Raising a Foodie

We used to have a saying when Bridget was a baby:

Keep your fingers and toes away from the baby's mouth!

From Day 1, that kid loved her food. Was joyous at mealtimes, has been adventurous about new tastes.

Bridget discovers ranch dip:

Bridget has perhaps one of the most refined palates of any 9 year old I know. She's completely open-minded when it comes to food and can taste and articulate the differences between various types of tuna sashimi.


Once exposed to honest-to-goodness real mozarella cheese, she now says that "string cheese tastes like soap!"

The fault is entirely mine and Ray's.


I taught her how to make macaroni and cheese from scratch and now she refuses to eat it from the box. "I want the kind where you make a roux, then a bechamel sauce, Mommy!" she insists.


She sometimes has a hard-boiled egg in her lunch. Rather than our everyday kosher salt, she prefers to season it with pink salt crystals from the Murray River in Australia. And a pinch of smoked paprika that Ray brings back from Budapest.


The thing is this; she knows the difference. I hope she doesn't turn up her nose at regular mac 'n cheese at somebody's house one of these days. Or request that the fish sticks be breaded with panko.

Once, when she was four, we gave her a sip of a very nice sauvignon blanc. "What do you think it tastes like?" Ray asked. "Um..... THAT!" she said, pointing to a picture of an apple, plum and pear. Is she the next Andrea Immer ?

She and Ray were discussing the latest delicacy he'd packed in her lunch which involved bleu cheese. She said her classmates had turned up their noses at the smell and she just mutters, "They don't know what's GOOD!"
Have I raised a monster? Or the next Food Network Star?


She fantasizes about having her own cooking show. She's gotten into the habit of setting up the video camera in the kitchen when she cooks, and tells the audience about every step she is doing. If I pass through, she hollers "get out of my shot, Mom!" Unless she is actively recruiting me as sous chef. She plays her little radio in the background (Disney AM), and calls her show "Bridie's Rock 'n Roll Kitchen." One day, I'll let her record for real and upload the show to the blog.

I'm a Quitter!

I have once again joined the ranks of the unemployed.

I actually QUIT my job.

For an organization founded by MOTHERS, they have proven to be surprisingly inflexible about the demands of my personal life (read: motherhood).

Between the commute (= time + money), the childcare costs, and the fact that I haven't prepared a meal for my family in months, it just wasn't worth it. Most non-profits I've been involved with understand that the low pay means a certain amount of flexibility to manage your personal life in the most low-cost way possible. Not this one.

It's really too bad, because I liked the job a lot, and felt I was pretty good at it. Was told I was good at it too.

But alas.... they don't do telecommuting. They don't do part-time. They won't let me be a consultant.

Sigh.

My decision was reinforced this week twice. The kids come home to an empty house and have an hour or so on their own before they have practices, lessons, etc. w/ a rotating plethora of transport modes. Aidan came home to find his baby gecko (birthday present) dead. Called me sobbing hysterically and there was not a thing I could do. A few days later, Bridget got herself worked into a puddle of tears over the whole horse thing (being scared lately) right before her lesson. Again, not a thing I could do but try to calm her down and make a call to the riding instructor to warn her.


Sigh.


So....




Now I can:

• resurrect Fergus, my dormant sourdough starter and start baking fresh bread again


• finish stripping the wallpaper from Aidan's bathroom


• paint the guestroom


• cook fresh & healthy meals for the family


• get back to regular exercising


• invite people for dinner


• fulfill my carpool obligations

Now why can't I get paid for any of that???

A Walk in the Woods

Spent a GREAT day yesterday in the company of JANET! Thanks, girlfriend, for including a stop in Flower Mound in your summer travels!


We had a great time hanging out in the pool, carting the kids around (Janet's a Good Sport), cooking, eating & drinking good wine.



Went for a lovely walk in the woods, led by The Intrepid Explorer, Aidan. Scamp always on his heels. I think I'll send Scamp with Aidan on his forays into the woods more often, they seem to enjoy each other's company.


Lots of things to see, lots of wildflowers (which didn't photograph well w/ the camera I had with me), turtles, snakes, frogs, etc.

We had a real treat on the way back home. Passed by the neighbor's house and got to go visit their newly born foal, Belle. There is nothing more absurdly cute than a baby horse. The bristly mane, the little whisk broom of a tail, the long, long legs. Did you know that when a baby horse is born, it's legs are almost as long as they are ever going to be? It's never more apparent then when they try to eat grass - their neck isn't long enough to get their head down that far.

Stinkin' cute! She is an arab, and will probably be very dark, almost black. With two white feet in the back. I am looking forward to seeing this little girl grow up!

Exhaustion

I'm gettin' too old for this. Well, no, that is a lie. The truth is, I'm too out of shape for this!


THIS? What is "this" you ask?


THIS, is Ray and I building a "treehouse" that is actually something that needs its own address, as our friend Tom said.


Neither of us knows a thing about construction, though Ray IS an engineer. I'm weak and wimpy and can barely lift the damn framing nailer with one hand. Much less repeatedly. Over my head. While dangling from a ladder. Did I mention I'm afraid of heights? Did I mention that said "treehouse" is 12 feet off the ground AND 12 feet tall?


Have you ever seen how long it takes to peel dried construction adheisive off your body? At least a week. Gross.


Have you ever tried to carry an 8 x 8 roofing panel that is made from TIRES up a ladder? And I got the easy jobs. Poor Ray was on top of the roof, dangling from a collapsable ladder that was jack-knifed over the peak, strapped on to the eave (with me hanging from it for extra counter balance).


We're not calling this multi-act show the Glynn Circus for nothing!


I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end. We'll be able to host a small yoga class on the deck (Kelli - want the job?), a poker party in the main house, and the proposed zip line will bring hours of fun and enjoyment.


I sure hope the kids appreciate all these bruises, cuts, sore muscles and smears of baby poop colored construction adhesive stuck to my arms!

Gratitude

I recently got to find my Angle of Repose. It's been a while.

It was Mother's Day and I actually was given (after a delicious breakfast in bed) a relaxing morning to myself where I didn't have to get up, feed the masses, rush off to some sporting event, or madly clean the house on my one day at home. A dear friend (thanks, Lynnie!) sent me a beautiful book that got me in a reflective mood. I started thinking about all it means to be a parent, how many opportunities we have to teach our kids, and how many opportunities we have, ourselves, to learn from each other. I haven't read a lot of child rearing books, but instead rely on my "village" and make a lot of observations. I've realized that I am grateful to a whole lot of people in helping me to raise my children.

Each and every one of you has helped me in so many ways:

• Thank you - you've been my confidant and therapist. You've listened to me complain and brag and offered up advice and observations that I always try to take seriously.
• Thank you for inviting my children into your home. You've given them an opportunity to see that I'm not the only mom who tries to make them pick up after themselves, eat their vegetables, and be kind to siblings (always with varying degrees of success). They've had opportunities to see things and do things that we haven't done because you included them with your family. I am grateful and hope that I can return the favor.
• You have been a great example of parenthood. I admire your children and respect all you have done to help them on their way. Your kids have been great role models and mentors for mine, as you are for me.
• I appreciate that you help to "co-parent" my kids. Whether you have any of your own or not, I appreciate you taking a role in my children's life. I'm glad you exert authority, show love, have expectations and give of yourself. My children are richer for having you in their lives.
• Thank you for trusting me with your child. It is always a joy to have my children's friends spend time with us and I hope they feel welcome and comfortable in our home.
• You've shared your anxieties and challenges with me. I thank you, because this helps me to remember that nobody has the "perfect" household or the "perfect" life. I remember that my life is generally no harder and no easier than anyone else's. Thank you for trusting me.
• Thank you for coaching my child. My children have been lucky to have many different kinds of coaches and to find their own way to balance their personal desire for improvement and success with fun and teamwork. Your guidance and encouragement and ability to "get" my child have helped them to do their best, every time. It is never easy for a parent to teach or coach their own child, and I am grateful that you are doing such a good job.
• You are an awesome teacher for my child. Thank you for figuring out the little ways to keep my kids motivated and learning and loving education. Thank you for involving me in the process and putting up with me!
• Thank you for sharing with me, agreeing with me, crying with me and laughing with me over all the little absurdities of LIFE WITH KIDS. It can be crazy sometimes, and I'm glad you think so too!

I am grateful to you all. This job is the hardest, most important thing I've ever done in my life and I truly could not have done it without your contribution. THANK YOU!

Should I be Voted off the Island?

Most of you know I am a Survivor Junkie. Haven't missed an episode since it started. The following occasionally makes the rounds on the Internet. I have to laugh, because my husband would pass, but I think I would get voted off the island. I've highlighted the "challenges" that I would certainly lose....

_______________________________________________


THE NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn himself with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

______________________________________________________

Help! Somebody PLEASE vote me off this island! ;-)

Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!

Raising Big Brother

Big Brother as in 1984 George Orwell.

Now, you KNOW I am not all about The Rules. I'm the first one to go through a "Do Not Enter" sign, just because nobody is ever really there to keep you out. I often believe in asking for forgiveness rather than permission.

What happened to my kids?????

Both of these conversations happened in the same day:

Aidan: (After seeing a "Weight Limit" sign on a narrow country road) "There ought to be LAWS against being fat!" I tell him that some people can't help it, and he says "Well, then register them or something!" I ask what about me, as I am (ahem) pleasingly plump as my husband says. He's taken aback. "Um. You're not THAT fat."

Gee. Glad to know I won't be affected by THAT law.


Bridget: "When you buy a product, they should put a label on it with your name, address and phone number. THAT way, if you put it in the garbage (instead of the recycling), they can trace it back to you and you would get in trouble."


What household did THESE kids grow up in?




Scary. Pat Belzer Pearson could have taught them a thing or two....

Independence

My Aidan, my little baby boy, is growing up.

It's been a big couple of months for him in terms of independence and he has really stepped up to the challenge.

Over spring break, he accompanied Lynn & Steve to Washington DC for 6 days. Longest time ever that he's been away from his ol' mom and dad. He didn't seem to miss us a bit!

Last weekend, he went camping with his boy scout troop all on his own. Neither Ray nor Aidan's buddy's dad went along. Plus, the scoutmaster is pretty fanatical about keeping the boys separated from any pesky parents who DO accompany them. They had to pitch their own tent, cook their own food, and even prepare for a severe weather alert that hit them Saturday night. I was home watching the radar, wishing he had a cell phone just so I could call him. Silly mommy.

Next month, he will travel with his swim team to compete in a meet in Corpus Christi. I've elected to let him do this solo. He'll stay in a hotel without me, make all his food choices with no Pesky Mom reminding him he has a meet and needs to eat well. He'll also have to get himself to bed on time, and up early for the meet. I am completely sure he can handle all this.

Also, in June, he'll go to Boy Scout Camp for a week. Longest time away from us, ever. Cooking for himself, keeping his gear organized (THAT worries me), and remembering to change his underwear and brush his teeth. Ha! I'll probably have to hose him off when he returns.

Lately, the kids come home to an empty house after school now and then when Ray isn't working from home. I always call them when I know they're off the bus to check in. I get the feeling I'm annoying them. One day, the phone system was out. I called my neighbor on her cell phone and asked her if she'd pop over there to check on them and offer them the use of her cell phone to call me. She called me back saying, "They're fine, they didn't want to call you!" Sniff, sniff...

He will graduate from elementary school in a few short weeks and be off to Big Bad Middle School. Well, it isn't so bad these days... every kid I "interview" about middle school seems to like it, so I don't think there are any of the horrors that existed during my tenure at Centerville Junior High.

He's more than half way done with being a kid. I really only get him for another 7 years! While that thought makes me sad, I am proud that he is on his way.

Now, if I can just get him to pick up after himself!

Too crazy/tragic....

Nothing much to post, but didn't want y'all to think I'd died or something.....

Aidan's had a couple of baseball games this week, so Ray drops him at the field, returns home to manage Bridget's schedule, and I head to baseball directly from the office. Don't get home until late. Haven't had dinner with my family or time with them in days it feels like.

POSITIVE THOUGHTS..... Must think positive thoughts.....

• Um... I'm earning money?
• The kids seem to be surviving without me. Sad, in a way, but I guess it also means I've done my other job reasonably well.
• I have to shower more frequently?

Help me out here people. Anyone?

Bridget's Big Date

Well, it's not ALL about Bridget.... first of all, I must lead off by saying "Nice home run, Aidan!" He ripped it to the big hole in left field and if he wasn't such a speedy guy, probably wouldn't have made it all the way home. It was great to see!

On to The Event of the Weekend..... The Father-Daughter Prom.

Oh my goodness.... they are just so cute and sweet at this age and I know it will all change someday (not too soon, please!). How much longer will she get so excited about a date with Dad?

We started the evening with a "Pre-Prom Cocktail Party" with several friends.

Once everyone arrived, Aidan got a very distressed look on his face and headed off to the woods just to get away from the giggles and frills. After cocktails and photo ops, the men and girls headed off to the Hilton, and the Mommy Brigade settled in with soup, salad, wine and a LOT of good conversation. Thanks, ladies!



After a fun-filled evening of conga lines, the chicken dance, macarena, hula-hoop contests (Bridget won!), this is what came home.