Itty Bitty Book Club

This is possibly the most adorable book club ever! The kids in Claire's class have split into several small groups, each reading a different book, with a parent leading each group. These guys are so cute and have such thoughtful things to say about what they're reading. We're learning about moral dilemma and hard choices. Big subjects for little people, but they tackle them with all the enthusiasm you'd expect from these fresh, eager faces. Some days, I really just love this gig...

Ham AND Cheese...

Parenting: Epic Fail #427

If ever I forget any of my shortcomings as a parent, my kids are quick to remind me. They are so helpful in that regard. Every once in a while, when I've had all the hemming and hawing over homework I can stand, when there's just one more whine about what's for dinner, well, I SNAP! "Fine then! You can just go to boarding school!"

There are any number of excellent parenting books which could point out the grave error of this reactive type of statement: You're damaging their fragile little psyches! They'll spend years in therapy undoing all the harm you've inflicted on them! I'm sure Claire has read them all. I'm sure she can quote the chapter, page, and paragraph correcting any of my various infringements against her delicate soul.

The last time I used the boarding school threat, Claire ran down the hall, to be seen moments later climbing the stairs to my room. Upon receiving this missive, left forlornly on my pillow, I had the following reactions:

1. I am the world's worst mother.
2. Wait, I'm going to redline this text and give it back to her. If she's going to call my bluff, she should at least use proper spelling and grammar. And editorially, "sad" and "little" together is laying it on a bit too think, don't you think?
3. Aack. Back to reaction #1.

Ultimately, I told Claire I was going to frame her note, to preserve it for posterity. That stopped her in her tracks, but probably not for long. I can tell you one thing for sure, there's not a single line in any of those books to prepare you for the day when you suddenly realize your kids are smarter (or at least way more clever) than you...

When Royalty Goes Awry

It's that special day of the year again, the Feast of Kings, the occasion when we serve the Galette des Rois and someone is crowned king or queen for the day. This year the favor was found in "the share of God," the extra piece left for the first person to arrive at our home after this celebration.

Claire was having none of that. She insisted on having the favor, on the grounds that she had never been the lucky recipient of the crown. To my surprise, some parent (Not me. Ahem.) acquiesced to this demand.

Drunk with the possibilities of her newly-appropriated sovereignty, Claire headed straight to the kitchen and came back with the marble rolling pin, hollering "Off with their heads!!!" No flimsy orb and scepter for this monarch, no siree. She attempted to wield this daunting bit of authority in the whereabouts of Wynham's pate, but like the good French peasant that he is, he took up his dinner fork and retorted with "Vive la Révolution!!!"

At this point, the Queen Mother decided she'd had just about enough of all this abuse of power and uttered words guaranteed to deflate any budding potentate: Go. To. BED!

Long Live the Queen...

Oh My Goddess!

Some of us could take a lesson from Claire: if you want to be a goddess, just own it. She does, and don't anyone try to stop her...

Easter Treats

SO SWEET!

Oompa Loompas Doopity-Do!

Bad picture, but great shot!

Flyin' Solo

Claire didn't hesitate in her choice of subject for a biography book report: Amelia Earhart. Of course, the getup suits her perfectly...

Siblings By the Sea

Claire and Jack made the most of a surprisingly beautiful day (for this time of the year) at the beach in Santa Cruz. Wish I could bottle moments like these...

Sugar Plums

Going to the Gingerbread Tea at the Fairmont with her friend Kiira was enough to send Claire into a royal tizzy! They looked so adorable and acted so lovely, and both were delighted with the selection of treats and the take-home miniature nutcracker they each received as a gift. Us moms didn't mind the glass of champagne, either...

Spot On

Thanks, Claire; I would never have known...

Par-TAY!

In the midst of the holiday shuffle we celebrated two more birthdays, and though her actual date fell on Thanksgiving, Claire graciously deferred the celebration a day on the condition that we go out for fondue. For his part, Jack was laid back about bringing in his fifth year a couple of days early...

Penny for Your Thoughts

Look at this simple joy... Where does it go? Where do we lose our wonder? I'm glad I have little ones around to remind me not to forget...

Making Faces

The picture speaks for itself:
Claire expresses volumes with a few
simple strokes of the pen.

What a Treat!

Claire? In a skirt?
Now, that's a treat for Halloween...

Pumpkin Patch

Too many options; so hard to choose!

A Most Fortunate Event

Claire and her friend Nina were thoroughly delighted to sneak up

on Lemony Snicket as he signed books this evening...

Al Fresco

Warm weather grants us the luxury of dining outdoors, an opportunity which never ceases to delight the whole family. The young ones feel a sense of something special in the air, as if dinner by candlelight were a magical experience. Even their manners are better! Well, mostly...

Let's Boogie!

Claire and Jack were so enthusiastic about boarding in Santa Cruz that I threw on a wetsuit and went in after them. Embarrassingly enough for me, they are both way better at catching the waves than I am...

Be Still, My Beating Heart

Jack? In kindergarten? How can it be...? Everyone seems delighted with this arrangement and there was an air of excitement as all the kids prepared for the first day of school. Still, there was a small wrenching of my heart as Jack jumped out of the car and trundled off to class with nary a backward glance...