Me, trying to make Instant Pot pasta after having not cooked dinner in approximately 7 years

Need to keep your kids busy for a few minutes so you can dissociate in peace? I highly recommend a sticker scavenger hunt.

Very curious what this will mean in practice re: websites, signage, etc. Also brainstorming my own "secondary title" ...

I have long thought it was silly to have both a Department of Defense and a Department of Homeland Security. Monkey's paw strikes again.

Did my first morning bus stop duty of the school year and I was NOT still in pajamas! But I was eating yogurt and granola straight out of the Kirkland yogurt tub. So grateful kid 1 is not yet aware enough to be embarrassed by me.

It's put the LED vest over the weighted vest to get a walk in kind of night

So, sending troops to Chicago or Baltimore would be much more complicated than either LA or DC. 🧵

Anyone else sing "Is it cool that I said all that? Is it chill that you're in my head?" to themself every time they start a delicate wash cycle?

I am "super excited about my new Skylight calendar" years old

Truly astounded by the number of other parents who also thought it would be a good idea to bring their small children to IKEA at 9pm on the rainy Friday of Labor Day weekend

You may see lots of news about federal agencies announcing a planned change and it being “open for public comment” … but where? Here: www.regulations.gov

So happy I stumbled upon the National Constitution Center's Interactive Constitution. The text is accompanied by short essays from legal scholars (e.g., @stevevladeck.bsky.social ) explaining debates about the interpretation of various sections and clauses. constitutioncenter.org/the-constitu...

Turns out being really, really bothered by misplaced belongings and having young children are not compitable lifestyles

Tonight after putting the kids to bed I went for a run AND wrote a little. Not sure whether to buy a lottery ticket or prepare for the apocalypse.

American politics folks - what would be most helpful to understand about the National Guard and its role today? Trying to prioritize some writing ...

I've noticed that "disobey unlawful orders" has become something of a get out of jail free card when it comes to difficult civil-military relations discussions. Up there with "oath to the Constitution."

Not gonna lie I really didn't think my dissertation on interservice rivalry and the unification debates was going to become relevant again in this specific way

Still annoyed with the car salesperson who thought it was ridiculous that I would want to be able to go from the passenger seat to the way back of the minivan without exciting the vehicle

Finally took the plunge on the Taylor Swift reputation tour haircut I've been considering for a year #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo

I say this a lot when people bring up that service members swear an oath to the Constitution. Yes, this is important for understanding their role. But every federal official swears an oath to support the Constitution. We're in deep trouble if we concede that only the military's oath means something.

Jess is on vacation hot take: some things people frame as civil-military relations crises are really crises of civilian democratic governance that they're hoping the military will solve (spoiler alert: that rarely ends well)

Bumping this. If anyone has current syllabi to share (or other ideas) I'm trying to figure out how to modernize / keep up with contemporary challenges teaching constitutional structures and powers.

Reposting for the morning people

I highly recommend not relying on NYT Opinions for your understanding of US civil military relations (and yes, I know, I'm the problem it's me)

After a rough day, that TS12 episode of New Heights was truly perfect. So wholesome and adorable and happy.

Poli sci friends! What are we assigning this year for the structures and powers part of con law? Separation of powers, federalism, etc. Traditional case-based approach seems tough at the moment.

Ok, did I stay awake until 12:12 am for the announcement? Yes. But did I stay awake for an additional 37 minutes waiting in a virtual queue to pre-order sparkly orange vinyl? Also yes. 😴

Taylor, can we please, please just do things during normal diurnal creature hours? Sincerely, your elder millennial fans who are tired all the time.

Frustrated that your kid isn't paying as much attention to a toy as you'd hoped they would? Have you tried moving it to basement storage?

Shout out to the Swiftie on staff at Rhode Island FC who announced 13 minutes until the post-game Taylor-themed fireworks show and then played All Too Well (10 Minute Version) as the ten minute countdown

If you bring your own putter to mini golf I am judging you

Thank you, past me, for buying that case of shelf-stable milk to keep in the pantry, saving current me from the wrath of an overtired toddler

Kid 1: What's this song called, Mama? Me: The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived Kid 1: Is it about a leprechaun?

Assign yourself a Swiftieverse code name. I'm Cardigan. cc: @theomilo.bsky.social @queenofthinair.bsky.social

What a week this Monday has been

Thoughtful piece from my colleagues on the value of JPME today

Have now told Kid 1 and Kid 2 they each get $20 if they successfully potty train Toddler. Will report back.

Accepting nominations for the saddest Taylor Swift song. Excluding Ronan, which is in a league of its own - I can't even listen. (I'm fine Spotify just reminded me loml exists)

Pro Tip: if you need something to bring to a family-oriented potluck event you will rarely go wrong with a large tray of chicken nuggets

It's that time again--if you use any of my published work (or videos, podcasts, etc.) in a class you teach, could you please let me know? Thanks in advance!

The other day Kid 1 broke his dominant wrist. Full arm cast. Tonight he asked me for the new paint by sticker books I'd ordered last week. I was about to tell him he wouldn't be able to do them but at the last second I stopped myself and just handed him a book. Anyway, kids are pretty awesome.

Do other parents know that ketamine is a go-to sedative for pediatric emergency department procedures bc it was very much news to me

Leveled up on the "create a patchwork of day camps to provide summer childcare for your elementary school age child" game today when Kid 1 broke his arm at one of said camps and can no longer participate in the majority of camp-related activities

See also: Delicate - Recorded at the Tracking Room Nashville. We're all reputation girlies, now.

Minivan trunk: will not close if it encounters even a whisper of resistance from a stroller wheel too close to the hatch Minivan sliding door: fully prepared to roll right through a human torso

Nothing wakes a parent (of pets or tiny humans) from a dead sleep faster than the sound of vomiting

For anyone who needs to hear it: some parts of being a parent to very young children are really freaking hard and you won't miss them and that's fine. Don't compound your misery by adding guilt that you're not enjoying every minute. There are plenty of moments to enjoy at every age.

Today's parent triathlon: Pool "swim" throwing the toddler in the air ~ 1 million times Ride pulling the toddler (who immediately falls asleep) in the trailer while trying not to collide with two tiny riders Long walk pushing stroller with the again napping toddler

Several days into the "preschooler must consume absolutely disgusting yellow goo every six hours" regimen, I'm starting to think maybe the pediatrician's office has it out for me

I feel like it's a significant relationship milestone when you can admit to yourselves and each other that you don't want to share a few dishes you each want your own order of Pad Thai