The Firefly Cure
Posted by Elizabeth Yank in Features on Monday, July 14, 2008
My children and I devour picture books. On rare occasions, we find a book that magically transports us into another world. Its breathtaking illustrations and captivating story steal our hearts and minds. Hana in the Time of the Tulips is one such book.
Although it is a story about a young girl growing up in the Netherlands long ago, it is a book that transcends time, as well as the borders of any... READ MORE
They’re Watching You
Posted by Father Richard Gill, LC in Spirituality on Monday, July 14, 2008
Question
I am headmaster at a prestigious private high school that has a long tradition of maintaining an “honor code,” in which students are not supervised on exams but the penalty for cheating is expulsion. Six high school seniors stole copies of their semester exam and used them to study for finals. After a long and painful series of interviews, I managed to get some of the students to admit what... READ MORE
Healing Our Scarred Environment
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Faith on Friday, July 18, 2008
May I beg you to read the Holy Father’s message to young people delivered yesterday in Sydney? It’s rich beyond my word count here, but I can’t resist a summary at least. First, since environmental matters are a foremost concern in the vulnerable island nations of the Pacific, the Holy Father’s controlling image is the beauty of creation. Here’s how he describes his journey to WYDSYD as it’s being... READ MORE
About Bullies
Posted by Rebecca Teti in Family on Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Today I’d like to introduce what I hope will be a regular feature. I’ll toss out what I hope is a provocative topic, you weigh in, and we all benefit from the variety of perspectives and experience. Here goes....
When I was a girl, Mom made a point of telling us if we ever saw a child being made fun of, she hoped her children not only wouldn’t participate, but would rise to that child’s defense.... READ MORE
A Horse and His Girl
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Thursday, July 24, 2008
This is Indy. He is one of Kateri’s pet projects this summer.
Though Indy was once a fine riding pony for even the littlest of riders, an unfortunate close call with a speeding UPS truck a few years ago left him skittish and unpredictable. Not so good for 5-year-olds.
As a result, he was ridden less and less and ... as a result of that became less and less safe for riding.
Until this summer,... READ MORE
Memorial of St. Joachim and St. Anne
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Faith on Saturday, July 26, 2008
Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Joachim and St. Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. My own wonderful mother’s name is Anne, so I remember her in a special way on this feast day of the Patroness of Mothers. I was recently sharing with a friend who is expecting her first child that she can expect her relationship with her own mother to grow and blossom when she welcomes her child into... READ MORE
Taking a Stand
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Friday, August 01, 2008
Back when Rebecca introduced the topic of how to handle bullies, much of the conversation focused on physical bullying and teaching our children to defend themselves against physical attacks.
A few, however, brought up the topic of emotional bullying—something girls are more likely to engage in than boys—and something that has the potential to be even more hurtful than a punch in the nose.
I remember... READ MORE
Shy Child
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Tuesday, August 05, 2008
We spent this morning at a nearby library. In order to save gas, I’ve been hanging out there instead of going home between dropping off Kateri and picking her up at the barn where she works.
It’s a very nice library—they were even having a story hour this morning. I thought 5-year-old Gabby would be thrilled. I pushed her toward the stacks of carpet sample mats, the pile of coloring pages with fat... READ MORE
Parental Grace
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Friday, August 15, 2008
* is the only thing that prevents me from crying out, “What do you want? For the love of all that is lovable, what on earth do you WANT already?” when the baby cries out “Mama, Mama!” just one more time at the end of a long day.
* is what helps me keep a straight face when a 6-year-old boy glances nervously backwards and asks in all earnestness, “Which shoulder does your guardian angel sit on?”... READ MORE
Entertaining Toddlers
Posted by Danielle Bean in Family on Monday, August 18, 2008
I recently came across this list of toddler “keep busy” activities for when you want to keep a small child occupied and out of trouble for a while.
Some of them look like they might work, but others of them (Hello? Filling a Ziploc bag with squishy, staining materials and handing it to a preschooler?) give this mom heart failure.
I thought it might be fun to come up with our own list of toddler... READ MORE
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