My kids were getting ready for bed on Sunday night, just as the Grammy's were starting, but I promised Oliver I'd tape them for him, and we could watch the next day. Indeed, I did record it, and we've been watching (and re-watching) a lot of the performances together ever since.I have to say, Bruno … [Read more...]
The Q.T. On Yelling
If there's one thing I won't stand for in this house, it's bellowing at someone from another room when one wants something.I will. Not. Have it.Because besides being just too damned loud, (and a bit rude - I mean, really!) invariably, half the request will not be heard properly the first time, then … [Read more...]
My Little Sophistic-8
Oliver got busy turning EIGHT last week (holy crap, didn't he just turn seven?) and the festivities have been drawn out over the last bunch of days, which suits me just fine. Having a birthday time, feels like more fun than just celebrating on a single day anyway. Spread... it... out... yo. … [Read more...]
The Thing About September
During the first week of August, I was thinking (Nay! Dreaming!!) about the return to school for the children, and the more structured routine for our lives. Having a few hours to myself, a few days a week after a long summer of schlepping kids around town... well it's something I really looked … [Read more...]
The Way They Play – Part II
As I tried to step into my rain boots this morning, my foot met a bunch of hard, plastic edges...Thank you, darling girl.After I dropped the child off at school, I returned home to straighten up after the morning whirlwind, as I usually do. In the TV room, I spied a blanket covering some kind of … [Read more...]
Rough Starts
Well, my boy started the second grade the other day - he seemed easy about returning to the same school for his third year. I wanted his first morning to be uncomplicated and cheerful, so I prepared a toasted waffle for his breakfast, and Chinese dumplings for lunch - some of his favourites. I … [Read more...]
Immeasurable.
As my kids and I walked home from camp yesterday, with Oliver in the lead on his bicycle and Madame in the stroller, racing to keep up, I saw an elderly woman headed in our direction. She stopped in her tracks about half a block away, and I called to Oliver to take care. He's safe and capable on his … [Read more...]
Getting Things Straight. Oh, And Thievery.
Ava Scarlett is still trying to remember how the relations in our family work, and what who is to whom. Her older brother, Oliver, is not helping one iota. Case in point: a discussion from just this morning.She: So, daddy is my husband...Me: No, you are daddy's daughter. He is your … [Read more...]
Catchy Summer Tunes
My seven year old has been coming home from playdates and camp days, telling me about some cool new thing he wants/needs/must have. Yes, we've just entered this phase. I don't buy my kids a lot of stuff, just out of nowhere, and I rarely take them into toystores, because there just aren't enough … [Read more...]
Push
I suppose the phases in a child's development just ebb and flow like the tides. Sometimes it's easy going... sometimes it's just not. I'm in a bit of a hard phase with Madame these days.She is exactly three-and-a-half years old and she's making me mental inside my head, holy crap. The child … [Read more...]