From time to time over the years, the folks at KJZZ — the NPR affiliate here in Phoenix — have been kind enough to allow me to share some of my stories about Sophie. Typically, these pieces end on a high note. Not this one. You can read it or listen to it here. (And […]
I am afraid I have permanent brain damage. I thought by now it would be out of my head, but more than a year later, I’m still sitting at that conference table at that school, hearing that school psychologist say it. I’m asking her pointed, doubting questions about the battery of tests she’s just given […]
Just how seriously should I be taking this Special Olympics thing? In some ways, it’s quite professional and rigid. Sophie’s first track & field meet is this Saturday, and two weeks ago we were warned not to miss practice; times would be taken and heats arranged. So we were there, and Sophie did her javelin […]
Time for spring cleaning at Girl in a Party Hat; dust was gathering all over this blog. I’m quite sure there’s still some gathered in the corners here and there (time for a new family portrait on the ol’ home page, for example) but I did get a chance this evening to do a little […]
Every year I’m tempted to write a post about how much Sophie reminds me of the title character in Elf — then I remember I already did that, years ago. Possibly more than once. It was another Elf moment at swim lessons a week ago, I’m told. Here’s some photographic evidence. Thank you, Courtney and […]
Typically in our family, we reserve our “Things We Love” lists for Big Birthdays, so I figured our beloved friend and sitter Courtney would get hers next year when she turns 25. Sophie had other plans. She just dictated her list of 24 things she loves about Courtney. I was asked to insert a few, […]
I found myself humming the old Sesame Street tune last night as I reflected back on the trip the girls and I took last week to Denver. Don’t get me wrong: It was a fantastic trip. Denver has a lot of things Phoenix doesn’t — including fabulous summer weather, a cool restaurant with a “pajama […]
One of Sophie’s wishes for her 8th birthday is to stay up all night. I’ll let you know how that goes. This song by Frances England is in heavy rotation on the kids channel on satellite radio — and every time I hear it, I think of Sophie. Oh, Sophie. You do have a mind […]
