Life in a Nutshell
I updated the reading sidebar at right, and will try to do so from now on. The first selection will be what I (or DH) is reading, then out-loud reading to kids, then DS#1-age 8, then DS#2-age 6. Although this time I messed up and put DS#1's selection above the out-loud selection.
We are a reading family. I love-love-love to read, always have. I started reading at an early age, and still devour everything in sight.
Except for Moby Dick.
That was Junior year in college.
Anyway, DH is the same. Except I think he read Moby Dick. When we find a book we both want to read, it's a race to see who gets it first. Usually, I win, since I am home all day, and will happily order pizza for dinner, just so that I can find out the ending all the quicker. I am a fast reader, but DH remembers things in better detail. He can still remember the intricacies of Aristotle's Metaphysics. I'm all, we read that, right?? LOL
Luckily, the kids seem to be following in our love of reading. When DS#1 started to read, he took off like a shot. I could not keep his bookshelf up-to-date fast enough. Whenever I bought new books, he wasn't heard from for hours. And his enthusiasm is contagious.
All of the kids (except #5) have lamps clipped onto their headboards. They get into bed 15-20 min early, just to have time to "read". (in most cases, it's just looking at pictures) And this is after the story time we have as a family!
I am so grateful that, amidst all of my other parenting failures (and there is a plethora, trust me!) there is at least one area that I have thus far succeeded in passing on that is positive. This love of the printed word, and the worlds and times that are made accessible to my little ones...
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Tom *Pouce*
Life in a Nutshell
Weird title, I know. I shall 'splain......(I was reminded of this piece of our history in Texas by DS #2 who informed me today that he and Papa went to Tom Pouce....it made me laugh in rememberance)
We first moved to this godforsaken, I mean, *animated* area of the country in August of '96 so that DH could begin an MBA program. On the first day of orientation, he met a French fellow, Jean, who was new to the country and living in a hotel while trying to find housing. So, what does my generous DH do? Invite him to share our 750sq.ft. one-bedroom apartment!
Now, this apartment was not furnished in the least. Our kitchen "table" was a humongous box that had held our larger shipped items. Our living room "couch" was a chaise lounge. Our "bed" had been just some blankets on the floor, but upgraded to a box and mattress on the floor. We had no dressers, just piles of clothes everywhere (some things never change...heh).
And so, we decide to share our "bounty" with a complete and utter stranger....from France.
Of course.
That first night, as we closed our bedroom door (and thus effectively shutting out his only access to the bathroom....) we felt a bit uncertain as to whether or not we'd be dead or stereo-less (that being the only thing worth taking.....you know, priorities) by morning.
Well. Jean remained. He stayed with us for about 2-3 weeks. Our friends got used to dropping by and finding Jean in his boxers, listening to music in our oh-so-comfy living room. He and DH would drive to school together, and run errands together.....
And thus, the title of this post.
We have a grocery chain down here'un called Tom Thumb. It's got a great little advertising jingle:
Thumbs up, it's Tom Thumb friendly.
Hands down, it'll make you smile.
Thumbs up, it's Tom Thumb friendly,
Tom Thumb value, Texas style.
Like you wanted/needed to know that.
Anyway, Jean thought the name was hilarious, and would substitute the French word for "thumb" (pouce....pronounced pooos) for the second word.
Hence, the name of that grocery chain has been, and forever will be, for us......
Tom Pouce.
:)
Weird title, I know. I shall 'splain......(I was reminded of this piece of our history in Texas by DS #2 who informed me today that he and Papa went to Tom Pouce....it made me laugh in rememberance)
We first moved to this godforsaken, I mean, *animated* area of the country in August of '96 so that DH could begin an MBA program. On the first day of orientation, he met a French fellow, Jean, who was new to the country and living in a hotel while trying to find housing. So, what does my generous DH do? Invite him to share our 750sq.ft. one-bedroom apartment!
Now, this apartment was not furnished in the least. Our kitchen "table" was a humongous box that had held our larger shipped items. Our living room "couch" was a chaise lounge. Our "bed" had been just some blankets on the floor, but upgraded to a box and mattress on the floor. We had no dressers, just piles of clothes everywhere (some things never change...heh).
And so, we decide to share our "bounty" with a complete and utter stranger....from France.
Of course.
That first night, as we closed our bedroom door (and thus effectively shutting out his only access to the bathroom....) we felt a bit uncertain as to whether or not we'd be dead or stereo-less (that being the only thing worth taking.....you know, priorities) by morning.
Well. Jean remained. He stayed with us for about 2-3 weeks. Our friends got used to dropping by and finding Jean in his boxers, listening to music in our oh-so-comfy living room. He and DH would drive to school together, and run errands together.....
And thus, the title of this post.
We have a grocery chain down here'un called Tom Thumb. It's got a great little advertising jingle:
Thumbs up, it's Tom Thumb friendly.
Hands down, it'll make you smile.
Thumbs up, it's Tom Thumb friendly,
Tom Thumb value, Texas style.
Like you wanted/needed to know that.
Anyway, Jean thought the name was hilarious, and would substitute the French word for "thumb" (pouce....pronounced pooos) for the second word.
Hence, the name of that grocery chain has been, and forever will be, for us......
Tom Pouce.
:)
Friday, May 26, 2006
Yesterday.....
Here is a sure-fire way to enjoy one's 10th anniversary with your DH......
1. Set up large-ish pool in miniscule backyard.
2. Ensure that it has right chemical balance and is fairly clean.
3. Buy big package of cheap water pistols from Wal-mart...
4. And a strawberry daiquiri frozen mix....
5. Sit relaxing in the living room watching your 5 blessings have a wonderful afternoon in the sun!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
About those gas prices.....
Life in a Nutshell
This guy tells it like it is for those of us whose children will most certainly cause us bankruptcy due to their unbelieveable over-consumption of COLD BREAKFAST CEREAL......
Personally, we buy as much generic brands as possible, and my kids just think that every store has a different colored box for Cheerios and Rice Krispies, along with different names for each.... LOL!
;)
This guy tells it like it is for those of us whose children will most certainly cause us bankruptcy due to their unbelieveable over-consumption of COLD BREAKFAST CEREAL......
Personally, we buy as much generic brands as possible, and my kids just think that every store has a different colored box for Cheerios and Rice Krispies, along with different names for each.... LOL!
;)
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