Reading this reminds me of a picture book I just read with my son: "Old Turtle and the Broken Truth" by Douglas Wood. The story is a metaphor for religion (strange how it can be at once exclusive and evangelical), humanism, and inclusiveness. The book is recommended for Grade 4 and up, but I think it's great for younger kids who enjoy abstract/philosophical ideas. http://www.amazon.com/Turtle-Broken-Truth-Douglas-Wood/dp/0439321093

Oh my gosh! I saw the same thing at Diamond Peak. I was next to a dad who was trying to keep his calm while telling the ski school director that it was not okay for them to have put his 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WHO HAD NEVER BEEN ON SKIS BEFORE on a chair lift by herself. I'm just outraged that they do this, and I'm sure if it had been my kid, I would surely not have been quite as diplomatic as he was. So far we're teaching our kids to ski on our own - their preference, not ours - but I second the recommendation that private lessons are the way to go for teaching kids to ski (at least for younger kids). Congrats on your new little skier!

I love Stuart Weitzman, too. Wedge heels aren't too bad as far as mom practicality goes - at least they don't sink at the park like regular heels do. My big challenge is finding narrow shoes. Zappos is pretty good, but I'd love to know where to buy locally. I occasionally have luck with Arthur Beren and Nordy's, but they stock fewer narrows than they used to.

Thanks so much for the good wishes. We're so relieved to find out that the Dervish doesn't need to be in a cast. The docs were split on the x-ray, and the ortho says she should be fine. She's moving her fingers and wrist well. There's just a bit of swelling now, but I figure a few days in the snow should take care of that... ;-)

Martha, you're hilarious :-) I don't have a problem with my 5-year-old knowing the word, as long as he doesn't use it pejoratively to describe someone he doesn't like. On the other hand, AA and GA seem much more complicated.

We're heading to Northstar, too - maybe we'll run into you! (Not literally, I hope...)

Good post - so many spot-on observations! However... I have to say that, in my experience, the public/private school divide feels a lot more of an issue for public school moms, from your post as well as others on this blog. My son attends a private school (gasp!), and sometimes I feel neighborhood families don't want to play with us because he doesn't go to the same school. Conversely, we (who are not McMansion dwellers) have been over to some Architectural Digest-worthy homes of genuinely nice, friendly families. (I admit that I end up feeling extra nervous about spilled juice boxes, but that's just me.) So perhaps the public/private school system cliquiness goes both ways?

What a touching post - I'm sure she'd feel honored reading it. My parents wanted grandkids sooo much, but we ended up having them on the late side. I lost my dad suddenly just a few months after the first was born. I wish so much he could see the kids now and play with them.

At least you *have* a GATE program...

Will Ferrell just scored big points in my book. But he would have done even better if he'd put the pump into some kind of tasteful man-bag. :-)

I think it's interesting that you put diversity pretty high on your wish list. But you hesitate to send your child to your neighborhood school "due to so few of the kids speaking English." ;-) I hope you don't take that the wrong way - there are just so many trade-offs when you're looking at schools. And families all have different priorities. On my list was "small school size" for elementary and junior high school, as well as a supportive and non-competitive school culture that values fuzzy things, like emotional intelligence, social skills, and community. Foreign language was also a big plus for me, but there are lots of good after school programs, too - it's just a little more effort. I'll second that parent community really is important. You'll end up volunteering and going to activities with these folks for the next six years. Hard to imagine, isn't it?!

What fun! My son (also 5) and I both love ice-skating. I think it's underrated as a sport for boys. Be sure to try Winter Lodge, the outdoor rink in Palo Alto. It's especially nice for beginners and families. Here's a post about it from last spring: http://svmomblog.typepad.com/silicon_valley_moms_blog/2006/04/a_hidden_crown_.html

So disappointed I missed last night. We just started kindergarten and don't have the bedtime routine down at all. I had fun browsing the Nordstrom fashion trends link, though... * Black - So glad to hear that black is the new black. I just hope it's the same old black that's already in my closet and not some funky, expensive, new black. * Shoes - I love boots, but what I really *need* are shoes that can be applied (and removed) while standing, and preferably without putting down the Toddler (because she'll run away and I'll never get out the door on time). I'll probably stick to slide-in sandals until the weather gets so cold that my toes turn blue. * Shirts - White is such a lovely but fleeting color in Mommyville. Voluminous Sleeves are definitely a mixed bag; some of them remind me of Batman. * Pencil Skirts - Will probably score big with working mamas. Makes me want to sign up for a part-time gig somewhere. * Leggings - I'm fine with leggings as long as they're covered by something that resembles a skirt or dress. Otherwise they should probably stay in the gym. * Skinny Pants - Generally not flattering on me - they make my legs look like drumsticks. Yuck. Bring back the bootcut for those of us with hips. I actually did find a pair that fit just perfectly (hard for me) but haven't figured out what else to wear with them. Suggestions, anyone? * Day Dresses - Wow, the Tocca dresses are really cute, but I think they'll have to wait until Date Night (but then are they still day dresses?). * Jeans - The staple of the mommy uniform, if there's such a thing. My hair guy was telling me that the new Levi's are hot (at least on him?). BTW, how are we doing on the quest for the perfect pair?

You can set up a free wiki through JotSpot. It's pretty basic but should do the trick for planning MomCrunch (did someone say coffee?) and other get-togethers. You can also use it to maintain administrative info, esp. as the blog grows.

We're starting kindergarten, so I'll be wearing waterproof mascara. Not sure about the rest of the outfit, though...

A great and thoughtful post, beautiful memories. I admire what you're doing with your kids. Good luck tomorrow.

Y'all just reminded me of Robert Altman's movie "Short Cuts," in which a young mom is trying to run a phone sex business while feeding and taking care of her toddler. I'm not throwing this out as a suggestion for a work-at-home career, but it's a hilarious scene (and even funnier now that I'm mom). :-)

One of my girlfriends had great idea for her daughter's party: Instead of the usual birthday gifts and goody bags, each child brought a gift-wrapped book for a book exchange. She also set up a bunch of games and art projects, and everyone had a great time.

I've always had a rocky time with identity shifts -- whether it was becoming a mother in the first place, or moving from the career track to the mommy track to full-time-Brio-train-tracks. Sure, most folks "get" the career track, but this is a great place to connect with people who can support your choice to be at home, too, if that's the case. While I'm happy being out of the workforce right now, I can empathize with your pangs of resentment, especially when my husband is eating with grown-ups at a hot, new restaurant and I'm home having pasta for the fifth time in three days. Ah, the trade-offs...

Hey, let's do our own SVM Best Of...

Well, my son summed up something similar about our parental roles: "Daddy goes to work, and mommy buys things." And he explains my recent departure from the workforce: "Mommy used to go to work, but now she just has to look at tile." (Can you guess we're remodeling?) Loved your post, Pamela!

Aren't jeans just "mom uniform?" My favorite "curvy" jeans: * Earnest Sewn - I like the Garbo cut but have to size up :-( * Joe's Jeans - the Honey cut * AG "Legend" jeans - work well when I'm working out and packing a little extra booty These all have a lower-rise (but aren't too bad if you're vertically challenged like me), a good waist-to-hip contour, and nondescript pockets. Also: * J. Crew has bootcut jeans with higher coverage, and they come in different inseam lengths (no hemming!). I think the quality of their demin has improved in recent years, and best of all, I find that I can size *down* with these :-) Can't wait to try that Levi's body scanner...

You've probably seen this, but just in case you haven't... ReadyMade is a magazine (print) for people who love to make things. They have a blog on their site showing all sorts of cool projects and creations. http://www.readymademag.com/ Crafty folks might want to check this out! :-)

What an adventure! Sure hope you post some pictures... :-)