January, according to Twitter

Coop is making Steve proud: He's talking back to the commentators on the Michigan game.

Tonight, as I brushed KT"s hair, she said, "I miss Daddy so much." (pause) "And he loves us so much." I'm happy she still feels his love.

Me to the kids when I dropped them off this morning: "I'll miss you!" KT: "I'll miss you, too, but just a little. I've seen you a lot."

Coop is home sick today and logging into Webkinz. "I need to take care of my babies. I'm going to be a good dad when I grow up."

dental office about a billing problem. Receptionist already knew me, though we haven't met, b/c Steve had been on her prayer list.

State PTA leader says education is an investment, not an expense

From today's Briefing:

Every single one of us is represented by a senator and a House member in the Texas Legislature. Those folks are discussing and ultimately voting on hundreds of issues that affect our lives and our pocketbooks.

I get overwhelmed by all the work they do in just 140 days every two years, so I rely on news reports and special interest groups to keep me informed and focused.

Everyone agrees that this session is about less, not more: Our revenue shortfall is estimated as high as $27 billion. With less revenue, of course, comes less spending (and new ways to raise money).

My biggest concerns are cuts in services to the folks who need them the most (the elderly, impoverished children, the mentally ill) and cuts in public schools.

To broaden my perspective, this week I spoke with the president of one of the groups I belong to — the PTA.

Sharon Goldblatt of Plano leads the Texas Parent Teacher Association, the oldest and largest child advocacy group in the state. There are almost 600,000 state members, and our cumulative concerns are greater than campus fundraisers, playground equipment and spirit stores. The PTA’s legislative priorities include the classroom but extend beyond.

“I have to be optimistic,” Goldblatt says. “Will there be changes? Yes. Are there a lot of things they have to do deal with? Yes. But it’s not a situation where we can give up.”

Dyslexia is an explanation, but it’s not a definition

From today's Briefing:

When my son hears the words, “Let’s get in the car,” he grabs a book or two. It doesn’t matter how far the journey or even if there’s natural light outside. Since he was very young, he’s chosen to be surrounded by books, no matter where he goes.

He devours novels and comic books and magazines. He comprehends, retains and recalls it all easily.

But Cooper struggles with spelling. We spend three, four, sometimes five hours a week prepping for the Friday spelling test. He’s usually able to make an A or B, and then those exact letters in their precise order fall out of his head.

His sustained spelling troubles were one of the clues that he might have a learning disability.

A good time to thank a mentor (or even become one yourself)

From Friday's Briefing:

It’s almost the end of January, and I haven’t officially celebrated National Polka Music Month, National Mail Order Gardening Month or National Be On-Purpose Month. But I don’t want National Mentoring Month to pass by unrecognized.

You can celebrate this important month by thanking one of your own mentors (officially next Tuesday, but any day will do) or recruiting a friend to join your volunteer efforts or learning how to become a mentor yourself.

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Katie poses with A.T. Wolf, who was found not guilty in the Dallas Children's Theater production of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. At each show, the audience acts as jury and decides the fate of Wolf. Cooper, Katie and I joined the majority in oinking loudly for not guilty.

The Wolf signs Cooper's program. We're big fans of the children's book on which the musical is based.

A ‘Tiger Mother’ may get results, but at what cost?

From today's Briefing:

My 5-year-old, Katie, has big ideas. Sometimes she talks about them, sometimes she draws them and sometimes she even tries to execute them.

Monday morning, she found in the playroom a small headlamp that once was attached to an elastic headband.

“Mommy, do you have the stretchy headband thing for this?” she asked.

“No, but you can look for it.”

Katie didn’t want to look. She wanted to create.

Snow

It snowed for hours this Sunday. We spent the morning at church, early afternoon at Jim and Betty's, then came home to this beautiful wintry sight.

After playing in the front yard, we headed to the greenbelt, where we played with some Bledsoe families and Andy and Adam. Cooper and Katie slid down a hill and engaged in an intense snowball fight, complete with a fort.

Katie says ...

KT: "If a few things fall apart, they all fall apart."

Me: "What are you talking about?"

Katie: "Nothing exactly. I'm just saying."

After church this morning

Sitting on Steve's bench, Jan. 2, 2010

2010 in partial review (courtesy of my Twitter feed)

January

The danger in buying your dog a Christmas sweater? You might keep buying dog clothes. Margie now has a sort of hooded dress outfit.

How is it possible that I have a child old enough to be at the orthodontist?

KT: "I just said a very small prayer. I know God heard it because He has very good ears."

KT: "When you're an adult you get to decide if you're getting married. Daddy thought you would be the perfect wife."

Rain + night + Houston traffic = stress

Sweet Cooper is filled with worry. Topic tonight: Will the sun run out of gas and will the earth run out of fresh water during our lifetime?

KT: "Martin Lufer King wanted all people to be nice to each other & go to school together. He died because someone forgot about being nice."

KT: "God made friends for us, and that's good because we really need friends."