November 2008 Archives
Now that I'm an ol' married woman (10 years and counting!) I can share how Hubby and I decide which side of the family to go to on holidays.
No coin-throwing, no rock-paper-scissors or heated arguments about how "your" mother will "never" forgive us for not bringing her grandson to her on Christmas Eve.
Read on, grasshopper, and learn.
No coin-throwing, no rock-paper-scissors or heated arguments about how "your" mother will "never" forgive us for not bringing her grandson to her on Christmas Eve.
Read on, grasshopper, and learn.
Continue reading The Thanksgiving Shuffle.
We love David Shannon.
My boys love him because he gets them, the high-energy, toy-loving, let-me-show-you-what's-in-my-mouth, pirate-loving boys that they are.
I love him because he's the kind of funny, cool, but still (dare I say it?) sensible parent I want to be. And his books, from the now-classic "No, David!" and it's follow-ups, to "A Bad Case of Stripes" and "How I Became A Pirate" all ring true and witty and wonderfully creative.
We so enjoyed the book reading and signing he did at Vroman's for his latest, "Too Many Toys," that we might just drop by San Marino Toy and Books when he visits on Wednesday, Nov. 19. I'll get back to you guys about the exact time because he may just be visiting a school there, but if he is going back to the bookstore and signing books, I'll let you know. (I got books signed for my boys, nephews, nieces and assorted godchildren for Christmas.)
My boys love him because he gets them, the high-energy, toy-loving, let-me-show-you-what's-in-my-mouth, pirate-loving boys that they are.
I love him because he's the kind of funny, cool, but still (dare I say it?) sensible parent I want to be. And his books, from the now-classic "No, David!" and it's follow-ups, to "A Bad Case of Stripes" and "How I Became A Pirate" all ring true and witty and wonderfully creative.
We so enjoyed the book reading and signing he did at Vroman's for his latest, "Too Many Toys," that we might just drop by San Marino Toy and Books when he visits on Wednesday, Nov. 19. I'll get back to you guys about the exact time because he may just be visiting a school there, but if he is going back to the bookstore and signing books, I'll let you know. (I got books signed for my boys, nephews, nieces and assorted godchildren for Christmas.)
Continue reading Why we love David Shannon.
Congratulations to Arcadia, selected by Business Week as the top place to raise kids in California. Runners-up were Diamond Bar and Monterey Park.
Continue reading Ode to Arcadia.
You know that Far Side cartoon where there's a bird in the sky, with this in its thought balloon: "Up, down, up, down," and below, a dog is looking at a white fence, "bark, don't bark, bark, don't bark," while a man strides on the street: "left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot." On the green grass nearby is a frog, who's thinking, "hop, rest, hop, rest, rest....dang!"
Yup, that's how I feel today.
Bills haven't been paid (I was supposed to do them by noon today), I broke down and ordered pizza for lunch, the boys discovered the joys of washing rocks but trailed dirt and mud into the house and got all wet in this cold day, and Hubby called to say he's not feeling well. Car needs a wash, house is still a mess....
BUT, Hubby's coming home soon and there's a big Hershey bar in the pantry and my boys are now giggling at something funny their cousin said and there's enough light outside to water the rosebushes, which, despite and in spite of me, are blooming yellow and lavender.
And there's enough leftover pizza so I don't have to cook!
There's something to be said for basic lives, lovely routines and the ups and downs, hops and rests of every day.
For everything that's been, thanks. For everything that is to come, yes.
Yup, that's how I feel today.
Bills haven't been paid (I was supposed to do them by noon today), I broke down and ordered pizza for lunch, the boys discovered the joys of washing rocks but trailed dirt and mud into the house and got all wet in this cold day, and Hubby called to say he's not feeling well. Car needs a wash, house is still a mess....
BUT, Hubby's coming home soon and there's a big Hershey bar in the pantry and my boys are now giggling at something funny their cousin said and there's enough light outside to water the rosebushes, which, despite and in spite of me, are blooming yellow and lavender.
And there's enough leftover pizza so I don't have to cook!
There's something to be said for basic lives, lovely routines and the ups and downs, hops and rests of every day.
For everything that's been, thanks. For everything that is to come, yes.
I let the boys stay up tonight, mainly because I wanted to watch TV and not get caught up with the pre-bedtime whirl. That's how, at 8 p.m., Firstborn Son and Wonder Boy got to see Barack Obama elected on CNN and watch as Mama tried to impart the importance of this day.
"We're watching history?" Joseph asked, even as his little bro asked hopefully if he could now watch his Veggie Tales DVD.
"This is history, baby," I said.
"This day is just as important as the day they invented chocolate!" Joseph proclaimed.
When our 44th president strode onto the stage, Sandro pointed to the TV excitedly and said, "That's the United States of America!"
I think he was pointing to the line of flags on the stage, but pointing to Obama works just as well.
"We're watching history?" Joseph asked, even as his little bro asked hopefully if he could now watch his Veggie Tales DVD.
"This is history, baby," I said.
"This day is just as important as the day they invented chocolate!" Joseph proclaimed.
When our 44th president strode onto the stage, Sandro pointed to the TV excitedly and said, "That's the United States of America!"
I think he was pointing to the line of flags on the stage, but pointing to Obama works just as well.
Grandma's staying with us a bit, so I was able to leave Wonder Boy with her while I picked up Firstborn Son from school. My little one adriotly took command of the situation, charming candy and soda from Grandma and joy of joys, playing his brother's Nintendo DS, knowing he would have to surrender it to its rightful owner when brother got back from school.
We had just parked in the garage when Wonder Boy opened the door and asked me: "Did you pick up Joseph from school, Mama?"
When I said yes, he clutched the DS close to him and wailed, "Noooooo! I don't want him!"
Joseph and I laughed.
"But Sandro," Firstborn Son said, scrambling out of the car. "I have a surprise for you!"
"What?"
"A Slurpee!"
After which Wonder Boy ran to his sibling, arms open wide, proclaiming: "My brother!"
We had just parked in the garage when Wonder Boy opened the door and asked me: "Did you pick up Joseph from school, Mama?"
When I said yes, he clutched the DS close to him and wailed, "Noooooo! I don't want him!"
Joseph and I laughed.
"But Sandro," Firstborn Son said, scrambling out of the car. "I have a surprise for you!"
"What?"
"A Slurpee!"
After which Wonder Boy ran to his sibling, arms open wide, proclaiming: "My brother!"
