Over the years, I’ve gotten used to the idea that there is no operating manual for my kids. I have learned how to wing it. But it seems to me that there should be manuals for all of the extraneous stuff these kids are into. I’m sure many of you out there would [...]

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(secret southside spot)
Today, we had one of those parallel conversations in the car. It wouldn”t have been so weird if there were 4 of us there, but there was just 3. This is quite typical of my children. Sometimes they actually speak to one another and I get to contemplate my future alderman career, but [...]

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There’s a new Homeschool Habitat podcast if you want to listen in. Click on the Homeschool Habitat link to the right to hear it. Here’s a teaser for this week’s show:
Homeschool Habitat 4. Feb 19, 2005. Parentside: USA First Amendment, homeschool catalogues, homeschool stereotypes in the media, cartoon, an overview of Unit Studies, Andrea [...]

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(Haaaaaaappy birthday to youuuu)
(Before you read this letter, please go to this link and get furious)
Dear Editor,
On 2/13/2005 you ran a cartoon titled “Want to Abuse a Child in Silence?” that is exceedingly offensive, as well as illogical. Mr. Fitzsimmons, in an attempt to rouse political outrage and make people laugh, has wed two opposing [...]

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(A still life of our valentine’s booty)
Inspired by Pink Poppy, I will wax poetic about Valentine’s day.
Ahem, Valentine’s day, oh how I want you to be exciting. Oh, I’d like to decorate for you. I wish I could get up the nerve to buy heart-shaped lights and cute little candy-like wall decorations. I wish [...]

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(The father-daughter Valentine’s park district dance, awwwww….)
The crazy flu cold still plagues the house. I’m sort of over it, but today Li has a fever. Feeling sorry for the kids being stuck at home again, I pulled a globe out of my hat. It was slated to be a present later. But it has [...]

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There’s a blog I adore called Contentious. Amy, who runs it, also happens to be a podcaster. This past week I emailed the prince of podcasting, Adam Curry, about a list she had compiled on female podcasters. Adam, kindly as always, mentioned it on his podcast, which has a bajillion listeners. He brought up that [...]

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(Look, even their sign is beautifully handcrafted with lovely muted colors invocative of nature itself. I wish I could take a nap right next to it, with a daisy stuck behind my ear.)
Let’s face it people, our nation’s children are being replaced by aliens when no one is looking. That is the only reason I [...]

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(A year ago this was what was prominently displayed on my daughter’s desk. She was just about to turn 8.)

(This is what is on there today, as she approaches the 9 year mark. Well, at least she’s still folding stuff.)
Today, I’ve been trying to write a piece for the Mamaphiles zine. The next issue is [...]

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(Belly dancers at our Not Back to School talent show)
Do your kids ever seem to channel dead philosophers, filmakers and poets? What I mean is, do they occasionally come up with some thought, story or quip that seems out of character and light years ahead of their age? What they heck is that [...]

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