List/Grid Tag Archives: Children
Children’s Book Review: Shades Of Black
As a transracial, adoptive parent, there are many things my husband and I can share with our son, The Littlest E, unconditional love, nurturing, caring, etc. We can teach him compassion, empathy, how to be a good, loving person, and what we know about life. We can share with him our hobbies and joys, and the usual everyday things parents share, teach and show their children. One thing we can’t share with him is our…
First Haircut, A Cultural Experience
As many of you know if you’ve been following my blog, my son, The Littlest E, is originally from Ethiopia. My husband and I adopted him almost 18 months ago and it’s been an amazing journey. There are so many things that go along with transracial adoption; one of them is a haircut. I am part of an online group of moms who have adopted from Ethiopia and there was a discussion about hair products…
First Night Away: German Christmas Markets
For our first overnight outing, we took our seven week old daughter, Peanut, to the Christmas market in Aachen, Germany. We always said that we are not going to be the parents that bend to our daughter’s every need, but who a re we kidding? We chose Aachen because it is the closest Christmas market to the Dutch border. Instead of taking a day trip by train to the markets like half of The Netherlands…
Indoor Play Spaces: Little Gems For A Rainy Or Hot Day
My son, The Littlest E, and I recently spent part of a rainy day at an indoor play space to get out of the house and do something different. I have to admit when I first heard about indoor play spaces for young children, I was a bit biased against the idea. I have no logical explanation as to why, except possible snobbery with anything trendy (Twilight and Harry Potter being my exceptions). Over the…
A Trick Or Treat To Remember
This past Halloween, was our two-year old son’s first trick or treat complete with dragon costume and decorated candy bag. Last year, The Littlest E had only been home with us from Ethiopia three months and he was fifteen months old. We stayed home with family and he was fast asleep before any trick or treaters came to our house. For years we listened for our doorbell to ring and opened it to see the…
Parenthood: Early Days
Leaving the house for the first time after giving birth was like slipping into another dimension. I went out of the house for the first time five days after my daughter was born to buy a few button-down tops in hopes of making nursing a little bit easier. My lower back ached and my legs felt cartoonishly heavy. I trudged the streets slowly, bleary eyed and disoriented. I have walked these streets to do my…
Bright Spots Amongst The Clouds!
Amidst all the clouds, rain, and storms in my life over the past several months there have been bright spots. Bright spots I have failed to share with you because I couldn’t see through the nasty stuff swirling around me. I admit, it was challenging for me to feel grateful about any good thing that happened because it felt like the walls were tumbling down. As a mother, I realized I wasn’t setting a very…
10 Things I Wish For My Son As He Grows Up
I went to pick up my son from school on Friday and I experienced a moment that will stay for me forever. He was standing on the climbing frame grinning and shouting for joy. He is a wonderful little man – so confident without being arrogant. He resonates joy and because of it he attracts love and affection wherever he goes. He’s just moved classes at school and he’s been thrilled with the newness of…
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