Tag: Humor

When did this change? She couldn’t wait to get braces — but the price changed, too

June 10, 2020

When I was 13, getting braces was a drudgery no child would willingly anticipate or take on. They were ugly, they made you look different — “Hey metal mouth,” and “Is that railroad tracks in your mouth?” We’ve known for several years that Daughter would eventually need braces. Her teeth took on a life of … More When did this change? She couldn’t wait to get braces — but the price changed, too

Days of ‘magic’ might be passing for her — but never for parents

September 30, 2016

He casts a magic spell, as our daughter leans back in the plush seat. That’s the euphemism favored by our children’s dentist, who refuses to use the term “pulling teeth” in front of his young clientele. “I just lean back and breathe through that mask. Next thing I know, he’s done his magic!” Unfortunately, “magic” has become … More Days of ‘magic’ might be passing for her — but never for parents

Pink goblets, Princesses and beautiful ringlets: A time to remember

February 17, 2014

There aren’t many occasions where you find yourself spending the evening with a plastic goblet in your pocket — and your pocket is in the slacks of the suit you’re wearing. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. The plastic goblet was grabbed early in the evening of my daughter’s Princess Ball, … More Pink goblets, Princesses and beautiful ringlets: A time to remember

Jimmy Stewart meets Josie Wales: Gratitude from the depths of our souls

January 14, 2014

It’s a good thing I don’t get paid for writing this blog, because I’d be making about as much as I am right now on extended unemployment benefits. Ta-dum-dum. That was supposed to be funny. Humorous. Amusing. Anyway, I’ve written two columns over the past 6 or so weeks and really didn’t like either of … More Jimmy Stewart meets Josie Wales: Gratitude from the depths of our souls

The source of pain and new vocabulary: Getting older or just plain clumsy?

October 3, 2013

“I learned about compassion today,” the 6-year-old said rather matter-of-factly as we walked home from the bus stop. That stirred my curiosity. Not a word that generally comes up in 1st Grade. Perhaps they’re really moving ahead in language and usage, I thought. Just another reason I love our charter school. “How did you learn … More The source of pain and new vocabulary: Getting older or just plain clumsy?

Holy Birthdays, Batman! Caped Crusader never grows old

August 9, 2013

Our daughter, at age 6, is a party planner extraordinaire. She doesn’t need a special occasion — she’ll decide what the party will be about, describe what she’s doing to prepare for it, and give her orders (er, directions) for what she expects from her parents. That’s why there’s a disco ball hanging from the ceiling in … More Holy Birthdays, Batman! Caped Crusader never grows old

Tick, tock, tick, tock: Screaming your way through summer day camp

July 17, 2013

What few dim memories I have of my own summer camp experiences are for the most part worth forgetting, especially considering how much has changed in childcare and political correctness since the mid 1960s. As I drop off my daughter each morning at her day camp, I always have an idea of what she’ll be doing that day (thanks to … More Tick, tock, tick, tock: Screaming your way through summer day camp

Summer, summer camp, and a trail of kid’s clothing

June 29, 2013

Summer camp was once something more like a luxury, when stay-at-home Moms ruled the roost and there was less need to keep the kids safely occupied. In today’s two-wage-earner families, though, summer camp is often a necessity. It’s the only way a lot of kids can maintain any sort of social contact with their peers … More Summer, summer camp, and a trail of kid’s clothing

Farewell to kindergarten; ‘We’ll always have recess’

June 21, 2013

Kindergarten graduation. Complete with mortar boards and diplomas. Audience packed with parents, grandparents and friends. What’s more, shout-outs for certain students when their name is called to be awarded the kindergarten completion certificate. (Squeezing my voice into its best Walter Brennan-like drawl:) “In my day, we didn’t have kindergarten gradge-ee-ations. When you said somebody gradge-ee-ated you … More Farewell to kindergarten; ‘We’ll always have recess’