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Edumacation Survey
2007-11-15 20:18:00
Is it just that my memory is failing, or was 6th grade math not anywhere near this hard when I was in grade school? Here is a page of Sam’s actual homework: *fears 7th grade*
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Mall Update
2007-11-14 04:54:00
1.) After 27 minutes of stalking and searching, we found a parking spot. 2.) We stopped at the crepe place and purchased very delicious food and/or drink. Three times. (1) Savory crepes. 2) Drinks. 3) Ice cream.) 3.) Abby happily and firmly declared, “When I’m a grownup, I’m going to go to the mall every weekend.” 4.) Hannah did not get to take home her coveted fuzzy purse, Hannah Montana wig, or $49 sweatshirt. 5.) I. Had. Fun. (*gasp*) 6.) Mainly because the girls were in great moods, and because the mall seems to make them want to really girl-bond, in the sense that they want to talk and laugh and be together. Whoa. 7.) We threw pennies in the first floor fountain, from the second floor. 8.) We found a 70%-off-lowest-marked-price sale where the “totally cool shirts” were seven dollars each. 9.) We found a place that sells chocolate. And coffee. And chocolate. 10.) We shopped until Hannah literally dropped. Following the purchase of the $7.00 s...
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Can’t We Just Stay Home and Take A Nap? Comb the Cats? Clean the Frid
2007-11-12 18:59:00
WHINE WARNING: I am minutes from heading out (*sputter*) to the mall (*gaaack*) with my daughters, who have requested a shopping excursion (*hurl*) and still want to go, even though I have assured them that we will not be spending money in excess of $10 on items we don’t need, beyond whatever it costs to eat a mall-type lunch. I am working hard to set aside my own distaste-for-shopping-as-sport, and wondering why my daughters think that the best girl-bonding must include retail activities. I even told them last night that we would not be going unless they cleaned their rooms. Ha! I was certain that this was a brilliant gem of a move on my part, as that will never happen. I have harped on them unsuccessfully for several weeks, but of course, this morning, both rooms were spotless before the coffee was even a glimmer in my eye. Which was actually still closed, along with the other one. Maybe this whole shopping thing isn’t such a bad idea after all. *hides credit cards*
More About: Cats , Home , Clean , Stay , Comb

Hotel Hannah
2007-11-11 16:35:00
One of Hannah ’s most wonderful qualities is her ability to entertain herself. For the past six months, my youngest has played an ongoing and elaborate game of “Hotel .” The living room is the lobby and all other rooms are guest rooms. She is extremely proud of her impressive collection of assorted, actual, old hotel key cards, which she distributes to all family members and playmates upon “check in,” which occurs multiple times per guest whenever anyone is anywhere near the front desk/coffee table. She bickers viciously with her sister over management responsibilities — most days they end up as “co-managers,” but now and again, I’ll find a carefully designed business card or nameplate declaring one employee or the other as “THE ONLY Hotel Manager.” The hospitality business is not for wimps. Recently, I received this notice in my guest room mailbox, which is to say, it was under my pillow. I am confronted with several...

Diva In Training
2007-11-09 19:50:00
When you’re eight years-old and wearing flip-flops in November and cruising the ‘hood with your friends, and then you fall down in a mud puddle and run back to your friend’s house in search of warm running water and dry socks, happiness is… …chicken nuggets and hot chocolate and macaroni and cheese. Note: There is no school today, so there are extra children here. They won’t stay still, so I can’t accurately report how many. As I made lunch today, Hannah’s friend Josie (”Charlotte” in last spring’s Big Theatrical Production) asked, in her best hopeless-and-hungry voice, “How long until the food is ready?” I pretended to be extremely offended, dropped my jaw to show my extreme shock at her question, and said, “You’re so demanding!” Then, I smiled, and answered, “Eight minutes.” Josie widened her eyes to express her extreme need for food RIGHT NOW, and said, “Eight minutes!!?? Oh, CHEEEEEZNIPP...
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He Really Wanted A Chicken Patty
2007-11-08 21:36:00
UPDATE for anyone keeping track of SAM’S EXPERIMENTAL POTTY MOUTH PHASE, which I don’t see ending anytime soon: Sam (suppressing laughter, frowning dramatically for emphasis, and checking my face for a reaction): I hate spaghetti. It makes me angry and pissed. Me (also suppressing laughter): I’m sorry spaghetti has such a negative impact on your mood, Sam. Sam: Yeah. It stinks and sucks. Me: Get over it, bud.
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Overheard at the Dinner Table
2007-11-08 00:10:00
Sam: Hey Abby, do you have a 1:1 aide? Me (to Abby, mouthing words through gritted teeth, with eyebrows raised): Abby! Just. Say. “No.” Abby (laughing): No. Me: Sam, what do 1:1 aides do? Sam: They’re for very special certain people. Me: Why do you have a 1:1 aide? Sam: Because she loves me. I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Abby: *snork*
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Revelation
2007-11-06 20:48:00
I was just doing a little blog-housekeeping, and discovered, quite by accident, that virtually all of my recipe posts involve orange food. I find this odd, as I’m fairly certain that I enjoy the full spectrum of food colors, with the possible exception of grey. My dad once became obsessed with carrots and ate so many that the excess beta carotene turned the whites of his eyes yellow. (Okay, not really; it actually turned out that he had hepatitis, but for a while there, the excess carrot thing was his favored and at least somewhat plausible hypothesis. Plus, it illustrates my point, as to my chromosomally-acquired obsessive tendencies, so why should I let reality get in the way of a good analogy?) I don’t think I’m quite this obsessive myself, at least not with food, although my blog content says otherwise. I’ll try to think of a different topic to write about, or at least a different color to cook with eventually, I promise. But for now, I’ll be in t...
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Be Vewy Quiet, I’m Hunting… Cawwots?
2007-11-05 21:08:00
Not exactly worthy of Elmer Fudd, but while it ain’t quite wabbit stew, I did make some politically correct (if you’re a hunted meat product) bunny-friendly soup that Bugs himself might enjoy. That is, if he were real and not a cartoon. Really, I do have some grasp on reality. OK, whatever. Carrot Soup With Ginger and Lemon This is my altered version of a recipe that originally appeared in Bon Appetit. The basic version is a little too sweet for me, so I cut the natural sugar in the carrots with extra lemon juice, and bumped up the spices (garlic, cumin, cayenne pepper) to make it a little more on the savoury side. Sometimes my little kitchen experiments fail miserably, but, oh. This. One. Worked. 2 - 3 TBSP butter 1 medium onion, chopped 1 TBSP finely chopped fresh ginger 1 1/2 tsp minced fresh garlic (1 large clove) 1 tsp cumin 1 1/4 pounds medium carrots*; peeled, chopped (about 3 cups) 2 plum tomatoes; seeded, chopped (about 1 1/3 cups) 1 TBSP grated lemon zest (a...
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A Public Service Announcement from Abby and Hannah
2007-11-02 15:37:00
This is what happens when I leave my camera out on the kitchen counter at kid-eye-level. They take it. They use up the batteries. Sometimes they get it all sticky. However, this is useful tape-slash-horse information they’re providing here, and frankly, what would I write about if my kids were angelic and well-behaved? So there’s that.
More About: Public Service , Public , Service , Announcement , Hannah

Halloweenies
2007-11-01 13:15:00
Two pirates and a “crazy, mixed-up doll,” Abby’s original idea. And of course, dueling pirates!
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Trick or Treat!
2007-10-31 13:11:00
Here’s hoping that all your treats are chocolate, and all your bats are big ones. Designed and carved by (clockwise from top left:) Sam, Hannah, Abby, Me MY FINAL AND ONLY BASEBALL CELEBRATION UPDATE: Love the Red Sox or hate ‘em, we could all take a lesson in “dancing like nobody’s watching” (even though a bazillion people were) from pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, described this morning on Sports Radio as “just the right combination of insane and intense.” Plus, ya gotta love the Dropkick Murphys cruising through the streets of Boston on a flatbed truck.
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Crap, No Chance My Baggie’s Clearing Security Now
2007-10-30 21:29:00
Random declaration of the day: Sam: Mom, know what I wanna be when I grow up? Me: Nope. What? Sam: A Western Terrorist. Me: Um. A what? Sam: You know, one of those guys who ties females to railroad tracks. Me: Of course. I discovered this poor little elephant today, cruelly taped to a skateboard. But first, I ran him her over with my van.
More About: Security , Chance , Crap , Clearing , Chan

Urgent Travel Update
2007-10-27 17:49:00
Several weeks ago, I wrote about my obsessive quest to travel with carry-on luggage only, despite my certainty that I could not possibly fit all of my crap essentials into one measly, quart-sized, plastic bag with a resealable ziploc top. Many of you kindly offered helpful advice. Well. I did it. I reduced, reevaluated, miniaturized, rearranged, checked in online and walked right to my gate. I am once again free from The Prison of Waiting In Line to Surrender My Belongings, The Purgatory of Baggage Claim, and The Weekend Hell of Lost Baggage. Now, if I end up delayed and have to stay anywhere longer than three days, I will have to find a (paper; not plastic) bag to wear over my head while I scout out retail establishments for additional supplies, but I suppose I’ll cross that frizzy bridge when and if I come to it. For now, I will confidently pass through security, knowing that my baggie o’ liquids and gels meets government standards, content in the knowledge that I ...
More About: Travel , Update , Urgent , Gent , Urge

Since Uncle Doug Outed Me…
2007-10-25 19:47:00
1) Yes it is my birthday. Thank you to those who already sent birthday wishes in the comments section of my previous post. 2) No, I am not 29. I am 29 plus an eighth grader. 3) Hannah gets very excited about all birthdays, because, a) she is a loving and generous child; and, b) she is ever-optimistic that there might be leftover cake and presents that just maybe, possibly, could be for her. I was folding laundry this morning, just like most days, when she woke up. “Mom?” I heard her croak, her voice indicating that she wasn’t quite awake yet. “Yes, Hannah?” I smiled, anticipating enthusiastic birthday wishes and multiple bear hug-tackles from my 47-pound blonde. She paused to yawn. I beamed, feeling the love about to come my way. Then, Hannah asked, with tremendous love and concern: “Did the Red Sox win?” She did come in soon after that to present me with my first homemade, pop-up birthday card of the day. And I did get hugs and kisses, from...
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Tomboy Goes 1800’s
2007-10-25 06:20:00
Abby prides herself on her modern style of dress. She likes the tomboy look, and it looks good on her. Here she is, posing with her little sister, complete with the usual look and attitude: So imagine my shock when Abby loved the stage costume she had to wear for a very recent (last weekend) local production of Little Women. This was a very girly and old-fashioned dress, and when I first saw it I thought she’d hate it. She was also excited to wear makeup and a head band which *gasp* pulled her hair off of her face, and in the process of being excited, she somehow forgot that it was all so… girly. I think I got through it all without squealing, but it was difficult.
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C’mon, Gimme a Little Sugar
2007-10-10 04:44:00
Did you ever have one of those evenings where you would gladly trade in your left kneecap for dessert, and you’re cranky because you know there’s nothing in the house, and you begin to drool as you remember those delicious frozen coconut bars that you bought last week, and even though you know they’re long gone, you find yourself walking to the freezer to check, just in case somehow one of them slipped back behind the peas and carrots and escaped everyone else’s finely-tuned, dessert-seeking eyes, and then you look even though you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be met with disappointment and a treat-free fridge? And then… while sighing in anticipation of your failed freezer investigation… you actually find one? Sometimes it’s the little blessings that make me the happiest.
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Survey for the Curly-Haired Girls
2007-10-03 19:35:00
I have a question. I am genuinely curious here, in addition to being extremely determined to conquer this beast. The beast, of course, is my failure to fit all the liquids and gels I’ll need for a weekend into one teeny, tiny resealable one-quart plastic baggie. Because I really want to get back to traveling with carry-on luggage only, dammit. Ever since the FAA took the precaution of eliminating dangerous hair-care products and suspect mascaras from the main cabin in order to enhance my air travel safety, I have not even attempted to fly without checking my luggage. I had been a confirmed carry-on’er for many years, since: 1) I don’t particularly enjoy watching the luggage carousel go round and round while being elbowed by my fellow travelers, only to catapult myself forward at just the right moment, risking injury and the illusion of grace, so as to get to the front and grab my bag before someone else does, and 2) my travels aren’t nearly as pleasant whe...
More About: Girls , Survey , Curl

A Wrinkle In Time
2007-09-29 18:28:00
Uncle Doug called this morning to chat with the birthday boy. Here’s a telling excerpt from their conversation: Uncle Doug: Sam, did your sisters wish you a Happy Birthday this morning? Sam: I ignored them. Uncle Doug: But buddy, they are your sisters and they love you. And you love them. Sam (deadpan): No, I hate them.
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Big Kid Birthday Alert
2007-09-28 21:15:00
Cuteness Overload Warning: Sam turns 12 (12???) tomorrow, so I’m feeling a bit nostalgic. UPDATE: He also informs me that he will be setting his watch alarm for 11:55 PM this evening, so as to fully enjoy his birthday.
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Sick Kid Update
2007-09-27 19:25:00
The relapse arrived only slightly off schedule, at 4:25 PM EST yesterday. “Mom,” she moan-screeched. “My throat hurts so much, I can’t even talk.” I didn’t tell her that her energy level and impressively high vocal volume betrayed her story just a tad. This morning, she gave the extra sick-day ploy one more try, as she crawled into bed with me, proclaiming that she was still very, very ill. “I don’t feel good.” She threw in a last-ditch, mournful request. “Please… feel… my… head.” She used her very best, wide-eyed croak, mustering every sad and downtrodden facial expression in her theatrical repertoire. She raised a little handful of crumpled kleenex and blew her sore nose. She blinked. She looked pathetic. All in. I declared her fit for school. She sighed. Then, she dropped the act and requested a bowl of Rice Krispies and a banana, while planning her outfit for the day and fighting with her s...
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Hannah’s Guide to Sick Days
2007-09-26 19:54:00
1) Wake up snuffly and stuffy. Exhibit just enough genuine misery to convince your mother that you really do need to take the day off. 2) Repeatedly declare your love for those extra-soft, lotion-infused tissues, even while steadfastly refusing to blow your nose, since “it will make the cold worse.” 3) Miraculously recover by 10 AM. However, continue to run a low grade fever so that your mom doesn’t drag you off to school for the rest of the day, which would be totally humiliating. 4) Ask if you can go shoe shopping, since you feel much better now. 5) When #4 fails, learn all the words and dance steps to “All for One,” from Disney’s High School Musical 2, then… shake it! 6) Take a break from the dance-a-thon long enough to inform your mom that you won’t be talking for “quite a while.” Write notes to express your needs, thoughts and questions. When asked why you have decided to stop talking, explain that you “just don...
More About: Hannah , Guide , Days , Sick , Hanna

My Current Lunch Obsession
2007-09-25 15:37:00
Hm, I haven’t written a food post in a while. And dang it, I’m hungry! This time of year, as a rule, I consume far more than my fair share of tomatoes. They are everywhere, and those big-mama beefsteaks are gooooood. By all rights, I should be all lycopened out by now, but nope, I could eat them every day, and never get tired of their garden-tomatoey goodness. I made this up for lunch yesterday, and thought I’d share it here since I’m obsessed with it on a level that would do Homer Simpson proud. And while it’s not exactly a reduced-cal offering, it can be. A little cheese goes a long way, since the flavors are so strong. I used maybe one tablespoon total per slice of bread, and did not feel in any way deprived. Of course, I could (and often do) go the Homer route and pile it on, and um, that’d probably be pretty tasty, too. Open-Faced, Toasted Tomato and Basil Sammich with Dijon Mustard and Cheeeeeeeeese 1) Lightly toast one or two slices of b...
More About: Lunch , Current , Obsession

Mini Me
2007-09-23 17:26:00
I am extremely late in reporting this, but a month ago, I promised my mom I’d post a side-by-side picture comparison, since this post freaked her out. It rattled me too, but for an entirely different reason. One of my babies, my oldest daughter, is growing up WAY too fast. Well, okay, they all are, but I digress. At age ten, Abby is looking more like a young adult than a child. Never mind. Been there, posted that. (I promise, I do have a point. Watch out, here it comes!) Rather than focusing on the current picture of Abby looking all grown up in high heels, my mom reacted to the first picture in the post. The one of Abby in preschool, taken seven years ago. Because she thought it was me. We were on the phone that day, and she pulled up my blog as we talked. She paused. She sounded confused. Mom: Where did you get that picture? Me: It was on my refrigerator. Mom: It was? I thought I had the only copy of that. Me: Huh? Mom: That’s you, Kathy. Me: No, Mom, that’s Ab...
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Crack! Kiss! Duck! Ship!
2007-09-18 16:12:00
Sam discovered computer animation this summer. I posted his incredible, illustrated, homemade elevator animation to YouTube. So, proud and fascinated published animator that he was, he poked around and discovered that other kids, also interested in elevators, also post cool, obsessively-interested-in-elevators elevator videos to YouTube. (Here comes the part where I admit that I’m a terrible parent.) In the moment when my back was turned, probably while I was preparing a healthy and delicious, balanced dinner, he discovered — well — other stuff on YouTube. Crap. Because then, he discovered swear words. Lots of them. Lots and lots of uncensored, unmonitored, unencumbered by FCC standards, bonafide, internet-approved, genuine swear words. This newfound special interest in forbidden language continued and intensified throughout the summer. During family car rides, Sam would entertain horrify us all by listing all the obscene and censor-worthy words he knew. Then, he...
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Apology
2007-09-18 04:12:00
Yes, I have neglected my poor little blog of late. *hangs head* *thwacks self* *gets over it*
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Uh Oh
2007-09-13 04:45:00
*fears being drummed out of WordPress for lack of attention to blog duties* Eep!
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Please, Somebody Save Me
2007-09-07 04:53:00
I seem to have been swallowed by the Back to School Monster. I’m here, but I’m up to my eyeballs in homework and the early bus (6:42 AM!) and back to school nights and politely hanging up on all the volunteer coordinators and… (was that out loud?) Oops.
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I Suppose It’s All Relative
2007-09-02 19:40:00
Up until twelve minutes ago, Sam’s room was unvacuumable. Crap everywhere. Shoes, blankets, K’Nex, clothes, trash, bike helmet, school supplies and peanut butter crackers covering every square inch of floor, making it impassable. I even failed at my most recent attempt to put his clean clothes in, on top of, or near his dresser drawers, since I was barefoot at the time and couldn’t step into the room without impaling my foot on a train part. This is how he answered the call to clean his room. He feels his work is done.
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Please Excuse My Absence
2007-08-29 23:05:00
… of late, but school started yesterday, so I have spent most of my time buying school supplies according to specific, teacher-supplied lists, for which I am grateful so that I’m not guessing and buying the wrong stuff, which would certainly result in return trips to the store, except that the lists keep on coming, so I’ve been to Staples three times and Target twice, in three days. And Abby brought home another list today. Also, Hannah needs new soccer cleats, Abby is waiting to hear back regarding whether or not she got a part in an October production of Little Women, I have a meeting with Sam’s teachers tomorrow morning at 8:30, and I need to find new dental insurance since our dentist, who I specifically chose because she was the only dentist within 25 miles who took our insurance, stopped taking it. So tomorrow’s not looking so good either. And since I’m on a rant (I may as well get it all out now and then be done with it, trust me on this)...
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