Well, it’s the Navel Gazing Holiday, that time when you look back and dream forward. Since my belly button sagged to a smiley face after I gave birth to over thirteen pounds of babies, I don’t particularly like gazing at my navel.
Still, like I did last year, I will stoop to use the length of a Tweet to reflect on my year. Here is my 2010-in-review in 140 characters or less:
If you’re looking for my resolutions, you’re going to have to click through to the column I wrote for The Calgary Herald yesterday, “New Year’s Resolutions for a Lazy Parent.” I am, after all, the poster mother for the Lazy Parenting Movement.
If you are looking for what my kids believe my resolutions should be, you’re in the right place. Last year, Vivian wrote her resolutions in kindergarten class. This year, when I posed this question at the dinner table, Vivian chose to focus on what I need to improve. In the midst of chewing her burger to a pulpy paste, she said, “You need to stop interrupting.” Fair enough.
Because I know the best offense is a good defense, I switched the topic to her talking with her mouth full, she added, “But I see you guys doing that all the time.” She’s quick at the defense-to-offense transition game.
The conversation went into overtime when I asked what resolutions their dad should make.
William, fresh off the bench, said that Daddy should toot less. In our house, tooting is synonymous with farting. It’s done and said a lot.
I agreed with William’s assessment.
My husband laughed and wiped his goatee with a napkin. Then he leaned over to William and said, “You smell like toots.”
More laughter, especially from Vivian, who enjoyed watching the other team play.
William sat up straight, ready to run the offense. “You smell like dogs,” he said to his dad.
I’m not sure how the game ended, but that’s how dinner usually plays out at our house: manners, tooting, and laughter.
Happy 2011. Thanks for reading.
That’s what I love about our house as well. The playful banter is a hoot.
And yes, I too have been told that I should toot less.
Wishing you a very blessed new year!
Great article in the Herald!! Hope 2011 continues to bring you meaty fodder for your fantastic blog. I’ll be reading…
Huh. My daughter calls my husband the fartosaurus. I guess it’s a Dad thing. And yes — parenting with my face stuck in a book. It’s what I do and what I plan to keep doing. With resolve.
I really am part of your movement. People keep going to the indoor pool. Theo has been in the pool once at 4 months at which time I thought, there was s solid possibility he might never learn to swim!. This coming from a former competitive swimmer! My main criteria for activities is that they must be in walking distance of the house.
Tweet: Sleep-deprived, laughs with Theo, home a lot, walking in the park, lots of wine.
I’m so glad to know that you overcame a tough bit of 2010 to find humor again and give it all to us!