Not a Super Day

Some days are super.

And some days are not.

Like when you are in a hurry to get the kids to school so that they have time to peruse the fundraising Beanie Baby selection before class, and you somehow forget that your husband's car is parked behind you in the driveway. 

CRUNCH.

Good {freaking} grief, you guys. (Except we don't say that word.)

Thank goodness for insurance. And for a kind husband whose reassuring words and unending patience taught me a lesson later in the day when Alexa spilled her bowl of cereal all over the floor and my first reaction was to ask her why on earth she wasn't paying attention. As soon as the stinging irony occurred to me, I just gave her a hug and adopted Craig's mantra: "It's okay, sweetie, you didn't mean to...these things happen; it was just an accident." 

She felt better. I felt better. It made me think that mercy and kindness help everyone feel better. And I was thankful for Honey all over again.

It's always nice when a super moment helps an un-super day feel that much better. 

Winter Shenanigans for my Freezing Friends

Here is some January humor dedicated to any friends in the midst of the winter doldrums who need a little extra something to make them smile. (That is, all of you who did not experience, as we did, a high of 81 degrees on this frigid January day.)

Julia: When are we going to get a real coffin?

Craig: When you're a real vampire

I like to know that my children both enjoy eating their cereal 

and are sufficiently entertained by the box. Here is proof positive.

If you've ever wondered how to host a low-budget 

disco party in your laundry room,

just hang up a sparkly backpack and make 

sure the window has a Western exposure.

Come 4:00, I promise you'll be stayin' alive, stayin' alive.

For all you "Frozen" fans out there:

Let it go. Let it go. Don't hold it back anymore.

(I know Lexa doesn't, thanks to this microphone from Grandma Linda.)

I think there is something terribly backwards in this picture,

but for the life of me, I just can't put my finger on it...

a{m}pers{a}{n}d of my dreams

After last January's ampersand obsession, I have been on the hunt for a cute ampersand to put in our office. (Well, I haven't literally been on the hunt for an ampersand since last January, because I have had a few other things to do, but I have been keeping my eye out for one). The closest thing I have come to actually finding what I was looking for was spotting a giant one in a Pottery Barn catalog that was, of course, exorbitantly priced, and, incidentally, not so cute. Yet, undaunted, I persevered, until a glorious day this weekend when I visited the Cute Letter Department (or whatever that part of the store is called) at Hobby Lobby and laid my eyes on this beauty. 

Oh blessed Saturday, the planets had finally aligned in my favor. Not only does it meet all of my cute ampersand criteria, it is almost the exact color of the wall behind my desk in the office; it was like dying and going to ampersand heaven.

Hmm. I am just noticing now how dusty that darn shelf is, and also that you can see the battery that Craig took out of that clock because it's so insanely loud. I sure hope none of that keeps visions of ampersands from dancing through your head tonight. I know it won't for me!

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Savanna, Snow Boards, and Self Control

I know it's against the Parenting Commandments to label your children, but sometimes it's just too hard not to. Savanna is our little sweetie; she has always been one to put others' needs before her own, to sympathize with those who are struggling, and to make absolutely everyone feel like they are her very favorite person in the world (even though really only I am). Yes, she is our Sweet Savanna. 

She's been waking up feeling cranky lately because she's so tired in the mornings and I realized that I have been getting so frustrated with her because it's so outside of her nature. I hugged her this morning and told her that she's always so sunny that when she doesn't wake up happy, it's like the sun didn't come up and it's dark for the rest of us. I wouldn't trade her tight squeezes and contagious smiles for anything. 

Since everyone in this family that's not Spencer seems to be lacking in screen time, I thought I'd include some of Vanna's recent hits.

Aunt Amy & Aunt Laura got the girls snowboards for Christmas and are so

 excited for the girls to try them out. Doesn't she already look like a pro?

We have a rule at dinner that's nearly impossible for the girls 

to follow consistently: Don't start eating your dinner until we've 

said the blessing on the food. Here Savanna is mustering all of the 

self-control possible to keep her hand from diving down and grabbing a bite. 

In this case, the left hand knows exactly what the right hand is doing...

Almost didn't see her sitting on that stone elephant with those gray pants on...

A rare moment alone with just her.

Who loves Savanna?

We do, we do!

The Three Most Important Bodily Functions

My sister Laura got this onesie for Spencer from Bookman's. I'm not sure if they also have shirts in adult sizes, but I just might rock one if they did.

I mean, really, what other daily activities could possibly be of such great importance? I challenge you to think of one or two. (Oh wait, never mind; it looks like #two has already been thought of...)

(And, in case you were wondering, the answer is no. No, I cannot remember what on earth I used to blog about before this little Lovebug was born.)