Photo Friday: Small and Tall, Playing Together

Train table at doctor's office, Jan. 7, 2016

Yes, I'm a Sunday School Teacher

I've rarely felt as old as I did when I taught my first Sunday School class.

When I agreed to become a Sunday School volunteer at our church at the beginning of the school year, I thought I would be helping the teacher. No, I was the teacher. That is, I rotate Sundays with three other adults. That means we each teach about once per month.

I say "teach" very loosely, which isn't a surprise with a roomful of three year olds. Much of the time is spent in free play, but we always have a story and craft set to a specific theme (which seem to correspond to the day's readings or current holiday). And, of course, there's Edith's favorite part: snack time.

We generally have about six kids in the class, and two sixth-graders as helpers. They're fun kids, and I enjoy my Sunday duties. Out of all of the parenting milestones, however, this feels like a big one. Being looked up to by multiple kids -- in a church setting nonetheless: that's definitely being a real, live, true adult.

Photo Friday: All-Smiles Atticus

COSI, Jan. 6, 2016

Christmas Continues for Edith

Christmas has continued well into January in this household. In just the past week, Edith and I have "completed" two of her Christmas presents.

The first was perhaps my easiest, most brilliant idea for a present -- dessert mixes with decorating supplies. Edith and I made cupcakes last week, and she decorated the results with frosting, gel and sprinkles in two batches. She's having a blast, and we all get cupcakes. Win-win.

Another of her presents was a ticket to see a 50-minute production of Rapunzel by the local children's theater. The show was made for kids her age and slightly older, with lots of audience participation. We read the fairy tale a few times before the show, so she was well aware of "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" She wasn't enthralled by it as much as her trip to the movie theater a few months ago, but it's fun to introduce her to new experiences.

Plus afterward we went to North Market, a couple of blocks away, and got small piece of chocolate rugelach before heading home. Again, win-win.

Photo Friday: Atticus, Rolling on By

Dec. 23, 2015

Working from Home as a Stay at Home Mom

My freelance writing work is largely back on track. Some weeks I even produce just as much as before Atticus was born. This puts me smack in the middle of Mommy Wars: Work Edition.

I certainly consider myself a work-from-home mom, although I'm firmly a part-timer. This work-from-home status, I like to joke, allows me the worst of all worlds -- the frustrations of caring for children full-time without the escape and adult conversations that an out-of-the-home job provides.

All joking aside, I'm happy with what I do. I love staying home with Edith and Atticus, and I love the creativity (and let's not forget, cash) that comes with being a freelance writer. Freelancing is, well, very freeing, without the feeling that I'm wasting the four years of college and nine years of full-time writing that came before I was a mom. I've been a writer far longer than a parent.

Last week Edith did something that truly made me feel good about my decisions. As I was doing a bit of freelance work, Edith placed a milk crate upside down, placed her toy cash register on top and, facing me at my desk, began "typing." Working like mommy, she told me. I'm proud.

Photo Friday: How Much Is That Donut in the Window?

It's $3, and the lemon blueberry donut is just as delicious as it looks.

Destination Donuts at North Market.
Dec. 19, 2015

New Year, Same Good Times

A new year, and everything is the same and everything is different.

Our Christmas holiday was spent the same old way, and that's definitely not a complaint. We saw dozens of relatives and spent the day with my Hilliard in-laws and Defiance family, followed by a long weekend staying with my parents.

Our New Year's holiday was spent much differently than normal: with a party at our house. Around 25 adults and kids gathered for food, drink and fun, and a few of us even made it til the ball dropped. Those few included both Edith and Atticus, who "napped" for an hour at his normal bedtime but woke up, surely thanks to the noise and excitement. Who can blame him? So we rang in the new year as a family of four.

Of course, last year brought a new kid. It seems that he and his older sister are constantly changing. Every day brings a new skill for one or both. Yet the days, one after another, don't seem that different. Storytimes, playgroups, activities galore - the routine stays the same.

My life is pretty happy right now -- a wonderful husband, two kids I adore (and who seem to think I'm OK too), the opportunity to spend my days with them while continuing my freelance writing on the side. Last year was pretty great, and it's looking like 2016 will be more of the same. This is where I knock on wood, right?

Photo Friday: Atticus Crawls and Crawls

Atticus hasn't been able to yet crawl on real grass. Fake turf at a nearby mall's play area will have to do.

Dec. 10, 2015