Queen of Wonder

January 15th at 3:00am My sleep was interrupted by a child crying. I sat upright in my bed like a soldier coming to attention and swung my feet on to the floor. I rushed up stairs to the boys’ room to see who was crying and why. When I got there, I found Sam on the floor wailing. It was not an ordinary I had a bad dream kind of cry. The pitch was different . There was pain in the cry. There was some fear in the cry. Even in my groggy state, I knew these things. Like feeling my way along a dark wall looking for the light switch, I started to instinctively feel my way through the situation. “Sam...

  We visited the Charles Schulz Museum to attend a birthday party. The kids had a tour and a drawing class. Since we are all Snoopy fans around here so it was a complete treat. Great museum, great birthday party, great day. We were the first ones to arrive at 10:30am and when we were still there at 3:00 I had to drag my family out of there. It  was a long, Snooptacular day. We loved it.   If you want to check out this fun museum you can too! Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center 2301 Hardies Lane ● Santa Rosa, California 95403 (707) 579-4452 ●          ...

Sam had his last day of school today but Alex had his first day off,  so I am declaring this the first official day of Summer Vacation. Wahoo! I am so ready for a break from constant carpooling, homework, making school lunches, rushing around with nearly non-stop days. My wish for my kids (and myself!) is to have an old fashioned, old school, low key, lazy, fun, relaxed SUMMER. We started the day off with french toast and strawberries. The boys loved it. Sam calling it FRUNCH TOAST. I shuttled Sam off to school while Alex played with his Jenga Blocks making a  fortress for all his Star...

Um, something remarkable has happened around here. Alex and Sam are fighting less. The boys are able to go longer stretches at a time without needing Michael or I to referee. This is a tremendous relief. Sam has calmed down a little and they can actually hang out together. This morning I think I was able to sleep until 7:45am when their first argument broke out. To some this may not seem very remarkable, but to me sleeping past 7 is an absolute luxury . This morning they were able to get their own yogurt and play while, so we got a little extra sleep. I don't know, but something feels a little...

Sam (4) and I went to Bed Bath and Beyond today. This is the conversation I found myself in. Sam: Why did you want to have babies? Me: No Answer... (why did I want to have babies? I honestly cant think of a good reason at the moment!) Sam: Why did you have two babies? Me: Well, don't you think its nice to have a brother? I thought it would be nice if you had a brother or a sister Sam: What's that thing daddy has again? Me: What do you mean? Sam: What's that thing daddy has to make babies? Me: You mean sperm? (I now lower my voice because I'm sure other shoppers ears will be perking up if I don...

Well, soccer session ended a couple of weeks ago but when I look at these photos, I practically burst with happiness- so, I had to post. Alex had a great game, he even scored a goal! Way to go! In this shot (above) he and Aidan seem to be giving each other some sort of cool post goal scoring handshake. I was so into it! So proud and excited. However, since I refuse to be one of those parents who can't contain themselves -- I physically bit my lip and tried not to scream too loud. Post goal glow. Good job Alex, you are a star! I love to watch you play. You also helped bring back so many great memories...

Today was sheer and utter hell. Not, I got my eye brows waxed and had PMS- not, I burned dinner and then spilled it all over the white carpet. No, this was a pure and simple, unmistakable nightmare. Today I lost my child. Sam and I drove over to over to pick up Alex from first grade. I was running late, so I skipped walking, and hopped in the car. The parking lot was full, so I drove around to the back of the school where I can park on the street and take a little hidden alley to the giant blacktop and continue on to Alex's classroom. We waited for Alex and got him after his class let out. I told...

Yesterday, after school, Alex took a look at a pinecone, which I had on the shelf for over two years (thinking it would be great for some craft, never sure exactly what) and decided he wanted to make a turkey out of it. No prodding from me, no subtle suggestions that I seem to have perfected. Just, "hey mom, I am going to make a turkey out of that!" I was elated. Since he was three and a half, I have been hinting, suggesting, guiding him towards the construction paper, markers, paint, crayons, googly eyes, puffballs, and feathers. I bought those supplies hoping something might inspire creativity...

How does everything change in a day? How can one feel depressed about their government, question the people who elected a certain president and then in one night, one moment it all just changes? Barack Obama, that is how. The people came out in record numbers to vote for change. For something ELSE. It is still astonishing and wonderful to me. The Associated Press reports Obama won North Carolina on Thursday, a triumph that underscored his political strength as he turned nine states that President Bush won in 2004 to Democratic blue. Even little kids know something is brewing. Almost seven year...

Seven and a half weeks after it happened, the arm is finally healed and the cast came off. Of course, Michael is out of town again . To be exact, first they saw the cast off- then x ray the arm, and after determining it looks better, the doctor sent us on our way, sans cast. Nothing like a saw to make a mother feel calm. This is actually the third cast he has had, so I suppose I relaxed a little this time. Sam seemed to like the earphones they put on him to protect his ears from the sound of the saw. It actually tickles when they saw, so he laughed all the way through it. He was so happy to get...