Because I said so

My kids are begging for homework. How fabulous is that?

Today was a teacher work day so we tried to sleep late. (The cat came within inches of her beautiful, furry life for the yowling that woke us all.) By the time Stan left for work the kids were already starting to fight. ugh. Never start fighting when I haven't had enough coffee. I decided the arguing told me two things: they needed time apart and they needed structure. I sent them each to a different section of the house to clean for 20 minutes. They went without arguing or complaining. (See, I knew they needed time apart.) After some great cleaning, which they were quite proud of, I gave them their homework for the day. "Homework? Why?!" "Because I want you to." "ugh." They had to read any book of their choice (except toddler books) for 20 minutes. They needed to do 20 minutes of math on their level. They had to do 20 minutes of science play. All of this, before 3 p.m. "That's it? and really that long to do it?" "That's all I ask."

Each of them spent about at least 30 minutes doing math games online. The had a blast with the electronics kit, playing much longer than 20 minutes. And as usual, they read past the timer because the book was just so good. "This has been so fun! I want more homework tomorrow!"

I didn't pull out anything new today. These are things they know are always available to them, yet they are reluctant to choose them. Peanut is begging for more assignments but the truth is, she is free to choose them at her own will, anytime she wishes. The eternal question that haunts all parents: why won't they just do what they know is good for them, especially when they know they'll enjoy the results?

Then I think about my own week. I spent over an hour watching a crime drama that wasn't totally thrilling, rather than doing housework I know I'd be proud of. I spent Tuesday night on the computer and watching tv at the same time. The tv volume was low enough that I had no idea what was really going on, and I wasn't totally engaged in the game I was playing. I didn't quit either one, though. Each day, I put off practicing guitar so that I never get any better but I don't like picking it up just to play because I'm not good enough.

Maybe someday I'll get it right. Someday I'll value my own time enough to spend it well. Maybe I'll be setting a glorious example before they move out of the house. In the meantime, how much "homework" can I dish out before they catch on?

Kids, Chemistry, & Plenty of Boom

We're in the final countdown to Peanut's birthday. This girl starts counting as soon as she hears the first Christmas carol so by the time the day arrives the buildup is quite intense. Peanut is prone to histrionics anyway so the extra dose for her birthday makes life almost unbearable for her: it's either too, too good to take in or too, too awful to face. Lord help us when she gets to middle school and the real drama begins.

Peanut chose a science theme for her party this year so Stan and I are hosting a gaggle of junior scientists. We'll be doing some of the standard vinegar/baking soda stuff in the kitchen, as well as playing with an electronics kit and making microscope slides. Each scientist will have a kit including test tube, eye dropper, magnifying glass, etc. I had a great time this afternoon testing some of the possible experiments and generally playing with my kids' toys. [When was the last time you roasted marshmallows in the microwave? Do you remember what to do with resistors?]

There are so many good experiments to do but at the same time, most of my resources have the same small bunch of ideas. Stan and I would love to break open their little minds to new questions. There are lots of smart folks out there in the wide, wide, web so my question to you, dear friends, is this: what is your favorite kid-friendly (2nd grade) science activity?

The Artful Dodger

All week long I've been fighting the urge to do something creative in favor of working on the momentous (and never-ending) list of to-dos. Kid antics and hectic schedules have been tough on me this week. I've been tense, grumpy, and highly reactive. This morning I reached the point where I was ready to run for the hills. [In my case, running for the hills usually means a spontaneous, day-long, solo hike in the foothills not too far away.] It's too cold for the hills, though, and besides - there's that list to consider. Instead I spent about an hour making music. I wasn't practicing for anything, just playing for the joy of it. With just Puddin' and me in the house I sang at the top of my lungs. I changed rhythms and melodies. I sang music to suit my mood. For the first time in months I played guitar for myself rather than as my teacher prescribed, and was surprised at how how much my playing has changed. I approached songs with much more confidence and grace than before. I felt much more hopeful regarding my skill and went away with new zeal to practice. My piano skills are still what they were but all in good time.

I put off creativity for a week because I had stuff to do. I've been ill-at-ease and unable to cope with whatever has Monkey & Peanut ramped up. I was gearing up for war with the kids all weekend, feeling hopeless and incapable of parenting. I finally prioritized art and found enough strength to stay and love my family. I want to believe that I'll remember this next time - or better yet, that I'll keep creativity high enough in the priorities in the first place. History is not on my side with this one, but a girl can change, right?

The Nefarious Diaper

We had a sitter at our house tonight while I was at my guitar lesson. Puddin' started clinging to me rather tightly when the sitter came in the door, even though she's had many good experiences with sitters, and this one in particular. As I left, she was letting Peanut snuggle and comfort her for much longer than usual. According to the sitter, the eye-rubbing Puddin' went down to bed almost as soon as I left.

Fast forward 90 minutes: The sitter went home, and I went into Puddin's room to see if her blanket was on her. I got to the crib and was greeted with a bright, cheerful "Hi Mama!" She stood up, continuously saying my name and "Mama coat off." Then she said "I want diaper change." I checked the diaper but didn't notice anything. I figure she's got her reasons so I lay her down on the changing table. Puddin' calls out "Cookie Monster off." I look at the barely wet diaper and ask "is that why you wanted a diaper change?" She smiled, said "uh-huh," then checked to see what character I was putting on. (Elmo was approved.)

I put her back in her crib, she turned over as if to sleep, and I haven't heard a peep. I wonder, though, whether she's still awake and plotting her next coup.

Rex Goliath Cabernet

I'm a big fan of red wine. I'm also a big fan of cheap. Those two things together can be a nasty headache but there are wine makers who are able to combine them to great affect. In recent years I've developed a slight wine snobbery and have eschewed the very cheap bottles that used to be my staples. I told myself that I'm older, wiser, and deserve better wine. I recently started wonder, though, if those cheap wines were actually any good or if I had deluded myself. I decided to try them again.

My first stop was Rex Goliath Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine features the picture and story of a 47 pound rooster that used to be part of a Texas circus. The wine doesn't have a vintage, which is highly suspicious. The website doesn't offer any explanation, either. It is to be accepted that they make wine, you know next to nothing about it, and you will drink it. My snobby-sense was tingling. I took a few sips of the wine and found a very immature but still quite pleasant experience. It was very jammy and bright. It had a vibrancy that helped me perk up at the end of a long day. I kept looking for the thing that had to be wrong with it and instead found fun. I told my snobby-sense to shut up. The wine still hadn't passed the ultimate cheap wine test, though. Would this give Stan a headache? I didn't want to ask him to drink it since I was pretty sure it was going to cause him trouble. Stan tried it of his own accord (so glad I didn't tell him my reservations) and Rex Goliath passed with flying colors!

It feels pretty good to know that even in the beginning of my wine studies I was making good choices. On the other hand, it brings home for me again the difficult question of how much a good thing is worth. If I can find a good bottle for under $10 and a great one for $15, it becomes much more difficult to justify buying the excellent ones at their lofty prices. Maybe I'm missing something here, but in the meantime I can afford to splurge for fabulous food to go with my yummy cheap wine.