Tuesday, August 05, 2008

This little light of mine...

Maddie had a lovely teacher last year. It seemed like the teacher really "got" her and it made me feel good. In all my decisions about moving Maddie to a different school, it was never about the teacher, but more about the academic curriculum and pressure put on the teachers and student by the administration.

Maddie loved her teacher. She hand-picked a bouquet for the last day of school and spent weeks making a picture video for the teacher using pictures we had taken throughout the year. We received a thank you note from her teacher today. I had to read it to Maddie because the teacher has a very artsy style of writing and she was having trouble reading it. I could barely get through it without crying!


Dear Maddie and family,

Hello, everyone! I hope this card finds you guys in the best of health. Maddie, you've grown so much, I will miss you and all the terrific things you stood up for. When I think of you, I will think about the song, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine."

Maddie, never lose your insightful ways, continue to focus on "how you can" vs. "why you can't."

I love everything about you, you're wonderfully made.

Love,

Mrs B.

P.S. I almost forgot to say thank you for my flowers, class movie and your precious friendship!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Snippets...

While teaching the kids to play poker tonight, we were reminded how unintentionally funny Bella really is.

John deals the cards for 5 card draw. He deals the fourth card, Bella picks it up and adds it to her hand.

Bella: "I got a match!"



And later, after a tough hand of betting, Bella loses a big pot to Liam.

Bella: "I just felt a little bit of throw-up in my mouth."

Friday, August 01, 2008

You know you wish you were married to me...

I usually try to keep this blog rather kid-focused. Let's face it. Very few of you want to hear about my birth clients or doula conferences or whatever. But, I do want this blog to represent a little of who I am (other than the sarcastic tone) for the sake of my children. Because, well, this is their baby book/scrapbook/you're lucky I took a break to write any of this nonsense down.

So, here's the thing. I've determined that men/boys really don't like nagging. Not only do they not like nagging, but it actually does not work. So, I've taken to other methods of getting the message across. For example, John often stays in the living room watching TV after I am ready to go to bed. So, I tell him I'm ready for bed, invite him to join me and go to bed. Then, in the morning, he blames me for leaving him on the couch. So, I sent this email to my husband this morning.

Dear John,

I am wondering if I have done something to upset or offend you. It seems like whenever we are together, you enjoy yourself. I do my best to provide a satisfying experience for you. I'm just wondering why it is that you haven't come by much lately. Let me know if there is something I can do to regain your business.

Fondly,
your bed

It went over well. He didn't even respond because he said he didn't have anything equally clever to send back. That went so well that just a few hours later, another inanimate household object had something to say.

Dear John,

If you want your wife and I BOTH to survive a lightning storm, you may not want to wrap the cord around me so damn many times.

Much love,
your new umbrella