Parenting is not rocket science, but this is one not-technical mama's experiment in raising curious, adventuresome explorers.
Never have I been more aware of the deluge of opinions and information as have been poured out on the internet in these past months. At risk of adding to the cacophony, I wanted to share some thoughts, hopefully a bit of a pep talk for myself and maybe you can find some encouragement here …
Help! LEGO organization is becoming a problem! While mostly I try to remind myself not to care too much about toys, they should be a learning experience in responsibility for the kids who love them--if they don't take care of them, say they throw them across the beach because they're mad about leaving and don't …
One of the few things many of us have been able to maintain even in stay-at-home orders has been getting out for a walk around the neighborhood. Maybe we didn't even do it all that much before a worldwide pandemic, but now we'll take whatever change of scenery we can get and take turn around …
Right around the time a certain little someone turned three some new defiant behaviors started showing up in our everyday routines. Suddenly he wouldn't want to get in the car or snuggle in for nap time. Getting him to put shoes on, eat his lunch, all kinds, would trigger this stubborn refusal. And while I'm …
Boredom. We have arrived at the age when I am subjected to pleas of, "Moo-oom, what can I do?" AKA "I'm bored." And I pulled up this excellent article from a few years ago to remind me what to do with this desperate entreaty. Nothing. Boredom is magical. I love the article's suggestion of saying, …
You know how they say firstborns are often rule followers? Ours definitely falls in line with that theory. He has a strong sense of the "right" way to do things and is quick to correct those around him. His high standards often lean toward perfectionism born of a sincere desire to get something just right, …
Someone gave us one of those easy reader books, the ones with large print and simple sentences about subject matter which might appeal to a five or six year old learning to read. I'm all about encouraging kids to read, but the topics are what get me. Some of them are great. Then there are …
It's been a busy season around here. I'll spare the details, but suffice it to say, combined with my low energy/pregnant state, I'm sorry to say this little corner of everyday adventures has fallen a bit by the wayside. Don't get me wrong, things are still happening, but I miss chronicling them, documenting them, all …
Last week the whole family got to tag along with our rocket scientist to the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Symposium in Boston, Massachusetts. Jonathan was presenting an update on the mechanical rover for extreme environments, like Venus, where traditional electronics can't take the heat, literally. When he first won funding from NASA for this …
Living in the city, there is high priority placed on playtime in greenspace for our kids. For calling Los Angeles home, we are so privileged to have access to more than concrete and asphalt. Parks are plentiful. The mountains and beaches are not far. Diverse hiking trails abound. Botanical gardens offer affordable memberships. We're even …
Launching Rocket Babies 