Archives for March 2011

- - - | written by Kim on 3/30/2011 | - - -

What I Learned from Getting My Hair Chopped

I sat in the chair watching 5 inches of my hair hit the ground, and thankfully, I instantly knew I was making the right decision. I wasn't sure earlier that day as we drove there. Was I going to cry? (Yes, that HAS happened to me before -- not a good day.) Change can be exhilarating and terrifying all at the same time. Those two emotions can manifest tears or joyful feelings of freedom. Sometimes you just don't know until you do it. …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/27/2011 | - - -

Pokey is Missing (and Why That’s Good for You)

[ Click the image to get your own Pokey is Missing t-shirt at the Lemonade Stand. ] We sure spend a lot of time focusing on (and worrying about) the big stuff. You know, things like the economy. Unemployment. Health care. War. Nuclear meltdowns. Big, important, paralyzingly scary stuff. And yet. …

- - - | written by Kim on 3/23/2011 | - - -

Charity Worker Insists On Seeing Silver Linings

I received a unexpected phone call yesterday from a lady named Mary from Compassion International. One of our Big 6, Compassion is a charity that Jason and I LOVE. …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/21/2011 | - - -

Small Rebellion #3: Holiday Factory

Time for a new officially-sanctioned Small Rebellion! Ever notice how we usually only celebrate something if the calendar gives us permission? You know, if the fine print on a particular day says “St. Patrick’s Day,” we dress up in green and eat corned beef. If it reads “independence Day,” we grill up some food and ignite some fireworks. Kids, on the other hand, celebrate everything. Kindergartners celebrate Groundhog Day, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, and even the 100th Day of School! But kids have it right. You see, every day is a holiday. It’s just that on most days, what to celebrate is up …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/20/2011 | - - -

Breaking the Rules: The Best Part of Parenting?

A few years ago, my sister-in-law took her pre-teen daughter to the midnight opening of the first Twilight movie. On a school night. I always thought that was the coolest thing ever. Granted, part of the reason I thought it was so cool is because it was a break from the norm. My brother and sister-in-law run a pretty tight ship. Rules are enforced and the kids are well-behaved. However, when Kim taught kindergarten, she encountered way too many parents who didn’t seem to think any rules were important. Their kids had no set bedtimes, watched rated-R movies, and pretty much ran the …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/18/2011 | - - -

Meet Jordan Bowman

"This is my sister and I after getting off Rockin' Roller Coaster in Walt Disney World. I saw the hair and thought I'd try it on. Apparently, sis didn't like it." …

[Read more...] about Meet Jordan Bowman

- - - | written by Kim on 3/16/2011 | - - -

Want Peace? Seek Wisdom

Here's a simple litmus test to see if the junk you're dealing with is, in fact, Adultitis: "When I'm with my family I'm thinking about work, and when I'm at work I'm thinking about my family." Is this you? …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/13/2011 | - - -

Small Rebellion #2: Operation Interrogation

This officially-sanctioned Small Rebellion (a small but mighty act of defiance against Adultitis and the rules that don’t exist) is inspired by National Ask A Question Day. The most popular three-letter word for three-year-olds is "Why?" Kids are endlessly curious and are always asking questions. As we get older, the curiosity fades and the questions slow to a trickle. Why? Because we're afraid to admit we don't know something and we don't want to appear foolish. And if we happen to be in a conversation that turns to a subject we know know nothing about, we fake like we do while scanning …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/13/2011 | - - -

Disney World Believe It…Or Not.

I was in Disney World a few weeks ago, standing in line for a ride with Kim and Lucy. We were in Clearwater for a speaking program, and decided to take a day to drive over to Orlando to visit “Snow White’s House.” Fortunately, Snow was home, and was generous enough to take photos with Lucy. I marveled at how much more three-dimensional she looks in person. And so I was in line, holding Lucy, who was holding a stuffed Snow White doll, when a familiar word caught my ear. …

- - - | written by Jason on 3/12/2011 | - - -

The Pancakes Strike Back

Kim and I have had a blast seeing all the contributions to Project Pancake, our first officially organized small rebellion. Check out the stories and photos here (and feel free to add your own!) I didn't know exactly what we would do in our household, but I did know that it would include the new Star Wars pancake molds I got for Christmas. That would be unique! Well, I thought it would be, until I saw the pancake picture posted by Mark Tipperreiter a few days earlier. Apparently, Santa visits other houses besides just mine. Here's Mark's picture, featuring a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader, …