Learning_As_I_Go

Mom's holiday wisdom

Remember when you were little and your mom would say that the best gift she could get at the holidays was time with her family? And you'd think - or at least, I would - "Sure, Mom. Now hand over my new books. Or jewelry. Or glasses that have windshield wipers on them (actually, my brother gave me those when I was a kid and I just loved them)."

Posted 1 mon. ago.

Go for launch

Nicholas' new thing is "big" hugs and kisses. That means he backs up a few feet - down a hallway, across a room, whatever's available -Â takes a running start and launches himself into the arms of his target. He knocked me over the other day when I picked him up at preschool; that was pretty. But it's hard to deny his joy at delivering these high-impact tokens of love. And it's pretty funny when…

Posted 2 mon. ago.

One for the books

Big day at our house recently ... Nicholas got his first Scholastic book order form from school. Actually, it was sitting on the counter and we had to pick it up, but still. It immediately brought me back to my own school days - way back in the dark ages - and the days the Scholastic forms would arrive. Such possibilities! All those books, at my fingertips, mine just for the ordering (and wheedlin…

Posted 2 mon. ago.

Pondering the "Me Box"

Big happenings at our house this weekend. On Friday, Nicholas received the "Me Box" from his preschool. The idea was to put some things in there that represent Nicholas and what he likes to do. Then he would bring it in on Monday to show the items - and explain their meaning - to his classmates. Of course, within minutes of coming home, Nicholas had a crazy assortment of items in the box - golf ba…

Posted 3 mon. ago.

Playing the ponies

Lsat weekend, we went to a pumpkin patch, something we do every October. At the Resendiz Fruit Barn outside Hughson, there's more than just pumpkins. They have pony rides and a hay maze as well as the various fruits and vegetebles and baked goods that make that place popular all year long.

Posted 3 mon. ago.

The BEST restaurant

One of the best parts of being a parent - besides getting to play with the toysÂ - is seeing everything through the fresh, unjaded eyes of children.

Posted 4 mon. ago.

Big sunglasses and handy tissues

We've known for months this day was coming, but still Monday arrived too soon. As I have mentioned before, we are very, very lucky that we haven't had to put Nicholas in daycare. He goes to the kids club at the gym, but we're right there.Â Between our moms and his sisters, he's never been more than 50 feet from someone who loves him very much.

Posted 5 mon. ago.

Nicholas' first kiss

Call me naive, but I thought we would have at least a few years before we had to worry about girls. But the other day, when I walked into the kids' club at my gym to pick up Nicholas, the staff told me, "Guess what happened today?"

Posted 5 mon. ago.

A grateful shout-out to those fine folks at Disney

My little boy watches television. I know that's pretty much going to doom his academic and personal development, but there it is. He's not plunked in front of the TV for hours at a time, but he does have his favorites. I remember when he was aboutÂ 14 monthsÂ old and I put him in front of Sesame Street for the first time so I could get something done. I felt like the world's worst mother. I've…

Posted 6 mon. ago.

Reaching through time with a measuring spoon

I'm not much of a cook. There are a couple of dishes I do pretty well, and one or two standbys I rely on if I'm making dinner for guests. It's too bad, since my mom is a great cook and so was my grandma. And a few years ago I learned that many of my colleagues are very talented in the kitchen; my good and generous friend (and "Man of the House" blogger) Jim Silva set up a schedule of people provid…