Sophie is ready for third grade. So ready. Am I ready? That’s a different story. I’m a bit of a wreck. School starts in a little more than a week. It’s been a good summer, but in the last few days we’ve all noticed that Sophie’s grown antsy, and yesterday when she got a chance [...]
“So this is like a blind date?” my sister asked, not entirely kindly, smoothing on another layer of sunscreen. “No,” I said, adjusting my sun hat a little nervously. “Of course not. That’s ridiculous. Okay, sort of.” This was embarrassing. One of the completely unexpected things about writing this blog is the friends I’ve made [...]
The physical therapist is here. She and Sophie are in Sophie’s room, working hard. But not without a prelude — never without a prelude. Several, sometimes. This morning (not an unusual one) involved Sophie running out the back door to greet Dorcas; refusing to come inside; coming inside but refusing to take her thyroid pill [...]
There once was a babe from Tempe, Whose parents called her Anna B. ‘Cause they just couldn’t tell If the name Annabelle Would fit their girl quite perfectly. With that name, see, they took quite a risk, For they knew other parents would tsk. It would be hers for life, Would it bring joy or [...]
I wish you could see Sophie swim. Truth is, you might be terrified — she pretty much always looks like she’s about to drown. But she’s not! In this dusty, overheated hell hole we call home, you have no choice. You must swim. And now Sophie can. At least, she’s well on her way. Yesterday, [...]
What better way to start a hot, dusty summer day than with a good poem? Actually, I’m not much of a poetry person. But from time to time I try, and I’ve had my eye on this beauty by Billy Collins for years — waiting for the right time. The time my oldest daughter turns [...]
I wouldn’t call myself a morning person or an evening person — I tend to droop at either end of the day. But lately, waking up hasn’t been so bad at all. Ever since she got out of the crib and into the big girl bed, Sophie’s been crawling into bed with us — at [...]
