Good Advent Read: Derek Maul's In My Heart I Carry a Star

Rarely have I stuck to reading through something consistently for the entire Advent season. Let's just say, so far so good! Hopefully this post won't jinx my efforts.

I am working with Tampa Tribune columnist, Derek Maul, on a retreat to be held in April. In November he came out with In My Heart I Carry a Star: Stories for Advent. And stories they are.

Derek has a wonderful story telling ability and is not afraid to reveal his emotions and thoughts in a way that only an authentic style of communication can do. It's not too late to order this book for a read after Advent or even to hold for next year.

Evidence of Bad Parenting

You know those rental stroller carts at the mall? With the prominent
instructions on the back, evidently someone tried this more than once!

Not a good day for Dora

It is not known if this was accident related injury or a form of
capital punishment

Infinite Imagination

The things my children can entertain themselves with for hours upon
hours continually amaze me. This pictured playtime shows 2 families of
foam puzzle pieces enjoying dinner (evidently in a duplex). I will
endeavor to enjoy it while it lasts!

Seen while driving

Peachtree Road. Brookhaven. 8 a.m. Today.

Car in motion. Driver brushing teeth.

I must ask: Why? Were they that late to work? Could it not wait?

And then further curiosity makes me think: Were they using toothpaste? Do they have a mobile spittoon? Surely they didn't swallow their toothpaste.

Talk about multi-tasking while driving...

Things grown ups can do

Heard at the dinner table:

E.: I don't want to grow up.

A.: Yes you do, E.! Then you can cut your food better with knives and drink things that grown ups drink--like Coke.

[whew, she just implicated Mommy and not me!]

A.: ...and things like Daddy is drinking!! (pointing to my beer bottle on the table)

[didn't escape did I?]

This is one of those times when the increased awareness of my children is a bit shocking.

Poke vs. Poop: An Inaugural Blog Appearance by Mommy

Mommy makes her first appearance on this blog with today's post:

"Here's the conversation I overheard at the breakfast table this morning...

A: Mommy, I just poked my eye out.

E: [inaudible response since I was in the other room]

A: No E! [with frustration] I didn't POOP my eye out, I POKED my eye out.

Mommy: [laughing in the other room, assuming that A. really hadn't poked or pooped her eye out]"

OK, thanks Mommy for sharing! Now back to Daddy:

Speaking of poop, the kids have been talking for several weeks about Pooper, a creature that they interact with on one of their play websites and on TV. Several times I tried to confirm with them (for some reason deferring to the authority of 3 and 4 year olds) that they were talking about a real character and not just some imaginary play friend they made up. Yes, the character's name was Pooper they told me. I thought, "what is this world coming to that the media-powers-that-be give a kid's character the name Pooper??!"

So finally last Saturday, E. was begging to go to PBSKids.org to play with Pooper. A little guinea pig popped up and was saying his name was Pooper in a pre-pubescent voice-- I was like ohmygosh, I can't believe PBS did this to me. I mean I could understand if Disney stooped to such, but not PBS-home-of-Mr.Rogers-and-The-Electric-Co.! This creature was obviously designed by someone without kids.

But then Mommy heard it and informed us all that it was Hooper, not Pooper. E. was thoroughly upset and continued to insist that his name was Pooper.

Still, I think the PBS people should have considered another name because he'll always be Pooper to me.

Heard in the house

E., who was intent upon finishing a picture she was coloring, was told that it was time to go to bed.

She replied in her complaining almost whining tone,

"Daddy, I don't want to go to bed every day!"

I felt I was pretty safe in sharing an absolute with her, in this case, letting her know that everybody did every day. (She can wait until at least college to discover otherwise.)

Mother's Day Art

Pre-K Mother's Day Tea

My Wish

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if you're faced with a choice, and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
and if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' 'til you find the window,
if it's cold outside,show the world the warmth of your smile,
more than anything, more than anything,

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
your dreams stay big, your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
and while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too,
Yes, this, is my wish.

C's First hair cut

Fun at the Fair

Playground Fun

Princess Sofa Pose