Right after I finished college, armed with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and a lingering travel bug, I got a job teaching English in Singapore. It was a great opportunity to try out teaching and a fabulous launching pad from which to explore Southeast Asia (not to mention four national religions translates to a lot […]
Tag: parenting
Lessons from the Playa
Burning Man, the intentional community event that happens each year in the Nevada desert, just concluded this past weekend. As I’ve seen photos from this year’s event crop up in my social media feeds, I’m reflecting on what I learned from my adventures there ~15 years ago (yes, we’re talking Y2K!) And no, it doesn’t […]
What I Learned in Kindergarten the Second Time Around
I haven’t posted in awhile. Our family was plagued with multiple illnesses over the last 6 weeks, and with both parents juggling careers, our household has gone through some moments of chaos, exhaustion and well…ugliness (But as my son would readily remind me, we’ve had lots of opportunities to use the “life skill of flexibility”). […]
A Big Thank You to Those Who Care for Tiny People
In this season of appreciating our mothers, teachers and fathers, I’ve been feeling particularly thankful for all the amazing people who have cared for my kids in their early years. I looked it up and it turns out that tomorrow (May 8) is National Provider Appreciation Day. As my daughter prepares to head into her […]
Finding Jewels in a Sandbox
Every other week or so, my daughter, LC, comes homes from preschool clutching an envelope containing a handful of colorful sequins and plastic rhinestones. This means the “Jewel Fairy” has recently visited her preschool, sprinkling jewels in their sandbox area. Often on these special days when I come to pick her up, I’ll find a […]
The Art of Roast Duck
The other day, my son wrote this story (it’s either a tragedy or slapstick comedy, not sure which.) It felt like some sort of milestone — the first “voluntary” story he wrote, completely initiated and executed by him. He worked so hard on it, asking his dad and me how to spell various words over […]
Potty Talk: Lessons from Toilet Training
The other day, an acquaintance asked me how I was doing. I found myself unloading (no pun intended) about the trials and tribulations of potty training for several minutes. I could hear myself rattle on and on about potty training…like I was floating above myself watching this unfold but couldn’t. manage. to. stop. This poor […]
Traveling Light
We’ve been traveling the last few weeks – spending time with family, exploring lakes and trails, barbecuing fish and corn, playing tag at sunset, roasting marshmallows. Enjoying the beauty of summer and the embrace of family. It’s been absolutely lovely. All except for all the packing and unpacking of our STUFF. And yes. I realize […]
Kuplink, Kuplank, Kuplunk
Maybe it’s heading to Oregon in a few days that’s got me thinking about berries. Or maybe it was the amazing berry and nectarine dessert my sister made for a family birthday from her new Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book. It could be because it’s the umpteenth time in a week I’ve read Blueberries […]
Belated Mother’s Day Thank You to My Mom
Baking cupcakes for my son’s birthday the other weekend makes me think of my mom. As I show him how to use a hand mixer, I remember how I learned this from her years ago – the same familiar whir of the beaters against the bowl, learning how to move the bowl around slowly and […]
Alphabet Scramble 