A Day In My House

2 Peter 1: 3 – 9 

 ³His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

 ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Jeremiah 9:23 -24

 ²³ This is what the LORD says:
       “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
       or the strong man boast of his strength
       or the rich man boast of his riches,

 ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast about this:
       that he understands and knows me,
       that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
       justice and righteousness on earth,
       for in these I delight,”
       declares the LORD.

My least favorite thing about back-to-school is… (drum roll) having to pack lunches.

For the past two years, I can count on one hand the number of times Andrew has packed. This year, he’s packed twice, and it is only the 5th day of school. Josh has also packed twice in his 3 days of school. For Josh I am little more lienient due to him being a slow eater. So time not spent in line getting his food is time saved for him to eat.

Nevertheless, I am quickly growing to loathe this entire process:

• Buying extra foods to have on hand for them to pack.
• Negotiating what they can/can’t take. (Peanut butter is obviously out due to Andrew’s allergy. He only likes ham. Not cheese, not turkey. For Josh, I have to steer him away from eating cheese for lunch every single day.) (And I should note, this falls within a couple of hours of having just gone through the dinner routine where most of the time they complain about the food served them, so adding one more stress on that already thread-bare nerve of mine is risky.)
• Making their lunches prior to the bedtime routine (so, cook dinner, clean up, help with homework, have a small break of free time, then pack lunches, give baths, get them in bed – it seems nonstop).
• Assembling their lunches in the morning after breakfast (gathering cold items from fridge, get their ice pack and put everything together and put it by their back pack, then go help them get ready for school)

$2.50 seems a small price to pay to offset this extra work; Where most parents want to save money and only allow them to buy once a week, for example, I may very well fall on the other end of that spectrum, allowing them to pack only once a week.

Either way, though I cannot control what they actually consume of either their bought or packed lunch. Hunger will have to be their guide.

I don’t think I can pack my days any fuller now that kids are back in school. I’ve been squeezing every last minute out of my time while they are both at school, trying to fit everything in now before I return to work next week.

We were out of town over the weekend visiting Bob’s family. But back to the week we go with Monday morning (I hit snooze a few too many times). Shopping plus lunch with a friend, and repeat tomorrow, different friend.

I admit my anxiety level was higher today than it was on Josh’s first day of school (today was his second day due to staggered start for kindergarteners). The fact that while in line for the bus, he stepped one step over to me to hug my leg, only amplified my feelings. While sadness overlooked my morning, I have to remind myself the same advice I would give him were we having an actual conversation about his adjustment to kindergarten: Let’s just take it one day, or even one hour at a time.

They will be home in a few short minutes.

A late in the day post for the first day back to school. The report? A success on all fronts.

I enjoyed a 2nd breakfast with a friend who was then kind enough to spend the lion’s share of the day with me shopping for clothes.

Andrew was a responsible big brother, standing in the hall watching to see Josh make it two doors down to his kindergarten class.

Josh commented that “it is SO tiring there,” but loved riding the bus and seemed to enjoy his day. Andrew enjoyed music. Josh enjoyed a tour of the principal’s office (with his class on a tour or scavenger hunt of some sort.) Josh enjoyed his first time in gym.

A good day.  And a good day to have behind us.

Today, on the last day of summer break, my thought of the day is:

To enjoy Andrew & Josh, to soak them up in all their uniqueness and value them, their thoughts, and their personalities.

We are dining out for lunch to celebrate the end of summer/start of school. And with my new job around the corner, I’m excitedly anticipating greeting them in the afternoons when we both get home from our days and learning all about their new experiences. In fact, I think today’s thought will become my ongoing daily thought of the day.

Although it is still early, and I’ve not had coffee yet, and I’m still rubbing my eyes, I can still get a sense for the day. I feel happy, content, excited, grounded, loved, thankful, blessed beyond measure, grateful, and enriched.

Big changes are happening in the next few weeks. The kids return to school in two days! I’m excited for them, and the new experiences they’ll have and all that they will learn. Josh will be learning to read. Andrew will be learning cursive writing, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg.

In two weeks, I’ll be starting a new job. A job. Yikes. I’ve not worked in 5 1/2 years. That is a long hiatus. As a software developer, I’m more than a little rusty. So I’ve been trying to brush up on my skills in order to not feel so ill-prepared day 1 that I feel like I just stepped out of college. (No offense if you have just stepped out of college… it’s a fun, exciting time, too. Really!)

While all of these changes will bring adjustments to our home and house management, they are exciting changes, which brings me full circle to… I feel blessed, content, thankful, grounded, and loved.

I’m looking forward to a day of fewer errands. (The kids will be appreciative too.) I’ve grown so accustomed to running errands and having lunch out with the boys, that realizing we can’t do that starting next Wednesday, I feel obliged to take them out for lunch today, Monday, and Tuesday. And maybe we will!

I have usual household chores still waiting for me, with laundry topping the list. I have multiple resources online and books staring at me here, to review and study up on before returning to work in September.

I have a grocery list and menu to plan for the next week starting with tonight.

In other news we officially have a baby pumpkin growing, which I helped pollinate (couldn’t take a chance that bees would do it). We had more than this one, but they didn’t make it. And we have more starting to form, so we’ll try to keep an eye on them and help mother-nature along come pollination time.

We also, to our surpise have a baby watermelon. We’d given up hope on this vine, that although has been growing, took a late start in doing so. I’m not holding my breath for it to mature and give us an actual watermelon we can eat. But we’ll enjoy watching it grow for now.

The coffee is done brewing. If you’ll excuse me now…

Each day starts with high hopes. Well-rested. Coffee. Smiles and Hugs from my kids. The day creeps on. Chores creep in. Guiding the kids in their day. “Don’t forget to brush.” “Pick up your room.” Chores. This and That. “Josh, did you pick up your room? You haven’t even brushed yet!?”

Appointments to keep. Errands to Run. Two kids in tow. “Don’t get loud in the back seat. It distracts me and I’m trying to drive.” (Repeat a few times.) “I SAID, DON”T BE LOUD!” Then I ramble something about safety and don’t want to wreck, and blah blah blah. I’m not sure they heard me. I mean, oh they HEARD me. But I’m not sure they listened to the words as much as my volume.

This seems to be how yesterday went. It was ok enough, and yes, I’m focusing on the negative. Because I just wish I could have one day (okay, several days once in a while) where I feel I can relax and enjoy my kids, not having to wear the mom hat as much, but just wear the family hat and be together.

This week, I’m trying to focus on making changes that will afford the kids more independence in all things school-related.

Like,…

• allocating space for their homework to be “parked” somewhere visible but not on the kitchen table. I cleared the top shelf of their art shelf and made a pile for each of them.
• hanging a strip of hooks at their level to hold their book bags. This way they don’t need my help unzipping, filling, and zipping.

Ok, that’s all I have done so far, but the idea is a pleasing one, and has me seeking out other ways to put them in more control of their school lives. We can still instruct and coach, but don’t have to be as hands on.

This year’s start of school is going to be doubly challening, because not only am I getting both kids up and ready for school, I’m also returning to work, part-time (more about this soon). While my hours will truly be part-time, and while I’ll still be getting them on and off the bus, my planning of meals and other home duties are going to need a little revamping. So any way I can free myself up, turning their responsiblities more and more over to them, the better.

• In the past two days I found that Andrew & Josh got along much better when they were pretending Josh was a dog.
• Josh, after losing a dime from spare change I gave him yesterday, not only asked if I would give him another one, but if I would make it a $10 dollar bill, instead of 10 cents. I almost feel compelled to honor his request for his sheer audacity in asking. But, no.
• Andrew stops in his tracks for car commercials. Josh stops in his tracks for Scotch tape commercials, the pop-up dispenser ones.
• I’ve recently found myself telling friends that I could easily see Josh becoming a rocker when he grows up. He loves to listen to music loud. (Recently, Bob told a story of when Josh was in my car with him, the two of them alone.  Bob was cranking up my sound system, as he can only do when I’m not in the car. So the music is already loud, and Josh hollers from the back seat, “Turn it up!” [Although what Bob heard, was "Come on old man, turn it up louder!])
• I’ve also recently found myself following up the “he could be a rocker” comment with, he could also grow up to be a preacher. He has no qualms with telling Andrew, flat out, “You’re Wrong!” I suspect he feels like telling us the same thing at times, but he also (rightly) feels he can’t talk to us that way. He retells Bible stories frequently. He seems to ponder God a lot, and not in the quesitoning way, rather in the matter-of-fact way.
• Andrew’s brain functions in a way that he has to comment on immaterial things, all the time. Especially if the normal routine is changed, he seems to analyze it out loud as his way of adjusting to the change. If only I could give you examples, but to do so would require me to carry around a tape recorder because no amount of recollection from my brain can do this justice. Yesterday, after just one such scenario, I commented to Bob that Andrew couldn’t help himself. And that he would make an excellent sportscaster some day. Bob replied with the thought that, yes, Andrew could fill dead air with the best of them.
• I can see a maturing independence in Andrew’s 7-year-old self. It brings me both pride and reflective poubtyness.

…specifically, Mrs. C

Andrew’s first grade teacher is awesome! She epitomizes what at teacher should be. She’s is always smiling, happy and bursting with eagerness to teach. (It’s written all over her face.)

She speaks with such enthusiasm that it makes me wish I were in her class myself.

Happy Birthday, Mrs. C!

From the current issue of Food Network Magazine, I found this gem of an idea:

Meatloaf Sliders

Strange I didn’t think of sliders before, because I have a very similar Meatloaf Burgers recipe.

I made a double recipe Friday (yielding 28 sliders), refrigerated them, and reheated in a slow cooker with a double recipe of meatloaf sauce (see below) for an hour on low. I served them at a potluck gathering and they were well received.

Meatloaf Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard

I served them on Sara Lee’s Soft and Smooth Mini Buns (package of 12) which I found at Kroger.

First, Happy Birthday, Abby! (Oh, and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you all.)

Second, here are a lot of random things rattling around in my mind…

• purchasing a new laptop
• purchasing a new coffee maker (ours leaks when you pour it)
• learning Spanish with my husband, since it will soon benefit him on the job, taking on a Latin American site for support
• taking a IT certification course (or two) for my own part-time return to work in the fall
• “window” shopping for a new car at the auto show this week

• In case you ever have the need to make chicken pot pie for a crowd from 200 to 400 in size, let me know. I have a recipe, tried and true.
• Saturday is the first day of spring! I feel the need to celebrate – throw a party even. The sun was shining yesterday and it was so incredibly refreshing. The boys are itching to christen the backyard and unpack their long-stored deck box of toys. And frankly, so am I.
• In case you, parents of Lego enthusiasts, haven’t seen this yet, Lego now has games.
• Today brings menu-making, errand- running and outside-playing. Enjoy your day!

Josh’s new back pack, which he’ll start kindergarten with, arrived yesterday!

Andrew has lost two teeth in 8 days, the most recent being this morning which I pulled before he went to school. He’s lost four baby teeth total.

Bob and I enjoyed visiting the car show last night on an unprecedented Thursday night date night. Still shopping, still wanting (the utility of) a minivan.

Since we’ve had left over or low-brow dinners the past two nights, I think it will be a shock to brain to actually have to cook tonight.

I’m making a chocolate coffee bundt cake today for sharing with my small group tonight – a chocolate party!

I discovered that a past-time of Josh’s at preschool with two of his buddies, trapping “crebble hawk”, is actually referring to the Incredible Hulk.

Andrew performed in his first elementary school music program earlier this week. The first and second grades performed songs about animals in alphabetical order. He was so excited and anxious. He did great, and his “dancing” part of a belly-laughing hyena went smoothly. But I still have the song “Hey Mr. Gecko Get Up And Go” in my head. Don’t you wish you did too?

Nine more days until Spring Break, and  my long-awaited visit with my family in my hometown (just not an anticipated seven hour drive).

Enjoy your Friday, and Happy Spring!

Since posting career minded, Andrew has added to his list. Things he wants to do/be when he grows up include (based on a conversation today):

• study dinosaurs and the discovery of their fossils
• travel, research places and and come home to write and publish books about them
• be an astronaut
• be a builder/engineer
• be an artist

And before he does his traveling to far away places, he plans to do some traveling closer to home, like South Dakota and Alberta, Canada. (Apparently he read there were some dinosaur skeletons recovered there.)

I love hearing about his plans for when he grows up. It warms my heart. I remind him that he has plenty of time to narrow his list, and he can do some things as hobbies aside from having a career. He’s eager, and I still expect his list to change from year to year. Although, at this rate, it might change from week to week.

Among Andrew’s interests are the continents and countries.

A favorite past-time of his is perusing a My First Atlas which shows flags of countries in the front and back binding. I think he studies them.

So when shopping for a new shower curtain for the kids’ bathroom, it came as no surprise when he chose this one: Map of the World Shower Curtain.

I’ve officially decided to lose weight. Officially, in that, I’m committed. I’m ready. It’s time.

Having started this past weekend, I’m expecting that diet changes as opposed to dieting will make a difference. Smaller portions. Healthier choices. More fresh vegetables. Less meat. Less carbohydrates. Less sugar. Fewer calories. And even, (gulp) exercising.

With that in mind, I’m going to try to fall back to old habits and cook more from Cooking Light recipes.

A few that I’m aiming to try, in moderation, are:

Mushroom Frittata

Chicken and Black Bean Taquitos…

Beef Meatballs

I’ll be taking a little break from blogging and will be back after Easter. I might be able to muster up a surprise blog post or two between now and then, but lets set expectations to none so that you’ll be pleasantly surprised if there is one!

Happy Easter!

I never knew there were so many places for yogurt to hide inside a yogurt cup. That is, until I started counting calories. Spending 1200 calories a day, I’ve become a bit frugal, and determined not to waste a drop of food that is getting logged in my calorie-counting app. (If I am logging it, I’m eating every last morsel.)

The dieting is going okay. Targeting only 1200 calories is an exercise in restraint, hunting down healthy alternatives and quickly became eye-opening to just how many calories I must have been consuming pre-diet.

The progress has been acceptable to date, and motivated me to keep at it.

Little known facts:

- a dill pickle spear has about 5 calories

- 5 green olives = 25 calories

- a slice of reduced-fat colby jack cheese = 50 calories

- mustard (of which I used to not be a fan) = 0 calories (that’s ZERO)

- half a serving of Tostitos bite-sized tortilla chips (that would be 12)  plus a 10 calorie/2 Tbsp serving of most salsas = 70 calorie snack

The daily insightful discoveries my husband and I make as parents come from learning just how the minds of our kids work.

Andrew is factual and numeric. If he sees something, he has to count it.  He frequently shares facts he’s learned from books. For example, at breakfast this morning, he asked me if I use plastic bags when I’m out shopping. After my confirmation, he told me that there isn’t an endless supply of oil and that I should start using fabric bags. When prompted where he learned this, he told me he read it in a book. (A book which I purchased for him, no less.) With the ramifications of your child prompting you to be more conservation-minded and environment-friendly aside, conversations like this are common with Andrew. He loves to read and he has a great memory by which he can retain (and then recount) the things he reads.

Josh on the other hand, is in tune with emotions and he can be quite literal. If you speak in metaphors or euphemisms, he’s thrown off and feels the need to correct you. Over the weekend, I had asked Andrew to return a duffle bag to the basement where we store them. I explained where it belonged and he complied but also remarked that he is scared of going in the dark basement. I consoled him by telling him he didn’t have to go far into the basement and that he would be fine by turning the lights on. Josh got up from his crafting at the table, and said, “It’s okay, Andrew, I’ll go with you.”  The compassion and sensitivity Josh has just amazes me – he’s five!

These boys are as different as two sides of a coin, and their uniqueness is revealed more each day. These discoveries about them are jewels along the path of parenthood.

Last night I caught part of the History Channel’s presentation of “How the States Got their Shapes.”

A history buff I am not, but I found this show very interesting. It explains the formation of the boundary lines between states and the reasons behind them. It even reveals some “lost” states that didn’t materialize, like Franklin (between Tennessee and Virginia). And the original capital of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Illinois which has a Missouri mailing address, but the people who live there have Illinois driver’s licenses.

A Google search this morning found this book by Mark Stein, which I’m guessing was the source for the documentary.

If you (and your kids) can catch the show on the History Channel again, it’s a must see. And maybe in the future, they’ll add it to their shows that you can view online.

Yesterday, Josh was observing the box for a new hair dryer which I bought. On the box were pictures of a lady with dark brown hair, styled 3 different ways – curly, wavy and straight. The photos showed how you can use the hair dryer to achieve each of these styles.

Josh pointed to the lady with long, straight hair (again, dark brown), and commented, “Mom, if your hair looked like this, I would like it!”

Later, after hearing this story husband commented that he knows what he likes and he must be a “brunette man”.

I should note my hair is a medium brown shade with red (and gray) highlights, naturally. I have it colored to a lighter shade with more blond highlights, currently. Also, it is cut to just above my shoulders.

I wasn’t sure if I should take Josh’s comment as indication that he doesn’t like my current style and color or not.

Again, my five-year-old leaves me stumped.

A few recipes I’m going to try next week (within my low-calorie diet):
Broccoli and Bacon Salad

Deviled Eggs

Mushroom Lover’s Pizza

Enjoy your weekend!

Welcome to Monday!

I spent the most of my weekend updating my resume, facing the challenge of documenting work from a six-year job that I resigned from five years ago. Nevertheless, the resume is updated, and my eventual return to part-time work this fall seems more real.

When I wasn’t working on my resume, I was web-browsing for a new laptop. Probably settling on a Dell. My current laptop, the one from which I write this very post, is six years old and the battery (which is a replacement) no longer holds a charge. Imagine if you will a laptop that you cannot unplug. (I know – how spoiled have we (I) become?)

Other weekend highlights include outside time for the boys and Bob, church, Target and Barnes and Noble for me and Andrew, and some Discovery channel viewing for us all.

Today will include some fund-raising for my son’s preschool, and probably some household chores which I neglect from the weekend.

Enjoy your day!

Apparently, I’ll do anything to get out of that neglected chore from the weekend… cleaning the bathrooms. Including getting sick with flu-like symptoms.  I’m home today, sick, with husband working from home to help care for kids. I’m thankful for him!

Meanwhile, I’m napping and checking out new iPhone apps to help pass the time.

I fully intended not to blog again until I’m over this This-must-be-the-flu illness, but I just have one thought to share.

As I may have mentioned, I have been dieting (hate to use that word) since March 20th. I remember the date distinctly because I decided to diet on March 19th while attending a chocolate tasting, of all things. The why of deciding to diet at a chocolate tasting was hearing a friend mentioned she’d lost twenty pounds since January. Again, this was March. Just seeing the results of a few months’ work made the thought of losing weight very tangible. So tangible that I embarked on a diet – I dare say the first one I’ve ever really done.

It started out by writing down the everything I ate and being conscious of the calories, but not necessarily counting them. Two days into it, I discovered an app (www.myfitnesspal.com) for the iPhone which allows you to track your calorie count by day. You start out by giving your weight, height, age, and how much you want to lose, along with the amount of exercise you plan to do weekly. It then calculates your daily calorie intake to achieve that weight loss goal. With this tool in hand, I set out to lose 28 pounds. I quickly updated the day’s calorie intake and the previous two days worth. It took me a few days to get down to the calorie goal of 1200 calories a day, but I managed, and since then I’ve held right to it.

To date, I’ve lost 11 pounds. That is, 11 pounds in just over 3 weeks. Needless to say, I’m motivated to continue.

And while searching out the healthy snacks, reading nutrition information for every bite I take and measuring helpings of cereal or counting the number of tortilla chips out before I eat them (half a serving is 70 calories) can be rigorous, I’ve recently discovered something even more daunting. Counting calories while you are sick. So much more not fun, but I’m so determined based on progress and my 1200 calorie daily goal that I cannot slack off when I feel This-must-be-the-flu sick.

End of thought. Back to the bed I go.

Last week is a blip on the calendar for our house. I was sick and laying around or in bed most of the time. A week of planned meals went uncooked. Chores all came due at the same time (laundry). And my bathrooms still need to be cleaned.

Top the week off with a stomach virus (mild, thankfully) for Andrew who stayed home sick from school on Friday.

All in all, the week is a blur. I’m thankful for the time I managed to rest and the kids’ good behavior that allowed me that. For my husband who picked up the slack while I was down and out. And for the numerous cards Josh made me (Josh “heart” Mom). But, I’m glad to be on the rebound and able to care for my family once again.

Onward.

Random things/snapshots from the week:

• Junk mail labeled with “Please do not discard.”
• Josh rebelliously throwing a paper towel on the floor in the restroom at school after drying his hands instead of throwing it in the trash can. (as reported to me by his teacher)
• Josh asking me the meaning of “future” and “unusual”, and then him using “unusual” (correctly) in a sentence the next day.
• Andrew, on his school work about transportation, when asked “how do you get to school” answered bus with his bus number in parenthesis. Example: bus (52). What 1st grader uses parenthesis?
• Josh having a marathon “crafting” session at the table for 4.5 hours on day 1 of my sickness, while I was asleep on the couch for the majority of the time.

So here’s the deal. I have lots on my mind to blog about, but having been sick all last week, I’m just now catching up on needed chores like cleaning.

And just as I think things are back to normal, my Josh was running a fever last night. Not sure what this will hold. Hopefully, it will be short-lived.

If time allows, I will prepare you something to read tomorrow, most likely about eating healthy. (Don’t stay away just because you know the topic!)

Enjoy your Tuesday and I’ll see you tomorrow!

(Ok, so no food post today.)

Instead, a happy anniversary wish to my sweet husband. We complement each other nicely. He is laid back and easy going. Me – not so much. I’m a morning person.  Him, not so much. He’s outdoorsie. Not me.  But in spite of these and many more opposites, we balance each other out in a way that works wonderfully.

Nine years in, and I adore him, still.

Happy Anniversary, to my Bob!

I highly recommend reading this book:  Eat This, Not That! by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. (You can find it for $10.88 at Sam’s Club.)

The authors give an eye-opening look at what is in the food we consume at popular sit-down and fast-food restaurants and provide “this is better than that” comparisons so that when you do dine out, you can make more educated decisions.

I don’t even want to spoil the revelation you’ll have when you read this by offering you examples here. If you do want a sneak peak, “look inside” at Amazon or thumb through before you buy.

Maybe you don’t eat out much? Well, then you should read this book: Cook This, Not That! by the same authors. This, along with an open mind, will help retrain how you shop at grocery stores and choose what foods you and your family consume. It will motivate you to make better choices. It has for me.

I’m currently reading a third book of theirs: Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide.

More on this topic will follow in the days to come. I’ll share what tips I’ve tried and liked.

Sometimes my biggest challenge in parenting is hearing my child ramble on with an excuse or stammer with some kind of thought that is irrelevant to the question or task at hand, and instead of simply hearing those frivilous words and reacting to those, pausing and breathing and reminding myself to actually listen to what they are saying – the deeper, non-verbal thoughts they are communicating.

(And sometimes I’m challenged with avoiding run-on sentences.)

What if food was priced based on the calorie “cost”?  And you have $20.00 (2000 calories) to spend daily?

• A Wendy’s single cheeseburger would cost $4.70 (470 calories).
• Wendy’s BLT Cobb Salad = $6.70 (670 calories)
• Wendy’s Large Coke = $2.70 (270 calories)
• Donato’s large pepperoni pizza = $ 25.08 (627 calories per 1/4 serving size pizza)
• McDonald’s small french fries = $2.30 (230 calories)
• McDonald’s 5 piece chicken selects =$6.60 (660 calories)
• Steak ‘N Shake regular chocolate milk shake =$7.10 (710 calories)
• Starbucks caramel frappucinno (12 oz. w/whole milk)  = $2.90 (wait, that’s about on par with what it actually does cost)
• Champps Chicken & Broccoli Penne = $13.20 (servings per portion 2, amount per serving 660 calories)
• Olive Garden White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake = $8.90 (890 calories)
• Olive Garden Tour of Italy = $14.50 (1450 calories)
• Dairy Queen Large Butterfinger Blizzard = $5.07 (507 calories)

By comparison (source www.myfitnesspal.com):

• steamed broccoli, 1/2 cup homemade = $0.27 (27 calories)
• small nectarine = $0.45 (45 calories)
• baby carrots, raw, 3 oz. = $0.35 (35 calories)
• salsa, 2 tablespoons = $0.10 (10 calories)
• scrambled eggs, 2, (w/o fat or cream) = $1.40 (140 calories or 70 per egg)
• Special K cereal, 1 cup = $1.20 (120 calories)

Extra Thought
Incidentally, I believe any paid subscription magazine recipe should be required to publish nutritional information, including the advertisements in them.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation week and the elementary kids have been encouraged to write letters of thanks to their teachers. Andrew embraced this task. His letter of thanks to his principal follows, with his spelling and capitalization included.

Dear Mr. S,

Belive it or not you are my first principal but you are the best principal I have had! thank you for keeping everything on track and telling us what we need to know.

From: Andrew

• Rearrange Andrew’s room, organize toys and Legos in a way that is tidy but still functional. (Oh, and clean his room first.)
• Dust my entire house. Vacuum too.
• Clean out and organize my kitchen cabinets.
• Do all my chores so I can engage in something fun with the kids without feeling guilty for ignoring chores.
• File.

So it is one of those days when you wake up, feeling relieved that it is Friday – that the routine of the week is almost over. Then, you realize it is only Thursday.

My house still needs to be dusted. (Nobody popped over and took care of that for me.) But I’m on round two of antibiotics to hopefully kick this sinus infection for good. And I’m going to go back to an allergist to see if they can help with my ongoing sinus/allergy troubles.

I have appointments I need to schedule today. I have a grocery list to make for my weekly shopping tomorrow. There are still piles and stacks and clutter everywhere that I have almost grown sick enough of to address.

But, I’m not letting any of this drive my day or dictate my mood. I will enjoy this day, the day the Lord has made.

How did April go by so quickly? One minute it was snowing (March 25th) and then it’s April. In April, it went from warm to cold to rain to cold. And now May starts tomorrow!

May brings many birthday’s in my family, including my husband’s. And as Andrew would tell you a couple of times, it’s the month before his birthday month. It means school is winding down. So that means it is time to plan summer activities to keep the kids engaged. I can no longer just think about summer plans; I need to actually make them now.

Then there’s the proverbial summer family vacation. Last year I vowed this year’s vacation would:

• include a nanny to go along with us so that I could actually enjoy the time away
• would be somewhere we could drive to in a reasonable amount of time (four hours, tops)
• hold interest for each of us (golf and pool and sun for Dad, pool and sun and outside time for the kids, and spa and being waited on for mom – a vacation for everyone).

Where will this be? I have no idea. But it is time to get planning.

Today brings sunshine and 80 degrees. The weekend brings rain. So we’ll probably grill tonight (first time of the season) and spend lots of time enjoying outside.

Happy last day of April to you!

I spent the better part of Saturday morning cleaning, rearranging and reorganizing Andrew’s room. This is no small task for several reasons, one of which is the corralling and containing of all Legos that were left out in the wake of many Lego-ing sessions. His dresser was covered and his table and chairs were covered. With tiny Legos. He rescued assembled pieces he didn’t want to get swept up in the mom-storm, and I got started.

Vacuuming. Dusting. More vacuuming. Moving furniture here. Moving furniture there. Moving furniture back here. Repeat 5 times.

After settling on a furniture layout, I called Andrew back and we turned our attention to toys. Sifting through each bin, I nudged him (gently) on which items to part with (give to Josh, give away or trash). He did surprisingly well at this.

After a quick sorting of his bookshelves (relocating kid laptops and flash cards), we  found a permanent home for his beloved collection of Lego catalogs (he has eleven) and Brick Builder or Lego Club Jr. magazines. This new home is a blessing as it had become the most congested/messy area of his room (next to the sea of Lego pieces left out), because it is his daily habit to read them. Study them. Again and again.

So Andrew has a fresh start to the week. But more importantly, I accomplished something on my list… that mental list that you whisper to yourself when you walk through  a room thinking, “I have to get to that!”

It’s so sad and unvelievable to see the pictures of the flooding in Nashville. I lived there from 1997 to 1999. That’s where I met my husband. The flooding seems so widespread by looking at photos on facebook. My heart goes out to all those affected by the flood.

A recurring thought I have lately is that we are blessed to wake up each morning. That each day is a gift from God. And our response to that gift is evident in how we live each day.

With this attitude in mind, each hug, each look, each embrace, each conversation becomes more real. Because we stop to take it in, to breathe in the moment.

I seem to have fallen into a pattern where days are routine and the moments that make them up became a means to an end (bedtime maybe?). Instead, I want each moment to be rich. Whether taking in the sunshine or smelling the rain. Whether washing the morning dishes or playing outside with the kids. Folding laundry or sweeping the floor or eating dinner together or smiling at the person in the check-out line.

I’ve been reminded that we are here for a purpose – to point others to God. And if I am not paying attention to the details of my life, then I am likely not paying attention to the others in my life.

Each day is a gift.

Sorry for neglecting you yesterday. I have no excuse really. I could come up with one really quickly, but I won’t bore you with that.

On to the weekend. Things seem to be getting busy around here, quickly. Appointments, meetings, etc. The last month of school is going to feel like a wild ride down a roller coaster (and I’m not fond of roller coasters).

I’m still mulling over ideas for a vacation this year. Something relatively close to home (3 to 4 hours), that offers something for everyone: golf:Bob, spa:Me, pool/sun/activities:Kids.

I may have a crack in a molar, which begs for a dentist appointment on Tuesday. And what’s worse than having to go to the dentist for a possible filling? Having a 6-month dentist checkup for the boys on the SAME day. Tuesday of next week will not be fun.

Today holds grocery shopping, laundry and packing as we are making a quick visit to my mother-in-laws.

My mental to do list also includes planning my husband’s birthday (end of the month), and a small cake to celebrate Josh’s graduation from preschool.

Speaking of things like cake, my diet is progressing along. I’m 16 pounds down! Woo hoo. Still not done, and growing ever more anxious to reach my goal. But I’m past the half-way mark at least.

Happy Mother’s Day to the moms! Enjoy your day and cherish your gifts from God (your children)!

Mother’s Day sentiments from Josh:

“Mom, you are the best mom in the whole world!”

…soon to be followed with…

“Mom, you are the best mom I’ve ever had!”

We visited my husband’s family in northern Ohio for Mother’s day. Traveling home and getting back into the school routine has proven challenging for a couple of us this morning. In spite of a 10 pm bedtime, I still hit the snooze for twenty minutes.

And Andrew seemed to get started alright, but his emotions kicked in over a routine task showing he truly didn’t get enough rest.

As for Josh? Still to be determined. I woke him up, and he’s enjoying his ritual of sitting in the bed until he’s ready to face the day. This sometimes takes 30 minutes. But after mine and Andrew’s slow start, I’m giving him his space.

Enjoy your Monday and all that the day brings.

Three dentist appointments in one day should not be allowed. (Me, Andrew, Josh)

There should be a warning on Fiber One cereal: Caution, You may not want to eat this every single day.

Why, as you age, do random parts of your body start going rogue? I have this dry patch on the thumb/palm of my left hand. Eczema, I suppose.

Why does a walk through the newly redone party supply store, instill in me the desire to throw a party?

What can I get for my husband’s 39th birthday this month? He’s not a watch-wearing, wallet-carrying kind of guy. If I were to ask him, he’d likely ask for a day outside in the sunshine. No frills.

Andrew turns 7 next month. Lego, from whom he receives the free Lego Club Jr. magazine, sent him a special magazine this month in honor of that birthday – a Brickmaster magazine. Note that Lego Club Jr. is a free subscription, while Brickmaster magazine costs 39.99. Brickmaster includes a magazine every two months and 6 “free” surprise models sent to your home throughout the year. Of course they sent the special Brickmaster in hopes of enticing us to subscribe.

It worked. We bit the 50.00 bullet, which is what it cost after tax and shipping charges. We haven’t told Andrew yet, but he will be elated.

Also advertised with the Brickmaster subscrption were coupons for entry into Legoland California, and one for their Lego Discovery Center in Chicago. This – this was new to me. I didn’t know this existed. My first thought was that while Legoland California was a pie in the sky dream of Andrew’s in that we’d likely never make that trip, the Chicago trip would be a lot more doable. Mental note, made.

And so the knee deep investment into Legos continues.

I don’t have one single thought to share with you today. Instead, I have a myriad of thoughts, none of which have any direction.

The ramblings in my head range from grocery shopping (first priority on today’s agenda), dieting, parenting, and targeting certain areas of the house to straighten/rearrange.

As you can predict, I have no focus today. Today brings the 3rd day of rain, with a forecast of more scattered storms tomorrow morning – day of 1st grade zoo field trip. So I’m scattered and unfocused and foggy.

I’m in need of sunshine .

But on we go with today, giving thanks and enjoying bits of sunshine that creep up in unexpected places. I’m betting I’ll have one in the form of an “I love you, mom!” very soon.

We had a lovely weekend. The best part about it? Doing chores with kids! The four of us worked on our list of chores together, and with some coaching the kids managed to do all of this:

• vacuum carpet in family room
• vacuum stairs with smaller vacuum
• restock water bottles and capri suns in the fridge
• sweep the front porch
• wipe down the outdoor furniture on the porch
• empty trash cans upstairs and take to the garbage can outside

Amazing!

Things I’ve learned recently:

1. The word pelt can refer to the fur of an animal; and I just thought it meant getting “hit” or “pelted” with something.
2. We have taste buds on the roofs of our mouths.
3. Josh can be quite a funny entertainer, mimicing “tricks” he learned from a local fireman that visits schools with his magic act.
4. I still love to snuggle with my boys in the middle of the night, but sorry that their bad dreams are what trigger it.
5. Amphibians have smooth wet skin, while reptiles have scales and dry skin. (I knew the scales part, but the wet vs. dry I wasn’t really aware of. They both look slimy to me.)
6. Bears at the zoo in Ohio in May just look terribly hot and out of place.
7. Flowers seem to be a close second to “pets” in Josh’s book. It is something to take care of and he seems to admire them with passion.

Today I’m savoring learning all over again through the eyes of my first grader.

What a blessing it is to view the world through your child’s eyes.

Yesterday, Andrew used the word “friction” while describing a lego creation he had made. He also made a half shark/half sea turtle creation to take for share today, expecting today’s topic to be “fish”.  I love his enthusiasm and creativity and application of his knowledge. It is a very present reminder to savor today.

The first sunny day after a string of three rainy days is just as welcoming as spring after winter! I cannot wait to get out, run errands in the sunshine and enjoy some outdoor time with Josh (Andrew will be in school). We might even have to treat ourselves to lunch out!

My plans for the next week include hosting relatives from out of town this weekend, preparing for my husband’s birthday next Friday, continual meal planning, and planning a neighborhood gathering in our back yard over the holiday weekend.

I’ve started volunteering at church to cook for outreach ministries which means feeding the needy, elderly and children. It’s a big effort requiring organization and planning and some creativity with recipes and meal planning. So far, I’m loving it.

Today marks two months on my diet, and I can report that I’ve lost 18 pounds! I’m very happy to see continual progress, and anxious for the next (and last) ten pounds to reach my goal.

Enjoy this day that the Lord has made – hopefully, it is beautiful wherever you live too!

If I may take the liberty of writing more about cooking for the needy…

Last night I was trying to make my own grocery list for my shopping this morning, but I kept coming across recipes that I thought, “This would be good to make for the Cooking Ministry.” Needless to say, my own meal planning for next week is a little skimpy. But, not to worry, it will all work out. I’ll shop like they did in the olden days – whatever looks good and fresh at the store, that’s what I’ll buy to fill the empty days for next week!

Along the same lines of food, we have a garden each year of tomatoes. Early on we tried beans and either cucumbers or zucchini – I forget which. But this year we are expanding. Carrots, lettuce, beans, and tomatoes, of course. Also watermelon and pumpkins! Since everything except the tomatoes are being started from seeds, we are not holding our breath, there are no guarantees. But, I’m will be very excited to be able to harvest fresh carrots right out of our garden.

As the weekend comes, so come more chores. I’ve got a busy day today with grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and more that I cannot recall right now.

Enjoy your weekend!

One of the many things you have to do as a parent is “filter” the tales told your children by relatives, especially those with no kids or those so “up in years” that they don’t care what you think of what they say.

This weekend my husband’s sister and her husband visited. They fall in to the “no kids” category. Uncle B (as he shall be referred to here) proceeded to tell my unsuspecting, tender-hearted five-year-old, Josh, that… “If you ever get lost, just sniff your way to a BBQ.” He explained, that there you’ll find people there who could help you (and a meal).

While possessing comedic value to an adult, and while maybe not terrible advice for a teenager, a five-year-old shouldn’t be told such things.

I seem to have many irons in the fire lately. But I’ve not forgotten you, even though the lack of new posts here may seem to indicate so.

This week is turning out to be one rush of errands and appointments and to do lists. Most of it was self-inflicted, so I can’t complain.

Preschool graduation is today for Josh. Last night when we tucked him in, I reviewed the day’s plans, and he got teary eyed at the thought of preschool ending. It is all the “school” he’s known for two years. He has a right to be sad. My challenge for the day – don’t cry, so that Josh won’t cry.

Graduation. Reception in his class. Playground with a friend. Lunch with same friend. Then special ravioli dinner tonight, by his request. Plus a cookie cake (never made before).

Sanity
Sometimes, when you don’t know what to do, you just do what you’ve always done and it gets you through.

In the past 24 hours I’ve found comfort in ironing (and I rarely iron), washing dishes, wiping down the counters, cooking, and other general everyday chores.

Insanity
I also went to the basement to put clothes in the dryer, only to find I didn’t even have a load of laundry started.

Today is my husband’s 39th birthday. (I can say his age because I’m only 6 months behind him.)

We started celebrating last night with a three-tiered chocolate cake (from a local yummy bakery) that will last well into the weekend. (Diet is in check, never fear!)

Happy Birthday, to My Love!

It is quite a defeating feeling as a mom to realize that one of your children’s library books is lost.

So this is my second post for the week. And it’s Friday. So much has been going on this week, between my dad having bypass surgery to my volunteering to cook at church to my son having an unexplained spree of urinary incontinence. I’ll spare you details on all of that plus more stresses from the week, and highlight some things that will just make you smile, if even a crooked little half-smile.

• Josh announced today as we arrived at Kroger that he just doesn’t think this store is fun, and he doesn’t know how I could think so. (Conversation followed about responsibility and “if you want to eat” and “sure, there are lots more fun places I’d rather be.)
• I’ve marveled at Andrew’s Lego creations this week – at the things he thinks of to build. This morning I noticed a small creation on his dresser. I asked about it, while commenting that it looked like an Eagle’s wings. He showed it to me and explained that it was the fins of a whale poking up out of the water. It was built on a small round disc which he said represented the water. He further explained that he wanted to build the under-water part of the whale, but hasn’t quite figured out how to do that yet. At this (and at the aforementioned spree of UI) I just looked at him and wonder in amazement at what is going on in that great big head of his. The ideas and notions and thoughts that his little mind generates each day are more than I have in a week.
• Josh: Mom, now can I do Lego online?
  Me: Not yet, Josh, I’m not done at the computer.
  Josh: You are a tough one, mom!

That’s about all that could give you a smile. But I will continue on with the weekend plans. I’m getting my hair cut/colored and my  husband and I have a date night. Plus, we all prepare for a rare business trip of Bob’s which will leave me single-parenting for four days, including the last day of school for Andrew.

I cannot promise regular posts during the next week. But I do promise not to forget you. I’ll try to post a couple of times, at least.

Happy June!

Today is the last day of 1st grade for Andrew. Being a planner/organizer and craving a schedule and routine, it is hard to shift gears from the school-year routine to summer. And, to do so so abruptly. It is challenging. On the one hand, I welcome a break from waking up at 6 a.m. (who wouldn’t), but on the other hand, I know I’m going to regularly have two wired, and bored kids on my hands.

I am going to try to savor each day and the time I get to spend with them. And to truly try to do just that, spend time with them, not just around them. I’m not their babysitter. I’m their mom and I want to experience their days with them.

Yesterday, I played soccer with Andrew in the backyard – not something I would typically do. But we did it, and I enjoyed it.

Josh and I are regularly caring for the garden and watering our flowers/plants together. He’s a great nurturer and he has lots of patience for the tedious chores.

To celebrate the end of school, we are going out to dinner tonight. And we may have had some cake yesterday. And I may have bought them each 80 cent Hot Wheels cars yesterday. (Another year of school gone by is something to celebrate after all.)

First, and most importantly, my husband is HOME from his business trip which took him to Mexico City. While I’m thankful his trip was short (four days), it overlapped the end of elementary school for Andrew. Two days of year-end hoopla at school plus two days of summer break without my husband, has made for one crazy week.

These first two days of summer break have been as taxing on me as say the last two days of summer break – when the kids are so bored from being home and eager to get back to school that you have nothing left to engage them or entertain them. Maybe with all the things going on this week, I was just ill-prepared (in spite of thinking I was prepared) for the onset of summer break.

I’ve given two serious, oh-no-mom’s-really-mad-speeches in Kroger (on the same trip), I’ve put them both in time out for outright defiance, and I have on different days taken away promised rewards (TV, computer time, and the search/buying of silly bandz).

Today, Friday, I’m feeling more renewed. Bob is home (although off to work). Coffee has been had. Only one kid is up so I’m able to ease into the morning. It is a nice day, although rain is due this afternoon. So we will get out of the house while we can do so without getting drenched (got drenched once already this week), include a park so they can burn some energy, and hopefully restart our summer break with some peace and order.

Yesterday, Josh gave an interesting and poignant perspective on why he thought I was so happy in anticipation for Bob coming home:

“I know why you can’t wait for daddy to be home. Then it won’t be just you working for us.”

I’m loving this Kikkoman Teriyaki Preservative Free Baste & Glaze. I came upon it in one of the Eat This, Not That! books. It is lower calorie and better for you than the normal ones. And it tastes delicious!

Teriyaki Chicken
The recipe below serves 4. Serve it with a side of steamed broccoli or asparagus.

frozen grilled chicken breast strips
1 to 2 bell peppers, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion,  chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 small can pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained (optional)
1/2 bottle Kikkoman Teriyaki Preservative Free Baste & Glaze
1 cup dry Uncle Ben’s Fast & Natural Whole Grain rice 

1. Prepare rice as directed on package.
2. Thaw or partially thaw chicken enough to cut into bite-sized (1-inch) pieces.
3. Saute chicken over medium heat until heated through. Remove from skillet and keep warm.
4. Saute peppers and onions with a teaspoon of olive oil over medium-high heat, stirring occassionally for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook until tender.
5. Return chicken to skillet with peppers and onions, add pineapple chunks. Add 1/2 bottle of teriyaki glaze. Stir together and serve (or reduce heat to low, cover and keep warm until ready to serve.)
6. Serve over rice.

Josh, when passing any item in stores which was advertised on TV, announces with enthusiasm, “I saw this on TV!”

We frequently have to double-back to a shelf where he can show me this treasure. He is so excited to actually see something he saw on TV, it’s like he’s seen a TV celebrity.

Twelve weeks ago I reached a point where I was, for the first time in my life, motivated to diet. I hesitate to use that word, because, even though I am dieting, I don’t feel like I’m on a diet. Instead, I’ve changed my eating habits which have yielded weight loss.

I set a goal to lose 28 lbs. To date, I’ve lost 21. I’m well on my way to reaching my goal, and while I’ve lost weight, as was the goal, I’ve gained much more.

What I’ve Gained

• Perspective. I started counting calories which, while tedious, was the single most eye-opening thing I’ve done on the diet and therefore was extremely motivational.
• Restaurant Education. I started reading the Eat This, Not That! series of books. The ones that show nutritional content of restaurant food are dumbfounding. It leaves you thinking, “How can they serve this stuff and call themselves a restaurant?”
• Grocery Store Education. The Eat This, Not That! books gave me tools to use at the grocery and provided me an education on the nutritional content of the packaged foods I used to eat. It shows you what to compare between two similar products to determine which is better for you.
• Role Modeling. It instilled curiosity from my kids as the subject of what I was or wasn’t eating came up. They, in turn, want to eat healthier too.
• Less Desire to Eat Out. It squelched my desire to eat out as often knowing the nutritional content of the food that is available. I’m less willing to spend my limited calorie budget on fast-food and other restaurant fare.
• Energy. I have more!
• More Clothes. It has provided me with more clothes to wear since I can now fit into some pants/shorts that I couldn’t before.
• Ability to Make Healthy Choices. It has taught me (through coaching of my husband) that I can eat all day long if I am eating the right things – things that don’t amount to a lot of calories – healthy foods.
• Self-Esteem. Being and looking trimmer does a lot for a girl’s self-esteem.
• Sense of Responsibility – Me. I am responsible for my health and the choices I make. I want to make choices that will prolong my life so that I am around (and healthy) for my kids.
• Sense of Responsibility – My Husband & Family. I am also responsible for my kids. Not just putting healthy food in front of them, but establishing healthy habits they will use throughout their lives.

I should mention, I think about food all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. Here’s when/why:

• Since I’m dieiting I think about the food I eat more, because I have to think about the calories I’m spending, plus having something that will fill me up and (most of the time) choose something nutritious.
• Meal planning has become a little more tedious, again because of my calorie counting - I just have to give it more thought.
• I volunteer with the cooking ministry at my church; I contribute in two ways: both organzing and planning and actual cooking. We make meals for feeding centers, missionary families, and others that just need some extra help.
• Another venue of the cooking ministry this summer is serving free lunch to kids and their families for one week over the summer. (The churches in the community are taking turns, serving different weeks.) Our church serves next week. So this week, I have been “organizing and planning” the menu and shopping lists and more details that go along with it than you’d care to know. I’m not even responsible for getting volunteers and staffing the sites with servers, etc. I’m just handling the food part. So take your regular famliy meal, tack on a goal of striving to make it balanced and nutritious, multiply it for 120, divide it up for three sites, and shop for all those groceries. That’s where I’m at.
• Plus, I need to plan my own family’s menu for next week.

For Andrew’s 7th birthday this week, Andrew has requested that I make (are you sitting down?):

• Chicken Parmesan
• with “that yellow stuff” (polenta, sliced and lightly browned in the skillet)

My soon-to-be-seven-year-old has come a long way from chicken nuggets and pizza. And quite frankly, I will be elated to cook this for his birthday meal!

Josh never ceases to surprise me. Stun me. And sometimes, render me speechless. This week, it was with a question:

Mom, who’s your great grand superhero?

I “heard” this question as “Mom, who’s your favorite superhero?” Not having a favorite, but wanting to be engaged in conversation with him even if it was something I’m not really interested in, I answered. “Well, I suppose Superman is my favorite super hero. Who is yours?”

His reply was, “Well, my great grand superhero is God.”

My thoughts, “Oh. Can I change my answer?”

My answer, “Oh, well, sure he’s above all super heroes. He’s my favorite too!”

Perspective from a just-turned-7-year-old. Andrew’s birthday 6 days ago.

Birthday. Woke up to hugs from mom and dad, plus a surprise present of newly released Lego Minifigures – 5 of them! (Because 5 is the limit at the store.)

Balloons and streamers in his room.

Downstairs, he discovers a chocolate cookies and cream cake in the fridge. Wait, that wasn’t there last night!

Birthday lunch out at Steak ‘N Shake.

Birthday dinner cooked by mom, by request: Chicken Parmesan and polenta. Followed by cake, of course.

Birthday presents opened: Lego Brickmaster magazine subscription complete with mini Leg set – an alligator. (Or is it a crocodile?) Lego City Police Command Center. And a Star Wars robotic arm to build with Dad.

Wait two entire days until Sunday.

Sunday comes, and we take him, and his best friend with our family out to dinner. California Pizza Kitchen (right across the street from the Lego store), the Lego Store, where each child can pick out a set.

Home to have ice cream cake.

Build newly purchased Lego sets. (Andrew bought a Kingdom’s castle one.)

Play time with best friend.

Then the very next day, the new, much-anticipated Lego catalog (due out July 3rd) arrives. On June 29th.

It’s great to be a 7-year-old.

8:33 a.m. I’m done with breakfast and dishes. I slept late (for me) until 7:40. Just couldn’t pull myself out of bed on this, the first day without appointments or places to be in the a.m. in a week and a half.

Josh, mind you, is still asleep.

Speaking of Josh and (a few posts ago) his ability to catch me off guard with his questions or statements, yesterday, he did it again.

He was sitting behind me in the office while I was typing away at the computer, no doubt checking facebook, when he, out of the blue, questions my knowledge on this:

“Mom, do fish have parents like we do?”

(Footsteps. I hear footsteps. Josh is up!)

My answer, as un-fish-expert as it was, was something like this. “Yes, they do, but not like we do. They pretty much can take care of themselves after they are born.”

So the question we all are wondering is why was he thinking about this? Is he pondering getting a pet fish and hesitant to take a fish son or daughter away form his/her parents?

As luck would have it, our dinner last night was grilled mahi-mahi. No telling where that conversation in his head went with that.

Leaving the office workplace to stay home and raise kids, one might think the need for conflict resolution skills stays behind as well. Not true.

Summer always brings mixed emotions. Glad to sleep a little later. Glad to have a less structured schedule. Glad to spend more time with my kids.

But it also brings angst – in the parenting department. My oldest does fine for about a week. He soaks up the down time by reading and immersing himself in play. But then, as the days roll on, he gets… bored.

I tried to get ahead of this this year by putting  a notebook and folder together of “school work” they could each do every day. “Build in structure,” I told myself. “Keep a journal, write letters to classmates and mail them, draw, etc.” This conversation with myself sounded so good.

The notebook and folder are tossed aside because I cannot get my oldest interested in this at all. He looks up at me with his sorrowful eyes like I’m trying to make him eat frogs legs and pigs feet. “Mom, I really don’t want this…”

So, I relent. And I dare not try to get my youngest engaged because he’s not going to do it if his big brother doesn’t.

So with my best laid plans laying on the sidelines, my oldest is bored and then feels the need to take it out on little brother. Feet in the face. Elbows. Laying on him. Slapping him?

Enough!

While I wish I could tidy this post up with a nice neat bow, telling you what I did to resolve this and how nicely it ended up – everyone smiling and holding hands -  I cannot.

I’m right in the middle of this and at a loss for how to teach character and treating your family as good as you would treat your classmates. I’m tired of giving the same speech to him and a little uncertain of what to try next.

So with prayer, I try not to loose my temper but to maintain gentleness and patience all the while asking God for wisdom.

Today, I’m going to soak up the sun, fresh air, and appreciate all that I have.

I mean that seriously, but going through my house to tidy up and organize toys will be instrumental in that.

Instead of looking at that stack of school papers sitting on the unused dining room table for a month (because I don’t know what to do with them) thinking “ugh, what another pile to sort”, I’m going to try to appreciate the life and work it represents and be thankful for such a good school and teachers in my son’s life.

Instead of cursing the Lego pieces that blanket my kids rooms and the downstairs coffee table, I’ll be thankful for the money used to buy these and the appreciate the joy it brings my kids.

Instead of walking by piles and bins and stacks of stuff to get to “some day”, I’m going to declare today “that day” for many if not all of them, and think of how these things (unwanted/unused) can be passed on to help others – not thinking of the work it causes me, but rather the opportunity to bless others that it creates.

That is my approach for today, a day of clutter-busting.

There is something to be said for people coming together. I recently watched a video of  a mob flash dance (or a flash dance mob or a flash mob dance- whatever you call it). One by one, or a few by few, people jump out of a crowd to start a choreographed dance, increasingly adding more people as the song plays on.

I also recently watched the movie, Avatar. There is a scene where the innumerable blue people are sitting, arms-locked, around the base of a tree, “praying” to Eywa (mother earth) for help fighting the sky people. The scene is somewhat breathtaking as the camera captures an overhead view.

Groups of people coming together for a (good) common goal almost always makes me tear up. I can’t explain it. It is just pleasing and awe-inspiring to see people join together for a good and pure cause. (Even with a fictional story and not condoning the blue people’s prayer to a fake God, still the essence of the scene is not lost.)

Closer to home, it is just as pleasing when people gather together, say in our neighborhood, for food and conversation, a little poking fun, but most of all – community.

_____

As a side note to Avatar, which this post is not about, I find these illuminated seeds from the secret tree to be glorified dandelion seeds. But now I can’t think of dandelion seeds the same way I used to.

Many Americans clueless of how many calories they do or should eat

(This article accurately describes me, before I started my calorie counting/diet in late March.)

It’s been too hot to blink lately. Tomorrow brings a promise of rain which I hope is not a lie.

My kids have been settling into a pretty good routine of good behavior. It helped that Uncle L was here over the weekend and played with them nonstop. Literally. Since then, Andrew has been a Legoing and Reading machine. Josh has been around – usually finding something to entertain himself with, inbetween telling me Andrew licked him or stuck his tongue out at him or put his foot in his face, of course. But other than that, they’ve been pretty good.

Josh has an art class in the afternoons next week, and were I on my A-game I would already have planned how Andrew and I can spend this two hours of one-on-one time. But I’ve temporarily misplaced my A-game. I’m hoping to find it after my mild abdominal pain subsides. And my fatigue. (I’m blaming the heat.)

Speaking of the heat, rain is promised for tomorrow. Oh, wait. I covered that already. Well, it is monumental. So it bears repeating.

Purchases I’m on the verge of making… a new coffee maker (No, we still haven’t gotten a new one. Still putting up with the leaky carafe.) and a new laptop that can actually be used in one’s lap (has battery-life). I’m not in a hurry for either, but I am growing tired of shopping for the perfect maker/laptop for the perfect price.

Other things I’m on the verge of doing… making actual vacation plans. Just today we’ve settled on doing a couple of long-weekend trips (think 2 hours away or less)  instead of one week-long trip (3 or 4 hours away). This helps Bob in taking off only a day here and there instead of a full week in the middle of his big work project. And it helps me scale-down my destination searching – which will likely end up being other major Ohio cities, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

I’ve signed up for a knife-skills class at the end of the month. And I’m currently reading, yes, reading a 496-page behemoth of a book on French culinary technique.

Well, the boys are coming in from their outside-play-in-the-humidity-time, so I must get their baths ready.

All in one day, I purchased a new coffee maker (at a clearance price of 39.99 at Meijer) and a laptop.

I tried a couple of new recipes, one being a repeat: Italian Wedding Pasta.

Josh started his art class yesterday, in which he started two projects. One he doesn’t know what it is going to be and the other is something we already have one of, so we will have two, but it is a secret. Later, at dinner, he revealed it is a gumball machine.

I bought raspberries yesterday. They were lovely. Served them with a simple cream cheese and sugar mixture (2 tablespoons of cream cheese with about 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar).Although, granted, they were delicious all on their own.

Looking forward to taking the kids to see Despicable Me on Friday.

Getting ever closer to planning a long weekend vacation on Lake Erie (thanks, Christi for your wonderful tips!)

I so adore the “cookie” series of books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the newest being: One Smart Cookie.

Indulging in some summertime nectarines – an absolute favorite of mine.

Stalled out on about page 100 of my 496-page cookbook, I admit I’ve learned several things, none of which I can recall this exact moment.

Today I’m sharing a recipe I tried yesterday, Easy Pan Biscuits.

And yes, I’m the one who reviewed the recipe online – nobody else had! The biscuits are small, so if you prefer larger ones, you might divide the dough into 10 pieces and adjust your baking time. As specified, I was happy with them! (And I realized [after the fact] I didn’t cut the butter by half as specified in the review, I used all 3 tablespoons.) Still, 76 calories (I am still calorie-counting) holds true.)

You must try these!

Josh is attending an art class this week two hours each day. When I pick him up, I am anxious to hear of the projects he’s worked on.

If you’ll bear with me repeating from a couple of days ago, on day 1, this is what I got out of him: Of two projects they started, one he doesn’t know what it is going to be and the other is something we already have one of, so we will have two, but it is a secret. Later, at dinner, he revealed it is a gumball machine.

The one thing he didn’t know what it was, he described as 4 small things (canvases) which he painted blue.

The next day he told me they took stuff that had a lot of holes in it and dipped it in white, very messy stuff. He exaggerated as to how messy it was. I knew from Andrew having taken a class at this same place, that Josh was probably speaking of gauze (has lots of holes) and some sort of paper mache project. When I asked him what he was making with that, he told me he didn’t know. (Since Andrew made a bird this way, we assumed it was some sort of animal.)

Yesterday, I walked Josh into his class and saw a couple of kids already at work on painting a large canvas at their seats. When I picked Josh up, I asked him about that and what it was going to be. He said it was something for their “animals” (paper mache project) to live in with lots of colors and stuff. He also commented that I’m going to like the 4 things (4 little canvases he started on day 1). Intrigued, I asked what the 4 canvases were. He said he didn’t know.

His only other comment was that the gumball machine is “very fragile”.

My frustrations over his inability to describe what projects he’s doing spans multiple levels. Does he truly not know what the end result is going to be? Was he not listening when the teacher told them? Or (as my husband commented) in comparison to the gumball machine, does he just not care?

Is he trying to be secretive so he can surprise me? (doubtful)

Is this a foreshadowing of things to come in two months when he starts kindergarten? (probable)

Wishing my sisters and I could gather together to cook and eat.

Wishing for a date night.

Wishing for time with my parents.

Wishing for chores and schedules and stress to fall away and that I could just spend hours playing in (and enjoying) my kids make-believe, Lego, playing school and what-ever-else-they-dream-up world.

Wishing vacations would magically be planned and perfect.

Wishing menus would make themselves.

Wishing it were a perfect 72 degrees with a slight breeze every day of summer (and that it would rain in the night while we sleep to water the grass and gardens and farms).

Wishing I knew how to swim.

Wishing decisions were clear.

Wishing there were no calories in dessert. Or steak. Or biscuits. Or butter. Or the perfect french fries. Or pasta. Or pizza.

Since I’ve been counting calories, my favorite snacks have changed, leaning more towards the protein-packed or chocolate-packed options. Here’s a recap of my faves:

• triscuits (thin crisps only) (1/2 serving 70 cal)
• triscuits and provolone (1/2 serving: 70 cal + provolone: 70 = 140)
• Lacey’s Dark Chocolate Almond crisps (Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Amazon) (1 round = 85 cal)
• Luna Iced Oatmeal Raisin bar (180 cal)
• baby carrots and green onion dip (35 + 20 [half serving dip] = 55)
• prunes (25 cal)
• chocolate covered pretzels (100 cal)
• Emerald Cocoa Roasted Almonds (100 cal)
• Tostitos Bite-Sized Rounds with Jack’s Special Salsa – mild (1/2 serving chips: 70 + salsa: 10 = 80)
• coffee (hot in the a.m., iced in the afternoon) (dressed up: 60 cal)

Yesterday I tried a new recipe that I stumbled upon during one of my frequent online recipe searches.

Southern Smothered Chicken with the creamy chicken verde soup substituted as described here (minus the coriander which I didn’t have on hand, nor cared to buy).

I chose to make this because with the summer heat, I’m trying to avoid using the oven and the grill for that matter. (Our grill sits right in the blazing afternoon sun.)

My review:

• It was good, but I would tweak it.
• Lose the onions, and the mushrooms.
• For 4 (I used a pack of 4 instead of 5) chicken breasts, 2 cans of sauce was a bit much. Either double the chicken or halve the sauce.
• Throw in some other things to replace the onions and mushrooms. Red peppers or black beans maybe?
• Serve over spanish rice or white rice.
• The chicken was very tender, cooked on low for 4 hours.
• The sauce reminded me a lot of the sauce in Lean Cuisine’s Chicken Enchilada Suiza frozen meal.
• I will make it again.
• I would rename it to Smothered Mexican Chicken.

While I’m happy to see you, a new start, I’m wishing that sometimes, just sometimes, you came with instructions. Sometimes, say, in the middle of summer when the kids are out of school and the novelty of that has worn off – for all of us.

While laying in bed trying to wake up this morning, I actually entertained the idea of having a pajama day, where the kids and I stay in our PJs the entire day (of course this requires not leaving the house), sitting around on the couch and watching TV all day, and snacking on whatever we want, whenever we want, without care. I even went as far as slating this Pajama Day for Thursday, the first open day in our week this week where such a plan could be carried out.

Dear Stay-At-Home-Mom-Self,

I am writing, as Work-Outside-The-Home-Mom-Self, to remind you the thoughts you would be having if you were, in fact, working outside the home. You can remember back to the Stay-At-Home-Dad days when you were working, and you can sort of remember those yearnings for time with your (then one) child.

I know for a fact you’d be staring into space over the cubicle wall day-dreaming of  (key the euphoric music here) “all that you could be doing with your child if only you were not at work on this sunny, summer day!”

You’d take them to the park for a picnic, do crafts in the backyard, go here, go there, just enjoy being together.

Forget chores.

Laundry? Bleh!

Cleaning? Phooie!

Cooking Dinner? (well, maybe keep that on the list)

My point, Stay-At-Home-Mom-Self, is this. Don’t take them for granted. Don’t take this time you have with them for granted. Set things aside. Be WITH them. Remember your Work-Outside-The-Home-Mom-Self and don’t make her (me) have to write you any more letters.

Sincerely,

Work-Outside-The-Home-Mom-Self

Ok, I’m probably the only other person thinking ahead to Christmas while it is July. I understand that it is probably offensive to you and I will accept your due judgement.

But, hear me out.

What I’m actually thinking of is not “what are all the goodies we can amass for our offspring” (not that I ever think like that)? I’m also not thinking of list-making or mental-note-taking of things they mention they want or that I foresee them growing into.

What I’m actually thinking is, how can we, this year, scale down? How can we (and by we, I mean me) not buy into the catalog craze and the sales and the sparkle and the wish list making? How can we just look around at the wealth of toys we have already amassed, and wisely choose not to enlarge that mountain?

This challenge is more than skin deep. It goes beyond recallibrating my own thinking/shopping/buying habits, but also requires expectation setting of their precious little hearts. Skewing them towards less and away from more, and at Christmastime! It almost seems illegal or mean or….

Or does it? While every bone in my body wants to bless my children with the desires of their hearts, common-sense tells me they have so much already. Too much. More than they use. More than they need. More than most children (think 3rd world countries) will have in a lifetime. And that is not an exaggeration.

Beyond common sense, Biblical-sense tells that we are to train them in the way they should go and that it is better to give than to receive and to lay up for ourselves treasures in Heaven not on earth. What happens if we stock pile while neglecting those in need around us? It will be taken away.

Can I really buy-buy-buy for them again this year with a clear conscience? I don’t think that I can.  And don’t misunderstand. I don’t go nuts at Christmastime. I really don’t, But if you look at what they have and then look at the more they think they want, it just doesn’t add up.

And so, you see why I am thinking about this in July. It just might take me six months to figure out the “how”.

I love the quietness of a Saturday morning, just during and after breakfast, when the family (who eats in shifts due to waking at different times) is still ramping up for the day ahead. Like the propeller of an airplane that takes a few moments to accellerate to full speed, so are Saturday mornings.

Once accellerated, showers, chores and grocery shopping ensue. Followed by outside work and play and meals in between.

But the morning of Saturdays is just as it should be, peaceful, serene and “home”.

Sometimes we look at our circumstances and fail to see them for what they are. Something new and potentially good comes along and we think, “is this?”, “should I?”, or “what am I supposed to do?”.

We often let our fears and insecurities and doubts overtake our thoughts crowding out the part that is clearly yelling, “isn’t this exactly what you asked for? prayed for? thought was impossible?”

Quiet the doubts. Let go of the fears. Claim confidence. Embrace the opportunity. And give thanks.

While my youngest will start all-day kindergarten in a month, I’m already anticipating this new stage of our lives… parenting school-aged children. Granted Andrew is entering second grade and I’ve already been parenting one school-aged child, but ramping up to have both of them in school, all day, is clearly a new phase. I will no longer have one foot in the young-child-at-home door.

With a young child at home, you still run errands with a child in tow. You are called upon to help entertain them when their boredom seems insurmountable. You snuggle. You lunch together. You have a young companion for most of your day.

Gears will shift once school starts and the youngest joins the ranks of the older brother. (I won’t even go into the challenges this all-day schedule will have on my non-morning-person child.) But my day will be profoundly changed. I will have two children to wake and ready for school which will equate to a morning bustle of activity. I will then have solitude and quiet for about six and a half hours. Then I will have two children to anxiously await getting off the bus to tell about their school day. I will have two snacks ready when they come in the door. I will have two book bags full of folders and papers to sort through. Two schedules and due dates and projects to manage.

It seems like not such a big deal. That span of time in between sending them off to school and welcoming them home in the afternoon. But it will, in fact, be a big deal. For their 5 years leading to kindergarten, my husband and I have been their  major influence. A few hours at church each week and even a few hours a week for two years of preschool pale in comparison to all-day school, five days a week.

They will have teachers and friends and peers surrounding them for 6.5 hours instead of me. They will encounter new situations and emotions which they will learn how to manage, on their own, or with those around them, instead of me.

For these children whom I carried in my womb, who have been the focus of the past 7 years, whom I’m the expert in (along with my husband)… For my precious children, that imaginary umbilical cord will grow a little longer as they step out into school. I will still oversee their lives, still nurture and coach and teach and guide, all while allowing them a little more wiggle room.

I have no clear direction on what to share with you today. I’m not foggy or confused. I simply don’t have a predominate thought as a frontrunner to blog about.

Instead, I have thoughts about all the different things on my plate right now (and some mere distracting thoughts). Some I will share with you here:

• What appetizer and/or dessert should I make to take to my small group social tonight?
• Planning, planning, planning for a 70-person lunch three months away.
• Why is my throat sore and is this going to last all day?
• Emailing my niece about her starting college and a list of things she’ll need that family can help her obtain.
• I’m admiring the pumpkin blossoms in the back yard from our first-time-ever planting of pumpkin seeds. We have several blossoms and I’m hoping that something doesn’t eat these as it did the first 2 or 3. I’m also wondering how far across the back yard they will spread by October.
• I really need to consider taking a training class to spiff up my techical skills in case I return to work part-time. Mental Note. MUST dedicate time to researching locally available classes.
• Must clean off this dining room table as it becomes a catch-all and make-shift desk for the laptop. (Mind you, we have a desk upstairs with the “desktop computer” which needs to be cleaned off too.)
• There are three and one-half weeks until school starts.
• It’s pretty clear we won’t be going on a summer vacation. And I’m okay with that. In fact, I have only myself to blame, so it is best to be okay with it so I don’t have to blame myself.
• My refrigerator runs really loudly sometimes, and it begs the question: Is it on its last leg? (wishful thinking)

One day last week, after eating his dinner successfully (not always assumed), Josh asked for a special treat. I offered him the last part of a Hershey’s bar, about 6 squares. He took it excitedly and sat down to eat it.

While enjoying his treat, he asked, “Mom, what does rich mean?”

Thinking he surely was referring to food, I explained it meant “strong taste.” Met with a confused look, I followed up, “Or do you mean rich that has to do with money.” Without waiting for him to answer, I explained that rich means you have a lot of money. But that in regards to food, it means strong taste.” I then questioned which one he was asking about.

“Money,” he replied, still enjoying his chocolate treat.

Befuddled at both myself for assuming he meant food, and him for questioning such a word while eating chocolate, I dismissed it as just another means for him to figure out his world. But, secretly, I’m wondering what it is he wishes he was rich enough to buy.

Yesterday, I made Apple Cider. Why? Because you can’t find cider in Ohio in early August. And I needed (yes, needed) to test a recipe that our church’s cooking ministry might potentially be making in October for a special lunch for which we are cooking. The sauce for the dish requires apple cider, and well, I had to make my own. I also made cinnamon-maple butter (yum) and pumpkin bread, all for the same reason – recipe testing for this October lunch. So while it was 90 degrees outside, the kids and I enjoyed the flavors of fall wafting through our house.

The kids enjoyed their first night of VBS. And since I took this year off from volunteering, my husband and I also enjoyed their first night of VBS. We went out for a late dinner and then to a sporting goods store to buy my husband a bicycle.

I learned more than I ever knew existed about pumpkin vines as I researched their pollination to determine if ours was normal or abnormal. I had thought something was eating our blossoms, but as it turns out, they (the male flowers) fall off after a day of blooming. These male flowers continue for a couple of weeks before any female flowers appear. So we are on course for some female flowers to show up soon as this pumpkin vine spreads itself across the back of our yard.

On tap for today, absolutely nothing. Slow morning, loose schedule and a welcome sight to wake up to: rain!

• I’m finally getting around to embracing gmail. I’ve had a gmail account for a while, but only used it sparingly. So while I have yet to move to gmail exclusively, I foresee this in the near future.
• Here’s the recipe for making apple cider from apple juice which I referenced in a previous post.
• Enjoying my new cutting board from Sur La Table.
• With VBS this week, and everyone getting in bed later, I’ve fallen into a routine of waking up later, consistently. The boys are not the only ones who have to get back on school schedule, soon!
• I feel I’m in a reality-tv whirlwind with Top Chef, The Next Food Network Star, Design Star and Project Runway ALL currently airing at the same time. Previously, it’s been two at a time that I’ve kept up with. But for some reason, they are all on at the same time. My DVR is keeping busy.
• With school supplies purchased, my next task will be to review their clothes for back-to-school. I know they will need some nicer shorts to wear, but beyond that I have to figure out if their jeans, shoes, etc. are going to fit so that I can buy now why all the school sales are going on. That includes reviewing their shirts to see if they have enough nice ones (read as “without stains”) for a week’s worth of school days. I am not looking forward to the dress-up session (“Here, try these on. Now these. Ok, take that off and try this one”) that this will require.

I don’t know who was more affected by my sons camping out in a tent in the backyard with my husband over the weekend. They were ecstatic. They were looking forward to it so much. They couldn’t wait until bedtime (whenever it got dark). They slept wonderfully.

I, on the other hand, was anxious and edgy and didn’t find it easy to fall asleep with 3/4 of my family (rather, 3/4 of my heart) outside asleep in a tent in the back yard. I had nobody to kiss or tuck in when I went to bed (two hours later than when I tucked them in at the tent’s door) or when I got up in the night.

In spite of the fact that I was the only one on an actual bed, warm and cozy in the house, I think I slept the worst of us all. (Except for maybe my husband, who gave the two sleeping bags to the boys and himself, took blankets.  As a result, he froze after about 2 a.m. due to a low of 60 degrees.)

Yesterday I witnessed two sides of a coin in reference to my kids’ behavior.

One minute, I’m separating them, declaring in my motherly tone, “THIS is why I don’t let the two of you play together. You don’t know how to get along!”

The next minute, (well after a while of them being separated) they gravitated back to each other, peacefully. Often they like to trade rooms and play with each other’s toys. I walk upstairs to see why they are so quiet and find Josh playing cars in Andrew’s room (on his wood floor which makes them roll so much better as opposed to Josh’s carpet). And I find Andrew playing Legos in Josh’s room (being the Lego-lover that he is, he is happy to accept playing with different Legos in lieu of new Legos.)

This room-trade eventually morphed into playing together, starting with a dance mix cd (Radio Disney Move It!) Josh got for Christmas a couple of years ago. He loves dance-type songs and he loves it loud. So they turned that on and jammed and danced. Loudly.

After that I quit paying attention, not to mention I had the office door closed so I could concentrate on what I was working on. But for the rest of the afternoon, which seemed to be hours, they played nicely – a welcomed change.

One day in October, you’ll thank me for these. Granted, while it is August you may just think I’m nuts. (And maybe I am just a little.)

I am still testing recipes for the fancy dinner I’m helping prepare for 70 people in late October. I’ve been seeking out seasonal (to October) recipes. I’ve tested two chicken recipes, one of which has potential. The other was good, but just way too much work to make it to the the final menu.)

In the running is Chicken with Roasted Pears and Wild Rice. But I’m still going to try another one this week. So we shall see.

Also, the cooking ladies tested this pumpkin fudge recipe and the results were… yum!

The credit for stumbling on this cool site belongs to my sister, Dana. (Thank you!)

Tonight I plan to make these Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles with dinner.

And as my sister discovered from this site, these are adorable, clever, utilitarian and fun: Pie In A Jar. Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Shephered’s Pie, vegetables, and more! I will definately be buying some half-pint canning jars to try these.

• Twelve more days until school starts!
• I’ve been super busy planning meals and cooking for various church things. So much so that I’m starting to think I need a better way to be organized. Me! The organization queen! I’m just afraid of letting something slip through the cracks. All is going well so far though.
• Since my diet is nearing my goal, I am almost ready to buy buy new clothes and wishing for a fashion consultant. I don’t want to be fad-ish, just contemporary and better dressed.
• I was so surprised at the heat yesterday and it makes me wonder. It makes me feel like hibernating until the heat wave breaks. But would you call it hibernate if you are waiting out the hot weather instead of the cold?
• I love babysitters! I was able to do some errands yesterday for 3 hours while my sitter stayed with the kids. It is so much easier to get things accomplished when I’m not having to referee the boys around the shopping cart at the grocery store. And, when I got home, I was so happy to be with them that I treated them to dinner out (hubby went out with some friends from the office after work.)
• We officially have girl flowers (read more about that here) on our pumpkin vine, two at least. They haven’t blossomed yet. But I have also recently seen bees, so I’m trusting that once they do, they will get pollinated and baby pumpkins we shall have!

I’ve been slowly moving up our wake up times, both of the boys and myself in order to readjust to school schedules. Last week, I got up at 6:45 then 6:20 consistently. And today, here I am been up for  a whopping 20 minutes, since 5:45 a.m.

It hasn’t been as hard I as I thought, actually. And I’m hoping for the same with Josh, who values his sleep like he does his stuffed animals.

Meanwhile, there are 10 more days until school starts. Ten! We are all getting excited, albeit for different reasons.

I feel a sense of “nesting” coming over me, needing to get things organized and arranged, ready to welcome 2 kids and their book bags filled with papers and forms and homework each night.

I am sure Josh has some nervousness about starting kindergarten, maybe subconsciously. But I have anxiety on his behalf. Hoping he eats enough of a protein breakfast to get him through until lunch. Hoping he actually eats, and quickly enough, his lunch at school. And as my husband pointed out, hoping he doesn’t choose to entertain the built-in audience he’ll have at the lunch table over eating his lunch. Hoping he can grow to more easily express himself and not stammer for words as he sometimes can when he is overly excited or upset. Hoping he remembers to zip his zipper after visiting the restroom. Because, he usually doesn’t. Hoping that when he visits the restroom that he can break his habit of camping out in there making funny faces in the mirror for an eternity.

I’m not sure what anxieties he may have, hopefully none more than comes with meeting new people. I’ll be happy to bear these hopes in hope of coaching him towards his goal so he can just be him (only a zipped up, eat your lunch quickly, don’t dilly dally in the restroom, version of him).