Around here lately

Darn it all the girls got sick again this week. And I thought we were done with that business for a while. Ella actually threw up at school. Luckily she is still young enough not to be totally embarrassed. Or at all embarrassed. Anyway, we’re back now. Healthy again.

I have become Ella’s Girl Scout troop leader. I have got through this by telling myself that this is not a huge undertaking of time and may go on for years (so if you tell me this I will sing la dee dah so I can’t hear you.) I’m taking baby steps. And so far, we’ve had two meetings. The girls are super sweet and super excited. And last week when I realized I hadn’t planned enough we played musical chairs, which they were thrilled about, and sat in a circle to talk about what they wanted for Christmas. They are easy to impress. I like that in people. Also, I have met really, really sweet people involved with the organization. And the best thing was when I ran into the director of Ella’s preschool the other day … she told me she was the leader of her daughter’s troop and she looks back and is glad she did it. She said she sees how her daughter turned out and is very proud.

Anyway, super excited about Eva’s birthday coming up and all the Christmas celebrations we have planned. Please don’t remind me that I still need to wrap a million gifts and prepare all my Christmas cards to send out (la dee dah, la dee dah …)

Good things

Honestly, last week was a really, really tough week and maybe one day I will write about it, but not today. So I guess it’s kinda ironic that I titled this post good things.

I’m focusing on the good though now, and trying to treat us all especially nice. I hope that a DeBrand’s sundae and shopping can be in my near future. For now though, I am relishing some other good things:

I bought Ella some cowgirl boots yesterday. She’s been wanting some. She’s barely had them off her feet since. I love that they make her so happy. Photo to come.

I bought Eva a Hello Kitty thermos. It’s similar to Ella’s nice thermos she takes to school everyday and Eva is extremely jealous of. I wish I had Eva’s squeal recorded when I gave it to her. Then she said I was her best friend.

I finished up a project I worked very hard on at home too. A photo wall and shelves underneath. It’s beautiful. And makes me so happy. I have to say I’m very proud of myself for doing it all myself too. I selected and ordered the photos, chose a nice layout, picked out and bought the frames, and carefully hung it all – which involved cutting paper the size of all my frames, hanging them on the wall, measuring … I will give my husband credit for taking the awesome photos, and assembling our shelves underneath. And of course, having the good sense to marry me.

Random notes from a tired mom’s life, and lots of photos

Sleep has been very inconsistent lately. Between sick and coughing children and husband’s snoring, I can’t win lately. But with a night away this weekend, I’m thrilled with the prospect of a night without being woken up. Anyway, a lot has been going on, and I’m too tired to work very hard at writing a great post. Bullet points it is:

• As of yesterday I am Ella’s girl scout troop leader! I was impressed at how thoroughly they investigated me: criminal background check, 20-minute-phone interview, 5 references … so, I have been approved and I am excited. I’m excited to work with a group of girls Ella’s age and see them learn and grow. It sounds like I will have two great co-leaders too which really helps take the pressure off. And wow, everyone involved with the organization has been so nice and they are extremely organized! I think this may be a great fit for us. Hope I can do them proud.
• Ella’s doing a 30-day fitness challenge at school. It’s a commitment to do exercise for 30 minutes every day for 30 days. After completion she gets a ticket to a Mad Ants game. She is gung ho about it. And I am also doing it with her. Although I have failed one day already. I learned a lesson though. Unless it’s my night zumba classes, don’t plan on exercising in the evening. Things come up and plans can fall through. Working out at 5:30 a.m. is the way to go for me on days I don’t do zumba …
• Ella is also doing book-it – a reading program I did when I was in school! Her first challenge was to read (herself, not me) 10 books. She got the job done early and received her reward: a coupon for a personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut. I thought maybe Ella’s enthusiasm for these programs came from the satisfaction of completing a task and filling out these forms, but I asked her and she said it’s the rewards! Ha ha. Well, I’m just glad she’s excited.
• Got a new couch and chair and I love love love it. They look awesome too with my new dining light. Now we are going to Ikea this weekend to buy a few other things to finish our living room off. Can’t wait!
• Ella has an allergist appointment in a few weeks. With all the sicknesses and a case of hives mixed in, it’s time we see if she has any. Kinda scared, I have to admit. Wish us luck.
• That’s all. Loving the beautiful fall weather! Here are a few photos from lately:

This was our old couch. While I still liked the style, the stains and mashed down cushions I did not.

New couch, green chair and ottoman. Love, love, love.

New dining light too. I’m a lucky girl.

We slipped in a date at Wu’s for our 8th anniversary.

Ella got her very own library card. That day may be in the top ten favorite days of her whole life.

Boy those girls have Daddy wrapped around their fingers. They fell in love with this bike at Sam’s Club, so he bought it. It is pretty rad.

There have been a few days we haven’t been sick … this was a very nice day we all had at a pumpkin farm. Steve even missed football for it. He must really love us.

Soccer 2012

Ella’s taking soccer this fall and spring at a very nearby field with a few friends from preschool. There are several things that are awesome about this:

1. The uniforms are ridiculously cute.
2. We have friends to sit with and talk to while we watch our kids. And she has old friends and new friends on the field with her.
3. It takes 5 minutes to get there — gymnastics is not offered anywhere nearby so I appreciate this short commute.
4. It’s nice to sit outside on cool fall mornings, and a big breakfast at Cracker Barrel is perfect afterward.

When did she get so big?

She’s pretty good too. They practice for 30 minutes, then play a game for 30 and she really kicked the ball a lot. And was grinning the whole time.

Her wildest fan. Too bad there’s no league for 2-year-olds. This girl has some energy to burn.