Comments for Beccarama http://beccarama.com The city, the kids and everything in between. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:45:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on About Rebecca Levey by Rebecca Levey http://beccarama.com/rebecca-levey/#comment-470 Rebecca Levey Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:45:46 +0000 #comment-470 I knew I liked you! I knew I liked you!

]]> Comment on The Serendipity of My Family’s Library by Rebecca Levey http://beccarama.com/2010/03/15/the-serendipity-of-my-familys-library/#comment-469 Rebecca Levey Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:44:20 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=882#comment-469 I will definitely get your recommendation! (At my local library - my favorite place that has recently reopened after 2 years of renovation). It's funny, my house was definitely "fancy" just because it was a brownstone built in the late 1800s. But, it was that falling apart behind the scenes fancy. The library had an old corduroy couch and a 19" sony tv on a cart right along with the mosaic tiled fireplace. But, no matter what a room like that makes books seem very special! I will definitely get your recommendation! (At my local library – my favorite place that has recently reopened after 2 years of renovation). It’s funny, my house was definitely “fancy” just because it was a brownstone built in the late 1800s. But, it was that falling apart behind the scenes fancy. The library had an old corduroy couch and a 19″ sony tv on a cart right along with the mosaic tiled fireplace. But, no matter what a room like that makes books seem very special!

]]> Comment on About Rebecca Levey by Susan @ 2KoP http://beccarama.com/rebecca-levey/#comment-468 Susan @ 2KoP Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:37:29 +0000 #comment-468 Oh, and FYI, I write for the Chicago Moms Blog and also have twins. Oh, and FYI, I write for the Chicago Moms Blog and also have twins.

]]> Comment on The Serendipity of My Family’s Library by Susan @ 2KoP http://beccarama.com/2010/03/15/the-serendipity-of-my-familys-library/#comment-467 Susan @ 2KoP Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:36:02 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=882#comment-467 While we had a plenty of books around our house when I was a kid, we didn't have a fancy library like you. But, my Mom was a librarian, and I kind of always thought that the whole public library belonged to me personally. Like you, my Mom didn't care what I was reading as long as I was reading (which led me to read a slew of terrible and scorching romance novels in sixth grade, such as <i>Angelique</i>). I agree that choosing a book online is a completely different experience than the tactile sensation of picking one out at a book store. I like feel the heft, see the dimensions and look over the font of a real book. Sometimes I like to see the Amazon recommendations (usually when I'm doing research). Since you don't want their recommendation, I'm not sure you'll want mine, but I'll give it to you anyway. If you haven't read Anne Fadiman's collection of essays called <i>Ex Libris</i>, I highly recommend it. I particularly liked the essay about marrieds having to merge their libraries. Good reading. I'm jealous of your Kindle. While we had a plenty of books around our house when I was a kid, we didn’t have a fancy library like you. But, my Mom was a librarian, and I kind of always thought that the whole public library belonged to me personally. Like you, my Mom didn’t care what I was reading as long as I was reading (which led me to read a slew of terrible and scorching romance novels in sixth grade, such as Angelique).

I agree that choosing a book online is a completely different experience than the tactile sensation of picking one out at a book store. I like feel the heft, see the dimensions and look over the font of a real book. Sometimes I like to see the Amazon recommendations (usually when I’m doing research). Since you don’t want their recommendation, I’m not sure you’ll want mine, but I’ll give it to you anyway. If you haven’t read Anne Fadiman’s collection of essays called Ex Libris, I highly recommend it. I particularly liked the essay about marrieds having to merge their libraries. Good reading. I’m jealous of your Kindle.

]]> Comment on The Serendipity of My Family’s Library by Little Green Mom http://beccarama.com/2010/03/15/the-serendipity-of-my-familys-library/#comment-456 Little Green Mom Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:15:41 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=882#comment-456 Wholeheartedly agree. I have yet to handle a Kindle, but I can't imagine it's the same as cuddling up to an old paperback with crumbs and coffee stains worked into the spine. My books sustain some abuse for sure. But there's a tangibility there, almost an intimacy that would be lost in e-format. I guess in time we'll adapt to yet another technological advancement and down the line we will hardly be able to remember the musty smell of books and book stores -- just as many old school writers wouldn't DREAM of going from writing longhand to typing directly onto a laptop. PS: I also just finished Lorrie Moore's latest, and even splashed out for the hardback while they still exist. I like seeing it there in my library, akin to a notch on the literary bedpost! Wholeheartedly agree. I have yet to handle a Kindle, but I can’t imagine it’s the same as cuddling up to an old paperback with crumbs and coffee stains worked into the spine. My books sustain some abuse for sure. But there’s a tangibility there, almost an intimacy that would be lost in e-format. I guess in time we’ll adapt to yet another technological advancement and down the line we will hardly be able to remember the musty smell of books and book stores — just as many old school writers wouldn’t DREAM of going from writing longhand to typing directly onto a laptop.
PS: I also just finished Lorrie Moore’s latest, and even splashed out for the hardback while they still exist. I like seeing it there in my library, akin to a notch on the literary bedpost!

]]> Comment on Mom in Toyland Part 2- Melissa & Doug and Some Thoughts on Apartment Friendly Toys by Jackie http://beccarama.com/2010/03/04/mom-in-toyland-part-2-melissa-doug-and-some-thoughts-on-apartment-friendly-toys/#comment-427 Jackie Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:52:48 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=857#comment-427 I'm on board with your love for Melissa and Doug, they are a favorite in our household too. I love the -quality of materials and production -how they don't whiz whir and bleep -they can take a beating from 2 boys -they encourage creative thinking and problem solving Out of all of our current Melissa and Doug toys the boy's current favorites are: Locks and Latches (latches, locks, swivels, chains) http://budurl.com/zqvs Magnetic Bug Catching Game http://budurl.com/pj3v Whether you have boys or girls either would be a winner. I’m on board with your love for Melissa and Doug, they are a favorite in our household too.

I love the
-quality of materials and production
-how they don’t whiz whir and bleep
-they can take a beating from 2 boys
-they encourage creative thinking and problem solving

Out of all of our current Melissa and Doug toys the boy’s current favorites are:

Locks and Latches (latches, locks, swivels, chains)
http://budurl.com/zqvs

Magnetic Bug Catching Game
http://budurl.com/pj3v

Whether you have boys or girls either would be a winner.

]]> Comment on I am one of THOSE PTA moms – and Proud of It! by kimberley5949 http://beccarama.com/2010/03/02/i-am-one-of-those-pta-moms-and-proud-of-it/#comment-424 kimberley5949 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:12:18 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=862#comment-424 Hey i'm one of those PTA parents and i'm also proud of it. Its good that you really raised your hand and stand for your right. Hey i’m one of those PTA parents and i’m also proud of it. Its good that you really raised your hand and stand for your right.

]]> Comment on Flying the (Not) Family-Friendly Skies by mumabroad http://beccarama.com/2010/01/27/flying-the-not-family-friendly-skies/#comment-423 mumabroad Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:16:57 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=762#comment-423 I hear you! I'm a mom of twins 18 months old and a 3 1/2 year old so travel has become our personal hell. Sometimes I actually think I have drifted into purgatory when I walk through the doors of an airport with my brood. My husband and I came close to divorce on our flight from England to Boston last summer with the three kids in tow. Stupidly, we did not get seats for the twins and thus had to manage with them in our laps and our then 3 year old in a seat beside us. Needless to say, we tried drinking lots of wine which helped in the short term but about 5 hours into the flight we were passing the two babies back and forth across the aisle (we could not get seats all on the same side due to safety regs and the number of oxygen masks available) while our 3 year old whined incessantly. We survived the trip, just barely. And I can't tell you how furious I am at the dagger looks and quiet disapproval of the rest of the passengers when we get on a plane. Get a life! We're doing our very best. So, you give me hope when you talk about travel getting much better as the twins get older. (Twins are just another dimension of torture in the world of parenting). By the way, I really do love my children! I hear you! I’m a mom of twins 18 months old and a 3 1/2 year old so travel has become our personal hell. Sometimes I actually think I have drifted into purgatory when I walk through the doors of an airport with my brood. My husband and I came close to divorce on our flight from England to Boston last summer with the three kids in tow. Stupidly, we did not get seats for the twins and thus had to manage with them in our laps and our then 3 year old in a seat beside us. Needless to say, we tried drinking lots of wine which helped in the short term but about 5 hours into the flight we were passing the two babies back and forth across the aisle (we could not get seats all on the same side due to safety regs and the number of oxygen masks available) while our 3 year old whined incessantly. We survived the trip, just barely. And I can’t tell you how furious I am at the dagger looks and quiet disapproval of the rest of the passengers when we get on a plane. Get a life! We’re doing our very best.

So, you give me hope when you talk about travel getting much better as the twins get older. (Twins are just another dimension of torture in the world of parenting).

By the way, I really do love my children!

]]> Comment on You Call This a Playdate? by Nicole Feliciano http://beccarama.com/2010/02/14/you-call-this-a-playdate/#comment-413 Nicole Feliciano Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:55:03 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=783#comment-413 Lord knows what it will be when my girls are 8. I would vote no for the wii playdate if it were my kids. Lord knows what it will be when my girls are 8. I would vote no for the wii playdate if it were my kids.

]]> Comment on You Call This a Playdate? by Lauren Slayton http://beccarama.com/2010/02/14/you-call-this-a-playdate/#comment-403 Lauren Slayton Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:21:41 +0000 http://beccarama.com/?p=783#comment-403 I think playdates can feel like dates all the time. I recently blogged about serving healthier snacks on playdate days....why do we have to think about this? Do you think all parents sense the stress of a playdate or do some not care if kids say they are "bored" (my pet peeve) or don't want to come back. My boys often use their sports and activities as play dates because well because it's easier. Thanks for the 90-minute max tip. As for the wii, I don't think it's off limits but also don't think it's a must. I think an activity whether a craft, a board game, I am a huge collage fan work just as well. Soon we'll look back and think the Wii days were a breeze compared to what will inevitably come next. Great Post. I think playdates can feel like dates all the time. I recently blogged about serving healthier snacks on playdate days….why do we have to think about this? Do you think all parents sense the stress of a playdate or do some not care if kids say they are “bored” (my pet peeve) or don’t want to come back. My boys often use their sports and activities as play dates because well because it’s easier. Thanks for the 90-minute max tip. As for the wii, I don’t think it’s off limits but also don’t think it’s a must. I think an activity whether a craft, a board game, I am a huge collage fan work just as well. Soon we’ll look back and think the Wii days were a breeze compared to what will inevitably come next. Great Post.

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