I'm With The Brand

A couple of thoughts from the last post:

1. I had never noticed that Curious George has no tail and is therefore not a monkey. I'll be damned. 

2. Miss Clavel is apparently spelled with only one L. Whoops. Two Ls.

3. When I read books for myself I just skip along. While I might feel some skepticism as the heroine culminates her wedding night with a crescendo high C (AHEM) I don't dwell on it. I just think, "Suuuuuuure she did, Lord Darkesmere" and I read on. Depending upon the book I could not tell you five minutes after I am done the names of any of the characters or what happened to them or why. However after reading Goodnight Moon a couple of hundred dozen times I know that I find the babydoll on the bookshelf creepy and I am amused that the picture of the three bears includes the picture of the cow jumping over the moon. You can explore a text much more thoroughly when there are less than 300 words to consider and you are forced at scream-point to repeat it ad infinitum.

I enjoyed your comments very much; I love the fact that you are all unfailingly courteous to each other and me; and in summation, Kate put it best when she observed, "I think maybe reading picture books leaves too much time for thinking." 

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Patrick's bedtime is eight which means he can generally be corralled into his room by 8:20 at which point he does... stuff and as long as it doesn't become too loud or we smell smoke or anything we leave him alone. Now that the Legos have moved to his room and he has the ability to harness the awesome power of six AA batteries he mostly builds robots but occasionally he branches off into more delicate arts like comic writing.

This floated down from over the banister last night and it made me laugh aloud.

Click here

I find him very witty except in the morning on school days when I find him INSANELY exasperating.

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I spoke with the woman who did his PT evaluation and then her written assessment came in the mail a few days later. He has average balance and ok strength and no ability whatsoever to perform any action requiring bilateral coordination. She noted that with a variety of these tasks he thought he was doing what she had asked but when he looked down he would be, like, oh, wait, my feet aren't moving, are they? From tapping his fingers to jumping-jacks Patrick's left side has no idea what the right side is doing and his top might as well be in Calgary while his bottom visits Peru. She thinks he might benefit from OT as well as PT and I am trying to set up an OT evaluation for him while we wait for our insurance company to decide whether or not an inability to play the drums (or the piano. or fence. or polka) is a medical emergency.

In the meantime I feel tremendously liberated. For six years I have dutifully hauled this child to swimming lessons only to wonder what the thrashing thing was in the shallow end: a marlin on the line? Why no! That would be Patrick. And we have conscientiously upgraded him from big wheel to tricycle to inherited bikes with training wheels and then extra training wheels only to have him sit there and then fall over. 

It's nice to know that it is not simply a matter of try. There is no try. So it is to be hoped that our insurance company whom I love (what the hell - Health Partners, I love you) will spring for a little help for the kid whose brain fires differently and if not we will try to figure something out. 

On a vaguely related note: what do you think about trampolines? I mean the modern trampoline with the high protective sides and covered springs, not the pinchy defenestrators of my girlhood. I cannot believe I am even considering it but we have a line on one for Patrick for his birthday and I am trying to decide if this is crazy. On the one hand he would love it. Loooooooooove it. On the other I do not want him to break his neck. 

Please advise.

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Jan just left a couple of questions on the last post and because I am sitting here and I like Jan and I didn't have a next point in mind I might as well answer her now.

Caroline's skin is better, thank you, and yes it mostly just cleared up on its own. She does have a stubborn eczema patch on her chin at the moment, though, and the keratosis pilaris is as awful as ever. Edward has smooth, soft baby skin that you (well, I) want to snuffle but poor Caroline's arms and legs feel like sandpaper. Nothing we can do about it apart from coating her with moisturizers (futile by the way; it's like dropping a teaspoon of water into a desert) and I am just glad that the outbreaks on her face have eased. 

Patrick's school is terrific. Awesome. Perfect. He is like a different child from last Fall. He feels good about himself and it affects everything and everybody. I think they have a truly great (a once-in-a-lifetime-great) teacher who walks that tricky line between educator therapist arbiter and substitute parent that second graders need and the kids all like and respect him and each other.

I am much less concerned about the academics than the social stuff but I notice that Patrick is blooming there too. They do such fun things. Spelling is always interesting. More than half the time they get to pick their own words and then incorporate them into whatever the weekly assignment is. This week one of his classmates made it up: they have to create silly definitions for ten words and then draw pictures of the real definitions. My favorite from Patrick this week was elver, which he defined as an elevator that doesn't go anywhere. He drew a long line of people stretching away from an elevator while the guy inside it looks annoyed. Then he drew a little eel saying 'goo'.

I think the point of their math is to extend themselves and get them used to getting things wrong a lot. Patrick used to get upset when he made mistakes but now he just shrugs and says something successories like "Get some right, get some wrong." They are plotting xy coordinates this week and had to create pictures, plot them, figure the coordinates and then have their classmates try to use the coordinates to recreate the pictures.

No one was more surprised than I was to discover I have a dormant love for the equation of a line because I got all excited when Patrick was trying to make his dinosaur work on graph paper and I went on and on and ON about slopes and the y-intercept until Patrick extended his palm toward me (still a gesture of his that amuses me) and told me, "Yeah no doubt but we don't need to know anything you have just said."

Fine. But I still think it is like magic.

So thank you for asking and Patrick's school is terrific and I continue to be grateful on a daily basis that this was an option for him.

What was the third thing? Oh, therapy. Patrick's or Edward's? I talked to the scheduler today while Edward was with his speech person (actually he has two - his therapist proper and then a student who has been following her for the past several months) and we started putting physical therapy appointments on the calendar for Patrick in anticipation of a positive response from our insurer. He would start in mid-May and then we are trying to get an OT evaluation scheduled for June. She laughed as we tried to piece something together for both kids that would not have me ferrying them back and forth all week and she said, "You will be getting everything we offer at this point."

Bring it on. We are all about the therapy over here even if we are sometimes a little late to the party. I know why I did not want to pursue Patrick's coordination issues sooner (I wanted to focus on getting him into a school setting that would work for him without clouding the waters with his Other Problems - whether this was right or wrong of me I have no idea and I was not even aware that I had been doing this until I realized that I relaxed about school and instantly thought, "OK now about the drowning...") and I just hope that the delay will not prove too unfortunate.

Edward, meanwhile, is doing very well in speech and is continuing to work on not dropping his end sounds in the middle of a sentence. Like he can say "Up" with a lovely plummy "puh" at the end but if he says "Up Clouds" (for example although why would he?) he says Uh Cowds.

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Steve went to get Caroline up from her nap yesterday and discovered that she had removed all her clothing and her diaper without unsnapping, unbuttoning or unzipping anything . She is like an eel (or an elver.) She is also - and I know everyone always says this about their little girls but I only have the one so... - OH MY GOD Caroline is such a drama queen/princess/empress/pharoah. She is so actress-y. Every gesture with her is enormous as if she wants to make sure they are getting it all the way in the cheap seats. She droops. She swivels her eyes about like expensive hi-beams. She languishes. She trills.

"Oh sunshine!" she exclaims as she flings her arms wide as if to embrace a beam of light and then, turning to her audience of me and the cat she continues, "Sunshine makes me smiling." She's just so consciously precious. Patrick and Steve eat it up, by the way. Edward and I are more immune.

While singing Doe a Deer the other day she stopped herself - twice - and said, no, no it's not good enough. I could not decide if she was doing a Do Re Mi/ Sing medley or if she was having a perfectionist prima donna moment or both. Fortunately (and perhaps not coincidentally) I was filming her at the time so we can all ponder the question together.

Roll 'em.

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In the span of three days I ripped the knees out of both pairs of my favorite jeans. This prompted a minor crisis when I went to buy the same jeans again and discovered that they have changed them enough to make them dreadful. OK. In the spirit of full disclosure I will acknowledge...

I wear Lands End petite (petite as in I have short legs) pajama bottoms to bed every night and a few months ago I realized that the pajamas I have had for years were all skimming above my ankle bones. It seemed unlikely that they had shrunk after so much time so I came to the conclusion that I have grown taller. I believed it and I mentioned it to Steve in all sincerity. I pointed to the highwater PJs and said I know it is unusual for a person in her late thirties to grow an inch but what else could it be? Steve kept a perfectly straight face and said, "Ah?" and I strode majestically away.

Days later I realized that there is actually another alternative: namely, that my derriere and hips have increased enough over the past year that they are hoisting my pajamas upwards.

I returned to Steve with this possibility and he laughed until he choked. Then he caught his breath and starting laughing all over again.

So! It is possible that it is not the jeans that have changed. In any event I tried on a few pairs and realized I would no longer be purchasing this brand and style. Which left me completely effed because have you SEEN how many jeans there are out there? I used to wear Levis as a child and then I wore Guess and then I wore Levis again and then I wore Gap and then I wore J Jill and now... I am back to Levis again. Curvy. Levis curvy jeans for the woman who thinks she might be growing taller. I like them and I bought three pairs and I hope I am done with jean shopping forever but my quest begged a question and I am asking you because I assume you know.

While I was looking for jeans I wondered if I should be looking for more *Nina Garcia pursed lips* appropriate clothing for my age. Granted I just drive children around but it might be nice to wear something other than solid color tshirts all the time. I looked around for shirts that might be more interesting or pretty or something and I discovered that I sort of like the peasant blouses and the frilly tunics but... and here is my question... I think they were all in Juniors. What does a woman my age wear that is casual but not too young, do you know? Can I wear the fun smock-y things or will people with actual fashion sense sneer at me? I tried to look at Target to get a sense of where the teen section ended and the grown women began but there didn't seem to be a whole hell of a lot between twenty and death.
 
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I think that's it.

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Don't forget the trampoline. 

PS Quicktime for the video. If you want.

PPS Video has problems. Will try to fix.

PPPS I feel like the cameraman with the bottle and stars around my head. Still working on the video which is the size of a jumbotron. The Click Here for Patrick's comic is fixed though.

Comments

[cari]

trampolines are amazing fun... your whole family will enjoy it! glad to hear about the therapy stuff... as a mom who has dealt with it for close to nine years, i am fully aware of how important it is to have an active role. keep up the great work!

[Betsy]

I am absolutely and always convinced that my children are going to break their necks doing something, so I am not the person to ask about trampolines. IMHO, they'll kill your kids. I also realize I am completely irrational about them. Move along to the next comment...

... oh, but before you do, I am SO glad that Patrick's school has turned out so well. I think life for him and for you (his parents) is going to be so much better for him not being bored and unhappy at school. The school sounds amazing, btw.

My daughter? Is also the drama princess of the world. Compared to my son there is... well, no comparison. I will admit that unlike you, I slurp it up. My husband a *little* more impervious; but not much. My son is completely unimpressed, though.

Is there a name for the idea of the two sides of a kid's body not working or communicating?

[sheila]

For what it's worth, I find that PJs really do shrink quite a bit in the length. I tend to wear them low and they are still short. So really, it's not you.

You can definitely get away with the frilly non t-shirt style of clothes assuming they fit right. I know women in their 50s who shop in the jr dept. and look fine. Just avoid mini skirts and midriff blouses unless you know that you can pull it off!

Trampolines are great but how will you keep the little ones off it? (Or do you expect to?)

[Maria]

I've never commented before but I just had to tell you that I love your use of the word "defenestrate". One of my favorite words of all time, and not one easily worked into casual conversation. ;)

[Kristin]

No, it is not OK to shop in the junior dept. those clothes are not made for women, they will not flatter womenly shapes. Shop at Kohl's in the middle part of the women's dept. See especially the Apt. 9 brand, young and cute but made for women not girls.

[Brenda]

ditto on kohl's and you can shop online. yea!

And the trampoline... YES. my 5 loved it and we didn't have the net walls and nobody ever got hurt or bounced off. They did drag it over near the house and would jump off the roof. boys! but still....no accidents.

[Jenn]

If you have a trampoline, Tim Gunn can bounce on it when he comes for a visit, the way he did at Seth Aaron's house! (since you mentioned Nina Garcia, I thought it was worth throwing it out there.)

[Sarah]

I got stuck in a Junior shirt in a Kohl's fitting room once. Junior medium does not equal Women's medium. Not as all.

Do you have a Maurice's in your area? GREAT jeans and tops for every women between 20 and death.

Also, Lucky jeans are my favorite. I buy mine at a free standing Lucky store but I believe Macy's also sells them. They have stretch. You know, for those hips that surprise us.

[Sarah]

Wow, that looks like "not ass all" and I would like to clarify that my ass was not in the shirt, but that I meant "not at all." Thank you.

[victoria]

1) As an erstwhile primatologist, Curious George drives me B@T$H!T INSANE. He is kidnapped, his mother probably killed offstage; he is poorly socialized; and he is a CHIMPANZEE, not a friggin' monkey. I know many monkeys, and love them, but I also know many chimps, and love them too, and they are Not. The. Same.

2) Try Boden (bodenusa.com). They seem to have nice patterned things that are not wholly inappropriate for the motherly set. They recently instituted US sizing as well; I liked the UK sizes because it made me actually just look at my measurements instead of thinking about the number of the size, but the stuff, it does fit properly if you measure yourself. Also, the decolletage of the tops makes my husband go all va-va-VOOM. AND, the length of the longer tops appropriately contains my, um, extended torso. With élan!

[victoria]

George is not a primatologist; I was. Sorry for the lousy grammar.

[Erika]

Oh, Julia, you make me laugh all the time.
re: jeans, I ran across this timely article just yesterday. Personally, I've moved on from LLBean to Ann Taylor Loft (on sale, duh). I used to like Eddie Bauer but I swear they doubled their jeans prices--right about when they got stylish, I guess.
http://www.graspingforobjectivity.com/2009/03/mom-jeans-and-dreaded-long-butt.html

I was actually thinking about Patrick and school last night--I was reading a review of Diane Ravitch's latest book on the death of the schools/educational system, and ran across this: "Researchers have found that parents will often choose the neighborhood school even when a much better, more distant charter school is available to them. If the neighborhood school were an equally good one, almost all would make that choice." And I thought yes, unless of course the child is miserable. Anyway.

I'd say that if you have the space, get the trampoline. I'm always amazed at the absolute joy that kids exhibit on those things.

[Darlene]

I'd be too afraid to get the trampoline, especially with the younger kids and the danger of more than one child on it at the same time. I agree with the Kohl's suggestions. They have a huge selection and as already mentioned, you can shop online. Check out www.retailmenot.com. You can get coupon codes to use online and Kohl's allows you to use two of them together.

[Rbelle]

I think it's fine to shop in the juniors department if you prefer those styles of clothing - they flatter my shape better, overall, and in some stores, it's the only section with pants that aren't too big for my hips, too high for my waist, and too straight for my legs. The one shirt I got from the Kohls "misses" department I ended up getting rid of after one wearing (unfortunate, since my husband picked it out).

Just be really careful about sizing. It took me a little while to realize that while I can wear a small in "women's," and a medium in "misses," I have to go up to at least a large in "juniors." One pants size bigger, as well. I couldn't figure out why all the tops seemed to get uncomfortably tight and short on my torso after a few weeks, but I was trying them on in the store feeling like they juuuust fit perfectly, and they were shrinking up after a few washings, making them unwearable. I went up a size, problem solved. Honestly, the few times I look at someone else and think about her clothing, "that's not age appropriate," it's almost always because of size, not style.

[LMM]

I second the Boden suggestion. They're a little pricey but trendy stuff without being age-inappropriate.

[jen]

Um, clothing, yes, I have the same problem. I frequently wear whatever solid color tees and the plainest jeans I can find. As for the juniors dept, possible that you could find something there that would be right, particularly being petite...but I would steer clear simply for the possibility of encountering a teen wearing the same thing. Awkward (for me at least). I have long felt there should be store that caters those of us who don't want to wear the latest greatest trend but still want to be in somewhat style. Anthro is this but then THE PRICES. Eff, those scare me off every single time.

Trampoline? Go for it. Those things are wicked fun.

[Julianna]

Is the "click me" for the Patrick picture working for everyone else?

[erica]

Trampoline = fun. Just do it. You can jump, too. Patrick will love it. The Caroline and Edward will love it. Seriously. I have the clumsiest child in all the land, and she is lives to bounce on the trampoline.

[Issa]

Personally, I'd get the trampoline. It's great fun and it does help with coordination. Plus...it wears them out and they sleep better. ;)

[Shawna]

Ohmigod, I will be following these comments with interest because I totally need the fashion advice too! The co-op student in my office wears these fashion-forward outfits with skinny jeans and what look like sparkly bags with armholes and no sleeves, and I'm all WTF?

[susical]

Ann Taylor Loft. Has a lot of pretty tops that are more interesting than a plain tshirt. Some are far too busy, but some are juuuust right!

[Julianna]

Forgot to say, re: the trampoline: check with your insurance carrier first. Many homeowners insurance policies require a special rider (I think that's right term) for homes with trampolines. I know there will now be five hundred comments from people who have/had trampolines with no special insurance, but better to be safe than sorry and make the call.

[Jan]

You made my day, Julia, thank you. I disagree a bit with those naysaying Junior sizes for tops -- I think it depends on the length of your upper body and bust, as well as the style of the particular item. You don't want be all hanging out and marshmallowly fleshy looking, but from the photos I have seen I think you have about the same petite makeup there as I do and can get away with frilly, peasanty. Is April Cornell too too for you? I have had a few tops from there that I love. I also live in a really well-to-do area, so the local consignment store is full of practically or brand-new stuff, and I get most of my summer tops and camis there. Dare I say Old Navy? The same phenomenon happened with my pajama bottoms, but I am jogging and swimming and managing to stay in my Calvin Kleins. Trampolining would be a fun way to help Patrick wide sidedness and coordination, but I would worry a little unless he agrees only to bounce and drop, not flip. The best thing would be first somehow to find a place that has safety harnesses (they do at boardwalks and fairs, and of course gyms), so he can develop sense of control and maybe even flipping. I had meant to inquire about Patrick's therapy; we can all benefit at any age from bilateral exercise. Lift and cross your left knee over your midline and touch with right hand. Repeat with right knee and left hand. Rinse!

[Paige]

I,too, am at the "age appropriate concerns" precipice. I have found age-appropriate solace at Garnet Hill and anthropologie. Less blah/faux eileen fisher than jjill.

[Sydnew]

I loved trampolines--and was quite casual about the safety issue--until my son was jumping on one with a friend of his and snapped his arm in two. Both bones, broken. Took surgery and pins to get it back together again. It was the kind of break where the bones stick out of the skin and the x-rays could be read by an idiot. Afterwards I did a tiny bit of research, just to decide whether or not he could go on one one ever again, and learned that he was pretty lucky not to have broken his neck. Trampolines are seriously quite dangerous: the accidents that kids have on them do major damage simply because of the physics. That said, cars are even more dangerous and I still drive my boy to school every day. But he doesn't play on trampolines.

[NZ Sarah]

I just wanted to follow up on everyone who recommended a trampoline and say how great they are. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old and they love it.

The 'springless' trampolines with the full nets are wonderful.

My little one understands that she can only go on the trampoline when I am there and that she has to jump in the middle. I think it's the best present we ever gave the kids.

[jen]

I third the Boden suggestion, both for shirts and pretty dresses should you ever need/want them. I think they can be a bit overpriced but they have good sales and do bombard you with coupons.

[Jacqui]

Yes, second the springless trampolines, they're miles better than the ones with springs and a cover over. I gather they're an NZ invention so perhaps, in a rare instance, they may not be available in the States? Worth looking for though. The big nets are great too, you can stick the kid in, zip it up and not worry about them bouncing off the tramp, and the net will even stand a bit of bouncing off it (not recommended but sadly lots of fun!)

My daughter also has the keratosis pilaris and it's awful. Someone told me her family referred to it as 'shark skin'. I'm glad to hear that you haven't had any luck shifting it as I was beginning to feel like a bad mother for not being able to do anything with Hazel's. Plus she seems to have inherited it from me so I get that guilt too :)

[Melissa H]

The click here for Patrick's thing isn't working for me either.

But yes on the trampoline.

[Sarah]

On the trampoline, my husband who works for an insurance company forbids them. And maybe I am channeling something, but I thought I just read something that the safety drops dramatically when you let 2 kids on it. So maybe get it (sounds like fun to me) but solo play only?

You make me think I should try harder to get my daughter an allover eval. How did you start? Our latest pediatrician is very nice but not referring to anything interesting.

Kohls for the clothes. Or Lands End. And I hate to admit I am at this stage of life, but Gloria Vanderbilt for the jeans. Boring, but fitting. And even cheaper than Kohls at Costco.

I too have a peasant blouse I am afraid to wear.

[jan]

Whoops, for bi-lateral exercise, I meant touch your opposing *elbow,* not hand, to your knee, crossing your midline. Clearly I need to start doing it again....

[Patricia]

I think of trampolines in the same way as backyard swimming pools - only less maintenence. With both you need to have plenty of supervision and rules about who can use it, when and only while an adult is supervising. I say go for it - just watch them closely. (I know you will!)

[another Julia]

My husband and I had a college friend who broke his neck during childhood on a trampoline and was disabled from it, and then my husband went to become a pediatrician who saw some bad bone breaks (surgery, etc) during residency, so the trampoline is something that we just can't stomach. It's such a hard thing to figure out-- how much risk is too much? how much being safe is the right amount? Tough questions.

And oh, how I wish I knew what to wear. I feel like I am starting to figure out a sense of personal style that is right for me, but it is definitely a work in progress. For me, this means skirts and dresses (I HATE jeans. HATE THEM.) and retro-inspired stuff. It does take thought and self-care to dress yourself in a way that contributes to your sense of happiness, and those things are at a minimum in my life stage right now.

[jenn]

White house black market has the most wonderful jeans and they last FOREVER. I am curvy with a small waist and they always fit so well. I still have every pair I ever purchased and should have worn them out by now becuse I really wear them almost every day. Come to think of it, they have really cute tops there too for young gals our age!

[haitian american family of three]

All I can say is MY GOD people the conflicting trampoline comments are making my head spin and I'm not ever the one thinking about buying one. I think after reading and gasping about the two broken arms with the bone thing (!!) I would just say no to the jumping.

How did I never notice that C.George has no tail?

[Leah]

I have a "death and dismemberment" clause when making decisions about whether we should try something risky. If the action could kill them, or maim and dismember them, it's out. Everything else is in. Broken bones are part of childhood. Let them jump.

[Ginger]

I am too chubby to discuss clothes with you, except to say that I always know when my tummy size is in flux because my hemlines change. And I can't believe you didn't punch your husband for laughing.

As to PT/OT. If you don't love that person that you get, get another one. I work with two of each, because I have a child with CP, but one PT is gifted in a way that none of the others are. I swear to you, my child's long term prospects for walking, movement, posture, everything physical, are improved by this one therapist in ways that far surpass the work of all the others together. I burst into tears when I tell people how I cherish this person but if you want to see something moving see his video of how he got my hemiplegic daughter to crawl on his website at www.professionaltherapies.com, right on the front page. Bilateral movement at this stage of her life will have a huge outcome on what she can do later, and most hemi kids just won't crawl, but a great therapist makes all the difference (and I worked my ass off working her, btw)

If you don't love the one you get, get another one, at whatever cost or effort it takes.

[jen]

Trampolines = deathtraps (opinion only). Worse, you have to hover around the edge, with nowhere to put your drink, when little ones are on/about as they can't resist the things. Absolutely no question that kids love them, though.

[C.]

Caveat and biased - Havent read past the trampoline question nor read the comments.

Here's the story: I trashed my rt ankle last january. Many trips to the dr., 4 months in a cast non-weight bearing, 3rd surgery coming up. While seeing one of the many orthos I asked how was biz (it's what I do) and this particular doc worked with kids. She said would NEVER allow her kids to have a trampoline. Kids bounce and land on the side where it's steel and shatter their leg(s). She couldn't begin to count how many steel rods she put in kid's legs.

[Pam L]

Don't feel bad about not having done something about Patrick's coordination problems before now. You have been a little busy after all. I have 2 instances, with the same child, where I was WAY behind the 8 ball, although not on purpose. Son# 1 was never a fast reader, although he was an early reader and had a decent vocabulary and high test scores for comprehension. In 5th grade he started having headaches when reading so after while of thinking maybe he just didn't want to do his homework, I had his eyes examined and he ended up with glasses. A few months later, still had headaches went back to the eye Dr. they changed his prescription. Another few months went by and we went back again. This time the 3rd Dr. found that he had double vision at 4 feet out. Know how he discovered this? Not with some fancy machine again, with a pencil. A Pencil! SO, since this cannot be corrected with glasses very well he went through 4 months of vision therapy and as of today , 13 years later, he has perfect vision. Example # 2 started with him having a cold. The cold mostly went away but he was left with the coughing, mucousy problem, especially at night. So, I would give him a little cough syrup whatever and he could sleep. He kept clearing his throat though but didn't appear sick. After about 2 weeks of this his teacher told him to tell me I should take him to the Dr. as he kept clearing his throat all day long, and I guess it was a little annoying. So, I did, and guess what? He had asthma. Asthma? really? No other signs of trouble, no gasping for breath or wheezing, just the throat clearing as it was what the Dr. called "Subtle Asthma" Again I felt way behind the Mommy curve on this knowing when to go to the Dr. thing.

[Lorena]

We compromised on the trampoline thing after getting a hand-me-down old fashioned pinchy one. I watched my 6 year old fling herself around on it like a crazy thing, and promptly removed the legs, reinforced the joints around the outside and dug a WHOPPING great big hole in the ground. Trampoline is now ground level - littlies can walk on and off with little risk to life and limb, and we keep a 'one person at a time' rule. So far so good...

[Kelli]

I am a big weenie mom but what about an inflatable bounce house? We have two for our kids (who are 6 and 3). One is a water slide and the other just for jumping. All soft parts and so far no injuries. Just a thought.

[Kristin]

I say this with great affection and with admiration for your writing and your parenting, in case my tone is unclear.

You just found out that Patrick has issues with coordination...and you want to get him a trampoline?

When I was little, my parents took me to a snake museum. Don't ask me why. Don't ask them why. They're not sure why, in retrospect. Like so many things, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time.

It did not help my snake issues.

I'm thinking I would skip the trampoline. I'm not a fan in general, but I'm also thinking there might be other less nerve-wracking ways to engage in some therapeutic play in this particular case.

Hope that helps. ;-)

[Pam L]

Oh, and the jeans thing. I used to be able to order my jeans because I always wore Lee jeans and they fit me perfectly. Then, although I knew I hadn't grown taller, suddenly I was taking them back and spent years trying different types,sizes, styles etc. The problem for me is, the "sits lower on waist" thing doesn't work for me and even if they say "at waist" they are now "slightly below waist" and if they are comfortable for my waist and hips the legs are too baggy and I am not even talking about "relaxed" jeans. So now, since they never make the same style for more than 6 months, I have to go in and try on like 6 pair before I can find one that works. And this is not so fun for me anymore.
I too am tired of solid colored short sleeved v-neck tees but the smocked and gathered neckline ones look goofy on me so I am just trying to find something in the same style, but a print instead. I recently found a nice tie-dye at Target, but this does not help for when I need something a little more un-casual.

[AnnaN]

Wear what you want and when you want. It's not as if your boss is going to fire you that morning you decide to shuffle into work in capri-length skin tight leopard skin pants, matching tube top and plasticine mules. (In this vision of mine you are also carelessly waving around a menthol light and attempting to disentangle your hair from enormous hoop earrings.)

As for shopping in the Junior's section, aren't all the tweeners dressing like 30 year olds these days? So I guess it's a wash.

RE: Trampolines
No! Heavens no! (As drowning is your phobia, trampolines are mine.)

As a side note, for the past week, I've been calling my sister and greeting her with "That is IT, Ed-Wad!". Makes me laugh every time.

[Sandra]

We have a 12' trampoline with enclosure, covered springs, etc., which my kids (11 & 9) LOVE. Their only complaint is that it's too small. My daughter (the 9) is a gymnast and can do back handsprings, tucks, etc... but then dislocated her elbow last week when her foot got tangled as she exited the trampoline. I offer this as proof that kids can & will get hurt doing ANYTHING, and not just the high-risk stuff.

[VHMPrincess]

Lucky Jeans. NOT the ones they sell at price club - from the Lucky store. My favorite are the Zoe style - they give me a more defined butt, where i have just gained SIZE and not actual booty. With those jeans, it looks like booty!

[Allison]

I might recommend Title 9 for casual tops and pants. They're super casual and comfortable but have some cute flair. I also like the Boden and Anthropologie suggestions, but those aren't that casual to me! (when I dress down, I really dress down)

[Emily]

The Gap has some great jeans, lots of different styles and petites and ankle length so you don't need to get them shortened. I've also been trying to spruce up my wardrobe and have found luck at Ann Taylor Loft and Anthropologie.

We also contemplated a trampoline, or I should say that I contemplated. My personal injury attorney husband would not even entertain the thought.

[steff]

trampolines are fun! you should totally go for it, even the little ones will love it!