My What Big Eggs You Have
My What Big Eggs You Have – February 22, 2010
Homegrown
Homegrown – February 21, 2010
Years before I met my husband, I worked as a teacher’s aide at a local middle school. My husband was a teacher at the time (at the same school), and for many years we were mere coworkers. Eventually I became a teacher too, and though Hank and I continued to work together, we were both romantically involved with other people. We would exchange morning hellos and waves down the hall, but that was the extent of our relationship.
And then.
And then it was as if we were suddenly part of a script; one in which someone was crafting a love story, and Hank and I were the main characters. Suddenly, we were both single and for the first time in seven years, the teacher down the hall caught my eye! Soon enough, our friendship-turned-courtship included little notes (delivered via our students) and small surprises left in each other’s mail boxes. I loved sending him tangelos (the world’s most delicious fruit!).
And then. Yep, you guessed it. Then came marriage. And then came baby in the baby carriage.
Years later when we moved into our first home, Hank took Alison to the local nursery and returned with the most thoughtful gift ever: a dwarf tangelo tree. They spent the day planting it in our backyard, and though the tree produced fruit the first year, it bore no fruit for nearly eight years. This year, though, we have a small crop of fruit. This morning Hank brought me the first tangelo of the season, and I ate it for breakfast.
It was delicious and homegrown. And grown out of love.
Alison + Hank, 2002
Two Bunny Ears
Two Bunny Ears – February 20, 2010
I know how to tie my shoes now, Mama!
Really? Who taught you?
I did. I taught myself.
La Creperie
La Creperie, February 19, 2010
In the Moment
In the Moment – February 18, 2010
Sprinkles
Sprinkles, February 17, 2010
Not much to say today other than, *yawn* I’m tired. Every day has been jam packed with things to do and places to go. I’m hoping that things simmer down soon!
Do These Glasses Make My Nose Look Big?
Do These Glasses Make My Nose Look Big? – February 16, 2010
Nothing beats a $1 toy that makes everyone laugh and smile. The Dollar Tree rocks!
9 is Divine!
9 is Divine! February 15, 2010
Today is Monday, but it felt remarkably like a Sunday.
For Allie and her BFF, it was a bonus day to spend swinging in the hammock. To tell knock-knock jokes. To belly laugh. To relish in the fact that life is divine when you’re 9.
H-E-A-R-T Pancakes
H-E-A-R-T Pancakes – February 14, 2010
Before our kids could spell or read, my husband and I would verbally toss letters into the air so that the wee ones would remain oblivious to our plans. As you fellow parents out there know, plans can change, and children are not always the most flexible creatures. So in an attempt to avoid meltdowns and foot stomping, our dinner conversations would sometimes sound like this:
Did you want to get I-C-E C-R-E-A-M later?
or
Did you buy the P-R-E-S-E-N-T yet?
Now that two of the three kids can read and spell, that tactic is outdated. So we’ve resorted to secret talk. We do this with our friends too. So if we’re planning a fun weekend activity for the kids (like say, Disneyland), both sets of parents must refrain from ever mentioning any word related to the upcoming event until we’re safely buckled in the car headed towards our destination. Because nothing sucks more than disappointing your kids with changed plans or capricious decisions. And let’s face it, I might as well shoot myself in the foot if I happened to mention in advance, “Hey kids! We’re going to Disneyland next week!“, because the next seven days would be filled with excruciating conversations like:
When are we going to Disneyland?
Remember what I said yesterday? We’re going next week.
Is it next week yet?
Sometimes just for kicks, we like to sabotage our friends. It goes a little something like this:
1. Make sure to time your sabotage tactic correctly. (Tip: A good time is when their kids are fussy from long day)
2. Think of the most ludicrous place/activity. (Tip: Chuck E. Cheese is always a good contender)
3. Make sure their kids are within earshot.
4. Make inappropriate announcement.
5. Watch your friends squirm.
So, it goes a little something like this:
Your friends Brenda and Dave are hanging out at your house with their kids (who, by the way, are tired and fussy from a long day). You turn to your friends and casually mention, “Hey! I heard you were taking the kids to Chuck E. Cheese for dinner!“ Sit back and watch their kids get hopped up with excitement. (Note: evil laughter, optional).
It’s all fun and games until you become the victim, your friend the saboteur. Like last night.
Last night Brenda casually makes the announcement, “Tomorrow I’m going to make heart shaped pancakes for the kids!”
Oh yay! Yippee!
Her kids were excited. My kids? Not so much.
I curse under my breath and avoid the fierce glares of my kids (who most likely are wondering if their mama is going to do the same). I crossed my fingers hoping my kids would forget about those pancakes, but guess what we had to make this morning? Yep, you guessed it. H-E-A-R-T shaped pancakes.
Watch it, Brenda. We’ll get you back.
Best. Day. Ever.
Best. Day. Ever. – February 13, 2010
We celebrated Henry’s 8th birthday with a Bowling Bash, and the entire night he was a whirling dervish. If he were a cartoon character, he’d be a blur of color flitting across the screen. He was beyond happy. And as any parent knows, when your child is feliz, you’re inherently happy too. After his friends went home, after the pizza and cake were devoured, after the flurry of wrapping paper strewn about the living room floor, Henry turned to me with a hug.
“Mama, thank you for my party. This was the BEST. DAY. EVER.“
