Whatcha doing...?

It's Sunday afternoon. What are you doing today?

I kicked the day off with my second homemade latte - and it was amazingly pretty tasty!

I ran out and shopped for the Easter bunny with Sydney. I think she can keep the secret. And it will be hilarious when Sydney's basket is drastically bigger than the boys. But that is all that Target had this year. Things that found their way into my cart: a baseball glove and bike lock for Henry, some new chalk, some mini boxes of cereal, an automatic ball return putter thingy for Charley, new water bottles, a star wars figure, and some other little items.

I baked chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.

I added songs to my playlist that can play, if you want it to, at the bottom of this blog page. Or you can hit play here:

I am on the fourth load of laundry.

I have removed many of our winter items from our closet and mud room.

I have the windows open.

I am happy about the new lamp we bought yesterday!

Downloaded pictures.

Filled out our weekly calendar.

And the list continues to grow. 

So curious what are you wearing this Sunday afternoon...and how are you spending this lovely day...well it is lovely here! 

Where are you from?

This past weekend we drove north to Ed's hometown to visit his parents. When we got far enough north we turned on the radio (because the boys movie was finished - it is a 4 hour drive). And I laughed immediately when I heard the gentleman who was dj-ing the radio station - TOTAL UP NORTH voice...or maybe it is the up north radio station itself. Anyways, I LOVE IT!

Then we passed some bars and outside there were several (like 20) snowmobiles lined up. Only Up North!

As we listened to the radio station we heard them announcing that some bar was going to have a meat raffle - only up north.

And yet the two lane roads that are surrounded by tall pines, small lakes, or the view of Lake Superior tempt me to convince Ed to quit his job and move north...you feel at peace and your shoulders relax.

I have a site meter on my blog that lets me get a hint at who is stopping by my blog (only a hint - it doesn't tell me exactly. For example my mom's visits register as a city 30-40 miles away). Anyways, I have noticed lately that there are people that stop by from Canada...and Europe...and Ohio....and Tennessee and Michigan, and North Carolina....and it amazes me. It reminds me that our world is not all that big.

Anyways, if you stop by give a shout out and tell us from where you are coming from...list a state or a city or a country. I would love to see if my site meter is at all accurate! My comment thingy allows you to respond anonymously so don't be shy.

Happy Monday Evening! My goal is to be sleeping by 9 pm....in hopes of being a little less edgy tomorrow :)

Things that make me clench my teeth these days...

1. The cold - driving the morning carpool run is cold...but heading to Cub Foods at 6 am to pick up the school supplies that I forgot to pick up earlier in the week...is even colder. Clenching your teeth does not make you warmer.

2. We are trying to wean Henry slowly from his nuk. We did it with Charley when he turned two...Henry turns two on January 4th...so that means...dun dun duh dun, the nuk will soon be done!....the pain and suffering are approaching. I think that was the hardest week for me - when we took the nuk away from Charley. I am not looking forward to it with Henry. So I am committing to using it only when he is in bed...or when we are on a car ride that is longer than 4 hours...because in the next two weeks we have a couple of rides like that. There are times ...like this morning during the carpool ride when the kid wanted his nukkie (he can say it now) and boy did I wish I had one in my purse. With teeth clenched we got through.

3. I am starting to visualize the suitcase and the packing job ahead of me. I think I get caught up on laundry and will be ready to pack and then I realize that I want to wear something or I want the boys to wear something that I want pack. Clenching...as I wish I could pack and be ready...without items that are not ready yet.

4. The last two nights Charley has wet his bed in the wee hours of the morning. Amazingly he is able to take off his tee-tee (his special blanket)...or his pillow...or last night the sleeping bag and blanket he was using! CLENCHING! If he has time to think...and to wiggle out of his sleeping bag...and put it on the floor...THEN GOSH DARN IT HE COULD HAVE GOTTEN TO THE BATHROOM! I will say, that we had a babysitter last night and most likely she forgot to have him go potty before bed...but STILL! CLENCHING!
COME ON Kiddo - give the laundry doing mama a rest!

5. Speaking of laundry - our washing machine is still rockin' (literally), rollin', and leaking...occasionally. It leaked last night. So far we are all good today. Clenching...knowing that one of these times we are not going to be so lucky. Yet, waiting for the perfect deal and time is worth it.

6. The kitchen floor is one long hard clench. There are cookie crumbs constantly appearing...the boys are making messes during their three meals a day...and then throw in there some snacks.

7. Last night I wore my fabulous styling heels and clenched my teeth midway through blowdrying my hair (since I decided I better practice walking in them) because they hurt. I NEVER wear heels...so when I do they hurt early on. I also clenched as I tried to look like I could walk in them...instead of hobble...which I am almost 99.5% sure I did all the way to the car in the below zero temperatures at 10:00pm. Will post a picture...promise...later when I get my laptop back (yes, clenching when I type that).

8. Smiling as I watch Henry run around the house dragging my apron around by the strap ...like it is his doggy. However, as he looks back to smile he runs smack into the chair and kitchen table...clenching in pain for him. Poor guy!

I DO realize that all these "teeth clenching moments" are just little things that are occuring in my life. I am clenching my teeth, meeting them head on with a patient voice, and a deep breath. May your Wednesday be -clench free-.

Grace in Small Things #36

1. My boys are brothers. This morning when they saw each other they gave each other a hug. Henry is lost when Charley is at school. And when Henry wakes up from his nap, the first thing he says to me is: "Charley?" At Henry's ECFE class that we had yesterday the parent topic we discussed had to do with nurturing sibling relationships. How do we get them to love and enjoy each other. I know of siblings that don't get along, their personalities clash, parents have pitted them against each other, or maybe other reasons....I am so thankful that our boys have naturally enjoyed each other from day one. I wonder if Charley even remembers a time when Henry wasn't here. When they play together I am in pure heaven.


2. Yesterday we probably went on our last walk for the 2009. It is quite a bit colder today and Ed keeps predicting that the end is near. Winter has arrived. I called a friend and asked if we could make their house the destination and play out in their backyard for a bit. She was up for it...I loved catching up with Heather. The boys played and everyone got fresh air. Bonus - 40 minute walk. This afternoon her son came over to play and the boys wanted to go outside...I predicted 15 minutes and they would come rumbling back inside--nope, an hour and a half has passed and they are still playing strong...all they are doing is running around with light sabers. These boys will sleep hard tonight.

3. This mac and cheese recipe is a family favorite. I have made it too often in the last two months. Charley now prefers homemade over Kraft...might have dug my own hole there. Today I made a double batch and am bringing a pan over for a friend who just had a baby (another Elijah!). We will enjoy the other pan after freezing our bums off getting a Christmas tree.

4. My MacBook computer - it has been about a year since I bought it from my brother. This puppy is now two years old and has changed my life...my husband might kid that it hasn't been for the good but he says it with a smile. I move this baby in the kitchen to play music or follow blog recipes, I sit curled up in bed or in the living room, and I bring it to my mom and dads. My husband has to admit that we don't have to fight over the computer in the evening anymore. I love it.

5. I am asking for this book for Christmas. I put it on a name exchange list for my dad's side of the family. I got to look at my friend Kelly's book. The book displays the recipes like blog recipes...lots of step by step pictures. Love that. Her blog is pretty amazing too. I have started following it.

We've moved...

I will no longer be posting at:
wroblewskifamily.blogspot.com.....but rather, you can find us at:

www.fortheloveofnaps.blogspot.com

We will kick it off with a give away (coming later this week) to see if I can get my friends and family to follow me over at our new home.

www.fortheloveofnaps.blogspot.com

See you there!

Halloween 2009

The first part of our Halloween was devoted to Charley's birthday. After Henry's nap we dove into some Halloween fun. Well, my boys actually won't touch the inside of a pumpkin. Next year we will question whether we even attempt to carve. Uncle Mike and Grandma helped too.


Ed and I did some carving.

For dinner we had homemade mac and cheese. During dinner we discussed trick or treating and Charley informed me he would share one box of DOTS with me (since he knows I like those- I do like them but really I just hate the idea of him eating those chewy sticky ones). Once it was time to get our costumes on and go chaos began. Henry didn't want to put on his costume. Morgan wasn't too thrilled either. We attempted to get a picture but the stress level was high. But heck, this is what holidays are all about.



This is as good as it gets.

Then we took off for our first stop at the neighbors across the street. I was feeling overwhelmed just getting us all out the door. So when our neighbor offered up the bowl of candy to Charley and she said, "You can take as much as you want." Charley replied, "I will just take these two boxes of Dots. One for me and one for my mom." Tears appeared ...I am a blessed mama.



Trick or treating with daddy.


Watching Ed and his brother Mike trick or treat with the boys was fun! Brothers being dads together.



Henry walked almost the whole way! At one house the lady gave him two pieces and he reached in and took three more.



Morgan was a trooper and was a happy rider all evening!


And after the kids were peacefully sleeping the adults poured out the trick or treat sacks (yes, amazingly Charley didn't dump it out ...odd, I know). It is still a thrill to sort the candy and see what was most popular.

This was the second year in a row that we have spent time with Uncle Mike, Aunt Becca, and Grandma Charlie....could we have a tradition on our hands. Ahhh...traditions, the things that make our children realize they are part of family.

Trying it again for mom!

So yesterday when it was time to go put on costumes and go trick or treating it was pure chaos leaving the house. Kids were crying...mama was on the verge...so needless to day, today we put the costumes back on and tried again.






And here is a comparison to 2008!

Baby Girl in OUR frat house for the weekend!

This weekend Uncle Mike, Aunt Becca, and cousin Morgan came to visit. What does this mean....

Crazy tights!
High pitch squeals!
Pink shoes!
A little bit of girl in this frat house!

We hadn't seen Morgan since Fourth of July - too long! Her cheeks are delicious and her serious little look makes you wonder what she is thinking as she takes everything in. She joined us for a chilly night of trick or treating. She wore a ladybug costume...but it was a secret because she was covered in blankets...and slept the whole way...at one point we checked on her and snapped a picture and she was awake...wonder what she thought was going on. We wish they lived closer so that we could see her more often. I sure enjoyed getting my hands on a baby - especially a petite little pink one!

He got his cake!

Charley finally got to have his "birthday cake." Grandma Charlie and Uncle Mike, Aunt Becca, and Morgan came for the weekend. I ordered him a modified Star Wars cake...they love me at Target...when I show up altering their normal cake ideas. He was happy and is already dreaming of birthday number six. Please, let this year take it's old sweet time.

Grace in Small Things #30

Brought to you by Henry:

1. Ritz crackers - not the whole wheat ones. Just the regular old Ritz crackers. "Num!" is his comment after he bites in.

2. Wa-Ter. Henry loves his water!

3. Dora - his beautiful brown eyed goddess these days!

4. The arrival of his big brother home from school. "See Char!" he says as the carpool van pulls up to drop him off.

5. His nuk! He loves it! It soothes him! He appears with it when I think I have captured them all and corralled them in his crib. It makes me nervous thinking about the upcoming months of weaning him from it. ugh!

Grace in Small Things #29

I just heated up some hot chocolate...just can't get the chill out of my bones today. It got me thinking...I have several favorite beverages that I choose for different reasons throughout the day....So today I appreciate having choices to fit the moment during the day:

1. Hot Chocolate - when chilled and need a cozy beverage!

2. Simply Apple Cider - steamy and warm if not in the mood for #1

3. Diet Coke - this week I am trying caffeine free

4. Water - when I am out to eat I refuse, most days to buy the overpriced beverage and I also try really hard to get some water in me during the day.

5. Red wine - Now that daylight savings time is ending...margaritas and cold beers just don't hit the spot...but a glass of wine while cooking dinner makes me feel cozy and relaxed. I will also admit that I am NOT a wine snob. So right now there sits a good old box of wine on our counter!

So what are your thoughts on beverages that get you through the day...what do you NEED? What makes you happy? What helps you get through?

5 year old birthday recap

Thanks to my blog Charley's birthday was great. Thank you friends for interacting and giving me hints on making the most of his special day. Haley, thanks for reminding me that kids ride free on their birthday at the ride park at the mall. Not only that but they get into the Underwater World...both requests by the birthday boy! Probably saved us 40 bucks! Thank you Kim for the castle idea! BEST MONEY I HAVE SPENT IN A LONG TIME - on toys! And thank you for all the wishes of happy birthday - I shared them with the birthday boy! This is what makes blogging so fun!

So for Charley's birthday we went to see the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on Saturday morning. We won tickets to a free family event. There were activities beforehand for the kids. Both boys loved it and it brought the good old days of BAND back for me. I LOVED exposing the kids to the brass concert. I said to Ed, this is what being parents is all about...not signing them up or pushing them early but for exposing and making them realize that there are these wonderful different options out there. After the concert we had a fun lunch downtown and then headed home.

Sunday we got up and opened presents right away. From our household he got some Nerf guns (that I am regretting) and a play dough burger making thing that he played with for an hour on Monday afternoon (score). He also got a few other things. From family and friends he was gifted many generous things. The boy was spoiled. The item I ordered did not arrive in time. After presents we sang happy birthday and had donuts for breakfast - we NEVER have donuts so this was a special treat.

Then we headed to the mall and visited Underwater World. A very cool experience but WAY too much money to go without having a child under two who is free, a birthday boy, and 10 dollars worth of coupons.


After underwater world we went to ride some rides at the mall amusement park. I have taken the boys here before but Ed hadn't been here with us yet. Both boys love to ride! So fun that on your birthday you get a free unlimited wristband! So we only had to buy tickets for Henry to ride...and since both boys are still "little" we could ride with them for free. It was a blast!




Returning home we had a nappy Hank and a boy who was ready to play with his new spaceship. Later we walked over to the nearby garden center to see the pumpkins, cow, and goat. We raked leaves for a bit and had pancakes for dinner. Charley had requested alfredo but we went to Olive Garden for lunch and were all too full. So we had that Monday night instead.

Yesterday the package that I had ordered online arrived. Ed and I had talked that we could wait until Xmas for the gift if it came and I could snatch and hide it...or if Charley forgot...but Charley didn't forget. So when it arrived yesterday we waited all day for daddy to get home so we could open it. My friend Kim mentioned that this item, normally 99.99 was on sale for 49.99 and had free shipping. I went and checked it out and fell for it. She said her girls and her 2nd grade son love it. It is the home to many "guys" and dolls. The castle is AWESOME! It will occupy both boys for hours and years! It is sturdy and has lots of nooks and crannies for their "guys" to live. It is bigger than Henry so there is plenty of space for more than one child to play with it. I AM SO THRILLED and Ed seemed pretty happy with it too! This morning there was no asking for a cartoon and he can't wait to get home to play with it. It is the best money I have spent on a toy for a long time (and normally our money is spent recycling toys by finding treasures at garage sales)! I even want to play with it :) I think this will be one of those gifts that he will always remember!


This weekend we will continue with the festivities when family comes into town for Halloween. He will finally get his cake! So he didn't have a party but I think he had more than enough excitement. So next year when my child becomes a Kindergartner he can look forward to a kid party - or he can opt for more family time! Who knows...maybe the family time will win out!

To infinity and beyond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The big question this time of year, besides what kind of cake did you have for your birthday, would be: What are you going to be for Halloween?

I ask it to every child I run into.

About a month ago we were grocery shopping at Target and Charley spied the "Haunted House Area" a.k.a. the Halloween Holiday aisle. He begged to stroll down. So we did. Why not?! We left in tears about 20 minutes later because I wouldn't buy any of the 15 costumes that thrilled him. I knew that his mind would change day to day for the next month. The most likely costume was going to be Star Wars...a storm trooper...

I grew up with a mom that sewed us costumes or helped us compile awesome traditional costumes from stuff in our home. My sister was a mailbox- constructed out of a box. I was a boyscout, cowboy, nurse, etc. The first couple Halloweens Charley has worn awesome costumes made by Ed's mom (a Hersey kiss and a bumblebee). Last year he was a pirate (given to us from an old student). So for me to gaze at the Star Wars costume and think about the $30 dollars it would cost, kind of bugged me. So I was on a mission to find the costume that would make his eyes sparkle...and would give him an answer, filled with pride, to the almighty Halloween question: What are you going to be?

I stopped at a garage sale one day and hanging there was a Buzz Lightyear costume! It was 7 bucks..size four, brand new...from the Disney store! I got it and started planning how I would get Charley to go from wanting to be a Storm Trooper to Buzz Lightyear. (You should know that his favorite movie these days is Toy Story. He brought his woody doll for show and tell. And calls Buzz LightYEAR - Buzz LightBEARD") So I swore to myself that I would not tell him I got this costume until the week of Halloween, so that he couldn't be excited and then change his mind. But that night, after buying the costume, I was reading to him and we started talking about costumes. And I said, "So Charley, what about being Buzz Lightyear." And that is all that it took. He loved it! He knew Target had it. And he was excited. And ME...I sighed in relief....knowing I spent $7 on an awesome costume.

For his birthday I wrapped up his costume and here he is....
drum roll , please....

Charley as Buzz Lightyear!

No cake!

Okay, everyone we run into asks Charley, "Did you have a cake? What kind of cake?" and he answers, "No, I didn't have a cake." And of course the guilty mom pipes right in shouting, "BUT WHAT DID YOU HAVE CHARLEY!?" Praying he remembers that we did light candles and sing.

Ed and I talked about it and knew we were making his birthday special in many ways..and we were avoiding buying some big ass cake that would then sit there all week...and who can guess who would eat it...yes, me and my new jeans would be that much farther away. So we decided to think creative for his actual day and save the cake buying for this upcoming weekend when we had some company coming. They could help us devour the delicious Star Wars cake from Target...that was Charley's demand. So NO! we didn't get a cake for his day and I didn't bake this year. I don't think I ever asked a kid about his cake and it is hilarious that everyone keeps asking Charley about the one thing we didn't do. HA! But what did we do...I know you are all waiting with baited breath!

Heaven = Toys R Us Catalog to little boys!

Yep! The Toys R Us toy catalog arrived this weekend and before I could snatch it and put it away for a later date, I like to keep it in my pocket for a crabby day when Charley needs a distraction...closer to Christmas, the boys got a hold of it. Immediately they dropped to the floor and were completely absorbed in dreaming, oohing and ahhing, and squealing over silly toys. Even Henry shouted Dora anytime her lovely brown eyes peered back at him.

tis the season for dreaming ...

Charley is born!

Yesterday we had free tickets to attend a family event concert event at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. I put our name in for a drawing a while back and we "won" tickets. So thrilling. Charley was excited to go to a concert. We arrived early and were standing and waiting for the doors to open and who should step off the elevator - Mckenna! Charley's good friend Mckenna and her family also won tickets! It was such an ironic moment...if ironic is the right word! Five years ago yesterday we hung out with Molly and Gary and watched a Packer game on a Sunday afternoon. All day I felt a little off...heck, I was three days overdue! I started getting little pains but it never clicked that they were contractions until Molly pointed it out. So for the first few hours of labor we hung out with our best friends Molly and Gary. Hanging out with them yesterday was perfect!

That night our adventure to having Charley enter the world took place. We went to the hospital around 7 to be sent home around 9 after giving me a sleeping pill- like I was going to sleep. I was in so much pain already! By 11 we were heading back into the hospital, epidural at 1, and around 8 o'clock I began pushing and at some point told my doctor he was lying to me about only having three more pushes to go...let it be known he was correct.

Charley entered our world at 8:55 and his life began.

Daddy cut the cord and parents we became.

I remember those first 2 days spent figuring it all out at the hospital. Many moms want to get out of the hospital and get home. For me, when we left I felt a little scared and knew I would miss having the guaranteed support. I still wonder how the nurses can bring all these babies into the world and not want to find out who they became! I guess it is part of the job. You can never get that moment back when you become a parent for the first time. But it is just as awesome the second time around.

A child's birthday might be about parties, balloons, presents, candles, and cakes. But for a woman and a man - it is about when life became more about someone else - it is when they were transformed into the lifelong roles of MOM and DAD!

Happy 5th Birthday, Charley!

Dear Charley,

We kicked off your weekend with a fun day....you have opened one present...lesson learned (This Christmas we will keep all presents hidden until it is time to open because 5 year olds are patient but parents are not when they have to listen to their five year old talk about presents everyminutefortwodaysstraight, sigh!) You are in bed, quiet...gazing at your first 5 year old birthday present a Moon on Your Wall - Thank you Uncle Greg! I have poured myself a glass of wine and am realizing....

Your birthday is exciting for you but me, the mama....it is a slap in the face at how fast life is flying by and how life changes so quickly....and of course...how old I am getting. All week I have caught myself thinking about where we lived when you were born, what our routines were, how I survived working and being a mommy. I looked at Henry and realized how little I remember of your first 2 years...and it made me gasp as my heart rate quickened. Thank goodness for blogging because I feel like I will have documentation of some of these current little things. Part of it is that I look at your baby pictures and see so much of Henry. My mind goes right to Henry...so maybe as we move out of this baby stage with him things will straighten out in my head. But one thing I do know, you were our first. You were our miracle. You were our only for 3 years and we absorbed every second we had with you. Then you became a big brother and have blossomed and grown into such a grand young man!

These days you amaze us with your insight and knowledge, "Do you know what?" Is how you often start much of what you have to share. Your grandparents and Aunts and Uncles that speak with you on the phone are amazed at how clearly you speak and how well you can hold a conversation. You have started reading and are sounding out words and making your way slowly through beginning reader books! You will sit for many many books before we turn off the light at night. You are passionate about Star Wars and are quickly transitioning into "big boy" toys (at least to mama they are big boy toys). You have finally started sitting for long stretches building with your tinker toys and lincoln logs and legos...all by yourself. You still enjoy helping me cook and even helped Grandma flip pancakes! You are casting your fishing pole like a pro. You love school, playdates, parks, and games. You aren't excited about riding your bike too much yet. Maybe next summer. You sleep from about 7 pm until 6 or 7 am. You no longer take naps. You are still our amazing eater, but have grown a little more opinionated about things. You can manipulate yourself around kid websites and love to watch "shows."

But the thing that most amazes me these days - is your attitude about being a big brother. You were excited day 1 when we told you that you were going to be a big brother. You have been patient and loving. Henry is getting to the age where he can play with you and you are so good about slowing down, showing him things, giggling, and teaching him the ways. You get silly and sometimes too rough - but that is what being brothers is all about. You often translate what Henry is saying -- even when it translates into something that you ultimately want. You are a big brother. And you do the job so well.

My son tomorrow you are five! FIVE! Some kids are in kindergarten for their fifth year of life. I am so grateful that I get you for this last year before our life is ruled by school. It is going too fast...I will admit that I really miss your toddler smell. You are starting to smell more like a boy and to cuddle you at times...well let's just say I miss burrowing my face in you and sighing. It just reminds me to relish that time with Hank. However, I love that we can play Sequence now and you are getting the strategy part of the game! I love that I can reason with you, discuss the world and how it works, and am inspired to enjoy and play each and every day!

I hope that this "Family time" birthday is wonderful and happy for you. We are so blessed to call you our son. Happy Birthday!

Love,
Your mama

A few more favorites of my almost 5 year old!

A Large Range of Mountains and one Little Valley...

A few mountains today....

• The other day I ran to Target with Henry to shop for Charley's birthday and I priced a toy at 14.99. Then Ed and I went to Toys R Us and got it...for $15.79. When I told Ed that it was about a dollar less at Target he encouraged me to take it back and get it from Target. Of course I was a little annoyed, but I get it. Every dollar adds up and in a year it can add up to a whole lot! So this morning Henry and I ran to Target and guess what! It was now on sale for $9.99! WOO HOO! Score! Another thing we bought was $3.49 instead of 5 something at Toys R Us so on Monday I will return two things to Toys R Us! We didn't stop at Toys R Us right away because it was pouring rain and I didn't have both items to return.

• We had a nice happy morning without turning on the TV! Awesome! Charley and I challenged ourselves with the TV for the next week. I will blog more about it later. But for now! Pumped that the TV didn't interrupt our morning before preschool!

• However, when Charley was at preschool I couldn't resist turning on Dora for Henry. He loves her. I am determined to video him watching it. He shouts answers to her questions and is even right at times. He wandered about the house with me saying, "Dora, Dora, Dora Go Dora!" So cute!

• On Charley's ride home from school the carpool mom said her daughter invited Charley over to their house to play and Charley replied, "Well, you see, I have this little brother and his name is Henry and he needs me." This just warms my heart.

Okay and now my valley....the moment that has me fuming...just a little.

So it is raining and snowing all morning. And the mail truck pulls up and I am watching from the window to see if there is going to be any excitement with the mail today (being Charley's birthday). And I can see she has pulled out a large envelope. She tries to put it in the box - dumb because it is too big. Then I watch her try to bend it. Pissed! What if it shouldn't bend. So I quickly rush outside in my slippers in the rain and snow. She sees me coming and I am half way down the driveway (which is not that long). She yells...I will just set it here and tries putting it on top of the newspaper box....by now I am within reach and the package falls to the ground and lands in the gutter. I sighed loudly, tipped my head, and said. It is my son's birthday. She replied, "Sorry about that." She was a sub today...not our normal lady. Our normal lady runs to the door if there is something too big for the box....AND IT IS RAINING! If it wasn't raining...fine but come on! I was RIGHT THERE! It just really bugged me. If I hadn't seen her and come out would she have just let it lay there as water rushed over it!

Note: The package was dried off and placed on our hearth...I guess that is what it is called since no one corrected me in a prior post :)

Book Box...

Something to do one of these cold fall days...have your children dig through their books and pull out the holiday books and if you don't have any ....GO TO THE LIBRARY! I know I have a slightly obnoxious amount of them from my classroom. But it is so fun for the kids to just sit and look at them or ask you to read books that celebrate the season. Right now we have our Halloween, Thanksgiving, and fall ones out on our hearth ( I think that is what this part of the fireplace is called...actually I don't think that is what it is called...damn)....anyone...anyone....