The difficulties of being a writer mom

In an attempt to compose my next post for the TESOL blog that I'm guesting on right now, my daughter thought it fun to read over my shoulder and offer commentary. Finally, she booted me off the computer to type her thoughts (in the form of my own words). I found this just funny enough to share here:

"In my last post, I brought up the question of ELL funding. Senator Bennet’s comments not only spurred my thinking for that post, but it has brought another question to mind as well. That is the question of the makeup of our ELL population and how best to serve them. Over the last several years of teaching ELL students, I’ve often struggled with the definition of what makes an English language learner. Obviously we can qualify those first generation students who have just arrived to our country as ELLs. However, what about those students who are second or even third generation language learners? My daughter thinks that this is a complete waste of time. She thinks I have no life, which I probably don’t. Maybe I should just listen to her and learn the language of kids her age. Then I won’t act and look as old. I might actually have a shot at a life and have more than 100 friends on facebook. Overall, this is a really pointless and boring essay. Only losers with no life would ever read something like this. I speak the truth."

The italics is, of course, her words. It's hard enough actually writing without a 13 year old butting in. Now that I've finally gotten her to go to bed I've lost my momentum on ELL issues. Guess I'll have to try finishing that post tomorrow...before she gets up.

Toddlers to Tweens

I look at that picture of us at the top of my blog and marvel at how much the kids have grown...especially Anna! She is now nearly as tall as me. That was taken in 2008 right after we arrived in Colorado. How quickly kiddos grow up. Recently, I learned that what was good in toddlerhood, is apparently good as a teenager too.

The other day Anna had a friend stay over. They did the usual sequestering in the bedroom while talking and playing on Facebook. Soon, they were out of the bedroom dressed up in Anna's new clothes we just bought. They rummaged around in my closet and came out with my high heel shoes on! I later discovered they had also been into my jewelry. After that, they disappeared outside. The difference between toddler dress up and tween dress up? As toddlers we parents take pictures of how cute they look all dressed up. As tweens, they take pictures of themselves and post them on Facebook! For some reason, taking their pictures with all the vehicles we own (including the four wheeler) was fun. I guess they not only feel older dressing up, but they can pretend that they are old enough to drive (which is only a few years away).

I recently told someone this story and the person was aghast that I would let my daughter post such pics on FB. She insinuated that maybe the girls were trying to look older on FB for a reason. I'm really not worried about this. I am one of my daughter's friends on FB and often peruse her page to see what's up. I've never seen anything inappropriate posted there. While I'm sure my husband would prefer that Anna not dress like a "hoochie mama" as he calls it (shirts off the shoulder), I find all of this somewhat insightful. To me, it shows how a 13 year old is really like a three year old - they both are becoming more independent and are experimenting with how to be grown up. Playing dress up is one way to achieve this, no matter the age.

Welcome to Kansas!...or not

Awhile back I wrote about how we might be moving to Kansas this summer. Well, it looks like plans have changed (surprise, surprise!). You just never know what the Army will do, and that’s why I try not to get too attached when they tell us we’re moving. As it turns out, the Army is out of money to move anyone until October. It is being suggested that we will now move in January, which is of course the perfect time to move in the Rockies! Why January? It’s because that is Steve’s four year anniversary in Durango and recruiters aren’t allowed to stay in a brigade longer than four years. It should be very entertaining to see how the movers load all the stuff from our house into their truck with six feet of snow on the ground and no way to get down our driveway. While this move does seem a little more certain, I’m still not making any bets. Where we will move to is a whole other story. It won’t be Kansas, because that’s the same brigade we are in now. We’ve been offered Raleigh, Nashville, Great Falls, and possibly Seattle. The Carolina coast would be a nice move, so we’re leaning towards that, but one never knows…

I always think it’s funny to talk to people about our situation. First, when I told them we might move to Kansas, the unanimous reply was “Oh…how do you feel about that?” Now when I tell them we won’t be moving until January and we’re not sure where, the unanimous reply is “Oh…how do you feel about that?” So, my stock answer has become “It is what it is!” As an Army wife, you learn to roll with the punches and become like Switzerland…neutral! It doesn’t do any good to assign positive or negative value to new places, experiences or people until you’ve had the opportunity to really get to know them. I try to keep an open mind about anything the Army sends our way. That doesn’t mean that after a sufficient amount of time I don’t form my own opinions (sometimes negative) about these new experiences. There may be a barcode implanted in my neck by the government, but I am still human.

And yes, the kids are fine with it too! That is always the second question I get asked. They are happy to spend another six months with their friends, but a new house within driving distance of a beach doesn’t sound too bad either. They may be brainwashed little Army brats, but they are still kids.

Giving up the splendor of the prairies for the beach?