Mating, Interrupted

With Christian's interest in all things found in nature, Mike got him this caterpillar cage.  Well, it was supposed to be for the caterpillars, but then he and his friend put a monarch butterfly and a few ladybugs in there.  They added some lovely flowers and a bowl filled with cottonballs soaked with water for the butterfly. 

Christian thinks we should have an animal shelter to help all creatures so they can mate and then we can take care of the babies. I disagree.  When he's a park ranger or zoologist or something like that then he can pursue that goal. He knows the word 'mates' and he understands that it has to do with having babies. 

Recently Christian told me that he saw two squirrels mating.  How did they do that, I asked.  "They rubbed each other's noses and then they swished their tails around."  That's good enough for me.

I convinced him that butterflies don't belong in such a small cage, so the lovely creature was freed.  But then so were the now dead caterpillars.  And I'd hoped to see them, especially the green one which was supposed to be a moth.  We always talk about how each living creature, even if it's just an earthworm, and each person has a purpose in life. 

"What's the purpose of a penis?" he asked yesterday. "Is it to have sex or something?"

It's amusing how Christian likes to ask 'big' questions in a casual manner.  It seems that his older friends have given him a little too much information.

"Why, yes, there are two purposes for a penis: mating and peeing.  Some of that sex stuff you'll hear more about when you are older," I told him.  "You don't need to talk about it too much with your friends yet because you're only 8 years old.  But if you have any questions -- any at all -- come to me or Dad and we'll answer them for you when the time is right." He nodded his head and that was that (for now).  I also reminded him not to talk about his or anyone else's privates because it's private. It's a broken record routine, but one that I hope sinks in. "It's not appropriate," I added.

Christian is aware that somewhere around 5th grade he'll have the big sex education talk at school.  Thank you, neighborhood boys, for keeping him abreast of such important news.

I feel like lately I'm catching glimpses of a pubescent Christian.  Today after school he gave me some momentous news: "Mom, I have something to tell you, but you're not going to like it."

"I'm sure I'll live.  Tell me," I said.

Christian breathlessly told me, "A GIRL likes me. She told her friend and her friend told me." She is the one he helped at the skating rink yesterday by rolling her to her mother after his classmate had fallen.

Me: "Why would I be upset about that?"

Christian: "Because I'm not allowed to have a girlfriend."

Me: "She's not your girlfriend, Christian.  Did you ask her on a date?  No.  She's a friend who happens to think you're cute, and that's ok."

Christian: "But I'm not allowed to have a girlfriend until I'm a teenager, right?" This is something I've been telling him since birth; not really, just since kindergarten. 

Me: "Maybe you'll be allowed to, but it's best not have a girlfriend for a really long time. And even then, it's best to have a group of friends you spend time with who are both girls and boys."

Christian: "When I'm about 15?" He needs to know the magic number.

Me: "I haven't decided yet, but it'll be a long time from now."

Plenty for him to ponder these days.

Halloween in Our Suburb

Halloween was eventful:  we walked to our downtown area and the kids received candy from the local business owners.  It was fun walking around while hearing oldies music on the outdoor speakers. After that we walked around our neighborhood.  Here in Columbus, many surrounding communities allowed trick-or-treating between 6-8pm.  

Two Transformers and a Batman

Bellydancers shimmying to American Oldies music. 

A fortune teller's tent

Many neighbors stayed outside to greet the trick-or-treaters

One of the many decorated homes in our neighborhood

Mumford and Sons

Bad Mom Week

Three little random vignettes:  First, I don't always join in my kids' reindeer games so they can learn a lesson. Second, I take all three to doctor appointments and grocery store errands because there is no alternative right now. Third, Christian perseveres through his hard homework assignment through tears as I, his mom, am having flu-like symptoms and want to call the assignment off.

Episode 1:

It's been a long week filled with doctor appointments, sick husband, sick children, and sick me.  Yesterday I went to the store with the kids after Gabriel's appointment to check on his ear (he'd had a burst ear drum and ear infection a couple weeks ago).  It's such fun to take three kids to the store, especially when they run around, fight, and/or play 'Me and My Shadow' behind my back.  I was not in the mood and I gave them fair warning before heading into Kroger.  Towards the end of our errand, Gaby and Christian thought it would be fun to 'hide' from me, but I decided it would be less stressful to pretend I didn't know they were hiding and continue shopping instead. I really should've been more concerned, but I figured if anyone got lost they'd learn a little lesson. I'd already scolded the boys and I just needed to finish shopping.

About 10 minutes later I heard over the intercom, "Can Uh-lay-nuh come to the cashier?"  I found Gaby sobbing with two Kroger employees by his side.  He told me it was Christian's fault he was lost.  How so, I asked.  "Because he was playing the hiding game!" I reminded him it was his fault he was lost; he shouldn't have strayed away from me to begin with.  By the way, it was not Gaby who sought out help. Two very attentive Kroger employees noticed him crying and asked if he was lost.

Episode 2:

A few nights ago I started to feel real woozy and feverish.  By 2:00 that afternoon I was ready to crawl into bed.  That evening Christian began work on some math word problems.  The more frustrated he became, the more exasperated I became.  It was a one-hour battle.  Finally I told him to put the homework away and leave it for the next morning.  This agitates Christian more than anything -- an unfinished assignment.  Oh no! It means he will be in trouble at school.  I explained, as patiently as I could, that I was tired and that he could complete it the next morning before school.  Then I lost it and took it away from him and proceeded upstairs to their room so I could put them to bed.  Poor Christian wanted to finish the homework, and out of sheer frustration and sadness he cried, "I'm an idiot!"  That got to me.  That really got to me.

So I hugged him and told him he is not dumb, he's just having trouble with this particular assignment and he'll get it. I told him that I had the same trouble in school when I was his age.  Some things took more time to learn and I used to feel pretty stupid, too.  I told him that I was going to help him learn different ways to solve problems.  Christian is a visual learner like me.  He needs drawings and charts to 'see' the answer and organize information, but like a young me, he sometimes gets caught up in using only one strategy to find a solution.  I remember my dad trying to show me different ways to solve problems, but if it was not exactly the way my teacher had shown us in class that very day, I worried that I was not doing it correctly.  I thought there was only one way to a solution. 

Christian told me he gets nervous about tests at school, and unfortunately, this is a life-long process.  Teachers measure kids to see not only what they know, but what they need help with.  So he completed his assignment and I praised him for his perseverance. He told me he was worried about moving "a clip" (used for discipline at school), and I told him that if we used clips in our house, I would've moved my own for the unfortunate way I reacted to Christian's frustration earlier in the evening.  He then spent the next hour with me downstairs for one of my "pep talks" that he seems to enjoy enduring.  This is the time we spend talking about life, how it's not fair at times, and why we are constantly tested by all things material and spiritual.

Episode 3: Awkward

Yesterday I had an appointment with a podiatrist to check on the annoying pain in my left foot. It's always a joy to go see a doctor with three kids in tow. I warned them not to clown around and they did ok, except when they fought over the water machine in the waiting room and fought over who got to sit in the round chair in the examination room.

Over the weekend Mike gave me a good foot massage, and I could only describe where the pain was as the doctor felt around the heel and arch of my foot for sore spots.  I assured the doctor that I was practically limping for the past several weeks and that the pain has been intermittent over the past couple years.  As he continued the exam he joked, "I'm not going to give you a free foot massage.." Ha ha. He really put his foot in his mouth...oh the foot puns that come to mind. Obviously, Mike had done a great job of stretching and kneading the tissue. 

I was given a steroid shot in the heel and told to come back in a couple weeks to see if the pain is completely gone.  Apparently I have plantar fascitis.  When the doctor left, Christian asked loudly, "Why was the doctor acting like your husband?  Is he a massage doctor?"   On the way out, Christian informed me that as we were walking towards the car, he peered into the window and saw the podiatrist.  Christian said, "I pointed at him and told him, 'You're a massage doctor!', and the doctor told me, 'I can hear you.'"  Oh boy, my follow up visit might be a little awkward in a couple weeks. I wish doctors' offices had waiting rooms for children so parents could complete their appointments in peace. 

Last evening as I was putting the boys to bed, Christian again joked about Dr. Massage. He said, "I should've told him my arm hurts so that he could massage it."  He asked me several times if I'd told Mike about this, and I assured him I had.  Christian double checked with Mike after he came back from his trip this afternoon. This doctor's appointment really seemed to bother Christian.  Perhaps, if the podiatrist had been a female it would not have struck Christian as something strange for someone to touch my foot in a similar way Mike does for me. I'm sure it had everything to do with the 'massage' comment, though. 

Dude Man Dude

We were searching for Christian's Baptism album for a religious education project due for the next day's class when the boys came across one of Mike's old photo albums.  The one with all the cars, mullet-headed friends, and chickadees he knew back in the day.  Then they saw the photo of a post-pubescent 19-year-old Dad (the hairless chest was a dead giveaway) with his arms around another equally young, frizzy-headed (just being honest) girl with a bad 80s hairstyle and they exclaimed, "Mom?  Is that Dad's girlfriend?!"  And Gaby giggled and threw himself on the couch. 

But the very last photo was of an older dad with his arms around two ladies (I use that term loosely) at a sports bar-esque place taken during his mid 20's and Gaby commented, "Wow, Dad! You're with some HOT ladies! Hahahahaahahahahaahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!" I think that photo needs to be burned. There are a number of photos of Mike and his friends showing off pre-weight lifting muscles with such bravura that resonated with our sons. 

Today Christian apparently told his teacher, "My dad is a dude."

She Said, He Said

Joseph did not want to take a shower this morning.  He fought me every inch of the way. 

Me:  "Come out of the shower, drama king."

Jojo:  "Ok, drama mama!"

Conjunction Conjunction, What's Your Function?

It was a(nother) cold and rainy night as we drove through the streets of a Columbus suburb.

Christian: "What really freaks me out are old ladies who are bald-headed like Grampa."

And Gaby chimed in: "Or old lady BUTTS! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" (Gaby's favorite word is still 'butts'.)

Jojo's song ended our drive home: "Butts! Butts! Butts!"

P.S. Anytime we read stories, they never miss the conjunction 'but'.

P.P.S. I'm beginning to wonder if the hearts on Gaby's graffiti bathroom drawings were actually butts, not hearts.

A Tale of Three Pumpkins

It was a dark, rainy night....muuuuwhawhawha...and the boys wanted Daddy to carve their pumpkins.  Gabriel wanted a "ske--wee one with eyebrows."  It also need to have two "teets" at the bottom of its MOUTH. 

 

Jojo gave his best pumpkin face for Daddy to use on his gourd.

Christian wanted the most elaborate pumpkin with a tiger face and stripes.  So Daddy drew the picture onto Christian's pumpkin.  When it was time to carve, he was very careful to carve out the stripes and around the eyes and nose.  I think the stripes were connected to the eyes, which were connected to the nose, which was connected to the mouth....

I heard Daddy giggling and knew that something had gone terribly wrong.  Christian exclaimed, "What happened to the pumpkin?!  Where's the face?" 

Gaby decided to label their pumpkins, but Christian prevented Gaby from writing his name onto his.  He didn't want credit for the "pumpkin hole".  Last night Christian told Nana and Papa that his pumpkin looks "ri-di-klee-us".  I think it's funny how Mike tried to distract Christian by showing that the stem 'lid' could still be removed like a normal pumpkin. Another great feature of the faceless pumplin is now your hand can be viewed through the cave as its candle is lit. The pièce de résistance didn't impress Christian, either: the placement of a tiny ceramic pumpkin within the gaping hole.

Christian walked in on me as I was downloading these photos and he asked, "Are you sending the pumpkin hole picture to someone?"  It embarrasses him to even have the pumpkin on the front porch.  

Bathroom Graffiti

It was a(nother) rainy day and Gaby was bored.  He had the bathroom and Mommy's makeup to himself.  One person's paraphernalia is another's drawing instruments.

I saw what looked like a drawing on the !*&! pedestal curtain.

Oh. My. Gosh. It looks like lipstick.

I checked my lipstick.  Gaby -- I knew immediately who to blame -- had used my favorite lipstick for his drawings.  Oh, but there was another drawing on the shower wall.  This I didn't take pictures of because by now I realized he had used my mascara and eye shadow for that piece of artwork.  He also decorated Jojo's hair with my hairspray.

My initial wave of anger slowly gave way to curiosity about those pictures.  Who are those people, Gaby?  That's me and Jojo, and that's Christian over there.  Are you and Jojo hugging?  No, we're not hugging! We're walking together.

I texted the evidence to Mike and, of course, he laughed and commented, "At least they're happy pictures."

And they are!  Look at the hearts, the whimsical drawings.  They are indeed happy depictions of his feelings, perhaps.  Or of his love for his brothers -- I'm getting carried away now. 

I was reminded of Randy Pausch. I never met him, but he was the type of person I would've liked to have known, and I know I would've learned much from him.  He gave his last lecture four years ago at Carnegie Mellon University, and I always remember this:  a photograph of his childhood room. His parents let him draw and paint on the walls of his room.  Two paintings that struck me were of an elevator door and a secret passage to Venus. Here's a video of his sister showing Randy's room.

In Randy's last lecture, his childlike demeanor and wonderment come through as he talks about his dreams.  And what dreams this Ph.D. had, many of which he achieved.  The heartwarming talk can be seen here.

Gaby doesn't take himself too seriously and I am glad that he and his brothers don't -- this in an age where we're supposed to be uptight, education fussbuckets because that is what is valued more than anything. I want them to value learning, yes, but also beauty, friendship, and dreams. Dreams are worthwhile, and that's what Randy teaches.  It's the journey of reaching our goals that is the most important part of learning, not just learning for the sake of a degree or Ph. D.  Watching the movie 'Rudy' the other night reminded me of this, too.  Rudy was on the mediocre end of the spectrum in comparison to Randy's natural academic abilities. And Rudy met lots of brick walls, which, Randy says, are there for a reason. Both had dreams that were probably not within the realm of their natural abilities, but their determination led them to places they never believed they could get and inspired countless others.  But I digress.

Gaby's a pretty smart kid, but he is also imaginative, creative, oh so funny and, at times, frustrating.  After I got over my anger and asked him about the drawings, I praised his work and reminded him to ask for paper, crayons, watercolors -- whatever -- when he decides to work on his next project.

Taco Man

The other day Gabriel heard me speaking with Tio Alberto on the phone.  Gabriel later gave me his impression of Spanish being spoken:

"Do you have a taco?"
"Yes, I have a taco."
"Do you have a taco?"
"Yes, I have a taco."
"I'm the taco man!"

His inflection was pretty accurate.  Later in the week he told me that a person who was dressed up in a taco costume was at school.  It didn't make sense to me either.  But I still had to ask his teacher.  Remember how Christian's 'small camera' story back in kindergarten was lost in translation?  So, I took my chances when I confirmed with Gabriel's teacher the upcoming parent-teacher conference.

Hello!

That time is good for me!

Gabriel was running a fever yesterday, so I'll keep him home today. I've left word with the attendance line.


Thanks,
Elena


p.s. Was there a 'Taco Man' at school?

Yesterday I told Gabriel that I'd written to Mrs. W to ask about the 'Taco Man', and that's when he and Christian told me that they were just joking.  I still haven't heard back from Mrs. W.

I blame Mike -- he always tells the boys tall tales.  Like when he told the story about how their Latina mama met their dad.  Or how he tells the kids to go along with a joke to pull on their mama (see 'comments' in the story below.)  Oh boy.

I
should've
known.

Blessing of Pets

Today our pets were blessed by Fr. Dan for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.  There was quite a menagerie of animals: a bearded dragon, all sorts of dogs, some cats, a bird, frogs, a turtle, and Jojo's panda bear that he brought along.  Lucas, Jumpy, and Climby all did well, although Lucas became quite chirpy and some other dogs were yappy.  Two big black dogs began growling at another dog, but things went smoothly other than that.  Christian enjoyed talking about his firebelly frogs with some interested people -- and we thought he was shy.

There was a lady holding a box that I assumed must've been a creature quite small.  I asked her what she had and her eyes welled up.  I asked if it contained her deceased pet's ashes, and she showed me a picture of her shih tzu that she'd had for 14 years. She said she never thought she could become attached to a dog, and the loss still stings.

I commented my surprise at becoming attached to our little bird.  Who would've thought?  A dog or cat I could understand, but a bird?  I love Lucas and everyone who meets him falls in love with him, too.  He has such personality, and he talks constantly. I haven't quite warmed up to the frogs yet, but they are cute.  I don't mind holding them and listening to their high pitched squeaks occasionally. 

I held up Lucas for the Holy water.  And then Fr. Dan blessed Jojo's panda bear -- Mike was unable to get a photo.

Christian speaks animatedly about his firebelly frogs to his captive audience.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen


P.S. -- Daddy caught this fish, according to Christian.  Christian said that Mike reached into the water and pulled it out!  The real story is there were some fishers at a dam who offered to cast their net and catch a fish for the boys. Quite a catch.

Woller Wink

Last night the boys' school had a skate party at the local rink.  They have never skated before, and I hadn't gone in over 20 years. But I pressed on and rented skates for each of us. 

It was comical, really.  People around us were chuckling as they saw me trying to control squirmy Jojo and Gaby who kept falling on their popos as I tried to keep from falling on mine.  Jojo's feet had a mind of their own; it was as if he was trying to to walk instead of uncontrollably rolling. Christian made it to the wall of the rink and hung on for dear life. 

Gaby, Jojo, and I finally made it safely to the wall of the rink.  I had forgotten how to balance on my skates nor did I have much control over myself, much less two boys, and thought of Wile E. Coyote on his ACME skates.

It took me one trip around the rink to wise up and take off those rolling shoes of terror.  I was able to walk the boys around.  After about an hour, Gaby and Jojo had more control over their skates.  Gaby and Christian went by themselves around the rink while holding on to the wall, and Jojo and I went around the rink by ourselves.  No broken bones, only torn jean knees for Gaby.

It really was fun!  We were all sweating and tired after a couple hours, but we hope to go again.  I wish I'd had my camera, though. The image of Jojo's feet and legs scrambling beneath him in the tiny pair of skates is something I'll never forget.

A Mouse in the House

Yesterday, Christian came bearing a gift for me as I worked furiously on the computer.  He and his brothers and friend were outside and found a disgusting, dead mouse that his friend's cat had already found.  It may have been slightly alive, but I'm not sure. Stuart Little it was not. 

Christian: "Look what we found, Mom!" And the critter was curled up in his hand.

I realize now that the boys like to see my reaction. I still do not touch bugs or gross critters (like toads or caterpillars), but I am not as afraid of them as I used to be.  Earlier I had found a loose cricket that Christian failed to put into the froggy cage and I trapped it under a cup. I'll do things like that: save bugs under a cup for Mike or Christian to dispose of outside.  But bring a nasty thing like a mouse into the house? Well, that just about did it for me. 

I jumped out of my skin and screamed.  They thought my reaction was soooo funny and ran away laughing.  I was fuming.  I made them place the thing into a plastic bag, then I placed it into the garbage, which was then thrown outside into the can.  And then they each had to make a trip to the bathroom and scrub their hands with soap and water.  One of my worst nightmares is finding a surprise in the washer, dryer, or toilet. Or finding a mouse or raccoon in the house.  Or head lice on one of the kids. My skin is starting to crawl.

Cub Scouts Popcorn for Sale Until November!

I've been asked how to make sure that Christian receives credit for the order.  Please go to this link and then in the green area it may say "You are supporting no one. Change"  Click on Change and then type in (or copy/paste) Christian's Scout ID number:  16051753.  Click 'continue'.

Once you do this, make sure that at the top right this appears: Supporting Scout Christian C.  You are now ready to place your order for Christian's Cub Scouts den! You can click on any of the items on the red toolbar:  All Products, Signature Snacks, Microwave Popcorn, Other Treats, or Military Donation.  If you do not wish to order any of the items for yourself, you can have an order shipped to the military so the Cub Scouts den will still receive credit for your order. 

We'll receive immediate confirmation of your order, and you will then receive a 'thank you' from Christian so you'll know that the order was placed correctly.  This is the only way I know who placed an order in Christian's name; there is no other way to track orders otherwise.

Thank you!

Nana Came to Town

Nana came to celebrate Jojo's birthday.  The boys went to the Halloween store and found this year's costumes: Transformers.  Christian, who is scared of the scary masks, did not go inside so he had no choice but to dress as a Transformer this year. 

We walked to the car show down the street.  I imagined riding in this car and waving my hand like Mrs. Bucket (That's "Mrs. Bouquet" to the commoners). 

Gabriel

Jojo

Christian wanted to do "something fun", which means anything outdoors.  Mike and Brenda took them to the park and to the creek.  They were worn out afterwards.

We went to the German Festival and had our fill of frankfurters.  There was a park for the kids to jump around in blow up trampolines, go on manual train/airplane rides, and face painting!  The live music was the best -- if you've never heard a polka-ized version of 'La Bamba', you don't know what you're missing!  The costumes, the food, the craft booths were so much fun. 

Nana and I also took Christian to the ER on Sunday night, but other than that, we had a good time with Nana! 

Anything involving Christian is usually a long dramatic tale.  I only add this so I'd remember:  right side pain could be the appendix, pain on the left side is probably gas.  Never take Christian to the ER when he has pain on the left side.  Never take him when Nana is in town the night before school when he's the only one who has school the next day.  Remember that his hip could hurt due to growing pains, though, just like Uncle Jimmy, somewhere around puberty.  Remember to look at all surrounding circumstances before taking him to the ER (Is Nana in town?  Is Monday the next day? Make sure Christian sleeps in his own bed the night before school when Nana is in town.)

Fall is in the air.

Happy 4th Birthday, Joseph Sebastian!

Chaca-la-ding-dong!
He turned four on Saturday
Our baby Jo-gee

He blew his candles
As I prayed my wish for him:
More candles to blow

Continue to march
To the beat of your own drum
Off the beaten path

Where nature and friends
May or may not be -- always
Finding happiness,

Contentment, and peace
Wherever you may be -- in
This world of wonders

Mrs. Toilet Lid Head

What Gabriel and Christian, the masters of mischief, do on a boring, rainy morning.

Pssst, Wanna Order Some Popcorn?

Please support Christian's Cub Scout pack and order yummy popcorn online.  Your order will be delivered directly to your address.  Lots 'o yummy flavors:  sweet & savory, cheese lover's, white chocolately pretzels, kettle corn, butter & butter light, chocolate triple delight, caramel, and butter toffee!  You may also make a military donation, too.

Update:  Go to this link to place your order.  Please make sure that at the top right this appears: Supporting Scout Christian C.  If not, please enter Christian's scout number: 16051753.  This will help Christian's den to earn some profits and also give him credit for the order.

Thank you so much.  This is our only major fundraiser this year (thank goodness)!

He Said She Said

Gabriel:  "Today is not a fun day!"

Mom:  "Of course --  It's not supposed to be fun when you're grounded!"

He Said He Said

When Gabriel became frustrated with Jojo because Jojo could not understand what Gaby was trying to show him, Gabriel said, "You don't get it, Jojo!" 

And Jojo replied, "No, I don't forget it."

Each time Gaby repeated "You don't get it," Jojo's response was the same, "No, I don't forget it."

On Parade

Handsome Christian

Today was the kick-off of Arts in the Alley festival in our suburb.  Instead of watching the parade, we were in the parade with Christian's Cub Scouts den.

Why trash? I guess I see the park theme with the bench, which is made of trees.  Recycling bins...maybe?

As we passed some of the other floats on the miles-long path to reach our spot, I took some pictures.

You look lovely, dahling!

The boys loved that rocket car.

Not sure why an office theme for this float.

The only thing missing on the Cub Scouts float:
running water

The scouts handed out candy to the crowds lining the streets.  Jojo enjoyed doing that, too.  Gaby rode on Daddy's shoulders to take in the view. 

 

 

Gabriel then took these photos while riding on Daddy's shoulders.

Later in the afternoon, Christian and I helped sell food at the Cub Scouts booth.  I warned them that I could not handle the cash register, but they let me do it anyway.  My anxiety increased when I remembered my disasterous two-month waitressing stint back in college because it is difficult for me to both a) listen while taking an order and b) remember what the person just ordered after keying it into a machine.  I was supposed to remember which kind of sauce people ordered with the chicken tenders and holler it out to the cooks on the other side of the tent at the same time as entering the order number into the machine.  Christian and the other kids handled the drink orders.  I was fired from my job as cashier after the second time the cash register went on the fritz for some reason, so I became the 'holler girl' after that. 

Although the menu was simple, one could order an adult or kids' meal, or order the same food choices a la carte...but whenever I hollered, "One two-piece with medium sauce!" someone on the other side would always want to verify whether it was a meal or not.  Whew!  Got that straightened out.  The drinks available were Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, or water.  Someone ordered a "pop" and Christian looked for that drink.  We southwesterners are used to "soft drink" or "Coke" before we specify which kind. 

Mike found the junky fried food section.  Deep fried cinnamon rolls are interesting.  I didn't try the deep fried Snickers (Mike's rating: "It's alright.") or the deep fried cookie dough (Mike's rating: "Very good.").  I had the fried cheese on a stick, which did not compare to Cheese on a Stick at our mall in Albuquerque.