For Today…November 15, 2011

Outside my window…the wind is blowing, it looks like it’s going to rain today.  I’m grateful it’s not so humid right this second.  But seriously, can we have some nice FALL weather?  Now.

I am listening to…The Baby Hulk and No David play together outside.  We skipped our time at the gym this morning due to stuffy noses and I’m glad.  We did a small amount of math, coloring on a grid, then came outside to play.  And spend time with the damn dog.

I am wearing…black shorts and a green shirt, also known as workout clothes.

I am grateful for…the babble of a baby girl, a boy who is ALL boy and snuggles from my kids.

Around the house…in honor of the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, we had another cleaning haul and were able to donate quite a bit of stuff.  Lance’s side of the closet looks amazing, I even managed to get rid of a formal from before Lance and I met.  It had shoulder pads.  Why was I holding onto that thing?  The boys ditched several “noisy” games without any hesitation.  I organized toys so they were more accessible.  No David just came and gave me two more shirts, a red one and blue one.  He wants to donate them because they don’t have any pictures on them.

I am reading…Simplicity Parenting.  Another great book.  How did I luck  out with two great parenting books in a row?!  This book really helps me stand firm in my resolve to limit the amount of crap we have in our house as well as the amount of outside activities we do.  It’s more about being together and giving your kids a sense of security.  (My words, not the author.)  Thankfully, we like to be together.  Most of the time.  I’m wondering if Goose wants family time or a DS.  Hopefully, family time because he still isn’t getting one.

In the yard…I’m taking estimates for a new fence and also looking at my dead grass and shrubs.  Can I be real?  With all the crap I need around here, Christmas for me and Lance is going to suck.  In fact, anyone that gives us cash for Christmas can just send it my way now.  It will be put to good use, might not be fun stuff, but good use.

One of my favorite things…The Renaissance Festival.  I used to go each year with my parents, we’d eat and drink all day long.  Then all of a sudden, it started taking over an hour to leave the parking lot.  After two years of that, I was done.   That was more than ten years ago.  This year I took the kids to school days at the RF.  While it wasn’t the same (read:no alcohol or Scottish eggs) it was still a beautiful day.  Thanks to my dad for sending us and mom for enjoying the day with us.

In the kitchen…decent menu planned.  Nothing super special, but I won’t be scrambling for ideas during the week.

I am praying…that we all get better.  Almost everyone has this cold.  And quite frankly, it stinks.  I have two family members performing this week, and they can’t be sick.

I am creating lists…grocery lists, Thanksgiving lists, Christmas lists.  It’s kind of slow going on the Christmas lists.  Very Slow.

Baby Z this week…ate a bit of dirt.  What more can you say about that?

Lance…is growing a beard.  It feels like I’m cheating on him when we kiss.  I cannot wait until it is gone.  No David thinks Lance has cactus on his face.

I am trying…to get organized for Advent.  It starts a week from Sunday.  Will we be doing the “gift wrapped book” each night?  Which feasts will we be focusing on this year?  What about the new Jesse Tree ornaments, which have yet to arrive!  I am really excited about my new advent spiral wreath.  It’s a lot to figure out and I want to make sure it’s all done so we’re ready to go.  We have a real season in which to PREPARE, I need to be ready to go.  Which reminds me, I need to make some letters that say PREPARE for the learning room.

Learning all the time…who knew I could get into gardens?  I didn’t grow up with a family who gardened or even got into yard work at all.  That said, my dad did our yard and planted shrubs himself.  The rest of us did our part weeding.  I think most men did that back then.  Unlike today.  Unlike my own spouse.  Have I mentioned I don’t have a housekeeper?  I have a yard guy and dead grass.  Anyway…we’re on G for Gardens, and I have really enjoyed what we’re learning.  Currently, we’re waiting to see what grows roots faster: a sweet potato or sprig of Ivy.  We’ve talked about different vegetables and fruits, as well as flowers.  The Baby Hulk even made a vegetable soup with his dad.  Lance, Squirt and I all loved it.  Even Baby Z tried the veggies.  The other boys, nope.

A few plans for the week…not so much with a sick family, but there is a play my oldest son is in this weekend so I’ll be there opening and closing night!  We have a play date planned and then I’m hoping to attend a conference this weekend.  Trying for some adult evenings, but with my sick self and sick kids, they just keep getting pushed back.

A picture thought I am sharing…