Last year, I wrote about Elf on the Shelf twice, sharing the story about how he miraculously found our new home and a story about annoying people who loudly diss Elf on a Shelf in stores, leaving their little shards of pessimism in the hearts of countless children busy just trying to keep their little […]
Parenting
- Island Life
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A Phone Interview, a New Oven & Downton Abbey
You ever have one of those weeks where so much has happened that, theoretically, you should have plenty of writing fodder, but when you sit down to actually write, you quickly eliminate 90% of your material? You know, because some of it is off limits, and some of it is best not mentioned in case […]
- Island Life
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As the Island Family Turns: More Gallimaufries
Here’s the latest drama in our lives, in no particular order: In the spirit of “better late than never,†which I liberally apply or disregard as needed, here are a couple of Halloween shots of the small people. The ninja, Indiana Jones and Ariel all rounded out the evening by completing their annual Candy Swap. […]
- Island Life
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Their Own Worlds
Last month, I mentioned that Baby-girl loves playing with the big boys. Nevertheless, the last time we were at our old house, things took a different turn. Historically, the boys have made much verbal ado about surfing, even making plans to attend a surf camp. Usually in the moment, however, since the boogie boards are […]
- Island Life
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The Hour Before Sunset
I can’t count how often they’ve spent the hour before sunset like this, backs bent low over the sand, the ocean ever beside them. In these moments, had I the power to suspend time, I would.
- Island Life
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Educating a Kindergartener
Recently, my daughter came home from kindergarten and launched into an explanation of the difference between fiction and nonfiction. I was duly impressed when she then provided several examples of both. I smiled to myself, and frankly, I had a little moment where I privately extolled the virtues of a good education. I praised her […]