Britney Spears whith her kids

 Today’s news is about the one and only Britney Spears. The pop tartlet hadn’t seen her children since January 3. Now, thanks to Papa (Jamie) Spears, Britney is getting some things back together. Obviously she can’t be left alone with her children, but she did see them. She spent three hours with Sean Preston and Jayden James on Saturday morning in the company of her father, a lawyer, and one of K Fed’s bodyguards.

Having "The Talk"... about Star Wars

Yes, it's a talk you will some day need to have with your kids. No, not that talk. The talk about Star Wars.  "Han shot first" and "Jar-Jar Binks hates puppies" are necessary life lessons.

Are You Raising a Douchebag? Yes.

It's not your job to be your kid's friend.  It's your job to be a parent.  Great article from Details magazine here.

Chapter 82.7: Matt Recommends: It's All Kids Play

As a new father and an old daycamp director, I know something about how important keeping a child entertained can be. That's one of the reasons I was so eager to check out the new Website It's All Kids Play, which is free to all. Created by Canadian writer (and fellow Agent Query denizen) Jean Oram, the site boasts more than 700 cheap (even free!) things to do when the kids whine, "I'm borrrrrred!"

Of course, many of the ideas are well known by children everywhere. (I think I was born aware of how to make armpit farts, for example. Though I suppose my brothers may have had a hand in teaching me.) But I suspect most American kids don't know about curling, and I didn't have a recipe for Glop.

There are too many sections to review at one sitting — and where's the fun in that? — but the navigation bar is blissfully intuitive. For those who need things even simpler, there's also a site map. Actually, the site map provides a handy source to get the RSS feed.

Not to be missed is the related blog, which includes a tip of the day. Today's was an ice cream sundae. Sorry, folks. I've got to go. I just had an idea.

While I'm gone, check out It's All Kids Play.ca. You and your kids will be happy you did. ... Now, where did I put the chocolate syrup?

Chapter 81.3: A City Not Forsaken

And so this is Christmas, for old and for young. Another year over. A new year just begun. And so happy Christmas, I hope you have fun.

In the background, as you may have guessed, is John Lennon's And So This Is Christmas, a song from the CD that my wife bought me for Christmas. (Yes, Virginia, there are CDs.) Another reason for celebrating this Christmas is because I have finally reinstalled the Internet to the computer, which is now part of the makeshift office/nursery. We have set up the house in preparation not exactly for the Christ child, but for the two little girls who are coming to join us.

When? That's not exactly for us to know, just yet. Suffice it to say, it could be any day now. It could be today. It could be almost three weeks from now. But it won't be any longer than that. Alas, these children will be born within a Bush presidency, but at least they will never truly know it.

But unto us shall be born quite soon two children, who shall know love and joy and music and words — such beautiful words have not yet been spoken.

This morning, as I sat at Christmas mass (during the boring priest's homily) I read the readings that I'd missed because I was late. And in one was a line I'd not remembered; I think it was from the Old Testament. It was about a city not forsaken. I've forgotten much of what was said already (it was 7:30 mass and I was tired), but I suspect that line was not talking about my children. Yet, that's how I took it.

I intend to not say much about my children on this blog. It is too unprivate. Too exposed. Those who I wish to share thoughts with of that nature know where to find me. But on this Christmas day, when all things are possible — even peace on earth — I can't help myself.

These children provide me with a modicum of hope. I long to meet them, to share with them, to feed and nourish them as they will nourish me. I long to feel their hair, to smell their skin, to clean and pamper them. (And Pamper them ... or whatever brand name we end up with.) They find me unforsaken. Brimming with hope. Happy.

Merry Christmas, everyone. May peace be upon you.