Abel and I are going to play hooky tomorrow!
Well, I don't work on Fridays anyway, but Abel is going to take the day off! We'll have a leisurely morning then take Lucas to his babysitter so we can have a "date"!
A nice lunch...a movie...maybe some window shopping downtown...I can't wait!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
The little things
This morning as I was driving to work I was behind or beside a firetruck (don't worry it wasn't going anywhere in a hurry!) for a few miles. When I first spotted it my heart lept and I almost said out loud, "A firetruck!"
Seeing firetrucks and many, many other things bring me so much joy these days because I know they make Lucas so happy. Lucas helps me notice the small wonders that previously wouldn't have garnered a second thought from me. Here's a list of some of them:
Seeing firetrucks and many, many other things bring me so much joy these days because I know they make Lucas so happy. Lucas helps me notice the small wonders that previously wouldn't have garnered a second thought from me. Here's a list of some of them:
- Trucks of any kind, especially back-hoes or firetrucks
- School buses
- Trains (huge bonus points if they are moving!)
- Babies or any kids smaller than Lucas
- Balloons!
- Dogs (aka woof-woofs)
- Kittys
- Squirrels
- Birds
- Water, from small bodies like puddles to larger ones like rivers
Thursday, January 24, 2008
5 2 9er
This post on Ask Moxie today inspired me to write about the college savings plan we started for Lucas.
I'll be frank: I'm pretty proud of us, er, of it.
When I started looking at colleges in high school, I vividly remember getting really angry with my parents when I learned that they hadn't saved a dime for my college education. It seemed like all my friends' parents had at least some money put away. One day either my Mom or Dad--can't remember which one--basically told me to get over it. They had made the choice that Mom would stay home while we were young, and that was a big financial sacrifice. Therefore there simply wasn't any money to save.
Okay. I got it. That made sense.
Now, don't get me wrong, my parents helped a great deal with college--they're still paying off the loans they took out for my education, for which I am truly grateful. And I'm still paying off loans, too.
Abel was the first person in his family to graduate from college. His parents weren't able to save money for him either. Honestly, I don't know if the thought would have crossed their minds. I'm sure they helped wherever they could, but he's got loans, too.
Those loans are the one bill I don't mind paying each month. We both had great experiences at college that helped us get where we are today. (Though I do have a more-than-sneaking suspicion that much of Abel's loan money paid for beer...I mean how does an in-state resident go to a state college and come out with more loans than someone who goes to a small private school? But, I digress.)
For Lucas's first birthday we started a 529 college savings account for him. We seeded it with a few hundred dollars and now we put in $50 every month (automatically deducted so I don't even have to think about it and for that they even waive the plan fee). I certainly have no illusion that what we save will come close to paying all his college expenses, but it does mean a lot to me that we'll have something to get him started.
We (read: I) did some research, not extensive, but enough to make me feel confident in my decision, and decided to invest in our own state's Maryland College Investment Plan managed by T. Rowe Price, which has consistently been voted one of the best 529 plans in the country.
By going with the Maryland plan we can take advantage of the tax benefits. First, all earnings are tax-free when used toward college expenses (I believe this is pretty standard). Second, we can deduct contributions of up to $2,500 from our MD State Income Taxes.
We chose the enrollment-based portfolio for Lucas. As he gets older the balance of the investments gradually moves to a less-risky balance of investments. Here's an illustration:
They just automatically shift it every year. I just set it and forget it!
Now obviously like most parents we assume Lucas is brilliant and is--of course--going to get a full ride somewhere.
No problem! The savings in this account can be shifted to almost anyone--a sibling, a parent, a cousin.... And if everyone gets a full ride (ha! ha!) it can be used toward books, fees, anything else educationally-related.
I'll be frank: I'm pretty proud of us, er, of it.
When I started looking at colleges in high school, I vividly remember getting really angry with my parents when I learned that they hadn't saved a dime for my college education. It seemed like all my friends' parents had at least some money put away. One day either my Mom or Dad--can't remember which one--basically told me to get over it. They had made the choice that Mom would stay home while we were young, and that was a big financial sacrifice. Therefore there simply wasn't any money to save.
Okay. I got it. That made sense.
Now, don't get me wrong, my parents helped a great deal with college--they're still paying off the loans they took out for my education, for which I am truly grateful. And I'm still paying off loans, too.
Abel was the first person in his family to graduate from college. His parents weren't able to save money for him either. Honestly, I don't know if the thought would have crossed their minds. I'm sure they helped wherever they could, but he's got loans, too.
Those loans are the one bill I don't mind paying each month. We both had great experiences at college that helped us get where we are today. (Though I do have a more-than-sneaking suspicion that much of Abel's loan money paid for beer...I mean how does an in-state resident go to a state college and come out with more loans than someone who goes to a small private school? But, I digress.)
For Lucas's first birthday we started a 529 college savings account for him. We seeded it with a few hundred dollars and now we put in $50 every month (automatically deducted so I don't even have to think about it and for that they even waive the plan fee). I certainly have no illusion that what we save will come close to paying all his college expenses, but it does mean a lot to me that we'll have something to get him started.
We (read: I) did some research, not extensive, but enough to make me feel confident in my decision, and decided to invest in our own state's Maryland College Investment Plan managed by T. Rowe Price, which has consistently been voted one of the best 529 plans in the country.
By going with the Maryland plan we can take advantage of the tax benefits. First, all earnings are tax-free when used toward college expenses (I believe this is pretty standard). Second, we can deduct contributions of up to $2,500 from our MD State Income Taxes.
We chose the enrollment-based portfolio for Lucas. As he gets older the balance of the investments gradually moves to a less-risky balance of investments. Here's an illustration:
They just automatically shift it every year. I just set it and forget it!
Now obviously like most parents we assume Lucas is brilliant and is--of course--going to get a full ride somewhere.
No problem! The savings in this account can be shifted to almost anyone--a sibling, a parent, a cousin.... And if everyone gets a full ride (ha! ha!) it can be used toward books, fees, anything else educationally-related.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Pushing my child to be just like me?
I think most parents hope that their children will grow up with open, independent minds. Abel and I do, at least.
Yes, we joke that we'll disown Lucas if he ever decides to become a Republican or a Michigan fan. (Though I don't think Abel is actually joking about the latter.) But overall, we hope to show him a broad range of the world, let him know how we came to believe what we believe, and let him forge his opinions on his own.
Cut to cute side story
My maternal grandmother was a rock-solid devoutly Catholic Democrat. In second grade (after my teacher, Mrs. Sipes, told us that Walter Mondale would make us go to school year-round and that he killed babies) my friends and I decided we were for Regan. For weeks on the playground we made up cheers for Ronald Regan. The next time my family visited my grandmother, I was scared to death to tell her that I supported Regan. But, I felt like I couldn't hide it. She needed to know. When I finally worked up the nerve and told her why I supported him, she very nicely explained that my teacher was not entirely correct but that if I wanted to support Ronald Regan that was my choice and she still loved me no matter what. I was totally relieved--I truly believe there was a chance she wouldn't love me anymore once I was a Republican!
Okay, let's get back on track.
I'm worried that I am pushing my child into a bizarre love of mine: peanut butter sandwiches.
What's weird about that you ask?
Well, I don't eat jelly. Don't get me wrong, jelly is just fine. But not on a peanut butter sandwich.
We were crazy about not letting Lucas eat anything peanut for a solid year ++. When I started making him peanut butter sandwiches I left off the jelly, just like I do for my own. He enjoys a peanut butter sandwich. We both have one for lunch several times a week.
Others tell me that jelly adds a lot to the sandwich. Abel himself heaps on the jelly.
Is Lucas missing out because of me? Am I pushing my love of peanut butter sandwiches on him? When I make my own peanut butter sandwich (JIF ONLY, thank you!) should I be adding jelly to his? Should I give him a plain peanut butter sandwich and a sandwich with jelly and let him choose?
I am truly concerned. (But obviously not enough to have started adding jelly earlier!)
What's your opinion?
Yes, we joke that we'll disown Lucas if he ever decides to become a Republican or a Michigan fan. (Though I don't think Abel is actually joking about the latter.) But overall, we hope to show him a broad range of the world, let him know how we came to believe what we believe, and let him forge his opinions on his own.
Cut to cute side story
My maternal grandmother was a rock-solid devoutly Catholic Democrat. In second grade (after my teacher, Mrs. Sipes, told us that Walter Mondale would make us go to school year-round and that he killed babies) my friends and I decided we were for Regan. For weeks on the playground we made up cheers for Ronald Regan. The next time my family visited my grandmother, I was scared to death to tell her that I supported Regan. But, I felt like I couldn't hide it. She needed to know. When I finally worked up the nerve and told her why I supported him, she very nicely explained that my teacher was not entirely correct but that if I wanted to support Ronald Regan that was my choice and she still loved me no matter what. I was totally relieved--I truly believe there was a chance she wouldn't love me anymore once I was a Republican!
Okay, let's get back on track.
I'm worried that I am pushing my child into a bizarre love of mine: peanut butter sandwiches.
What's weird about that you ask?
Well, I don't eat jelly. Don't get me wrong, jelly is just fine. But not on a peanut butter sandwich.
We were crazy about not letting Lucas eat anything peanut for a solid year ++. When I started making him peanut butter sandwiches I left off the jelly, just like I do for my own. He enjoys a peanut butter sandwich. We both have one for lunch several times a week.
Others tell me that jelly adds a lot to the sandwich. Abel himself heaps on the jelly.
Is Lucas missing out because of me? Am I pushing my love of peanut butter sandwiches on him? When I make my own peanut butter sandwich (JIF ONLY, thank you!) should I be adding jelly to his? Should I give him a plain peanut butter sandwich and a sandwich with jelly and let him choose?
I am truly concerned. (But obviously not enough to have started adding jelly earlier!)
What's your opinion?
The Best Month Ev-ah
After bemoaning the lack of good TV a few weeks ago I am so excited that February is shaping up to be fabulous.
Three words:
Lost
Big Brother
I am SO excited!
Lost has got to be one of the all-time best shows. Abel and I have been faithful since the pilot. We're obsessed. I've been known to cruise the fan websites. I've been known to devote hours of serious conversation to the subject. The new season debuts February 1.
And, I literally just realized we'll be watching it this season in HD on our new big TV and with surround-sound. Yay!!
Now I know a lot of you are on the Lost bandwagon with me. And, I know I'll lose most of you when I talk about Big Brother. But, please hear me out.
I got addicted to Big Brother in the second season courtesy of my good friend Herschel. It has been my fun summer ritual ever since. While Lost is plot and character and suspense and mystery, Big Brother is just plain fun.
Give it a shot! Big Brother 9 debuts on February 12--the first non-summer season ever.
Three words:
Lost
Big Brother
I am SO excited!
Lost has got to be one of the all-time best shows. Abel and I have been faithful since the pilot. We're obsessed. I've been known to cruise the fan websites. I've been known to devote hours of serious conversation to the subject. The new season debuts February 1.
And, I literally just realized we'll be watching it this season in HD on our new big TV and with surround-sound. Yay!!
Now I know a lot of you are on the Lost bandwagon with me. And, I know I'll lose most of you when I talk about Big Brother. But, please hear me out.
I got addicted to Big Brother in the second season courtesy of my good friend Herschel. It has been my fun summer ritual ever since. While Lost is plot and character and suspense and mystery, Big Brother is just plain fun.
Give it a shot! Big Brother 9 debuts on February 12--the first non-summer season ever.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tonight at dinner...
Lucas: All Done!
Smiling Mama: Okay Lucas you may get down and play in the living room while Mama and Dada finish eating.
L: hoping down from his booster chair Okay!
Lucas runs to the bottom of the stairs
L: Watch TB
SM: No TV. Lucas. You may play with your trucks or piano or any other toys.
Lucas's shoulders droop, his chin drops, he looks up with major puppy dog eyes
SM: Sorry, buddy, no TV
L: pointing finger at Mama NO! BABE! WATCH TV!
SM: Nope.
Suddenly a spark of hope flickers in Lucas's eyes, he puts on his flirty smile and says...
L: Dada! Mama slkeoiha lkatoieh aslsdlihekx (words unintelligible, but meaning very clear-- Dada, tell Mama she's just being silly and that I can watch TV)
Dada: Desperately trying to hold in his laugh Sorry buddy.
Smiling Mama: Okay Lucas you may get down and play in the living room while Mama and Dada finish eating.
L: hoping down from his booster chair Okay!
Lucas runs to the bottom of the stairs
L: Watch TB
SM: No TV. Lucas. You may play with your trucks or piano or any other toys.
Lucas's shoulders droop, his chin drops, he looks up with major puppy dog eyes
SM: Sorry, buddy, no TV
L: pointing finger at Mama NO! BABE! WATCH TV!
SM: Nope.
Suddenly a spark of hope flickers in Lucas's eyes, he puts on his flirty smile and says...
L: Dada! Mama slkeoiha lkatoieh aslsdlihekx (words unintelligible, but meaning very clear-- Dada, tell Mama she's just being silly and that I can watch TV)
Dada: Desperately trying to hold in his laugh Sorry buddy.
Friday, January 18, 2008
More fun in the fight against going stir crazy
What a fun week! As you know, we checked out the College Park Aviation Museum on Tuesday.
Yesterday afternoon it snowed!
We played in the snow ONE time last winter but Lucas was in this snowsuit that was hysterical. He couldn't really move and basically knelt or laid down in the snow and looked around.
So I'm officially counting yesterday as his first snow: we had so much fun! After Christmas we bought a kiddy-sized shovel for him so he spent the entire 45 minutes shoveling. Lest you think this was helpful, let me clarify that he shoveled the lawn! (Without mittens! I tried and tried to get him to keep a pair on, but none of the approx. 10 pairs we've bought for him let him grip well enough for his satisfaction. Any moms out there have hints for us on this?)
While he shoveled our lawn, I was a good neighbor and shoveled the sidewalk in front of our house and that of three neighbors! I was feeling really good about myself, but by the time we went inside you couldn't even tell I had shoveled. Oh well.
Today we had even more excitement...I took Lucas to his first play!
We went to the Publick Playhouse, an adorable little theater run by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation in Cheverly, MD to see A Kid's Life. Tickets were $6 per person (kids included) and the show was about 50 minutes long--a prefect length. The audience was, of course, full of kids and there was lots of interacting, laughing, clapping and just a little crying. We had a great time. It was so much fun to watch Lucas watch the show. Of course his favorite character was the dog!
We can't wait to go back for another show. If you're in the area, I urge you to check it out! (They have performances for all ages!)
Yesterday afternoon it snowed!
We played in the snow ONE time last winter but Lucas was in this snowsuit that was hysterical. He couldn't really move and basically knelt or laid down in the snow and looked around.
So I'm officially counting yesterday as his first snow: we had so much fun! After Christmas we bought a kiddy-sized shovel for him so he spent the entire 45 minutes shoveling. Lest you think this was helpful, let me clarify that he shoveled the lawn! (Without mittens! I tried and tried to get him to keep a pair on, but none of the approx. 10 pairs we've bought for him let him grip well enough for his satisfaction. Any moms out there have hints for us on this?)
While he shoveled our lawn, I was a good neighbor and shoveled the sidewalk in front of our house and that of three neighbors! I was feeling really good about myself, but by the time we went inside you couldn't even tell I had shoveled. Oh well.
Today we had even more excitement...I took Lucas to his first play!
We went to the Publick Playhouse, an adorable little theater run by the Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation in Cheverly, MD to see A Kid's Life. Tickets were $6 per person (kids included) and the show was about 50 minutes long--a prefect length. The audience was, of course, full of kids and there was lots of interacting, laughing, clapping and just a little crying. We had a great time. It was so much fun to watch Lucas watch the show. Of course his favorite character was the dog!
We can't wait to go back for another show. If you're in the area, I urge you to check it out! (They have performances for all ages!)
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