Irish Daisy

Dear Preschool, I am writing to ask for a policy change. Though I know state licensing technically requires that all preschool children take a nap, I am imploring, pleading, begging you to exempt Badger from that requirement. You see, Badger does not nap anymore on the weekends, despite much activity and shenanigans. Badger gets up at 7:00 a.m. and goes all out until 8:30 or 9:00 pm, sometimes even later if there’s a party on, and never naps at all. The furry inch-worm emerges The two-hour nap at daycare is just extending her waking hours in the evening. Which is why it is now 11:30 at night, I've put Badger back in bed five times, and in the time-out spot twice, but instead of sleeping she is currently rockin’ the casbah in my dining room. On weekends, a bed time story, cuddle and song are enough to settle her down, and then she’s snoozing with her stuffies. Week nights, oh the week nights, when I am most desperate to finish everything and get to bed, I have a fluf...

Three kids is only one more than two. I know, it's simple math.  It's amazing how hard that one extra kid can make parenting sometimes, especially now that we're outnumbered and none of our kids are what you'd call sedate, but it's just one more kid. Yet, the real difference between two and three is how people react to seeing me out and about with my three girls. I was mom to two girls for four years before number three joined the troop, so I've noticed the difference in commentary and reaction from the judging public (and it's amazing how many people feel compelled to say something). With just the two girls, I got a lot of compliments on the cute and how great sisters are. With three, I get a lot of, “whoa, three girls!!!” And then one of two follow-ups; either, “Wow, that’s going to be really rough when they’re teenagers,” or, “Well, you're lucky, at least girls are more cautious and quiet, three boys would be so much tougher.” I want to smack the...

So, Open House was on Tuesday – the same day we held primary elections here, which was a pain in the ass for other voters but worked out pretty well for us since our polling place is the elementary school. I always take the kids with me to vote and the poll workers always cheer me on and give everyone an “I Voted” sticker for participating in our democracy (we all push the “Cast Ballot” button together). Open House is  a great opportunity to see what the kids have been doing and learning in context – which is very different from the disembodied assignments that come home. (Pro-tip to teachers, teacher appreciation should happen after open house, not before – gotta leverage all of that good will).  I was very excited to see Athena’s class and work.  Her teacher is so enthusiastic about Athena’s performance and presence in her class. Her work has shown such growth over the year, and she’s a thoughtful and conscientious student, for all that she’s only in second grade. ...