zoot

My Birthday Boy

My Dearest Angel, We don’t do yearly birthday parties in our house. We save the big celebrations with the fancy cake and themes for the big birthdays. Today is your first of those. Your 5th birthday. The year you start big school. The year you learn to read. The year you get a library card. The year you can finally drink beer at our family gatherings. I’m just kidding!... Read More

The New Normal

Since my layoff I’ve been doing 25+ hours of work a week from home. Without the cost of full-time daycare, plus some cutbacks, that put us financially about where we were before my layoff. ABOUT. Close enough that I’m not having nightmares about losing my home, but not close enough that I get to enjoy the weekend of Someone Else Cooks And Cleans like we used to. However,... Read More

To All The Parents I’ve Ever Judged Before

My son is a few days away from turning 5 and we are in one of the most difficult phases I’ve ever experienced in my 18+ years of parenting. He has full-blown tantrums that involve hitting and screaming and kicking and even lately…spitting. That’s a new addition to the tantrum spectrum I’m really excited about. Nothing helps you make rational parenting decisions... Read More

When You Die Can We Get A New Mommy?

Wes is still quite obsessed with death. Lately it’s manifested in a bit of a different way, though. It seems Wes has figured out that he gets some positive attention in the form of hugs and snuggles if he speaks about death in a sad/sweet way. Like, “Momma, I’m going to miss you so much when you die.” He even cries when he says it! How could I do anything... Read More

SERIOUSLY? SHAVING? ALREADY?

Nikki’s love life has become the most important thing in her life this last month or so of school. She had the same boyfriend all year and it wasn’t a big deal and then BAM! they broke up and it’s been a non-stop cycle of breakups/get-together’s since. This note is just the tip of the iceberg. E got his cap and gown (SOB!) but the one-size-fits-all cap... Read More