when the uncle comes to town

We've been having a fun summer, being busier than I would've liked, though I can't think of anything I wish we hadn't/weren't doing.

Uncle Eric (Andy's oldest brother) came to visit for a few days, and whoa, is he spoiling us. He's a bachelor, very patient, very kind. So his lap was rarely empty. Usually he had 2 or more girls on him/next to him/touching him/climbing on him. He read stories, listened to stories, took Andy out for a Bro's Only movie date, and joined me, two dogs, and anywhere from 2-4 girlies on daily walks.

He spoiled us, I tell you.

Also, he came bearing gifts from the in-laws. Peaches they canned (after they grew, picked, peeled, and sliced 'em, that is) and my favorite Trader Joe's treat - Sunflower Seed Butter. Oh wow, that stuff is heavenly. He also brought 2 Idaho Spuds for Andy. Well, 1 for Andy, 1 for me. But really, I said I'd like 1 so that I could let Andy have it. Every time his mom goes to Idaho, she stocks up on this candy, with plans to share with the boys. And every time, his dad sniffs out where she stashes it, and eats all but 2 or 3. She needs a better system, I think. ;-)

Also, while here in town, Eric needed to buy some stuff found at HEB. (The best grocery store in Texas, maybe in the world) Everything on that list were things Andy and I have introduced the Family to. Some local (Texas local) yummies. Makes me feel good that they like the sausages, salad dressing, bbq sauce, and salsa enough to stock up when they are here.

Also, we had a small birthday party for Sasha while Eric was here. Cute, fun, and small. Almost perfect, except we got rained away from the splash park. So we're gonna take popsicles to the splash park on Wednesday, and have a mini party then.

Hmm, I just noticed that my last 3 paragraphs all start with "Also, " Screw it, I'm tired. ;-)

Love ya,
thanks for reading my ramblings
R

Whoa, Nellie

Thinking 'out loud' over here.

I just committed to being a preschool teacher at our co-op. And part of me knows I can do it. That part of me is really excited. The other part of me is kinda kicking my own butt right about now.

One day, maybe, I will be a member of a group without helping to run it. Phh. That's funny. I'm just crazy enough to help any chance I get. And it always works out. But yikes, I've got to make a plan.

Okay, 12 class sessions, one hour each. Spread out over 3 months. This is doable. Absolutely doable. So doable that I feel foolish worrying about it.

Looks like I've mostly got free reign as to how to do things, and what to do.

My first thought is to read stories, and do art related to the stories. Now to come up with book/art combo ideas....

Harold and the Purple Crayon (purple oil pastels on sketch paper)
Beautiful Oops (collage with mixed bits and pieces)
The Monster at the End of this Book (fingerpaint monster masks)
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do You See?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Jamberry
Ten Apples Up On Top (Apple stamping - maybe on t-shirts? And apple stacking)

Okay, but also, knowing the alphabet, and how to count (and how high?), recognizing/writing their own name. This class will probably be 3 and 4 year olds, maybe an older 2 year old, too. Lots of cutting, drawing, gluing, creating.

Sasha loves when I use dots to write her name, and she works on tracing it. (Thanks, Kristin - I remember you doing that with Jake.)

Today

Today my oldest turned 10.

And I am so excited for her. She is such a sweet, nurturing, creative soul. The world needs her, and I pray I am doing her justice as her mama

(and hopefully soon I'll get more pictures up. camera issues.)

Toothday

Yesterday was Zoe's toothday. :-) First tooth peeking through her gums. She's 3 days away from 8 months old, sits up on her own, rolls around, smiles at everyone, has the best giggle ever, AND refuses to eat. She is quite content with mama's milk, which is just fine with me. She has a lifetime of eating food, I'll exclusively nurse her a little longer!

"I think I need to wash my hands."

Yes, yes you do need to wash your hands, my dear. (Oh, and it is mud. Just so we are clear.)

say what?

Emily posted her family's wu tang clan names, and I had to stop what I was doing to generate ours:

Andy: Mad Swami
Rachel: Intellectual Madman
Aubrey: Mad Lover
Lauren: Thunderous Assassin
Sasha: Vulgar Assassin
Zoe: Shriekin' Watcher

Add in our last name, and things change a bit:

Andy: Crazy Criminal
Rachel: Lazy-assed Prophet
Aubrey: Irate Prophet
Lauren: Annoyin' Swami
Sasha: Respected Samurai
Zoe: Gentlemen Hunter

Oh, that just made my night. Want a giggle? Here ya go

For the record, I couldn't name a wu tang song, but could maybe sing along a bit? I wouldn't know, I don't know what they sing. I'd google a listen, but there's a sisterly sleepover happening about 3 feet away. Also, some say I'm lazy.

Peace, Lazy-assed Prophet

it's like this, and like that, and like this, you know?

Most days I hate titling my posts. I do it, but I hate it. And I know 'hate' is a strong word, but it's true. The title stumps me. Because usually I'm just typing about some random stuff. But I really don't want EVERY title to be 'Random' or some variation on the word.

We went to the parade today (Happy 4th of July, by the way! I love the 4th, but it makes me miss my mom's family - it was a time when we usually all gathered.) Back to the parade. Apparently it's supposed to be one of the best. Even made USA Today's list in 2008. It was nice, but insane. 90 minutes of a parade, with a guesstimate of 30,000 spectators. So we parked at 8:30 for the 10am parade. In the sun. In Texas. In July. And we enjoyed it. But we probably won't do it again. At least not without some serious planning. A canopy to pitch. Comfy chairs. A stocked cooler.

I am working on Aubrey's birthday party plans. Scratch that. Aubrey is working on her party plans. I am offering creative assistance as she desires it, and also the annoying, but fortunately rare, "No" when her ideas are a bit too much. And, most of my "No's" have really been "Or's" to make a celebration she wants and we can afford/pull off.

But I really am working on Sasha's party. No input from her. I am not even going to ask. Because in another year or so she will be full of ideas and since I am prepared to honor those ideas to the best of my ability, this year, I pick. We're going to have a Harold and the Purple Crayon theme, and read some of Sasha's favorite stories (including Harold, of course!). And we'll be art-ing and craft-ing, too. And playing. There is always playing when you are 2-almost-3. Maybe a pin the tail on the donkey game, with a picnic blanket and pies (Harold once picnics with 9 pies - if I didn't already have a cake plan, I'd consider serving pie.) And, for party favors, I do not like giving out plastic thingies that break on the ride home. Nor do I like giving out candy. So I'm on the look out for one or two cute items to send home in lieu of a 'goodie bag.' The front runners are:

A copy of a Harold story; or

A crayon roll and simple journal

Also, I should be in bed. I am tired. And I know I will be mad at myself in the morning. But sometimes it's just too hard to get to bed. I can go to bed early tomorrow night, right? ;-)