I have a new job at an old school. When I say old, I mean really old. Here’s a photo of my not-so-new library: Yup, that would be a roof leak, which is apparently a regular occurrence. There are other signs of age as well: my desk is so old that the drawers sit cockeyed in their tracks, but with 2600 students to serve I … Continue reading Back to School: Mom
We have catapulted straight out of summer and headfirst into another school year. (This journey actually happened a few weeks ago, but I’m still trying to land on my feet and catch my breath!) The transition for the kids was a simple one: same school, same friends, and even the same teachers as last year. If the kids had their way, they would have returned … Continue reading Back to School: Kids
We have been traveling for the past month, and it’s hard to pull away to write while surrounded by family we only get to see a few times a year. Thus, I have some catching up to do! This year we passed through Juneau on our way to the Lower 48. It’s been a spectacular summer in Alaska, even in Southeast, but somehow we hit it … Continue reading Juneau in the Rain
For the first time ever, we haven’t had any house guests this summer. Well, except for Oreo: Oreo is a teddy bear hamster who belongs to our 8-year-old friend Emily. Emily is currently visiting family back in Michigan, so she asked Maggie to babysit. Maggie, who adores Oreo, jumped at the chance to have a two-week slumber party with a hamster. They are both nocturnal … Continue reading A Rogue Rodent
By now I should be used to our son’s quirky phobias. There have been so may in his 9 short years… First it was the fear of parking lots. Honestly, he refused to walk in parking lots when he was a toddler. It would have been easier to get Maggie, at 3 months, upright and walking than to get our 2-year-old Sam to plant his … Continue reading Dentophobia
What is it about Dr. Seuss books that makes kids want to hear them again and again and again? I pretty much had The Cat in the Hat memorized around Maggie’s third birthday, so a Seuss-themed party was a natural choice! The invitation was a bit wordy, but it definitely set the tone: For this party I decided to go with a pull-apart cupcake cake. I … Continue reading Dr. Seuss Birthday Party
If you ever find yourself in need of a good fairy tale, just flip on a commercial for one of those big box home improvement stores. Lowe’s and Home Depot would like us to believe that home projects are magical family bonding experiences. Have you seen the Lowe’s commercial featuring a young, attractive couple skipping through the store aisles before giddily loading their truck with … Continue reading Green Pastures
I’m not a huge fan of commercial characters, but I have a soft spot for Mario and Luigi. My brother and I spent many hours of our youth seeking secret passageways and power ups to help those cute plumbers conquer dragons and rescue Princess Peach.
A few years ago my husband actually found a classic Nintendo on Craigslist, and it was one of my best Christmas gifts ever. (I trained from December to July, but sadly my brother was still able to defeat me, all these years later.)
Sam turned nine last week, and his big birthday wish was to play miniature golf as a family. So off we went to Putters Wild, an Alaskan-themed extreme 3D putt-putt course here in Anchorage. “Nine holes or the full 18?” the owner asked. Her question took me aback. I had a little boy standing next to me who was suddenly – almost instantly – nine. … Continue reading The First Nine
I try to refrain from writing about the weather. Honestly, what is the point? It is what it is and we live where we live… so whatchagonnado? I was tempted to post a rant when a blizzard blew through in mid-May, littering our yard with half a foot of fresh snow that put Anchorage’s snow season at a record-breaking 232-day stretch. Are you kidding me? … Continue reading Super-cali-fabulous!
Profoundly Ordinary 