.  My son is still enchanted by her, although does not like the feel of her tiny little claws on his bare skin.

We are fortunate enough to have a wonderful case manager working with us.  We explained that Sophie doesn't have a lot of room in her little cage.  She offered up one of her old cages for us to use.  I was so excited, it is more than double Sophie's cage.  It was delivered yesterday morning.  My son went to school, I cleaned the cage and then a quick trip to the Dr's again, yuck!

I promised my son he could help me set up the new cage when I got home from work. 1/2 an hour before bed time.  The plans were made, the cage was clean.  Sophie is moving up in the world to a deluxe apartment in the sky!  Things are looking good.

I come home from work, son gets out of bath, Sophie goes into exercise ball.  We set to work taking apart the old cage and setting up the new.

This is the new cage.  Can you guess what the problem was?

Sophie is transferred to her new home.  Oh what joy, what rapture.  She quickly ran around smelling everything and getting used to the cage.  Then it happened......  she squeezed out between the bars.  What a stinker!

Into the hamster ball she went, replaced everything in the old cage, with a few changes in placements.  Voila, Sophie in her old home again.  Well, we can always try again when I have the money to upgrade her.  Sorry I took the dream away Sophie, but at least you're still alive.  And isn't that all that really matters?

Sophie back in her old studio apartment.

She ran on her wheel for 2 hours after coming home.  I think she was depressed about not getting the new pad. (although most of that is probably due to the fact that she can't escape from her current home)

What the heck have I gotten myself into?

Really, I picked my son up from school today.  He tells me as we're walking to the car, "I think we should get a mouse.  They are small, cute and don't cost a lot."  I dismiss the idea.  He persists. I tell him we'll think about it for Christmas.  He's done research at school on the computer.  He asks to go to the pet store to "look, and price things out."  I agree.  That was mistake number 1.

We get to the pet store.  We look around.  He looks at the mice and hamsters, oohhing and ahhhing.  The store associate comes over.  I tell her what my son is thinking about.  That was mistake number 2.

She gets another associate to come over and they tell me about this cute little hamster that has allergies.  That was mistake number 3.

They proceed to take it out so my son and I can get a better look at it, all the while extolling the virtues of hamsters.  Mistake number 4.

We walked out of the store having spend $45 I don't really have on an allergic hamster, cage, food, and specialized bedding (for said allergy).  MISTAKE NUMBER 5!

Now, my son is in bed, I have a hamster (they are nocturnal) who has been running in her wheel for the last 1 1/2 hours non stop- driving me crazy!  She also likes to climb the bars of her cage looking for her escape route.  I hope she calms down soon, otherwise I may go insane pretty soon.  This is my sons early Christmas present, but guess who will end up cleaning the cage?  Feeding?  Watering?  And who do you think will conveniently "forget" that Sophie is a Christmas present?  What the heck have I gotten myself into?

Sophie

Nice to meet you.

Running..........

She will run for 1/2 an hour one way on the wheel, then actually turn around to run back.  Does she not want to run too far from her new home?  Is she afraid she'll get lost?

Ah, the joys of motherhood.

My son wants to grow his hair long.  OK, no big deal, it doesn't hurt anyone right?  So I let him alone.  It's long enough (really not long yet) that he is constantly getting a rats nest in the back.  I brush it out as painlessly as possible, but he still complains and tries to pull away.  I repeatedly explain that if he wants his hair longer it needs to be brushed at least once a day.  He doesn't like it but is (mostly) letting me do it.  Well, for a couple of weeks now he has developed this annoying head jerk.  A lot of people ask if it is a tic.  I think it's because his hair is getting into his eyes, but he refuses to get it cut.  Tonight I decided I didn't care, I had him stand there while I trimmed his bangs.  I promised I would only do enough to get it out of his eyes.  Holy Crap!! I did it!  I was terrified, let me tell you.  The last time I cut someone's hair (not counting my hopefully-soon-to-be-ex but that's another hilarious story) was when I was a kid and I ended up with 1/4 inch bangs, they looked eerily similar to the time my other cut my bangs and felt so horrible for what she had done to me she bought me a pair of jeans and a pair of earrings.   Anyway, I'm sure they are not straight, but you can't even tell, but you can see his beautiful eyes now.
I have a collage frame in my living room.  In the center are 2 pictures.  One of me as a young girl and one of my grandmother at about the same age.  We look like sisters.  Well, I looked at them again and to my shock, My son looks like us too. I pointed this out, he looked in the mirror and decided he thinks he looks like one of the Beatles.  (Paul)  Oh how his mind thinks...... then he started singing a little song he made up on the spot about my never having seen his bum.  Ah, what a proud moment......................