25 things

For the few of my few readers who aren't on Facebook, here are my "25 Random Things."

1. My sweet hippie mom wanted to name me Cookie. Our last name? Crumb
2. The first song I remember singing to is "The Day the Music Died." I was 4.
3. I have always loved school.
4. We moved in the middle of second grade from Farmers Branch to Belton. The teachers and principal in Belton decided to skip me to third grade. After that, I was always a year younger than my classmates.
5. I grew up playing word games with my dear Gramma. I still love all word games, but no one can play like Kathryn Sibley Thomas.
6. We named our daughter after Gramma. I was pregnant with Kathryn Sibley Damm when my grandmother died.
7. I knew I wanted to be a writer from the time I was 8.
8. I bit my nails until I was 20. I was driving to meet Steve for a date when I looked down at my ugly, chewed fingers and decided to stop. I haven't bit my nails for 16 years.
9. I have always lived in Texas.
10. Every July and August, I wish we lived somewhere cooler.
11. I have been skiing three times and don't ever want to go again. I always fall down. Who wants to spend vacation falling down?
12. I love the beach. I didn't discover this until my mid-20s.
13. I didn't grow up going to church regularly. Now I can't imagine being without my church family.
14. I didn't have my hair cut by a non-family member until I was 24. I think I frightened that first stylist when I told him so. He barely took off half an inch.
15. Thinking about my husband Steve takes my breath away every time.
16. The older I get, the more nervous I get about speaking in public.
17. I helped train hundreds of journalists how to use a new computer system. It was one of my favorite jobs.
18. I love cooking and baking.
19. I don't like to clean.
20. Years ago I created a word puzzle that I sometimes play in my head. I can teach it to you, but I can't imagine anyone else would want to play it.2
1. I do not like scary movies. I do not like to see previews for scary movies. Thinking too long about a certain Stephen King movie that takes place in a big hotel gives me nightmares.
22. I love being mom to Cooper and Katie. They surprise, astound, entertain and spread joy every day.
23. I need some alone time every day to feel rested.
24. I don't like saying goodbye. I cry every year on the last day of school -- as a student and now as a mom.
25. I am almost always steady and certain during crises.

10 things you should know about Cooper

Cooper is the spotlight student in his class this week. As part of the festivities, parents are asked to write a letter to be read to the class. Here's what Steve and I have shared:

Cooper is very strong! Before he was 2, he went to the Fort Worth Zoo with his mom, aunt and cousin. His mom was holding him up to see the bears. He was so strong that he almost pulled himself away from his mom and almost fell into the bear pit below! His mom and aunt were very scared, and they took Cooper away quickly.

Cooper loves adventure! When he was 3, he and his mom were in the elevator of a very big San Francisco hotel. His mom walked off the elevator, but Cooper stayed behind. The doors closed, and he was all alone in the elevator! When the elevator stopped at the next floor, he walked off and talked to the ladies at the health club. They helped him find his way back to his mom.

Cooper is very helpful! Just this week, he was at the grocery store. Another shopper dropped the onion she was holding, and it rolled away. Cooper didn’t hesitate to chase after the runaway onion and return it to the shopper.

Cooper is very friendly! He and his family were on vacation on Mackinac Island, Michigan, a couple of summers ago. A group of teenagers was playing baseball on an open field. Cooper just walked right up to the big kids and asked if he could play. They let him, and Cooper was happy to have made new friends.

Cooper is creative! He has always loved to tell stories. Here is a story he told when he was 5:

The Eagle and Its Owner
By Cooper Damm
There was a daddy going to outer space. But first he had to go to the beach to pick up his pet eagle. He had to go on a sailboat to get to the eagle's home. But the eagle went to get some food for its babies. The man waited and waited. Then one day the eagle came home, and the eagle was surprised to see his owner there. They went together to space.
The End

Cooper has a positive attitude! His mommy and daddy can’t help but smile when they see Cooper smile.

Cooper loves games and puzzles! When he was 5, he could do 400-piece puzzles by himself. He is excellent at chess, Monopoly and Battleship, too.

Cooper was a giant baby! He was 9 pounds, 6 ounces when he was born. His head was covered in dark hair.

Cooper has always loved Tex-Mex food! When he was 10 months old, he devoured an enchilada and side of rice and beans at Mi Cocina. His plate was clean! And he was really happy.

Cooper is funny and loves to tell jokes! Here’s our favorite riddle that he’s invented:

Why are thermometers so good in college?

Because they have so many degrees.

Roy Finney (1950-2009)

My dear choir director from Belton Junior High passed away yesterday.

Mr. Finney created a family in his choir room. He was funny, strict and encouraging.

I wasn't a good singer, but he did let me participate in just about anything I asked -- musicals, contests, ensemble choir.

He was part of a small group of Belton teachers who made life better for me.

I remember so many songs from my three years with him. One of my favorites is the English folk song "Early One Morning."

Early one morning,

Just as the sun was rising,

I heard a maid sing,

In the valley below.

Oh, don't deceive me,

Oh, never leave me,

How could you use

A poor maiden so?

Person's best friend

A few mornings ago, the kids and I were talking about friends. Katie said that Margie couldn't be a friend because she's a dog.

I told her that she is our friend and that, in fact, some people call dog "man's best friend."

She thought about this for maybe one second.

"Mommy, can they also be woman's best friend?"

----------------------

On Monday, Cooper became ill quickly. I took him to the doctor, and we learned that he had strep throat.

Margie apparently knew he was sick before we did.

She usually cuddles up with Steve. We're certain that she does so to help him feel better.

But on Monday afternoon, before I realized that Cooper had a fever, Cooper and Steve were resting in bed. Margie chose Cooper as her pillow -- instead of Steve.

Meteorologist Cooper

It's college week at Cooper's school. Each day has a theme -- hats on Tuesday, sweats on Wednesday (though just about every day is a sweats day for Coop), career day today and college shirt day tomorrow.

As you may recall from last year, Cooper hopes to be a meteorologist. Or scientist. Or inventor. Last week he decided he wants to invent a combination telescope and microscope that would allow you to see very small details of something very far away.

He dressed as a meteorologist and gave us the forecast this morning.

He takes his job very seriously. I tried to get him to smile.

Resolved

I have two measurable resolutions for 2009. Both are designed to reduce calories and reduce spending.

No matter how much I run and walk, I can't seem to lose weight that I put on last year.

Plus, Steve and I deliberated for a while about our church pledge for the new year and decided to increase our annual giving by almost 15 percent. That money isn't going to just fall out of the sky!

1. Buy a drink from Starbucks only twice a month.
For about a month this summer, I boycotted Starbucks altogether, in recognition of Uncle Greg's job loss. (He was laid off as part of a national cost-cutting measure in August.) In the fall, I had started drinking lattes again, about one drink a week. And then they introduced the holiday flavors, and I fell under the spell of the Peppermint Mocha Twist. I couldn't resist its call. I was buying a drink three or four times a week.

The trick will be to not use up my two drinks too early in the month. Tomorrow, for instance, a group of us are running to Starbucks. We'll stop for a drink. I will ask for ice water. I do not want to use one of my two chances on the third day of the month!

2. Buy a restaurant meal only once a month.
We eat out as a family once a week usually. I eat out with friends for lunch once or twice a week. I don't expect we as a family will have too much trouble following this resolution. I will have to change my social habits. Liz and I were talking about social meals today -- maybe we could just meet at someone's house for sandwiches?

The one contingency on both of these resolutions is a hospital visit. If Steve has to be admitted to the hospital in 2009 (and we're all praying that he won't!), then I give myself permission to temporarily break these resolutions.

Good luck to you and your resolutions for 2009!

Webkinz clothes

A couple of years ago we embraced the Webkinz craze. Cooper and Katie have so many that we've lost count. They play with them more offline than online these days.

Yesterday, for example, Cooper used pillows and crates to create movie theater-style seats for about eight of his "babies." Together they watched Swiss Family Robinson.

He's fascinated by Webkinz clothing and perhaps is expecting some for Christmas. (As far as I know, Santa won't be delivering any. Santa's helper thinks that clothes for Webkinz are somewhat unnecessary.)

A few days ago he crafted a paper crown for Rudolph, the reindeer Webkin, and declared the furry fellow the "king of Christmas."

Tonight he fashioned a tail cover for Tigey the tiger and a cap for Snappy the turtle.

See, no one needs to buy clothes! We can just make them at home.

Wise men's gifts

Cooper is working on homework, drawing something meaningful about the holidays. He chose to draw a Nativity scene.

As he was drawing the wise men, he said, "What are the three gifts? Gold, kindness and friendship?"

I just love our sweet boy.

Santa

Cooper decided he wanted to be included in the annual visit with Santa. Yay!

The kids and I drove to Allen after school on Friday. We waited for about five minutes to chat with the Big Guy -- the shortest line ever. I'm worried that his obscure outdoor location is keeping folks away.

Katie jumped up and down while we waited. And then she giggled the entire time she was with Santa. She didn't say hello or Merry Christmas or even request a gift. She just hee-hee'd until our time was over.

Cooper asked for the Lego Batman game for Wii. It's rated E-10. Santa and his helpers are considering if a 7-year-old should have an E-10 game.

Pie in my face

Cooper specifically asked that I write about this in my blog.

He sold more than $300 in popcorn for Cub Scouts this year. As a reward, he and other Scouts were allowed to throw a pie in an adult's face at tonight's pack meeting.

I was certain he would choose his den leader. I was wrong.

Cooper was jumping up and down, he was so excited at his chance.

I was called to the stage (the den meets in an elementary school cafeteria). I took off my glasses and waited. Cooper taunted me for just a few moments and then slammed the whip cream in my face. It splattered in my hair and all over my clothes.

The crowd went wild! Well, not really, but there was applause and laughter. And a great big Cooper smile.