Posts Tagged Under school

December 4th, 2009

Long Ago & Faraway Memories of An Endless Summer

It is the end of August and school starts in 89 hours and 56 minutes.

Since mid-June, when school recessed for the summer, I have lived with three headstrong daughters, day-in and day-out, on a tight budget, with no camps to fill their days or free me from mine.

This is like enrolling in a mountaineering rope course, but instead of teaching you to climb Kilimanjaro, you hang mid-air, cold and naked against the raw edge of tween-age angst!

To make this more fun than a cushy career and a fat paycheck, I have become — a pothead.

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By Lauren Cargill
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October 4th, 2009

Togetherness Is Nothing Like Being Alone

I have a theory that the very thing that attracts one to another is ultimately what will repel one or both at some point.

When the kids were little I loved having Bill home during the day. He is a jeweler and his workshop is downstairs. He is always just a scream away for help. My intense boys, just two and a half years apart, ran me ragged and sometimes another pair of adult hands was the only things stopping me from running out and never returning.

Now the kids are at school all day and I swear just the sound of Bill’s footsteps on the stairs is enough to make me grind my teeth. Instead of enjoying lunch together I would rather read a magazine while eating leftovers cold from the fridge.

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By Cathy Burke
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July 28th, 2009

As the Wheels Turn

I have not seen her yet. She is a new love I hope to share with my husband. This year has been difficult on us — the kids and their school were a constant source of conflict. Then there was an albeit brief job scare. The stress of establishing a new business. Broken limbs and scary diagnoses. No family vacations for two years.

She is a signal that life will be good again. Promising and exciting. That the wheel is turning.

She is a beauty. I can’t wait to cuddle in her lap and drive down the serpentine coastal road while we sing. We will be single and carefree again with the wind blowing through our hair. We will check out our favorite beaches and stop at small cafes.

She is a new girlfriend that my friends are eager to welcome. She reminds them of freedom, too.

She is as much an epitome of California for me as is its palm-edged freeways. Don’t laugh — I come from a cold country with bad roads.

She is a new car — a convertible and I am waiting for my California Moment to arrive. Continue… »

By Dilyara Breyer
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December 8th, 2008

Acting Silly is a Perk of Parenting

Gawd, parenting is fun sometimes.

My son tells me he does not like school. Since for ninety-five percent of children under the age of twelve, recess is the only good thing about education, I urge him to consider the merits of the playground at school.

“Is there a slide outside at your school?”

“Yes.”

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By admin
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August 30th, 2008

And You Thought Legos Were Just for Building Stuff

“I don’t want to go to school!” Eric wailed this morning.

Already?  On the second day? Last year this chant was too familiar — but this is a new year. 

It is supposed to be a new beginning. 

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By admin
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August 21st, 2008

But Wait, We’re Still Summering

I’m lounging in my pajamas again, on a school morning at that. Why not? There’s no need to race from the shower in order to beat the family morning rush with wet hair. Instead I’ve gotten used to actually reading the newspaper cover-to-cover before the kids stampede down the stairs. My day is beginning with a quiet, peaceful morning graced with a strong, aromatic cup of coffee.

It’s just too good to last.

Summer is finally hitting a nice groove in our home. After weeks of camps and various other activities, we are all enjoying unstructured days spent outdoors, often returning home from the park near eight p.m. under a sunny August sky. The kids are relaxed, content to lollygag about, playing with friends, climbing trees or retreating to enjoy a favorite book.

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By Maija Threlkeld
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