CategoriesTwice a month did not work for us, we need fresh produce and spend LESS when using cash once a week and using the Wholesale club for the bulk things like flour, oats, coffee.
We have saved a ton with this system and after about 2 years of experimenting this is the system:)
Check out Simple Provisions for Dairy! For special occasions I try to make the cakes and buy cute decorations to stick on top:)
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The answer is YES!
If you call to ask if you can bring your kids, your Grandmother, your brother in law your neighbors over to the BBQ the answer will be yes.
If you call to see if I can watch your kids because you are having a hard day, the answer will be yes.
If you ask me if somedays I get overwhelmed, I will tell you yes. I will also say I find great joy, renewal and love in my life and that helping others is what makes me happiest. Helping my children, my husband, my church, my community.
Yes, I can take on more. Yes I welcome you, yours and anymore you want to toss our way.
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NOTES work really well for our kids.
When I am trying to get a point across it really works to write a note.
One of the boys had a hard day and I wrote him a note. "Your choices made me upset because they were disrespectful, how do you think you could handle the situation next time?" He then wrote back to me and slipped it under his door. I wrote back to him. We resolved the issue without anger or raising voices, slamming doors and so on:)
Also if I have a need for the day, like "Everyone put away the clothes stacked in your room" the big kids will read it to the little kids.
To try and talk over everyone else feels futile at times. Also, giving the same request 7 times can be exhausting. I leave notes on the kitchen counter and everyone knows to read them. This works for spouses as well!
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Morning is the best. The very best time for new ideas, fresh outlooks and coffee! I woke up a bit early, Sheff had already left to Swim, he is training for a Triathlon. I was able to ship 13 items from the Boutique, format a chapter outline for the novel I am working on and kiss 3 kids good morning.
My challenge is how to pace myself and be as productive as possible throughout the day. Last night I did a deep clean of the kitchen which felt great, but totally ignored the porch and laundry pile. It is a balancing act to accomplish enough for satisfaction and not get overwhelmed.
I am really excited to be writing again. After a traumatic event when I was 19 I stopped writing for the most part. The difficulty is to fall into the trap of "What is the point?" I am a voracious reader, usually a book every 2 to 3 days, the kids often grab books and sit by me while I read at night.
Reading, and writing, for me is simply a way to travel. A way to experience another world, a universe. It leaves me refreshed, smiling and ready for the next adventure here in the day to day.
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Home from vacation in the Northern Woods, YMCA Camp du Nord, we are all missing different things.
James: Being able to roam free, be gone for hours at a time exploring the woods.
John: All the counselors who were friends and mentors.
Annie: The clear, cold lakes on the Canadian border.
Mickey: Less room means more cuddle time, sharing rooms, cozy fires
Nate: All the art time, wood burning, painting on bark, drawing in the sand, having mom and dad available to work on reading.
Mark: So many opportunities to perform his Tiger Dance, pretty sweet moves.
Daisy: Being mom's sidekick, 24/7
Sheff: Trail runs, Kayaking, Polar Bear swims, talks with D
Deirdre: 3 meals a day repaired for our family of 9, a Cabin that was so beautiful and a manageable size!
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Unrealistic Optimism
Sheff and I were talking last night about friendship, joining groups, taking on new responsibilities and challenges and life outlook. And of course we started talking at midnight straightening up our closets when we should have been sleeping!
He told me Winston Churchill once said that all great leaders were unrealistically optimistic. He also relayed an MPR interview with the great boxing champ Mohammed Ali who’s wife said he always looked at every situation as an opportunity to win, even if it was ridiculous.
This is the attitude it takes to have 7 kids under 8! I wake up in the morning with lofty goals of excellence. Happy children all finishing their homework, having cleanly pressed uniforms, talking about the purpose of bettering their minds. I imagine a spotless home cleaned naturally and wonderful smells simmering on the stove. I think about making it to morning Mass, looking up the Saints celebration of the day. I picture catching up on scrap booking their individual books as well as our family album, paying bills, figuring out what a health savings account actually IS, and writing personalized thank you cards for birthday well wishers. and on and on and on.
In REALITY I accomplish about 80% of my goals and that is actually great!! If I had realistic goals I could not handle my life. and when I fail (like having my children read the wrong story for Great Books class, not taking Mark to the potty, having a late Old Navy bill, forgetting to call back a great Aunt) I chalk it up to a fluke not failure.
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The warm weather is such a long awaited breath of sunshine! We all pour out on to the pavement ready to take on the world.
Mick learned to ride a two wheeler in a few hours and is now doing tricks. He was a year older than we usually teach them and it seems like the perfect age to give it a go. He turned six less than a month ago.
What I notice is that spring requires restructuring of the house, we talked about changing the cubby system. Right now they come in every door, kick of muddy shoes and boots and shed jackets and sweatshirts. We need one reentry spot.
At night I have added knocking shoes and boots on the side of house (brick) and making a snake of shoes and boots lined up in the hallway. Stuffing toes with newspaper and a sprinkling of baking soda keeps them relatively fresh for the next day.
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The quizzes on face-book, or in Glamour magazine offer a momentary sense of satisfaction. If I spend 30 seconds completing a “what color are you?” quiz and receive a result (Green) I feel seen by the greater universe.
It is a way to be noted, viewed as unique and special in a digital universe of collective self identity musings. The questions of “What is on your thoughts?” or a statement such as “Frank Is..wondering about love”, are quite ethereal.
The quizzes offer a concrete moment of identity. As if you have found a secret view into the “real me” If only for an instant the chaos wanes and I am viewed in a new, fresh way, I am green.
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WHO’S THE BOSS?
(Moms we know it’s you.)
Need a break? Want a massage? Wish your husband would do this more often?
Teach them how by signing up your husband and kids for the Dadiator Workshop and enter to win a FREE 30 minute massage at the SweatShop. The Dadiator (a.k.a. Sheff Otis) & ACE Certified Personal Trainer and "Bootie Camp" instructor Colleen Atkinson will kick your husband into gear!
WHEN: March 21, April 18, May 9 @ 1:30-2:30
AGES: 3-8 for workshop participants. Childcare available for children under 3.
WHERE: The SweatShop Health Club 167 Snelling Ave. N. Saint Paul, MN 55104
At a Dadiator workshop, your crew will enjoy and learn...
Wild obstacle courses to do together.
Fantastic fitness games to play with each other.
Trademark Dadiator “kid lifting” maneuvers and an intense workout for Dad.
Unique methods for improving family fitness at home.
Inventive ways of keeping the mind and body “fresh” throughout the day.
Exercise methods that emphasize coordination, development, and brain growth.
SAFETY--RIGOR--FUN! And the afternoon is...all yours!
Call the Sweatshop @ 651.646.8418 and sign up NOW so the Dadiator knows how many “fun parachutes” to pack!
The Dadiator is the MN Parent Magazine Kid Fit Columnist, a Kettlebell certified fitness instructor, general contractor by day, father of seven under eight, and just another dad trying to cope. The "Bootie Camp" Instructor is a mother of four, an ACE Personal Trainer, STOTT PILATES™ trained instructor, the Group Fitness Director at SweatShop Health Club, and has several certification from Kettlebell Concepts, Spinning, YogaFit, ANWA, and Zumba.
SweatShop Health Club www.sweatshopfitness.com (651)646-8418
See the latest Dadiator video at dadiator-workout.com
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1. Get large container and cover the bottom with vinegar
2. Let kids pour baking soda on top to see the foam!
3. Pour in hot water and dollup of dish soap.
4. Let kids add and stir in anything you need to clean
5. We used cars we found at a thrift store. Another sanitizing trick is the freezer or porch (which is usually colder in the winter)! A fun activity and good way to get the cars clean!
6. Have kids dry cars and count, match colors, talk about shapes and designs.
7. Make a pattern on the towel to dry, we did circles and squares.
8. Play (germless) cars!
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I was showing Mark and his friend Judah a Yoga pose.
Well rather a pose I created that is rather silly looking and fun. I told the little boys to try it.
Judah (2.5 years) said " I fall over when I do that"
Mark nodded his head seriously and said "We should only try new moves on carpet"
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I am feeling overwhelmed. Optimistic yes, but overwhelmed.
Last week I had wrist surgery and could not use my right hand at all for about four days, then gradually could use my fingers to drive and so on. I am still catching up on laundry and cleaning and the store was shelved for the week.
I am back to being productive and running around. It is also March, blah. My mum thinks November is the worst, I argue March. Slushy, gray and kids have been cooped up for too long! I do love Lent, but it feels like these days time for introspection is sparse.
Every so often I feel like I need to re balance, almost as if I am a level that is falling off a shelf. The challenge is to catch the level in mid free fall and cradle it back up to a sunny plumb shelf. I enjoy the challenge of purposeful rebalance.
With so many people counting on my ability to run the household I do not have the luxury to wallow in self doubt, I simply rise to the challenge and work through the difficulties.
Right now my biggest challenges are:
1. Managing the big kids homework and learning how to delegate the teaching to other adults (Dad, Grandparents, baby-sitters)
2. Supporting Sheff in new Business Ventures and Dadiator.
3. Finding ways to become more involved and helpful at my children’s school.
4. Keeping up with household systems already in place (keeping areas clean and organized so the children just need to maintain.
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Baby Days
What is your favorite time of the day?
Cuddling before nap, cozy under our quilts reading, talking and the silence that follows!
Least favorite?
The ten minutes prior to the big kids getting n the bus. I put everything out the night before but inevitably someone wants a show in tell item, a worksheet needs to be signed, boots are wet and so on.
Best baby purchase ever:
Cloth one piece sling, Maya Wraps, Hot Slings. I LOVE them and used them daily until Daisy was 16 months. I nursed while cooking hands free, washed and cleaned, it was an extension of the womb.
Worst baby purchase:
Crib bumpers, decor in general, not necessary and the baby is in our room for the first 9 months anyway. Also, baby bath tubs, never purchased one, just jumped in with the baby or did a sink bath, that skin to skin is heaven, why use a plastic tub, icky.
Wish I had with all of my kids:
A co-sleeper. We used our friends for Daisy and LOVED it, pushes right next to the bed for easy nighttime nursing, worth every penny.
Didn’t use:
We never used a baby monitor. At one pint we had four babies in cribs! Only two bedrooms on the ground floor so I would just do laundry in the living room while they napped. And if I went out to Garden I opened the windows. Everyone was fine and I stayed relaxed. This translates to many areas of my life as a mother. I never over worry. The calm I bring to the day usually saves my sanity. In the middle of chaos I can think quite rationally. When things get top quiet I don’t function as optimally. Don't use baby mittens babies need to touch skin as they did in untero, fingertips to skin is calming.
Best baby clothes:
At first 0-3 months I love simple pull on cotton tights (on boys and girls). Socks are kicked off and tights are warm and keep diapers snug for less messy explosions. I used soft pull on pants and cotton T’s. When they start rolling and moving onsies are great but at first I prefer the easy nighttime diaper changes. And yes by number seven I can change and dress with my eyes closed in the dark and often did with Daisy:) As they get bigger I like to have two layers, a base layer for warmth and softness, like tights and a once and then a second layer to be able to change with mess and spills throughout the day. I love Hanna Andersson Swedish Moccasins before walking and then Robeez slippers as they start to walk. I shop thrift stores all the time and look for colors and softness above brand.
OK that is it for now, we will post an interview each week from here on out, let us know if you enjoy it:)
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See how the Dadiator rolls...
Warning. Do not attempt this with kids in the car or while car is moving!!!
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1. I am going to start a letter of the week. I will enter it on the calendar and the children should all know if you ask them. Nothing fancy just every opportunity to point out something that letter starts with or books about that letter, play-dough and so on. This week is the letter T. The resources I found say it is best not to go in alphabetical order. The next 4 weeks will be T, B, M, A
2. Mick needs help with reading, any-chance we have lets sit with a book and have him point out letters, try explaining the way letters go together to make a sound, if he gets frustrated, don't push just e enjoy finishing the book.
4. Annie needs to practice math equations, I have a book for her and flash cards, she likes the workbook better, I will look for more of those. When she is not engaged suggest the math problems. I will keep her book in-the bin labeled "school papers" to the right of the computer.
5. Annie and John have great books each Tuesday meaning Monday nights are to read an discuss the story and worksheets. James has great-books each Thursday. Annie and John have spelling tests on Thursday, James on Friday.
6. James needs to read for 1 hour a day, no joke, each day. He is at 80% reading comp for a test this past month, I want him up to 100% by the end of the year. I want to get an egg timer he can set himself (Boo can you be in charge of fining one?) Then he can stay up from 8-9 pm and read. thus sleeping until 6:30 in the am not 5 if he falls asleep at 7:30.
7. I want Mark and Nate to be strong with writing their names and learning the letters of the week.
8. John needs to get to the reading level where he can read solo, finding a book sitting close to an adult so he can ask for help with words.
-D
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7. The winter doldrums have arrived. Motivation flags.
6. I am in the middle of a stressful (yet hopeful) career transition.
5. I've been Dadiating like a crazy man. My first workshop at the SweatShop was a hit!
4. I've been obsessed with juggling (and teaching my kids to juggle) weighted balls.
3. Carwashes beckon. The kids are as mesmerized as they'd be watching pirhannas eat a cow at the zoo aquarium.
2. Daisy won't let me sit at the computer. She insists that I sit on the floor with her and poke my bellybutton while she pokes her bellybutton (which she calls her "bup.")
And the number one reason for why I've been neglecting this site (drum roll)...
1. Cul du sac bobsledding.
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Happy belated new year! The Otis gang has been full of new adventures, Sheff with Dadiator, Deirdre with Deirdre's Boutique and big kids in school and the 3 youngest creating mystical plots of pony tiger and baby doll adventures.
We celebrated my birthday this year with a Saint Brigid (my patron saint) of Ireland party, one of our weekly (or so) celebrations of kindness through action. Friends, family, and neighbors came bearing Guinness (by can and by pasta?!), and beautiful St. Brigid artifacts--a cross, a porcelain medallion, a house prayer, and we all shared Irish food, from homemade soda bread to things baked and (of course) boiled. The house seemed smaller with so many bodies crowding the kitchen, but warmer by the breath and cheer of loving company. (Ocassionally, our company would thin just a bit as certain of our guests disappeared into the basement to check on what I hear was a fantastic Superbowl).
We hope your new year is off to a promising start despite the ailing economy. We also hope our new president’s promises of healing steadily bear fruit. President Obama. The fact that six such syllables even exist speaks to our capacity to pull ourselves out of a slump.
Live with love!
The Otis family
P.S. “Obama” was flagged by my spell check. A true mold-breaker!
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Note. A short version of the following article will appear in the February 2009 issue of MN Parent, but if you are interested in the Parenting Education Program outlined below, feel free to sign up now by calling the Working Family Resource Center @ (651)-293-5330
Life after ECFE...
by Sheff Otis
Photo by Deb Pleasants
ECFE and other early childhood programs get us through the early years, but where do we turn for support when potty training is replaced with lunch money and separation anxiety gives way to overnights?
Last September, a group of dedicated ECFE moms and educators launched a new Parenting Education Program (PEP) for school age parents. Based out of Rondo Community Center, the program evolved through a partnership between St. Paul Community Education and the Working Family Resource Center, which has for years offered similar programs for working parents. At the end of the first 8-week PEP session, parents have had rave reviews.
"It's been a touchstone in my life relating to parents in the same boat. No more floundering in isolation," says Kirsten Walsh, mother of three (ages 6, 9, and 11)."
Walsh was among the core group of Moms who identified the need for PEP during a "concerns and celebrations" rehash in ECFE.
"ECFE was such an important tool for articulating problems and having other parents shape perspective around them. Carrying this resource to the next stage seemed like a no-brainer. It was just a matter of how."
EARLY EFFORTS
A big part of the how came from the expertise and guidance of Jill Chisholm, longtime St. Paul parent educator and "the ultimate alternative to googling a parenting issue," in Walsh's words.
Jill helped facilitate "coffee group" discussions around goals of a would be school age program. "We were able to identify key issues ranging from homework to cheating to discipline, but the biggest challenge was how to connect the dots."
The group tried to form a class exclusively through Community Ed, but the process was ponderous, perhaps because so few programs beyond the ECFE level address parenting groups without a specific demographic target, eg. low income families or families dealing with a language barrier.
"Our goal was to establish a program offering universal access and long-term viability," says Chisholm. "Most school age programs run out out after two years when they've achieved their purpose or grant money goes kaput."
WFRC PARTNERSHIP
Which made partnership with the Working Family Resource Center vital because, according to Beth Quist, WFRC Director of Education and Development, "We already had "cradle to grave" programs in place with trained parent educator models. It just took a few minor revisions to adapt our school-age model to a community based program."
PEP HELPS KIDS
"A lot of parents overlook the "trickle down effect" of gaining support for themselves," says Jill Chisholm. Effective parenting education programs, like those that involve direct parent child interaction, can help stem troubled behavior and promote school success. According to a recent CDC sponsored analysis of 77 parent education programs, programs that work (a) encourage positive interaction and emotional communication, (b) encourage parenting consistency, particularly with discipline and the use of time out, and (c) require parents to practice these skills in class. Less effective programs merely disburse written information.
WRFC's own evaluations conclude that "attitude and behavioral outcomes supporting development and school readiness are more likely after an extended session than a single workshop," which lends credence to PEP's eight (soon to be ten) week format.
DADS NEEDED
Dads also play a role in successful programs. A 2007 University of Utah study concluded that father involvement in parent training promotes "better family cooperation and cohesion... [while] excluding fathers decreases the likelihood of success."
CLASS STRUCTURE AND FLEXIBILITY
PEP curriculum is loosely based on the Positive Parenting Curriculum developed by University of Minnesota Extension Service, but parents have a lot of leeway to chart their own course.
"Our first class was an intake for gathering topics and building an outline for the session," explains Monell Jakel, PEP's Parent Educator. "But planned topics often give way to more timely concerns.
Lisa Harrington, who found out about PEP from a Groveland Elementary flier, enthusiastically describes a "building friendships" class that veered into a lively discussion of allowance. "One mom even brought in an age-based allowance spreadsheet. Very helpful."
"I had no idea allowance was such a big deal," confesses Jakel. "In my ECFE classes, I always had a backlog of resources for any topic. Now, it takes a week to come through with information" (though participants enthusiastically tout her followthrough).
EXPERIENCED PARENT EDUCATOR
But Jakel, in keeping with an "effective" program model, does more than just filter reading material. With 23 years of experience as an ECFE parent educator, she is the backbone of the class, and is not afraid to confront challenging realities. Jakel cites the Nebraska "Safe Haven Law," which, until last November, allowed parents to relinquish children at hospitals without legal penalty or a set age boundary. In most places, including Minnesota, the law allows three days after a child is born, but until the change, many desperate parents crossed state lines to "drop off" their kids, many of them teenagers, in Nebraska.
"The Nebraska law shows the extreme of parents at their wits end," says Jakel, but classes like ours give parents a safe haven to go without feeling judged to find alternatives, which are easier to grasp when we no longer think of ourselves as islands."
Above all, Jakel underscores the value of becoming comfortable with "disequilibrium."
"Parenthood is a lifetime dance involving a lot of uneasy change, and we need the confidence to recognize that yes, we may feel out of balance for a while, but we'll get through this."
A STRENGTHENING CORE
Jakel's safe atmosphere and free flow of classes suits the temperament of school-age parents.
"This class makes us better parents, but without guilt or stress," says Karen Chaput, who had her now seven year old daughter when she was 45. Chaput sees PEP as "a lifeline of camaraderie" when most of her peers have long since passed through the school age gauntlet.
"The group offers a lot of warmth and humor," adds Harrington. "As the class has progressed, we've become closer and more forthcoming. We're all a little more laid back than we were when our kids were tiny, which makes for an inviting atmosphere"
Which isn't to say school age challenges are "laid back."
"I've found one or two big concerns at a time with school age kids as opposed to 20 small ones with little kids," says Kirsten Walsh.
Among big concerns on the docket this session is emotional development.
"My seven year can express herself articulately but her mind often seems ahead of her emotions," explains Chaput. I need help understanding how to step back and look at her with developmental empathy."
Another key topic will be monitoring, i.e. how parents stay on top of where their kids are, what they're doing, and with whom.
"Today's parents/neighbors aren't as comfortable as they once were looking after each other's kids," explains Jakel, "and once they get into school, looking out for our own kids becomes even more... complicated."
JOIN THE CLASS
Signup: Dads and moms are welcome to sign up for the upcoming Jan 27-March 17 session by calling the Working Family Resource Center at (651)-293-5330. Note. Late entrees are welcome.
Time: Tuesdays @ 9:30-11:00a.m. and 6:00-7:30p.m.
Class Size: Limited to 18, but if enrollment spikes and defines need for additional classes, "Bring 'em on!," urges Beth Quist.
Childcare: None, but this may change as the program gains momentum.
Cost: The session fee is $40, but the WFRC is willing to offer "silent scholarships" if needed.
Call the WFRC at (651)-293-5330 and join Rondo PEP today!
P.S. If you're a current ECFE parent, look for PEP fliers in your ECFE class or ask your parent educator about the program.
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This one for the catholic dad and the Catholic mom: Nate (4) wanted to know how to read the dictionary. So we sat down and pointed at words. I told him what a word in bold/dark was, and then he intoned the definition. When I pointed to a 'v' word that had 'bone' in the description, he said:"...he throwed the bone at the back of God and GodLord said You won't get pregnant if you throw something at God!"
When we got to the word 'rainbow, he said: ChristLord of the Evil God found the ponies. He let the ponies go to the rainbow so they could get back to their families..." all with very serious priestly tone. This is only a tiny portion of his liturgy of the Word. I couldn't write fast enough...
p.s. I have to say it sounded quite like Deirdre at the same age.
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James deserves an entire book for kid of the week. James leads the clan, herds the rascals, puts up with the theft of his legos and the shredding of his Avatar comics.
James has always been a worker. He began working when he began walking, picking up trash (sometimes out of the trash can to eat), folding socks (very helpful) and shoveling the walk with (and now for) dad.
James now earns more money doing chores and neighborhood work than any of his peers, which is good, because he needs a steady cash flow to pay for the numerous things he breaks around the house (baseball through front window, snapped strings on sisters harp, etc.). There is a downside to being so hands-on. But he always seems more satisfied earning the money than spending it--our little Alex P. Keaton hoarder.
James loves sports. He doesn’t talk much about sports, but he kicks the h*ll out of any sport he tries. He’s tough, fearless, and hungry for the ball (another upside of being hands-on). I keep telling Sheff it is OK to celebrate the fact James tears up the field from time to time. I love that Sheff is so team minded--its not about winning but having fun--but I can’t help but “heck-yeah” when my kid brings it!
James more openly discusses his interest in science, rocks, stories of mystical elements and watching things evolve, hatch and grow. It’s fun to watch him grow and evolve, but less fun to watch the mystical food elements he’s snuck into his room hatch and grow under his bed.
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Tis the day after Christmas, and all through the house...
All creatures are whirring, except this young mouse.
The stockings are slung by the chimney so careless.
The draft in the fireplace is quiet and airless.
One mouse in a kerchief, it’s friend in a cap
...are worn out from Christmas and need a brief nap.
I can’t say the same for my vigorous kids.
Who seem to have botox inside their eyelids.
They dance and make merry, they jitter and shout
To bumping rap music with cuss words bleeped out.
I have the day off, and there’s no need to work.
I should be productive but I’d rather shirk.
The wood shop needs cleaning but I have to fessup
I’d rather just chill playing mousy pants dressup.
We’ll work on our juggling and Chinese jump rope.
And style hip-hop duckies, and wishfully hope
For wintry whiteouts and time to read books
(Young Daisy’s selection has drawn a few looks).
This might not compare to Noel at it’s height
But days after Christmas have bits of all right.
Courtesy of Ben M.
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1. Sheff: Waking up to Daisy drawing on my face with Mom’s lipstick. A surprising likeness of Mongolia. A tiny churlish grin.
2. Deirdre: The shower of “thank yous” from my kids, to Santa, grandparents, relatives, and especially Mom. Mickey was particularly thankful for his kid Bible, and all but quoted the Grinch’s change of heart speech...
Maybe Christmas, he thought , doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, he thought, means a little bit more...
3. Sheff: And of the material reflections of spirit given, the ones from loving hands, not stores, stood out the most.
As I fruitlessly scoured the neighborhood looking for doughnuts, I heard the replay of an NPR Terry Gross Interview with Empire Falls author Richard Russo, in which he described a downward shift in generational optimism after WWII. Our sense of identity, he said, took a serious blow when the conveniences of consumer culture drew us away from our ability to make our own things.
Thank you W & C for your labor of love.
The creative loved ones responsible for these handiworks must be beacons for an optimistic time to come.
Elenabella, yet another talent reveals itself.
4. Sheff: Receiving juggling balls from my father in law, whom the kids call Big Daddy...
...and feeling distinctly grateful for having a father in law who gets me.
5. Sheff: Taking a rare mid-afternoon nap, a 2-1/2 hour Rip Van Winkler. I woke up to Daisy dropping my juggling balls on my face. When that didn’t get me to move, she took an inside position on my bed and kicked my nose until I jerked backward and fell out onto the floor, taking the lamp with me.
6. Sheff: My utter sense of relief at D. completely taking care of present duty this year and saving me from another last minute spending panic.
7. Deirdre: Seeing the children of my Mom’s oldest friend, at whose birth I was present, now playing with my children. Bonding with the 14 daughter in particular, who was flower girl at our wedding and is now beyond gorgeous, about our mothers, love of friends and babies. I got a kick as she described her “embarrassment” at having the most popular guy in school become friends with her mom on Facebook. She said that he comes up to her now in the hallway to check in about the “friendship,” and she describes these interactions almost apologetically, as if she really doesn’t understand how big a favor her mom has done this supposed hunk. Her humility is even more beautiful than she.
8. Deirdre: Christmas Box Theater, Boo’s annual shoe box diorama puppet show, also touched on inner beauty. Each year, Boo spotlights an interaction between herself and a child version of me over the true meaning of Christmas. Today’s performance dwelt on a conversation about little gray bird in the manger bringing baby Jesus the gift of a red feather, a small token of outer beauty to reflect his inner beauty. In reward for the bird’s kindness, God gave the bird a beautiful red coat, and this explained the cardinal on Boo’s tree, nestled in the hem of the crowning angel’s dress.
9. Sheff: The crumbling of the edifice of video games that has dominated our household too much of late, giving way to cities of Legos. James disappeared into his room shortly after presents and reappeared moment’s later having built this.
Legos are sweet!
10. Deirdre: Starting a bath to wind down the day, being suddenly bombarded with little bodies (oh well...)...
...but then handing them for Dad to dry and enjoying five minutes of blissful calm before resuming my motherly duties.
11. Deirdre: Missing Uncle Ty (Sheff’s brother) but hearing he’ll be home for Christmas next year.
12. Sheff: Catching Grandpa Pocky, bearer of gifts and sundries, on his way to sunny Ojai California, prepared to charge through storms to the south in his faithful Mini Cooper.
Thanks, Santa!
P.S. Miss you GoGo...
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I normally don't spotlight other peoples' kids in this blog, but this one was too good to pass up.
A friend's 9 year old son came home complaining that the kids at school were talking trash about how Santa wasn't real.
"But I know he's real," said the son with supreme confidence, a confidence so unshakeable that it aroused Dad's curiosity.
"Why's that?" my friend asked.
Because you and Mom aren't about to spend that kind of money on me.
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"I'm just a saleswoman for food. That's my life."
-Deirdre
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Mickey is our first bio babe, our preemie who turned giant. I still take pride in the width of his hands, the solidity of his frame the ability to move large objects with his pinkie.
Lip-Mickey
“Bees and dogs smell fear...”
“THAT FEAR IS ME!”
Mickey has always been a cuddle bug. When he was first born he was in NICU and Sheff and I lived by his bed side (in turns, one was always home with toddler James). We would do kangaroo care, put tiny Mickey skin to skin against us and sing. I remember singing old Texas cowboy songs, I only knew a few verses so I would sing them over and over, slowly rocking, kissing his small blond fuzz. “Poncho was a ..something man....Out of kindness I am told..”
Mick loves his blankie, our sweet Linus.
When Mickey first started a preschool program he had a tiff with a friend and the teacher said he did a most unusual thing. Mickey was bothered by the friend hassling him and rather than getting into a fight Mick simply moved the friend. He gripped either side of the boy’s arms, lifted the friend and set him down out of his way. Then Mick went on his way.
Mickey attended his school’s version of an elementary lock-in last week. The kids were to arrive in PJS, sleep over and go home after breakfast. Mickey asked me what a “sleep over” entailed and I responded. “Well, you go, have a snack, maybe play a game or watch a movie and then everyone gets in their sleeping back and goes to sleep. In the morning you have breakfast and mom and dad pick you up.” Mick looked at me with incredulity and said “That is the most boring thing in the whole world! You go to sleep and eat breakfast? Why is that cool?”
The second came on Primo’s heels
Conceived in travel’s strife
Five weeks premature
He had no time to wait on life.
He once fit in the palm of my hand
Now he strides and he glides
And he rules the land.
His fiery footsteps
Burn glass tracks in sand
And the beasts heed his command...
-From “The Legend of Seven”
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