January 2010 is here, Christmas 2009 is in the rear view mirror, and I am engaging in the traditional New Year's celebration of paying bills. Although we did not suffer the economic pains of many Americans this year, we nevertheless committed ourselves to reigning in expenses.  To be honest, we have the same conversation every November...only to cave by December 25th. Much though I would like to brag and say this year we held firm and succeeded, the truth is we were worse.
 
 
"Dear Lord,

We thank thee for food and remember those who are hungry.
We thank thee for shelter, and remember those who are homeless.
We thank thee for health, and remember those who are ill.
We thank thee for freedom, and remember those who are enslaved.
We thank thee for friends and family, and remember those who are alone.
May these remembrances stir us to service, so that thy gifts to us may benefit others.  Amen."

So goes our traditional Thanksgiving prayer.  My eldest daughter Ari memorized it at a young age and took great pride reciting it each year, that is....up until she turned thirteen.
 
 
     Halloween is just days away.  Sensational though I have been at costumes, decorations and candy over the years, the story which gets the most replay in our family is not a compliment, of course, but a complaint.
 
 
     Fall is approaching. The air carries a cooling moistness, capturing our attention and confirming changes to come. I sense in my children anticipation and excitement coupled with dread and mock boredom.  School starts in a week and all of the preparations are underway.  The biggest of course, being "Back to School" shopping and my childrens' task of educating me on "What's hot, what's not."  
 
 
     Just like the young midwest farmer who recently won the lottery, every so often, we (stumbling in the dark while simultaneously praying for success) parents get lucky and hit the jackpot too. Putting the children in charge of the cash for our family vacation to Hawaii was exactly that. Yes I know, I said “parents” hit the jackpot ……so how come the kids got the cash?        
 
 
     Whether eating mom's lipstick, or grabbing cleaning products off shelves at the grocery store, kids are simply born to explore.  Tragically, such natural childhood curiosity contributes to nearly 300 children under the age of five drowning in pools each summer in the US alone.  Another 3,000 are hospitalized for submersions. Regardless if you are a long time pool owner, or simply visiting a neighbor's for the afternoon, update your summer safety skills by reading the 10 quick tips provided below:
 
 
   I have a girlfriend who refuses to take her children to see Disney movies because she is certain Disney has it in for mothers.  Since she is not a paranoid type, I asked her one day to explain her bias.  She started naming films from the 40's to the present; Bambi, Pinocchio, Cinderella, Snow White, Dumbo, the little Mermaid, Nemo.  In all of these films the mother either never exists or is brutally murdered in the first few scenes. Ok, I thought, so there does appear to be a pattern but does Disney really have a grudge against moms?  Who was left to care the for the underdog of these stories?  How did these young characters survive? 
 
 
     For years I thought I did a pretty good job of brainwashing my daughters to spoil me on Mother's Day.  Hand written poems were especially appreciated and my tears the ultimate compliment.  This year, however, we did something entirely new. Before I share the glorious details, please permit me to catch you up on a bit of additional family history. 
 
 
     Spring is in the air and sport registration packets are complete, equipment purchased, practices scheduled.  Let the games begin!  This is the first year that my children actually "tried out" for teams.  They both play Lacrosse (picture ice hockey on a field), thanks to their father who is passionate about the sport and waited "years" to bring them into the fold.  I suppose every  parent who was an athlete has a certain dream of their own children following in their footsteps.  They may even pray for a college scholarship or, on occasion, fantasize them becoming the next Michael Jordan. Our son, age 8 and in his third season, is a strong player and made the A Team as anticipated.  Our daughter, age 10 and in her second year, is a good player and tried out for the A Team as well.  I didn't think she was ready and secretly prayed she wouldn't make it.  Was that a fair thing to do? 
 
 
     One morning, when my youngest daughter was five, I received a call at my office saying she was "missing".  Close friends from Germany, who had three children themselves, were visiting and I'd consequently given my regular babysitter the day off.  "Oh Alexa is probably just hiding under one of the beds as a prank"  I attempted to reassure them.  "We've checked the entire house, she is missing" they repeated again in an anxious tone.  "When was she last seen?" I asked. "Out in the front yard watching Dominik [their pre-teen son] skate.  Dominik came in but he did not bring her with him.  When we went outside to find her, she was gone."