So, it's not homemade...

Tonight is the big fundraiser for Noble's school. I've known for a while that we are responsible for providing a homemade cake or pie. Like, over a month--plenty of time.

I had big plans to make a brownie cake (a fun & special family recipe).

Then I got really busy with work and PTO and you know, life, so I asked James to make his yummy pumpkin pies. So that was the plan this week.

This morning I realized my poor Boy was double-booked...we'd planned for him and Noble to bake the pies this morning, but James has a 6:30 am Bible study on Thursdays. Whoops. He graciously offered to miss it and bake the pies, but no way--I'm a rule follower and a team player and all, but sometimes you've just gotta play the hand you're dealt. This week? The hand was no time. Is homemade more important than time in the Word? Um, no.

So, I thought about what I would like. And that lead me to strawberry shortcake, which wasn't quite do-able, but it gave me an idea...




Sliced strawberries (with fruit fresh, since it's several hours before anyone will eat this) and cubed angel food cake. My thought was that it could be a little picnic, so I included spoons. I'd totally buy this for my family--I like that you can just add some strawberries to each jar and have self-contained, individual servings.

So, it's not homemade. But it only took 40 minutes out of our day (which includes shopping, cleaning and drying jars, cleaning and slicing berries, cutting cake, pitting it all in jars, cutting fabric, making the tag and cloth bow, delivering it), which is exactly what the doctor ordered today. It's not fancy, but it's fun. So, it's not homemade, but it's done, and I'm pleased with our contribution. :)

Long Day

It's been a long day today.

At 5:40 am, I was getting ready to leave for work when Noble woke up.

N: Mommy, I wet the bed.

M: Oh, it's okay, we'll wash your sheets.

N: It was your bed.

And that pretty much set the tone for the day. :)

A Year Ago...

This is a picture Kayci took a year ago.  What's funny is, she could have taken it yesterday--I wore those sunglasses just today, Noble wore that shirt yesterday...sometimes it feels like time is just standing still, then I'll blink and they're a year older.  Or, more likely, I'll go to get one of the dressed and realize that overnight, everything's too short.

Time is funny that way.  I enjoy life the most when I am fully present in each moment, not worrying too much about what happened before or what's coming next.

I'm determined to write something on this blog every day...I apologize in advance if it's mostly crap.  :)  Tomorrow I'll tell you why!

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda...

This afternoon I had 3 hours all to myself.  James is watching the game with Johnny, Kayci's at a cheer clinic, and Noble's napping.  I realized this yesterday, and I have to admit, I kind of stressed about it a little.  I'm forever saying, "I never have time...I never have time to myself..." and here was a big chunk of time.  So, I thought I'd work on Kayci's art scrapbook, because I'm tired of a big tub of art in our bedroom.  Then I got into a book on procrastination this morning that I've been trying to read for months (ironic, no?) and I thought, you know, I'm going to finish this book.  So I did, and took lots of notes along the way (cause that's how I roll.)

So here I am, in the last 15 minutes of the fabled 3 hours, and I can't really tell you that I've accomplished anything.  But I've enjoyed sitting here listening to music and reading and writing and thinking and planning...and the rest will come.

That voice in my head keeps saying...you should be

(image:  Graphics Fairy--awesome, right??)

But, that's on my Monday to-do list.  Besides, I like cleaning when I have the house *all* to myself--that way everyone comes home to a clean house and I get to enjoy it before they start messing it up, i.e. living in it. 

Ahh...so that's enough blogging for now.  I just heard Noble's feet hit the ground.  Happy Sunday! 

Party Time!!!

Noble has 3 friends' birthdays to celebrate today, 1 next week, 3 the next week...he's so happy, and is still talking about the party last week. He thinks it's really cool to see his school friends when it's not school time, which makes it fun for us to make time for all of these parties.

I love giving gifts, but I don't love buying random toys just for the sake of taking a gift. Don't get me started. :)




I was picking up shirts a few weeks ago, and I thought, why not do shirts for gifts? They cost about the same as a toy, and I hope they will get a lot more use than a random toy. So, I talked to the moms, got sizes and color preferences, and made shirts. I've gone back to vinyl, which is another post...it's so much fun to see the designs come to life!




I hope Noble's friends--and their Moms!--enjoy. Not that it's about me, but I've sure enjoyed putting these together. I'd better get moving, or we'll be late for party #1! Have a great weekend!

The Lunch Bunch

Daddy made Kayci's lunch this morning.  When Daddy makes lunch, the note is always extra-special.  This one featured a naked Nobley, booty and all, so of course then he wanted a picture for HIS lunch.  (Apparently if you bring breakfast you get to sit at a table on the playground and eat during arrival time, and Noble thinks this is just awesome.)  Daddy denied Noble's request for a nakie Kayci in his picture, thank goodness.  Noble just didn't understand why, so I finally told him St. Paul's didn't allow naked pictures.  That seemed to satisfy him.  This is what went into his bag:




I decided to write on Noble's bag, so I picked his favorite number.  When I asked him what his bag said, he said, "my booty!"




Sigh.  We had that one coming, right?

Why I'll Never Be a Craft Blogger

Today spray-painting was on the work agenda.  And yet again, I am completely incompetent and envious of the girls (and guys) who just pick up a can of paint and make art.  Me?  Not so much.  :)

Hoarding, Explained

There are still some preschool teacher tendencies I can't let go of. One of them? Hoarding craft items and things I *might* be able to use for a craft or learning activity. But I keep it all organized, see, so you won't see me on "Hoarders." Yet.




Days like today totally validate this habit, though. Since we've been home, Noble has been working at his desk.

He drew this awesome cat:




Which led to this status update, just to make Daddy laugh out loud at work:
Noble drew a cat. The teacher in me rejoiced at the facial features, wots of wegs, and a tail. The Noble's mommy in me wasn't at all surprised that there were actually 6 appendages: 4 legs, a tail, and he's a boy.

Kayci finished her homework, and now she's working on her beluga whale project. After she does the crayon work, she's going to do a paint wash of different blues to make it look like it's all underwater. Yes, we do have a variety of paints and brushes. And blues, if you must know.







The mess on the floor? After Noble finished his cat, he drew ovals. (They're studying ovals in school this week, and tomorrow it's his turn to bring an oval snack. Turns out, oval snacks are pretty pricey when your preschooler spots the Pepperidge Farms. But, he found them...) Anyway, then his ovals needed eyes.







And, well, then he decided to experiment with collage items (don't tell him that, he thinks he's playing).

Everyday...

Time is just flying by. I wonder how many times I've written that on this blog?  

What have we been up to?  Nothing, everything...just everyday stuff.

My favorite time of day is usually any time we're at the table together.  This particular evening, James went and grabbed the camera because the kids were just so stinking cute.

Kayci is loving 3rd grade, which is no surprise.  She is enjoying her projects each week, and Daddy and I are constantly amazed at how fast she learns.  This was her first powerpoint, and after I showed her what to do, she took over and knocked it out.  Don't even get me started on her piano lessons--it's been two weeks, and she already has the basics down.  I love hearing her play every day!

I didn't know James caught this picture, but it makes me smile.  It's the little things, right?

Ahh...no words.  He gets a kick out of going outside.  I always swore I'd never have "that kid."  Ha!

On Labor Day, James got our bikes fall-ready.  The kids both had school, so we took advantage of our couple of hours together and went out to the lake for a bike ride.  After we picked Kayci up, we went for a family bike ride.  And I'd like to say we've ridden consistently since then...but nope.  

I look forward to it, though!  

It was awesome to have a few hours alone with my Boy, outside.  I was reminded of when we were dating and used to go on bike rides.  I finally admitted to him that I didn't really care to ride bikes, I just wanted to be with him.  :)  The things we do for love, right? 

Behind the Clouds

My kids love to find shapes in clouds. I don't remember what this one was, but Noble insisted that he HAD to get a picture of it. My phone is filled with completely random pictures...and I'm okay with that.

I haven't been blogging lately, fir several reasons. But it's time to get back to it. The whole point is to keep some sort of record of this time in our lives, and I've been slacking. Back to it tomorrow...promise!

Sometimes...

...he's so cute, it hurts.

College Day

Wednesday after work, Kayci said, "hey, Mommy, can you please make me a Sam Houston shirt?"

Thinking she meant for Homecoming next month, I said, "sure!"

Before I even took a breath, she went on, "...because college day is Friday and I need it then."

Sigh. But you know I can't say no to a Bearkat...