Girls Must Be Girls

The other day I noticed that my 19 month-old was playing with some toys that she had gotten from her older siblings. She had a very large plastic alligator and some small fairy dolls. As I watched her I realized that she wasn't doing the typical "girl" thing of dancing or flying the fairies around. She was shoving the fairies into the alligator's mouth and pretending that he was eating them.

It was funny, of course. But it was interesting to me that she has transcended the "little girl" stereotype. Honestly, it made me feel like a good mom. I don't want my children to be trapped into stereotypes, feeling like they can only do "women's work" or "men's work." Why shouldn't a little girl love Hotwheels and making alligators eat fairies?

Music and the Imagination

We purchased a Sirius satellite radio system. We get no radio reception at all where we live so we have been thinking about it for a while. And, since we travel some on the weekends, we wanted to be able to put it in our RV so that we could listen to college football.

I had our radio on the Symphony Hall channel and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony was playing. It has been a favorite of mine since I was a child so I turned it up. A few minutes later I noticed that my 6 year old had gotten out a ballet book and was trying to copy the pictures with her own movements.

I watched her for a few minutes. In her imagination, she was absolutely a prima ballerina on a stage giving the performance of her life.

It struck me how closely linked music and the imagination are. I think we miss this these days. I don't think many people expose their kids to classical music anymore. And most kids have never even heard of Bugs Bunny (that's where I learned about classical music).

So, if you are a parent, try a little on for size. There are great kid-friendly recordings out there. Try a little Carnival of the Animals or Peter and the Wolf. You might be surprised at what it sparks in your children.

Toddling and ipods and watching them grow

My baby just finally started to walk. I can watch her endlessly. A new walker is just so cute. She waddles back and forth while holding her arms up for balance. And she giggles the whole time.

She is what you would probably consider a 'late walker.' She's almost 18 months and is just now really starting to walk. All of my kids have kept similar timelines though. I don't mind. It keeps them in the baby stage longer. I love the baby stage and it goes by so fast.

I thought I'd be sad to see her becoming a toddler. She is probably our last little. But I am enjoying her so much and am having such fun watching her that I don't feel sad at all.

I am so grateful to be a mom and to have the privilege of watching my little ones grow and learn. It is so much work, but it is so worth it. I love being there to see the milestones - first word, first steps, teaching them to read. And now my oldest is into her ipod and actually thinks an occasional boy is cute. Where has the time gone?

Thank You to the Dads

All across the country people are celebrating Father's Day today. It has me thinking. Have you ever noticed how dads are protrayed on television shows and in commercials? More often than not they are bumbling and clueless, always the last to know or notice anything.

So, on this Father's Day I want to take a moment to pay tribute to the real dads, to the ones who are shattering this stereotype.

Thank you to each and every dad. . .

• who attends hours of childbirth preparation classes and stands by his wife, supporting her as she labors and gives birth.


• who gets up with the baby in the middle of the night so mom can have a break.


• who reads to his littles after and exhausting day at work.


• who helps with the homework, or teaches the homeschool classes.


• who keeps up on the details of his children's lives.


• who takes the time to play and tickle and enjoy his littles.


• who works hard to support his family so that mom can stay home with the children.


• who takes his daughters on dates so that they will understand how they deserve to be treated.


• who takes the time to take his wife on dates too.


• who remembers all the birthdays and his wedding anniversary.


• who stands by and protects his family during the hard times.

And thank you to my dear husband, the father of my children, for all that you do for our family. For giving of yourself when you don't have the energy, for fighting to overcome, for taking the time to snuggle with the kids, and for all the thoughtful gifts over the years. And for so much more. . .

And thank you to my father for taking your role as dad so seriously. For standing by your children through thick and thin, for listening, for your prayers for us, for your deep concern, and your support. And for so much more. . .

So, if you are reading this and you haven't done so already, you might want to take a moment to thank you dad or husband and tell him what he means to you.