From the monthly archives:

December 2010

2010 in Pictures & Posts

I am not a sentimental person. I throw away most of the art projects the kids make, never save cards for more than a month and sold all of my wedding china when we were broke a few years ago. It makes my hugely sentimental mom totally nuts. But, every now and then I do get misty eyed and emotional, especially when things come to an end. The very end of December? I’m kind of a mess.

I’ve often said that I started this blog as a baby book for my kids, and it’s true. Though it’s become much more than that, I am most thankful that it’s forced me to document the little moments that would have otherwise become forgotten. When I look through my posts and pictures, I re-live the best and the worst of their young days and I think it’s a pretty amazing gift to present to them.

2010 was kind of a a roller coaster year, but I suppose most years with young kids are. Here’s a quick look back at some of the highs and lows in pictures and some of my favorite blog posts.

And, thank you to all of you for visiting/commenting/supporting. The year would not have been the same without you. Here’s to a wonderful 2011!

January: Ignorance is alive, and it’s watching my child Part I and II

February: Cabin Fever

March: The Curse of a Thousand Faces

April: Desperately Seeking Something

May: What Mothers really want for Mother’s Day

June: The post where I alienate people once again

July: Smart Parenting

August: I’m not pregnant

September: Saying When

October: That Kid

November: To my 16 year old self

December: National Abstinence Month

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Shiny, Happy Penises

Clearly, Ben is ecstatic about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. I mean, is there any other way to interpret this?

I think not.

We’re obviously doing something right over here.

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The Light Sleeping Mother

My mission last night was to go to bed early. Simple enough, yes?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

8:28 Lie down in Evan’s bed. Read him stories and stay until he’s almost asleep. Debate just falling asleep with him.

8:49 Decide against falling asleep with him and get up to put Ben to bed.

9:01 Convince Ben to sleep in his own room. The two of us aren’t actually supposed to be roommates, Benjamin. Lie down with him. Ben wants to talk. Ben wants to read. Ben wants to play. Ben wants to make shadow puppets. Debate just falling asleep with him.

9:38 Ben finally asleep.

9:40 Tuck Lily in.

10:21 My bed. Hallelujah.

10:24 Jeff to bed.

10:41 Jeff snoring.

10:46 Evan coughing.

10:48 Jeff snoring LOUDLY. Jeff denies snoring. Jeff can’t hear snoring because Jeff can sleep through anything.

10:52 Jeff yelling because he was kicked in the shin during my attempt to stop his snoring.

10:54 Relocate to Evan’s bed. No snoring, no coughing.

11:00 Lily coughing.

11:07 Jeff snoring from across the hall. It’s that loud.

11:14 Evan sneezing.

11:30 Move to guest bed. Quiet. Finally.

11:48 Dog barking. Car alarm. Wind.

11:15 Couch. Computer. Facebook. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

1:31 Evan coughing. Evan whining. Move to his room.

1:32 Toilet flushing.

1:37 Ben calling for me. Ben to Evan’s room. Ben on top of me due to lack of space in twin bed.

1:42 My bed. Jeff still snoring. Jeff huffing and puffing after being punched in the arm.

1:43 Move to Ben’s empty bed. Note the faint smell of pee.

3:08 Evan cries. Finds me in Ben’s room. Lies on my face.

4:12 Penelope pacing. House settling. Evan playing with my hair.

5:50 Jeff’s alarm.

5:55 Jeff’s alarm.

6:00 Jeff’s alarm.

6:05 Jeff’s alarm.

6:10 Jeff’s alarm.

6:14 Evan wants breakfast.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And I wonder why I’m always tired.

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Running Late

Lily was late for school today. Late, for the first time ever.

It’s not that I give a shit about a perfect arrival record in the least, (I think you all know me well enough to know that,) it’s just that I’m always early. Always, for everything. I have been for as long as I can remember. We’re always the first ones at parties and I’m always sitting in waiting rooms longer than anyone else. It’s a bad character flaw and I keep waiting to swap in it for a different one. But, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

Except, today, I slept until seven o’clock instead of my usual five o’clock hour and the whole morning routine was shot to hell. I had exactly an hour to get three lunches made and packed, three children out of bed, dressed, fed and brushed, one dog walked, one homework checked, not to mention making myself half-way presentable. It seemed impossible.

So, I sat my ass down on the computer and read my e-mails. I let the children sleep while I made their lunches. I stirred hot oatmeal for myself. I simply accepted the fact that we would be late as inevitable and made no effort to make up for lost time. There was no hollering, from any of us. It was… absolutely liberating.

She ended up being only about ten minutes late, and I don’t think anyone even noticed with all the flying hats and coats and mad rush to the lockers.

So, is this how the rest of the world lives?

OK, I’m in.

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all that jazz

It’s late, dark and quiet. And what I’m thinking about is what I want for Christmas. So what’s a nice Jewish girl like me doing thinking about that? Why yes. Yes I am Jewish. And I celebrate Hanukkah. So for all extensive purposes, Christmas has nothing to do with me, right?

Except for as we both know, that’s a load of crap. The lights! The reindeer! The Santas! Christmas is everywhere. And it’s absolutely beautiful. Magical. Spiritual. And whatever way you celebrate it, I respect you. Because it’s your holiday. And your special day.

I don’t begrudge you Christmas. The cozy family time is right up my alley. And seriously, what’s not to appreciate about people’s strength and joy in faith?

I have so much curiosity and admiration for others’ celebrations and traditions. I want my children to see far beyond the four walls that my husband and I have created for them. This world is big, wide and simply stunning. And I want them to know that.

But on the same vein (Truly. It is.), I do think that it’s a little odd to wish everyone you see Merry Christmas. And to be offended when others choose Happy Holidays instead. Why? Well pure and simple: because not everyone celebrates Christmas.

My first grader’s classroom is rich with diversity. One day last week she came home breathless with excitement (true story) having just learned about Eid from oh-so-very-many of her classmates. She experienced. She appreciated. She shared. But people, she didn’t wish us a Happy Eid. And she didn’t wish all of her classmates a Merry Christmas. Because she knows that everyone celebrates different holidays and that’s the good stuff. The stuff that makes the world go round.

Grace. Kindness. Assuming that people are coming from a good place. Politically correct or not, isn’t that something that we can all stand behind?

In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that the issue isn’t about taking Christmas out of society. It’s about letting everyone else in.

For example, I’ve decorated a Christmas tree, played “Find Baby Jesus” and made a reindeer art project or two. All in my classroom. When I was I a public school teacher.

I’ve also been a part of a Kwanzaa creativity share, made Hanukkah latkes and eaten long soba and udon noodles in honor of the Japanese Omisoka. Again, all in my public school classroom.

I used to invite all families into the classroom to share a holiday tradition with the kids. We all learned so very much from each other, enjoyed ourselves immensely and authentically experienced our differences and similarities.

Everyone’s traditions were acknowledged, respected and celebrated. And that’s the way that it should be. Everywhere. And something as simple as not assuming people’s faith or not getting all up in arms when people try to be all inclusive is easy. And graceful. And just plain…right.

I’m not offended when I hear Merry Christmas. And I’ve taught my children this graceful gem. Because I know what you mean. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year, the scratch-beneath-the-surface sentiment is the same: I wish you well. Isn’t this season amazing?

And when someone like me wishes you Happy Holidays? My (Christmas!) wish is for you to know that I’m so not trying to offend you. Or take anything away from you. I’m just not making any assumptions about you, your beliefs or your celebrations. But regardless, I’m wishing you well. And with every fiber of my being, I think that’s the good stuff, too. Don’t you?

So here goes: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Eid or…wait for it…Happy Holidays to you!