Avery says...

Mommy, you aren't so good to snuggle with sometimes because your hips are too bony!

 a.k.a. the exact opposite of a backhanded compliment (a fronthanded criticism?)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Alex I know - fifteen through the eyes of a mom

Image
Dear Alex,

Fifteen.  Let's just take a minute to let that sink in.  That's like full on whole separate existence about which your parents have no idea kind of teenager.  Maybe that is why I have been procrastinating writing to you this year, because I'm afraid I'll get it wrong and wont capture the real you for when you go back and read this years from now.

So to be clear, this is fifteen as reflected through the eyes of your mom. It is not comprehensive.

In any case, there are always themes, clear aspects of your being that remain a part of you for as long as I can remember, however in this last year, there are also some surprises. This kid! This kid who has reached a point in his life where he makes it all look so easy. Who is gracious about his success, even self deprecating. You have achieved, but refuse any compliment claiming that it’s not a big deal. But it is. And if nowhere else, I will celebrate you here. 

You are a kind and empathetic human being.  And a dog lov…
Read more

Sunshine and thunderstorms: Avery turns eleven!

Image
Dear Avery,

I've been thinking about what to write to you to commemorate your turning eleven and what I realize is that it may have been a year of growing pains, but today on your eleventh birthday you have emerged from a place of stretching and growing to a really balanced and happy place...at least for the time being.  I am sure that as you enter middle school and the true tween to teen years that there will be angst.  But for now, you are sunshine (of course, with the occasional thunderstorm thrown in).

So let's discuss that growth and your success (and yes, some failures) that make you a wonderful young lady.  I wrote myself a list of what I wanted to write about: academic success, emotional growth, basketball & lacrosse & goalie, art & dance, Shayna, pink hair & braces & six (!) pairs of glasses. I could almost write nothing more than that list and you would remember exactly what the past year has been, but I believe a few insights and anecdotes are in o…
Read more

Direction

Hey kids,

For posterity, I wanted to mark this time in our lives as the time when I was unemployed.  Today is the end of week two.

We adopted a puppy when we got back from the beach (Shayna!) and having that sweet girl home with me while I figure out my next move has been a true sanity saver.

This is the quote that I wrote for all of us today:  I am ordinary, but only because I choose to keep my extraordinary hidden; sometimes it's just easier to fit in and not have to meet an expectation that does not feel achievable.

Thanks for letting me be more involved in normal in your lives right now and for dealing with my mood swings while I work on me.

Love you both,
Mom


Read more