the calm before the stork

saying goodbye to the lawrence hall dinosaurs

calm mama — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 06:57:45 +0000

I’m feeling weepy about the end of an era in our lives.

The six month occupation of the Lawrence Hall of Science by the Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit.

We were there from the first day, on May 28th, when we stumbled upon the opening by accident. We had no idea it was coming, and we never . . . → Read More: saying goodbye to the lawrence hall dinosaurs

rocking hannukah

calm mama — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 06:46:57 +0000

The first night, I blew his little mind.

With this:

Child’s Astronaut Writst Watch

I paid around $11 for it at one of our favorite haunts, the Lawrence Hall of Science. You can follow the link posted above and get the same wonderful watch for about $4. But I’m supporting my local economy and . . . → Read More: rocking hannukah

oakland restaurants: my bucket list

calm mama — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:55:54 +0000

This post has nothing to do with motherhood, or my Grandmother’s passing. Except that since becoming a mother I’ve had less time and money to eat out fancy, and my Grandmother loved a good white-tablecloth restaurant, so tangentially, it fits.

I was just thinking today that I wanted to make this list, so here it . . . → Read More: oakland restaurants: my bucket list

confessions

calm mama — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:19:46 +0000

I recently had a terrible cough. Again. Some of you may remember the cough-that-never-ended, earlier this year, with which I suffered for FOUR SOLID MONTHS.

Part of what ended it before was going off wheat and dairy. Or the change of the seasons coinciding with. Or maybe the herbs and acupuncture finally kicked in. Or . . . → Read More: confessions

answer: 7.5 hours

calm mama — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:35:38 +0000

Question: How long does it take to drive to Los Angeles from Oakland, when squiring a newly-minted 4-year-old child?

Important related question: How long did it used to take? (Answer: 4.5 hours—pretend this was written upside-down because that would make it so much more authentic and Wacky-Packs or something and pretend that it doesn’t prove . . . → Read More: answer: 7.5 hours

the day the bedtime routine changed

calm mama — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:52:25 +0000

I never thought it would come.

Honestly.

If we were being filmed though, the foreshadowing would have been obvious to the audience months ago. Or at least weeks.

Before I proceed, let me just say there are still some kinks to be worked out. And who knows if this will hold for two nights running, . . . → Read More: the day the bedtime routine changed

birthday celebration, the final chapter: dam, svardeah… hag sameach!

calm mama — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:32:16 +0000

I can only start this story with a reference to the ten plagues.

Dam, Svardeah… Hag Sameach = Blood, Frogs… Happy Birthday

There are no frogs in this story. However Shicheen (Boils) doesn’t rhyme with Sameach.

The alternate title (in my head) also references Passover: Dayenu! = It would have been enough for us.

birthday celebration, phase 4: on shaky ground

calm mama — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:04:50 +0000

The future of tomorrow’s play date party is uncertain.

Jonah spiked a fever today. I took him to the pediatrician because he was also complaining about being dizzy.

But he’s fine.

I asked the doctor if we should cancel the party and I swear the man looked at me like I was COMPLETELY nuts.

“Give . . . → Read More: birthday celebration, phase 4: on shaky ground

birthday celebration, phase 3: cupcakes

calm mama — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:17:36 +0000

Am in the midst of attempting to make cupcakes for the next round of celebration, the party at preschool. Birthdays at his preschool are a week-long event with themes selected by each child and then celebrated in craft activities all week.

Jonah’s theme this year is Space. Last year he chose Ladybug at school, Thomas . . . → Read More: birthday celebration, phase 3: cupcakes

having a 4-year-old is like playing the vegas slots

calm mama — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:15:48 +0000

You insert your quarter and pull the arm. Every third, tenth, hundredth time, you hit the jackpot. Your brain likes jackpot. You insert your quarter and pull the arm, insert quarter, pull arm…

But the 4-year-old is easier to please.

The question is, should you please him?

Yesterday, I made the plan on my way . . . → Read More: having a 4-year-old is like playing the vegas slots