We blinked, and time catapulted us to this place where our daughter is suddenly ten. Ten! I expected to be a blubbering ball of nostalgia when my youngest child hit double digits, wounded by a sentimental arrow to the heart. But it didn’t happen. Sure, I miss the adorableness that was toddlerhood… but that phase of life was exhausting. The only time we got a moment … Continue reading Total Eclipse of My Heart
Another year, another birthday! Since Maggie cherishes the time she spends at the barn with Rosie, we weren’t surprised when she asked for a horse themed party. We told her Rosie could be part of the party plan if she kept it small, and she was thrilled. She invited one friend and the neighbor kids to play on Saturday, and on Sunday morning we stopped at the … Continue reading Horse Birthday Party
This spring break we mastered the Staycation. We played a lot, relaxed a little, and worked just enough to avoid feeling guilty. Trivia at Buffalo Wild Wings. Tubing at Arctic Valley. Lots-o-board games. A poker party, a vet appointment for Rosie, and Alyeska ski school for the kids. Maggie and I whipped up a batch of homemade lotion – when else do you have time … Continue reading Staycation
This weekend I saw a post on Facebook that went something like this: “When I grew up, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by wearing green. The End.” Luckily I’m able to laugh at myself, because this post is most likely directed at moms like me who like to turn every special occasion into a themed extravaganza. Take our annual St. Paddy Poker Party for example. Perhaps we should rename … Continue reading St. Paddy Poker Party
You know that moment when your daughter kinda sorta thinks she got a horse for Christmas, when in reality she got a JOB helping to care for someone else’s horse? Yeah. that happened here on Christmas morning: It all started a few months ago when Clark had an epiphany about Maggie: “She’s a 4-H girl!” he exclaimed. It’s so true. How had we not seen it … Continue reading Tuesdays with Rosie
Sam could hardly sleep the night before this year’s school spelling bee. He finished in third place last year, but in his mind that just wasn’t good enough. He vowed he wouldn’t let a silly mistake knock him out again. The competition was fierce, but eventually there were only two spellers left: Sam, and a 6th grade girl from another class. The two of them … Continue reading Bee Resilient!
I’m posting a series articles that I wrote for the Alaska Association of School Librarian’s newsletter about a conference I attended in Minneapolis the week before Thanksgiving. This the last in a three part series about my experience as a first-time attendee at the ALAN Workshop. So now what? Attending the ALAN workshop was a highlight of my professional career, but how could I ride that … Continue reading The Aftermath
I’m posting a series articles that I wrote for the Alaska Association of School Librarian’s newsletter about conference I attended in Minneapolis the week before Thanksgiving. ALAN Day 2: It’s Like Christmas for Librarians This is the second in a three part series about my experience as a first time attendee at the ALAN conference. We woke bright and early on Monday morning. When we entered the convention … Continue reading ALAN Workshop: Day 2
I’m posting a series articles that I wrote for the Alaska Association of School Librarian’s newsletter about a conference I attended in Minneapolis the week before Thanksgiving. ALAN Part 1: It’s Like the Oscars for Librarians! This is the first in a three part series about my experience as a first time attendee at the ALAN Workshop. The ALAN (Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the … Continue reading It’s Like the Oscars for Librarians!
Today I am grateful for the scientific advancement of airline travel. I really am. Living in Alaska, it would be impossible to visit family (or tropical places 🙂 )without it. But when it goes wrong, it is so, so hard. And this holiday season it went so, so wrong. I dropped off Clark and the kids for their red eye flight on the Friday before Thanksgiving. … Continue reading Retrospective Gratitude
Profoundly Ordinary 