our own Manny . . .

Sometimes Andrew says things that a regular 12 year-old would say. Other times, he sounds like he is fifty, and a refined connoisseur of cuisine (and life.)

This morning, as I was packing school lunches, I asked the kids how their lunches were yesterday. (I am trying to encourage them to take home lunch because it is healthier and I can control what goes in them, and ya'll know I like control.) So, the other kids all said, "fine" or "good." Andrew said, "It was refreshingly simple, thanks Mom."

Sundays like this . . .

I love Sundays like this.

We started the day at church. I struggle getting to church at 9 a.m., but I love being done by noon. After church Mike and Andrew collected fast offerings.

After lunch, Mike watched a football game while I got a nap with Christian and Jessica. Andrew and Bev played a game together.

The homeless cats I have been helping care for have to be moved, so we are in cat-relocation mode. One of the traps wasn't working, so Bev and Mike got it fixed.

We got some veggies from the garden.

Although it was late, the weather was beautiful, so we had Sunday Nachos on the patio, followed my a tetherball tournament.

I snapped a picture of each kid asleep. Drew painted these boy scout letters. We keep losing the "r."

It is always fun to see what Jessi has in bed with her. Tonight she was snuggling Tiana while wearing her tiara.

Poor Bev falls asleep every night while reading Harry Potter.

Christian trying out the eye mask. He also had a lego ship tucked under the covers.

The kids practiced piano, we cleaned out the hamster cage, and we made some treats.

It was a good day.

they are ready for some football

This happened on Sunday afternoon. He is slowly getting more football fans around this house. So far, Jessi and I are the only hold-outs. Thank goodness for tivo--he can watch an entire game in under an hour. I like to watch the National Anthem and any amazing plays, but otherwise I do something else when football is on. Andrew usually watches the game while playing his DS. Christian usually tosses the football to Mike while they watch. Jessi plays Barbies in the corner. Bev used to do something like crochet or crafts during a game. She now snuggles up to Dad, and learns the rules of the game.

remembering . . .

It's hard to believe it has been 10 years.

That Tuesday was Mike's day home with the kids while I went to work. Andrew was three and Bev was 5 months old. I had the Today show turned on as I was getting ready for work. When I saw what was happening, I woke Mike up, who had Bev sleeping next to him. We watched together for a few minutes--it felt surreal. I went to work and focused on the kids at school. I spent the day (and the next few weeks) helping kids deal with what happened. I got information for teachers and parents about dealing with trauma, the importance of kids avoid as much footage as possible, and how to handle kids' questions.

I am now dealing with my own kids' questions, and it's not easy. We are focusing on the regular people that became heros that day.

out of the mouth of babes: mom's apparently a beast edition

On the way home from football tonight, Andrew took a deep breath and asked, "Mom, just for future reference, when are you in your happiest moments?"

Me: "Well, that depends...I'm in a happy mood right now. Why do you ask?"

Drew: "I have something to tell you, but can we discuss this calmly and rationally?"

Me: "Yes." (I didn't realize that I don't discuss things calmly and rationally.)

Drew then went on to tell me that he forgot to do a homework page last night, therefore receiving a "-1" in his planner. This was the second time this week he had forgotten a homework assignment. I listened and then said, "Drew, we are having some responsibility issues lately."

Drew: "Yes, I'm aware of that."

Then, I hear him utter, under his breath, "Okay, that went better than I expected."

I am now re-evaluating my "calm and rational."

so much to read . . .

. . . so little time.

I always have a stack of books on my bedside table. The pile is always pretty tall. I have finished a few of them, but most have only been started. Some are for book club, but most are parenting books. I have promised a few people to make a list of my favorite parenting books, so without further ado, I present my book list.

Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic

by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

(My favorite parenting book. I heard about it in graduate school, and bought it when Andrew was about 10 months old. I love that it positively frames kids who are "more," but I think it has some of the best advice for dealing with all kinds of kids.)

Parenting With Love and Logic

by Foster CLine and Jim Fay

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters

by Meg Meeker, M.D.

Boys Should Be Boys

By Meg Meeker, M.D.

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls

by Mary Pipher

The Shelter of Each Other: Rebuilding Our Families to Enrich Our Lives

by Mary Pipher

The Entitlement Trap

by Richard and Linda Eyre

(I haven't read this yet, but it sounds great, and has now been put on the list.)