After a particularly dreary winter followed quickly by a stay-at-home order, spring is finally here. Of course, we can't plant our annuals just yet for fear of another frost, but besides that potential, trees are blooming, windows are wide open for the majority of the day, and the hope of sunshine and an emergence from … Continue reading Transitions When Life is Always the Same
Category: Parenting
Living a Still Life
Our COVID-19 disruptions conveniently began with Spring Break. I spent the week before shopping a bit more - buying an extra bottle of olive oil and making sure we had some veggie soup frozen for later but I really didn't think to systematically go through my cupboards until an emergency was announced and schools closed … Continue reading Living a Still Life
Keeping Christmas Magical
I have no memory of believing in Santa Claus. Apparently, there was a party and a Santa with whom I wasn't impressed and so quickly ended that magical relationship. I don't know that I really missed out on anything. "Santa" gave us a present each year and I still believed in the Christmas spirit. Now, … Continue reading Keeping Christmas Magical
Balancing Environmental Disturbances
The more I learn, the more I unravel. Favorite childhood books are coming under scrutiny and it's hard to balance nostalgia with a sense of doing better. Last week, I grappled with the idea of Intermediate Disturbance Hypothosis, the idea that too much disturbance is just as harmful as too little diversity. Here's an excerpt––head … Continue reading Balancing Environmental Disturbances
Loving My Neighbor Through School Choice
Over the summer we were at a family gathering halfway across the country. It was a lot of catching up and conversation about education came up. A cousin asked if ours was a good school and I hesitated. Yes, our school is an incredible school! We love it and our teachers. My daughter is thriving … Continue reading Loving My Neighbor Through School Choice
One September Morning
I think my baby girl was about 6 weeks old when I first felt the itch to expand our world beyond the hammock in our backyard. While I loved snuggling my sweet newborn, I knew we needed a community. I was one of the first in our group of friends to have a baby and … Continue reading One September Morning
Learning Hospitality Through Play
This morning, the Friday of the first week of school, Elle and I visited yet another park. Nearly every day this week, we've explored our favorite playgrounds, trying to fill the void left by Bea's absence at school. Normally, I bring a book along so I can read while Elle climbs and digs and scampers … Continue reading Learning Hospitality Through Play
Front Yard Living
At the beginning of the summer, during our daily Quiet Rest Hour, the energy in our house changed. I looked up from my book and felt that it had gone from Quiet Rest “Quiet” to eerily and suspiciously “Quiet.” I closed my book and walked upstairs where I found my oldest daughter obediently and happily … Continue reading Front Yard Living
Summer Rhythms
My first summer as a new mom didn’t really feel like summer. I had been staying home nearly a year and so, as I watched moms with older kids reframe their schedules and lament the loss of alone time that school provided, our routine stayed the same. Some things did change. After attending MOPS for … Continue reading Summer Rhythms
Creating Space for Play and Curiosity
Now that it's summer, the girls and I are in the car a lot together. I drive a Honda Civic, meaning that we're in close proximity for all music choices and conversation. Recently, I've been reminded of what a linguistically fun season we're in. Photo by Fabio Santaniello Bruun on Unsplash Elle loves separating words by syllable and … Continue reading Creating Space for Play and Curiosity
Annie Rim 