Fodor's

Back in the spring I worked almost nonstop (at least it felt that way) for four weeks on a project for Fodor's -- updating their DFW listings on restaurants, hotels, attractions, shopping and nightlife. (I know, I'm no nightlife expert.) The results are online now.

Special thanks to Laura, who sent me the job listing; adventurous diners Julie and Layne; my little family, who followed me on all kinds of field trips; Liz and Betty for the free babysitting services; and all my friends who offered suggestions!

In addition to learning a great deal about my hometown, I learned that I've mispronounced the company's name forever. Fodor's rhymes with voters. (I'm also no pronunciation expert. I'd be a terrible broadcast journalist.)

September photos

On the way to a princess birthday party

Katie and her pink boots

Katie on the move at the Sippy Cups concert at the House of Blues

The Dolphins are in their fifth season together this fall.

Having fun at a soccer game

On the way to a den meeting

Adam turned 2 yesterday and graciously let Cooper & "T" help open gifts.

Howdy, folks!

Cooper and the Midway Barker (who looks like a man with just a torso) had a fun exchange.

Moments after I took this photo inside Music Hall, an usher arrived and told me she would either confiscate my camera or I could check it in at the booster seat/headphone desk.

Random updates

Katie fell off the slide at preschool on Thursday morning and broke her left clavicle. She's had a rough few days but is improving. (She started out sliding as usual but then stood up, lost her balance and tumbled about four feet onto her back.) We'll have to avoid playground equipment and classes at the Jungle Gym for three weeks, but then she should be completely healed.

Cooper and I had a great day together today. He participated in the children's Sabbath this morning, and then we headed for the State Fair of Texas. He rode a few midway rides, we ate some unhealthy food and we saw The Lion King. It was my third time to see the musical, and even still it induces chills. At times Cooper could hardly contain himself -- he waved his arms, sang with some of the songs and shouted "That's the best!" when Scar fell to his death toward the end of the second act.

Cooper is a Tiger Cub. He and Steve attended a lock-in Friday night with almost 300 other 1st-grade Cub Scouts. Poor Steve slept about six hours but woke up every hour, on the hour. He and Cooper had sleeping bags. Some families had king-size inflatable beds! Along with scouting comes fundraising, apparently, so if you're in the market for popcorn, let me know.

Cooper and five of his friends are part of a Destination Imagination team, coached by me, with help from all the other moms. They'll work until March to produce an eight-minute play and then perform it at noncompetitive tournament.

My blogging has suffered, as work projects have stacked up and are colliding with my volunteer projects and running-a-home projects. After I'm done with this update, I'll return to some writing, which this week includes M is for Malachi, a look at English translations of the Bible, a review of a Catholic blog, menu descriptions for Super Suppers for the month of January and household tips and facts for InnerCircle, a subscription Web site.

Steve's 20-year high school reunion is Saturday!

When to discuss Sept. 11

Cooper was not yet three months old the morning of Sept. 11. Our chunky little boy sat on my lap in our family room as I watched the "Today" show. Steve was just a few feet away, washing dishes before he left for work. We watched the horrible events unfold on our television. Steve went to work, and I stayed glued to the TV, switching among channels, fearful I would miss something. (That continued for about a week, and then I turned off network and cable news for years.) Later that day, I took Cooper to Grandma, who took care of him for a few hours while I went to work. I was still on maternity leave, but I couldn't bear to sit still at home, so I returned to the newsroom to stay busy.

We've purposefully not discussed that dreadful day with Cooper yet. When he was 3 and attended a local day-care center, I had a small battle with one of the directors. She was insistent on remembering Sept. 11 at the school, with children no older than 5. I'm sure she was well meaning, but I think she was so wrapped up in the idea of patriotism and honoring heroes that she lost sight of the fact that toddlers and preschoolers probably don't need to have discussions about planes flying into buildings. (The issue was moot for us in the end -- we were actually in D.C. that week for a work conference.)

Cooper doesn't watch the news, though he does pick up the newspaper every day, usually bypassing the news for the comics (also my first destination section). And I'm sure some of his friends know something of Sept. 11. So the time will come soon, I think, that we'll need to have a very basic discussion. What I find most troubling is explaining to him how people could be so evil and yet how we shouldn't be scared on a daily basis. How New York City, a city he loves for what it is now, was altogether different on Sept. 10, 2001.

Preschool

Katie is napping late today, recovering from a full day of preschool.

How excited was she? She wanted to wear her backpack in the car. She wouldn't take her backpack off when we reached the classroom. She didn't cry when I left -- she was already wrapped up in playing with plastic ponies. She wore her backpack while in the stroller, on our walk to and from Cooper's school this afternoon and told passers-by about her day.

Mrs. M said Katie is very mature for her age and was a big help with the other children. (She's probably seizing the opportunity to corral and boss some others around after being the little one at home.) Katie didn't fall asleep until late in the school day, and then the other three kids woke up, so Katie did too. Naps may be a challenge, as she's not allowed to take BB, her favorite blanket, to class. She's slept with BB since she was born, so the adjustment may take a while.

"Katie fly helicopter later"

Katie's current obsessions include flags, water towers and helicopters. She has decided she is going to fly helicopters and talks about them a lot. Sometimes when you pick her up out of bed, the first thing she says is, "Katie fly helicopter later."

So you can imagine her excitement when we recently attended Tyler's 4th birthday party at the nearby fire station, which includes a helicopter. We weren't able to climb aboard or even nearby, but we were lucky enough to be there when it lifted off. Katie was thrilled until it actually flew away, at which point she sobbed. We think she expected to be aboard.

Tyler, the birthday boy, and Katie

Cooper was the oldest child at the party, and he relied on his past party experience and extensive fire safety facts, showing the kids how to Stop, Drop and Roll and answering lots of firefighter questions.

It's not so easy to gather 20 or so toddlers for a group photo.

First grade

Cooper's class theme is bears, and the doorway is decorated like the entrance to a cave.

Good gracious, summer flew by. Actually, the whole year. Click here to see Cooper on the first day of school last year. (He just keeps stretching out. He definitely has his daddy's tall, thin legs.)

Before the walk to school this morning

Cooper enthusiastically started first grade this morning. His class includes some of his best buddies from Mrs. D's class as well as good friends from soccer. His teacher, Mrs. B, is a mom from our school and an experienced teacher, but this is her first year working at our campus.

This year won't be as gentle as last. Moms and dads aren't encouraged to visit class as often (something writer Judith Warner would agree with) and there is no afternoon snack time. Spelling tests start in a few weeks. (Last year nothing had to be spelled correctly.)

Getting comfortable in the classroom at meet-the-teacher night last Friday

I hope Cooper loves first grade as much as I did. I loved my teacher, Miss Jones; my little school; my best friend, Sascha; all the books and reading; and the playground.

Steve went to work late a little late so he could join us on the short walk to school.

Katie starts preschool two days a week next week. Her teacher sent a handmade book in the mail a couple of weeks ago. It is a hit with Katie, who asks to read it throughout the day and is already in love with Mrs. M, though they haven't yet met.

Tax-free weekend

The Morning News today ran a column I wrote about tax-free weekend. As a result I've heard from two old friends -- one from college, another from my college internship.

The college friend once had me to go a psychic for a story he was writing on psychics. I was pretty skeptical, so I don't think I was the best palm-reading client. The old building that housed the palm-reader was long ago demolished to make room for the I-35 and SH121 expansion.

The internship friend told me that her daughter, who I remember as a preschooler/kindergartner, is returning to Texas Tech for her sophomore year. I graduated college 14 years ago, so of course that makes sense, but I don't feel that old. I wonder how many years have to pass before I stop having that nightmare that I have one more math class to complete before I receive my degree but I never make it to class on time, so I keep failing.

Thankful

There's been too much uncertainty in this house for the past few months. Steve & I each received some welcome resolution to two separate issues in the past two weeks. We are both thankful to everyone for their patient listening, support and help!

We're also thankful that school starts soon! This has been a really great summer with Cooper (and Katie, of course), but I think we're all ready for the seven-hour schooldays to begin again. (After talking with other moms, I get the feeling that's the majority opinion.) I try to provide the same challenges and stimulus offered in a classroom, but I'm lacking access to 18 or so peers, lots of equipment and supplies and on some days the required patience. Also, I'm not an arts-and-crafts type of person, unlike all the other women in my family. If only Aunt Mel lived next door!

Churches of Calumet, Michigan