More Than Four Sides

Tag: kids

  • Car conversations

    We were on our way to the bus pickup point this morning for the boys summer camp. The drive takes about 20 minutes. J: “Is turkey bacon kosher?” Me: “Yes, if the turkey was killed in a kosher manner.” J: “I want to get a peacock and kill it and eat it. Is peacock kosher?”…

  • Some mornings are easy…

    This morning started with cries, and arguments, and one boy stomping off in a huff, and the other boy trailing after, wanting to keep bothering boy #1. Sigh. And then, getting on the bus for camp, Boy #1 states emphatically “Since he was so naughty, I won’t sit next to him!!” To which the Naughty…

  • Tot Shabbat

    Our Friday nights and Saturdays follow a rhythm that varies rarely. Most Friday nights we try to be home before sunset (an almost impossible challenge for us in winter, but achievable in the summer months). We have a nice meal together, in our dining room rather than our kitchen table. The meal is structured with…

  • Still pondering mortality…

    This morning continued a theme which has been running strong for 5-yo J for the past two days, but, I realize, thanks to this blog, that its been a theme for the whole month, starting with this post – death, and most particularly, what to make of the death of one’s parents. But, I’m not…

  • Before the memories fade…

    We had such a great time at Disney World – it was only two weeks ago, but I am already forgetting the details, and I really want to record some impressions for our next trip. Yes, R and I were immediately talking about our next visit on our homeward bound drive (which was miserable, btw…

  • First full vacation day – Animal Kingdom (and a sick boy)

    We arrived in Kissimmee Florida, and found our rental townhouse, by about 5:15pm, just before sunset. It turns out that our unit is on the end, and right next to a really nice little playground, which the boys found enchanting after a long day cramped in the car. We’re just across from the swimming pool…

  • Kid-centered shabbat

    This week has been a little crazy, as I’ve been covering for a colleague, and taking care of an inpatient team at the hospital.  Usually, this would be a two-week  or a four-week rotation for me, but because I’m just covering until the next attending physician takes over, it’s only 9 days – last sunday…

  • Random connections and memories of a 3-yr-old

    We got pizza tonight up in Olney after picking up S from our kind friend who brought him home from the bus. On the way home from a satisfying, but slightly loud dinner, I stopped for gas, and J piped up “We went to the moon doctor when I was sick!” I thought “Huh?”, and…

  • Family camp

    The words “family camp” have strong reverberations for me. I spent most summers of my childhood at some church-affiliated family camp; the United Methodists have a strong tradition of camping, and that was my affiliation through most of my growing up. We signed up for this “forever families” camp with high expectations. We hoped that…

  • Ready for boarding!

    We’re at National Airport, remarkably an hour before our flight, and the boys are very excited about being here. They’re gazing out the window at the planes on the runway.