Happy Visions of Big Kids

To distract myself from the insurance paperwork and the impeding IEP meeting in a few hours, I started thinking about what it was like when Vee and Kee were wee ones. They were so fun. When they were little, I carried this vision of them growing up to be smart, creative, powerful young men someday and sure enough, that's the direction they're headed.

So, I was thinking that I could finally put a check mark in that little mental To Do box -- they actually did get to their teen years intact & healthy. Done. Check.

On to the next one.

But the vision for the next 10 years is so much weaker, partly because I'm hesitant to create that vision when they are about 80% in charge of all aspects of their lives. (I'm still providing housing, food, survival stuff, but they're doing the other 80% such as time management, transportation, education...) It's not my job to create a vision of their future once they're on their own. That's just intrusive.

But they're still kids & I should probably fill out my vision a bit more. They really seem to sense it and appreciate it. Here is what my vision was 10 years ago:

What they were: They were two high-energy brilliant little boys who ran around the house like their bums were on fire. They enjoyed school, but prefered home. They could hold a happy conversation as long as it was about swords, computers, or collisions.

Vision: Sitting around the dinner table talking about the latest news of the day. Them saying, "Actually, that's not how I see it..." then explaining their views clearly and compassionately. I saw in my mind's eye that they were confident, strong, and self-directed. I pictured us sitting around the table doing homework together and later, around the computer desks playing games together online. I had this super strong image of them at school being gentle, kind, funny, in the background a bit, answering questions, asking questions, and having a strong sense of "I'm here only because this teacher has something to give."

So, we're there, but what's next? I have looked around my pool of friends for inspiration & have found all sorts of traits, but most of them are taking different paths. I haven't found a good vision that fits us. Argh. Any input? I'm working towards the grown-and-gone picture. What do you want for your kids? So far I have this:

* I don't want them to grow up to be office drones.
* I want them to have good global awareness.
* I want them to be smart but humble (not quite the Irish self-deprication, but close)
* I want them to have a solid grasp on their personal finances, but never experience worry about them
* I want them to create a safety net (a college degree)

Enough daydreaming.

Random Acts of Stupidity

Somebody stole my husband's car yesterday out of the office building parking lot, mid-day, in full view. It's a 95. That's ancient! It's so old that the leather seats have worn entirely through. It needs more in repairs than its actually worth. Who would steal a 95 when there are nice cars in the parking lot?

So stupid.

Books for Girls, preschool to early elementary age

The Princess fell down the front steps this morning, scraped foot, snuggles in momma's arms while running from one place the next over the next few hours. Within a few minutes of the fall I had written a short story about it, told it to her and later, during lunch, typed it up. Now, if I have time, I'll send it off to one of these sweet little Berkeley publishers. Wish me luck. I have been searching, begging, pleading, trying to find good stories for little girls. There aren't many.

"The Paperbag Princess" = wonderful, but it only shows a rejection of a certain path, not an acceptance of something wonderful.

"Princesses Can Wear Hiking Boots" or whatever it is called = horrendously bad. As if a girl had to ask about what shoes are ok to wear in the first place.

Millicent the Magnificent" = possibly my favorite book for girls, but it only presents a girl's ability to try out new things, not her ability to solve problems, make change, etc.

All the current bestsellers are atrocious -- Olivia the Pig, Angelina Ballerina (not too bad, but not hot either),

Proudest moment of the day -- when Bella turned in her homework at preschool, a massive 22 pg long assignment. Preschool! 22 pages!

Funniest comparison -- many of the preschools around here cost as much or more than univeristy tuition. Even worse, some of the preschools are harder to get into. You don't need good grades to get into well-run preschools, but if you don't sign up several years in advance, you are doomed. Doomed I tell you.

Funniest moment of the day -- teenager MrScience being so excited about getting to take AP Chemistry next year, so excited that he was hugging everyone he could find. "I get to take AP Chem!" (doing a jiggy dance of joy)

Weirdest moment of the day -- having oldest son come home after my husband does. Kids are supposed to be in the nest before DH arrives, at least so goes my routine operation regarding that procedure. Conquerer (oldest son) is working long days at school and Track lately. So weird. He's tall. Weird.

Sweetest moment of the day -- When the Chessmaster (younger son) touched my cheek and said, "I love you mom. (smile) Now can I beat you at chess?"

Most disppointing moment of the day -- When I had to go to sleep (now) because I didn't want the day to end.

Lazy days, Lazy nights

Back in the Days of the Black Leather Couch when our biggest excuse for being tired was, "Oh, we stayed up late watching three Netflix in a row," with a bowl of popcorn and a mini-refridgerator nearby for cold drinks, an exercise machine and massive weight machine facing the TV, ambient theater lighting... back in the day...

Now, our excuses are wildly different.

We're tired because we're starting a new company. Finally. I think I grew a spine. Glory be.