Silver Lining

Reasons today was not my day:
1. Lovey's bus was over 10 minutes late this afternoon, making me late for work.
2. When I went to pick up our CSA, the box with our name on it was gone - no veggies.
3. Littlebit's swim school did not call this week to tell us when her new class is scheduled. When I called (twice) they still didn't know and they have had over a week to let us know. They dissolved the class she was in, you would think they would have a replacement for her.
4. I forgot to pack an after school snack for the kids.
5. I forgot to pack a snack for myself since I won't be home for dinner until 8:30.

Now that I have had a pity party. Here are the bright points to my day.
1. I got to talk to my mom today.
2. I pushed Littlebit on the swing for 30 minutes today - great arm workout.
3. The sun came out this afternoon.
4. Lovey said he had earned his self manager bracelet at school.
5. I had water aerobics today. (I typed aerobics five different ways and I'm still not sure it is right. The spell check won't give me any options for it.)
6. Lovey shared what was left of his lunch with Littlebit, so they could have a snack.

The Beach

On cold rainy days like we have had all week, I like to look at pictures of warm weather.

This summer we went to the ocean. We were hoping to cool off since the temperature was supposed to reach the high nineties where we live and typically it is cooler at the beach. It was hot at the beach that day, the thermostat in our car read over ninety. There were a lot of people at the beach that day. I guess we weren't the only ones who wanted to enjoy one of the rare ninety degree days and they were definitely rare this year, so were the eighty degree days.

The tide was out when we got there and so we parked on the beach, along with a million other people, but we parked up at the top because we knew the tide would come in. Unlike a lot of owners who raced to move their cars. Some cars had water up to the doors before they were moved and had to have them aired out. We saw three cars be towed out of the water, a few be pushed and I think one people were trying to lift out of the water. Hello!!!! Where are the owners???? Why aren't you concerned when all the bystanders are? One car with a wet interior only moved their car about five feet up the beach. They moved all of their chairs and things before and then there car had to be towed out. It was crazy.

We had fun flying kites, enjoying a picnic, and building sand castles. This year Littlebit loved running in the ocean. It makes me so happy to see them enjoy the ocean, since it was something that I have always loved.

Sand in the City

Every year at the end of August we venture down to Sand in the City. The forecast called for rain, but we had a beautiful sunny day. My mom was able to come and play with us. The kids had a great time and look forward to it every year.

We built cars and raced.

It was Sand in the City's 10th Anniversary, so we made a block print to celebrate it.

Making a recycled vase.

Lovey climbed the rock wall.

I think the kids like the activities more than they like looking at the sand sculptures. There were a lot of people since the weather was so nice, but is was a wonderful day!

Back to School

On the first day of school for the past three years, I have made a pencil-shaped brownie cake. It was something I saw somewhere and thought it would be fun. Last year I almost didn't make it until Lovey said that he was excited to have it.

With two different first days this year, I wasn't sure how to pull off the pencil cake. Lovey's day was first, but I wanted Littlebit to have a cake too. I wasn't about to make two cakes. Ugh.

I decided to substitute the brownie cake with giant pencil sugar cookies. Lovey ate his on his first day and Littlebit had hers the next day. Problem solved.

Summer Vacation is Officially Over

Summer vacation is over. It feels as if summer is over too. I drove Lovey to the bus today because it is raining. Ugh. It's almost turn the heat back on weather. The last three years I have sent him to school on the first day in shorts and I could take first day of school pictures in the front yard, but today we had to settle for pictures in front of the fireplace.

He was so excited to go to school today! Last night we went to school to drop off his supplies and meet his teacher. There are a few kids in his class from last year, so I think that helps that he knows some kids. Today I couldn't get out the door fast enough for him. He made sure to have his paper that says he read 515 minutes over the summer. He is excited to have an ice cream party for accomplishing that goal.

I need to take down our summer to do list today. It was fun to see what things we did over the summer and what things the kids wanted to do, but we didn't get a chance to. We had a pillow fight, went to the movies (three times - hooray for free movie days), went to the beach, went camping, visited the zoo, watched a Mariner and Rainier game, went to Nana's, went to Grandpa's and Littlebit was able to practice ballet. There were a few things that we didn't do like go to Great Wolf Lodge, take in a Sounders game, or go to Grandpa and Grandma's house, but they came to see us over the weekend. What a wonderful summer!!!!

Tomorrow Littlebit starts school and her summer vacation will be over too.

Audio Books - A Possible Solution

I love books. I love to read. I just don't always have the time. Oh, yes, I make the time, but I always feel like there is something I should be doing. And usually there is something else I should be doing.

It's not like I am reading anything super important. Usually I choose fiction and not the classics. (I love the Shopaholic series, some Nora Roberts, Emma McLaughlin, and others.) Books that do not require a lot of thought and I can read quickly. The problem is when I read books, I easily get involved in the characters lives and then can't put the book down. When I am not reading the book, I am probably thinking about it. Does anyone else do this or am I just weird that way???? This leads to bathrooms not being cleaned, husbands being ignored, or children watching too much tv. This can be a problem... I try to combat this by not reading as much as I would like.

Earlier this summer, I was browsing through our library's website when I discovered they have a section on downloadable books. And it's free! Where have I been? Now an audio book is nowhere near as good as holding an actual book, but if it allows me to read more and still get things done... woohoo! I am all for it.

After getting Big Daddy to decipher the downloading directions, we downloaded the book, The Bag Lady Papers. Perfect. Now I can clean, work out, and work on the computer at work all while listening to a story on my i-pod. Love it!

I won't give up reading books, but this may help me get other things done too.