When I was in sixth grade, Mr. Post would have us pound out these papers he called “issue essays.” The point was essentially to show both sides of the topic; proponents and opponents factually and equitably represented. It’s been a few years since I authored a grammar school issue essay,…
I’ll never forget when Jacob was maybe 18 months old, we were driving in the car and James exclaims, “You won’t believe it. Jakey has leg hair!” It was true. Our little chubby baby was growing into his big boy legs. Then maybe about six months ago, we’re riding in…
Tuesday night we ate Chinese take-out. We were gone all weekend and so the food emergency continues… Jacob’s fortune cookie read: Focus your attention. Nathaniel’s fortune cookie read: Give yourself some peace and quiet for at least a few hours. Technically it said “quite” instead of “quiet,” but still… uncanny,…
My mom and dad love to tell the story about how when I was little, they would give me kisses and I would wipe my mouth and exclaim, “Ew! Yuck kiss.” Believe me, their kisses were inordinately slobbery. They’ve been campaigning for repentance for decades. Then maybe two weeks ago…
Exactly one week ago we found ourselves in an evening food emergency: we were out of all five food groups. Those food groups being: 1. Fruit (As Grandma has noticed, Nate is basically a fruitarian. Tangerines, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and halved grapes being his primary sources of sustenance.) 2. Crunchy…
The very next morning after I wrote about troll bones, it came up again. I know… I’m sure it’s a frequent topic of morning conversation at your house, too. James: “Jaim, we figured out that troll bones have something to do with bows and arrows. We were watching Max &…
In February of last year, just two weeks before Nate was born, Grandma had a horrible fall. We’re not exactly sure what happened, but we know it involved flip flops, a flagstone path, and a face plant. It was terrible. Granddad then e-mailed pictures of her injuries. Poor, poor Dama……
I’d say we can officially declare Jacob fluent in English. Well, I probably should have declared it at least two months ago— consider this declaration retroactive. Now I know the technical distinctions of fluency and the hazards identified by bilingual educators. Essentially adults can be mislead into thinking kids are…
Natesy’s going through that phase where all of a sudden, he’s got an opinion. And my does he have one. What, Jaimie, your child has an opinion? How shocking! I know, I know… they say it skips a generation. On the surface, our little Prince of Wails seems to have…
This morning Nate Dogg turned on the radio in his room and held his own dance party. Natesy’s dancing consists of four moves: the right foot stomp, step forward-step back, twirling, and his signature head nod. The song? “You Down Wit’ OPP.” Yeah you know me.