Suggestions for fun things to distract yourself

[lurker]

chieftain said:

Much more mundane here. I'm going through the Disney DVD collection with my 2 year old (This evening's feature was Finding Nemo). I'm a mid 40s first time dad after we adopted our little girl from Russia last year and it seems that I've missed quite a few animated movies through the years.

I was reading about the snow, and the surf, and thinking, all that's great, but nothing beats out the feeling I get when I'm sitting next to my son's bed, having just finished reading another chapter of Harry Potter, watching him sleep. My little guy is 5, adopted from Kazakhstan. We also haven't caught up with the old Disney, but we're trying to stay on top of the new Pixar films. Cars, of course, being a big favorite with my son.

[judicature]

lurker -

I am with you.

I read all of the Harry Potter books and the Lord of the Rings trilogy aloud to my 3 children over the years. We gathered as a family in the living room, often by the fire, and had family reading time.

Reading together as a family represents one of the great joys of life, at least for me.

[shadow]

I interviewed on January 11 - sent the paperwork back a few days later. I haven't heard anything yet either, but suspect it's just because they are very busy.

[nonamouse]

southerner said:

Has anyone received their voucher invoice back from OCALJ? Interviewed on 1/9 and mailed to them within the 5 days, but no response so far. Of course, I appreciate they might be a tad busy right now, but still curious.

I got what appeared to be a canned email from "travel manager" yesterday saying that my voucher was just stamped "signed." I interviewed the week after you and did not mail it in for a few days, so I guess it depends upon whose inbox it hit.

[chieftain]

Thanks for all of the video suggestions. Outside of certain Disney movies (focusing on princesses, of course), my daughter is into Sesame Street/Elmo. Oddly enough, she also enjoys Scooby Doo (although I think she just likes saying "Scooby Dooooooo" and dancing to the musical interludes while the villain du jour is chasing those groovy kids). During the holidays, I think I watched or listened (while driving) to Polar Express about ten times.

Maybe it won't be too long before I can introduce her to Titan A.E.

[counselor95]

nonamouse said:

southerner said:

Has anyone received their voucher invoice back from OCALJ? Interviewed on 1/9 and mailed to them within the 5 days, but no response so far. Of course, I appreciate they might be a tad busy right now, but still curious.

I got what appeared to be a canned email from "travel manager" yesterday saying that my voucher was just stamped "signed." I interviewed the week after you and did not mail it in for a few days, so I guess it depends upon whose inbox it hit.

I also interviewed the week after nonamouse, and my voucher is being handled electronically. So -- the folks in Falls Church are working on them!

Just to comport with the theme of this thread -- I'd like to be at our northern Wisconsin lake house, viewing the frozen lake and endless blue sky. Or better yet, watching the snow drift down on the evergreens while warmly ensconced inside with a cup of steaming coffee and assorted kinds of kolachy! (Sigh!)

[counsel]

I am celebrating my last family law case. As part of this process, I realized that what I wanted even more than the ALJ position was a change in my current position. So, I have been adjusting my practice and focusing on the cases I find more rewarding. I cannot wait to spend less time helping people fight about their children and more time with my own children, exploring the wonderful worlds of Disney, Scooby and Harry Potter. For me, this process has produced a great improvement in my life, even if I am not selected. Remind me of that when decisions come out!

[morgullord]

Why not consider adopting a rescue pet? I have two English Setters; one is a rescue dog. I am considering getting a third to upset the balance of power. Virtually every breed of dog has a rescue group; there are also cat rescue groups, too. www.petfinder.com is a clearing house for animals in need of resuce. Take a look to help pass the time; you might meet a furry friend there.

[Propmaster]

Jan 31, 2008 12:26:56 GMT -5 ladywordsmith said:

chieftain said:

Much more mundane here. I'm going through the Disney DVD collection with my 2 year old (This evening's feature was Finding Nemo). I'm a mid 40s first time dad after we adopted our little girl from Russia last year and it seems that I've missed quite a few animated movies through the years.

Chieftain --

I'm also an adoptive parent! A book that my daughter loved at 2: Are you my mother? (We especially liked looking up, down and all around for the little bird's mother.) I have to remember how cute that was now that she's 13 !

Books that I would offer particularly for adoptive kids and parents: A mother for Choco by Keiko Kasza; The Day We Met You and Tell Me An Adoption Story.

As to fun distractions, we're heading down to Florida (again -- we just love warm weather ) for an extended weekend in February, and I bowl alot. There's just something about striking those pins that releases tension -- especially if I imagine someone very annoying as a target just before I roll the ball !

Lady Wordsmith

I have a friend whose 2-year-old loves that book (are you my mother). Once she was asked, who's your mother? She said she didn't have a mother (which made her mother quite distraught). They said, yes you do - this is your mother. She said, No, that's Mommy.

Then they explained how mommy is her mother. It was quite cute in the reality - I don't know if I captured it properly this way.