Sugar and Spice

Those of you who don't know me too well may be surprised to learn that I can be a real meanie. I could explain away why that is - probably something to do with being a short, young female in a competitive and aggressive profession dominated by loud, old men. In any event, I have to admit that sometimes I can a bit of a bully. At work, it usually ends well. The problem is when it comes home with me. Add to that the fact that I am a bad disciplinarian. I don't like to discipline my kids. For one, it puts a damper on what we have going on (i.e., if she can't go to the party, I can't go to the party). I understand that is immature and selfish and don't you dare think for a minute that I didn't REALLY reconsider even typing those words. But this blog is all about being honest and that is the truth. Fortunately for me I have some really, really, really wonderful kids. But, they are kids. They fight and argue and sass and sometimes they need to be discipli...

I posted an article on Facebook yesterday about the first Kindergarten drop-off. “How did we get here?” the author asked. It’s the same question I’m asking myself, so the thought is not unique. I'm certain I was not the only mom walking out of the building today with her tongue pressed hard against the top of her mouth trying to stop tears, barely able to eek out a have a great day as I left my part-baby part-big girl to start her education. So, while the question is hardly unique, this blog post is my answer. It’s my “baby book” letter to Pumpkin about her first day of Kindergarten. How did we get here? How did I get to this beautiful little pink-clad angel, nervously clutching my hand, proudly strapped into her monogrammed owl backpack holding her already completed first homework assignment that she cannot wait to turn in? How, in 5 short years, did I get to this creature who is simultaneously and always my needy baby and already my moody, temperamental all-girl child? The...