This week got a way from me.

I hate it when that happens, when you feel like life is controlling you instead of the other way around. Hopefully I will be better about that next week and be more in charge of my time.



* Monday we spent the night as a family at the park. The weather has been beautiful all week and so we wanted to take advantage of it while it lasted. I keep telling myself one of these days it will stay nice and warm.


[click here to enlarge]

* Tuesday night at 8 pm (can you believe that crazy time?) Megan had a school singing performance. I was actually amazed by how long it went (an hour) and how many songs the kids had learned. I think it was something like 16 songs. Megan is a natural performer and I never understand when she pulls out the shy face because she is nothing but shy. At the end when they sang "I'm Proud to Be an American" I couldn't help but get teary...that song get's me every time.

* On the road coming home from one of our many after school kid activities (I think it was violin) I looked over and saw Adam driving next to me on the freeway. Immediately the car erupted into cheers, even I was excited about the encounter...and then he was gone.

* My long run this week was the worst one yet. I failed to leave myself water along the way and the whole time all I could think about was how thirsty I was. Let's just say I will never make that mistake again. I was bummed that I didn't end on a high like last week, but they can't all be life changing experiences.



* Wednesday night when I went to say my final good nights to my girls I found Megan like this with her lights on. I think it had only been about 10 minutes from the time she went to her room. I love to see them so wasted even 10 minutes is too much.

*Thursday night Adam and I spent the evening talking. I'm not sure how it happened, but the conversation that started as we cleaned up the kitchen made it's way onto the couch and we just kept going until Tess came in from the outdoors complaining and we realized it was past 8pm. This is not an uncommon thing for Adam and I, but it does seem like lately we have been so busy we are usually talking in bed and falling asleep at the same time.



* Last night we left the park and opted to come to my house to celebrate Robyn & Olivia's birthday because the weather was cold and the rain looked eminent. It was a mellow evening, but as usual it was full of good food and good company. Robyn, who I feel so grateful to have as a sister-in-law, is responsible for keeping me in shape and helping me achieve my running goal. If it wasn't for her I don't know if I would have ever done it. I'm so glad we have this in common and am so looking forward to having her with me on my first big race. She also has some serious skills in the kitchen and I'm always impressed by the new recipes she tries.

So there you have it, a few highlights from this week I hope not to forget. Now I'm off to violin thing with Bella and lunch with my friend. Good times.

five somethings

1.


Megan had her school Halloween program today. She was as animated as she always is, but gladly this year she wasn't yelling the songs, though it does make it more fun. In the program the teachers make a witches brew. I found it extremely funny when they asked for volunteers to try it out and Megan was one of the only ones not holding up her hand. She had no desire to try a foreign substance...until she could smell the root beer. Then her hand shot up and explained to her friend that it was going to be good.


[This is her celebrating when she found out there would be root beer outside for everyone.]

2. I spent the bulk of my morning organizing my closet. It was way past due and I figured it was time to get rid of the clothes I never wear once and for all. I don't know why it's so hard for me to give away stuff I never wear, but it is. I was pleasantly surprised, however, when I found myself piling up clothes, stuffing them in a bag, and not looking back. Now I just need to get it over to the DI before I can change my mind.

3.

We have pumpkins ready and waiting for Halloween night. With the warm weather we've been having the pumpkins haven't lasted long so I'm hoping they will make it to tomorrow night. I can't believe Halloween is already upon us.

4. I have been thinking a lot about Christmas. I really would like to make gifts for everyone on my list, but in order to do that and enjoy December, I need to start thinking about it now. I have a couple in progress, but I'm still searching for ideas. Are any of you planning on making gifts this year?

5.


Speaking of projects. I finally picked a non discreet door frame and measured my girls. I've been wanting to have a growth chart for years and have just never gotten around to it. When I was growing up my aunt&uncle used the entrance to their kitchen as their growth chart so I figured if they can do it on the wall so could I. It doesn't have to be anything special it just needs exist. I'm not sure how often I will do it, but I am hoping to fill it up as the years go buy. I even want to include my nieces and nephews. My siblings and I are still on my aunts wall and I love it. I made sure to do it on the door frame so if we ever move I can take it off the wall.

kindergarten opera

It's that time of year again, the end of the year when my three girls get ready for their school programs. Tess participated in the annual Kindergarten opera last Friday. I've always been so impressed with our school's art program and how much they involve the kids. Tess' class voted on the book they want to base their opera on, then they came up with the lyrics, and put it to music.

tess was one of the students

I thought it was quite funny this year and could tell it was most definitely the kids who came up with the lyrics. The story was based on the book Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook. It's about a group of students who are bored with school, but then their new teacher brings in a magical book and when she reads allowed the characters pop out of the book and bring their tales to life.

Here is a video of the beginning.

Tess with her teacher

Tess did such a great job. I wasn't sure as I sat there waiting for it to start if she would get into it or just stand there without singing, like I've seen before, so I was thrilled to see her one the stage singing and dancing and enjoying the performance.