"Inside a book"...I am feeling a little crabby too!

I know that I couldn't have caught the crabbiness from you because I really did have a great time last weekend. But none the less I am crabby.

Maybe it is because some maniac in the school parking lot almost ran over My Little Reader this morning and then gave me a dirty look. Really, though you shouldn't be going more than 5 miles an hour in our parking lot and you were definitely approaching 30.

Possibly it is because I am getting a new student tomorrow that is being put back to kindergarten (he is in 1st now). It makes me grumpy because he benchmarked on DIBELS this week and if I have to differentiate for a whole range of skill levels why is the same not true of our first grade teachers? But maybe it is because that puts my numbers at 17 boys and only 7 girls.

Maybe I am grumpy because the playground monitor yelled at me because one of my boys was misbehaving on the playground. I get that he was not behaving, but please don't yell at me. I have only known him for 25 days and while I am doing my best to turn him into a productive member of society his previous influences have had nearly 6 years to mold him into who he currently is. I would say the odds are not in my favor yet.

Perhaps it is because I have to go to the laundromat again tonight to dry yet another load of laundry since the dryer is still broken.

I guess it could be that my paycheck from online teaching is $400 less than I was planning. I didn't have plans for the money other than "for the house" but I was still grumpy so much was eaten away by good old taxes.

But most likely...it is because I couldn't find anything to wear this morning and so I resigned myself to work harder at eating better which means I didn't have any Pepsi today and not one bite of chocolate. Yep...I would definitely say that is what has brought on the crankiness.

At least I know the cure... 1 piece of Godiva here I come!

The boyfriend

From the back of the van on the way home today...

Princess in Training: "Mommy, did you know I have a boyfriend?"
Me: "Hmmm, I think you are a little young for a boyfriend."
Princess in Training: "But mommy, I love him!" ( can't you just hear the pleading in her voice?)
Me: "What is his name."
Princess in Training: "Oh, I don't know, but it doesn't matter because I love him."
Me: "Why do you love him?"
Princess in Training: "Because he is older."

Fast forward to her teenage years... I think she is going to be a handful!

Alas, all good things must come to an end

I love three day weekends! Earlier this week Ben decided he would head up to Phoenix to change out the brakes on our van with the help of his dad. So, with a three day weekend the rest of us decided to tag along. We arrived later than expected on Friday so we all decided to sleep at Moma and Opa's instead of dividing and conquering. Sorry, Aunnie! We will be sure to catch you next time.

Yesterday was the best day! We woke up to a fabulous cool breeze and an impending rainstorm. We had yummy bagels for breakfast and the brakes were done by 9! With the whole day ahead of us what else was there to do but shop! We headed first to Goodwill and scored some great outdoor toys for the kiddos to enjoy when they come for visits to Moma and Opa's house. Then we scooted over to IKEA for more fun. My Little Reader and the Princess in Training had a ton of fun at Smalland while Sugar and Spice had three grownups all to himself! He was in heaven. We got some great ideas for different ways to organize our new playroom and some ideas for new beds for the girls. And somehow, as always happens when visiting IKEA, we left with $50 of random things.

A yummy lunch was had and then nap time for the kids, tv time for Ben, and more shopping for Moma and me!

Although, I know better I was sucked in by Bookman's and brought home three new books. Not sure when I will have time to read them... maybe next month during fall break.

The best part of the day was our "let's-hurry-to-Godiva-before-they-close-end-of-the-day-chocolate-run!"

As we left town today we also got to stop by and visit with Uncle Mikey and tour his new home!

It probably sounds like an ordinary run of the mill kind of Saturday. But it was great! Restful and fun. The kids love to spend time with the Phoenix Moma and Opa. It was the perfect 1 day vacation from real life! Exactly what I needed to refresh my spirit and get me ready for another week of school.

But alas, as the title says all good things must come to an end... sadly they did when 2 hours after coming home Sugar and Spice had a super tummy ache that resulted in a bath, a load of laundry, and a bucket of bleach to the tile. No fun... not for anyone. At least he is better now. And because it was a three day weekend I still have tomorrow to look forward to! Here's hoping his tummy was the result of chocolate milk, then at least I can be assured it won't be passed on to his sisters! Wish us luck!

We have concrete... and about living in limbo

I did a big yippee yesterday when after many days of looking at zero progress on our house we finally had concrete! Unfortunately, the good ol' Arizona sun baked it solid before we could put the kids hands in it. Maybe we will have better luck when they pour the driveway. At least now we can move on to the weekly drive-bys instead of the daily ones. Thank goodness! That will shave a good 40 minutes off the time we spend in the car!

About living in limbo...

I can remember when I was growing up that our religion teachers would talk about living in limbo if when we died we weren't quite ready for heaven but were not going to the other place either. I never understood why limbo was a "bad" thing. After all, it wasn't the other place. However, now I think I am beginning to understand. I feel like my life has been in a bit of limbo for the past year. The year between when I paid to give my home away (still one of my all time least favorite experiences) and the impending completion of our new house. Limbo isn't really a bad place. We have been very blessed to have family that loves us enough to make daily sacrifices by welcoming us into their home, three kids and a cat and all the stuff that goes with it! But Limbo is also not perfect- it is not a long term solution, it is not where I long to be. So, while I am tremendously grateful to have some place to stay while in this period of limbo, I am exceedingly excited about the dream home that waits on the other side!

Last but not least, a tribute to Sugar and Spice

1. He has the best laugh!

2. Which I get to hear a lot because he has a lot of tickle spots!

3. He loves chocolate possibly even more than his Phoenix Moma and his daddy!

4. He loves to sneak food... most frequently blueberry muffins.

5. He loves to cuddle.

6. Even though he is almost three he still loves to rock with his mommy.

7. He almost never calls me mommy like his sisters, instead I am always Momma!

8. He uses the word "even" all the time ... "Even mommy it is raining outside."

9. After watching Monsters vs. Aliens he left the theater big-eyed and kept telling me that the movie was "too spicy".

10. He does a great job keeping up with his sisters.

11. He stills loves to sleep in his crib.

12. He loves to listen to stories.

13. When he is really hungry he will try to use his fork and spoon at the same time...one in each hand both full of food!

14. He never forgets to say his nigh-nigh prayers and loves to be tucked in.

15. When he met Mickey Mouse his smile lit up the whole room!

16. He remembers people who are important to him even if he hasn't seen them in too long (I'm talking about you Leslie and Uncle Greg and Tara and Bedelicia!)

17. He loves his family, but I think he might love his Tucson Opa the most!

Great things about My Princess in Training

1. I love that in this picture she was completely fed up with her king and queen and decided to plop down in the middle of Disney's California Adventure to read her Disneyland map upside down and tell us in her most exasperated tone,

"See the castle is right here!"

Nevermind that we were at California Adventure, not Disneyland.



2. Even though she basically didn't talk when she was two she was able to wear high heels and work the VCR.



3. She always wakes up happy!



4. She will no doubt work at Disneyland one day. Good news for me because I am sure she will score her queen free tickets every now and then!



5. She is a girly girl and loves all things pink. This will be a great heartache next year when she enters the world of school uniforms that come only in shades of blue and brown. :(



6. She always knows where the ice pack is and how to use it.



7. Even though she broke her nose, it still looks straight! And you can't even see the dent on her forehead anymore. And she knows that gold rocks are for pockets, not for noses.



8. She is fearless.

Willing to try anything...

even things she really shouldn't!



9. She makes up songs in the car.



10. If you forget to bless her when she sneezes she says, "bless me mommy!"



11. She always remembers to say her prayers. If it is dinner time and you are not quick enough she will say them as loud as possible to let you know she is done waiting.



12. She loves to sneak into my bed at night.

13. Her hair is the prettiest color and curls into perfect springy curls.

14. She loves to share.

15. She knows all the right places to look for presents that are supposed to be hidden.

16. She has great rhythm.

17. She gives great Eskimo kisses!

Some of the many things I love about My Little Reader

1. When she finally met Tinkerbell after an hour in line she was so excited! And completely speechless!

2. She loves books just as much as her momma!

3. She makes friends everywhere she goes!

4. After many years of picky eating she is trying all kinds of new foods!

5. She loves school!

6. She remembers everything! Maybe she is part elephant?

7. She is a very quick learner! Her teacher sent home the first 100 words 1st graders should know by the end of the year and we are already working on the fifth set of 100 words!

8. She gives great hugs!

9. She is a great little teacher. She loves to share everything she learns at school with her brother and sister.

10. She writes great stories!

11. She is usually a super big sister to The Princess in Training and Sugar and Spice.

12. She loves to sleep. (This is something she should teach to Princess).

13. She is a good helper and loves to set the table.

14. She loves her family.

15. She has a great imagination.

16. She loves to talk about anything!

17. And...when she laughs really hard...she tends to snort!