Now that we’ve been in Asia for three years, the approach of Chinese New Year is less novel and more familiar. This year the celebrations will begin February 19. Two years ago I schooled you on the animals that help to usher in each new year and I smugly thought I had it all figured… Continue reading The Year of the Goat. Or Sheep. Or Ram.
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When your “best” could be better
A few months ago, Glennon Melton of Momastery (of which I am a big fan) posted a message about treating ourselves with grace. She wrote, “Today – when we lose our temper with the kids, when we accidentally eat that third brownie, when we don’t send that thank you card for the fortieth day in… Continue reading When your “best” could be better
Death by Legos
The Legos are going to kill me. Or someone in our family. Or all of us. My kids are 4 and almost 3. They should be playing with Duplo blocks - large, easy to manage, easy to spot. But they're not interested. They want the Legos. The itsy bitsy colorful death squares. Have you seen… Continue reading Death by Legos
2015
Another trip around the sun. Another year over and a new one just begun. Another year closer to the end my friends. No wait, scratch that. New Year's is supposed to be light and beginning. Refreshing and positive. Let me start again. I've been blogging for three years now. Aside from making me realize that of… Continue reading 2015
One of Those Days
We take the city bus to school. There are two busses we can take and we only go 5 stops so naturally, we see quite a few other kids on the bus. The school is not that large and the uniforms are unique (red and green plaid shirts with a green collar). So even if… Continue reading One of Those Days
Christmas in December. And November. (And October?)
Why not blend these two evolving holidays into one big, happy holiday season where turkeys and pilgrims and shepherds and Santas merrily dance around a decorated cornucopia of traditions?
Adventures in Baking with Kids
Call it a momentary lapse in judgement. Call it the rainy season. Call it crazy. But this week, the boys and I have been doing a little baking. I'm not much of a baker. They are very eager. They have had fun but for me, it kind of felt like getting doughed and floured (the less… Continue reading Adventures in Baking with Kids
Lessons on Preschool, the Internet and Writing
When I went to pick my youngest up from school, the teacher's report included a story about their reading circle. She was reading a book about animals to the class and asked the kids what kind of animal they wanted to be. All of the kids started shouting out animals. All of the kids except for… Continue reading Lessons on Preschool, the Internet and Writing
How I Became a Mom Who Still Breastfeeds her Toddler
I don't fancy myself some hippie chick, though I really wish I was. I wish I made granola from scratch and mixed up my own organic deodorant. I wish I composted my garbage and my closet was filled with stylishly chic, long, flowing, flowery skirts. But alas, my cabinets are filled with canned soups, boxed… Continue reading How I Became a Mom Who Still Breastfeeds her Toddler
The Help
Having domestic help in Asia is the norm. Unlike the US, where domestic help is the stuff of sit-coms poking fun at the rich or tabloid fodder for how out of touch celebrities are with their help, in Asia, helpers can be found in any middle class home. It is part of the culture. Some… Continue reading The Help
Kathleen Siddell 