"Homosexuals in Hockey"
This was a shock tag line I heard on the radio the other day. I thought to myself? In this day and age, what does sexual orientation have to do with sports? Then days after, my kids asked me what is "gay"...
The shocking tag-line did its job. It shocked me. I googled "homosexuals in hockey" and came up with 5,680,000 results. Interestingly, "heterosexuals in hockey" had no results found. I guess the latter is just not a good headline.
My personal opinion? Sexual orientation has no effect on team sports. Or individual sports. Or the army for that matter. I have cheered on friends in the Toronto Pride parade. We have friends who are same-sex families. I am in awe of anyone who excels, whether it is in sports or family, regardless of what gender they cuddle up with at night.
And what did I tell my kids when they asked what "gay" is? I copped out - at first.
"It means happy" I told them.
Of course they persisted. "X said I'm gay" my daughter told me.
So, I took back my cop out. And answered, respectfully, yet age appropriately, their questions about "gay" and same "sex-ed-ness". They understood yet were unimpressed. "Who cares about that?" my other daughter said.
In this day and age, who really does care about homosexuals in hockey?...or in life?...those who wish to shock I guess.
Headlines and recess lines have something in common; both are poor information carriers these days.
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In planning this weekend's 8-year old "American Idol" birthday party, I came upon a bit of a challenge...creating a playlist that did not reference sex, drugs or a bottle of Jack.
My kids LOVE American Idol and I'm amazed they can remember all the singers' names, but forget to put their glasses in the dishwasher (an obvious priority issue there!). So my 8-year old wanted an "American Idol" party and I thought...I can make that happen.
Shameless Recommendation: Papa Noel brought this microphone (he got it from Mastermind Toys) and I highly recommend it for any 4-8 year old who loves to sing. It has one headset microphone and a "stage type" microphone so two kids can sing side-by-side. You can also hook it up to your iPod making it instant karaoke.
Now, for this playlist I consulted with Connie (YMC B-sides blogger) for her suggestions and as it turns out, this kid and mom approved list is not only great for birthday parties it also wouldn't be bad for a road trip.
Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head
U2 - Beautiful Day
Cake - Mahna Mahna
Crazy Frog - Blue
Jonas Brothers - BB Good
To that I added:
Jennifer Lopez - On the Floor
Village People - YMCA
Las Ketchup - The Ketchup Song
Willow Smith - Whip my hair
The Gummy Bear Song - don't know who sings it
The Chipmunks - I Gotta Feeling
But the song that was played over and over again?!
The Chicken Dance - Hampton the Hamster
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So this weekend, we left the baby for the 1st time and took the kids on a "big kid only" trip to see TFC (Toronto Football Club). Bonding time with the biggies. At one point I looked over to see my Thing 2 yelling "Bull Shirt" "Bull Shirt!" at the ref...
Now the rest of the crowd wasn't chanting "Bull Shirt" (delete the r and you can read what they were chanting). Holy Wake Up Call Batman...Soccer Stadiums are not G rated.
Which really, isn't a big deal in our house...hey my kids take the school bus...they know all the really good bad words. However, it kinda makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up when you hear a 6 foot man swear at the top of his lungs...in the general area of where you're standing with your kids.
My oldest noticed "everyone's drinking beer" and commented to her younger sister that "they are just yelling bull shirt because their drunk". (Honestly, I don't think anyone was drunk. People were pretty responsible in their drinking. They were just...well...being grown ups...cheering...bull sh*t).
And we really did have a good family time at TFC don't get me wrong. Good game. Good seats. Very safe for all (super safe - they wouldn't give me the top to our bottle of water which I bought at the concession stand because of safety).
Just a good reminder that some family activities have grown up tones. And bombs.
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