misc. roundup

This is Ben a few weeks back, trying on my brother's fireman helmet. My brother is in training right now for the Chicago Fire Department and we are all so very proud of him! Ben has also taking a special shine to fireman/trucks lately! He especiallly gets excited if he sees a truck go by. Good Luck Al, we know that all your hard work will pay off and you will succeed wonderfully! Now we are going to have to paint Huntley white with black spots!

On the homefront: let's see. It's quiet..at the moment. Paul & Celia (aka grandparents, hehe) took the kids for an overnight last night. They had a fun filled evening planned that included: hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn, movies. Noah and I decided to go on a sort of date. We went out for dinner: mexican. I had tacos. boring I know. Noah has faijitas. Then we proceeded to blockbuster to pick out 3 flicks to buy/watch. We choose : New in Town (my minnesota friends recommended it), slumdog millionaire (sorry I dont feel like looking up any spelling today and yes we are behind the times by finally seeing this) and Milk with Sean Penn. We watched New in Town. Cute. Ya can't really complain about Harry Connick Jr. Then we decided to watch Slumdog ...and I will have to report on that some other time since I fell asleep about half way into it. So back to this morning, I am drinking orange juice and enjoying the silence.

This week was so busy with getting the hang of school and LOTS of RAIN. Here's some kid tidbits since I don't really know what else to share at the moment. I have been trying to write down their funnies more lately because I have been a slacker for quite sometime. By the way I did get a call from Isabelle's school this week asking if she wears glasses, that she was saying that she couldn't see the blackboard. Those who know my daughters plight, it is her biggest dream to get glasses and with a recent eye exam a few months ago (when we addressed this obsession in kindergarten) she receieved an analaysis of 20/20 vision, pefect seeing. Just wanted to let you know that this issue has resurfaced. Onto other rambles: Isabelle asked me this week (related to previous): How do you pick your glasses if you can't see? The other day after Ben got into some trouble, I asked Ben what I am going to do with him and he responded very enthusiasticly, "Put me in the car and a time out!" I asked Isabelle to describe to me a girl she was speaking of recently and she said as follows: "Well, she has blondish brownish hair and a couple of loose teeth, but I can't remember what color her eyes are." (well thanks, that description was a huge help, I know exactly who you are talking about now! hehe). This week at one of our dinner times, Isabelle started eating and Ben decided to yell at her: Isabelle! You have to say the PWEAR! hmm! and he fold his hands (It is Isabelle's job to say the prayer...I wonder if we should pass some duties onto Ben , haha).

In other thoughts: I don't know why I even put napkins or silverware out for the children at mealtime. It goes unused or on the floor so either way that's a lose lose for me. I think my children have gotten extra loud latley and I think I have found many more new grey hairs. Something in my kitchen was smelling horrible for the last day or so, I think I have finally rid the situation (I hope) at first I thought it was food in the garbage but then I have discovered these towels under the sink that are wet and seem to have something on them! So I threw those away (not in the kitchen garbage) in hopes of clean air. I hate when something like that is a mystery..but i guess it keeps my skills sharp. o.k., I am off. The day awaits and time is fleeting. Happy Saturday ya-all

Rainy Monday

Flowers From a Friend's Garden.
What I believe to be Ben's favorite birthday present: Batman

Random Thoughts & Notes on this Rainy Monday Morning:
The coffee does not taste so great this a.m. and I did not sleep well last night at all. Yesterday, I had Ben get undressed, I picked up his pile of clothes that he left behind only to find that he was wearing 3 pairs of underwear under his shorts! Little weirdo - lol. I can't wait to see the Julie/Julia movie that I hear great things about, I have been invited a couple different times, but still have not been able to go. :(. I love that Ben still rubs the satin edging of his favorite blanket, It reminds me that he is still my baby. Both kids are now offically up by the way so not sure how much my typed thoughts will translate properly due to constant interruption, noise and delay. When summer is over, I will not miss the constant tracks of chalk from shoes that goes through my living room floor. Tonight is Isabelle's open house at school to meet her teacher. We are very excited. I am thrilled to start the school year. I am so ready to get into routine with the kids, I think we all function so much better that way. The looseness of summer is super in it's own way of course but it's not what I truly desire. Garden: thanks to the darn ground hogs, we have no flippin green beans this year. In my strive to recoginize gratitude in all situations, I am thankful for the other produce that has produced. Speaking of flippin - yesterday we were out to breakfast with Aunt Mary and after we decided on a whim, that we could still make it to church. Well, I was wearing my napoleon dynomite "flippin sweet" t-shirt and had not showered, so we opted to sit in the very back of the church. As I struggled to keep the children at bay, Ben managed to visit with several families in surrounding pews rather than to sit nice with us, luckily they were all so kind and welcoming to his impromptu and uninvited involvement in their space and religious experience. Quite challenging that boy, have I mentioned? Last night Noah made chicken Parm. from scratch - it was excellent. Of course with a great meal, many dishes come along and that's my job. Sometimes I would rather just have a bowl of cereal. I need to order lots of pictures. Speaking of pictures, I haven't had time to scrapbook in ages. This makes me sad. I miss it. Ben has just made Isabelle cry. Let's find out the reason. He is saying he is sorry, that it was an accident. She just informed me that he hit her in the nose with his batman. I am anticipating my favorite time of year approaching - fall. For countless reasons, it is the best season of all in my book. Related: I can't wait for MOPS to start up again. Right now, I am searching my soul regarding a neighborhood situtation. I am praying for the answers of the best way to handle something that is bringing me much confusion and stress. It is a challenge that I want to handle properly. So I am opening my heart and quieting my thoughts, to what is really going on and what really needs to be done and what part I play in this scenerio. Ben just put his fruit snacks int the back of his little semi-truck. I should make some more coffee. So here I have rambled and rambled, I know this post may give a negative vibe..but I do not feel negative...I am just entertaining and sorting some thoughts that are dancing around in my noggin. I am thankful for a beautiful day ahead with no major requirements or obligations. A day for the kids to play free and for me to get done what I can within my power. Good day my friends. :)