Just Overheard

Emma: "Daddy! Oh no. My slippers are full of trail mix!"

Yeah, Mom's Awesome

Offered almost without comment, but just a little context — the children received gifts from my mother-in-law around their birthdays. Ostensibly, the theme was Monk Seals. But I think there may have been a bit of subtext, no? Fortunately, just as I pre-watch, I try to pre-read, as well.

Here was Cordelia's reassuring storyline: "[Mother] knew it was time to leave her pup and tend to her own needs. As [her child] lay sleeping, she slipped away into the dark ocean. Though she cared for Hina, her job as a mother was over. Now Hina would have to learn to take care of herself."

"Hina began to call for her mother, but her calls went unanswered. After awhile, Hina finally realized she was alone."

Cody got the mature version. The sections about "danger, disease, and death" and "sexual maturity," in addition to the maternal abandonment. You know, because he's seven.

 Note the caption: "Shark attack victim."

Ah, here we go. "Her job complete, she quietly slips away, heading for open water to tend to her own needs. From this day on she will have nothing more to do with the pup, who must now learn to fend for itself."

 "I've never cared for Gob."

How Does A Dinosaur Say Goodnight?

So JVL was re-watching Jurassic Park for a piece he just wrote, and I peeked in every now and again. I caught this scene, and thought that on some days, it was kind of the perfect metaphor for parenting. : )

Muldoon: "They're lethal at 8 months. And I do mean lethal. They're extremely intelligent. Even problem-solving intelligent…When she looks at you, you can see that she's working things out."

Ellie:"But the fences are electrified, right?"

Muldoon: "That's right — but they never attack the same place twice. They were testing the fences for weaknessess. Systematically. They remember."

Cubtrap 2015

Last week marked the end of school, and the annual "Cup Trap" at school. As usual, it was the hottest day of May. Except for Zoo Trip day, which is also always tied for hottest. Here, for the two people who really, REALLY wanted to be at Cub Trap but couldn't be, are the video highlights. This year's theme was "Americana."

Here's Cody's class. Everyone who is NOT Mom and Dad, feel free to skip this post. : )











And here's Cordelia's group.









There was one more song — When The Saints Go Marching In — but the phone died. You can thank me now.

Happy summer!

Somewhere, Idina Menzel is Cringing

Oh Emma, I hope your tune someday lands in a bucket.



Well, now we know …