Dr. Doolittle’s Training Ground

We do not own any pets.  Both my son J and my husband B are allergic to cats.  Although we would like a dog, we’re not ready for furry paws or to say goodbye to our slightly scuffed hardwood floors.  We refuse to harbor mice/rats, spiders or smelly reptiles like B’s least favorite, snakes.   Fish seem disposable, and a tank would consume too much space.  Our family finds zoos mildly entertaining, but we really don’t need to visit them when our own backyard promises more than its share of the fine, furry, feathered friend persuasion.

From our front yard, you’d never guess what inhabits the back.  Our modest size home in a modest neighborhood sits on a surprising acre of land in the shape of an orange slice.  Past our large backyard, woods border the property with a shallow stream trickling.  When humidity and hot air hits, it smells just like the South Jersey swamp it once was. [Read more...]

What DID I Do This Summer?

My 10-year old, like many kids, has a selective memory.  Ask what he did at school, and he replies, “nothing.”  Ask what his coach said in the pep talk, and he says, “nothing.”  Ask him how the Lion King was on Broadway (the camp took him last year), and he shrugs, “nothing.”  IT WAS A BROADWAY SHOW FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!  HOW CAN THAT BE NOTHING?  And ask him in September what he did all summer, and he’ll say, “nothing.”

Which is why, this year, I’m keeping a Summer Log.  I’ve been doing something similar for many years whenever we go on vacation so I can remember what we did when we were away.  Logs then go into our scrapbooks along with receipts, ticket stubs, quotes from the kids,  photos, etc.  This log, unlike the others, will be nothing elaborate. [Read more...]

Traveling Insecurities

My husband travels to Washington, D.C. for work at least once per year and he always wants the kids and me to come along on the trip. The perks are great: we get a free hotel room or apartment (depending on the length of the trip), reimbursed transportation, and since the Smithsonian museums are free, very inexpensive entertainment. Plus, the fact that my husband wants me and the kids around, instead of getting two weeks of peace and quiet, well, that’s amazing, too.

So, when my husband came home the other night and announced he had to take a two-week trip to D.C. this summer, and, of course, he wanted us to come, I should have felt lucky or grateful. Instead, I’m whining. Why? I’m nervous about taking a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old around Washington, D.C. all by myself. [Read more...]