For me the "joy" of cooking is a very real thing I've tried to share with 5-year old Dylan. He knows a teaspoon from a Tablespoon, gleefully tosses spices in a bowl to concoct rubs, whisks up salad dressing, and even peels a few sweet potatoes under my supervision (all fingers are still...

Well, it hit me like a blast of air conditioning on a summer day in Texas -- I have lost all sense of focus. The realization came last week after I dropped 5-year old Dylan off at school. As usual, I'm frantic to deliver him on time and have everything together for my morning run. Small aside: Why...

I'd like to think I'm an itsy-bit in control of my life, but leave it to a 5-year old to shatter that illusion. In my pre-mom days the idea of "control" was precious as a Fabergé egg. Now I fully recognize that egg has been heaved off the Empire State Building. "You know mom, when...

Pardon me while I scratch -- Dylan and I just returned from Missouri where the highlight and lowlight was "getting up close and personal with nature." In typical 5-year old fashion, Dylan could not wait to hike in the woods and throw rocks in the river on my folks' farm. So my mom and I...

As a young girl, some of the best hours I spent were with my books. I loved Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables and Island of the Blue Dolphins , just to name a few. But these picks aren't appropriate for Dylan, my 5-year old little guy. So over time and many library stops, together we've formulated...

Most moms and dads have part of their brains tucked away -- accessible only when you REALLY need it. Otherwise, I guess, we'd be too smart for our own good. Here's what I mean: I have a friend named Deb who moved to Paris for two years with her husband who on professional assignment. Don't...

Dylan started "junior kindergarten" yesterday. I am happy to report we have blasted right into school, and I don't think there's any looking back. I think this kid is a bit of a politician at heart. He wasn't shaking hands, but he was cheerfully greeting other students as we waited...