Annabelle popped a tooth tonight. Her tenth. Per tradition, she wrote her tooth fairy a note, folding it carefully and putting it (and some shredded cheese) next to the pillow holding her tooth. I love reading those notes. Tonight’s was short, but I think it will always be my favorite. “Do you like my cursive?” […]

It was a Big Weekend. The cousins were here, visiting from Denver. Aside from the fact that I spent a little too much time studying my (adorable) almost four year old nephew and comparing his cognitive abilities to Sophie’s, it was a truly lovely time — beautiful weather, grand company, and my baked French toast turned […]

For a holiday packed with symbolism, there was nothing particularly significant about the choice of this year’s seder theme at my house, “Passover on a Stick.” My dear friend Cindy and I were entertaining ourselves over cake pops (what’s up with that trend?!) at a Bat Mitzvah not long ago, when she got a gleam […]

I asked for a Dutch oven for Hanukkah last year. My mother bought me two. I laughed — and wondered where the heck I would put them — but I wasn’t entirely surprised. Not only is my mother an over-the-top gift giver in the very best way, she knew this was a meaningful gift. And […]

…ended much better than the first day of Sophie’s new IEP. After a note from the lawyer and a reminder of promises made (promises that are now legally binding) the classroom aide began Wednesday. I met her; she has a good vibe. But don’t tell Sophie — she’s not supposed to know this is “her” […]

Wye Oak – Fish from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Everyone in Phoenix has a John McCain story, it seems, but not many have Jon Kyl stories. I do. It was 1982 or so, and I was sitting in Mr. Kyl’s kitchen. You know how growing up, you had two kinds of friends — the friends whose parents let you call them by their first name, […]

In honor of the approaching heat, Annabelle got out the duct tape and made shoes for herself and Sophie. She says dresses are next.

Email written this evening, names deleted: hey TEACHER and SPECIAL ED TEACHER — i have to admit i’m concerned and disappointed because sophie came home today without her red folder. that means she didn’t have her homework. she also did not have the weekly notes from you, SPECIAL ED TEACHER, that you sent home one […]

I was about to post this video last night — but it seemed too sappy, even for cornball me. Then I woke up and one of my best friends had posted the exact sentiment (to the words) on Facebook. So I figured what the heck. And it’s true. Lawyers are great and all, but there’s […]