Lip, Lip Hooray

It’s amazing what you see in elementary schools these days. For instance, the other day my second grader and I watched in stunned silence as a mom slathered Desitin all over her kindergartener’s face and lips before heading out to the parking lot on an exceptionally cold day. Desitin, as in the stuff you put on your baby’s butt to soothe and relieve diaper rash. The boy wriggled, squirmed and moaned, but the mom was not deterred. She continued to apply the white cream on his upper lip, cheeks and chin like a seasoned cosmetologist. Apparently, I wasn’t the only … Continue reading

Old Man Winter vs. Tired Mama

We’re only a month into winter and I’m already counting the days until summer. Actually, I will settle for any season free of snow, ice, and sub-zero wind chills. In most parts of the world that would be spring, but I reside in Wisconsin, where it can (and often does) snow in June. Did I mention the state’s unofficial motto is: “Welcome to the land of two seasons: winter and construction.” It would be funny if it were not the cold, hard truth. I complained a lot about living in the Frozen Tundra when I was single. Partly, because I … Continue reading