Taidhgin, Connlaodh, and I were talking about friends today: why it was important to have them in our lives and what they mean to us and what kinds of friends we have.
Taidhgin
* They are nice and they never have their folder signed.
i.e., they never get in deep enough trouble at school for the teacher to tell their folks!
* They are special.
* (Blane) is very quiet and never gets called to sign the book.
i.e. they did something wrong at school and have to sign a book that tracks "bad choices".
* Friends are special. If you are lonely and want someone to play with you, you can ask a (new kid) their name and if they're nice they can play with you.
* If I never had friends, I would be just left alone...I would be sad.
Connlaodh
* (About Emma and Rhianna and Lauren, his "girlfriends"): They are my best friends because I want to play with them...cause I can read books with them.
* They are really nice.
* Her loves to paint!
This is about Emma, his #1 girlfriend.
So, why do we have friends?
* So we're not lonely.
* To help keep us on the right path, so that we don't have to "sign the book".
* So we can share our common interests.
And what kinds of friends should be choose?
* Ones who are nice.
* Ones who stay out of trouble and make good decisions.
* Ones who are creative.
* Ones who are smart.
I wish I had this list when I was in high school!
09 January 2010
02 January 2010
"Nasty, but So Cool"
The kids and I were all laying on the bed, trying to find something on TV to watch before bedtime. Despite the idiotic number of channels we have accessible to use, we were having a hard time finding anything worth wasting 30 minutes of our lives on. However, as we were flipping through the channels, trying to find something that all of us would enjoy, we came across In the Womb, on the National Geographic Channel. The best of all worlds! Babies, science, animals, and only 30 minutes left in the episode.
In the Womb, for those who do not know, is a series that explores animal growth and development in utero, using even better 4D technology that many of us have seen in 4D ultrasounds of our own children! Tonight's show focused on four animals, though we only saw two- the sharks and the kangaroos.
Just as an aside, this is truly what the kids chose to watch. At least it was once they realized that iCarly was not an option- ha! So, as we're sitting there watching, we're talking about the embryonic kangaroo and how it grows. We noted it has feet nearly 1/2 the length of its body at 20 weeks gestation; Taidhgin's theory makes sense, "Well, they do HOP all their lives. Their feet need to grow the most." We talked about how the joey nurses while inside its mother, as opposed to human babies who nurse outside, after they've been born.
We discussed pretty much every aspect of it development, including how funky a 20 week old joey looks without any hair and with skin so thin that you can see all of the veins underneath. It was during this discussion that Eibhlin winced a bit and turned her head. On the screen at this point was a closeup of the joey's head; you could see the eyes underneath the transparent lids and you could make out nearly all of the muscles through the pink skin. I asked Eibhlin why she kept looking back at the TV if she didn't like what was on there...Because, Mom, "it's nasty, but so cool."
Dr. Steele in the making? A mother can only hope...if nothing else, at least I know that my kids won't argue with me when I put on Discovery instead of Spongebob!
In the Womb, for those who do not know, is a series that explores animal growth and development in utero, using even better 4D technology that many of us have seen in 4D ultrasounds of our own children! Tonight's show focused on four animals, though we only saw two- the sharks and the kangaroos.
Just as an aside, this is truly what the kids chose to watch. At least it was once they realized that iCarly was not an option- ha! So, as we're sitting there watching, we're talking about the embryonic kangaroo and how it grows. We noted it has feet nearly 1/2 the length of its body at 20 weeks gestation; Taidhgin's theory makes sense, "Well, they do HOP all their lives. Their feet need to grow the most." We talked about how the joey nurses while inside its mother, as opposed to human babies who nurse outside, after they've been born.
We discussed pretty much every aspect of it development, including how funky a 20 week old joey looks without any hair and with skin so thin that you can see all of the veins underneath. It was during this discussion that Eibhlin winced a bit and turned her head. On the screen at this point was a closeup of the joey's head; you could see the eyes underneath the transparent lids and you could make out nearly all of the muscles through the pink skin. I asked Eibhlin why she kept looking back at the TV if she didn't like what was on there...Because, Mom, "it's nasty, but so cool."
Dr. Steele in the making? A mother can only hope...if nothing else, at least I know that my kids won't argue with me when I put on Discovery instead of Spongebob!
01 January 2010
A Resolution
New Year's Day, 2010.
Research has shown that 78% of the people who make New Year's resolutions fail at keeping them. I try to avoid making resolutions each year as 1) I am one of the 78% and 2) really, does any other reason matter after reason number one? This year I decided again against making a resolution and instead opted to set some goals for living. Nothing specific like "I will keep my sink spotless" (though this was a goal once and worked for a while...), but rather goals regarding how I will approach the world and the people in it.
The bigger question for me was HOW to approach the world in a manner different than my usual M.O. I am not necessarily looking to do a total overhaul of mindset and personality; I would, however, like to improve upon where I am in the context of the world as well as internally.
Few things in my life have caused me to look inward with such a critical eye; however, their presence has already helped to make some improvements. So, for inspiration in designing my goal, I turn to these few "things": my children.
We chose their first and middle names for two reasons: 1) a connection to our ethnic past and 2) the meaning of the names themselves. I have spent some time today thinking about the meanings of their names and realized that my muse is no further from me than are my children's birth certificates. One look at their names and the memory of the passion that went into choosing each one has helped me to see what I need to work on this coming year and in the years to come:
Taidhgin: Poet
Words are the key to relationships and existence. As a poet would, I need to remember to choose my words well and wisely. I need to remind myself that often times it is what is said that is remembered; each statement should be one worthy of that memory.
Eibhlin: Pleasant, beautiful, radiant
There is little in life that doesn't have at least one beautiful aspect or feature. Once found, it can make any ugliness seem microscopic. This is probably the most difficult goal to pursue, as it is easier to see the dark and heavy and ugly than it is to search for the one gossamer thread of beauty that lies beneath. But it is there, somewhere, and is always worth searching for.
Connlaodh: Fire
I have to remember my passions. Not just in love and in friendship, but in thought and in heart. Those embers that used to burn for politics and love and adventure can become muted and watered down over time...but those are the same embers we will need to keep us warm when our bodies are growing colder.
Dante: Enduring, obstinate
I don't typically have a problem in this area, but I will remind myself as much as necessary that I will last longer than any problem or dilemma or hurt I come across.
Gioia: Joy; happiness
Few memories contain such sweetness as those of being called "my gioia" as a little girl. This kind of joy should not be limited to what we can recall, but should be allowed- and EMBRACED- each and every day of our lives.
Ettore: Holding fast
It is easier, as we get older, to let things go because we feel we do not have the strength to weather the storm. However, the need to hold on to what's important and true and good does not shrivel as we age; indeed, it probably grows. So I must remember that no amount of weariness is worth sacrificing what I need for a few moments of rest.
As always, it is my children that are leading the way. And, as always, their path is probably the most difficult...and the most rewarding. Hopefully I will be able to follow their lead as far as it goes...and that we will all learn something from the trip.
And with that being said, I solemnly resolve to write on the blog at least once a week, mostly about the children; you are welcome to read, delete, comment, ignore, etc...anything to keep me from being in that 78%!
Happy New Year's.
Research has shown that 78% of the people who make New Year's resolutions fail at keeping them. I try to avoid making resolutions each year as 1) I am one of the 78% and 2) really, does any other reason matter after reason number one? This year I decided again against making a resolution and instead opted to set some goals for living. Nothing specific like "I will keep my sink spotless" (though this was a goal once and worked for a while...), but rather goals regarding how I will approach the world and the people in it.
The bigger question for me was HOW to approach the world in a manner different than my usual M.O. I am not necessarily looking to do a total overhaul of mindset and personality; I would, however, like to improve upon where I am in the context of the world as well as internally.
Few things in my life have caused me to look inward with such a critical eye; however, their presence has already helped to make some improvements. So, for inspiration in designing my goal, I turn to these few "things": my children.
We chose their first and middle names for two reasons: 1) a connection to our ethnic past and 2) the meaning of the names themselves. I have spent some time today thinking about the meanings of their names and realized that my muse is no further from me than are my children's birth certificates. One look at their names and the memory of the passion that went into choosing each one has helped me to see what I need to work on this coming year and in the years to come:
Taidhgin: Poet
Words are the key to relationships and existence. As a poet would, I need to remember to choose my words well and wisely. I need to remind myself that often times it is what is said that is remembered; each statement should be one worthy of that memory.
Eibhlin: Pleasant, beautiful, radiant
There is little in life that doesn't have at least one beautiful aspect or feature. Once found, it can make any ugliness seem microscopic. This is probably the most difficult goal to pursue, as it is easier to see the dark and heavy and ugly than it is to search for the one gossamer thread of beauty that lies beneath. But it is there, somewhere, and is always worth searching for.
Connlaodh: Fire
I have to remember my passions. Not just in love and in friendship, but in thought and in heart. Those embers that used to burn for politics and love and adventure can become muted and watered down over time...but those are the same embers we will need to keep us warm when our bodies are growing colder.
Dante: Enduring, obstinate
I don't typically have a problem in this area, but I will remind myself as much as necessary that I will last longer than any problem or dilemma or hurt I come across.
Gioia: Joy; happiness
Few memories contain such sweetness as those of being called "my gioia" as a little girl. This kind of joy should not be limited to what we can recall, but should be allowed- and EMBRACED- each and every day of our lives.
Ettore: Holding fast
It is easier, as we get older, to let things go because we feel we do not have the strength to weather the storm. However, the need to hold on to what's important and true and good does not shrivel as we age; indeed, it probably grows. So I must remember that no amount of weariness is worth sacrificing what I need for a few moments of rest.
As always, it is my children that are leading the way. And, as always, their path is probably the most difficult...and the most rewarding. Hopefully I will be able to follow their lead as far as it goes...and that we will all learn something from the trip.
And with that being said, I solemnly resolve to write on the blog at least once a week, mostly about the children; you are welcome to read, delete, comment, ignore, etc...anything to keep me from being in that 78%!
Happy New Year's.
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