Category: Kids & Cute Stories
Sweeties Swim
At swim meet with four of The Sweeties competing — Reid, Aidan, Kiley and Mack. 17 splashes (events).
Only bad thing, swim meets begin at 7 am. I usually begin later than that. (But then, I can barely swim.)
Today’s Photo
Alex is six today. That’s him yesterday ready for the guests at his Super Hero themed party. Happy Birthday, Alex, and be careful how you use the powers of that Professor Snape wand.
I sure wish grandpas could inherit hair from their grandkids.
Today’s Photo
First posted here three years ago (and every year since because I love it).
Buy kids all the video games and Disney princess paraphernalia in the world — or let them drop stones down a storm drain grate at the soccer field. Which to you think they’ll choose?
Five of The Sweeties demonstrate. Click image for larger version.
Why didn’t I think of that?
NewMexiKen’s grand nephew, The Bandit, is six today. He is quite insightful beyond his years however, as this conversation with his mother about the Tooth Fairy shows — Why didn’t I think of that? | The Quill Sisters.
Joe Posnanski has a “little essay on getting old” that any adult who is older today than they were yesterday should read — Joe Blogs: The Captain and Denial. It has a sports framework but tells universal truths and Joe is always good.
I know personally that I still feel like 35, but my body can’t keep up.
The Atlantic Wire has been running a feature “asking various people who seem well-informed to describe their media diets.” Today it is Jennifer Egan, who recently won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel A Visit from the Goon Squad. Jennifer Egan: What I Read – The Atlantic Wire.
For more Media Diets: Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Glassner, Joe Weisenthal, Andrea Mitchell, Anna Holmes, Eric Schmidt, Nick Denton, David Brooks, Andrew Breitbart, Gary Shteyngart, Tom McGeveran, Megan McCarthy, Bret Stephens, Joseph Epstein, Dave Weigel, Christopher Hayes, Chris Anderson, Lewis Lapham, Reihan Salam, Peggy Noonan, Joe Randazzo, Jay Rosen, Neetzan Zimmerman, Clay Shirky, and many more here.
Best line of the day
“The cats nestle close to their kittens.
The lambs have laid down with the sheep.
You’re cozy and warm in your bed, my dear
Please go the f@#k to sleep.”
Adam Mansbach, Go the F–k to Sleep, via Today Moms via Tanya.
Nothing but links
Wonderful piece from Joe Posnanski — Daughters and Roller Skating.
You absolutely should read One In A Billion: A boy’s life, a medical mystery. It won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting and is fascinating. It’s three parts (see the left column at the link for the three). You may need some tissues.
Modern war fighting technology still requires good human judgment — Anatomy of an Afghan War Tragedy.
That’s it for now.
Perhaps San Juan would have been a better choice
Mack, Aidan and Reid reveal why Québec City isn’t necessarily the best place for spring break.
‘Sex Ed’
Julia Sweeney on frogs and stuff.
N exactly SFW, but LOL funny.
Touché
At The Quill Sisters, Sassy and her mom exchange lessons.
And the mothers continue their writing spree at Dinner without Crayons. Tanya had “a harmonious, delicious, lovely meal with nary a crayon in sight,” Erinn wants better captions on TV and Jill learns that good photos come from having a good camera.
When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink?
“How did we end up with two ‘teams’—boys in blue and girls in pink?” When Did Girls Start Wearing Pink? tells us. It begins:
Little Franklin Delano Roosevelt sits primly on a stool, his white skirt spread smoothly over his lap, his hands clasping a hat trimmed with a marabou feather. Shoulder-length hair and patent leather party shoes complete the ensemble.
We find the look unsettling today, yet social convention of 1884, when FDR was photographed at age 2 1/2, dictated that boys wore dresses until age 6 or 7, also the time of their first haircut. Franklin’s outfit was considered gender-neutral.
I’m babysitting
. . . 7-year-old Sofie tomorrow evening. Do you think she is too young for The Black Swan?
They’re back
WTF line of the day
“An Edgewater, FL homeowners assoc. is voting to ban kids from playing outside. ‘It’s a matter of safety,’ they say.”
The proposed rule would carry a $100 fine for every violation.
WJXT Jacksonville has more.
Today’s Photo
Today’s photo was actually taken Saturday as Mack, oldest of The Sweeties, neared the finish of a mile run. He took first for boys 8-13, running a difficult course in 6:58.
And while I am happy to recognize Mack’s achievement, the reason I have posted this is the sign on his left. Word of the Month: Perseverance. (Click image for larger version.)
I should say. Way to persevere, Mack.
Aidan and Kiley both persevered in the run as well; Aidan took third among runners seven and younger. Kiley was second among girls 8-10.
Make a Wish
Yesterday was Reid’s birthday. He wanted dinner at IHOP and a “bought” red velvet cake.
Safety line of the day
“The nation’s largest organization of pediatricians is telling its members and parents that children riding in cars should remain in rear-facing child safety seats at least until their second birthday — and preferably even longer.”
As reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Also:
“The pediatricians also recommend that children remain in booster seats until they are 4 feet 9 — a height most children don’t reach until they are between 8 and 12 years old.
“Even when children are tall enough to change to adult seat belts, the academy’s policy is that they should ride in the back seat until age 13.”
Best line of the day
“Why does parenthood seem like a series of pop quizzes for which you have never adequately studied?”
Tanya, writing that Santa and the mermaids are safe, for now at Dinner without Crayons.
Delightful.
Today’s Photo
Sam I am.
He’s a boy
We have a new Sweetie!
His name is Sam. 8 pounds, 9 ounces. Beautiful, too.
Best line of the day
“You know why I made the second basket? Because the first one felt so good.”
Kiley, age 8, after scoring 4 of her team’s 8 points in her first ever basketball game. Final score: 8-8 in OT.
Urgent
Need to purchase an official NFL Joe Montana jersey, youth/large. Online seems sold out.
Anyone?!?!
Best line of the day
“This song makes me feel like I want to be a bad boy.”
4-year-old Reid to his mother while listening to Eminem’s “Love the Way You Lie.”
From Jill’s comment.
‘Fan’ letter
NFL coaches get paid big bucks, but it may not be worth it when the first-graders are on your case. Yesterday, in the fourth quarter, Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, trailing the Bears 13-31, opted for a field goal on fourth and goal at the four yard line.
The kick was good, but Aidan isn’t pleased.
You see, Aidan has the Eagles quarterback on his fantasy football team and yesterday’s opponent, his uncle Rob, has the Eagles placekicker. Ultimately Uncle Rob beat Aidan by less than half a point. (And the Bears beat the Eagles 31-26.)
Here’s Aidan’s fan letter to Coach Andy Reid:
Dinner without Crayons
After a sketchy several months, Jill and Tanya are back writing at Dinner without Crayons, the blog written by moms who want nothing more than dinner in a restaurant where crayons aren’t handed out with the menus.