I have a crush on a fish. If you know me at all (and I’m sure I’ve mentioned it here once or twice) this might sound strange, because I have had a fish phobia pretty much my entire life. As in I will not eat fish (or anything that comes “from the sea” — and […]
I’m accustomed to correcting grammar and fixing mistakes as I read aloud — Junie B. Jones taught me well — but I admit I stumbled over Chapter 13 in Because of Winn-Dixie, the book Sophie’s been reading for class. I didn’t expect to encounter the word “retarded” in my kid’s school assignment. Why is this […]
I just got an email from the new principal at Sophie’s school, entitled “Guess What???” UGH. I can guess A LOT. Turns out, it wasn’t one of those emails. Inside it said: I am in the process of reading all of the…children’s IEP’s and you won’t believe what I discovered! Sophie and I share the […]
Sophie started a book club — and you’re invited. Just don’t expect much to happen. She’s calling it “Sophie’s Book Club,” but I think it should be called “The Best Book Club Ever.” Last Sunday it was about a hundred and a million degrees out — even too hot to swim — and I was […]
I have to admit that I was devastated by Sophie’s comment the other night that she doesn’t want to have kids. And a tiny bit relieved. But mostly upset. For as long as I can remember, Sophie’s begged for a baby of her own. (I did a piece about it for KJZZ/NPR in 2007.) We […]
Sophie: I want to have a house someday. Annabelle: A house? Do you want to have a husband? Sophie: Yes. Annabelle: Do you want to have a husband with Down syndrome? Sophie: Yes. Annabelle: Do you want to have babies? Sophie: No. Annabelle: No?! Don’t you want to have a little baby of your own? […]
I can’t believe Sophie’s in fourth grade. Neither could the girl behind the counter at our bagel shop. “It’s the first day of school,” I told her. “Cool!” she told Sophie. “What grade are you in?” “You tell her!” Sophie said. “Fourth,” I said. “Really?” She peered over the counter to take a closer look. […]
“Hey Mom, why do I have to fold the laundry before I put it away?” This question came from my beautiful 11-year-old, who stood in her room over a basket of laundry, about to shove a wadded up (but clean!) t-shirt into a giant dresser drawer filled with the same. I just looked at her, speechless, and suddenly […]
