When Maren was just shy of two, I found her like this: I still remember her deer-in-headlights look as I busted her.  She knew she was being naughty, but couldn’t help herself.  The offending instrument in this case was not a marker, or Sharpie, or paint.  My Maren got into my mascara, and, as an observant little booger, tried to put it on in the eye region,...

Last week I found myself sitting across from my favorite five-year-old at Starbucks. I had some computering I needed to do, and Brad was home while Greta napped.  When Brad is not home, I would normally set Maren up with an activity or a movie while I did my “work,” but on this day I suggested that we leave the house and go to Starbucks together and...

Three months ago, Greta would babble in her crib, read books, and play with her baby dolls when she woke up.  Eventually she would blurt out, “Mom!  Mom!”  when she wanted to get out. These days, however, she awakes with a start and immediately starts yelling, “I want out!  I want out!”  She knows that she is missing something and she...

“Muffle, muffle, I don’t care,” “I’ll pull down your underwear.” My jaw dropped open as I heard these words being hollered by a lot of kids on the bus as Maren got off her school bus this afternoon.  I was shocked.  This bus carries only kindergartners.  Really?  Bus drama.  Oy. As we walked the short walk home hand in hand, she...

Tonight I watched as Maren sat on the kitchen island counter.  She swung her legs a little, and she chatted with Brad while he chopped and prepped veggies for dinner.  I noticed that her size six pajamas are creeping up her ankles and wrists.  Eventually she pulled out her read-at-home school books and read to him as he worked.  She asked him for help when she...