East Coast East Side

It’s a good one!

I’m grateful for this quiet, peaceful Saturday morning. My boy, who was sick last night, is feeling better. Both girls slept late and are in good moods. Soon we’ll start folding some origami and take the day easy. This is perfect. I’m the luckiest mama in the world.

Parent – teacher conferences

Tonight, we attended our kids’ parent-teacher conferences. As a recovering homeschooling family, these events are always interesting. I know how my children are doing in school, because I still sit with them as they do their work. I know exactly where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and I know how to get past them. The teachers always have a folio of papers to present as evidence of progress, or of lack thereof. I get myself in trouble by laughing with the kids, addressing them as real people during the conference. We tell jokes, we talk strategy, we praise all the good points in our out loud voices. The teacher looks at us askance, wonders what exactly we teach our children at home. And yet, every teacher we’ve had in the three years we’ve going to public school has to admit that our kids are funny, smart, polite, well-disciplined, and task oriented. They have to admit, that though they don’t understand it, and certainly don’t condone it, whatever it is that we’re doing is working. We high-five on our way out, another successful conference under our belts!

Four

three

Playing With Fire

Another rockin’ night with the slightly crunchy mama

So, tonight the kids are on a short trip to Chicago with their dad, leaving me one peaceful night. I planned to take advantage of it. I wanted to soak in my tub, shave my legs, go to bed early, read for a few hours. I ‘ve been plotting it since we found out about the impromptu adventure at the beginning of the week. Of course, best laid plans and all of that. I grabbed a quick shower and made a run to the mall with my friend (and VITAL’s very own artistic designer) Joy to look for a text I need for school. After that it was a thrilling trip to Target for kitty litter and qtips. Off to my sister’s for a couple of hours of cruising youtube.com before heading for home. I’m currently sitting at my desk, mostly working on homework at 11:30 p.m. Note: no long bath, legs unshaven, no early bed for a feast of words. Our evening was more fun than anything I had planned, though, and once again I’m grateful to be where I am, with the people in my life. As a side note – I miss the hell out of my kids. As a matter of fact, I’m “feeding” my daughter’s iDog as I write this blog. Just cause he reminds me of her.

For The Next Thirty Minutes, The Part of Your Id Will Be Played By Kendall Yorkey

Are we the last?

Will my generation be the last to count among themselves at least a few whose ideal weekend afternoon includes sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of warmed up coffee, reading the paper and listening to the game on AM radio? Will the kids who will control the media when we’re old save the execution of AM until the last of my generation is dead, if only out of respect for tradition? As the sun from the kitchen window warms my arm and the smells of Sunday breakfast linger in the air, I have but one thought. Kids, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Rain

For E.

I thought we were done with this!

Here’s the tale of last night: There was one in the bed and the 11 year old said, “Mama, it’s been such a long day and I missed you. Can I sleep with you?” So the one rolled over and the 11 year old climbed in, snugged down, and fell fast asleep. G’night. There were two in the bed and the 6 year old said, “Mama, I had a very scary dream. Very SCARY! Can I sleep with you?” So the two rolled over and the 6 year old climbed in, snugged down, and fell fast asleep. G’night! There were three in the bed and the 8 year old said, “Mama, I don’t feel so well. I’m too hot and my throat is sore. Can I sleep with you?” So they all rolled over and the 8 year old climbed in, snugged down, and fell fast asleep. G’night! There were four in the bed and furry one said, “Meoooooow!” which meant, “Jesus, what does a cat have to do to get a spot in the family bed?” So they all rolled over and the furry one climbed in, snugged down, and fell fast asleep. Puurrrrr! Then the mama lay there, rigid and wide awake, not sleeping, and cramped into a terrible position. She kept thinking she would move to the couch to sleep, but in the end, she was warm and surrounded by love. Even if it was painful.