mathmom's blog

A friend of mine gave some advice about children. "They're like sheepdogs," she said, "They need a job, or else they get destructive." So yesterday when I was trying to finish up the Moroccan Chicken Crockpot recipe for the church potluck today, and Luke was opening all the drawers and cupboards in the kitchen, taking various foods out of the pantry and generally hanging on my pant leg, I decided to give Luke a job. I noticed the window cleaning fluid on the counter, so I gave Luke the spray bottle. "Here. Please clean the windows!" " Otay ," answered Luke. He went over and started spraying the windows. "You have to wipe it all clean after you spray, Luke," I said, intending to get him a paper towel or two. " Otay ," said Luke---and when I looked up again he had found a kleenex . Problem solved. He happily cleaned windows (actually one window) for about 10 minutes, when I was finished with the recipe. This morn

Amanda is fascinated by the motorcycles she sees on the road. "Mom, that was a motorcycle! I'm going to get one when I'm older. Maybe when I'm a mom." I ask how she's going to carry her children. She thinks for a few seconds. "I could carry them in a backpack."

Eleanor went to her first sleepover last weekend. I wrote earlier about the "sleep over" she and Amanda had in Eleanor's closet, but this was at a friend's house across town. The sleepover had a "Star Wars" theme. Earlier that day our family had actually gone to the Durham Museum of Life and Science and seen people in costume as Star Wars characters---various storm troopers, bounty hunters, a very impressive looking imperial general... So Eleanor was prepared. She also gathered the two books she had about Star Wars (both gifts =) to read before bed. After the pool party, the kids went to the friend's house and watched Star Wars in the media room. Eleanor watched much of it standing in the doorway (she wouldn't go out) repeating to herself, "I have to remember it's not real. It's just pretend." This is the way I prefer to watch suspenseful movies (although I internalize my rational voice) so I sympathize. I remember watchin

This summer we went on vacation, and I have blogged about NY but never about the trip to Wisconsin. Dr. Dan has some notes about Isabelle's broken ribs and subsequent recovery. I'll try to tell about some of our experiences, but who knows... One of the things we did was go to the " Waterpark Of America," or WOA ! It really should be pronounced like that, I believe. We went there last year as well, but this year we had a larger adult to children ratio, including one adult who stayed out of the water and kept track of our towels and some seats---a very useful addition. Just like last year, Luke managed to fall asleep on Daddy's lap as they toured around the "lazy river". I think that I'm too exciting---I really love the lazy river, but Luke refused to fall asleep on my lap, so I had to go around by myself. Eleanor would go around and around tube hopping whenever she got tired of being in one place. It was a relief not to have to worry about he

....pation. The rule in our house during the school year is that the kids get dressed before they come downstairs. I explained to Luke that he had to get dressed, because today is his second day of school. He didn't seem outwardly excited, but as he was coming down the stairs he said, "I go in car!" Yes, after breakfast, I explained. He repeated himself a few times---why say something once when you can say it 10 times? I turned away to make breakfast and I heard the garage door unlock. Luke was trying to get into the car, but was stymied by the fact that the doors were closed. Michael had to talk Luke back into the house. I don't know what he said, but Luke did eventually come in and eat toast. Interestingly enough, I cut his toast into 4 triangles today. I'm not sure how much he had thought about triangles before, but he repeated the word (giangle!) and repeated counting the sides with me. I asked him how many triangles he had, and he counted them by him

Potty training. Underwear. Poop. On the floor. I'm sure many of you have your own stories, and I don't need to go into the details. Those of you who don't have your own stories, be thankful. I am thinking that potty training is going to end soon...

Free pink lemonade now costs $100.

The other day Amanda filled old ziploc bags with water and a few sunflower seeds from our recently departed sunflower. Then she went out to the driveway. "Free Lemonade! Free Lemonade!" she yelled. I went out to support her in this pretend play. "I'd like some free lemonade," I said. She gave me a bag, and then said, "That will be 3 dollars." I tried to explain to her the concept of free. "I'll give it to you for 1 dollar, then." The concept of "free" didn't seem to get through. Fortunately she accepted pretend money, although I talked her down to 50 cents. Luke soon demanded his own ziploc bag full of water. He also stood in the driveway selling the free lemonade, although he was not very clear about what he was supposed to charge. I'm afraid we have a marketing genius here: not only does Amanda charge for free services, but she recruits other people to sell for her too. Perhaps she has a future in Tupperwa