Here’s a first. NFL football player Troy Polamalu‘s hair is worth $1 million. He is Samoan and has not cut his hair since 2000 as a tribute to his ancestors. He also endorses Head and Shoulders shampoo. His hair is gorgeous, but I find it hard to believe he’s washing it with Head and Shoulders, whose parent company insured his curly mane. I want someone to find out what his curly regimen is so that women around the world can replicate it and stop lusting after his locks.
Parenthood 0
I’m counting down the days until the Sept. 14 premiere of NBC’s Parenthood. I find an hour-long drama about parenting dilemmas more than a bit entertaining. There is the single mother, the working mother and the-not-so-committed father. There is the family dealing with a child’s illness and the family facing a budget crisis. There is even an interracial couple, though I fear the writers will end the relationship.
Don’t know what I’m talking about? Watch previous episodes online.
Teri Says 0
© 2010 Teri LaFlesh
The best thing to do at night to prevent tangling is to never ever brush, comb, or finger comb your child’s hair when it’s dry. When you are between washings, simply put her hair (when it’s long enough), in several braids or twists to protect it at night. In the morning you can undo her braids (or twists), and again don’t brush, comb, or finger comb her hair (that just creates huge frizz and matting). Instead, wet your hands, put a bit of a good, slippery conditioner on them, rub your hands together, and smooth your hands over your child’s curls. Repeat as necessary until the flattened and fuzzy spots are gone. Her curls will spring back to life as her hair dries.
Teri LaFlesh is the author of Curly Like Me: How to Grow Your Hair Healthy, Long, and Strong.
Self-Conscious Blogger 13
If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.
Toni Morrison
It’s not your imagination. The blog posts around here have been getting skimpier and skimpier. What gives? Well, a lot of things.
Like many bloggers I dove head first into posting pictures and words. Honeysmoke provided an outlet for my writing as I tried to make sense of my children. It was fun. I wrote what I wanted, when I wanted. Then people started reading and responding. The site developed a group of loyal followers, and I learned their likes and dislikes. Slowly, I censored my words, held a little back, toned down my thoughts.
I love Simone and Nadia. They bring me immeasurable joy. Even the bad times aren’t really bad times. I delight in hearing their voices, their giggles. I love how they wake up every morning and everything that happened yesterday is in the past. If only adults could learn how to let go like that, the world we be such a better place. It’s hard to believe they are growing up so fast, becoming their own little selves, pulling away from me, little by little. They are my muse, and I love writing about them, documenting slivers of their lives.
Loving them means I want to protect them. I want to shield them from the people and things I can and cannot see. That’s what parents do. I said all of that to say this: I’ve been thinking about shutting down the blog. I don’t want to do that. I really don’t. I’m thinking about how I can make the blog more useful, and I need a little help. I am open to ideas. Please write one or two or three suggestions in the comments section. This self-conscious blogger will appreciate them.
10 Questions 0
I knew Simone’s kindergarten would be different from mine. I went for a half day, and there was plenty of time for recess, show and tell and games. Simone goes all day and has reading, P.E. math, science, social studies and, eventually, standardized tests. Whew! When did kindergarten become third grade? Based on early results, I predict Simone will be fine. My prognosis remains uncertain.
I ask a lot of questions these days. Here are 10 answers.
1. Do you like school? Yes.
2. What’s the best part of school? Lunch. I ate sweet peas, squash and ketchup with bread.
3. What’s four plus four? Eight.
4. Do you like the bus? No. I don’t like waiting for the bus.
5. Why are you crying? I’m a little nervous.
6. What’s the difference between perschool and the Big Kid School? No hugs at the Big Kid School.
7. Did you enjoy P.E.? Yes. They have a penalty box for kids who don’t follow directions.
8. What’s the neatest thing about school? The Promethian Board.
9. What happened at school today? A girl in my class got sick.
10. Why are you crying? I’m tired.
Quote, Unquote 0
She’s so cute; I think she’s a he.
Nadia, our resident entomologist, after she discovered a caterpillar on the sidewalk.
Kid News Report 0
In this week’s report, how to raise a civic-minded child, why some parents are waiting a year for kindergarten and a mothering essay. Enjoy!
Good Kid: Raising a civic-minded child. Source: The Kansas City Star
Parenting: Waiting for kindergarten. Source: 6abc.com
Blog Post: Judging Mothers. Source: New York Times
Good Kids: What did your kid do during summer vacation? He helped build a car. Source: Scholastic
From the Aww Files. Baby hippo born at Berlin zoo. Source: Scoop
Honeysmoke is the color of my skin and a childhood nickname. Mom provided the honey tones, Dad, the smoke. When I'm not working on this blog, I am a wife, mother, journalist, writer, teacher, sock picker-upper, referee, vice president of household finance, cruise director, short-order cook, chauffeur, kisser of boo-boos, and a whole bunch of other stuff that doesn’t pay much.