Bunk Beds

Yesterday we went to Target so the kids could pick out bedding for their new bunk beds. I had to fight the urge to direct their choices. They had some super cute fish sheets and quilts for both boys and girls and the designer in me wanted the kids to have coordinated bedding. But the wiser voice in my head that is not my own told me to let it go. So Addie chose purple flowers and Daniel chose racing motorcycle/skateboard/train/car bedding that reminded me a little of Skidz...


They were both so excited to sleep in their new beds with their new sheets that they didn't want to read books. But once in bed they spent 2 hours talking, giggling, and climbing out of bed for much "needed" drinks of water. I guess every night will be a slumber party for awhile.

Parks & Rec

One of the wonderful parts of city living is all of the parks. There are 4 parks within walking distance when I'm not pregnant and it's not freezing or boiling outside, otherwise there are only 2 to which I'll willingly shove a double stroller full of 2 large-for-their-age children.

Our favorite park is Lindenwood. The kids call it "The Rocks Playground" as it is one of the few parks we frequent that still has a pea gravel floor instead of recycled tire mats. It has huge shade trees, many different jungle gyms for kids of all ages and the kids can dig in the rocks. It's rarely crowded, the moms are always friendly and Daniel makes a new buddy every time we go. Wherever we move to next year, we'll still make a point to come back to Lindenwood.

Clifton Park is the closest and is in the most idyllic setting; nestled among big old houses, next to a huge pond with fountains and nice gardens. When we first moved in, the pond was stocked with fish and the playground was well kept. But since then, a parks employee who was trying to treat an algae bloom mistakenly poured pesticide rather than herbicide into the pond, killing all of the fish. And because of its secluded location, teens and degenerate adults choose Clifton Playground to engage in multiple unsavory activities and often leave the evidence behind on the ground. When Daniel began asking what the graffiti on the slides said I had my reservations about Clifton Park. The second time I found a used condom on the playground I decided this park was now off-limits for our family.

But the granddaddy of all parks in St. Louis is only 6 minutes (by car) from our door. Forest Park is amazing for so many reasons. The free zoo and museums, the waterfalls, the fountains, the bike paths, and our most recent favorite; the river rock beach. When the park redirected the canals and waterways several years ago, they added a small beach made of those smooth, rounded gray river rocks. From what I recall, these rocks cost a fortune at garden centers. And I have to confess that my children have likely thrown hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of river rocks into the canal in Forest Park. Sorry, city tax payers. There is something very satisfying about throwing rocks into water. They can do it for hours.

Corn on the Cob

Daniel and Addie LOVE corn on the cob. It's really the only vegetable they will regularly eat. I'm not sure it even counts as a vegetable. Anyway, corn on the cob just made an appearance at the grocery store and Daniel asked if we could buy those little corn holders that you stick in the ends of the cob. I guess they are meant to keep your hands free of butter? Not sure. But the VERY sharp ends do cause a mother of small children to second guess her decision to use them about half way through dinner.

I think the only thing the kids ate tonight was the corn. They ate it like typewriters, licked it like popsicles, and spoke extensively about its nutritional value. At one point Addie waved her corn cob in the air and shouted, "Hosanna! Yay for Jesus!" (Thank you Riverside teachers.)

Politics

We rarely discussed politics in my family. Probably because my dad's ideology falls more in line with Republicans and my mom's with Democrats and somewhere along the line they decided it was best to not talk about who they support...in the interest of peace. I didn't have much interest in politics; taking for granted that I (and my ability to work) would be able to provide for my basic needs and wants, and the government would make sure no one blows me up overnight. That was an easy position to take in my circle of people just like me.

But in the last 10 years I have known immigrants and refugees with literally nothing, experienced racial tensions at the grocery store, lived in one of the worst public school districts in the state, found out raw sewage flows into a "river" close to my house every time it storms, heard my husband complain about people with no life threatening injury nor illness and no health insurance calling an ambulance for a ride to the hospital, and seen US Citizens blown up on 9/11 without any warning.

Steve and I voted for different people in the 2008 election. And now he shoots me little looks that say, "see what you did?" when reporters criticize Obama's economic recovery plans or give details of the health care bill. I'm not offended. I'd look at him the same way if the tables were turned and Sarah Palin got within 2 feet of a microphone. Because of the health care bill, many of my friends have been more vocal about their political views and how the government should be less involved in everything and that got me thinking about what life would be like if the government wasn't involved in anything but protecting our country. Complete freedom! It leaves the success, progress and well-being of our country up to its citizens. It leaves it up to individuals and the corporations they make up. Left to our own devices and our own sets of ideologies, would we really do a better job at taking care of each other? I just don't have that much faith in people. So I'm not against our government trying to bring some access and reasonable pricing to health care, or slapping Toyota with a hefty fine for selling cars that are unsafe, or telling banks they can't approve a loan for a mansion to a couple that makes $30,ooo a year. There are lots of things our government supports and regulates that I am against, too. But big picture, I feel like our government does a better job looking out for me than the individuals in my city do. And without having to seek them out, I am able to help a lot of people who need it through my government.