It’s a new year! Actually not that new. Mid-to-late February, for Pete’s sake. This post takes forever, especially now that I consult my family for authenticity. But linear time be damned! (It’s all a construct anyway.) I wonder if there’s a formula for calculating how fast time flies for a person in any given year….
Category: Kid Nation
The New Year Questionnaire – a look back at 2022
Here’s the New Year Questionnaire! As per tradition, not even close to “on time.” (Though not as late as some New Years.) Also – shorter than it used to be, and adjusted this year to be a bit more contemplative, inspired by my amazing cousin-sister Quinn at The Retreat Space. AND… guess what, I’ve been…
To My Firstborn, Age 12
Dear E, You’ve now been twelve for three weeks. It has been a long time since I managed to post about you for your birthday, because funnily enough, it always falls at the busiest time of year. I am determined to write – and finish – this post, so that someday (if you ever read…
Back to School in Person!
Today was the first day back at in-person school since the winter holidays began in December. On the day last week when it was announced that we would head back this week, I remember that as the news sank in, my brain gradually released this huge invisible ball of stress and I started to feel…
New Year’s Questionnaire for 2020: The Year The World Stood Still
It’s always fun to post a piece so late that it’s basically irrelevant… Sigh. (And this piece would still be waiting to be finished if it weren’t for the long dentist appointment the kids and I had last week that gave me an hour in which I couldn’t work on report cards.) At least I…
Dance For The Joy Of It – Gratitude Day 23
My daughter takes two dance lessons per week – one ballet and one hip-hop. On Mondays it’s ballet. As another mom and I were waiting outside the door for the kids to come out, we chatted in glowing terms about this particular studio. The dance experience has been nothing but awesome for AB. As many…
Winter Wonderland Snowfall – Gratitude Day 22
Today, I am grateful for the beautiful snow we’re having. Isn’t it great how snow lightens up the world right when you need it most? Just like how shade also offers itself right when you need it. Normally, we don’t really get into the Christmas stuff – music and decorating etc. – until December. The…
Family of Word Nerds – Gratitude Day 21
I’m grateful to be able to say that my children have inherited my penchant for interesting vocabulary. AB is relishing the lessons they’ve been doing in her class on adding “juicy details” to one’s writing. Yesterday, E correctly (and metaphorically) used the word “begat” in a sentence. More on their lexical prowess later. For now,…
World Children’s Day – Gratitude Day 20
Today, on World Children’s Day, I’m grateful for the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I’m glad so many people agree that children have the right to a safe, happy, healthy childhood. I’m especially grateful to live and parent and teach in a…
Social Distancing: Indulging my introverted side, FOMO-free
It was for mostly selfish reasons that, when I heard that schools would be closed for an extra two weeks after March break, part of my heart – through the worry – was full of joy. It wasn’t the joy of knowing that the closures are the right thing to do, even though that’s true….