#dontblink

How many blogs have I written since last summer about this time?  Maybe 3 or 4 ... time gets away from me, though I find myself bored out of my mind during summer break.  I am on day 5 with my kids at home and I've already started contemplating the "I'm bored" box of ideas --- more for me than for them.  I made the mistake of buying Minecraft for their iPods, and that will keep them busy all day long if I let it.

Someone please tell me that there is a point where they can "win" Minecraft and it will no longer be fun and interesting?!

We can only spend so much time at the pool with scares of skin cancer, ear infections, and toe blisters abounding.


I ran into some friends at the pool yesterday and one recommended that I join her brood for some outings this summer.  Sounds like a fabulous idea until you start thinking about it.


Outings mean I have to put on real pants.  And drive.  And spend money.


I know, I'm worthless.  If my kids appeared to need things to do, we would go.  I think it is Newton's Law of Parenting that once I plan something and find somewhere to go, they are BFF and are getting along perfectly.  (That also falls under the Law of cuts and boo boos on the face the night before school pictures.)  But maybe we will venture out this summer a few times.

Easter 2011

Today the plan involves traveling to Party City to buy wants and needs for the upcoming TENTH BIRTHDAY!!!  What???  I know, it's hard to believe this little nugget is going to be 10 in exactly 10 days.  She is slipping nicely into the double-digits, complete with size 6.5 foot, a 28AA bra, 60 inch legs, and attitude for miles.  I raise a glass to all the mothers of tween everywhere.  My colleagues at work have already warned me that this is only the beginning.  And I'm fairly certain her little brother, who has been her go-to guy for almost 8 years, is completely unprepared to handle the changes we are experiencing.  He doesn't like knocking on the door before entering, he doesn't like secrets among girl-friends, he doesn't like mood swings.  I feel for him.  I just keep telling him that this will pass ... and the reward will be cute girls coming over to visit with big sister.  And maybe he will get some dates out of it. ;)

Heather's Graduation 2014

I'll keep holding onto the itty-bitty bits of my baby girl that are still simmering under the surface.  Because before we know it, this will be her.  In 7 more years.  And if the next 7 go by as quickly as the first 10, I should start missing her now.


And for those of you who follow my blog and know me very well, you know/remember what today is.  My least favorite day of the year.  9 years.  9 years of missing my daddy.  9 years of wishing I could hug him again.  9 years of watching things happen in my life and thinking, "Daddy would love this."  And my niece's graduation was no exception.  I spent the entire graduation ceremony thinking, "He would be so proud," or "He would be screaming the loudest," or "He would have thought to sneak in that air horn."  Heather and PawPaw were always very close; I hate that she only had him for 9 years.  I can only hope that she realizes how pr

PawPaw and Kendall 2004

ecious those memories are and how special they are ...

I miss my daddy ...