Out of the Mouths of Babes: What Grade Are You In?

Driving home from swimming lessons today, Connor announced he was starting a new collection. Now, in our family, this is by no means an outrageous announcement; we are a family of collectors. And so, without much thought, I asked, “What kind of collection?”“A pet collection, Mommy!,” came the excited answer. “Connor,” I said, “You already…
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is a Thanksgiving morning tradition in our home. This year’s parade provided more than colorful floats, melodic bands, and giant balloons, it provided comic relief: During a commercial break, Patrick and the kids were telling me about the Smurf float in the parade. Now as a child of the 80s,…
Connor has decided he no longer likes peanut butter & jelly, cinnamon toast, or fish sticks – even with ketchup, leaving our lunch options extremely limited. Pancakes are a new favorite, and so today we had pancakes for lunch. After downing three pancakes, Connor, while asking for still another said, “Mommy, these pancakes are gooder…
Connor, Future Olympian! With Ryan in New Jersey at Grandma’s for K*nex and Lego camps, Connor has been enjoying a few of his own privileges here at home. He has taken to staying up past his regular bedtime to watch the Olympics with Dad. Each night, Connor falls in love with another sport! He has…
Last year for Christmas, the boys received a singing, dancing Irish Santa. They loved it at once, but Patrick and I were unsure about the beer in Santa’s hand. Did an imbibing Santa send an inappropriate message to the boys? For a year we worried and discussed… should Santa find a new home? Could I…
There is a bridge on the road to my parents’ home in New Jersey. Ten years ago, it washed out in a Spring flood. It was replaced with a temporary bridge… that has stood in that spot for the ten years since. Recently, construction for a new permanent bridge was begun. It is being funded…