Backseat Driver

i have a backseat driver who weighs under 25 lbs and measures under 3 feet tall. whenever i'm in a bit of a rush, her little voice goes, "Ummah, you driving too fast! slow down!!"

yep, ever since my speeding ticket, my little Claire is busy keeping me in line. whenever i try to zoom by a slow poke, her little voice goes off. sigh, who's taking care of whom? Phil thinks i deserve this one. so do i.

Too old for nights out?

this was the question on my mind over the weekend as i went out 2 nights in a row with girlfriends to catch a couple of movies at the Wisconsin Film Festival. i had a GREAT time, don't get me wrong. but it felt a little surreal...i mean, it's been almost 6 yrs since i went out on a Friday night after sunset! for one thing, i'd forgotten most people come out after it gets dark. i kept looking around, thinking, wow, look at all these people out at night! are we really in a recession? our usual thing is to eat dinner at 5:30pm and from then on, it's all about getting ready for bed!

but it was great to have some good adult conversation and to watch 2 really good movies. one was a documentary about these women who train to become burlesque dancers: A Wink and a Smile. really provocative in subject matter, but quite funny too. then i watched a korean movie called Secret Sunshine. this was really intense emotionally, esp watching it as a mother. the child in the movie gets kidnapped and that's like any parents' worst fears. it also provoked a lot of questions about Christianity because the main character in the movie converts to Christianity when she is at the end of her rope. i won't spoil it for those of you who are interested in watching it by divulging too much info.

The Terrible Twos

we have entered into it, full-blown. all the negotiating and arguing that goes on between Claire and me is wearing me down. i keep telling myself to choose my battles wisely, but what is a concerned parent to do with a child that wants to run outside in 30 degree weather without a jacket on? i'm not sure why, but that has been our daily struggle. it was the hair thing, so i chopped off Claire's hair so that we don't have to fight about tying it up out of her face. it was the teeth-brushing thing and many of you may shake your heads at me for holding down my child and forcing her mouth open to brush her teeth. but come on! teeth don't last forever! but that has passed and now it is the jacket thing. yes, i'm sure this too will pass, but in the mean time, i have to deal with a toddler who has a cough and runny nose from running around outside without her jacket on.

BUT, the pendulum swings to the other extreme. Claire makes me laugh and is still my sweet munchkin. we were making up today after an incident with the jacket and she gave me a sidelong look as if to say, "i know you can't resist me", and then broke into a wicked grin.

here is a sweet moment where Claire is singing.


Singing Claire from slkim on Vimeo.