Besides the fact that it’s the end of the year, this is my 200th post! So it’s a good time to look backwards.

This was a challenging year for me. I dealt with some difficult personal issues that I didn’t write about yet, but plan to in the New Year. There was also a lot of national tragedies, including those dealing with police racism, gun violence, and climate change. Plus, it’s just exhausting raising a two-year-old.

My favorite posts reflect these frustrations, especially reflections on how social justice issues intersect with being a parent. I also commented on less serious social issues, including Santa Claus and Halloween stories.

Here are some of my favorite philosophical posts this year:

• Always Be Yourself. Unless You Can Be Santa; Then Be Santa 
• Losing My Religious Community 
• In Defense of Scary Stories
• The Outdoor Guide’s Guide to Parenting
• Refugees and Other Families Looking for a Better Life
• Dance Like Everyone is Watching
• The Type of Neighbor I Want to Be
• Raising a Peacemaker
• Baltimore, White Privilege and Who I’m Really Worried For
• An Open Letter to Kids Who are Bullied: How to Fight Back
• Book Club: The Little Engine that Could, A Feminist Reading
• 32 Years of Disastrous Beauty
• The Need and Grace of Toddlers

At the same time, Sprout was old enough for us to take on a number of adventures that we weren’t able to previously, including concerts, camping, and Sesame Place. We found a lot of joy in the small moments in life together. Here are some of my favorite family field trips this year:

• A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
• Fun and Sun with a Toddler and Grandparents in Ocean City, MD
• The Highs and Lows of Camping with a Toddler and Camping: Take Two (Year Old)
• Montgomery County Had Some Farms – E-I-E-I-O (the Montgomery County Farm Tour)
• Reading it Up in the Suburbs: The Gaithersburg Book Festival

On the other hand, my most popular posts covered some quirky pop culture subjects, including my favorite band, the political implications of children’s literature, and kiddie music.

• A Nature Playground in the Suburbs
• Songs to Grow Up With: Music for Little Radicals and Kindie Rock Ahoy
• Children’s Book Week: Bizarre Children’s Literature 
• And This is Yesterday (why the Manic Street Preachers are still important to me as an adult)
• Book Club: Why Richard Scarry’s Busytown Has the Worst City Government Ever 

I hope that you enjoyed reading my posts this year! I look forward to writing about our family’s adventures, challenges and reflections in the New Year.