Cat's Cradle and other games

My daughter is intriqued by learning to play cat's cradle. So much so, that we've been searching for string/yarn all over the place. My guess is that other girls at her summer school program are playing it, and haven't taught her to play yet. Such a strange and sweet time for her to be totally interested in Barbies, riding her bike, riding her scooter, swimming, singing Disney song lyrics, and learning finger string figures. I don't remember the circumstances, but somehow I remember playing this game with my sister.

Since my daughter doesn't have a sister, her 'best friend' (for now) came to our apartment for their first sleep-over a couple of weeks ago. They both behaved very well, and aside from this friend leaving her swimsuit, a pair of shoes, a pair of shorts, and some hair ties...they played Barbies and watched a mermaid movie. It was some days after this sleep-over that she became interested in the string thing.

So, since I, too, struggled to remember how to play...we kept going around to the same loops again and again...I decided "Let's check the internet."
Here's what I found. So much fun...we may have to check out origami, too.

www.momsminivan.com
www.ifyoulovetoread.com
www.whimsical-workshop.mb.ca/index.html
www.darsie.net/string

What I did on my summer vacation...

Do you remember writing about summer vacation on the first day of school? Reflecting back on riding our bikes, climbing trees, shopping at the mall, lots of swimming, time with family, local festivals and parades... just where did the time go?

One fond memory from teen years (forgive me, I don't remember which year, possibly early 1980's) is watching Saturday Night Live (NBC), as they opened a fall season of comedy. I may have dreamed this, but I could have sworn this really happened. My memory is fading fast, so this is how I remember it. If any of you are SNL 1975-1985 fans, clue me in. Anyhow...That episode the "not ready for prime time players" showed a little video clip (as a skit) of what they did on their summer vacation. That's the summer that Dan Akroyd & John Belushi filmed "The Blues Brothers." Still one of my favorite movies.
"We're on a mission from God."

Anyhow...this summer has been so absolutely crazy, I'm sure any of you checking this blog are amazed to see anything new here. I was one of those prodding commenters who commented on some inactive blogs just to see if they'd post something new. Eventually they did, and I don't think these "friends" of mine actually read my blog...so I can write this. Ha.
But, it took my blogging friend, Erin, to show me that I had been very neglectful of this site. Thanks for reminding me that I AM a blogger. After all, that's one way we came to know about each other...by following the blogs of a group of people at our church (also my place of work.)
I may not comment as often, since I haven't been blogging myself...but I'll be trying to catch up on the summer posts, and you may see the occasional comment from a long-ago post. I apologize for my tardiness in reading your stuff. But, know that I still take interest.

I digress...
Summer vacation...not really a vacation, but it's been a weird break from blogging. So many things are in my head, that would make really great blog posts, I just haven't put them into writing yet. Hopefully, many of them will stay with me, and the creative juices will begin to flow as the temp drops and the leaves turn golden brown. It's shopping time, looking for athletic shoes, new jeans, notebooks, crayons, and glue sticks. It's funny that the school list also asks for things like post-it notes and dry-erase markers. Where will it end? At least I don't have to provide her with a lap-top computer for entering the second grade. Although, that may be a possiblity as my baby boy enters kindergarten in the fall of 2010. Who knows. I never would have thought 5 yrs ago that the price of gas would be where it is today.

So...after being completely wrapped up in work, family, extended family, the cost of living, getting back to health, finding a new daycare, etc. I have to say it has been somewhat memorable. I'll clue you into some of it later. For now, I'll say "Goodnight" and get back to rocking my little ones to sleep. Summer isn't over yet. I'm going to get back to enjoying it.
If you see another post here anytime soon, I'm having trouble sleeping. Otherwise, see you in a few weeks.