Homework

Way back then
When I was in school I was always an A-student. Maybe part of the reason was that I always had scholarships and in order to keep them, good grades were a must. Part of it was that my parents wouldn't have accepted anything less. But most importantly, it was because I always took pride in my work. If I had the mental capacity to get an A, why would I settle for anything else? I did get some bad grades now and then, but it was not because I didn't try or I didn't care. To me it was very simple: Good grades were my gateway to a better financial life. It was because of my good grades that I got a full scholarship for my college - a place where you went only if your family was independently wealthy, or if you had a scholarship like me. It was because I went to that college that I then got the opportunity to come to Cincinnati to get my MBA. And it was because of that, that I got the job that I have today.

Back then
A few years back, "Friends" was one of the most popular shows around. I never really got into it ... Maybe it was scheduled at a very inconvenient time, maybe I had too much going on, maybe it was the Phoebe character that really turned me off. She was supposed to be a really dumb woman, a complete loser, someone who was constantly coming up with bad ideas, and who couldn't do one thing right. On the rare occasion I did watch the show she rubbed me the wrong way. I literally wanted to smack her around. "Being dumb is not funny", I would think every time.

Now
Doing homework with Sofia is a really painful task. I have yet to figure out if it is an age thing or if it is just her, but she doesn't pay any attention and thinks that doing things the wrong way Is funny, even as Lionel and I try to explain to her - completely long faced - that it is not. Her problem is that she doesn’t listen, she rushes through everything, and she is not very clean with her work. All bad things as she relates to homework. Her lack of attention drives me so crazy that I am on my way to becoming a total tiger mom.

Replies

I always feel mildly stupid when someone who is working in the evenings or the weekends tells me "enjoy your day", and I reply "you too".

Remedies

Why in the world would I get in the car in the middle of a work day, when it's rainy outside, only to drive around aimlessly for an hour and come right back? ... Because Bella was sick, and needed to sleep, and putting her in the car was the only way to get her to go down.

Sick and all, but trying to give me her best smile

Fail

Tonight I tried a new recipe for mashed potatoes. Unfortunately it did not turn out so well, as the below very well reflects:

The children

Bella: I don't like it!
Sofia: I don't like it. I just choked on it!

The parents

Lionel: Thanks for trying something different
Me: Thanks for eating it
Both: [Laughter]

Breakfast with Santa

Yesterday we had - once again- breakfast with Santa at Sands.  It's hard to believe that a full year has already passed since last time around, but it sure has. Both girls wanted to wear a fancy dress, which Lionel strongly opposed arguing that they would be overdressed, but I overruled him because I was confident they would not ... and I happened to be right.

I was hardly able to take pictures of Sofia because she was running around with her friends, but I did catch her at least once.

Sofia told me she told Santa that she wanted another American girl doll, and although Bella did not say much at least she did not cry this time around. In fact, she even managed to give me a fake smile while she was on Santa's lap.

Unattainable

Sometimes I truly wonder why I couldn't be ridiculously gorgeous and filthy rich. I am assuming I would go through life without much effort, but still have everything at my fingertips.

It must be mami's genes

We got this note from Bella's daycare couple days ago. The Koala's are a bit older than she is, so I was happy and proud.