I'm finding hard to work these days. I sit at a computer and just keep checking on K. And today, not being a good day, not good.

Here she is for you pray-ers:

















I also smell like pickles. Good recipe, stupid instructions to put it in a ziploc bag. Then transfer to tupperware? Thanks, but next time I'll make it directly in the tupperware. Sheesh.

Tonight we're making sour cream ice cream. I'm totally excited about it. I'm stealing the recipe from Oprah magazine but using lower fat stuff. And I love sour cream and strawberries, so we'll have it with strawberries and I'll even try my hand at a brown sugar glaze. Wonder if dinner first is a necessity?

Nino had his first overnight last night. We were all traumatized driving home without him, seeing his empty bed, not having to contain him or worry about the computer screen waking him.

He was fine. I showed up and he was all "oh hi mom".

Here are some recent gems:

"He's being nice and patient" about our 11 year old cousin. Funny that he said it, funny that he recognized the need for patience with himself.

"I'm an adult now. I can use this ice cream scooper!" Who knew that was the definition?!

I've been freaked out for 3 days now by C, K and V's situation. It's all I can think about. It was hard to watch G at swim lessons yesterday. I've never said so many prayers for both them and my own family.

Not to mention that my house is a disaster. I have spent most of the last 6 days using it for only sleeping, and the ants have taken over. And the toys. I don't care what lessons I'm not teaching my son, I'll put his toys away so I can vacuum the cheezits.

I already miss W and Fia. I love having them close. I love just sitting around poking at the kids with them. I love picking up on conversations as if it hasn't been six months. I am already planning a trip to Ga and the aquarium.

The beach was super duper uber fun. What a charming little beach. No public access really though. Actually that's not true. Access is public. Just no parking within a few miles, and at that point, you're closer to many other beaches.

That girl cousin is getting so big and beautiful.

Thomas the train was fun as well. It was so stinkin hot. That place needs to seriously invest in some fast-growing shade trees asap.

Well, I'm 31 now. Its funny how I walk around all entitled on my birthday. "I can eat french fries cause it's my birthday". "I shouldn't be mopping, it's my birthday." Or just the fact that random strangers don't know. Like I wanted the councilors at the meeting to know and let me speak first. Well, that and the fact that I'm holding a fussy kid and it's 88 degrees.

Speaking of which, you're allowed to take a shower for no reason and wear sweats on your birthday right? Cause that's what's next.

I think this is fantastic. I'm instilling just the right values in my son, sometimes. I mean, he had just finished rock candy when he said it.

But I digress. He was falling asleep and gets super-lovey. He kept going "momma, I *really* love you." *yawwwwn* Then he says "momma, you're so smart". Like that's the grandest compliment he knows. I don't really know/care if he meant it, but the fact that *that's* how he chose to flatter me. I hope he keeps that priority forever.

Anyway, we had a blast at the aquarium. He was asking when we could go back on the ride home.

Here he is with the seals:

I'm remembering all my old WW standbys. I've lost 2+ lb unofficially. I'll find out Thursday what the official measure is.

Nino had his last skating lesson today. He's hysterical. We're taking the summer off with most of our activities and re-adding them once school starts and I see how he is with that.

When it's warm out the rink gets steamy so this is the best we get:


Also, we borrowed Lady and the Tramp from SIL who told us to be careful with it. Nino learned to remove dvds recently and did with this. I can't tell if it's scratched or has yuck on it. The one godforsaken dvd he can't ruin, he did. Sigh.

Hm, it's been a while. Lets see, it's rained a lot. We saw Cars. That was fun.

"momma, why do you have two bums?"
"momma, can baby elephants jump?"

Houses are going well. All's working out with that.

Oh and I've joined WW. I have been on for 3 days. I am remembering all the old tricks. Primarily, I haven't stopped eating like I'm pregnant for 4 years. That needs to change.