Thursday, April 19, 2007

T.V. time

 


There is an ongoing struggle between the parents and the kids in our home. The struggle can get pretty ugly at times. They want more T.V. time, and we want them to have less. As you can see from these pictures, they are transfixed by T.V.

We do place strict limits on T.V. time because these kids would watch T.V. all day if we let them. We try to limit them to a half an hour a day on school nights. In fact, there's lots of nights with none because we run out of time.

It's a bit of a struggle with the adults too. I enjoy many programs. Bob doesn't watch ANY. So, I'm the bad influence on the kids. Lately we've been watching a stunning series on the Discovery channel. Planet Earth show. For years, I've enjoyed watching the PBS Nature show. As he passes by, Bob just groans, "Oh, no, more sea otters!"

On the weekends, I have started a tradition of Saturday movie night. I enjoy movies and want to have some fun traditions with my kids. Since most of the movies are animation or other mind-numbing, rated-G ilk, I get in some reading or take up my knitting.

We've recently started using REDBOX $1 per night DVD rentals. So easy, cheap and good, I dropped Netflicks. As we say in Boston, they are wicked pissa.

So, we rent a movie, we make popcorn, and we have some T.V. time.

Monday, April 16, 2007

Don't be angry. Don't be busy. Don't be sad.




Owen is learning language at a gallop. And, he now carefully studies facial expressions to get a sense of your mood.

On Saturday, he was begging for my attention while I was trying to read. I was not responsive enough for him. He tugged on my shirt and said,"Help me now." When I didn't respond he said, "Don't be angry, don't be busy, don't be sad." Now those are words to live by.

Friday, April 13, 2007

happy children

 
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Clivia miniata in bloom

 

I'm thrilled that my beloved Clivia miniata is now in bloom. I've heard that they survive outside in this climate, but I'm nervous. Maybe I'll divide it after it blooms, and put part of it outside.

I bought this tiny cutting over eight years ago at a Massachusetts Horticultural Society plant sale. Now it is bursting out of its pot.
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Well, there's always next year



Zoe's second grade school pictures

What can I say, at least she didn't close her eyes like I did in one of my school pictures.

She'll probably be upset that I posted this picture. She's still beautiful to me.