Drop off

I'm not going to lie...most mornings one or more of us is in tears and furious with one or more of the rest of us.

It's something I've learned to accept as part of normal life. 

But every once in awhile, things go smoothly, breakfast is eaten, hair is curled, clothes match and homework was done on time. 

And then I get to drop them off and say I love you to a smiling child that says it right back to me and I drive off feeling fine about my choice to be a stay at home mom.  

I cherish these mornings. And I'll close my eyes and remember them when she can't find the exact shoes tomorrow and I am officially a jerk and she's SO MAD AT ME!!!

Joining the ranks

It's band concert time! Mathew is in Jazz band this year and he loves it. He feels a little nervous about getting up there and doing improv...(duh..that would give me nightmares. For the rest of my life.)

But I have to say that I am so glad that he's doing it. It's good for his confidence and it also makes band concerts way more fun when one of your kids is playing. The jazz portion can be....lengthy.

And this year, Megan joined the band and chose percussion!

She has aspirations to join Jazz band too and do both percussion and piano.

A super cool idea, man.

A sliver of winter sunshine

I think God knew today that we were going to batty if we didn't get out of our house. 

I think He sent us a beautiful sunny day (in January) because He knows us. And He loves us.

And he doesn't want us to hurt each other. Or say something we'll regret.

We need to take off our huge poofy coats and slide down a slide.

We needed to make a pyramid in the dirt.

We needed to practice outside and not worry one bit about who might be listening or disturbed by 7th grade trombone skills.

Thank you!!

Welcome home

When I'm old and wrinkly and my white carpet stays white and nobody puts my cheese grater away in a weird spot I will cry every time I pull into my garage because I will miss having my kids run to the back door and sing me the Universal Studios Theme song as I pull in. 

It is guaranteed to make me feel alright with the world.

Everly joins the ranks

She's three and it's time to check out those teeth. 

Luckily we are in the dolphin room and there is a stuffed dolphin to hug. (Dentistry has changed since I was a kid.) 

And when she's all done, she gets two tokens for the "THE CLAW".

Yay dentist!

Daddy daughter date...Plan B

I missed RSVPing for the first ever Sunnyside Daddy Daughter dance.

I felt terrible when the girls came home and all their friends were talking about going tonight with their dads.

ACK!

So Mark took them out anyway and made them feel special.

I helped them get dressed up and curled their hair.

They went to Olive Garden for dinner.

The said to me, "Mom! Did you know that they will just keep bringing you breadsticks as much as you want?" And I thought to myself...."mmm...I need some breadsticks."

I am told that both of them ordered pasta with a side of fries. I am hoping they both maintain that kind of self confidence when they start dating for real.

Get those fries, girl!

After dinner he took them over to Old Navy and let them pick out a bracelet each to remember the night. 

They loved it and the loved having their dad all to themselves. 

The girls and I made a tent out of sheets and had our own fun time. There were stories and flashlights and then we camped out all night (by "we", I mean that I snuck off to my own bed as soon as they were asleep.)

All around it was a pretty great night!

A good book

I love this.