self portrait art studio for children This song was sung the other day at my daughter's school and I loved it. It seems a perfect ballad for teenage girls. And all of us. How did vulnerable get to be a bad word? You've been acting awful tough lately Smoking a lot of cigarettes … [Read more...]
words for wednesday- no guilt
This was on the wall in my daughter's residence at University when we dropped her off.It is the perfect message. … [Read more...]
Notes to my daughter- you are ready
Oh the places you will go by Dr Seuss I dropped my firstborn daughter at University this weekend. To say it was surreal is an understatement. The entire first day I could not stop telling her how excited I was for her. I had butterflies and that feeling you get when you are sitting on the … [Read more...]
TODDLERS AND TEENAGERS – Is there really a difference?
So if having eight children were not difficult enough we have added some new issues to the household that have made it just that little bit more difficult!I am talking about the teenage years and the toddler years! Yes that's right. Lucky me gets a teenage daughter who wants me to drive her … [Read more...]
naturally occurring science projects
It is end of the year for those at school so lockers are cleaned out. Youngest came home with two garbage bags filled with - a clown's nose, a top hat, a left flip flop a tupperware container with a fuzzy blue sandwhich, a sopping wet blazer and kilt with mildew on it (why is it wet … [Read more...]
a few things before you go- notes to my daughter (part one)
Dear Charlotte; In September you will go to University. I miss you already. You will have the time of your life. Things will not be the same without you. *SNIFF* I feel like I am running out of time to pass wisdom on to you so I am going to write you a few posts to cover off anything I have … [Read more...]
my string theory
For all the ways you wonder if you are doing a good job with your kids, if you are failing miserably, if you are sure there are periods of extreme and steady shortfall in energy, patience, guidance, good and solid example, every now and then you actually have a moment when you think you are actually … [Read more...]
surviving dress shopping with teenage daughters
My daughters went to a formal dance a few weeks ago As it always is, two children from the same family are always always very different First girl finds a very well priced fabulous dress that fits her perfectly (I mean perfectly) on the very first hanger She runs to me and says 'done. And I will … [Read more...]
Little Girl Gone
The other night something bizarre took place and I am not quite sure what to make of it. My oldest child was showing me some photos she had taken of herself for fun. I thought she looked beautiful in them and told her to send them to me via email. Just recently she turned 14 and so … [Read more...]
hard questions
I have always loved hard questions ~ except for an extended period of darkness where I was running as fast as I could from the truth.I try to ask hard questions of the people I care about and hope so much for them to ask them of me.I can hear my children hold their breath a little - now almost … [Read more...]