how to make a good first impression (the montessori mortification)
Yesterday was Kembe’s first day at his new preschool. The Montessori thing is a bit new to all of us, and I will admit to being a wee bit intimidated by the whole thing. The school takes everything really seriously, from the strict packed lunch rules to the highly-specific uniforms to the class structure. Also . . . . there is not a single toy in the room made of plastic, or a recognizable Pixar character, or with any kind of battery-operated noise. The room sort of . . .
first day of first grade
Jafta had his first day of first grade today. I guess I'm supposed to be all weepy and sentimal about it, but honestly? I'm pretty happy that the school year is starting. This was a tough summer and I'm excited that I'll get a little quiet time in the mornings to work, and then be able to pick up the kids refreshed and ready to hang. It was also Kembe's first day at Montessori, and let me tell you, we made quite an impression. I'm going to have to wait to write . . .
last week in iphone photos
I really don’t know why we buy them toys. The kids love these freebie glasses from BlogHer. They are chillin’ at Veggie Grill, waiting for the fake meat that will make them cry. Freeze dance! I gave the kids one of my old camera to play with, and now they are as annoying as I am! India was really bummed that the grip tape for her skateboard only came in black. So she colored it pink when I wasn’t looking. A little liquid lunch from Jamba Juice. The . . .
that’s what SHE said: on raising kids these days
The post I wrote last week about little girls in bikinis certainly struck a nerve. While I don’t think any of us should be judge and jury over how others parent, I do think it’s okay to cast a critical gaze on the societal and media influences that are so pervasive in the world today. Sometimes this might create tension, sometimes this might cause us to question ourselves, and sometimes it may mean we make completely difference choices than one another, and that’s okay. Here . . .
what I want you to know: the pain of giving a child away
What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s post is by an anonymous reader. I want you to know that giving a child away is exponentially more difficult than raising one. I was not a teenager. I believe if I had been a teenager I wouldn't have had the . . .
this time last year
Earlier this week we had an appointment that just happened to be right across the street from the Residence Inn, the hotel where we lived for two months last summer. The kids recognized it immediately as we drove by . . . they had fond memories of our hotel adventure and were yelling and screaming when they saw it, asking excitedly if we could stay there again. For me, though, seeing the hotel brought back a sense memory of pure panic and dread. I wasn’t expecting it, but just . . .
why is there a market for bikinis on little girls?
India and I have been embroiled in a debate for the better part of the summer over her desire to wear a bikini. Or, as she called it, “the kind of bathing suit that is like underwear, but with triangles over your breasts”. Except she’s four. And doesn’t have breasts. This debate is coming quite a bit sooner than I expected. India’s argument? Everyone else is wearing them. And you know? For the most part, she’s right. Everywhere we go, girls her . . .
how to blog from your iphone
I’m not really that tech-savvy, but really I’ve been on a mission to figure out how to write blog posts from my iphone. I’ve been on the iphone for about a year now, and I’ve finally gotten comfortable enough with the touchpad keyboard to write some of my shorter posts from my phone. I’ve also figured out a few hacks for getting pictures uploaded as well. Since I write for several sites and usually have a couple posts in the works each day, it’s nice to be able to multi-task . . .
This week in iPhone photos (And maybe some from last week. I’m a bit behind.)
Every day is costume day at the Howerton house. On this particular morning they were pretending to be a fire-fighting family, with protective eyewear. Free kids meals at IKEA = still not worth going there with children. Karis is not tall enough to go into the kids room, and now suddenly Jafta is too tall. And they are only four years apart. Annoying. Karis is our little homewrecker. During her nap she likes to quietly climb out of bed and empty the . . .
why I’m going to Together For Adoption (and why you should, too)
If you are an adoptive parent, or thinking of adopting, or interested in orphan care, or just curious about social justice issues for children, consider coming to the Together For Adoption conference in Phoenix this October 21-22. I will be leading four sessions on helping children transition from group care into family life, and there is a really great line-up of speakers and breakout sessions. I will confess, I was a little ambivalent about attending last year. . . .
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