Beyond Binkies, Code and Make-Believe

Check the context before responding to a child's question.

Years ago I learned that people interpret words differently depending up on their life experience. The word "basement" is a perfect example.  When asking a group of women one day if they made a basement as a child - some shuddered, others broke into wide grins.  Noticing this I asked why the diversity in reactions.  The answer was simple, basement meant a fun place to some and a dank, dark, bug-filled place to others.  I'm glad I had that expereince.  It's helped as a parent trying to answer questions in interpret where our children gain certain knowledge.

As the subject of my Halloween costume came up (I'm considering going as a layer cake), my daughter said it would be funny to rig it up so I could pop out of the cake.  Well, my head went to one place due my life experience.  She kept pressing it.  I assured her that wasn't my style.  AS she kept pressing I wondered WHERE she learned about women popping out of cakes and where did she see it - looking to blame or chastise someone's poor motinoring skills of the television. Then I remembered, "basement."

I smiled and asked, "Where did you learn about people popping out of cakes?"

Her reply was simple, "King Julian in the movie, Madascsar!"  I felt my head relax and we laughed remembering how silly the movie was and King Julian. We don't have to go into cross-dressing habits of King Julian at this point, at least not until she asks.

Albino Burmese Python Cake for Our Son

 Our son is five tomorrow.  He's also into snakes. He didn't ask for anything for his birthday other than a visit to Reptile World and an Albino Burmese Python birthday cake.  You heard me.  It's all he asked for; of course I made it for him.  Hear me out:

The lizards got crickets, the kids played with the broken camera.

Santa came through for everyone. Mom and dad did pretty well, too.  We were awakened at 7:30 - predetermined time the night before - to, "The lizards got crickets!  The lizards got crickets!"  Our children put out stockings for their pet anoles and fish.  They figured their dog wasn't a kid anymore, so he didn't need one.  The also figured the bird is on the naughty list because he squawks so much.

Last night's lesson: don't mix finger puppets and halogen

Our son had difficulty falling asleep. I was worn out from being called back to his room and invited him to sit by me while I read in bed.  He leaped into our room.  I had to shower. By the time I came out there was a teary-eyed boy standing at the bathroom door bearing something that looked like a dead mouse.

I forget I married "Darren Stevens"

Pity my poor husband who is constantly suffering from unsuccessful telepathic requests and feedback.  Our children, since they are half-mortal, also have problems willing illnesses and problems away until a more convenient time.  I forget these things. I forget he is mortal and they are at least half mortal.

Nyssa Tractor's Old Number and New Friends

When we moved to Oregon our new 503 number had a long-standing previous owner: Nyssa Tractor Salvage.  We learned this quickly on sunny days when the nicest people would call looking for their favorite tractor resource.  That was four years ago.  We still get calls on sunny days, each spring and throughout summer from the nicest people in surrounding farm areas throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Wheels Day at Preschool - more fun than I expected

That said, I would not have lasted another 15 minutes.  I have short threshold for events with many children other than my own.  Wheels Day involves all children bringing their favorite vehicle to ride.  This included a Spiderman Big Wheel, 1 Disney plastic scooter, 2 Razors, 2 Radio Flyer tricycles and an assortment of bikes donning training wheels of assorted quality.

Our Traveling Pants Have Been Retired

My best friend and I share many things.  We are able to finish each others' stories, recount memories when the other forgets the details and child-rearing tips and horror stories.  Another thing she share from season to season are clothes. 

Both of our weight has gone up and down between health issues and pregnancies.  When one of us is up the other is sometimes down so we ship off a box of goodies.  These usually include Lucky Jeans, business dresses, track suits and other items.  We've been doing this for years.

Today we bid farewell to a pair of jeans we've shared since 1998.  They are the typical Gap jeans - from before the time where everything was so low you needed special "low jean" chones to avoid being tacky.  These are just your basic faded, soft jeans.  They started out as jeans for going out with friends, a day at the school, weekend date jeans. 

It's time to celebrate Dr.Seuss

Our family needs a break from the school auction, the news, the rain.  "...to wet to go out And too cold to play ball.So we sat in the house.  We did nothing at all. So all we could do was to sit, sit, sit, sit..."

I thought about our author, Dr. Seuss and an appropriate, fun, off-the-wall way to celebrate his life, his contribution to literacy and the man.  My husband and I are going to come up with 5 - 10 activities and put them in ... a hat, of course.  It will be a combination of art activities, zany fun and food fun.

Milk Bone sleeps with him every night.

I love my brother.  He has some treasured qualities that make for fantastic anecdotes, especially when combined with our children.  Here is the story of "MilkBone and the Thanksgiving Visit."