I Really Do Wish We Could Bottle The Energy

As we zombie-like stumbled to the coffee pot, getting ready for the next school day--folders signed, snacks prepared, dishwasher unloaded, Nicholas came flying into the kitchen, a psychotic mess of energy for before 7:00 in the morning.  He had a blanket over his head and he was twirling around screaming non-sense.  Then he hit the open dishwasher door in his path, and splayed out across the floor.  Missing not one beat, he hoped up, realigned his blanket, and screamed out of the room. We were still standing there trying to remember which cupboard we kept the coffee cups in.

All My Children

All of my girls. 

And all of my boys.

Stuber Approved

The Lego Movie--awesome.

Everything is awesome.

Alida in a dress from Iraq with tennis shoes--awesome.

Trouble

Still my shadow, nearly seven years after coming into my arms. 

You're going to be trouble lady. 

For now, you tickle me and brighten my days. 

Two Weeks Later

These balloons, which were bought in honor of my return from some place, were still hanging around on the ceiling, their strings long lost. 

This was fine, except for the part where one made it down the hallway, and every time I would walk by one day while working at home alone, the breeze would push it along.  After scaring myself silly five times in one day at the weird noise, and then realizing what an idiot I was for being scared of the sound a balloon made as it scraped along the ceiling, the suckers had to come down. 

A Place of Her Own

Alida has claimed this space as her own, complete with plastic cup vase of flowers (weeds) from the yard.

And the moment I have been waiting for since having a little girl--the circle yes, circle no note.

What I wasn't quite expecting was the to-do list, complete with crossed out items as they are completed.  We've been too busy lately...

Almost the Dress

This was almost the Easter dress. 

Then we found one even more spring-like for that day. 

But, she fell in love with this one anyway, and in the store I rolled my eyes at all of the sequins, but not at the sale. 

Then, when I wound up loving the dress, it went in the closet, and I haven't seen it again. 

Welcome to pre-pre-teen years Elaine.

Coming and Going

Patric and I have been meeting each other coming and going for these past three months with a hand off and kiss, if there is time. And so it was, as we stared at the calendar the other morning, finally figuring out that we were both scheduled to be out of town while the kids were on spring break, that our stomachs dropped.  

Thank you grandma and grandpa airplane for saving the day, and providing a safe place for the kiddos while we both have to be away.  And I scurried off to make a three-way plane ticket with stops no where near home. And Patric left early to make a conference call.

Benjamin: "How come you two always get to go on all of these vacations?!"

Blue and Gold

And in a moment of rarity, we were all able to go to the Scout Blue and Gold Banquet.

Where we used good manners, and earned many new badges and bobbles.

And we sat down together for more than five minutes one evening.

And one of my favorite parts, is how incensed Patric gets that his daughters cannot be Boy Scouts. 

Weekend Project

A little bit of weekend drilling, 

and measuring

and then some get down to it work, 

Eight feet of work space, with a power hook up and a vice on the way.

Girl waiting for a ride on the wheeled beast optional.

I am doing my best not to go out and attempt to organized the garage for him right now.  Thankfully I've been too busy.  

Mustache February

I thought it was Mustache November.

But I've seen more of these things the past month than I care to.

Although it doesn't stop from cracking me up.