This week’s “Project We” theme is “smile”.  My initial post has been rescheduled for a later date, the reasons for which will become obvious then (oooh, the suspense is killing you, I know). I’m working on something else in the meantime (which will be more lighthearted). Sam thought long and hard about the theme, and asked if he could write a poem instead of drawing a picture. This is his “Smiles Poem”: Not bad for a first grader, all on his own!!!  (Oh, yes, the spelling….the emphasis right now is to get them to write much and often. The spelling WILL come along, and they do work on spelling. He’s…

In her book “Watching the English”, Kate Fox has a chapter titled “Rules of Play”. It addresses such mundane things such as “reading rules”, or “Shopping rules”; it also includes a section on “Petiquette”. This section notes “The average Englishman will assiduously avoid social interaction with his fellow humans*….he will have no difficulty at all, however, in engaging in lively, amicable conversation with a dog. Even a strange dog, to whom he has not been introduced.” I thought, really, that this was all written to be a bit tongue in cheek. Until this weekend. Macy and I were out for a long walk, and we ventured into town. Passing numerous…

If you’re walking by my house and see a naked tree in the window, please don’t mock me. Yes, I realize it is January 8. This part is sad, messy, and not-surprisingly, not so much fun.  It’s as if, instead of putting on Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, I should be listening to “Mad World” by Gary Jules or something equally depressing. Instead, I distracted myself by watching Sandra Bullock in  “All About Steve“, which was merely annoying instead. Anywho… I’m very nearly done. I did what I could tonight. Once THE TREE IS OUT OF THE WINDOW (hint hint) I can hoover up all those needles (for the next 7…

I’m sure there are times when my husband wonders what I do around the house all day. Some days, I do too. Oh, its not that I’m daydreaming. Or sitting on the couch blogging watching You Tube editing photos in Picnik eating bon-bons all day. No, I have a different problem. I am easily distracted. Like yesterday….. Tired of the clutter in my house that accumulated over the holidays, I set about trying to restore some order. Which eventually led me to my living room. Where my Christmas decorations and tree still stand. (Hangs head in shame.)  Taking on the tree was too overwhelming, so I decided to attack all…

Since I was brusquely woken up this morning by an agitated husband, whose car was stuck in the freshly fallen snow down the road, today’s blanks are ironically appropriate. Like Lauren over at the little things we do, I hate the cold. H. A. T. E.  The.  Cold. Anyway, enough about me. And more about me….it’s time for another edition of “fill in the blank” Friday! {photo via we heart it} 1. Winter is long and cold and wet and dark and cold. Yes, I said cold twice. And here in the UK, you can add rainy to that mix, too. Thank goodness for Christmas, fireplaces, my grandmother’s cozy afghans…

My friend Thom posted this on his Facebook page on New Year’s Day. I’m a longtime fan of Calvin and Hobbes, and this particular cartoon smacks of hope and possibilities, of new beginnings and unlimited options. It doesn’t think about what everything will look like when the snow melts, and the world is grey, slushy and messy. It’s not a glass half-empty perspective, which I realize I often have – and my poor, dear worry wart of a son has inherited. This is glass half-full, baby. That is so not me. I wish it was. Life would be so much easier if I was more optimistic. I’d KNOW I’d be…

Happy New Year, everyone! <toots horn, throws confetti> Personally, I’m not a big celebrator of New Year’s Eve – as my Dad always says, “New Year’s Eve is for amateurs”. I would agree, having personally nursed more than a few hangovers on New Year’s Day in years past. Not no more. Uh. Uh. Not because I can’t handle a hangover alone. It’s just that hangovers and children. Do. Not. Mix. I’m also not a big fan of resolutions. They are too easy to leave behind. Don’t believe me? Go to your local gym on February 28. I guarantee it will be nowhere near as crowded as it was on January…

I’m taking a well-earned break from blogging (read: the Hubs won’t let me near the computer on my holiday) so I’m posting a few of my favorite early posts. Enjoy! At nearly 5 years old, I don’t think Boo can yet be classified as a smart-ass. Not when he is so matter-of-fact in his responses. What he IS is a worry-wart. “Mommy, if I touch this, will the police come?” (No, Boo) “Mommy, if I touched my butt and then ate a cookie, will I die?” (Your pants were up? Then, no) “Mommy, if I don’t finish this, will I starve?” (Um, no, not in this house.) After 15 minutes…

I’m taking a well-earned break from blogging (read: the Hubs won’t let me near the computer on my holiday) so I’m posting a few of my favorite early posts. Enjoy! The other evening at dinner, Boo went on and on about something-or-the-other. I forget what it was, but rest assured, it was hilarious in that “didn’t come out like it should have” way. Just trust me on this… I looked at the Hubs, trying not to laugh, and then at him and asked “Where did you come from?” Boo matter-of-factly responded “From you, Mommy. I came from your belly!” Damn literal kid.