While Rick put in time at the TV station’s booth, Truman and I explored the festival. We found the drum circle immediately and since Truman is destined to be the next drummer for Kiss, we stayed there for a long while. When the activity ended, Truman stayed on, pounding every available drum to his heart’s content. I learned they do birthday parties and I’m totally considering that option when Truman hits the bit 6.

I managed to lure Truman past the fountains (where large WARNING signs advised kids not to wade in them) to the kids’ area. Fresh Air Family had a tent full of snakes for public handling and we spent several minutes touching and handling every snake available. It was his favorite spot by far. Truman paid some attention to Roger Day but preferred listing to him while painting the wall mural at the Publix booth. Once we got the paint off most of his body, we ended up back at the snake pit – big surprise there – before ending back up at the drum circle and finding Dad, who had just gotten off work.

After a round of family drumming, we decided to grab some non-festival fare for dinner. Truman insisted we go to Chez Fon Fon and play bocce ball. Who could resist such an offer? Afterwards Rick dropped us at home and went back to City Stages where he has the honor of interviewing and introducing the Neville Brothers. The sad thing is that he had backstage passes for me too, but we had sitter issues, so I stayed home and watched Phineas and Ferb with Truman. I love the Nevilles, but … it was a small price to pay.

We’re headed back to City Stages Sunday to sweat and listen to music and touch snakes. Should be oodles of fun. Wish you were here.

Photos, JWJourney

Post from: Blisstree

City Stages – Really Cool Weekend Fun

“Yes, they are honey. Now go back to sleep.”
“Are they in this land?”
“No. We don’t have any pyramids here in this country.”
“In Brazil?”
“No, not in Brazil. In Egypt. Now got to sleep darling.”
“The Egypt in Africa?”
“Yes, that’s the one.”
“Are people in Egypt called Egyptians?”
“Yes, they are. Now go to sleep, honey.”
“Have you been to Egypt, Mommy?”
“No, honey. But your grandparents have. They went on a cruise down the Nile.”
“What’s the Arrow?”
“Nile. It’s a river in Egypt. Now go to sleep. It’s late. Or early, really.”
“What time is it?”
“Two. Now go to sleep.”
“Is the Nile deep?”

… You get the idea. Nearly two hours, a bathroom trip and a glass of water later, my son finally drifted back to sleep.

I knew when we decided to have a child that there would sleepless nights – especially in those newborn years or the teenage years when your child is old enough to drive. I just assumed there’d be a grace period in between where parents could catch up on all the sleep they missed out on when their newborn was wailing every two hours. Or that time when he was a year old and he got into that jag where he woke up every night from 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. without fail wanting nothing but my undivided attention. (After two weeks of that I broke into a slobbering, tearful mess and begged my doctor for help, which came in the form of OTC Benadryl, but that’s another story.)

Apparently, I’m not alone. Sleep deprivation among parents is common, according to a study by a researcher with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a health survey of more than 79,000 adults in 18 states and Washington, D.C., consisting of married parents with children living at home, unmarried parents living with children, and married or unmarried adults without kids, parents were more likely to report insufficient sleep than adults without children. Among the sleepless, moms topped the list.

The solution? Researcher Daniel P. Chapman suggests sleep education among families with children, “particularly mothers.” Um …. Ok.

Source: WebMD
Photo, Flickr, peasap

Post from: Blisstree

News Flash: Parents are Sleep Deprived