Sunday 14 December 2014

Theodore & David


"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a very shiny nose..."

"All of the other reindeer’s used to laugh and call him names and copied him and called him popo head and didn't share their toys with him..."


Saturday 11 October 2014

Theodore & David

“Mom, can you tell me a story about the king who 
wouldn't pick up his toys?”

“But, kings don't have toys. The king is a grown man 
and grown men don’t have toys”
“Yes they do! Dad has an iPhone!”

Sunday 5 October 2014

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

It took me so long to write the review of Flora and the Flamingo, that the author and illustrator Molly Idle has already launched the sequel Flora and the Penguin last week, but that is ok, because these are the kind of books that become all-time favourites and are worth reviewing just anytime. 
Flora and the Flamingo is among some of the most beautifully illustrated children’s books I have seen. I have a special place in my bookshelf for books like this one, the “yes, you can read mommy’s book but wash your hands first” collection.


Published in 2013 and winer of the Caldecott Honor Award, Flora and the Flamingo is a wordless book, yet words are no needed, the images are enough to take us graciously through a story of partnership.


The small details are what make Flora so endearing: her swimming cap, her chubby tights and her clumsiness make us fall in love with her. In my opinion, here is where Idle’s talent resides, in communicating so much with so little. We don't need words to perceive Flora’s feelings and the dynamics of her relationship with the flamingo – their synchronized movements and their expressions are enough.

And the pink! Oh, the pink!


© Molly Idle. Photographs by Chronicle Books

Saturday 4 October 2014

Theodore mentioned that he was the only boy that liked Princess Leia, he stressed he is not talking about the adults, (gold bikini anyone?) but just the boys in his classroom.
- "What do you like about her?"- I asked, hoping he would say that she is a smart, independent, brave, strong woman.
- "Her hairstyle" - he said
Seriously?

Sunday 28 September 2014

Theodore & David


"Mom, what does war mean?"


"Hmm war is when some countries fight"

"Countries fight?"
"Well...yes"
"I bet those countries don't have a mom"

Monday 8 September 2014

Theodore & David


"David, do you want me to read you the story of how babies are made?"
"Is it a funny one?"
"Yay! Theodore can read now"

Thursday 4 September 2014

Nasreddine, a children’s picture book with a side dish for mom

Nasreddine, is the endearing story about a young boy and his father Mustafa. A tale about wisdom and authenticity, not only beautifully written by Odile Weulersse but illustrated by – a personal favourite – Rébecca Dautremer. Dautremer’s artwork is so powerful yet full of delicate details, like scribbles and graffiti on the town’s walls.



As explained by a historical note at the end of the book, stories about Nasreddine are said to be based on a man who lived in Turkey during the Middle Ages and, while the age of the character changes from one story to another, it is always a reflection on wisdom and delight.

In this particular story, Nasreddine and Mustafa head to the market to sell their goods, the father rides on the donkey’s back and the boy walks behind. Before long, onlookers criticize the father because he is riding comfortably while the kid goes on foot. Embarrassed, the next time they go to the market, the son tricks the father into letting him ride the donkey, Mustafa patiently agrees and walks behind; yet people whisper as they pass by "look how the world works these days, the children ride and their elders walk behind. Fathers don't have authority after all”.


The story repeats itself, and no matter how they do it (dad rides, boy rides, nobody rides the donkey, they both ride the donkey) there is always someone judging them. Mustafa is always serene, the little one always ashamed; until the boy  in a desperate attempt to stop being laughed at  comes up with an idea that is just plain ridiculous and then the father shares his pearls of wisdom: “People can always find a reason to criticize you if they want to. It is up to you to decide if what you are hearing is wise, or if it it's only a silly and hurtful remark”.


You see, this is where I think there are books written for kids but with the hope that the message also comforts the mother that is reading it. And I say moms not as a sexist remark but because we, moms, tend to obsess more about what people think of our parenting skills but if the shoe fits to any dads out there too, by all means feel free to join me.
Being a parent is not always easy, it is hard enough without having to listen to relatives, friends and yes, nosy strangers, and their opinions on what we should or shouldn't do. So, next time somebody disapproves of how you raise your kids, answer calmly in the words of wise Mustafa: “Your words, kind sir, are hurting my ears” or just tell them to f**k off.

Sunday 31 August 2014

Theodore & David

"Mom! can you carry me?"

"No, David you are too heavy for me now"

"Ok then, I will remove my hat"

Taking the kids to the park is an extreme sport:

Theodore fell down scraping his knee. To confort him, I put down my iced coffee and David drank it. As it was too bitter for his taste, he decided to eat dirt to overcome the flavour. “Yummy” he said and then proceed to eat a pebble and chew on a stick, which, luckily he did not find tasty. Two minutes latter, Theodore fell again now hurting his forehead and elbow. As I grabbed my kids to leave, my bra snapped.

Fortunately, we are now safe and sound in front of the TV.

Sunday 24 August 2014

Hands up!


My family – like many others in Canada – has a "no toy guns policy”. I don't buy my kids plastic guns, not even water guns. I guess, like many other parents, I have the  irrational fear that my kids will grow up to be violent adults if they play with guns; or maybe we just find plain disturbing seeing our little angels pretending to fire an arm. I admit it, it freaks me out.




Yesterday we were at a water park and some kids were playing with water guns. It didn't take long for my 7 year old to get acquainted with them, and before I knew it he had a water machine gun in his hands and was having the time of his life chasing the other kids. My inner over-neurotic-mom self was freaking out "he is playing with guns!" like if that isolated action would eradicate all the good things in him. The kids were having a blast and, to be honest, I don't think any of those kids would grow up to become a mass murderer. Sure, they'd probably torture their younger siblings and might break some girl’s heart, but other than that I believe those boys will grow up to become decent human beings, regardless of what they play with.

The truth is, we overthink things.


     Are they watching too much tv? Should I add tofu and kale to their diet? Is that BPA-free, gluten-free, child proof? None if this existed 30 years ago and we turned out fine. Our parents did not play video games yet they played with little green soldiers all the time and they turned out fine. ADHD, GMO, SPD, WTF?

Phew! This is exhausting.

Sometimes is best just to stop worrying about everything (good luck with that), and let them be kids. Our job is not to hide all the toy guns in the world (there will always be a stick or their thumb and index fingers) or to keep our children in  a bubble. Our job is to teach them about love and respect and once in a while turn the other way, just let them play with water guns on a sunny August afternoon.

Saturday 23 August 2014

Lemonade Stand - Day 2


 "Sir, do you want to buy some lemonade?"

"I would love to, but I don't have any cash with me"


"Just GO!"


"Sorry! he is still working on his customer service skills"

Friday 22 August 2014

Theodore & David

"Somebody at work was mean to me"


"Did she call you poop head?"

"Hmm...no"


"Did she call you bum bum head"?

"Hmm...nope"



"Then you can still be her friend, mom"

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Lemonade Stand Day 1

Our first customer, a senior gentleman walking his dog, left without paying for his 16 oz lemonade cup. Apparently he got seriously overwhelmed by the two chatty salesmen:

- What a cute doggy!
- Can I pet him?
- Ey! that is my chair!
- Do you want raspberries in your lemonade?
- What’s your dog's name?
- Sir, can you help me set up my lemonade sign?
- No, that is my chair!
- Sorry, we are out of raspberries
- It’s my chair!
- David! get your hand out of the jug!

I don't blame the customer. This is why family businesses don't work.

Sunday 10 August 2014

About this blog

Growing up in Mexico I read American comic stripes featuring kids in a lemonade stand, which seemed like very little work and a lot of fun. When I moved to Canada and my kids were born, I pictured them selling lemonade every summer: beautiful, happy boys having fun and learning the value of work. It seemed like a milestone in their childhood. 

Little did I know, lemonade stands are a lot of work (specially for parents) and sometimes you don't see the rewards right away. They are a good analogy of parenthood: It is not all perfect like the images you see in the comic stripes, sometimes is not all fun; but it is totally worth it when you see your kids' excitement.

So, the summer my kids were 7 and 3 years old we set up our stand and 
thus, the chronicles of a lemonade stand began.