Random Thoughts Thursday

You know those days where you aren't sick enough to stay in bed, but too sick to do anything really productive? Yeah, that's today. Colds shouldn't be allowed in the summer.

School started this week. It has been a little bit of a rough transition for us. Abbie because she is at a new school and doesn't know anyone in her class, me because I miss her.

Savannah, however is chomping at the bit to get to preschool. Too bad she has had to wait until next week for it to start.

My brother moves to Australia on Saturday. Now if only Russ and I can scrape together enough money to go visit him.....

I was hoping to use today to prepare for a talk I have to give, and while I did some research on the topic what I really enjoyed was a long nap and vegging in front of the TV.

Mom Question: Do you ever feel like the balance between helping your children develop meaningful talents, family time, homework, and sleep is a no win situation?    Okay, maybe it's just me.


Sorry, that's all I've got. I'm tired.

Not so Random Thoughts Thursday

Last Friday night we had  family pictures taken. The first in years. So of course I planned the entire day around it. Zoo first so the kids would be tired, then a nap in the afternoon so they wouldn't. Baths. Dinner. Change clothes, then go.

Everyone followed the plan perfectly....except Nathan. He didn't sleep.all.day.long. Which, when you are having pictures at 6:00 at night makes for, um, some stress on the mother's part. Thankfully, he cat napped while the girls were having their pictures taken which cheered him up for about 15 minutes which then gave us enough time to snap some pictures before he broke down again.

(For the record, he woke up every hour that night. Seriously, I have no idea what it is with me and kids that don't sleep but it's killing me.) If you are a grandparent, you will be getting pictures so don't fret. We just got these last night so give us some time. (Which is why this post is all about pictures, because that is what is on my mind today.)Anyone else can let us know if they want any.

Random Thoughts Thursday

I am happier and more energetic than I've been in months....Maybe I should take an hour and a half nap every day.

Conversations with Savannah

Mom: Girls I made an appointment with the dentist for next week.
Savannah: We are going to the dentist right now?
Mom: No, we are going next week.
Savannah: How many days is a week?
Mom: A week is seven days but we are going to the dentist in about ten days.
Savannah: So we are going to the dentist tomorrow!

(Conversation with Uncle Chris while in Oregon at the beach.)

Savannah: Do you know what sand is made of?
Chris: What?
Savannah: SPARKLES!

This made me happy and hungry, except I have not invented Hot Chocolate Truffles nor can I make a perfectly roasted chicken.

We are having our first family picture in years taken tomorrow. I am thrilled!

Abbie starts school in a week and a half. I am really going to miss her. But I am so excited that we have an awesome neighborhood school for her to attend.

I am also not looking forward to having my life scheduled again. Coming from me that probably is a real shock but what I really mean is I'm not looking forward to having to get up and get Abbie ready for school every morning.

Random Thoughts Thursday

Best things (for me) about Russ taking the girls to visit Oregon for five days:

1 - Naps
2 - Reading, a lot
3 - Not fixing dinner
4 - One on one time with Nathan
5 - Missing my kids ( It is wonderful to know you miss them.)

Best things (for the girls) about Russ taking them to visit Oregon for five days:

1 - Being buried on the beach with cousins. (And the Beach Olympics.)

2 - Oregon Zoo
3 - Playing with Grandma Gray

4 - Great Grandma Delamarter

5 - Everything. The girls did not want to come home. At. All.


Best thing (for Russ) about taking the girls to visit Oregon for five days:

This story.

On the plane ride home Savannah talked non-stop. She yelled out comments constantly, such as pointing out her excitement of seeing a "VOLCANO!!!" as they were taking off, and "Zooming" when they were landing. Russ heard her many comments repeated quietly by the people around him. (Thankfully no one seemed annoyed.) Then just as they landed,

Savannah: "I have to go to the bathroom...really bad!"

Russ: "Okay we have to wait for all these people to get off the plane first."

S: [quite loudly] "Oh no, the PEEPS ARE ALMOST COMING OUT!!!!"

Miraculously the crowd parted immediately and allowed them to exit. The 5 or 6 rows ahead of them, having heard the conversation, was more than happy to let them through, with a smile. Then, as they walked quickly through the terminal to the bathroom:

S: "Peeps, stay inside, OK? Stain inside peeps."

Abbie, under her breath: "Sav - van - nah stop saying that. People can hear you!"

S: " I have to tell the peep to stay inside!

Random Thoughts Thursday

I finally have a picture of my house. And yes that is picture in the singular. Sorry, I feel like my life has exploded this summer and it is all I can do to live. Russ actually took this to help us figure out what kind of rug we wanted in the front room. It now has a cream super shaggy rug.

Russ and I just finished watching the second season of BBC Sherlock. Best. Series. Ever. Times Ten.

I am also reading Hood by Stephen Lawhead. It is a retelling of the Robin Hood legend although the time and setting are different. It is pretty darn good.

I have loved watching the Olympics with the girls this year. Although Abbie didn't want to watch the Men's Synchronized Diving because, well, they're boys, and Savannah just wanted to see the puppets from the opening ceremonies again and again.

Things you need to know about Nathan. His height is in the 80th precentile. He burps like a grown man. He still has the most adorable smile ever.