As Caroline was leaving for school this morning, I picked up her backback to hand it to her. I noticed though that it seemed to weigh a ton. I asked her what was in it:
"Stuff I might need."
"For what?"
"Maybe an emergency. You never know when a natural disaster will happen, Mom!"
I told her that her teacher would take care of her in an emergency and that for now she ought to only take a drink, snack and her books to school. She sighed and reluctantly let me empty her backpack before we walked out the door.
When I got back I looked at the pile of dumped "emergency rations" on the foyer floor and what did I find?
--1 diary
--8 gel markers
--1 highlighter
--4 pencils
--22 scraps of paper with various unreadable markings
--a snail shell
--7 broken crayons
--1 drinking straw, apparently used
--1 ponytail holder
--1 reel of wedgewood blue embroidery string (I've been looking for that!)
--1 plastic toy zebra
--1 plastic toy elephant
--1 toy airplane
--1 tamagatchi
--1 2Euro coin
--1 dead earthworm
--1 plastic toy horse and...
..... no less than 9 large rocks.
Huh. ;o)
...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Caroline, Speed Queen
So Caroline has been learning to ride a bike lately. It didn't look so great the first day or two, of course, but it has been getting less and less injurious every day. With Calvin's patient instruction, Caroline is becoming less of a crash test dummy and more a little speed demon. He faithfully makes time every day and takes her down to our garage and lets her ride her little heart out, and he's always ready with snuggles and kisses when the inevitable cuts and bruises show up. Lucky us, so far, she hasn't made any bicycle-shaped dents in anyone else's car. She is also keeping a pretty good sense of humor about the whole thing. After one particularly ugly fall, when Calvin gasped she said, "Don't worry, Dad! That was just the gag reel!". Too many DVD Special features in this house? Nah!
Here she is riding while Calvin looks on:
A high-five after the session is up:
This is the helmet they picked out together for her. Check out the googly plastic eyes on the lady bug. This just tickles me. ;o)
Now she is anxious for her bike-riding lesson every day, though I daresay she won't need very many more. Go Caroline!
...
Here she is riding while Calvin looks on:
A high-five after the session is up:
This is the helmet they picked out together for her. Check out the googly plastic eyes on the lady bug. This just tickles me. ;o)
Now she is anxious for her bike-riding lesson every day, though I daresay she won't need very many more. Go Caroline!
...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Where Have The Socially Acceptable Gone?
I wish this were going to be a happy post, but alas...not so much. I'm posting this for you, Caroline, so that when you are grown up, you will look back on this post and then look around you and be comforted (albeit barely) by the fact that some things never change.
Lately, you've been coming home from school and telling me about some disturbing happenings in your classroom. Namely, religious bullying. For example, several times this week and last you have recounted to me occurences of kids in your class asking eachother what church they each attend. Then, based on the answer, they decide for eachother who is going to hell and who isn't. The Protestants are doing this to the Catholics and the Catholics are doing this to the Protestants. And you are not spared. Indeed, since we don't attend a church at all, you are unequivocally going straight to hell, they say. That is clearly logical thinking. Of course, they have no idea what our family's religious beliefs are, but that doesn't put a damper on their making plenty of assumptions. A few of them have warned you that their mommies "said to tell you" that your soul is in jeopardy and that if your mother were any kind of mother at all, she would have you in a Sunday school program.
*sigh*
Caroline, it has been my experience in life that those who talk about God the most are the ones who keep Him in their hearts the least. They tend to be the mouthiest and the least sincere. They do not use religion to become closer to God. Instead, they use it to justify their vile thoughts, obsession with sex (meaning everyone else's sex), and their arrogance ("Christians aren't perfect, we're just saved!"). They remake God into their own image and then use Him to browbeat and condemn others.....rather like He's their own personal henchman. They almost always do this under the guise of "caring" about you and being concerned for your everlasting soul, and there is almost always a little gleam of glee in their eyes as they hope fervently that they're right about your future incineration. This helps them feel very pleased with themselves. But as you will have figured out completely one day, they are fooling no one but themselves. You have seen already how silly they look and how absurd they sound, strutting around like self-righteous peacocks.
That said, it has also been my experience that getting angry at these people does no good whatsoever. The only remedy is to feel sorry for them, for if anyone is deserving of your pity, it is these kids whose parents teach them to live on fear, both the feeling of it and the spreading of it. Those poor kids don't have a chance.
Bottom line is this: I'm dreadfully sorry you had to be introduced to this ugly side of humanity at such an innocent and happy time in your life. I'm also very sorry for those kids whose mothers train them to behave this way in school, and who apparently have no idea what religious tolerance means. Clearly, manners have escaped their notice. But I know you'll hang in there, my sweet Caroline, and I know you'll make intelligent and conscience-driven decisions about your own spirituality one day. After all, as Mother Theresa said, in the end it is between you and God and no one else.
I love you.
...
Lately, you've been coming home from school and telling me about some disturbing happenings in your classroom. Namely, religious bullying. For example, several times this week and last you have recounted to me occurences of kids in your class asking eachother what church they each attend. Then, based on the answer, they decide for eachother who is going to hell and who isn't. The Protestants are doing this to the Catholics and the Catholics are doing this to the Protestants. And you are not spared. Indeed, since we don't attend a church at all, you are unequivocally going straight to hell, they say. That is clearly logical thinking. Of course, they have no idea what our family's religious beliefs are, but that doesn't put a damper on their making plenty of assumptions. A few of them have warned you that their mommies "said to tell you" that your soul is in jeopardy and that if your mother were any kind of mother at all, she would have you in a Sunday school program.
*sigh*
Caroline, it has been my experience in life that those who talk about God the most are the ones who keep Him in their hearts the least. They tend to be the mouthiest and the least sincere. They do not use religion to become closer to God. Instead, they use it to justify their vile thoughts, obsession with sex (meaning everyone else's sex), and their arrogance ("Christians aren't perfect, we're just saved!"). They remake God into their own image and then use Him to browbeat and condemn others.....rather like He's their own personal henchman. They almost always do this under the guise of "caring" about you and being concerned for your everlasting soul, and there is almost always a little gleam of glee in their eyes as they hope fervently that they're right about your future incineration. This helps them feel very pleased with themselves. But as you will have figured out completely one day, they are fooling no one but themselves. You have seen already how silly they look and how absurd they sound, strutting around like self-righteous peacocks.
That said, it has also been my experience that getting angry at these people does no good whatsoever. The only remedy is to feel sorry for them, for if anyone is deserving of your pity, it is these kids whose parents teach them to live on fear, both the feeling of it and the spreading of it. Those poor kids don't have a chance.
Bottom line is this: I'm dreadfully sorry you had to be introduced to this ugly side of humanity at such an innocent and happy time in your life. I'm also very sorry for those kids whose mothers train them to behave this way in school, and who apparently have no idea what religious tolerance means. Clearly, manners have escaped their notice. But I know you'll hang in there, my sweet Caroline, and I know you'll make intelligent and conscience-driven decisions about your own spirituality one day. After all, as Mother Theresa said, in the end it is between you and God and no one else.
I love you.
...
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Your Head Is My Head and My Heart Is Yours
Caroline,
It has been sunny here for about two weeks now. It is truly incredible, as we (your Dad and I) never thought we'd see the light of day again, considering what a dreary winter, fall and last summer we had. But we were wrong. The sun still exists, and you've been soaking it up as much as you can, basking in it and playing your little heart out while simultaneously making Vitamin D with all your mitochondria.
Last night, in fact, I took you with me to my own ball practice and let you run around with your friend Kylie, a daughter of one of my teammates, while I chased balls around like a golden retriever.
When I was on deck to bat though, the batter ahead of me hit a fly foul that headed straight for the area behind the dugout.....the area I knew you were playing in. I cannot even begin to tell you how close I came to a coronary as I ran around the corner to warn you. It happened in slow motion. I watched that ball go up and then come hurtling down, and I watched with heart-stopping horror as it headed straight for the top of your little head. It was too late for a good idea, and all I could do was yell your name as I ran. You turned around just as it landed a mere foot from you, slamming into the ground with what could have been fatal speed.
I simply stood there for a second, staring at your precious face and your big eyes as they seemed to question, "What's the matter with YOU, Mom?".
My teammates must have seen the terror in my face because one of them came across the field just to tell me "It's ok, Trin. Calm down." even though I hadn't said a word besides your name.
I appreciate her concern and her trying to help, but between me and you, Caroline, no one will ever be able to understand how that felt for a few minutes, and how it still feels when I think of it. How close you came to being injured, or worse, haunts me. I daresay it will for a long time. I admit, I may be weird and I may be over-protective, but the fact is I can't hide that you are everything important to me, and I'd take that ball in my own head if it meant saving you from even a bruise.
I love you.
...
It has been sunny here for about two weeks now. It is truly incredible, as we (your Dad and I) never thought we'd see the light of day again, considering what a dreary winter, fall and last summer we had. But we were wrong. The sun still exists, and you've been soaking it up as much as you can, basking in it and playing your little heart out while simultaneously making Vitamin D with all your mitochondria.
Last night, in fact, I took you with me to my own ball practice and let you run around with your friend Kylie, a daughter of one of my teammates, while I chased balls around like a golden retriever.
When I was on deck to bat though, the batter ahead of me hit a fly foul that headed straight for the area behind the dugout.....the area I knew you were playing in. I cannot even begin to tell you how close I came to a coronary as I ran around the corner to warn you. It happened in slow motion. I watched that ball go up and then come hurtling down, and I watched with heart-stopping horror as it headed straight for the top of your little head. It was too late for a good idea, and all I could do was yell your name as I ran. You turned around just as it landed a mere foot from you, slamming into the ground with what could have been fatal speed.
I simply stood there for a second, staring at your precious face and your big eyes as they seemed to question, "What's the matter with YOU, Mom?".
My teammates must have seen the terror in my face because one of them came across the field just to tell me "It's ok, Trin. Calm down." even though I hadn't said a word besides your name.
I appreciate her concern and her trying to help, but between me and you, Caroline, no one will ever be able to understand how that felt for a few minutes, and how it still feels when I think of it. How close you came to being injured, or worse, haunts me. I daresay it will for a long time. I admit, I may be weird and I may be over-protective, but the fact is I can't hide that you are everything important to me, and I'd take that ball in my own head if it meant saving you from even a bruise.
I love you.
...
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Let Me Count the Ways.....
Dear Caroline,
Last night you were playing around the house when you came to me with an empty tic-tac box and asked me to breathe into it for you. I asked why and you told me you wanted a "sample" of my breath because "it smells good". Weird as that is, it might be the most sincere way anyone has ever told me they loved me. ;o)
The other day you bought a set of rubber animal noses in the party favors section of the BX. The kind that strap on your head by an elastic band....rather like Groucho Marx noses and moustaches. The animal noses included were an elephant's trunk, a parrot's beak, a pig's snout and a lions muzzle. You insisted the moment we stepped out of the BX that Daddy wear the lion, I wear the parrot and you wear the elephant. We did---we unwrapped that package right there and donned our new identities. And we wore them all the way home, braving the stares from people in other cars and on the sidewalks. It was particularly entertaining when we stopped at a crosswalk to let people walk across, and they all rubbernecked the whole way, laughing and pointing at us. You were having the time of your life making people laugh. You were in the backseat laughing so hard yourself that you could barely breathe and little giggle-tears slid down your trunk. And your Dad? That guy who's normally pretty shy and unlikely to draw attention to himself? He wore it proudly and enjoyed it like a champ!
THAT is how much we love you. And we'd do it again.
...
Last night you were playing around the house when you came to me with an empty tic-tac box and asked me to breathe into it for you. I asked why and you told me you wanted a "sample" of my breath because "it smells good". Weird as that is, it might be the most sincere way anyone has ever told me they loved me. ;o)
The other day you bought a set of rubber animal noses in the party favors section of the BX. The kind that strap on your head by an elastic band....rather like Groucho Marx noses and moustaches. The animal noses included were an elephant's trunk, a parrot's beak, a pig's snout and a lions muzzle. You insisted the moment we stepped out of the BX that Daddy wear the lion, I wear the parrot and you wear the elephant. We did---we unwrapped that package right there and donned our new identities. And we wore them all the way home, braving the stares from people in other cars and on the sidewalks. It was particularly entertaining when we stopped at a crosswalk to let people walk across, and they all rubbernecked the whole way, laughing and pointing at us. You were having the time of your life making people laugh. You were in the backseat laughing so hard yourself that you could barely breathe and little giggle-tears slid down your trunk. And your Dad? That guy who's normally pretty shy and unlikely to draw attention to himself? He wore it proudly and enjoyed it like a champ!
THAT is how much we love you. And we'd do it again.
...
Monday, April 21, 2008
Personally, I Prefer Salmon Paste On MY Butt!
This morning, I'm walking Caroline to her bus stop when she notices the Ivy that's growing up the walls in our complex.
"Mommy, what's that plant called?"
"That's Ivy. It's pretty, huh?"
"Um........poison Ivy?!"
"No. This is just plain Ivy. No poison. You can touch it."
"Whew! For a second there I thought if I got too near it I would get a rash and have to put that calamari lotion all over my butt!"
...
"Mommy, what's that plant called?"
"That's Ivy. It's pretty, huh?"
"Um........poison Ivy?!"
"No. This is just plain Ivy. No poison. You can touch it."
"Whew! For a second there I thought if I got too near it I would get a rash and have to put that calamari lotion all over my butt!"
...
With Prune Surprise For Dessert.
Calvin sent Caroline to ask me what was for dinner.
I answered, "Mushroom and cheese quiche with spinach and pecan salad on the side."
"Ugghhhh! Oh MOM!"
And then she proceeded to run back through the house in a panic announcing to Calvin at the top of her lungs, "You're not gonna like it, Dad! We're having some monkey brain hot-dog stinkin' Hormel heart elephant soup!"
...
I answered, "Mushroom and cheese quiche with spinach and pecan salad on the side."
"Ugghhhh! Oh MOM!"
And then she proceeded to run back through the house in a panic announcing to Calvin at the top of her lungs, "You're not gonna like it, Dad! We're having some monkey brain hot-dog stinkin' Hormel heart elephant soup!"
...
Saturday, April 12, 2008
We've come a long way, Baby!
We just got back from Ireland early this morning, and let me tell you, we are exhausted. But it was a great trip! Lots to see and do, great food, friendly people, stunning scenery.
And we all had a great time of course, because we went along with our friends the Johnson family. Included in the Johnson family are two of Caroline's favorite friends, Riley and Brooke. Those three giggled and played and play-acted and just generally had an uproariously good time. But one day while they were walking down a flowered path to Blarney castle Riley was stung by a bee. Of course, we all gathered around her to make sure all was well and she was ok. Not only was Riley ok, but she was taking it like a champ. Not a tear or a whine, and considering she's only 8, that's pretty impressive. I said something to that affect. "Wow, Riley! You are so tough! Stung by a bee and you are taking it like such a trooper!"
Caroline agreed. "Yeah! If I got stung by a bee, I'd be crying and whining like a boy!"
...
And we all had a great time of course, because we went along with our friends the Johnson family. Included in the Johnson family are two of Caroline's favorite friends, Riley and Brooke. Those three giggled and played and play-acted and just generally had an uproariously good time. But one day while they were walking down a flowered path to Blarney castle Riley was stung by a bee. Of course, we all gathered around her to make sure all was well and she was ok. Not only was Riley ok, but she was taking it like a champ. Not a tear or a whine, and considering she's only 8, that's pretty impressive. I said something to that affect. "Wow, Riley! You are so tough! Stung by a bee and you are taking it like such a trooper!"
Caroline agreed. "Yeah! If I got stung by a bee, I'd be crying and whining like a boy!"
...
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Uh-oh.
For the last 5 days or so, we've been getting crazy weather. I mean crazy, even by England's standards, and that is bad. We've been waking up to a glittery white world every day---3 inches of snow. By early afternoon it is melted and the sun is shining, and by 6 or 7 pm it is snowing again. Weird sideways snow and we wake up the next day again to a winter wonderland and start all over.
To say that Caroline is enjoying this weather would be an understatement.
And this morning? This morning I'm walking Caroline to her bus stop and she's picking up chunks of snow and tossing them at trees and walls and whatever else looks like it could take a good pummeling. Apparently, my head looks like that too because when I'd stopped paying attention I suddenly felt a hard thwomp! I turned around to warn her only to see her standing there staring intently at the very snowball she'd lobbed at me, which had hit my head with the force of a cannonball and then fallen to the ground, completely unbroken.
The way she was staring at this snowball I can only describe as pure unadulterated delight, as if......as if she's just discovered the secret that will literally change the world. And then she shouts,
"Mommeeee!! Did you SEE that?? Look, Mom! RE-USABLE SNOWBALLS!"
..
To say that Caroline is enjoying this weather would be an understatement.
And this morning? This morning I'm walking Caroline to her bus stop and she's picking up chunks of snow and tossing them at trees and walls and whatever else looks like it could take a good pummeling. Apparently, my head looks like that too because when I'd stopped paying attention I suddenly felt a hard thwomp! I turned around to warn her only to see her standing there staring intently at the very snowball she'd lobbed at me, which had hit my head with the force of a cannonball and then fallen to the ground, completely unbroken.
The way she was staring at this snowball I can only describe as pure unadulterated delight, as if......as if she's just discovered the secret that will literally change the world. And then she shouts,
"Mommeeee!! Did you SEE that?? Look, Mom! RE-USABLE SNOWBALLS!"
..
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Caroline, The New Generation
A favorite from December:
So while I try to instill sense and responsibility into Caroline, I also think it equally important that Caroline has a good sense of whimsy and fantasy and I try to ensure she gets a good dose of that too. Sometimes I wonder if I'm failing. The conversation this morning as the snow is falling, the tree lights are twinkling and we hear the church bells down the street pealing gleefully and loudly:
"Caroline! Do you hear the Christmas bells? Aren't they beautiful?"
"Mmm--hmm, they're pretty!"
"Did you know that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings?"
A slightly worried look crosses her face..
"Um...Mom...when the bells ring, it usually just means some activities are going on at the church."
...and she nods her head solemnly, as if it hurts her to break such news to me.
Oh...
...
So while I try to instill sense and responsibility into Caroline, I also think it equally important that Caroline has a good sense of whimsy and fantasy and I try to ensure she gets a good dose of that too. Sometimes I wonder if I'm failing. The conversation this morning as the snow is falling, the tree lights are twinkling and we hear the church bells down the street pealing gleefully and loudly:
"Caroline! Do you hear the Christmas bells? Aren't they beautiful?"
"Mmm--hmm, they're pretty!"
"Did you know that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings?"
A slightly worried look crosses her face..
"Um...Mom...when the bells ring, it usually just means some activities are going on at the church."
...and she nods her head solemnly, as if it hurts her to break such news to me.
Oh...
...
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Dignity? Who needs it!
Today you made yourself a hat in school. Well, let me clarify: it's a paper bowl, the Dixie kind used at picnics for ice cream. You decorated it with pictures and scribbles of all colors before you upturned it and proudly put it on your head. That you were the only one in the class to do this didn't faze you at all and you were proud to show it to me when I came to pick you up.
10 minutes after school was out and we were headed home, you were in the back of the car, wearing a paper bowl on your head and singing "I Love Rock -n- Roll" along with Joan Jett at the top of your lungs.
Caroline, you could not be cuter if you tried.
...
10 minutes after school was out and we were headed home, you were in the back of the car, wearing a paper bowl on your head and singing "I Love Rock -n- Roll" along with Joan Jett at the top of your lungs.
Caroline, you could not be cuter if you tried.
...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Old stuff
Ok, this one is not new, and lots of you will have seen it already, but some of you will not have, and I wanted to add it to the record before I forget. ;o)
"Mommy?"
"Mmm-hmmm?"
"You know my friend, McKenzie?"
"Yep."
"Well, she's just moving on the base and there's something I really need to discuss with you."
Discuss?
"Ok, I'm listening."
"Ok, well McKenzie doesn't exactly know her way home yet, but I do because she lives by Riley and I know the way to Riley's house from school."
"Ok...."
"Well, on the days when McKenzie is supposed to walk home and she's afraid to because she can't remember the way, I think I should walk her home, ok?"
"That's nice of you, but you'd miss your own bus and then how would YOU get home?"
"Well, I've got that covered, Mom. See, I'll miss my bus and walk her home, and then when I get there, I'll just call you on that cell phone you're going to give me and you can come pick me up."
"Well, again, that's really noble of you, but I think that McKenzie's mom can walk her home on those days when McKenzie is feeling insecure. And I think six is a bit too young for your own cell phone."
doesn't miss a beat...
"Seven, then?"
"No."
"Eight?"
"Maybe thirteen."
"Oh, maaaaaaan!"
..
"Mommy?"
"Mmm-hmmm?"
"You know my friend, McKenzie?"
"Yep."
"Well, she's just moving on the base and there's something I really need to discuss with you."
Discuss?
"Ok, I'm listening."
"Ok, well McKenzie doesn't exactly know her way home yet, but I do because she lives by Riley and I know the way to Riley's house from school."
"Ok...."
"Well, on the days when McKenzie is supposed to walk home and she's afraid to because she can't remember the way, I think I should walk her home, ok?"
"That's nice of you, but you'd miss your own bus and then how would YOU get home?"
"Well, I've got that covered, Mom. See, I'll miss my bus and walk her home, and then when I get there, I'll just call you on that cell phone you're going to give me and you can come pick me up."
"Well, again, that's really noble of you, but I think that McKenzie's mom can walk her home on those days when McKenzie is feeling insecure. And I think six is a bit too young for your own cell phone."
doesn't miss a beat...
"Seven, then?"
"No."
"Eight?"
"Maybe thirteen."
"Oh, maaaaaaan!"
..
Saturday, March 15, 2008
How about Tagalog?
I was on the computer last night checking the grades from my latest essays, when Caroline popped up with, "Mommy, why aren't you learning a language in school?"
"I did, honey. I took German."
"Why don't you learn another one then?"
"Because I've got other classes I need to do and I can't."
"What about Spanish?"
"No."
"Greek?"
"No."
(long pause)
"Hebrew?"
..
"I did, honey. I took German."
"Why don't you learn another one then?"
"Because I've got other classes I need to do and I can't."
"What about Spanish?"
"No."
"Greek?"
"No."
(long pause)
"Hebrew?"
..
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Whimsy fantastic
Caroline, over the last few days, Daddy and I have watched with absolute fascination while you take your imagination and run with it.
Two days ago you drew a picture that you call "Squadron of Unicorns" ----a picture of a lot of flying unicorns (who strongly resemble dinosaurs) with everyone you love on the back of one. There are mountains underneath us as we all fly, and on the lead unicorn? You, wearing a crown. It's brilliant! I want to frame it.
And yesterday, you ran around the house making whale songs and insisting that you were a baby Beluga, a claim that you still stand by this morning.
Enjoy your Beluga food at school today, Baby Beluga.
Daddy and I really love you.
...
Two days ago you drew a picture that you call "Squadron of Unicorns" ----a picture of a lot of flying unicorns (who strongly resemble dinosaurs) with everyone you love on the back of one. There are mountains underneath us as we all fly, and on the lead unicorn? You, wearing a crown. It's brilliant! I want to frame it.
And yesterday, you ran around the house making whale songs and insisting that you were a baby Beluga, a claim that you still stand by this morning.
Enjoy your Beluga food at school today, Baby Beluga.
Daddy and I really love you.
...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Probably not as much as the pig who provided the chops...
Tonight,
"Mommy, what are we having for dinner?"
"Rosemary rice and pork chops."
"Rosemary rice!"
"Yes, rosemary rice."
She walks away looking thoughtful. "I wonder what Rosemary will have to say about this..."
...
"Mommy, what are we having for dinner?"
"Rosemary rice and pork chops."
"Rosemary rice!"
"Yes, rosemary rice."
She walks away looking thoughtful. "I wonder what Rosemary will have to say about this..."
...
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Because this is what Grandma wants to hear....
Tonight, while I was talking to my mother on the phone, Caroline wanted to talk to her grandma too. So I handed the phone over and sat back to let Caroline have a chance to tell grandma all about her exciting week. Because of course, she would have lots to say regarding protests and trees and solving the problems of the world and all that, right? Right.
Mom: Hi Caroline! I'm excited to hear about your week, so tell me what you've been up to! How are you doing?
Caroline, very dryly: Well, my lungs and nose are FULL of mucus.
And that, unfortunately, was when mom's phone lost contact with the cell tower.
Huh.
..
Mom: Hi Caroline! I'm excited to hear about your week, so tell me what you've been up to! How are you doing?
Caroline, very dryly: Well, my lungs and nose are FULL of mucus.
And that, unfortunately, was when mom's phone lost contact with the cell tower.
Huh.
..
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Small Warrior
Read here for background before proceeding. http://conversationswithcaroline.blogspot.com/2008/03/you-are-just-amazing-caroline.html#links
Ok, I have to admit, I had my doubts as to whether you'd do it, Caroline. When you told me you'd go out and protest today, and made your poster, I really thought that while I was incredibly proud, that in the end, when faced with actually standing up and doing it, you might be too shy. I didn't say anything because I wanted it to be, like it started, all you. Your choice.
But you? You grabbed that big green poster in your still-dimpled, tiny hands and marched your little self across that playground so fast that I, chatting with your teacher, didn't even realize you'd gone. And you stood there by yourself at the top of the hill, holding up that sign, silent and firm. And for a second or two, when I saw you, I could only stand there and look up at you, in awe of your determination and strength.
After a few minutes, a few of your friends came and joined you, and then a few more. A few left after only a few minutes, but a faithful few stayed behind and stood side by side with you.
Not wanting to influence you at all, I snapped a few pictures and then stood far away so that neither you nor your friends or teacher could see me, or the tears in my eyes. But I saw you.
Now, with your wonderful teacher's support and pride in all of you, your class is fired up. Your teacher is, as we speak, laminating all the posters your class made today to tie up to the fence tomorrow morning, and you and your friends will be making an announcement regarding environmental activism in the morning for the whole school on the inter-class radio.
Wow, Caroline........just....wow.
With Love, Mom
Ok, I have to admit, I had my doubts as to whether you'd do it, Caroline. When you told me you'd go out and protest today, and made your poster, I really thought that while I was incredibly proud, that in the end, when faced with actually standing up and doing it, you might be too shy. I didn't say anything because I wanted it to be, like it started, all you. Your choice.
But you? You grabbed that big green poster in your still-dimpled, tiny hands and marched your little self across that playground so fast that I, chatting with your teacher, didn't even realize you'd gone. And you stood there by yourself at the top of the hill, holding up that sign, silent and firm. And for a second or two, when I saw you, I could only stand there and look up at you, in awe of your determination and strength.
After a few minutes, a few of your friends came and joined you, and then a few more. A few left after only a few minutes, but a faithful few stayed behind and stood side by side with you.
Not wanting to influence you at all, I snapped a few pictures and then stood far away so that neither you nor your friends or teacher could see me, or the tears in my eyes. But I saw you.
Now, with your wonderful teacher's support and pride in all of you, your class is fired up. Your teacher is, as we speak, laminating all the posters your class made today to tie up to the fence tomorrow morning, and you and your friends will be making an announcement regarding environmental activism in the morning for the whole school on the inter-class radio.
Wow, Caroline........just....wow.
With Love, Mom
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
You are just amazing, Caroline.
Dear Caroline,
For the last few weeks you have been coming home and telling me about the forest just behind your school playground and about how currently it is being chopped down. You don't know why it's being chopped down, but you do know it upsets you. You have said this to me many times and very expressively. You have explained to me that those "chopper men" are "destroying our trees and air". And you have announced to me today that you will make a poster, gather your friends at lunch tomorrow, stand at the fence and hold your poster up to the chopper men and "protest".
Why those men are chopping down those trees, I couldn't say. It might be absolutely necessary, and it is likely that you holding up your little sign will be completely ignored by those men. It is also not inconceivable that some of the adults in your school will tell you to stop and go away and not rock the boat.
It doesn't matter.
You are using, for the first time, your right to protest and speak up. You will learn over time which battles are worth fighting and you will learn the right way to go about fighting them. You will learn that what works for one situation may not work for another. But for now, you are bravely standing up for what means something to you and you are not afraid.
I am proud of you. Proud that you are concerned about your world and the people who share it with you. You like your fairytales and play like any other kid, but they obviously don't rule you, and your worldview is very wide. I didn't provoke this or encourage you to do it---I can take no credit--you have decided on this action yourself. Where you got the idea, I don't know, and what makes you so sensitive to what is going on around you, I don't know either. But I am bursting inside to have such an aware, courageous, action-oriented human being in my life. I stand in awe of your fire and world-patriotism.
No matter what happens tomorrow, I'm rooting for you and your burgeoning spirit and responsible citizenship. I love you so much and I am so blessed to know you.
..
For the last few weeks you have been coming home and telling me about the forest just behind your school playground and about how currently it is being chopped down. You don't know why it's being chopped down, but you do know it upsets you. You have said this to me many times and very expressively. You have explained to me that those "chopper men" are "destroying our trees and air". And you have announced to me today that you will make a poster, gather your friends at lunch tomorrow, stand at the fence and hold your poster up to the chopper men and "protest".
Why those men are chopping down those trees, I couldn't say. It might be absolutely necessary, and it is likely that you holding up your little sign will be completely ignored by those men. It is also not inconceivable that some of the adults in your school will tell you to stop and go away and not rock the boat.
It doesn't matter.
You are using, for the first time, your right to protest and speak up. You will learn over time which battles are worth fighting and you will learn the right way to go about fighting them. You will learn that what works for one situation may not work for another. But for now, you are bravely standing up for what means something to you and you are not afraid.
I am proud of you. Proud that you are concerned about your world and the people who share it with you. You like your fairytales and play like any other kid, but they obviously don't rule you, and your worldview is very wide. I didn't provoke this or encourage you to do it---I can take no credit--you have decided on this action yourself. Where you got the idea, I don't know, and what makes you so sensitive to what is going on around you, I don't know either. But I am bursting inside to have such an aware, courageous, action-oriented human being in my life. I stand in awe of your fire and world-patriotism.
No matter what happens tomorrow, I'm rooting for you and your burgeoning spirit and responsible citizenship. I love you so much and I am so blessed to know you.
..
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Too Much "Grinch"
Today in the car, the song "Mr. Sandman", by The Chordettes was playing on the radio. I was enjoying this blast from the old past when Caroline pops up with,
"Hey! Who is that singing? They sound like the Who's!"
.....
"Hey! Who is that singing? They sound like the Who's!"
.....
Sunday, March 2, 2008
One of life's mysteries...
I heard "Seasons In The Sun" by Terry Jacks awhile back and it's stuck in my head. You know it.....
Good bye my friends
It's time to die
With all the birds singing in the sky...
..We had joy, we had fun
we had seasons in the sun...
...and blah blah blah...
So I'm walking around while getting ready this morning and singing it. Caroline comes up to me and says,
"Mommy, do you know why that song bothers me?"
"No, why?"
"If he's really about to die, then why's he singing so long?"
.
Good bye my friends
It's time to die
With all the birds singing in the sky...
..We had joy, we had fun
we had seasons in the sun...
...and blah blah blah...
So I'm walking around while getting ready this morning and singing it. Caroline comes up to me and says,
"Mommy, do you know why that song bothers me?"
"No, why?"
"If he's really about to die, then why's he singing so long?"
.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thank God she's smart enough to read the dosage directions too.
I was making breakfast when Caroline decides to just help herself to her Flinstone vitamins. She beebops right up to the counter, takes the bottle down and opens it like there's nothing to it.
"Caroline, that has a child-proof cap on it for a reason. You can't just open it up whenever you want to. I'm supposed to open it for you."
(without missing a beat)
"Well, then they shouldn't have put the directions on how to open it right on the lid, should they?"
*sigh*
.
"Caroline, that has a child-proof cap on it for a reason. You can't just open it up whenever you want to. I'm supposed to open it for you."
(without missing a beat)
"Well, then they shouldn't have put the directions on how to open it right on the lid, should they?"
*sigh*
.
Not because they have orange or purple heads?
I'm cleaning the shower today when Caroline walks in, and out of the blue says,
"Mommy, do you know what it is about the Muppets that scares me?"
"Um...no..."
"They don't blink."
(silence)
"At all. Have you ever noticed?!"
.
"Mommy, do you know what it is about the Muppets that scares me?"
"Um...no..."
"They don't blink."
(silence)
"At all. Have you ever noticed?!"
.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Art? What art?
"Mommy, my favorite places in Italy are Verona and Rome. I liked Florence but I didn't like it that much because it's too full of boobies and peezuses."
.
.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Ray of Sunshine
So today, Caroline and I are walking into the commissary when I mention, more to myself than anyone else, that I have a headache. The oddly nonchalant reply from my sharp-eared little angel?
"Maybe you have bubonic plague."
*snort*
.
"Maybe you have bubonic plague."
*snort*
.
Conversations with Caroline
I'm not much of a People Magazine person, but I never fail to buy the once-a-year issue of "Sexiest Man Alive". Last week, Caroline came to me, looking incredibly forlorn and heartbroken. I could not imagine what might put such a look on the face of a 7 year old, but then I looked down and saw that she was holding the SMA issue. Puzzled, I asked her what the matter was and why she was walking around with my copy of People.
With an obvious quiver in her voice, she replied, "Mommy, I've been looking at this magazine and I've looked at the WHOLE THING and he's not in there!"
"Who, Honey? Who's not in there?" And naturally I'm a little worried that my 7-year old is looking for a man at this complicated and already busy point in her life.
"Daddy! You always tell him he's the sexiest man alive, but he's NOT IN HERE! They forgot my daddy!"
I admit it, I laughed out loud in the face of her distress. This kid doesn't even know what "sexy" means, only that her daddy MUST be sexy, AND sexier than anyone else to boot, because her mommy said so.
As for why Daddy isn't in there, there's no accounting for taste, Caroline.
___________________________________________________________________
A conversation between Caroline and her Uncle Gordon on the phone:
"What are you up to, Caroline?"
Caroline, sarcasm obvious, "Umm..talking on the phone?"
Gordon laughs, "Ok, I meant what were you up to before you got on the phone?"
"Oh, I was playing music with a big spoon on pots and pans."
"Really! Great! What were you playing?"
"Enya."
____________________________________________________________________
A few days ago, while frantically searching for my misplaced ID card, Caroline asked me what the matter was:
"I can't find my ID, honey. Have you seen it? If I don't find it, we can't leave because I won't be able to get on the base."
She shrugs, "Tsk, tsk. Too bad, Mommy. I suppose you should contact your homeowner's insurance and get a new one."
___________________________________________________________________
Last night, she was sitting on my lap giving me cuddles and playing with my hair. Lately, since my hair has been short, I have only had to run a bit of gel through it and let it go. I like the way it looks, but of course the drawback is that it feels a bit stiff to the touch, not soft like it used to. And she's looking in my eyes and I'm thinking she's about to say something sweet and endearing, when she says:
"Mommy, your hair looks golden!"
"Aw! Thank you, sweetheart! That's a nice thing to say!"
"Yeah. Remember Rumpilstiltskin and that stuff he spun into gold? Straw? Your hair feels like that and it's almost the same color! It's so lovely! Maybe we can spin it into gold!"
Out of the mouth of babes.......
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)