The High Dive

/ Shane / 1 Comment

Evie has made amazing strides over the course of her first swim class. She went from refusing to put her face in the water, to being able to honest-to-goodness swim for a couple of feet. It seemed like every class there was noticeable,  significant improvement.

Finally, the big moment: the test to see who would pass on to the next class, and who would retake the class again. Evie was so proud to have passed, she burst through the door shouting as soon as we got home. And she deserved it, too. She worked so hard, doing something she really didn’t like. She really had come a long way.

Starting the second class was much easier than starting the first class. She was really excited this time, even though this class would be in the big pool instead of the little 2 1/2 foot pool where she could touch the bottom.

“Will we have to dive off the diving board?” she asked as we were getting ready in the locker room. “No honey, that’s for the big kids,” I replied. “Maybe by the end of the class, but not on the first day.” I assumed that going into the big pool would be enough of a change, and they’d probably do pretty much the same things that they did in the other class, just in deeper water.

Boy was I wrong!

No sooner had the kids lined up, then they were lead over to the diving board. The kids took turns diving in, plunging completely underwater in the deep end where they couldn’t touch, and then swimming to the side of the pool. The difference between the first class and the second class was like the difference between riding a tricycle and riding a motor cycle. It was taking something that was sorta fun / sorta educational and turning it into something that was 100% pure torture.

As each kid went down the line and it got closer and closer to Evie’s turn, she got more and more nervous. Her face turned into a mask of fear, baring her gritted teeth, eyes watering. Her whole body started to shake, and she compulsively kneaded and pulled at her swim cap. Bravely she climbed the ladder, but when she got to the end of the board she burst into tears. Even though the glass I could see her mouthing, “I can’t do it! I can’t do it!”

It was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to watch as a parent. I wanted to burst into the pool and sweep her up in my arms.

Five times they had to jump into the pool. I was repeating, “You can do it! You can do it!” until Sara tapped me on the arm and said, “You don’t actually have to say it out loud, you know.” My heart just went out to her. Even after all these years, I remember very clearly being in the exact same circumstance in my own swimming class as a kid, and being completely terrified.

She did it though, all six times. And the last time she did it without holding on to anybody’s hand (even if she did almost brain herself on the edge of the pool, because she lost her nerve and more fell off the edge then actually jumped).

Afterwards, I’m not sure if I was more proud of her, or if she was more proud of herself. Doing something that you’re absolutely terrified of feels pretty good afterwards, even if it feels pretty awful at the time. I’m just not sure what next week is going to bring. I think as the day gets closer, so will the creeping dread, until I’d imagine we’ll have to drag her there, crying. Hopefully after a few weeks she’ll be through it, and enjoy swimming the rest of her life. That’s what I keep telling myself at least.

I said to Sara, “This is why you take swim lessons: so someone else can do this to her. There’s no way I could bring myself to force her to jump.”

Why Men Should Knit

/ Shane / 1 Comment

Although I have met several men who knit, it’s pretty clear that knitting is a female-dominated field. But my question is, why? If you look at it, knitting has all the hallmarks of a stereotypical hobby for men.

  1. Men like to work with their hands – Traditionally, men tend towards “handy” hobbies, like working on their cars. It doesn’t get more tactile than knitting.
  2. Men like hobbies with a tangible result – Traditionally, men like creating something of use as a product of their labors.  Think of “manly” hobbies like wood working. The products of knitting are typically articles of clothing, which serve one of the most basic needs of mankind.
  3. Men don’t like “artsy” hobbies –  While knitting is creative, it’s a lot more following a pattern than pure artistic invention. It’s kind of like reading a car manual or putting together furniture; more perspiration than inspiration, more engineering than artistry.

Okay, so maybe men don’t fall so neatly into the stereotypes. But even more reason to knit, then! The only reason I can think of that would explain why knitting is seen as a “women’s hobby” is because, back in the pioneer days, women did the domestic work like sewing, food preparation, and knitting, while men were out working in the fields. But that’s an even more outdated idea then thinking all men like working on cars and doing wood working. And even then, it wasn’t because the men didn’t like knitting, it was because they didn’t have time for knitting. Besides, plenty of modern men feel comfortable with food preparation.

Additionally, there are a few more things for men to love about knitting. Let me talk to my bros for a minute. Dudes,

  1. It doesn’t require you to move – There are few more sedentary hobbies than knitting. You can even knit and watch sports at the same time.
  2. It’s easy to impress people – Knitting is easier than people think it is (there are only two stitches!). You also have the advantage of being one of the few men to do it. And when you finish a hat, you get to wear it everywhere, giving you plenty of opportunities to brag.
  3. You can totally pick up chicks – As I’ve said, knitting is female-dominated. Every knitting group and yarn store you go to, you’re surrounded by women. And it makes an excellent conversation starter.

I think that if men could be convinced to try knitting, they would find it fits with their natural proclivities.

Quote Monday follows the law

/ Shane / Leave a comment

Me: “2001? You weren’t even alive in 2001.”
Evie: “Was Jesus still alive in 2001?”

Sara: “Who said you had to eat your lunch before you could eat your cake?”
Evie, scandalized: “Mama, it’s the law.”

::On Halloween::
Evie: “Mama, I can’t eat the rest of this candy bar. I need something healthy to eat.”
::Evie goes and gets some grape Nerds::

Me: “Whoa, this is a scary picture.”
Evie: “Why?”
Me: “She has a knife in her hand!”
Evie: “Oh, I thought it was a carrot.”

That early voting is no joke, man

/ Shane / Leave a comment

Just under 3 hours in line.

I’m not sure our plan to introduce the kids to the importance and majesty of voting was properly accomplished, since it rolled right through Ollie’s nap time and he ended up alternately sobbing or rolling around on the floor.

Special thanks to the lady behind us in line who fed the kids a steady stream of saltines for the last half hour or so!!

Cabbage and Cannellini One-Dish Meal

/ Shane / 3 Comments

The first Friday of the month is reserved for recipes. You can see additional First Friday Food posts here.

The Reason:

Okay, I have to admit that a cabbage-based dish didn’t sound all that appealing to me. I mean, cabbage is just…cabbage, you know? Please don’t let that stop you from trying this, because if you do you will be missing out on something that is awesome.

The Journey:

This is so easy to make, which means it’s one that we can keep in our regular rotation. We’re always looking for easy meals for weekday preparation. I’d say we probably eat it at least once every other week.

Even though the cabbage and cannellini are what make this unique, it’s mostly really a fried potato recipe. And come on, who doesn’t like fried potatoes?

The Verdict:

The fried potatoes give it a sort of breakfasty feel, but we eat if for supper. So what, you never heard of brinner?

I’m telling you, when we have this, I can’t shovel it in my mouth fast enough. And the best part? It costs like $3 to feed the four of us!

The Recipe:

Adapted from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into tiny cubes
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 a head of very finely shredded green cabbage
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  1. Dice the potatoes and cut up shallot
  2. The cabbage has to be shredded. I suppose you could buy shredded cabbage, but we prefer to shred our own in the vitamix.
  3. Fry the potatoes in oil turning as needed ~10 min (add shallot and salt after about 5) or until golden brown
  4. Add the cannellini beans and continue to cook ~3 minutes
  5. Add cabbage and cook until wilted, ~2 – 3 minutes
  6. Top with parmesan