each kinder
was asked
what wish
they would like
to send out
into the world
on a piece of paper.
one said this:
she understands important things.
—
the liberties of none are safe
unless the liberties of all are protected.
– william o. douglas
—
credits: 1920s AMELIARANNE Bedtime Goodnight, susan b. pearce
go slow reminder sign
—
with the world spinning by
and the kinders
always moving so fast
(with frequent collateral damage)
we decided
to try slowing things down a bit
so
they painted signs as reminders
practiced spelling and saying it
posted them around the room
first day –
one hit his head
because he
‘decided to jump backwards’
one fell down
while stretching and balancing
on a shaky stool
one banged something
when skipping down the hall.
we’re still working out the details.
=
wisely, and slow. they stumble that run fast.
– william shakespeare
kinders’ fairy castle
they all worked on it
‘for days’ = (2 hours)
used
cardboard
tape
paper
sparkles
markers
coffee cup trays
egg crates
ribbons
imaginations
creativity
problem solving skills
engineering
balance
music
tippy stools
teamwork
laughter
flags
noise
to
create a masterpiece.
now they go inside
with
flashlight
and
books
and
magically
can read.
—
a great building must begin with the unmeasurable,
must go through measurable means when it is being designed
and in the end must be unmeasurable.
– louis kahn
book club happens
while waiting to go outside
and discovers something.
letters.
—
there is more treasure in books
than in all the pirate’s loot on treasure island.
– walt disney
out walking with the kinders
we happened upon
a white swan
happy
and
in between seasons.
the same as us.
standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous;
you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.
– margaret thatcher
grandbaby j at his moment of reckoning
as he turns 4
and
makes a choice.
—
i can resist everything except temptation.
– oscar wilde
we went to
one of my grandie’s soccer games
his day to bring the snack
a variety pack
filled with all things crunchy and wonderful
he was really excited to share the treats
but worried
that his favorites would all be gone
i told him that it was important to offer them all
and then to eat whatever was left
but
he might be able to up the odds a little bit
by putting his favorites at the bottom of the box
that way he was more likely to have them left over
and he didn’t have to feel bad
because he had offered all of them to his team
if he was meant to have them
they would still be there
if not
it was nice of him to have shared them
i watched as he thought it over
and
carefully put his ‘puffy cheetos’ on the bottom.
after the game he shared the snacks
and was delighted to see
that amazingly
his favorites were still there.
my daughter said that this was probably
the advice he would remember most from me
not to be kind, to be fair, or to take turns
but rather,
to put your favorites in the bottom of the box,
offer them to your friends
cross your fingers
and
hope for the best.
nothing wrong with hoping for the best.
grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief
they haven’t thought of yet.
~ gene perret
once upon a time
a week or so ago
we read a famous old story
out loud
got very excited
to bake our own gingerbreads
imagined them to look like the pictures
everybody
worked so hard
and
finally
they were ready
and
the gingerbreads
were
really something special
even better
than we imagined
none of them
ran away
and
we all ate
happily ever after.
—
there is a peculiar burning odor in the room,
like explosives. the kitchen fills with smoke
and the hot, sweet, ashy smell of scorched cookies.
the war has begun.
– alison lurie
—
image credit: toriavery.com
my friend/great mother of 5 active young children
is at it again –
the following quote was her post
yesterday on Facebook
and i think she’s great:
“Wishing I had a fairy godmother…
Or maybe just a cleaning lady (or man).
Kids are gross.
Nobody warns how gross they can be.
Do you know what words I uttered today? –
” Who peed in the toothbrush rinse cup”?
Honestly …. The struggle is real.”
-nm
—
her friend replied –
“i like that, but remember that time your twins peed in the cat litter?”
—
I didn't have my glasses on.... 