Recently there was a minor mishap in the basement concerning a certain expensive home theater speaker - the same speaker that dear daddy referred to when he told all three kids to "Never, ever, ever go near the speakers!".
So, said speaker gets toppled as a superhero kid catapults himself from the back of the sofa. Dear daddy confronts children about the broken speaker and says "What is the one rule we have about the basement?" (Note: dear dad is looking for a response that has the word speaker in it somewhere....) In response my son says, "Turn out the lights????"
Not the right answer, but an eco-friendly answer - so one point for that.
1.05.2008
kids say the darndest things: No. 11
it's Girl Scout Cookie time again and as my middle one (a Brownie) started revving up her pen to take in some orders my littlest one said, "Why do they call it Brownies when they sell cookies?"
12.17.2007
kids say the darndest things: No. 10
Spent this weekend at various soccer games and in between games, heading out for a bite to eat, one of the parents on the team says, "Hey guys, look at this cute thing from my husband's Christmas party last night!" and she pulls out a child-size cardboard cutout of her husband. (One of those adorable props for parties where you blow up the photo and they make a life-size standing cutout (except this one was child size since the photo was of her husband as a child))
Everyone goes how cute, how adorable, look at him....however my daughter looks at it inquisitively and finally says, "Ah, wait, I don't get it - did you shrink him???"
kids say the darndest things: No 9
Scene: Driving in car, oldest in front with me, two youngest in back sucking down some candy found earlier that day
Conversation:
Oldest daughter to middle child: Hey, can I have some candy?
Middle Child: Nope.
Oldest Child: Please, I'll let you be a parent to one of my Webkinzs
Middle Child: Nah.
Oldest Child: Ok, I'll let you be a parent to one of my Webkinzs for a month!
Middle Child: No, because you don't share your candy with me.
Oldest Child: Mom.....
Mom: This is between the two of you - figure it out.
Middle Child: What can I say, I'm a tough negotiator
Oldest Child: Ok, so then what do you want
Middle Child: (silence for an extended period of time, like 20 seconds)
Oldest Child: Well, you can't be a good negotiator if you don't know what you want!
Conversation:
Oldest daughter to middle child: Hey, can I have some candy?
Middle Child: Nope.
Oldest Child: Please, I'll let you be a parent to one of my Webkinzs
Middle Child: Nah.
Oldest Child: Ok, I'll let you be a parent to one of my Webkinzs for a month!
Middle Child: No, because you don't share your candy with me.
Oldest Child: Mom.....
Mom: This is between the two of you - figure it out.
Middle Child: What can I say, I'm a tough negotiator
Oldest Child: Ok, so then what do you want
Middle Child: (silence for an extended period of time, like 20 seconds)
Oldest Child: Well, you can't be a good negotiator if you don't know what you want!
12.05.2007
kids say the darndest things: No. 8
we spent Thanksgiving weekend up in Accord, NY (just outside of New Paltz) hanging out. One the long drive up, the kids kept asking, "Where are we going?" and I would reply, "The boonies!". Several minutes passed, and as we go through the mountains of walla walla land (I have a very poor sense of direction) I got this reply, "Is this the boonies?????" To which I replied, "Yea, I think so....." after a long, dramatic veil of silence as my three children gazed out at the nothingness around us, my son pipes up, "Geez, I LOVE New York!"
Kid after my own heart.
Kid after my own heart.
11.07.2007
kids say the darndest things: No 7
deciding what to do this past Sunday and while batting around ideas of where to spend the day, I threw out the idea of going to Rose Hill Manor (historical house and park) that my middle one has been asking to go to since a field trip there last year.
"I'm not sure Rose Hill Manor is open. I'll have to check, what about that place?" I asked.
"Ok. Hey, whose house is it?" asked my oldest
"I think it was George Washington's house" said my middle one.
"I don't really know. Not sure about that." I retorted.
"So who's house it?" questions my big one to my middle one.
"Ahhh, I think it's where the souvenier people live - that's whose house it is." my middle states, ending the conversation.
We ended up going to the zoo.
"I'm not sure Rose Hill Manor is open. I'll have to check, what about that place?" I asked.
"Ok. Hey, whose house is it?" asked my oldest
"I think it was George Washington's house" said my middle one.
"I don't really know. Not sure about that." I retorted.
"So who's house it?" questions my big one to my middle one.
"Ahhh, I think it's where the souvenier people live - that's whose house it is." my middle states, ending the conversation.
We ended up going to the zoo.
10.29.2007
kids say the darndest things: No. 6
On the fantastic tour buses that my daughter took on her recent class field trip, there were (gasp!) TVs that were cranked up with movies to lull the wild ones into boob tube submission during the long trip to Baltimore..
Well, when I asked her what they watched, she replied, "We watched Aladdin and then, you know, those Peanut Butter and Jelly cartoons we used watch when we were little."
"Uh, I don't know what you are referring to...peanut butter and jelly cartoons??"
"The ones with the little dog and the guy, you know, the dog Snoopy."
"Got it! That cartoon is named Peanuts, not peanut butter and jelly cartoons..."
Well, when I asked her what they watched, she replied, "We watched Aladdin and then, you know, those Peanut Butter and Jelly cartoons we used watch when we were little."
"Uh, I don't know what you are referring to...peanut butter and jelly cartoons??"
"The ones with the little dog and the guy, you know, the dog Snoopy."
"Got it! That cartoon is named Peanuts, not peanut butter and jelly cartoons..."
10.26.2007
kids say the darndest things: No 5
my oldest daughter has been pulling at her lips constantly lately and when I recently asked her to stop this annonying habit and how can we help get her stop, she said maybe having lip gloss would help.
OK, so I went out and bought some Lip Smacker Vanillacious lip gloss, which debuted on the day of the big second-grade field trip. When I asked her how her new lip gloss went (meaning, how did we do at not pulling at your lips today, sweetie...) she promptly replied, "Great, all the boys on the bus talked to me only!"
ahhh...that really wasn't what I was after....
OK, so I went out and bought some Lip Smacker Vanillacious lip gloss, which debuted on the day of the big second-grade field trip. When I asked her how her new lip gloss went (meaning, how did we do at not pulling at your lips today, sweetie...) she promptly replied, "Great, all the boys on the bus talked to me only!"
ahhh...that really wasn't what I was after....
loved this article - how to go organic in five easy ways
Struggle with this one in our house constantly. "Whole Paycheck" as Whole Foods is commonly referred to in our house eats up a great deal of the family food budget. We believe in organic foods and supporting organic growers, but sometimes it is hard to eat the right thing (get it??? instead of do the right thing..."
Check out this helpful article in the New York Times- loved it!
Five Easy Ways to go Organic
Check out this helpful article in the New York Times- loved it!
Five Easy Ways to go Organic
10.21.2007
10.14.2007
kids say the darndest things: No. 4
did the Halloween costume shopping thing this afternoon...and as we were in the car headed up to the mecca of costumes...Party City...we three were discussing what costumes they might pick out.
My seven-year old asks my five-year old, "What are you going to be this year?"
My five year old responds, "Well, I know I'm not going to be Batman like last year - because that costume didn't earn me enough candy!"
My seven-year old asks my five-year old, "What are you going to be this year?"
My five year old responds, "Well, I know I'm not going to be Batman like last year - because that costume didn't earn me enough candy!"
10.09.2007
kids say the darndest things: No. 3: birthday time
don't you love your kids birthdays??? The thrill of throwing parties, juggling birthday wishes against price point in the family budget....
then you have to love the quesiton that comes from the birthday boy, my son, "So Mom, is today they day that I was born?"
"Yup babe, today was the day you were born."
"How was my birthday when I was born?"
"Ah, what do you mean?"
"I mean, what kind of birthday party did I have?"
"Well, hon, on the day you were born, everyone celebrated and you got some baby gifts, but there wasn't a big party with friends."
"Why not? You mean no cake?????"
then you have to love the quesiton that comes from the birthday boy, my son, "So Mom, is today they day that I was born?"
"Yup babe, today was the day you were born."
"How was my birthday when I was born?"
"Ah, what do you mean?"
"I mean, what kind of birthday party did I have?"
"Well, hon, on the day you were born, everyone celebrated and you got some baby gifts, but there wasn't a big party with friends."
"Why not? You mean no cake?????"
9.19.2007
kids say the darndest things...no.2
I am off to Chicago in the upcoming days for a business trip with DH - so Grandma is coming to babysit. When the news was announced to my three my youngest quickly responded with a big "Ugh! She'll make us go to bed in the daylight and eat cooked carrots!"
Geez, I didn't know that going to bed early and eating carrots was such a bad thing!
P.S. My mom is 70 and the fact that she can help out is great, so my son's whining went in one ear and out the other as they say...
Geez, I didn't know that going to bed early and eating carrots was such a bad thing!
P.S. My mom is 70 and the fact that she can help out is great, so my son's whining went in one ear and out the other as they say...
9.14.2007
check out this Q&A...
DCmom was able to read about Maria Celeste Arraras's story of how she wrote her book "The Magic Cane"....if you think you've heard the name before...it's most likely because she is the reporter who covered the story of Latin singer Selena's death.
Wow, read through this and realized that if she can write her book on her Blackberry, then my juggling of full-time consulting work, DCmom.com and three kids is something I shouldn't complain about!
Check it out...
MARIA CELESTE ARRARAS
1. What sparked your imagination for The Magic Cane?
As a working mother, I would come home from the office to find my three kids desperate for my attention. I would try reading them a story, but they all had different interests and would end up fighting when they couldn’t agree on which particular story I should read! So I began to make up stories that incorporated all the elements that all of them wanted to listen to, and one of those stories evolved into The Magic Cane.
The story is about three kids, very similar to my own three children, each blessed with a special “gift.” At the time I wrote The Magic Cane, my daughter was into mermaids, so her equal in the story has the power of Water. My sons were fascinated with Pokemon, Naruto and Inuyasha, so I gave one of the boys the power of Fire and the other one the power of the Wind...soon, they all got into the story and started contributing to the plot. Then the fights became about who could have more input!
2. What challenges do you face in your writing process? How do you overcome them?
My main challenge with The Magic Cane was finding time to get in the right frame of mind to write this kind of book. At the time, I was going through a divorce, and it was difficult to shake off the stress and pain that comes with that process and jump into the fantasy world of a magical fable. So I put the book in hiatus and after a few months, my oldest son told me, “Mama, a family that stays united is invincible,” and I said “Yes!” That became the central idea for The Magic Cane. So I sat down with a clear head and a specific idea and wrote the entire story in five hours on my Blackberry.
3. What tips or advice can you share with young students who hope to start writing?
My advice is simple: write everything down! Many people with great imaginations spend their lives “writing” books in their heads...but they never put those great ideas in black and white. What a waste of great talent So my advice is, get it on paper and share all those wonderful stories with the rest of the world! Discipline is key in every profession, writing included.
4. What is your list of favorite children or teen books?
I love The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I read it for the first time in elementary school, and then I received a copy in college as a present. Years later, I bought another copy to read to my kids. I read it during three completely different stages of my life, and every time, I discovered new meanings in the same story. I hope The Magic Cane accomplishes the same.
I also like King Midas: A Golden Tale by John Warren Stewig. I wanted my book to be a magical fable in the style of King Midas with a similar lesson: that possessions and power do not equal happiness. I’m a firm believer that in this materialistic and consumer-oriented society, children need to be taught what is really important in life, such as family values and doing the right thing. So this was an important element that I wanted to include in my story.
3. Do you think The Magic Cane will be interpreted differently by English versus Spanish readers?
Absolutely not. The Magic Cane has a universal message that transcends not only language and culture but also age and gender. I wanted it to be a magical fable like the classic stories that my grandparents used to read to me in bed. I missed those “Once upon a time” tales that you can pass on from generation to generation, so I wanted to write one for my children and for other kids as well.
Wow, read through this and realized that if she can write her book on her Blackberry, then my juggling of full-time consulting work, DCmom.com and three kids is something I shouldn't complain about!
Check it out...
MARIA CELESTE ARRARAS
1. What sparked your imagination for The Magic Cane?
As a working mother, I would come home from the office to find my three kids desperate for my attention. I would try reading them a story, but they all had different interests and would end up fighting when they couldn’t agree on which particular story I should read! So I began to make up stories that incorporated all the elements that all of them wanted to listen to, and one of those stories evolved into The Magic Cane.
The story is about three kids, very similar to my own three children, each blessed with a special “gift.” At the time I wrote The Magic Cane, my daughter was into mermaids, so her equal in the story has the power of Water. My sons were fascinated with Pokemon, Naruto and Inuyasha, so I gave one of the boys the power of Fire and the other one the power of the Wind...soon, they all got into the story and started contributing to the plot. Then the fights became about who could have more input!
2. What challenges do you face in your writing process? How do you overcome them?
My main challenge with The Magic Cane was finding time to get in the right frame of mind to write this kind of book. At the time, I was going through a divorce, and it was difficult to shake off the stress and pain that comes with that process and jump into the fantasy world of a magical fable. So I put the book in hiatus and after a few months, my oldest son told me, “Mama, a family that stays united is invincible,” and I said “Yes!” That became the central idea for The Magic Cane. So I sat down with a clear head and a specific idea and wrote the entire story in five hours on my Blackberry.
3. What tips or advice can you share with young students who hope to start writing?
My advice is simple: write everything down! Many people with great imaginations spend their lives “writing” books in their heads...but they never put those great ideas in black and white. What a waste of great talent So my advice is, get it on paper and share all those wonderful stories with the rest of the world! Discipline is key in every profession, writing included.
4. What is your list of favorite children or teen books?
I love The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. I read it for the first time in elementary school, and then I received a copy in college as a present. Years later, I bought another copy to read to my kids. I read it during three completely different stages of my life, and every time, I discovered new meanings in the same story. I hope The Magic Cane accomplishes the same.
I also like King Midas: A Golden Tale by John Warren Stewig. I wanted my book to be a magical fable in the style of King Midas with a similar lesson: that possessions and power do not equal happiness. I’m a firm believer that in this materialistic and consumer-oriented society, children need to be taught what is really important in life, such as family values and doing the right thing. So this was an important element that I wanted to include in my story.
3. Do you think The Magic Cane will be interpreted differently by English versus Spanish readers?
Absolutely not. The Magic Cane has a universal message that transcends not only language and culture but also age and gender. I wanted it to be a magical fable like the classic stories that my grandparents used to read to me in bed. I missed those “Once upon a time” tales that you can pass on from generation to generation, so I wanted to write one for my children and for other kids as well.
9.13.2007
kudos to a nite of bargains
Many claps go out to the team who made DSS happen - especially babsied - who go it all together! great bites to eat, great music, and great bargains..
There was a bloggers corner for all of us who write about life around DC and in order to pick up your goodie bag you had to have a polariod snapshot taken...much fun harking back to the days of high school parties (do I date myself??) but even better seeing the shots of fellow bloggers. Shouts out to Project Beltway and Accidental Chic - you looked great!
There was a bloggers corner for all of us who write about life around DC and in order to pick up your goodie bag you had to have a polariod snapshot taken...much fun harking back to the days of high school parties (do I date myself??) but even better seeing the shots of fellow bloggers. Shouts out to Project Beltway and Accidental Chic - you looked great!
9.12.2007
going shoppping....going shopping
Ok, tonite is District Sample Sale (DSS for those in the know..) and if the babysitter gets to my house in time I hope to be able to score some great finds. I'm also looking forward to hooking up with friends and meeting some of the other DC bloggers in the DSS Bloggers Corner!
Keep you posted tomorrow with the results!
Coming soon....I also hope to have some Q&As with authors that are going to be at the upcoming NAtional Book Festival on the Mall. I love books, my kids love books, so I want to spread the word on this great event.
Keep you posted tomorrow with the results!
Coming soon....I also hope to have some Q&As with authors that are going to be at the upcoming NAtional Book Festival on the Mall. I love books, my kids love books, so I want to spread the word on this great event.
8.26.2007
it's official
tomorrow if the first day of school and everyone - yes, all of my kids, will be in a full day of school, utilizing the same bus schedule and in the same school! Whoppee!
I know I won't be one of those moms armed with tissues as I see my youngest one off to Kindergarten, but I promise not to embarrass him by toting a bottle of champagne down to the bus stop, but gosh darn it will be good to stop "treading water" as I have been for the whole summer. Full-time work being juggled with three kids at home has made for a long, hot summer filled with much screaming. It will be good for all of us to get the heck out of the house and concentrate on something other than getting on each other's nerves!
I know I won't be one of those moms armed with tissues as I see my youngest one off to Kindergarten, but I promise not to embarrass him by toting a bottle of champagne down to the bus stop, but gosh darn it will be good to stop "treading water" as I have been for the whole summer. Full-time work being juggled with three kids at home has made for a long, hot summer filled with much screaming. It will be good for all of us to get the heck out of the house and concentrate on something other than getting on each other's nerves!
8.23.2007
buy, buy, buy....
Tickets will go fast, so don't get caught waiting in the long line to get in and then find out the place is sold out...order your tickets online today.DCmom scored great stuff last year at this event - awesome brown boots that totally rocked - as did the price - a couple of pashmina scarfs that I intended to give as gifts but kept for myself instead - and last but not least several James Perse tees that I LOVE and LIVE in for cheap!
8.20.2007
new awesome blog
Ok ladies of DC, new blog is out there in the blogsphere which is handy to all of us in the greater metro DC area. Joyce of That Mom, Inc. has started a blog where she lets us know about locally recommended services!
You can send in your own recommendations too and maybe you'll see it in print - whee...everyone loves to see themselves in print!
You can send in your own recommendations too and maybe you'll see it in print - whee...everyone loves to see themselves in print!
8.19.2007
best chairs ever...
Ok, so I don't get out to get a manicure as frequently as I used to...but I recently got a mani/ped in at Nails by Timothy in Rockville. Just walked in and happened to be luck out being one of the first customers to try out their brand-new pedicure massage chairs. Ladies, these are the ones!
First, these recline, second they massage you everywhere, not just that annoying lower back machine grunt the other places have, plus the headrest cradles your head, so away into la la land you go.
Awesome, awesome, awesome and no, they did not up the price for a pedicure - even better.
Nails by Timothy in the Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike, Rockville. Call at 301.309.0329
First, these recline, second they massage you everywhere, not just that annoying lower back machine grunt the other places have, plus the headrest cradles your head, so away into la la land you go.
Awesome, awesome, awesome and no, they did not up the price for a pedicure - even better.
Nails by Timothy in the Wintergreen Plaza on Rockville Pike, Rockville. Call at 301.309.0329
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