Adrienne Hedger! Hedger Humor! Cartoons! AAAHHHH!

You guys I'm kind of losing it because Adrienne Hedger, cartoonist extraordinaire of Hedger Humor, responded to my pleas and my light stalking and created a cartoon with me. I may have also promised her baby goats in sweaters, so I shall place them here where we can all enjoy them:

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Are you ready? She created the cartoon based on an old blog post called "10 Questions for my Preschooler".  Here it is! I love it so much!

I don't want my middle schooler to date, but I don't have a rule against it.

Last week I was asked to go on Let's Talk Live (a local, live TV show here in DC) to talk about teens and dating, specifically about younger teens. It forced me to think about it which I really, really didn't want to do to. When it comes to my kids actually dating, I prefer to be over here, rocking in the corner like this:

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But the fact remains that I have two tweens careening towards adolescence and some deep thinking on this subject was overdue. I'm not saying I have it right, but this is where I'm at with tweens and dating. My philosophy on this whole thing boils down one basic thing:

Midnight Madness at the Zoo by Sherryn Craig

If you have littles who love basketball, there's a new book you should know about. It's called Midnight Madness at the Zoo and it's ADORABLE. Written by Sherryn Craig and illustrated by Karen Jones, it's a book about three things both kids and parents love; zoo animals, basketball, and counting. 

I originally met Sherryn almost ten years ago when we were both working together in Public Health in the DC suburbs. She was incredibly smart and funny, and always wore the most fabulous shoes. Her husband is a teacher and high school basketball coach and she would joke about being a "basketball widow" during the season.

Now nearly ten years (and three kids) later, I'm so excited and proud to share her book with you. When talking with her about it, she shared with me something that I thought was really meaningful - the story of how the book was born. Here's what she told me: 

How I Know It's Spring

In case you were wondering, it's actually Spring where I live, regardless of what the calendar says. Winter is over. I hope you've all registered for camp by now because it's already too late. Please enjoy this list of all the reasons I know it's Spring.

It’s just warm enough that the frightening smell in my minivan has been reawakened. 

I spend days thinking I’m getting sick and taking vitamin C until I realize it’s pollen and that in the war for supremacy, Pollen is my green-dappled overlord.

I check the weather app and it’s “Yes sweetie, you can wear shorts to school even though it’s freezing when you leave for the bus in the morning” degrees outside.

Reasons Why The Tooth Fairy Didn't Show Up Last Night

The following are a list of possible reasons that the Tooth Fairy didn't show up last night like she was supposed to. Feel free to use these reasons as needed. 

(1) The Tooth Fairy didn’t come last night because there were so many precious children all over the world that needed her and she knew that you would understand because you’re so thoughtful and kind. She promises to come tonight and bring you something extra special!

(2) There’s actually a new rule! Are you ready? Any tooth that falls out after 7pm is considered a “next day” tooth. Your tooth fell out at 8:35 so technically, she wasn’t even supposed to come last night.

(3) The thing is that your neighborhood is actually in a Tooth Fairy training area. I shouldn’t be telling you this, but the new class of fairies have some issues. I mean, they’re great. But they’re super needy and they don’t take anything seriously.

(4) The Tooth Fairy wasn’t able to make it last night because she got distracted by the internet and made some shopping choices she now regrets.