After Juris Mater’s great post on Body Language, I started thinking about manners at the dinner (or breakfast or lunch) table in our home. I have received the advice that while children are young, we certainly want to instill good manners, but should strive to do so in a way that engages them and makes sense to them on their level. The idea is that we want our children to associate mealtime with pleasant family conversation and delicious food, rather... Read more
Once again I am thinking about how much stuff we own, and how we store it and keep track of it. I know that this is a running theme, but it is just part of who I am: I crave order, but I am not naturally orderly, and with this many people, mess accumulates quickly. For example, yesterday we went to the circus, super fun, and they gave out goody bags. Each goody bag contained a stuffed horse, a slinky,... Read more
Once Upon A Child Maple Shade, NJ we buy and sell gently used kids stuff. Check out the link above as part of your fall cleaning/preholiday decluttering — they BUY gently used children’s clothes, toys, etc! There is a location near me, and I can’t wait to try it! Read more
My husband and I deliberately jumped off the runaway train of technology about 7 years ago. Facebook: not my friend. Twitter: bull-tweet. And most of all, NO DEVICES. By devices, I mean Blackberries, iBrains, etc. One small handheld machine functions like an imaginary friend, a security blanket, and crack all rolled into one. Devices promise escape from social anxieties and awkward silences — whip it out as soon as the conversation is at a lull and breathe a sigh of... Read more
For those of you who don’t get bogged down in the minutia of baby gear, you may want to skip this post. But here it goes. It has been almost 7 years since I have shopped for a stroller. Our 2005 Bob double jogger broke on Halloween this year. I’m not complaining…it has served me very, very well for the last 6+ years. I contacted the company and it looks like it may not be worth our while to repair... Read more
My almost three year old son was totally potty trained for about two months, and then this past week he has averaged four wetting accidents a day. We put him back in diapers, but what next? When do I re-potty train him? Has this happened to any of you? Read more
This morning as I was drying my hair after a shower at the gym, a woman approached me saying something that I couldn’t hear because of the noise from the hairdryer. A bit confused, I turned off the hairdryer and said, “I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” To which she replied, “What a pretty dress, you look so feminine.” My face lit up with a smile as I thanked her for her compliment, and we both went our own separate... Read more
There is nothing like trying to keep 3 energetic, active brothers quiet in a chapel for the 10 minutes needed to go to the Sacrement of Reconciliation to make me lose my sense of peace and recollection. And, so, this morning, I am very, very thankful for Angry Birds and Doodle Jump and anything that begins with a lowercase i. And, of couse, for the grace from Our Lord to begin again. Read more
According to Mary Alice’s last post, it seems like this is the time of year for many of us when fatigue sets in. We lack inspiration. The weather is colder, the days are shorter, our families are sicker. As a result, our motivation wanes and we struggle. This morning I look out the window and see the gloom of rain and am immediately lethargic and uninspired. I run the baby up to her room and find myself completely exhausted at... Read more
I have been trying to run for about 3 years. In the course of that three years, my husband has run 2 half marathons and lost 70 pounds. I have quit, often. But not this time. My kids got sick, and I have been very tired, so I didn’t run much last week, and then I didn’t quite make it all the way in the my scheduled long run last weekend. I can feel myself getting like I get. My... Read more
Building Cathedrals
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