Yesterday Clara informed me, "I believe in fairies, but I don't believe in Jesus."
Nice.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Awesome mom award
Yesterday Clara informed me, "I believe in fairies, but I don't believe in Jesus."
Nice.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Consider the lilies
Our sweet neighbor owns some land out in the country. She told us that we should go and see the lilies.
So we did.
Wow.
I did some "research" (aka Google) and cannot figure out what species these are, if they are even lilies. I've never seen them before, and they were breathtaking. They grew as far as we could see down the creek in both directions.
Some rocks provided convenient stepping stones for Michael, who braved the creek and even spotted a snake (water moccasin?) in the water. Yikes.
Clara thought the creek was pretty terrific.
She especially enjoyed throwing rocks in the water, and I realized I have seriously got to work on my stone-skipping skills.
It's great making nice memories, isn't it?
One last glimpse into Eden.
So we did.Wow.
I did some "research" (aka Google) and cannot figure out what species these are, if they are even lilies. I've never seen them before, and they were breathtaking. They grew as far as we could see down the creek in both directions.
Some rocks provided convenient stepping stones for Michael, who braved the creek and even spotted a snake (water moccasin?) in the water. Yikes.
Clara thought the creek was pretty terrific.
She especially enjoyed throwing rocks in the water, and I realized I have seriously got to work on my stone-skipping skills.
It's great making nice memories, isn't it?
One last glimpse into Eden.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The end of the year
Clara's preschool had an end-of-the-year program. I confess I had low expectations for participation from Clara based on prior experiences.
Fortunately, after she walked off the stage at the beginning of the program, I persuaded her to get back on. This was one of the few times she stood with the class.
Most of the time she sat down. Or she crouched in a ball.
Honestly, I totally felt her pain. It was LOUD praise music with a huge sea of parents in front with their cameras. I had prepared myself for it, and all things considered, I felt like she did well. At least she stayed up on the stage, and I think she even sang a bit while seated.
The class picture afterwards was a different story. For some reason, Clara really hates being in group pictures (guess how much I'm looking forward to our family reunion picture next month?). She flipped out and was crying, with all the other kids there in place and a whole lot of mamas trying to take a picture for one of her teachers who is leaving this year.
Although I've used "incentives" (as my mother-in-law calls them) before, this was one of the first times--that I can recall--that I've so blatantly used an object to get what I wanted. I told Clara, "Look. You have to be in this picture. After the picture is done, we will go to the dollar store and you can get something. Okay? Deal?"
Clara did stand in the picture, as far removed from the rest of the group as possible, it seems. But did she smile? No. Apparently I'd forgotten to mention that little detail. But you know what? It was worth the $1 pink purse. Every penny.
On the last day of school, Clara's class had a party. Throwing water balloons was NOT on Clara's agenda, so she sat on the side. See that boy? That's the son of one of her teachers. Clara has a somewhat disconcerting attraction to boys between the ages of 8 and 12. She would much rather sit next to him than play with kids her own age.
These two women have been wonderful with Clara. We have felt very blessed to have good, patient, firm teachers for her.
And you see where Clara's eyes are looking? Right at Mrs. Alice's son, who was placed strategically to make her smile for the picture.
Convent, anyone?
Fortunately, after she walked off the stage at the beginning of the program, I persuaded her to get back on. This was one of the few times she stood with the class.
Most of the time she sat down. Or she crouched in a ball.Honestly, I totally felt her pain. It was LOUD praise music with a huge sea of parents in front with their cameras. I had prepared myself for it, and all things considered, I felt like she did well. At least she stayed up on the stage, and I think she even sang a bit while seated.
The class picture afterwards was a different story. For some reason, Clara really hates being in group pictures (guess how much I'm looking forward to our family reunion picture next month?). She flipped out and was crying, with all the other kids there in place and a whole lot of mamas trying to take a picture for one of her teachers who is leaving this year.Although I've used "incentives" (as my mother-in-law calls them) before, this was one of the first times--that I can recall--that I've so blatantly used an object to get what I wanted. I told Clara, "Look. You have to be in this picture. After the picture is done, we will go to the dollar store and you can get something. Okay? Deal?"
Clara did stand in the picture, as far removed from the rest of the group as possible, it seems. But did she smile? No. Apparently I'd forgotten to mention that little detail. But you know what? It was worth the $1 pink purse. Every penny.
On the last day of school, Clara's class had a party. Throwing water balloons was NOT on Clara's agenda, so she sat on the side. See that boy? That's the son of one of her teachers. Clara has a somewhat disconcerting attraction to boys between the ages of 8 and 12. She would much rather sit next to him than play with kids her own age.
These two women have been wonderful with Clara. We have felt very blessed to have good, patient, firm teachers for her.And you see where Clara's eyes are looking? Right at Mrs. Alice's son, who was placed strategically to make her smile for the picture.
Convent, anyone?
Golf with Daddy
This past year, Michael has taken up golf. He doesn't get a lot of time to play, and we had a rare afternoon where Clara didn't have therapy and Michael was off from school at the same time. So, we decided to tag along and watch.
The swing.
The chicks hanging out in the shade of the golf cart.
The experts studying the angle.
The putt. Score! Goal! Slam dunk! Or whatever you're supposed to say.
It was a fun afternoon, and I have to say I have a whole lot more appreciation for how challenging golf is. It's incredible that someone can hit that teeny ball anywhere near the green, much less into the hole under par. Or into the hole at all. (Can you tell that mini-golf and I were never good friends?)
The swing.
The chicks hanging out in the shade of the golf cart.
The experts studying the angle.
The putt. Score! Goal! Slam dunk! Or whatever you're supposed to say.It was a fun afternoon, and I have to say I have a whole lot more appreciation for how challenging golf is. It's incredible that someone can hit that teeny ball anywhere near the green, much less into the hole under par. Or into the hole at all. (Can you tell that mini-golf and I were never good friends?)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Book Review: How to Get your Kid to Eat . . . But Not Too Much
I got this book from my local library, but when I can, I will definitely like to buy myself a copy.
I have to say that this book is probably one of the best books I've read on raising kids--it obviously addresses food issues mostly, but the author Ellyn Satter's general parenting advice is quite excellent, practical, and written in a realistic, no-nonsense way.
I've been reading a lot of books lately on overcoming emotional eating, eating well, etc.--I'll be doing reviews later--and one area I wanted to learn about was children's eating. As I try to make sure my own relationship with food is healthy, I've been particularly keen on making sure I do all I can to help and not harm my kids. So how do we do it? Should we give food when our kids mention they're hungry and not until then? Should we limit seconds on foods? What about desserts? Et cetera.
This book is full of good stuff--she addresses eating at the different stages of childhood, the picky eater, the fat child, eating disorders. etc--but here are a few highlights:
The key point she makes is the division of responsibility when it comes to eating: "Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented. Children are responsible for how much and even whether they eat."
This single principle is enormously helpful, and I think it is correct and aligns itself with principles of agency. Parents should never force their children to eat anything--no "two more bites and then you can have dessert." She makes the point that if you do this, you can make your kid overeat twice: Once on food that they don't want to eat, and then again on dessert that they'll eat anyway even though they're too full for it.
(Google pic)
She does, however, encourage her kids to try the food--she even goes so far as to say that you can tell them, "If you don't like it, you can take it out of your mouth." This is especially helpful for neophobic toddlers.
Parents should, however, control when the food is given and what kind of food is given, and those times are determined by the parent, not the child (and can be flexible, obviously, based on that day's schedule). That means that food is given at mealtimes and snacktimes and not in between. And then at those meals and snacktimes, the child can eat however much or however little they want to.
Satter discusses different ages of eating, and even though this book is dated (1980s) , the general principles are still sound. We as parents lay the foundation for good eating, but as the child gets older, he/she is bound to experiment and eat lots of things you might not want them to--whether it's at other people's houses, at school, or buying it themselves. Eventually, the child will go back to the way he/she was raised.
She discusses in depth the concerns of having an obese child and how to help them (instead of hurt them further) and also what a parent can do to help their child not get fat. Putting them on a diet is definitely a no-no. But teaching them good eating methods (which are big players in the adult emotional eating books I've read) is essential:
1. Teach them (and yourself) to eat slowly. This is not, the author points out, to trick them into eating less. It is so that your child (and yourself) can have the time to learn to listen to his/her body and recognize hunger/satiety signals. You don't want you kids to deny their hunger but to find that time when the meal just "hits the spot."
2. If they want seconds and they are fast eaters (ahem, me), have them wait a couple of minutes before dishing out some more. They are totally welcome to the seconds, of course, if they decide they still want it.
3. Prepare less calorically dense food in general, but don't deprive them of higher-calorie foods. Instead, teach them to really savor these foods. As she says, "Moan, if you will."
4. Help them dress well in a way that flatters their bodies.
5. Cut down on feeding cues--don't leave the candy jar out in plain sight, etc. Satter points out that some people are more sensitive to these cues than others, and that some are born with that sensitivity and others become that way because of restrained eating (dieting).
6. Have a place to eat--e.g. don't let your kids (or you) eat all over the house, but sitting down at a table.
7. Eat as a family and expect appropriate manners as the table, or the child can be excused without finishing the meal.
8. Do physical activity as a family, but don't force your kid to exercise. The same principle applies: you can provide the opportunity, but you can't force your kid to do it (But that doesn't apply for church in our house!)
9. If your kid wants to diet, let it be his/her thing. Let him/her be in charge.
Satter drives home the concept that kids are different sizes at different stages in their growth, and as a parent, we can help them or harm them based on how much (or how little) we interfere.
It was a good read. I'd recommend it.
I have to say that this book is probably one of the best books I've read on raising kids--it obviously addresses food issues mostly, but the author Ellyn Satter's general parenting advice is quite excellent, practical, and written in a realistic, no-nonsense way.
I've been reading a lot of books lately on overcoming emotional eating, eating well, etc.--I'll be doing reviews later--and one area I wanted to learn about was children's eating. As I try to make sure my own relationship with food is healthy, I've been particularly keen on making sure I do all I can to help and not harm my kids. So how do we do it? Should we give food when our kids mention they're hungry and not until then? Should we limit seconds on foods? What about desserts? Et cetera.
This book is full of good stuff--she addresses eating at the different stages of childhood, the picky eater, the fat child, eating disorders. etc--but here are a few highlights:
The key point she makes is the division of responsibility when it comes to eating: "Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented. Children are responsible for how much and even whether they eat."
This single principle is enormously helpful, and I think it is correct and aligns itself with principles of agency. Parents should never force their children to eat anything--no "two more bites and then you can have dessert." She makes the point that if you do this, you can make your kid overeat twice: Once on food that they don't want to eat, and then again on dessert that they'll eat anyway even though they're too full for it.
(Google pic)She does, however, encourage her kids to try the food--she even goes so far as to say that you can tell them, "If you don't like it, you can take it out of your mouth." This is especially helpful for neophobic toddlers.
Parents should, however, control when the food is given and what kind of food is given, and those times are determined by the parent, not the child (and can be flexible, obviously, based on that day's schedule). That means that food is given at mealtimes and snacktimes and not in between. And then at those meals and snacktimes, the child can eat however much or however little they want to.
Satter discusses different ages of eating, and even though this book is dated (1980s) , the general principles are still sound. We as parents lay the foundation for good eating, but as the child gets older, he/she is bound to experiment and eat lots of things you might not want them to--whether it's at other people's houses, at school, or buying it themselves. Eventually, the child will go back to the way he/she was raised.
She discusses in depth the concerns of having an obese child and how to help them (instead of hurt them further) and also what a parent can do to help their child not get fat. Putting them on a diet is definitely a no-no. But teaching them good eating methods (which are big players in the adult emotional eating books I've read) is essential:
1. Teach them (and yourself) to eat slowly. This is not, the author points out, to trick them into eating less. It is so that your child (and yourself) can have the time to learn to listen to his/her body and recognize hunger/satiety signals. You don't want you kids to deny their hunger but to find that time when the meal just "hits the spot."
2. If they want seconds and they are fast eaters (ahem, me), have them wait a couple of minutes before dishing out some more. They are totally welcome to the seconds, of course, if they decide they still want it.
3. Prepare less calorically dense food in general, but don't deprive them of higher-calorie foods. Instead, teach them to really savor these foods. As she says, "Moan, if you will."
4. Help them dress well in a way that flatters their bodies.
5. Cut down on feeding cues--don't leave the candy jar out in plain sight, etc. Satter points out that some people are more sensitive to these cues than others, and that some are born with that sensitivity and others become that way because of restrained eating (dieting).
6. Have a place to eat--e.g. don't let your kids (or you) eat all over the house, but sitting down at a table.
7. Eat as a family and expect appropriate manners as the table, or the child can be excused without finishing the meal.
8. Do physical activity as a family, but don't force your kid to exercise. The same principle applies: you can provide the opportunity, but you can't force your kid to do it (But that doesn't apply for church in our house!)
9. If your kid wants to diet, let it be his/her thing. Let him/her be in charge.
Satter drives home the concept that kids are different sizes at different stages in their growth, and as a parent, we can help them or harm them based on how much (or how little) we interfere.
It was a good read. I'd recommend it.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Mother's day recap
QUESTION: What do you get when you combine the following:
A completed talk (phew),
a very thoughtful husband,
one sweet and silly kid,
dinner made as a family (falafel and pita chips),
and awesome desserts, artfully arranged by previously-mentioned thoughtful guy?
ANSWER: A pretty darn spectacular Mother's Day.
Hope yours was special, too.*
*Love you, Mom!
A completed talk (phew),
a very thoughtful husband,
one sweet and silly kid,
dinner made as a family (falafel and pita chips),
and awesome desserts, artfully arranged by previously-mentioned thoughtful guy?ANSWER: A pretty darn spectacular Mother's Day.
Hope yours was special, too.*
*Love you, Mom!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Amen, sister
The other day Clara told Michael, "I'm trying to be like Jesus and it's not working!"
I find it somewhat disconcerting to realize that while I have 22+ years on my child, I feel the same way sometimes. Especially as I try to prepare a talk for Mother's Day.
I find it somewhat disconcerting to realize that while I have 22+ years on my child, I feel the same way sometimes. Especially as I try to prepare a talk for Mother's Day.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Washington, D.C. Day 3
On day three of our trip, we enjoyed a visit to the American History museum. I got choked up seeing the actual star-spangled banner about which Francis Scott Keys wrote our anthem. Despite the mess that our country manages to find itself in at times, I am so thankful to be a citizen of America.
Clara especially loved the kid toys, and I was relieved to find a more kid-friendly museum display.
In front of Julia Child's kitchen--loved it.
Michael's sweet musical creation in the kids' "SparkLab."
We were able to get tickets (free) to take the ninety-second elevator ride up to the top of the Washington Monument. It was neat to look out on all sides and get an aerial view of the beautiful city. On the way down, the elevator dude slowed the elevator down so we could see some of the stones that were carved for states on the inside of the monument.
One of the many views from the top. Pretty cool.
A highlight of the trip was renting bikes and biking along the Potomac River and seeing some of the sights for a few hours. Unlike my husband and mother-in-law, I am not a confident biker but wanted to swallow my pride and do it anyway.
After biffing it within the first fifteen minutes of riding, I managed to escape accident-free the rest of the time and had a really wonderful time riding by the water with the wind blowing dandelion tufts through the air.
Clara had a good time, too (my giving her some new Silly Putty for the ride might have had something to do with it). She was definitely digging the helmet.
What a trooper.
The Jefferson Memorial.
Please note my stylish rolled-up pantleg. I don't think it was obvious to anyone that I wasn't an avid cyclist . . . especially not to the pedestrians who saw me fall off my bike at the crosswalk.
Our lovely trip ended with a half-day spent in Harrisonburg, meeting with elementary schools and visiting our future home.
Now home again . . . There's nothing like a few days' excursion to make you appreciate a full night's sleep in your own bed.
Clara especially loved the kid toys, and I was relieved to find a more kid-friendly museum display.
In front of Julia Child's kitchen--loved it.
Michael's sweet musical creation in the kids' "SparkLab."
We were able to get tickets (free) to take the ninety-second elevator ride up to the top of the Washington Monument. It was neat to look out on all sides and get an aerial view of the beautiful city. On the way down, the elevator dude slowed the elevator down so we could see some of the stones that were carved for states on the inside of the monument.
One of the many views from the top. Pretty cool.
A highlight of the trip was renting bikes and biking along the Potomac River and seeing some of the sights for a few hours. Unlike my husband and mother-in-law, I am not a confident biker but wanted to swallow my pride and do it anyway.After biffing it within the first fifteen minutes of riding, I managed to escape accident-free the rest of the time and had a really wonderful time riding by the water with the wind blowing dandelion tufts through the air.
Clara had a good time, too (my giving her some new Silly Putty for the ride might have had something to do with it). She was definitely digging the helmet.
What a trooper.
The Jefferson Memorial.
Please note my stylish rolled-up pantleg. I don't think it was obvious to anyone that I wasn't an avid cyclist . . . especially not to the pedestrians who saw me fall off my bike at the crosswalk.Our lovely trip ended with a half-day spent in Harrisonburg, meeting with elementary schools and visiting our future home.
Now home again . . . There's nothing like a few days' excursion to make you appreciate a full night's sleep in your own bed.
Washington, D.C. Day 2
After church and quiet time (nap time for me and Grandma, quiet time for Clara), we headed over to the Washington, D.C. temple for the afternoon while Michael had more meetings.
It was absolutely beautiful. And thank goodness for Goofy, for without my sorry imitation of his voice, this picture might not have been taken.
Dang, I love this girl . . .
. . . and I'm not the only one.
The Residence Inn where we stayed was very nice and had a little kitchenette. Much to our dismay, however, it had no oven. I brought lots of food to make us tasty dinners, and homemade pizza was one of them. Upon this disappointing discovery, Michael's mom remarked, "Well, if that doesn't work, we could always try the toaster!"After a no-go attempt on the stove top, we thought we might try to cook the dough in the microwave. It was a bit chewy, but really not half-bad, and I was happy I didn't have to throw away the pizza dough.
To be continued . . .
It was absolutely beautiful. And thank goodness for Goofy, for without my sorry imitation of his voice, this picture might not have been taken.
Dang, I love this girl . . .
. . . and I'm not the only one.
The Residence Inn where we stayed was very nice and had a little kitchenette. Much to our dismay, however, it had no oven. I brought lots of food to make us tasty dinners, and homemade pizza was one of them. Upon this disappointing discovery, Michael's mom remarked, "Well, if that doesn't work, we could always try the toaster!"After a no-go attempt on the stove top, we thought we might try to cook the dough in the microwave. It was a bit chewy, but really not half-bad, and I was happy I didn't have to throw away the pizza dough.To be continued . . .
Washington, D.C. Day 1
Michael had an orthodontic conference in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. Since his program was paying for the gasoline, we decided to come along for the ride.
A 10-hour ride is a pretty long time, but Clara was a real trooper.
The Washington Monument.
We invited Michael's mom to come, and she was a great help with Clara and did some babysitting for us as well. I always love my time with her, and this trip was no exception.
Clara loved the Air and Space Museum--she was much more interested in going inside the Skylab than seeing stuffed, scary animals at the Natural History Museum.
To be continued . . .
A 10-hour ride is a pretty long time, but Clara was a real trooper.
The Washington Monument.
We invited Michael's mom to come, and she was a great help with Clara and did some babysitting for us as well. I always love my time with her, and this trip was no exception.
Clara loved the Air and Space Museum--she was much more interested in going inside the Skylab than seeing stuffed, scary animals at the Natural History Museum.To be continued . . .
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