Pete Pages: Prone to drama

Monday, July 7, 2008

Prone to drama

It could be said that I was a dramatic child, teenager, and young adult. Is it a wonder that I sought out the stage and spotlight? I would try to entertain my family, friends, college roommates, etc. with my various stories and I must have found some thrilling element to my "soap opera-like" experiences and sometimes complicated dating and friendship woes.

These days, I try to avoid social "drama" and even though my life is pretty darn simple, uncomplicated, and arguably boring, I very much like it and now find myself trying to be somewhat of a peacemaker when sticky or uncomfortable social situations arise...

We just returned home from a family reunion and I ask, "Is it possible to get 28 people (or however many make up a fairly large group) living together in cramped, non-AC quarters and not experience a little drama?" I'm sure that most families, and I'm specifically talking about extended family groups including in-laws (or out-laws, if you prefer) know what I'm talking about here. I just hope that even with differing views, opinions, and various life experiences, we are able to keep looking for the good in each other and make the effort to improve relationships and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

In preparation for this reunion, I pretty much appointed myself (and one of Rob's sisters) to be the "activities committee" and we came up with a fairly thorough itinerary of fun events including plenty of planned group activities and lots of free-time as well. Sooo, not only am I prone to drama, but I'm very prone to taking charge at an event (sorry guys, this has got to drive my in-laws crazy). I think that I quite possibly have a deep-rooted desire to be "Julie" on "The Love Boat."

Julie McCoy, Cruise Director on...

In getting back to the reunion, I enjoyed plenty of moments. At the top of the list include watching Burke's reaction to seeing a fireworks show for the first time, a shopping outing with all the adult girls, and an entertaining and lighthearted "Little Known Talent Show" (for my talent I actually pulled out an old western costume covered in sequins and fringe that I wore almost 20 years ago and clogged!). The kids/cousins had a great time with each other and enjoyed playing pool, games in the yard and swimming. I didn't take many photos, but did get some good ones including a cute shot of the three babies in the baby pool. Aren't they such cuties?

8 comments:

Heather Ashby said...: You make me so excited to go on a trip with my family in a few weeks. We had a planning meeting yesterday. We still have nothing planned. Ever considered hiring out?

Impressive that you can fit into an outfit you wore 20 years ago. You'll have to do that at the next Ward Talent Show :); July 7, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Perschon Family said...: I hear ya on the family drama. I admire you for being a peacemaker!!! I wish my family had more of those! I also love that you planned activities. Some of my favorite memories of family get-togethers are when we've had talent shows! I agree with Heather...you should clog at the next Ward Talent Show!! (I clogged back in the day but I KNOW I couldn't fit into my outfit!!! Way to go!!!); July 7, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Andi said...: What would families do without us appointing ourselves in charge? I mean really, sit around and eat?? Enough! It's time to be productive and do something and have fun!

I am impressed by the clogging. I was hoping for a picture or video clip?; July 7, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Anonymous said...: You didn't drive me crazy! I thought you did a great job, and without that small modicum of structure there might have been even more drama. :); July 8, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Chels said...: You are so dang cool! I mean, I've always thought you have a coolness about you, but seriously, where did you pull "Julie from the Love Boat" from? And I love your "Ode to Oxy-clean"! I love random/fun comments like that, and thus, I love your blog!; July 8, 2008 at 10:20 AM
The Laundry Queen said...: Your itinerary was a lifesaver! I have Burke's wand. I should have given it to Auntie Art to give to you, but forgot. Tell him we'll get it to him soon.; July 8, 2008 at 11:43 PM
cory and tara said...: Tamsen- You are so funny! Seriously you crack me up. It is so fun to get to know people a little better aside from just the 3 hours in church every week. I know I'm usually stressed out with my kids at church so I don't always get a chance to talk to people. But it is so fun to "see" you in your everyday life. Keep it coming!; July 10, 2008 at 12:53 PM
g said...: You got me all excited about hearing your drama. Where was it? Sounds like you were on your game. You are wonderful. Never change, I love you! make sure you invite me to the next ward party!; July 10, 2008 at 7:52 PM

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Pete said...

Hewitt was just telling me about a new game he created where you can't touch the ball with your hands or feet. He said, "You can only hit the ball with your leg or foot-wrist." And so I clarified, "You mean your ankle?"
(10/8/09)

Me to Hewitt: Whatcha doin?
Hewitt: Arting. It's making art.
(10/2/09; Hewitt's 5th b-day)

Two jokes by Burke:
What does a storm wear?
Thunderwear!

What do you call King Kong's feet?
Big Foot!
(9/26/09)

I had the following conversation with Tosh:
Me: Are you a boy or a girl?
T: Boy
Me: Is Livvy a boy or a girl?
T: Baby
Me: Yes, but is Baby Liv a boy or a girl?
T: Girl
Me: Is Daddy a boy or a girl?
T: Big boy
Me: Is Mommy a boy or a girl?
T: Mommy a babe!
(Not prompted, I promise! 9/3/09)

Hewitt had set up a bunch of toy figures and Tosh was trying to play with them... Hewitt was telling Tosh not to touch them and I asked him to share the toys or to go and get some more figures for Tosh to play with. Hewitt said, "These are not toys! They are art!" (9/3/09)

We were driving along a road near our house (a rather quiet highway, really) and Hewitt suddenly exclaimed, "Mom! I just found the road to our old house! Keep driving straight!" I looked up and realized there were some big mountains in the FAR distance. Hewitt clearly thought he was staring at Utah. (8/28/09)

Hewitt brought home a little "Groundhog's Day" craft that he had made at preschool and kept calling the groundhog a bear. When I tried to tell him it was really a groundhog he looked at me like I was very silly and said, "It's a BEAR Mom, not a CORNDOG!" (2/2/09)

I explained to Burke about the recent airplane crash into the Hudson River and knowing that he would be very concerned, I quickly told him that all of the passengers were just fine. He looked at me with a worried look and said, "What about the birds? Are they okay?" (1/15/09)

I have a trunk full of old performing costumes from when I was a kid. Hewitt saw the trunk in the basement and told Rob that he wanted to open up the "treasure chest." Rob asked him if he knew what was in the trunk/chest and Hewitt replied that it was full of clothes. When Rob told Hewitt that he didn't want him to make a big mess Hewitt said, "I won't make a mess, I will just get out one clo." I guess that "clo" would be the singular form of clothes... (1/13/09)

Burke is always mentioning how he wants us to have lots more babies because he wants "hundreds" of brothers and sisters. I was explaining to him this morning about how it gets harder and more dangerous to have babies as a woman gets older...he looked at me and said, "Well, you look young Mom, like 19!" Then he leaned in closer and said, "Well, I do see some indents in your skin around your eyes (those would be wrinkles--thanks for noticing)." (12/26/08)

Hewitt blew his nose and must have accidentally gotten some snot or tissue in his mouth because he said, "Yuck! That tastes like cow dung!" (12/24/08)

Tosh got to Hewitt's cup of water at the table today and dumped it all over Hewitt's lap and onto the floor. Rob asked Hewitt, "Are you a little wet?" and he said, "I'm a BIG wet!" (12/24/08)

Rob was playing "Memory" with the boys and when Burke got a few matches in a row Hewitt said, "Wow Burkie, you're on fire!" (11/08)

We just bought some sod for our park strip and while Burke and I were looking at the pallet, I mentioned that some of the pieces looked like crabgrass and that we needed to find the best pieces of grass to buy. Burke looked at the sod for a little while and said, "None of it looks like crap grass to me!"

While I was flossing Burke's teeth he said, "Wait--I need to tell you something." I paused flossing and he said, "You sure know how to be a good mom!" (now there's a treasured compliment!)

Hewitt watched Rob kill a fly in our kitchen and then asked, "Did he cry? Did he want his mommy fly?"

I told Hewitt that I was going to get Tosh a snack and asked if he would like one. He paused and then said, "I'll take a milkshake." What am I, a drive-up window?

Hewitt was asking for toast today and when I pulled out the bread he said, "No, the 'letter O' toast!" I finally figured out that he wanted a toasted english muffin.

Burke came down for breakfast and said, "Mom, it might not look like my bed is made and you might not like it, but it's really stripes that I did as a design on my bed."

Hewitt has really liked eating plain tortillas lately. When I asked him if he wanted one he said, "Oh. Sure. I'll have a mamma mia."

Hewitt understands things very literally. When Rob told him that he "needed to fly" this morning (go to work), Hewitt asked, "Where is the fly? In the house?" When Rob asked him if he had a runny nose he said, "No. It's just boogers."

When Rob was leaving for work he hugged the boys and told them to "be good for Mommy and do exactly what she says." Burke said, "OK bye Dad, you be good at work and do exactly what your boss says."

We were discussing prophets in the scriptures for Family Home Evening and when Rob asked Burke which prophet(s) wrote the Book of Mormon Burke said, "Nephi, Jacob, Enos..." and continued to name the books in order. Rob and I were pretty surprised and couldn't help laughing.

I was just eavesdropping on Hewitt while he was playing with his toys and heard him say, "Ladies and jumpingmen..."

Burke was heading off to a neighbor's house to play and stuck his head back in the door and called, "I'll be traveling by bike."

When the garage door opens for us to drive in, Hewitt will pretend to be scared and say, "Oh no, it's the garage mouth! He's going to eat us!"

Hewitt got distracted and starting playing with his toys during lunch and when I reminded him to please keep eating he said, "But Mommy, I'm working."

Pete Pages

Monday, July 7, 2008

Prone to drama

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