Smart Kid

Feeling a little incredulous that, for homework, Julia had to read and identify the "resolution" in a story that ended with "they got married and lived happily ever after," I thought it would be an opportune moment to pose an important question:

"Do you think that there is really such a thing as getting married and living happily ever after?"

Convinced that my question would segue into a meaningful discussion on the fact that happiness in marriage is not a given, but is certainly attainable with hard work, sacrifice, and commitment on the parts of both people, I anxiously awaited the response. With all the Disney exposure around here, I was completely prepared for an answer in the affirmative. Here's what I heard instead:

J: "Um...no."

Me: "Oh. Why not?"

J: "Because. Then you have kids."

Well, okay then. Discussion aborted. Looks like she's got a lot more figured out than I give her credit for.

Manis and Pedis

On our California trip this summer (yes, I know, I am pretty behind on this one) we took the girls to get manicures and pedicures at a salon where my cousin Stephanie teaches. It was such a treat for the girlies, who love all things finger nail polish, plus they got to spend some time with Taylor, my cousin's daughter. (We had a long conversation about this at the salon...my cousin's child is my kids' second cousin, I think, but she's my first cousin once removed. I'm pretty sure. I'll look it up some day. Today is not that day.)

Anyway, here is the proof. (Read: lots and lots of pictures)

Vanna, Taylor and Julia, striking a pose and raring to go

Lex wasn't so sure she liked what was going on at first, but she 

warmed up as soon as she saw the first layer of pink go on...

Savanna, who loves everything and everyone, was 

pleased as punch from the beginning to the end

Only rainbow nails for this one

And Taylor, too. 

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure that's what they all picked

Cutest baby ever.

Stephanie and Taylor

The finished product (minus toes)

Cutest toes ever.

Cutest cheeks ever. (Last one, I promise!)

Vanna's little tan hands

And her cute, freckly face

J getting her toes done

Have I mentioned the cuteness?

E.M.C. 

(even more cuteness)

This one was too hard to pass up

Laura, Stephanie and I. We all squint 

when we smile, but I'm pretty sure I win.

Laura, my MIL Linda, and I also got to go back another day for amazing (FREE!) facials. Like a nap on my face. (And you know I love naps). Can't wait to go back!

Lesson (Re)Learned

It took about 45 minutes this afternoon to remind me why I have made a personal commitment to not do any homework until the girls have all gone to bed.

Well, it really only took about the first 5 of that 45, but I kept plugging through anyway, (against my better judgment) trying to get my discussion question answered before I had to start making dinner. I have been super tired lately, and by 8:00 when the girls are finally down, I have little to no brain power left to explore the tenets of Gothic literature and/or form a complete sentence that makes any logical sense. I thought (incorrectly) that 45 minutes would be plenty of time to read what I needed to read and get my thoughts together to formulate my response. With the girlies at my side in the office as my constant companions, (because who can resist a mommy that is sitting still for more than three seconds) that 45 minutes really went by in what seemed like 10, and eight inarticulate lines later, I was not even half-way to answering the question, and it was suddenly time to work on dinner.

Without even looking for it, I had the chance to be reminded of that golden rule that I made for myself oh so many years ago and focus on academics only after the last kisses have been planted, the last squeezes have been rendered, and the last good-nights have been said.

Because, apparently, even a tired mommy sounds smarter than a frazzled one.

(I still love my cute little interrupters. But it's better for 

everyone when they interrupt me during tasks that require 

much less brain function than trying to earn a Bachelor's Degree.)

On Matters Domestic

One of the things about moving that I had utterly forgotten are all the fun little quirks that you learn about a new place...and also how stinking expensive everything is when you move into it. Our house was "move-in ready" as far as the fact that the walls and floors were here, but otherwise, not so much. This meant that new appliances, blinds, curtains, garage door opener, furniture, fans, shelving, and all sorts of fun things, both planned and otherwise, were all put on the  list of "Things to (Eventually) Get." Some of those things have moved to the "Gotten" list, but lots are still on the "Pending" one that probably won't be completely crossed out for a year or more. (See how my fancy notepads come in handy?) Suffice it to say that the furniture in our "formal living room" consists of a doll house and its related accessories, along with miscellaneous toys and paper strewn about. So, if you come over, please don't expect to sit down in there unless you think you'll be comfortable on a teeny, tiny couch made for persons 5 inches or shorter.

Anyway, some of the new fun quirks include:

* a new refrigerator that is so deep that I feel like I am entering a new dimension every time I fish around in the back in search of forgotten leftovers. Said fridge also includes The Worst Ice-Maker in the History of Ice-Makers, with approximately 3 ice cubes being produced for every 37 that we desire.

*a washing machine with a timer that indicates the end of the cycle. Have you ever heard such a thing? I hadn't, but it sure comes in handy since I have to do all my laundry before 12 pm (when our electricity begins to cost the proverbial arm and leg) and I seldom remember that I even started a load. It has a nifty little 6-note tune that, every Monday without fail, gets "Walking on Broken Glass" stuck in my head. (One day I will elaborate on the strange getting-random-songs-in-our-heads disease that afflicts most members of my family.)

*a squeaky master bathroom door that refuses to be subdued by WD-40.

*Windows...everywhere! I'm sure I will love this in the winter, but for now I feel a little like I am overdosing on sunlight by the end of every day. So far we have been able to buy 3 of the 7 panels we need for a particular group of windows in our family room. 3 is a lonely number, but at least it's enough to keep the sun out of my eyes while I'm making dinner. (Note: On our hours-long curtain hunting expedition the other day, we discovered 2 things: a) we are not big fans of any of the curtains that are currently for sale, and b) we can't afford them anyway.)

*the inability to hear one another from any room of the house other than the one that the speaker is currently in. Alexa used to stand up and yell for me when she woke up from her nap, but lately I take so long to hear her and get to her that she just stays laying down until I open her door and says cutely, "I was calling you!"

Surely there are more, but that's all I can think of for now and it is occurring to me just how long this post about nothing actually is. I'll be sure to give a curtain update when we manage to buy the rest of the panels, and I apologize that you must sit on pins and needles until then.

(just one of your many seating options if you swing by for a visit.)

Sense of Forboding

 Why do I have the unshakable feeling that these photos are a mere foreshadowing of the teenage years to come (x 3)?