Best Age

I am usually a big fan of natural lighting. However, after seeing this photo, I think I may be changing my mind! Look at the corner of my eyes! WHAT IS THAT? When I first saw this photo, I freaked out. How old am I? So I have wrinkles now?


But, like my Grandma Gould has taught me, "Everything is relative." So I've decided to keep things in perspective. I wouldn't trade being my age, with a 2 1/2 year old. I wouldn't exchange any of my experiences, for a smoother face. I'm happy with who I am and with where I am in life. And come to find out, my Grandma Gould feels the same way about her life. Here is a poem she wrote about being her age. This is wisdom!

The Best Age
There must be a time In this life down here
That life just seems perfect
And I think I am there!
No sad departures
And sent off to school
Out in that mean world
With it's endless rules

Then comes all those decisions to make
And tests galore!
Worries then about how we score.
Soon every morning that miserable alarm
Gets us off to work
Whether city or farm

Marriage comes along
And if you like your own way
There are two now
And each has his say.

With the little ones, happiness arrives
But oh, those sleepless nights
Then endless questions, and the "whys"?
Hardly any time to read the paper in peace
Or who chooses the programs
Is there no relief?
To do my own thing
Whatever it may be
But always responsibilities

Time passes and complaints do change
Retiring from some duties But others remain
With tolerance and endurance
We no longer seem blessed
Oh when, oh when Can I ever rest?

So, you see; now I have no time must arise
And not awakened by infant's cries
I can stay in my robe as long as I like
I can sit all day, or take a hike
The house stays tidy, no toys on the floor
Not a lot is expected but just to adore
And enjoy the little ones more and more.

So you see -I can let God arrange each day
Have plenty of time to read and to pray
With no one to judge For now it's OK
So if eighty-six is the "perfect age"
How come, it's not "just the rage"?

written by Alice Gould
2009

Caleb Meets the Internet

We are in the digital age right? So, I'd been putting off introducing Caleb to what might be available to him via my computer. I knew he'd have his whole life to access the world wide web, why start too early right? And more importantly, up until now, the computer was MINE. But like all areas of my life, I've learned to share!

Our first (and only) stop? http://www.pbskids.org The only games we've tried so far are the ones with Curious George. Caleb can't use the touch pad on my MacBook, and the he can't handle the travel mouse either. Conceptually he's just not there yet. Therefore, the best games are the ones that allow him to use the arrow keys. Otherwise, I am taking orders from a 2 1/2 year old, which is fun for all of 3 minutes, because he wants to do it himself. "My Do It!" He knows what he wants the objects on the screen to do and gets mad when it doesn't happen!

A new phrase in our house, "Mom, Caleb play Monkey George!" (In your head you should hear the sentence above in an emphatic directive tone, with a small attempt at sounding as if it were a question!)