The other day, I told J that in a few weeks soccer would be starting again.
“Who’s going to be on my team?”
“Well,” I said, “Blake and Sammy… They’ll be on your team again…”
“Who’s NOT going to be on my team?”
Pause. Seriously? Who’s NOT going to be on your team? Um, kid. About 6 billion people won’t be on your team.
“There’s a lot of people that won’t be on your team, Jonah.”
“Tell me who.”
I literally started naming random people, “President Obama, Lady Gaga, The Backyardigans, Grandpa…”
“Who else?”
Conversations like this obviously amuse me. But mostly? They concern me: They. Can. Go. On. FOREVER. There is no answer that will ...Read More
Recently many family members asked me what Jonah wants for Chanukah. I would often respond with a “he doesn’t need anything” (an answer that grandmothers cannot accept) and follow up with “okay, um….okay… he’s in to robots and science stuff…” But at a recent westside “be a better parent” group, I learned from the jedi parenting master that 4 year olds are in such a “gimme gimme” stage, that now would be the time to talk to them about giving back. That instead of them telling us all the things they want and need, we should encourage them to think about what we can do or give to others.
So I ...Read More
Something tells me working the breakfast shift, just down the road from the actual magical kingdom, wasn’t part of “Jasmine’s” fairy tale.
When J first started preschool, I always seemed to get stuck with the stuff on the sign up sheets outside the classroom that NO ONE would wish on their worst enemy…. Taco salad for 35 people, muffins (without dairy, wheat, nuts, or flavor), kosher egg salad, etc… I cursed the gods (and moms) of preschool and complained that no one understood the plight of the working mom. Sorry I’m not at all the pick up and drop offs wearing a stupid cardigan, skinny jeans and flats, and getting all excited and nervous about what to sign up for on THE list. OH, that GODDAMN LIST.
Well this year, somehow (and I ...Read More
Ho, friggin’, ho. ‘Tis the season to be jolly… and make fun of holiday sweaters. Whether the lit up mall and long lines for Santa are getting you in the holiday spirit or not, one thing is for certain, this time of year, especially for parents, is pure madness. From holiday parties at schools, to gifts for teachers, to scheduling play dates and plans while school’s out, our dance card is full… And that’s not including the holiday work parties and family/friend get togethers (where I pray that the egg nog is spiked and the latkes are extra crispy). A few weeks ago, my girl Robin Saperstein of High Heel ...Read More
Last night, I took a trip down iPhoto lane and stumbled on a slew of old videos from when Jonah was about 21 months old. Watching them, I started to feel very sentimental… Though I love watching this child bloom and truly become a little boy right now, I must admit, part of me misses “Baby-Ko….” First steps, first words, first songs… Now he’s putting concepts together. Like big concepts. Take this conversation for example… From the back seat… where the most meaningful conversations seem to start….
J: Mommy, tell me about the day I came out of your PA-CHINA.
And cue the poker face.
Me: Um, wha– Oh. Um. Uh, okay. ...Read More
… for family. The traditions new and old, the questions that my mom asks repeatedly (still), the goodbyes that take forever (even though we’ll see each other tomorrow). It means I have family. It means I have support.
… for my health. The extra stuff around the middle, the puffy eyes in the morning (and at night), the muscle cramps and aches after a hard workout (or bad night of sleep). It means I have health. It means my body works.
… for my home. The loud and unfriendly neighbors, the (always dirty looking) tile that I would not have chosen, the clutter that waxes and wanes, ebbs and flows ...Read More
Earlier this year, Robin Saperstein of High Heel in a Haystack and I met and as I’ve said before, I was convinced we were not only separated at birth, but that we shared a deeply stylish karmic fashion connection. Robin, a fashion stylist based here in Los Angeles gave me a complete wardrobe makeover. Not only did she go through my closet and help me determine which clothes shouted 1993 and needed to be bagged immediately, but she put together some fantastic looks for me that inspired me to continue to think about style and actually enjoy getting dressed (in something other than yoga pants and my American Apparel pullover).
Well ...Read More