TODAY
Out my window: Rainy. It has turned into Seattle here, it is nuts. It's because we dug a well. Seriously, they started digging, it started raining. OH well (haha). In all honesty though I am thrilled for the rain, the days (and nights) have been so cozy and the cooler weather in July is AHHHHHmazing!
Clothing myself in: Typical Monday fare, sweat capris and a T. Monday is laundry and catch up from the weekend day so we usually don't get out of the house much. Oh, and my hair is in pigtails per Gemma's request.
Around the house: Well, outdoors we had an irrigation well dug and then had a big 'ole pile of disgusting smelly goop removed from our front yard a couple days later. The lawn is in shambles with a few dead/dying spots from the goop and huge ruts from the truck. Aaron has his work cut out for him this Fall, but it will look really nice again when everything is put back together, and will especially be nice to not have to spend so much time (and MONEY) watering in the future. Unless it keeps raining like this, and then, well....
I hit another de-cluttering kick so I have been going through things, sorting, organizing, putting things in places that make more sense, tossing. Etc. Feels SOOOO good. I requested this book from the library and am intrigued to take a look at it.
I also mopped my kitchen walls. Yes, you read that right. Our kitchen is red, and the walls were looking really dusty, but the ceiling is vaulted so they are really tall. So I got one of my Rubbermaid Reveal pads wet and then squeezed it out really well, put it on the mop (sans sprayer) and had at it. My husband thought I was a little nuts but then he was quite impressed with the results, soooooooo....
And we are finally the proud owners of Corelle. I thought maybe we could go without it, but our regular dishes are really bulky and heavy and I am becoming less and less a fan of putting hot stuff on the plastic kiddy plates, so Corelle it is (for the children's dining-ware anyways). Thankfully I was able to find white, so it goes with our regular dishes (which are white...yes, we are that exciting). For now I just got 6 cereal bowls and 6 lunch plates. Trying to find a good option for children's drinking (non sippy) glasses. Any suggestions? Something that doesn't spill super easy. And glass kind of scares me for multiple reasons.
The baby: Has pretty much settled into one nap a day, which has been pretty nice. It makes it a little harder to get out of the house (mainly in the mornings) because it kinds of throws things for a loop if he falls asleep in the car, but he has been napping from 11:30-1:30, give or take a bit on either end, and it seems to be working out really well and has made bedtime a much more regular, reasonable time. I am dreading kindergarten pick up, but alas it is what it is.
The kiddos: Had so much fun playing in all the silt that ended up in our curb/guttering after the well was dug. Seriously, you have never seen finer dirt. They played some in the rain. I've been trying a little more to rotate toys in and out and this seems to help pique their interest more in what we have, though given the choice they spend most of their days at the table with scissors and paper and crayons. And tape. Lots of tape. My kids like tape a lot.
In the kitchen: Honey Chicken and
Fried Brown Rice tonight with something green on the side. A couple
weeks ago I was going to make some rice pilaf but then decided to try
fried rice on a whim and it turned out sooooooo good. Hopefully I can
remember how I did it. Homemade pizza and salad. Making some egg
casseroles and a pound cake for a family birthday party. Baked salmon,
focaccia bread and something green. Aaron ran the smoker yesterday and
we had some tasty smoked steaks when our friend Fr. Matt came for dinner
last night. I made some green beans and potato casserole for sides, so
tasty leftovers in the fridge this week as well.
Crafting: Does darts in pants count? And I am looking at making plastic-canvas covers for the end-tables, sofas and a couple tissue boxes (inside joke).
Learning: I printed out some calendars and have been jotting 2-3 learning activities (either written work, crafts, learning toys, manipulatives, flashcards, etc.) on each day. This has been a good fit, and nice reminder to get things out and actually use them. I have been all over the place with our "home school" organization lately, so this seems to be the latest good fit. We'll see how things evolve in a few weeks when Gemma starts school. I will probably start Kolbe's letter of the week activities after Labor Day once we've hit a good groove with Gemma being away.
Reading: I have not done much reading lately. I started The Tale of Despereaux though and it promises to be a light, easy read. Reading Up and Down the River with the kids.
Watching: Looking forward to the new Gold Rush Off Season episode this Friday!!!!!!!!!! And Shark Week/Shark Fest is next week. Set your DVRs!
Bringing me joy: A quiet weekend hanging out with my fam. Watching Fr. Matt read The Story of St. Gemma to Gemma. It was really sweet. Wonderful, amazing husband who is calm and sane when I act like a nut-job. Chatting and doing stuff together after the kids are in bed. Snuggling a sleeping Clem. A pair of new (knock-off) toms.
Thinking about: How things will be when school starts. It is going to be sooooo different. For everyone. It's kind of like the end of a pregnancy, in that we are to the point where I know change is eminent and I am just ready to get rolling with it. Not that I want to wish away these last few weeks (sniff), but I just don't like change so, ummmm, yeah.
Pictures to share:
Celebrating his birthday with extended family. I love his expression. Everything else I want to share is still on my camera, so maybe next week.
