There are some battles I’m just not ready to wage before 7 a.m. Particularly when my opponent is an 8-year-old armed with an iPad loaded with images of Elmo birthday cakes. “Ray,” I called from the kitchen this morning, as he hustled to get ready for the day, “will you please explain to Sophie why […]

The forecast called for rain and sun today. “Rainbow weather,” Ray called it. It was also the rare Sunday we were home with no plans (for much of the day, at least). It was the perfect day for a toy dump. That’s our term around here for the act (art?) of cleaning out the toy room, […]

The Elmos aren’t working. Not so much, not anymore. At first, they worked so well, it seemed like a miracle. But I knew it wouldn’t last. Like most souls, Sophie is very interested in a good bribe. I see nothing wrong with that. Positive reinforcement is what it’s all about, as far as I’m concerned. […]

By the end of our Fourth of July celebration last night, Sophie’s face was streaked with red tears, the Elmos face painted on each of her cheeks running down her face. She couldn’t have been happier. “Oh, what’s wrong with your little girl?” people ask in the mall or at the grocery store. “Why is […]