Ramble alert. You've been warned.
TODAY
TODAY
Out my window: Sunny. Hot. Slanty light like Fall, but still feels like Summer. We had a breath of Autumn last Friday and Saturday, and then boom. Summer again. And you should see the forecast. Maybe it will feel like Autumn in October?
Clothing myself in: Meh. I have decided to grow my bangs out. I had been growing them longer, because every time I saw a picture of myself with short bangs I hated it. Why? Why is cutting them short always a good idea?? It never is. I think I have figured this out. So I had been growing them out longer, and then had this idea that maybe I would like them a little thicker, and, well, I didn't. So now I have just decided to completely grow them all out. And start over from scratch with my hair. Sort of. I mean, the back of it is pretty much the same but we'll see how it looks with no bangs. I know for a fact that it will be much less maintenance, and that alone is incentive enough for me to stick with it. Hopefully. I need to learn how to twist and pin them to the side, I can't figure it out despite numerous YouTube how-to videos. Yes, that's what I spent my Friday evening doing. We are a very exciting bunch around here.
Around the house: The kids are in the midst of their annual coloring of Halloween decorations. I print a ton of coloring pages, and then they color them and cut them out and put them on strings and hang them all over the house. All Gemma's idea, I think this is our third or fourth year. It is cute, but I am glad they only do it once year. Maybe if we hang a bunch of Halloween decorations it will start feeling like Fall. Optimism.
The baby/toddler: He talks a lot. He loves bananas. He is a mama's boy, but if I am not home he will go to bed for Daddy. He makes the funniest pout faces and will "humph" at me when he is mad. It is hilarious, but I have to try not to laugh. He learned this from his eldest sibling. It is not hilarious when she humphs at me.
The kiddos: I am learning (apparently I have to relearn this on a multiple times a year, or maybe month, basis) that my attitude in general really has a huge impact on the way things go around here. I had this big fit last week after Kolbe fed some pancakes to the dog. Seriously. I cried for like 20 minutes. Over pancakes. I even called Aaron at work and he had to try really hard not to laugh at me. But I had this Big Cry, and then I have really thought a lot about my attitude, and what is a big deal and what isn't a big deal, and how crazy I must come across to the kids (not to mention big and mean and scary), and, well, I have tried to be very deliberate about my attitude and the way I approach and react to things the past few days. Really weighing biggies and smallies and trying to react accordingly. And by golly, it is amazing what a more pleasant place our house is. I guess that the old "mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy" saying contains quite a bit of wisdom. The other big revelation I've had (I know, most of you are shaking your heads at my idiocy...some of us are slower than others...) is that the best way for me to teach self-control to my kids is to actually use it around them. Earth-shattering, I know. Wow.
OK, that was supposed to be about the kids...
Gemma is doing great with school, she is so happy there. She actually has less homework this year, and no homework on Fridays so that has been really nice! I taught her what TGIF means and she is always ready for the weekend. She really likes her piano lessons, and sure seems to have a knack for music. (No idea where she got that.)
Kolbe's speech teacher tells me he is doing awesome, and all of a sudden he is staying in the lines when he colors and more interested in writing letters, and maybe he will be ready for kindergarten after all! The belt buckling, shirt tucking, pants zipping still sends me into a cold sweat, but we'll get there. Right?
In the kitchen: This past week we had shepherds pie, crispy chicken salads, kale pizza, chicken noodles, baked salmon with fried potatoes and okra. Oh fried potatoes. Is there any better concoction? I think not. And next week (since I have no illusions of blogging again in the next week) we have honey chicken with rice and green beans, meatloaf with maybe a potato side and probably more salad since I have some lettuce to use through, creamy tomato tortellini (with chicken breasts) and quesadillas on the side, and bean enchiladas.
Crafting: Nada. I think we are going to get our smartphones soon. I am really ambivalent about this. There are several things about it that are going to be so convenient and nice (namely a nicer camera, and the ability to listen to podcasts and such directly on my phone). Part of me just wants to buck society and not buy into the whole trend (yeah right), and part of me just gets exhausted at the thought of trying to keep myself and my kids up with technology, because we are so far behind my kids barely even know how to use the laptop. Which isn't bad, but sometimes I feel like I am purposely burying my head in the sand because it just takes too much effort otherwise. Sigh. That doesn't have anything to do with crafting.
Learning: The usual. I am keeping track of our weekly preschool co-op activities in an ongoing blog post, so I have them for the future. Look for it sometime early next summer. I am sure you will be waiting with bated breath.
Reading: I've gotten back into The Hidden Power of Kindness again (slowly but surely I will finish, it is so wonderful). I am keeping up with my reading for Theology Class, and really enjoying that too. It is so nice to use my brain again.
Watching: MLB. Trying not to cry as the Royals tank. We've also been watching the Ken Burns PBS documentary on the Roosevelts, and while not as riveting as his one on the Dust Bowl several years back, it's still pretty interesting.
Bringing me joy: Family time around our new chiminea!! Chilling out. Hanging out with the kids. Reading to Gemma at night. Time alone with each of the kids individually. Beer dates with my hubby after the kids are in bed. Potted mums on the deck. Two days of Autumn.
Thinking about: See above. I won't bore you with any more rambling.
Pictures to share:
Chiminea time!
