This weekend we "vacationed" (by this I mean: we drove to see family and went to the zoo) in fabulous downtown Des Moines, Iowa.  I didn't see any flood waters, but I heard from my Cedar Rapids-based brother-in-law that a) flood "water" is a term that should be used loosely, as there is a lot in the water besides water and b) flood water is powerful enough to move just about anything in its way.  It was depressing to hear of how much had been lost in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, cities I've lived and worked in. 

On the upside, my in-laws are safe and still in their house, which is more than a lot of folks up there can say. (And in Iowa, they are "folks," trust me.)  Also, we had a wonderful time.  We stayed in a hotel, which made the little angel delirious with happiness, we went to the zoo, we grilled out and the little angel and her five-year-old cousin A. immersed themselves in their cousin M's American Girl collection, which I have to say is very impressive.  Those dolls had crutches, roller skates, and tap shoes with real taps on them. It was all I could do to keep from seizing them myself.  I got to see three of my nine in-law families, including my MIL and FIL.  We had to skip traveling to see them at Thanksgiving last year due to finances, so it was really important we get to see them this weekend.

This morning, of course, the little angel woke up, realized it was a school day, and started having a fit.  I told her we were running late (as usual) but today, I just really didn't care.  She randomly changed her tune.

"You'd better hurry, Mommy," she said.  "Otherwise your work teacher will be mad at you."

GOOD POINT.

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Talking about how to spot stroke and heart attack today at BlogHer.

One pragmatic plus of having a daughter is dresses, which create a cute look instantly and make frequent changes a cinch. And if you share my love for simple, elegant, comfy, and good for the planet, check out the chic offerings at green boutique Go Natural Baby. Offering a clothing collection crafted from 100% certified organic cotton and low impact dyes, I love the sweet simplicity of Little Rosie’s Dress. Prettily constructed in dual pink tones and contrast trim at the neck and arms, this empire silhouette looks great on its own or paired with pants.

Want to win Little Rosie’s Dress*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Gina S.!
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Visit Go Natural Baby, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Go Natural’ in the subject), and name another cool organic product that Go Natural Baby carries.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Monday, June 23, 2008.

*The winner will receive Go Natural Baby’s Little Rosie’s Dress in the size of their choice (subject to availability).

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

You could win: a $100 Cabana Life shopping spree at MomFinds, a Little Scholastics summer goodie bag at Classy Mommy, and a personalized Lisa Leonard charm necklace at The Nest Baby. One Chic Mama has raves for Clarks for Kids. Modern Mom encourages moms to join one of their groups across the country. And Rachael Ray recommends favorite beach items at Clever Parents.

This week I had a meeting with a woman who left the workforce when her second son was born and the first stopped sleeping.  She had a great career, an enviable career, but one day, she'd just had it and realized she wanted to be home for her kids.  She said they were poor for a while. We talked about how some of her friends and family reacted to her decision, how some called it "giving in," how she'd built a successful consulting career in the 15 or so years since she made that decision.

I ate my bagel and wanted to cry.  If I quit my job, we wouldn't be just poor. We'd be out on our asses.

I've been having a hard working mommy week.  The little angel has been really fighting daycare. I don't know what's different - she was doing fine for months - maybe it's that she senses in me a wistfulness when I drive her there.  A realization, for me, that any chance I would have to be home with her before she starts real school is running through the hourglass at breakneck speed, and there is nothing I can do to reverse time.

I've worked full-time since she was three months old. I've had to. We are a solidly dual-income family - we need both salaries. I've gone around and around the mulberry bush for four years, trying to figure out how I could possibly spend more time with my daughter, and the answers have always been disappointing.  I don't regret my "decision" to work, per se, because it doesn't feel like a decision when it's a necessary evil.  I'm very happy I've been able to move my career in a direction that makes me happier - I love writing and editing - but I'd love to do it fewer hours a week, at least now, before my daughter completely grows up on me.

I don't know where I'm going with this. I feel like I've been over this ground so many times I've worn ruts with my pacing, and the answers never change.  But this morning when my daughter clung to me, crying, I think if I'd been able to make a decision like the woman with whom I had coffee, I would've done it right then.

But I can't.

Damn it.

‘Tis the season for strawberries! If your kid can't get enough of these berries, be sure to hit one of the many strawberry festivals being held this weekend at Smolak Farms (Andover), Verrill Farm (Concord), Connors Farm (Danvers), Russell Orchards (Ipswich), Wilson Farm (Lexington), Ward’s Berry Farm (Sharon), and Land’s Sake Farm (Weston).

7 a.m.

"Mommy? Is it a school day or an adventure day?"

"It's a school day, honey. And I have to go to work."

"NOOOO!  I HATE SCHOOL!  It's no fun.  WAAAHH!"

5 p.m.

"Come on, sweetie. It's time to go home."

"NOOOOO!  I LOVE SCHOOL!  Here are some things I made for you, and I want to stay with my friends, and I found a worm on the playground today, and I love him, and can I bring him home, PLEEASE?"

"No."

"WAAAAHHH!"

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Writing about preventing cervical cancer this week at BlogHer.

Although my scientific training has inspired a general interest in knowing how things work, every so often something mysteriously magical presents itself to me and I just don’t bother asking questions. Oopsy Daisy! High Chair Hair Care no rinse shampoo is just such a thing. This all natural, plant based concoction pumps from the bottle foamy like styling mousse – minus the nasty detergents or propellants – and all you need to do is work the shampoo through your child’s hair, towel dry (sometimes I even skip this step), and comb out for clean, yummy smelling results. It’s the perfect post-meal clean up solution when your child’s hair is peppered with sticky bits but a full tubby isn’t necessary.

Want to win Oopsy Daisy! no rinse goodies*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Brenda M.!
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Visit the Oopsy Daisy! shop, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘Oopsy Daisy’ in the subject), and name a product you would love to try.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Thursday, June 19, 2008.

*The winner will receive a bottle each of Oopsy Daisy! High Chair Hair Care and No Bath Bubble Bath.

Today, Tracy shares a way for kids to get their knightly fill in an educational, non-violent manner:

"Both of my boys have become obsessed with all things 'knight' at about the age of 4. They request everything from costumes, to videos, to books on these heroic and chivalrous men. When Gabriel was this age, it was difficult to find fictional stories that didn’t contain too much violence, or focus on battles and slaying enemies.
Then, I found Sir Cumference. A series of math adventure books by Cindy Neuschwander and Wayne Geehan, these tales captured the minds and imaginations of my two boys for as long as their obsessions have lasted. Sir Cumference and his family (Lady Di of Ameter, and son Radius) face challenges that involve mathematical problems for them to solve. In the first book we read (Sir Cumference and the First Round Table), Sir Cumference was called upon by King Arthur to help find a solution for a table that would prevent shouting, talking amongst themselves, and cramped corners for the band of 12 knights who served him. He consults his intelligent wife, and ta-da! The first Round Table was born! Math concepts in this book include the basic measurements of a circle: circumference (named after you know who), diameter, and radius, in addition to an introduction to shapes in general.

Other titles to enjoy are: Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone , Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland, Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi, and Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter. Each story contains a math concept learned through a knightly challenge. Parents will enjoy reading these stories since they are more likely to pick up on the puns and wordplay inherent in every tale. My favorites? King Arthur’s heir (who finds the sword in the cone) becomes King Vertex the Line-Hearted, and the sword he finds is called Edgecalibur. I still chuckle at the clever, yet subtle changes to make things consistent with math lingo.

Do the boys, at age 4-7, actually acquire the math lessons? I’m not sure. Some of the concepts are certainly above their heads at this point. The books do, however, show all the signs of favorites, such as repeated requests for readings, bringing the same book to show and tell 5 times in a row, flopping open automatically to the most favored page, and tape on the spots where pages are turned again and again. And, it’s pretty neat to see your child dress up as his favorite knight and go searching the house for clues hidden in 'triangular prisms.'"

In addition to popsicles and plenty of park time, one of Laurel’s favorite things about summer is the ability to cover herself (and me, and anyone else who will let her) with temporary tattoos. The tattoos usually don’t go with a given outfit, but now it’s possible to coordinate a trendy look with andy&bella’s tees with tatts. This line includes a series of intricately designed vintage tattoo-style images printed on super comfy 100% cotton tees (sizes 2 – 12) and coordinating temporary tattoos. Refill tattoos can be reordered, and until the end of August, shirts will ship with a complimentary variety pack of tattoos. In short, it’ll be a cinch to give your kid their summer tattoo fill in style.

Want to win an andy&bella tee/tatt set*? Here’s how:

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THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Congrats to winner Steph!
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Visit the andy&bella shop, then email contests@bostonmamas.com (with ‘andy&bella’ in the subject), and name your favorite tee design.

One entry permitted per person; US entrants welcome to enter.

Entry period closes at midnight EST, Wednesday, June 18, 2008.

*The winner will receive an andy&bella tee/tatt set of their choice (subject to availability).