Warning! Long and potentially boring journal post!

The summer heat is slowly on it's way out, and I suddenly have renewed energy and mood! I had such a great day today. It started out well and then just got better. I woke up early and went for a jog in the rain (yay me!) Usually, that would have been a legitimate excuse to turn off the alarm and stay in bed, but like I said, renewed energy.

Emma got up this morning and decided to help me with the garbage. She gathered it all and took the trash out to the street. I got teary on the way home from dropping them at school, thinking about what a good kid she is and how much a simple act of service can mean to someone. I know, I'm a mom.

Since I didn't have to take the trash out I took a nice shower, and did my hair. Now that is an accomplishment. I spent the morning with my Gourmet Club partner Anne, and we tried out some new recipes for our big dinner in October. We found a couple winners and I stuffed myself with delicious food.

I put Nate to bed and called a friend for Ashley, thinking I might get to rest if she was busy. When Sophie's mom came to drop her off she said Sophie had decided she wanted to play at her house, so Ashley went and I laid down for a luxurious nap in my totally quiet house. No cartoons on in the background, no million questions, just me and the ceiling fan and a cozy blanket. (Thanks Jen!)

Ash was still gone when the girls came home from school, so I helped Camille with her homework without the usual distractions (think screaming, crying, fighting, arguing, tattling, and crumbs everywhere.) I spent an hour and a half working in my front yard while Ash and Nate rode bikes. I bagged up the stuff I pruned out a couple days ago and gave my monkey grass a major thinning and haircut. Man that thing was overgrown. It was a fair fight--my hands are all cut up. Monkey grass is sharp! I should have taken a before picture, so you could see how much I did. I have three giant contractor bags filled already--one entirely with monkey grass--and still a pile of eucalyptus branches to pick up.


Emma's soccer practice was canceled, Yippee! Soccer takes a big chunk of our week. I don't love that but it is fun when the kids enjoy it and I like to watch their games.

Because we could sit down to dinner I got inspired to make posole from stuff I had in my pantry, which was exciting because that is something I would actually like to eat if I ever had to eat my food storage. It was so fast, and very tasty if you add a little shredded cabbage and fresh lime. While I cooked Emma unloaded the dishwasher without complaining. Gold star for Emma today.

We sat down together and talked about the best and worst of our days, something we picked up from our friend Deb that my kids love. They all want a turn to talk. Camille did the dishes with only a little complaining, and I have an empty sink to start the morning :)

The girls can now get ready for bed without assistance. Hallelujah! And I thought it would never happen. While they did that Justin asked Nate what he wanted to watch on TV. Nate shouted "FOOTBALL!" with enthusiasm and Justin almost cried. It was a proud moment. The girls will have a hard time if they ever try to beat Nate out as Justin's favorite! Anytime he mentions anything with "ball" in it, points out trucks, rides his motorcycle, or greets Justin with a happy "Daddy!" and a "Hug! Hug!" Justin just looks at me and smiles.

Lastly, I folded two loads of laundry while watching The Office and remembered to water my new potted plants. I love flowers! It is so great to get to the end of the day and feel like you have done something worthwhile. I can't figure out why this is rotated wrong or how to fix it so enjoy my flowers sideways, I'm ready for bed.

I Love Mom!

You should see them now Mom, they have almost tripled in size!

Family Dynamics

This video shows each child's personality in a small clip. It also happens to be some of Nate Dog's first steps! Justin requested I post it. My favorite part is the look he gives me at the end. Think Jim from The Office.

No babies were harmed in the making of this movie.

WARNING hibernating bear!

Camille is tough in the morning. From the minute I get her up, she folds her arms, stomps her feet, and screams at anyone who talks to her. This morning for example, I woke her up to get in a nice warm bath. The bath was too hot, and she refused to get in and said she hated school. It was the worst day of her life. (She said that yesterday too. I considered pointing it out to her but held back.) Then she was mad because she couldn't get her nightgown off by herself. She was upset because she couldn't get out of the tub first (Ashley was almost finished with her bath by now.) Then because she had to wash with soap. When I asked her to get out she moaned with frustration, and after she had complained about getting in. Then she was furious because she had nothing to wear. Emma's clothes didn't fit, they were too long. When I produced a perfectly clean pair of capris from the dryer, she didn't want to wear that outfit and refused to go to school. I said it was against the law for her to stay home and she said she hated the police, with her arms folded. But she finally did get dressed, and started playing with her dollhouse. At this point we have ten minutes before we are supposed to leave.
Downstairs, she got mad at me because there was nothing she wanted to eat. I made a few suggestions which were vhemently refused, so I told her to figure it out on her own or go hungry to school. She found some cereal. She obstinately put on her shoes trying to wiggle as much as possible while I combed her hair, and I told her she would have to go to bed at 7:00 tonight if she didn't start cooperating. We stomped our way to the car. After I started it up Ashley told me Camille wasn't buckled so I told her to buckle up. She screamed at Ashley for tattling but put her seatbelt on. Then she said she hated little sisters and I told her to keep her mouth shut, she hadn't said one nice thing all morning. Thankfully she did. I'd like to tell you it was an unusually rough morning, but it wasn't. It's all completely routine.

Nate is thankfully less abrasive when he wakes up. He usually snuggles who ever gets him out of bed for a minute or so, and then eats what the girls are eating for breakfast. This morning he needed more cereal and nobody was there to help so he helped himself. He laughed with us when we laughed at him and posed for me when I got the camera.

Nathan

Man, we love this kid. These are really old, but I just found them and thought he was unbelieveably adorable. He can say his name now. When we ask him what his "real" name is, he points to his chest and says "Na-san." His other name is Bubba, you have to specify which one you want.

School is Cool

I love back to school. I always have actually, but I love it even more now. My kids like school, and I like them to be in school. It is good for them and for me.

I was taking Ashley to her first day of preschool Monday morning, and she said from the back seat: "Are you excited to have one kid?" I laughed and resisted my initial response (YES!!!) and said, "I'm excited for you to have fun at preschool and I'll be happy to see you when you get home." She didn't say much to that. But I had to laugh. I hope my kids realize how much I love them, even if I am overjoyed when they go to school.

Summertime!

I am glad to have a break from homework, but I am getting overwhelmed with kids already. We just got back from a great vacation with Justin's sister and her family, more on that to come, so now after that high the kids are whiny and bored today. Perhaps I should have taken them out of the house, but who doesn't love sitting in their pajamas until right before their husband gets home every once in a while? Don't tell Justin!