Cricket in a Biscuit

"Don't use your head, and the whole body usually suffers." "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." Two quotes, the first from my grandpa, the second from a high school teacher, which convey the same message; it is incumbent on you to think things through and plan ahead. Failure to do so will result in consequences which are yours to handle. The paradigm shifts, however, when you are married and/or have kids. Poor planning on the part of one — or both — can have implications with a broader reach. We were hit with a pretty big snowstorm on Friday, 17.2 inches before 3 o'clock in the afternoon. It was not a surprise storm — we had several days warning, but still we were unprepared, and there were consequences. Fortunately, none were serious, and we learned some good lessons. First lesson: When a storm is coming, move the vehicles off the street before there is a foot of wet, heavy snow on the ground. Maybe even pu...

Our first round of potty training was tough (and ongoing). Between starting too early, regression when Oliver was born, and "accidents" for attention, in addition to all the regular difficulties, it was stressful for everyone. So, I resolved to wait this time around. Oliver, however, had other plans.  A few days ago he became obsessed with the potty chair. I moved it out of sight, which only made him more desperate for it. I decided to humor him by sitting him down on it with his pants on. Not good enough. Wednesday afternoon, I gave in. When he got up from his nap, he was demanding the potty again. I set him up there, and he spent the next fifteen minutes laughing and doing his business. Between then and bedtime, he used the potty three more times, and whizzed on my floor once. The successes continue, but I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. First he gives up his pacifier, and now he's using the potty. He is growing much too fast. I've actually been w...