Rambling

 I think there's probably a reason that the human race generally has children when parents are younger versus older, and it is directly related to the energy level of those little ones. Whew! Preschoolers are hardcore, let me tell you. Especially ones who have started school determined not to nap. Ever. Silly little peeps have no idea they're missing out on one of the highlights of life. Ah well. With age comes wisdom.

That's what they say, anyway.

The students I'm working with are adorable, precocious, ridiculous, sweet, funny, earnest, enthusiastic ... and are wearing me out. I don't want to use the word "exhausting" because it's still early days, but I am amazed by their determination to stay wiggly at nap time and chatty when they should be quiet-ish and, despite announcing repeatedly that they're hungry, much more interested in entertaining their friends than eating their lunches! 

AND, for the love, why do they have to go to the bathroom 15 minutes after they were just reminded to go?

Anyway. We've been going on dot hunts when discussing circles and releasing butterflies and making alphabet books and God bless these brilliant women I work with because I am sheerly there for backup as they present all these incredible and adorable ideas. Letter B's that we've turned into bumblebees, D's that have become donuts, you get the idea. I love that I can quietly whisk the old supplies away and prep the new things while the teachers are explaining what will be happening next. Even if we have to repeat it. Many times. 

I love the staff where I work and these families. I'm having a really good season right now and I'm almost afraid to jinx it by saying anything, but I know some of you wonder so I want to keep you in the loop.

Not sure which kids are allowed to have their photos displayed or not, so you'll just have to envision little people yourself. We have three year olds on Tuesday and Thursday and 4s and 5s on MWF. Last week, one of the 3s decided she wasn't pleased about being dropped off and therefore wasn't going to sit or join the group or sit by herself and stood and stood and stood, only to fold herself in half physically, face down in my teacher friend's lap. Bless the teacher, she adjusted and kept reading to the group right over the top of the little flower's half-prone body. The little one eventually came around and was participating later on, so all's well that ends well.

We hosted Donuts for Dads and are gearing up for Grandparents' Day in a few weeks. We even survived our first two hour fog delay, which means nobody is there long enough to offically have to take a nap, so we had a lovely picnic outside and got to see many airplanes, some butterflies, AND two bald eagles! 

Healthwise, I'm mostly good. All cleared from the hysterectomy, attempted to get back into yoga last week, lamented/raged how much range of motion and flexibility I lost over the summer because of no yoga, and am back at it today. There's more neuropathy in my right arm than I'd like there to be- it often feels fizzy- but I'm not dropping things or in pain from it, so I guess either it'll get better or I'll get used to it. My armpit/pec(?) whatever on that right side has been really extra tight the last several days which is not making me happy, but at least it doesn't feel like a cough will kill me anymore. Sneezes were also terrible, but my body has apparently figured that out because most of them have been aborted, haha! You just don't think about what is connected until something goes wrong. I'm sure it's fine. It's already better than it was late last week. 

Thank you all for praying me/supporting me/loving on me to get me to this point! I think this has been my favorite back to school yet!

School shenanigans

I'm so excited to be back to school! I'm having a blast in preschool most days, and we've even had two butterfly releases. The open one, above, had about three days of containment before we let him go, and of course, his neighbor had erected the chysalis right under the zipper of the container we needed to open to release the first one! And when we removed the remaining Very Hungry Caterpillar to use his container to corral the first butterfly until we could get him outside, said Caterpillar made a break for it. Fortunately, everyone ended up where they belong and it looks like our caterpillar is done gorging himself and is now upside down, contemplating his perfect spot on the roof of his container. Here's hoping the temps don't drop tremendously during the two weeks he's doing his thing out of sight before his release....

Here's me on my first day as a preschool aide. We've decided to take it month by month as there's a lot of moving parts like kids who need one on one attention now who may not later, thus shuffling personnel around. For now, I'm thrilled to be part of this team, loving on these kiddos, and having a ball singing songs, supervising lunch, lamenting that children don't always want to nap though adults usually do, helping with crafts, reminding that we go UP the ladder and DOWN the slide, and so on. It is a LONG day for small people. Don't forget to tell a teacher how much they are appreciated! There really are heroes without capes- I work with a bunch of them!

"First" day of preschool!

 

Engine, engine #9...

Now that'll be in everybody's head:

Engine, engine number nine, going down Chicago line. If the train should jump the track, do I get my money back? Yes, no, maybe so, maybe 40 years ago! 

I KNOW Lisa just read that with the claps in the right places. 

I've been dealing with a sinus thing lately. Not a bad one, but the kind where even when your head feels okay, when you blow your nose your tissue then indicates that things are NOT okay. Also, when you bend over to retrieve anything from below knee level it feels like perhaps your head would like to take a field trip to a bowling alley to just roll away down the lane. 

So I was a bit concerned yesterday when I had my blood draw sent to the lab and was preparing to ask for at least a bag of fluids if my numbers were too low to proceed with chemo #9 (and there's the tie in to the title). To my great delight, my nurse said, "You're good to go for chemo- your white blood cells are back up, almost twice what they were last time! They're at 5 today and they were 2.6 last week!" 

Wahoooooooo! Thanks to any of you who have been praying over that. I was fully prepared to get things pushed back despite desperately not wanting that to happen. Yay!

My weight was down a tad from where it had been two weeks ago when I weighed in at my heaviest. That was a little alarming because my doc had told me at the beginning, "I really don't want you over X" and I thought with a scoff, "no problem. I will never weigh X" and then that weigh in two weeks ago was a single pound under X! Yikes! Granted, I did forget to factor in that this is winter so the clothes I'm being weighed in are also heavier than when I'm not wearing anything on my scale at home! 😅 I ALWAYS forget that!

In addition to the wall paper paste I'm blowing out of my schnoz, there's plenty of small blood clots as my membranes are pretty dried out by the combination of heated indoor winter air and the drying effects of chemo. My throat is dry even despite drinking 64+ ounces of water most days and I'm going through more eye drops than usual, as well. I know it's just a season, but I'll be glad when the ickiness is over. I'm ready to air out the house big time and I miss outdoor recess! 

Being inside with small germ factories children is taking a toll on everybody. Our teachers are sick or their kids are sick, and the subs are sick or our kids are sick. We need a 2319 like in Monsters, Inc or, better yet, decontamination spaces like in the movies so everyone who enters or exits school is cleared. Maybe someday. And then I'll probably wish I'd kept my mouth shut. WHOOOOOOOOSH!

No personal doc visit yesterday. I think the next one is at the end of the month, for my final visit. Only 3 chemos to go! Please keep praying that I stay healthy enough. I need to get this over with. I love seeing my nurses, but I'd like to see them OUTSIDE of a clinical setting, haha!

Fun date night

This handsome fella had a band concert last night and, as usual, it was terrific. Our band program is excellent, with passionate teachers and invested students. We got to hear from the Jazz Band, the Big Band, the Concert Band, and the Symphonic Band. Each performed three pieces and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them!

(All critical thinkers just crossed me off any type of list for judging panels of any kind, haha!)

Way to go!

 

Check in

 Just checking in. How's everybody doing in the relentless lead up to Christmas? Those of you missing loved ones due to distance or the afterlife, are you doing okay? Text if you need to talk. I'm here. Church workers, do you have the support you need? We appreciate all you're doing to get ready for Christmas; thank you. Teachers, you hanging in there? I've been hearing varying descriptions of the classroom craziness and am praying for all of you heroes, haha! You can do it. Just a few more days. Keep breathing!

Another reason to celebrate: I am officially done with my Red Devil side of chemo! My doc said all my blood cell numbers were good to go, told me I looked wonderful, asked if I was up for it, and I declared, "let's get it over with!" I had a good day with my Zita- thanks, babe! Hooray for another thing crossed off the list. Whew! It has been a YEAR of ridiculousness, no doubt. And as for 2025...

My next appointment will be in January when my Taxol treatments kick off. Doc claims that one will be easier all around though I should expect neuropathy in my hands and feet for a few days after each treatment. Always some new wrinkle to add to the learning curve. We'll see how that goes. Right now, I'll just be over here pumping myself full of water and salad to keep things flushing out and moving along and doing small things as I can accomplish them. Looking forward to Thing Three's holiday concert, I have a visit with my plastics doc and PT this week, and otherwise it's real life and Christmas prep. 

Hang in there, everybody. Be safe, stay off the egg nog, sneak a cookie when nobody's looking, and take care of yourselves, not just everyone else. You're allowed naps. You're allowed coffee with a friend out of the house. You're allowed to decorate the tree with every ornament you own or just leave it lights only if that makes you happy! Go for a walk if the temps and the ice aren't intimidating. Play the Christmas carols or blast you own favorites. Have a bubble bath- when was the last time you had one? The only thing in our tub is spiders... it is sadly neglected and I may need to have a date with it after evicting the small predators since NOT all drains lead to the ocean...

My point is, the year is rapidly drawing to a close. I know you parents with kids at home are overwhelmed and everyone is counting down the days for school to be done for awhile. Wash those hands and eat real food and remember to hydrate. Breathe. You are all so loved. Enjoy your holidays the best that you can and don't stress about perfection. Be merry and bright! xoxoxxo

Halloween Shenaniganery

Thing Three was a sumo wrestler with some added gloves and his red crocs. 

Thing One headed off to scoop ice cream in costume. Yes, Link. Again.

Thing Two, celebrating his 18th birthday in style,  was the Black Knight from Monty Python. He even tied for second place in the costume party competition. 

And I'm not sure where the Tuscan Raider (Star Wars canon) came from, but you can bet there are snow pants on under the brown pants and a Carhartt under the outer layer. It snowed right before trick or treat and was a fabulously frosty 33 degrees. Grandmama informed me it was 23F with windchill. Very different from last year's balmy warm sprinkles!

Dada was a lumberjack and we visited thing one before taking the boys to their party and trick or treating. We had a great night. pray for teachers everywhere who are dealing with excessive amounts of sugar today!

 

It's that time of year, folks

  Thing Three was already apprehensive about school today and when we walked outside to this, I got the reaction I'd been anticipating: "why isn't there a delay!?"

I informed Damon, "good news, I'll actually be here after school for you today."

He laments sadly, "there might be no after school for me. I might not make it. State testing."

I reassured him that, to the best of my knowledge, nobody has ever died during state testing. I reminded him to do his best, to not make a huge mess with his snacks, we'd prayed over him...

Please lift up these days of testing when the poor kids are stress balls and the teachers can only help so much. I'm sure it's most people's least favorite time of year academically!

“Guess this is goodbye, old pal...”

If you're not familiar with the above quote, I'm happy to enlighten you. It's from a scene in "Into The Woods" in which Jack has to give up his cow, whom he views as a pet. He sings further, "you've been a perfect friend... I'll see you soon again. I hope that when I doooooo, it won't be on a plate." Busts me up every time.

I kind of had similar feelings for this old friend. This was gifted to me by the teachers I worked with when I finished student teaching in Norristown. I took excellent care of it for forever and then the kids started using it, and, well, you can see for yourself. It went the way of the dodo, I'm afraid. 

No shame, though. Rest well, faithful little lunchbox. For the record, it was an Arctic Zone product and I highly recommend them. We have several other ones that are holding up well to the abuse my kids put them through, so keep them in mind come back to school shopping. If it can withstand the impatience with which it gets shoved into backpacks and squashed by binders and gym shoes AND be tough enough to be clipped to the outside of said backpack on other days to be smashed into the bus seat repeatedly, it's worth its weight in gold. 

Liam, the Squirrel Whisperer

A week ago (already!) I doo doo doo looking out my back door (sorry, it's how my brain works, haha) and saw Liam and the Bos just sitting there, chillin'. I saw front feet on Liam's hoodie and thought, "that's a really large frog...? Waitaminute. That has a tail." 

Yes, folks, Liam is indeed petting a squirrel.

The story as I heard it was that Bos was not clipped into his tie out and grabbed a squirrel's tail as it tried to scamper up a tree. He dragged it back down by its tail, Liam intervened, and the pictures are of it clinging to Liam for dear life. After being told multiple times that it is a wild animal and that he needs to let it go, he informed me that it wouldn't get off him, he was trying, it didn't want to leave him, he was trying, it won't let go, he was trying...

He finally made it back inside sans squirrel and was sent to wash his hands under supervision. He announced it had bitten him when he finally got it off of him, but there was only a tiny pinprick and no blood so I asked if it could have been a nail scratching him as it left. "Oh, could be." 

So I did what any good mom would do: I texted a nurse friend and asked about rabies. To her credit, she chuckled as she researched and didn't just laugh. According to the CDC, they are almost never to be found to be infected and haven't been known to cause rabies in the US among humans. 

Liam isn't any weirder than usual, so I guess we dodged that bullet. His finger never changed in appearance and he's no different than any other day, so all's well that ends well. Whew. Like I need any more crazy in May. 

And happy nurses' and teachers' week! I shudder to think where we would be without all y'all. Thank you for taking such good care of us!

Witching hour

I apologize in advance for the pinball effect my brain is taking while writing this post. The night before last I woke up at 3:30 with a hot flash, 4:15 when Damon used the bathroom, 5:45 when Dada's first alarm went off, 6 when Carrie got into the shower, and I got up for good at 6:15. Last night I was awake again at three. I looked it up, idly wondering if 3 AM has any other names, and discovered it's called the witching hour. Here I've been using that interchangeably with the time between the kids waking up and leaving for school, the time they get home/eat dinner/attempt homework/leave for karate, and bedtime. I've told Dada on numerous occasions that I live three witching hours on a daily basis. Now I'll have to think of something else to call them. 

Anyway, what a bizarre beginning of spring. It's supposed to be a time of new life and warmth and vibrance. Saturday was close to 70 degrees. Last Saturday it snowed. Yesterday it was almost 70 again, yet tomorrow it's to be not quite 50. 

But that's not even what I'm talking about. 

Our high school lost a student this week, and, in the midst of state testing which happens on various days in different schools this week, one of our elementary schools received a bomb threat. 

My first thoughts were anger and frustration, and I almost blogged something incendiary and name-calling. Then I thought about how that could be like adding accelerant to a fire. Even if only my heart were affected, it wouldn't be a good or even helpful route. So I waited. And I thought some more. 

I'm still thinking, still processing all of the thoughts swirling around in my head. Our high schooler is a sophomore, the same year as the student who has passed away, though they didn't travel in the same circles. I myself was a sophomore when I lost a classmate to suicide, many, many moons ago. The similarities are striking; well-liked and active are the adjectives I'm seeing in the news. My heart won't even let me imagine the devastation his family and friends must be experiencing.

To go from that tragedy to receiving a phone call describing a received bomb threat and the sequence of events that sets into motion simply renders me speechless. How badly must you feel about yourself to attempt to win attention by threatening an elementary school? How is there nobody in someone's life to speak reason and truth and love into a desperate spirit? 

Who else are we missing?

My heart aches for these small kids who are already on edge about the big, scary state tests who are now reluctant to go to their school where they have every right to feel safe and loved. They should be enjoying the sunshine at recess, not worrying about bomb-sniffing dogs missing something important. My particular third grader wasn't reassured that the school would be checked and cleared last night because what if someone did something early this morning after they'd checked? No eight year old anywhere should have to have that cross their mind. And to the heroes who are teachers, I'm sorry that it has to cross your minds as well. Your jobs are hard enough already!

I get it that life for us here is mostly easy. I am well aware of true horrors happening the world over and that my kids have an incredibly cushy life by comparison.  And no joke, Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" is playing right now as I type, reminding me that bad things happening is nothing new. 

It makes me ask, what are we missing? If looked at logically, we are making lots of positive steps: Buddy Benches, lunch and recess buddies, zero tolerance for bullying, all excellent components for a community of inclusion. I understand that there will always be those who slip through the cracks, deliberately or accidentally. 

My faith answers that we are forgetting to include someone in our strategies, the one who will go on once we are dead, gone, and forgotten. Whoever you are, whatever you're struggling with, and we are all struggling with at least one something, you need to know that you matter and that you are loved. We are for the most part so careful to teach this to small people, but the truth is that no matter how old we grow we will not need to be loved any less. We may be able to hide that we need it or even trick ourselves into thinking that we don't, but it most certainly is not the truth. 

A lot of people talk about taking God out of our schools. It can't be done. He is everywhere. However, where we need him most is in our hearts. If we invite him in, we will be secure in our identity in him and will not need to threaten violence in order to seek attention. If we invite him in, our small and human ability to love and accept others will be greatly increased as we access his love and forgiveness. I'm not saying that life with Christ in your heart is perfect; none of us can achieve that, not here in this broken world. I AM saying that life is better because you're not alone, because you have access to resources you don't have innately yourself, because you grow a community and a tribe and a family, because you matter and when you know that you matter, you realize that other people do, too. Other flawed, broken, misguided, unlovely people.  People with addictions, attitudes, and mistakes hanging onto them as a heavy chain holds an unruly dog. We have got to learn who to give this Stuff to so that our hands can be open to reach out to help free others. We need to stop holding on to what separates us from each other. 

Nobody should be afraid to go to school. Nobody should feel like there is not one person out there who gets them. Yes, we are all busy, but busy doing what? Are we busy doing what is going to make a positive impact in someone else's life? What would it look like if our hearts were full enough of compassion for others that there was no room left in them for fear? I realize that only one of us isn't going to save the world. Recycle anyway. Volunteer anyway. Love anyway. Forgive anyway. Bless others anyway. It's only a drop in the bucket, you say. Yes, but look; the ripples from that single drop changes the surface of the entire bucket. Better families lead to healthier communities, which bring up our state, which strengthens our nation, which helps stabilize the world. Do good for others. You might help save us all.

What a difference 24 hours makes

Yes, that would be Damon in the kennel with Bosley. Some of you are having flashbacks to when Carrie and Liam would do that with Triskal (Carrie did it once with scissors) but Bos has a significantly smaller crate. 

Twenty-four hours later, after hearing a dreaded sound that no parent wants to hear, especially early in the morning, led to a much different picture:

Poor kiddo. Who knows which particular germ he picked up, but we're thankful it was short-lived. After his initial bout of hurkage, he had no reoccurrences and only a slight fever. The next day he still didn't look himself upon waking, so he stayed home again to make sure he'd licked it. Halfway through the afternoon I realized he was completely his 100% ornery self again. His bum went on the bus this morning posthaste. He's probably glad to be back among friends instead of with his boring old mum anyway.

God bless teachers, every one. 

The night before...

Believe it or not, these costume pieces were actually in one of Carrie's new classrooms at the high school. Of course the boys were magnetized straight to them, to the glee and delight of her teacher and to the consternation of their parents. Now the boys can't wait to get to high school. 

And of course we had to "be bad" one final time, so a trip to Lola's was arranged. Here they are, never going to be able to sleep due to excitement for the first day OR the sugar rush...

Twas the Night Before School Starts

Twas the night before school starts
and all through the house
just one creature was sleeping
and twas not a mouse.

No stockings made up
the school clothes laid out.
Twas to be shorts and Tshirts
for sun, super hot.

A little rain, too,
was suppos'd to fall,
that dampened not their excitement,
no, not quite at all.

Supplies'd been delivered
to classrooms already,
some teachers'd been met
with excitement so heady.

All that remained was to sleep!
But how could one do it
while bursting one's seams
with energy? How to it?!

While Damonater slept sound
with big feet sticking out,
brother Liam rocked forward,
and aft, all about.

Sister Carrie read books,
her stomach aflutter
with eagerness and impatience
to leave brothers asunder.

With AC not working,
(had not been for days)
Grandmama chilled in the basement
to escape the hot haze.

Mama did last minute Stuff
that oft' has to be done
to have kids ready for the bus
so they'd not have to run.

The weeks would spell freedom
to a Mama who'd had
years full of kids in her home.
She was glad, she was sad.

The "baby" would be off
at Big Kid School all day;
she wondered how she'd feel
to soon send him away.

Time's going so fast
and there's so much to do,
but Tomorrow is coming
and bringing much new!

So cherish the little ones
while they're around;
they make messes and chaos,
full of dirt, bugs, and sound.

But they're also so funny
and silly and sweet.
It won't be long now
'fore they grow into their feet!

Happy last night of summer
(vacation, that is);
may the 2015 school year
be the best that there is!

Vacation roundup

Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs

Okieeeeedokieeeee, where was I?  One of my Creative Writing professors in college suggested we write. Every day. Even if it was only what we'd eaten for breakfast. We were to keep a tiny notebook in our bag/purse/back pocket/somewhere on our person so that we could write every single day about something. She was firmly convinced that if we wrote every day, "something will break through the eggs. So do your eggs eggs eggseggseggs." I think of her often when I sit down to attempt to blog.

Right now, the problem isn't lack of material. The problem is that I don't have any idea where to start because we've been to the beach and back, school has begun, and we've bought a house.

Woah!

I know, right? Eep. You see my dilemma.

Okay, beach it is, I guess. We packed up our beach stuff (and may I just toot my own horn here and say we packed MUCH less than in previous years, yay us) and began our multiple hour trip to the ocean. We left on a Thursday evening and dropped off Triskal (no beach for you) at the farm. She's still there with Grandma Barb and Pap. Anyway, we continued on into Pittsburgh to stay the night with Aunt Jana, Neva and Noah. We headed out in the morning the same time they took off for a trip to Kennywood. It was fun to give some love to everyone and earn small smiles from little Noah. He's almost two already! *sigh*

We sat in traffic for what felt like half of our natural lives once we were south of DC. Yes, it was a Friday. The interesting thing was that we noticed on the way home (also on a Friday) that they were sittingsittingsitting in the exact same place a week later. Horrors, to think that some people sit there every single Friday! Eek.

Once past that mess, we made it down to the OBX (Outer Banks, NC, for those of you scratching your heads) relatively smoothly. I had to endure comments from the back seat like, "what would happen if the ocean started leaking into here" as we tunneled under the water on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Those of you who know me very well know that I'm not a big fan of depths, and I really don't like the idea of being under water with idiot human drivers with a huge possibility of error to cause a disastrous accident. It gives me the shivers. Since I can suck it up with the best of them, that's what I did, gritting my teeth and taking big breaths once we got out of the tunnel.

Once at the OBX, we took over my aunt and uncle's house and got everyone settled. The kids were thrilled to see Dutch, their Elkhound, and Annie, their German Shepherd. Dutchie is pretty old and we weren't sure he'd still be there to greet us. His left hip is in pretty bad shape, and while we were there Annie really favored her left hip and leg, so that really put a crimp in her ball playing that she so loves. Poor Annie. She'd bring us her football with so much hope in her sweet face, but it just hurt our hearts to see her gimping after a few tosses. She'd play until her legs all fell off if you'd keep throwing that football. Such sweet dogs.

We spent most of our time at the ocean. We didn't go to the Sound this year, as there had been a 12 foot alligator killed in that general area soon before we arrived. Apparently he'd been run over, doing axle damage- naturally, by someone who hadn't known he'd been around for 50-80 years and was often seen in the area. Poor old thing. Just the same, aunt Lainie was not big on the idea of letting us loose over there just yet. The ocean was very cooperative, as the weather was, and it was only stormy one morning before we went. We did a good job this year of just taking it easy, waking when we woke, not really planning anything, just doings things as they came. Carrie got brave on a boogie board, even Liam and Damon tried them out with Dada, nobody got burnt, and Muggin and I collected seashells and sunbeams to our hearts' content. It was a blissful week of sun and sand and smiles.

David, my cousin, joined us for mini golf one evening, and the kids just loved that. We had a great time laughing at each other and cheering or crying out in dismay over the putts. We even ate our fair share of Booty Treats, which featured shaved ice and mini melts (think Dippin' Dots) and ice cream. The kids can never get enough.

On the way back home, we spent a night at Uncle Rob's new house in Maryland. Now that he's an official Navy Sea Chanter, they'll all be relocating. I believe we may have been his very first house guests. It was great to check out their new place and go to breakfast at a fun diner close by. I'm glad we could keep him company while his family was still in Pittsburgh, even if it was only for a night and a breakfast.

We made it home and have worked our way through the sandy laundry, the new swimsuits from the Swimsuit Magpie Aunt Lainie, and the stay quiet in the car toys, but haven't sorted out our seashells yet.

School started yesterday and both big kids had terrific days. So far they like their teachers and seeing their friends. Carrie spent a few times running around through her schedule at the junior high and practicing opening her locker before schools started, so she was pretty confident on the first day. She even made a new friend who'd dropped his colored pencils all over the stairwell, much to his mortification. I love that girl's helpful heart.

Liam will be home any minute from Day 2, so I'll have to leave house news for another post. Perhaps tomorrow. Damon is missing the big kids while they're gone. I'm trying to keep him busy. He just about talked my ears off today. Tonight is karate and shoe shopping since Liam's outgrown his tennies. Have a great night!

Words Fail Me

We have 20 minutes before church and my computer is functioning at dinosaur speed, so this will be be brief.

What have we been up to? How about I tell you what's happening NOW.

Carrie is having hysterics over Lego videos on YouTube where the poor Lego man is trying to go shopping, but can find no parking place, gets the obnoxious shopping cart, causes a shopping cart traffic jam, gets out just in time to find that everything is sold out. Sad.

Liam and Damon are talking about farts, throwing pillows (aHA! So THAT's why they're called "throw pillows") at each other and have been admonished to not injure themselves or each other in the 20 minutes before we head out the door.

Triskal is pretending to be anywhere other than here. Preferably somewhere with snow. She hasn't had her summer haircut yet.

Dada is out playing with his friends. The chicken is bubbling merrily in the crock pot (I don't have to think about dinner, yay!) The kid laundry is in the washer, sudsing away. The lilacs are blooming and making my house smell much better as they waft in the front window. Dada's garden is started, the cilantro looks like it's excited to be taking over, and the garlic is incredibly happy-looking. The kitchen sink is full though the dishwasher is empty, it's been around 80 degrees for three days in a row, and the pollen count is ridiculous. I keep waiting to hang out laundry but the bar graphs for pollens have been either "high" or "very high" pretty much since it stopped snowing. Oh well.

These Lego videos are disturbing.

Anyway, the kids have only 9 (NINE!!!!!!) days left of the school year before they're home for their 10.5 weeks (TEN AND A HALF WEEKS! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKS! Rhymes with "shrieks"!) They are in varying stages of denial and rejoicing. Carrie has been in tears already about not wanting to leave elementary school while Liam can't get out of there fast enough. They've both been blessed with excellent teachers and teams who have been patient, encouraging, and absolutely excellent all year. So blessed.

We painted a bedroom for Carrie. Damon's room had been taupe but it's now "happy camper" which is a dark green. The wall with the window remained taupe as an accent wall, and the trim isn't replaced yet because we're still deciding on flooring options.

The boys' room will be yellow (surprise!) and chocolate. That means dark brown to you non-native Damon speakers. There will be one wall of dark brown while the other three will be bright yellow, there are dark brown curtains on the window already, and we've ordered those colorful dot wall decals to break up some of the yellow. I'm excited to see the finished product and less excited about the mess we need to make before we get there. I think everyone will be out in a tent while we do all this... and then there's the whole switching of closets that needs to be done... *panic*...

Time to rally the troops. Have a wonderful weekend being thankful for our freedoms- thank a vet- enjoy your cheeseburgers and chips and brats and wear sunscreen and don't drink and boat and all that. =)