Happy 4th Of July!

Tomorrow is the Fourth Of July which has me thinking about family traditions.  I spent many Independence Day celebrations with my mom and dad in the parking lot of a laundromat.  It was located on a hill, an excellent vantage point for watching the fireworks display launched from the local drive-in at the bottom of the hill.  Mom packed a cooler with watermelon and lemonade, and Dad threw the aluminum lawn chairs in the trunk.  I usually brought a friend, and we would run around spelling our names in the air with sparklers, or lighting those buttons of ash called "snakes".   I often attended this event still dressed in the swimming suit I'd worn to the pool that day.  (I spent a LOT of time in water when I was a kid.)

In San Francisco, it's hard to plan something special for the annual fireworks display because there's always a chance of thick pyrotechnics-squashing fog and/or frigid July temperatures.  Who wants to run with sparklers while wearing a parka? 

I need some ideas.  I love to hear, and occasionally steal, other people's holiday traditions; so let's hear them.

Potty Favors

Is it alright to ease into potty training?  I've been putting Isaac on the potty several times a day and he goes (#1, not #2).  He takes pride in this and usually gives me a high five.  We've also put the potty on the schedule before and after bath time.  Last thing before bed, he likes to sit on his potty and brush his teeth with his electric SpongeBob toothbrush.  Brushing your teeth while sitting on the toilet is probably not a great habit to get into, but I figure I can explain why later.
I let him pick out his own big-boy undies at Target last week.  He went with Elmo, naturally, and let me just say there's nothing cuter than Elmo undies.  He tried on a pair after I washed them and it was nearly impossible to get him to take them off.  Is it alright to use big-boy Elmo undies as an incentive?  My biggest concern is that this is feeling a little too easy.  I'm afraid the potty could be seen as a novelty; something to use only when he feels in the mood for it.   He'll be two in September, and is genuinely interested in the bathroom routine.  If we ease along and I don't go all hard-core about it will I be sorry later?   Should I call The Potty Whisperer?
I'll take all the potty training tips and opinions I can get.

Noooo!

Give me rising sea levels, extreme weather events, even the extinction of the polar bear.  But for-the-love-of-all-things-holy SAVE THE BEES!  
The noble bee is essential to growing things - things like ice cream, people!  No bees, no Haagen-Daz.  No bees, no nuts, no fruits, no flowers.  No bees, no Honey Nut Cheerios?  Half my skincare products are compliments of bees, (with some help from Burt, of course.)
From spelling, to quilting, to anaphylactic shock, bees have given us so much - they are the tiny Thomas Edisons of the insect world.  This is a disturbing development.  I will follow this calamitous flight of the bumblebee closely, because a life without ice cream is not a life worth living.   

Countdown to daycare

Isaac begins daycare in a little over a week.  We've signed him up for two half days a week.  This should mean time each week for me to pick up freelance work, or take care of other important assignments.  It will be good to have scheduled Me Time. 

I'm nervous about turning him over to someone else for a couple of days every week, but I'm also aware that it will benefit his growing social skills.  He's recently taken a new interest in his peers at the playground, and even seems to enjoy engaging in activities with other kids.   Also, his care provider is terrific.  I've seen her in action around town, and I feel good about the kind of dedication she exhibits. 

What are the other pros and cons of daycare?

Alice's Summerthing

Sunday is Alice's annual free summer concert in Golden Gate Park.  This year acts include, Lifehouse, Ingrid Michaelson, The Last Goodnight, Marie Digby, and Second-hand Serenade. 

I'll broadcast live from the event on Sunday, 2-4PM.  Wave to me in the giant broadcast booth next to the stage.

Summerthing is always a nice event.  In addition to music, there are all kinds of cool booths to visit, a flying trapeze, a rock climbing wall, gourmet food, and a beer and wine garden.

Something for everyone and it's FREE!  Just go.

Random Shots

These are two very familiar scenes from my life.  A balloon tied to my stroller bobbing along as we make our way from the grocery store to our apartment.  And the boy in the bucket swing at the playground.  My favorite thing about a camera-phone is capturing a sweet spontaneous moment in an otherwise ordinary day.  I might make Random Shots a regular feature.  Share the randomness in the comments section.

Bargains!

I love a good bargain.  One of my mom-friends turned me on to this site that features a daily baby or children's item.  It works a lot like Woot!  One deal a day, one rate for shipping.  And really who doesn't need a sock monkey jack-in-the-box?

Becoming My Father

In my dad's world, there was nothing that couldn't be fixed with Extra Strength Excedrin or duct tape.  Today I took a page from the old man's book and repaired something with duct tape.  Repaired isn't the word I should use here.  I "rigged something up" is what I should say. 

A few months ago, in the middle of the night, someone decided he didn't like the way the right rearview mirror on my car was looking at him.  Probably after a short exchange with the offending car part, that went something like this:

Guy:  What are you looking at?
Mirror: 
Guy:  I SAID what are you looking at?!
Mirror:
Guy:  My mother is NOT a *&%$#!
Mirror:
Guy:  Why I oughta - I'll show you you $#@%* mirror!!!

he tore it a new one.  (Yes, it might've been a she who commited this crime, but based on the brute-force evidence I'm going with HE.)  This person either kicked or clawed the mirror off the car, and left it smashed and trembling in the gutter.  I've been tooling around town without any confidence in making a lane change to the right for some time. 

A right rearview mirror is not that expensive; maybe around fifty bucks for the part itself.  However, like most rearview mirrors, it's electric.  Having it installed by a professional is going to set me back roughly $1500. 

The solution?  One of those large fisheye lenses; the kind that say Objects In The Rearview Are Closer Than They Appear.  I attached it to the mutilated skeletal arm protruding from the corner of the passenger door.  With duct tape. 

Yes, I am ashamed and embarrassed.  In this way, I have not officially become my father.  The old man is likely smiling down from Heaven upon me saying, "Clever girl, but what's with the shame?"  If you catch me painting my ride with a roller and a pan please call my mother. 

Feel free to share your disgraceful DIY stories, automotive or otherwise.

Domestic God

I find this amusing.  The best part is that it was sent to me by my husband.  I recently had a bit of  a meltdown over the division of housework in our home.  There are a few things that seem unavoidable when one parent works outside the home and the other stays home with a child.   I've returned to work part time and my husband, Paul, is now in charge of our child full time on the weekends.  He's doing a great job, and I think the experience is giving him insight into what my days are like during the week.   In return, I have a new respect for him and the fact that putting in a full day at work then coming home to offer relief is not always easy. 

Eat your veggies.

How do I get this kid to eat fruits and vegetables?  When I first started him on solid foods he absolutely LOVED everything I put in front of him - spinach, bananas, apple sauce, carrots - you name it he ate it.  Not any more. 

Once he discovered meat, bread, and cheese he made up his mind these were his three true loves.  This new awareness that he has opinions has met with his propensity for slapstick and blown into a sort of culinary perfect storm.  He puts food he refuses to eat on his head, then calls it a hat.  Kernels, nuggets, berries, or peas he will squish with a finger or send flying with a swoosh of his chubby hand.  He enjoys fruits and vegetables, he just doesn't eat them.

I've read the how-to-hide-healthy-food-in-their-food-books, but what I'm looking for now are tips or secret potions.  Whatcha got?

May I Have the origin, please?

I am a big fan of the spelling bee.  If you've never seen Spellbound put it in your Netflix Queue, then be sure to leave me a comment on this post with your favorite kid from the film.

The movie below features my favorite Scripps Spelling Bee 2008 kid, and for the record, he won.  Enjoy.

Ain't No Party Like A Toddler Party...

We attended a 3 year-old's birthday party yesterday, and had a great time.  In addition to a Play-Doh duffle, we brought the birthday boy Rocket Balloons.  My husband was the most popular guy at the party while he led the launch.  Our son acted as assistant, and it was adorable. 

The event got me thinking about the rules of partying with toddlers.  As we learned last year at birthday party numero uno, there are a few key elements to consider before sending out the invitations.

* Timing is key.  Before nap or after nap - pick one and go with it. 

*  Location, location, location.  Choose or provide a place with room to run and play. 

*  Activities or "demonstrations".  The rocket balloons were a big hit at yesterday's gathering, but there were also bubbles, costumes, and goody bags that added to the fun. 

*  Cake.  Duh.

Isaac's birthday isn't until September, but I'll take all the party tips and suggestions I can get.

J-O-B

This weekend saw my return to the air at Alice @ 97.3.  I was happy to be back to work and enjoyed the break from being mommy all day long.  It was good for my husband to spend three full-time days as The Primary caregiver for our son, and the boy had a great time, especially since he's currently in a Daddy phase. 

Although I'm grateful that I have been able to stay home with my child for as long as I have, I felt a certain relief going back to work.  I feel a little more like my old self, or should I say like my pre-mommy self?  Either way, I feel good about once again making a contribution outside the home. 

Have other mommies been happy to return to work outside the home? 

American Idle

Did you hear - David won!  He beat David - yay! 

I'm one of maybe a dozen people in the country who doesn't watch American Idol.  The truth is I'm just too lazy to get into it. 

#1.  I have to remember what time and what night it's on - is it Wednesdays?  I have trouble remembering what time the Ten O'clock News is on, okay. 
#2.  I have to pay attention to the performances so I can judge who was the best.  This conflicts with my tendency to do other things while the television is on, like shopping, paying bills, or writing this blog. 
#3.  And this is the toughest one - I have to pick up a telephone and vote.  This is never going to happen.  I'm not sure why, I haven't had a bad experience or anything, but I avoid talking on a telephone at all costs.  I've developed a phonephobia.  My sister tells me I don't have to talk to call in and vote.  My sister tells me all of the rules for the reality shows.  Once she called to request I phone in a vote for Jerry Rice for Dancing With The Stars. 

Sister:  "Do me a favor and call this number, 888-888-****."
Me:  "Why?"
Sister:  "Because Jerry Rice is a fantastic dancer, that's why."
Me:  "Jerry Rice, the football player?"
Sister:  "Just do it, or that guy from the boy band is going to win!"

I don't mind the cheese factor that goes along with most reality TV shows; heck, I likes me some good old fashioned bad TV, as well as a few reality favs, but I'm too lazy to schedule myself for television.

Also, I could never vote for anyone with a forehead this smooth. 

Working For The Man

It's finally time for me to head back to work.  I'll be on the air at Alice @ 97.3 beginning this weekend. 

It's been a while since I donned the headphones and cracked a mic.  Let's hope I still remember what all those colorful buttons and lights mean.  Tune in and listen Saturday 10AM-3PM, and Sunday noon-5PM.

Thank you for your support.

The Not So Fun Factory

I've noticed a trend in my toy purchasing - I buy my son things I secretly want to play with.  Who am I kidding?  There's no secretly about it.  I buy Isaac the things I always wanted and didn't have, or that I had and loved.  I was the weird kid who came over to play, and was slightly too into your Legos given my age.  

Recently, I bought the Play-doh Fun Factory.  Peeling the soft plastic lid off the little yellow cans released the familiar fragrance of many happy moments of childhood.  It's no wonder they've bottled it, literally. 

Isaac sat by and watched as I squished and rolled and sculpted.  He enjoyed pushing his finger into the perfectly round balls I would sit in front of him.  But when I set up the factory things went sideways.  I slid a star-shaped stencil into the slot, loaded up the hole, and pushed down on the handle.  The best way to describe his reaction is terrified.  I killed the Play-doh!  He began to cry. 

We put the Fun Factory on a shelf for a few days.  I got it out last night.  This time instead of the star-shaped stencil I went with the sausage grinder, or spaghetti, stencil.  Maybe it was because he'd had time to get over the Play-doh's sad demise, or maybe it was because spaghetti is inherently funny;  this time around the Fun Factory was fun.  He allowed me to manufacture blue, yellow, and mixed pasta shapes, but more than that he delighted in manufacturing some on his own. 

Have you pushed, or highjacked, your favorite toys on your kids? 

Way Cool Picture Book Site

This is a new picture book site where you can preview a book in its entirety.  It features links to your favorite online book sellers so if you love the book just click the link and it's on its way.

Stay-At-Home blues

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
- Albert Einstein

Stay-at-home-parenthood: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. 
- Gretchen Lancour

How is it possible that routine and schedules can make me insane and bring me peace in the same day?  (By the way, I have no actual proof he ever said that, but the internets say it is so.)

There's something in me that sort of fears being scheduled for anything.  I'm not the mom's group type, and I don't feel that Isaac is at an age yet where he can benefit much from a music or tumbling class.  While I'm not a fan of scheduled things, I believe in some structure for my toddler's day, with lunch and nap time occurring around the same times every day.  Those are the two things I'm a stickler about, the rest of the day is up for grabs.  However, we usually end up at our local playground where we talk to the same parents, play with the same kids, and climb the same equipment.  Every day is the same, but different.  Today the boy went down the slide over and over, but tomorrow he might not go down it once.  Today I sat with Charlotte, but tomorrow I might sit with Joan. 

The routine of being a stay-at-home-parent drives me nuts and comforts me at the same time.  Also, the term stay-at-home bugs me; between the playground, the grocery, the fill-in-the-blank there's not a lot of staying at home going on. 

Do other stay-at-homers go back and forth like I do?  And is there a better term to use instead of  stay-at-home?

Happy Mother's Day

Are these people insane? 

My husband and I have been talking about the pros and cons of having a second child. 

Some pros:

1. Siblings teach valuable lessons like the importance of sharing, how to handle conflict, and why running faster is better than weighing more. 

2. A sibling understands just how crazy your mother is in a way no one else can.  I wouldn't want to cheat my son out of such a confidant.

3. A sibling would be one more person to love my son, and for my son to love in return. 

Cons:

1. Kids are expensive.  I'm no genius when it comes to math, but two kids means twice as much of everything, including the biggies like college.

2. Will I be able to love another child as much as I love my son?  If I love child #2 as much as child #1 is that like cheating on child #1? 

3. Am I up to the challenge of caring for a toddler and an infant?

Feel free to share some pros and cons.