It's a big issue with old children's books which is a real shame because I was getting a nice collection going. I had several Hardy Boys and Nancy Drews from the 40s/50s/60s but got rid of them before mac even came home after reading one of each. There wasn't even the racism mentioned above, but a general out-of-synch-ness with life today that I found jolting and I was pretty sure a new to this culture boy like mac would not understand. For example: the Hardy Boys as very young teenagers head out of town on their own and confront potentially dangerous adult men to start off one of the books.

The racism has come from the more classic "stories for children" collections I had. Arabian Knights was particularly bad, with the evil bad guy in almost every story being a "large negro" or "black genie". I was changing language structure and vocabulary as I read it. We did make it through the whole book, but I have since gotten rid of that volume. We haven't made it through many of the volumes, I should probably check them at some point, but since mac is not a reader there is virtually no chance that he will just pick one up.

Cash, it's called Whip It and it's awesome!

And filmed largely in my town! Woohoo!

I'm ready for a week of school vacation. We have a swimming playdate arranged for Tuesday and we're having friends over for New Year's Eve.

I just need to call and get the kids appointments for their haircuts. And of course, catch up on a million loads of laundry.

I'm ready for a week of school vacation.

And I was just telling another neighborhood parent how I am all ready for school to start back up.

I wish I had taken this week off too. DO not want to go back to work tomorrow.

We have daycare today. YAY!

Noah and I had an argument this morning which resulted in him peeing on the floor. Can this stage end please? In another hour and 20 minutes, he'll be at daycare.

Noah and I had an argument this morning which resulted in him peeing on the floor.

This happens with my cat! For kitties, though, this stage never ends.

I don't mind the out of synch ness as a grownup, because I can just read it as from another era, but I can see how it would be confusing to a child. I read this series of books starting to be written in the 1910's- Grace Harlowe, and it show her going to high school and college and then on adventures in WWI later on. The cutest thing is that at the girls college, they all had "crushes" and wrote each other little love notes and had dates everyone thought it was perfectly acceptable! I can imagine someone reading that today really getting their panties in a twist, but also that is totally not accepted today whereas I believe it was normal at the time.

mac is with a friend for the day. I spoke with her last night and let her know we had a 6pm appt. I learn this morning when she picks him up at 8:15 that her plan is to take him to a 3:45 movie that will get out at like 5:15. I am just unclear why with the whole day to play with this was her choice. I am unclear on people's choices a lot recently though. I'll be at the theater to pick him up and get to the appointment. You know what I think it is now that I write it down, I think people without kids (or without kids like mac) do not get how hard transitions are. It is a hard thing to explain to people and since he rarely shows his non-coping self to others people often doubt that there is an issue.

The kids are excited about watching the Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City today. It's cute. I don't know if they'll find it as interesting as they think, but I think they're curious about seeing the pros play. They had a good Christmas haul led by the Wii and Mario Kart.

Good luck with the school break msbelle. Leif drives my wife crazy and he sounds a lot easier than mac. With Leif it's just the constant activity, talking, and experiments.

And I was just telling another neighborhood parent how I am all ready for school to start back up.

By 5pm today, I'll be ready for school to start back up. I think I meant "ready" in the "girded my loins" sense.

I think people without kids (or without kids like mac) do not get how hard transitions are. It is a hard thing to explain to people and since he rarely shows his non-coping self to others people often doubt that there is an issue.

People (and many family members) thought I was crazy for getting Owen tested for autism. They really didn't see some of the more frustrating aspects of his daily life.

With Leif it's just the constant activity, talking, and experiments.

We must never introduce Leif to Olivia. Seriously.

Noah and I had an argument this morning which resulted in him peeing on the floor. Can this stage end please?

BTDT. NEVER want to go back.