THE KING AND HIS BRIDE

I hear my co-anchor, Todd, tried to talk our producer into leaving this important item out of our 11pm newscast. Shame on him!

Mattell has created an Elvis and Priscilla wedding gift set.  This is a beautiful thing.

I don’t really need more Elvis stuff, but I can always find room for one more odd thing.  I have a velvet Elvis painting, an Elvis carved out of a matchstick, a few nice framed Elvis prints, a salt and pepper shaker, an Elvis Presley Blvd. road sign, three Elvis purses, Elvis matryoshka nesting dolls (pictured here - aren’t they great!), a pink Elvis T-shirt with a tiny matching one for Clara, a glass paperweight with his image etched inside, etc. etc., along with a bunch of CD’s and even a couple of movies.  I swear I don’t actually buy the stuff - once people know you like something like Elvis, these items have a way of just showing up in your life.

I’d love to know if any of you have anything more spectacular in your collection, or if any of you think I have a problem.

KINDERGARTEN COUNTDOWN

For those of you keeping track, my big guy ( I don’t think he wants to be called a “little boy” any more) will climb aboard his bus Wednesday.  We found out that it will come by at 8:04am instead of 12:00am like the letter said, so that’s a relief.

Tomorrow we’re taking Calvin shopping for new back-to-school Chuck Taylor’s (Chucky T’s) because he has his dad’s fine taste in footwear.

(Photo update as of Tuesday:  Guess who else decided she needed new Chucky T shoes too?  His are black, hers are brown.)

I asked what special thing would he like to do on his last day of summer vacation?  He tells me he wants to ride his bike on the bike path with me.  (have I mentioned how awesome this kid is?)

He doesn’t seem the least bit nervous.  Me neither.

OK, that’s a total lie.  But I’m not a wreck about this, just nervously, cautiously excited for him to take this big leap into his formal education.  Public school, here we come!

I’ll welcome any advice you have on the first day jitters!

Trisha

I feel about as fried as the fair food, yet I’m getting ready for round 2 at the fairgrounds today.

Anyone have good “strategies” for getting the most out of your experience without feeling like you’ve been run over by a tractor by the end? 

It’s awesome - and exhausting. I had both kids with me this morning, helping blow up balloons and greet visitors at the RTV6 tent.  They also did their best to clean out our candy dish, as well as the sugar-coated mini donuts they talked me into.

   I was out early, with Stacia, Rafael, and quite a few helpers who work behind-the-scenes.  Lots of really wonderful people stopped by to say hi and tell us why they like to watch our station, and exclaim that “you look so much different in person!”  I hope nobody was too terribly disappointed. 

  Eventually the little ones dragged me onto the tram. We escaped the midway only because the rides weren’t open yet (blessing in disguise), and we headed over to the kids’ area.  All Clara cared about was getting her hands on some animals, so we made sure to visit one of the barns.

Here they are in aprons at the Little Hands on the Farm exhibit (I called it the “basket game” and that seemed to get their interest).   Very, very cute - and they get a treat at the end! 

Getting back to the car after everyone was worn out was the toughest part of the day.  These “angels” fought pretty visibly over who got to ride in the stroller. I tried unsuccessfully to give Clara a piggyback ride while pushing Cal. No good. I was about ready to pay one of the miniature ponies to ride them all the way home.

  Now I’m back at it, minus the kids, plus Todd (who is admits he is a big kid - just look at this old photo I found!)  

 We are heading out along with Kevin and Stacia for live broadcasts from the fair tonight at 5,6, and 7.  I’m sort of looking forward to the evening hours - there’s something strangely magical about a Midway when all the lights start coming on.

   I hope you all get a chance to make a State Fair memory or two this year (or live vicariously through our broadcasts from the comfort of your couch!)

Trish

DRUMMER GIRL

It’s been an eventful week so far!

In the process of working on a story about Drum Corps International getting ready to hold their World Championships in Bloomington, I somehow got roped into a “celebrity” drum-off.  I did my best to convince those in charge that being married to a drummer DOES NOT mean that even an ounce of his talent has rubbed off on me.  They did their best to convince me that didn’t matter.

So there I was, sticks in hand under the blazing sun, trying to keep up with the reigning champions of Drum Corps International, the Blue Devils.   They drum so fast I think I saw their sticks send out sparks.

The sad thing is that one of my fellow competitors, Bowser the Pacers mascot, put me to shame, in spite of his big furry costume.  That dude has some real rhythm.

I guess I could blame radio host Dave Smiley for throwing me off by giving MY drum a few good whacks when he got swept up in the moment.  But I think I’ll give Dave a break and blame my own sorry self.

My kids and bailed me out in the end, and helped beat on the drum with me.  They were better than me too.

LOOK OUT, HELIO AND DANICA

Calvin and Clara climbed into this Indycar two-seater on hand for the drum event today.   I’m glad they didn’t find the gas pedal or I’d still be looking for them downtown.

MIDNIGHT BUS STOP

I guess we’ll have to move up Calvin’s bedtime. He starts Kindergarten next week and today we got a letter about  his bus route.  His listed pickup time - 12:00AM.

How convenient - right as I get home from work, I can walk him to the bus.

I’ll let you know when I get the real story. OOPS.

FAIR ADVICE

Friday is RTV6 day at the fair!  I’ll be out there by our booth in the morning, and eventually roaming around with the kids, before we do our evening newscasts from the fairgrounds.  Any advice from parents on the must-see/do/eat list for kids 5 and under?  I’d love your suggestions!

Thanks as always for reading and for watching our station.

Trish