Saturday, April 7, 2012

I started this post weeks and weeks ago and it never made it out of the draft folder for your viewing pleasure. Thought I'd best get it out there so I could write what's really been on my mind lately. I actually left town A L L A L O N E or at least without my family peeps so of course that means I used my brain in a whole new way and have new things to share. Prepare to be amazed. (smile)

So now in re-reading this post it all this time later it sure does seem tinged with cynicism over school functions. Posting any old way because anyone who knows me knows that I am the eternal optimist and ever find (or at least look really really hard) for the best in everyone. Anyway - don't hate - these events range from inane musings (our dinner menu) to the perils of Fairy Tales (which okay, is also an inane musing) so there really isn't any range at all. But it's what I have for today and I want to get something out there so I can be cleared to keep this puppy semi-current and share some more another day. So much to be thankful for. So here's what's been happening lately...

Oh my Gracious~

So behind here that a highlight reel may be in order. The days have been so full.

Over the past many few weeks I:

Attended the Fairy Tale Ball at Emie's school.


This event was solely for the Kinder students and each was asked to dress as a fairy tale character. Neighborhood moms of boys explained to me why this was a rather big hoop to jump for their little loves. For us, not so much. Fairytale costumes we have. Each student's name was called over the PA in the cafeteria as they walked across the stage. After the last name was read they were fed sugary juice pouches and muffins and all mayhem ensued. It was the end of the day which is also known as Martini time for we moms. Just keeping it real here. After they've been going strong since 6:30 that morning there just isn't much left to give by 2:00 pm. But alas, this is the very hour when the "Let's get this Party Started" tunes started cranking out at ridunkulous decibel levels for all to enjoy endure. Nowhere to be heard were the lyrics: "A dream is a wish your heart makes." Instead kids were whipping each other around the room until one boy was catapulted into the linoleum - head first. Screams, tears, and louder music followed. At least it seemed louder everywhere at that point. Soon many of the little fairy princesses joined in the sob-fest because they were not part of the whiplash inducing conga line or circle dances forming exclusively throughout the room. One of those fairy princesses may or may not have been my very own first born. Yes, let's let them learn what being a wallflower feels like at the age of six. We left as early as I could manage and walked through the pouring rain (umbrella-less) to our car parked on the other side of the world. I do love may babies and yes, that picture was taken before she imbibed the sucrose and heard the music pound. Weeee....

Attended the AllStar Fun Run at Emie's school
Ainsley and I volunteered to mark laps for the kinders to see just how many times the little noodles could run around the course in 30 minutes. 36 laps was the goal and sponsors pledged their support in an effort to raise money for Malaria victims in Africa and get a new track for the school--both equally worthy causes. Ahem, well at least they were thinking of others first. I just didn't know how the Emie love would do since the girl really does avoid running at pretty much any cost. But I was wonderfully pleased to be able to watch her dig deep and give her all in the 80 degree afternoon sun. She ran the full 36 laps. She did pass a few boys along the way -- just sayin'.


Overheard Emie raise the standards for her friends
In a sweet little moment here at home Emie, in hearing a neighbor friend say, "Oh my God!" gently said, "We don't say that here." And the little girl went on to say that she says it all of the time. Emie said, "Well, you could say, Oh, my gracious. And if you really want to say God you could say: Oh my gracious, what a God!" I think my heart grew two sizes just then. May she always raise the standard and have no shame in sharing our protocol of sweet speech with others in our company.

Welcomed Spring Really Early Here in Texas


Thoroughly enjoyed these gorgeous vines on the back of our house! Dream! Then opened the windows for fresh air and in they came! Had to give them a haircut and found this guy peeping in on us.

Made this salad and remembered how much I love making cold meals in warm weather.


How many pots of soup did I make in Minnesota? A lot. I do love soup but I welcome spring with some greens - in honor of Greenie our new pet pictured above. Of course you all know there's no chance in the free world I made that thing our pet. We haven't seen him since and I seriously had nothing to do with his disappearance.

Took the girlies to the Children's museum in downtown SA and they had great fun. Ainsley's favorite part (and there were lots of parts) was finding this plastic lobster in the mock grocery store seafood section. The girl is still a New Englander at heart.


Marveled at the entrepreneurial spirit in my two girls as their first lemonade stand here flourished. Moment of mama pride. Noted that all of the customers were older cute boys - moment of mama fear.


Started to feel really (really) at home here. Dirk and I each hung up our favorite things. Mine: the lead glass window we bought at my favorite antique store in Cloquet, MN that just means so very much to me. It came home to Honeysuckle before either of the girls did and it is one of my favorite little treasures on this green earth. Dirk's favorite wall adornment: the orangey/brown country clock with Roman numerals no less. Too bad that this is also my least favorite wall adornment but life's about compromise. He just loves that clock and it's been ticking since our marriage began so I guess I'd better hope he continues to hold it in high esteem. It hung in Honeysuckle and even in precious New Hampshire - at least for a while. It did fall off of the wall once and scared three years off of my life (no Botox for me now). When I picked it up I may or may not have said a silent prayer that it would be broken but alas it ticked on. So now it's here in SA and that's just where it belongs. Time marches on.

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  1. Thanks for the updates and stories. Miss you dearly. Hoping to call very, very soon to hear your voice.

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