Overheard

Lady to me (at Hancock Fabrics): "Hey, I saw you last week at that restaurant."
Me: "Oh?"
Lady (pointing to my shirt): "Yes, I recognized you because of your cute baby. He was eating rice."
Me: "...And because I'm wearing the same shirt?"
Lady: "Well, I didn't want to mention it, but yes, that caught my attention."

****

Adam, singing his version of "Spanish" which is really a bunch of nonsense strung together with made up words: "Oh man, I'm so good at Spanglish, I could be Dora."

Picture-less Day

Yesterday was one of the busiest days I've ever had! But it was sprinkled with some fun. Just thought I'd share a few things.

Started out with an early shower, take Nate to school (where there was an accident right in front of my car, in the drop-off line), fill up the car with gas, drive to Dallas to work at the YMCA. Luckily my shift there was short, and then I was on my way to lunch with my dear old friend Lara. I always love my time with Lara, even if we are both wrestling one-year-olds and trying to not let so much rice hit Pei Wei's floor. But it was fun to see her, and her kiddos. I'd nanny-ed for Lara when we lived in Dallas four years ago, when she had fresh-from-the-womb Lulu and I had monkey-for-a-toddler NayNay. They were great friends and Nate called her "sister." I know he really wished she was his sister. Anyway, it was so nice to get together. Although next time, we'll do something less stressful so we can actually talk to one another. Maybe we'll be so lucky as to have a girls' outing where we can hear one another. Maybe.

After lunch, we went home and I knew I had one hour before I had to leave to pick up Nate from school. I was struck with the idea that there were at least ten things I could do, some more important than others, or I could have a nap. I chose a nap. (After all, Aidan was up in the night twice the night before. I think he's getting more teeth....) The nap was glorious, except I woke up more tired than before. I hate that.

Got Nate from school. Went to get my hair re-highlighted. I just love my stylist! She's super fun, and I think she always does a great job (please tell me if I'm wrong, though). When I got home, I started making dinner for Nate. Then we made the brownies he's been begging me for. And the phone rang. It was my friend Kate, wondering if I'd come play volleyball with our womens' team. So I basically had enough time to get on some clothes and run over there. We won our games, which was great. But for me, I just wanted to keep playing! I LOVE volleyball and I realized how much I enjoy being out with other women, doing something other than my normal routine. I'll for sure be playing next week, too.

Okay, so one thing that I found funny. (And I think that I've maybe sealed the deal for my ticket to Hell. The first thing that qualified me was trying to resist the urge to have our missionaries over for dinner every night because I loved looking at their faces (and listening to the one with the Scottish accent). But now I've sealed the deal by giggling at the prayer that was offered last night at our volleyball game.) But really---the girl prayed "Please help us feel the Spirit as we play this game tonight." I started to giggle as I imagined the scenario: "Awesome serve, Heather! I totally felt the Spirit when you did that!" or "Sweet spike, Kate! I'm more committed to living the Gospel because of that!" or "Don't worry about missing that ball, Irene. I still love you and so does the Lord!"

Instead, I was found saying things such as, "Don't let those girls get the ball back! Hit it toward her face!"

Yep, I've got my one-way ticket.

And on another side note, on the way home from volleyball, it was getting dark. As I was driving in our neighborhood, I noticed some small, quickly-moving people on the sidewalk. As I got closer, I realized it was a a convoy of motorized scooters. Three of them. And as I looked even closer, I realized the first one I passed was driven by an old man. BUT the second and third were occupied by two or three children each, trying desperately to hang on as they pushed those scooters to the max! Well, that's one way to take a walk around the block with Grandpa.


Yeah, this post was boring. The day was so much more fun to live than it was to read about it. Sigh. Better one next time, I promise.

Slipping Away

(This is not the best picture of Little Bud, but it's the only one from the past few months with his real smile...lately he's been a bit of a stinker about smiling for me.....!!)

My Little Bud is slipping away, into the great big world. I'm reminded daily of the futility of my attempts to keep him for my own. He has to grow up, and he has to be allowed to experience adventure, and heartache, and learn to navigate the social systems of the world. And I can't be there every minute to guide him! Five years of parenting, and now, he's unleashed. Unprotected. I can't be there to convince the kids in his class that he is amazing, and fun, and kind, and just oh-so-special. I can't be there to tell him that he's better off without the friendship of the class bully, and then help him to find someone who wants to be his friend.

Today, Little Bud insisted on going through the drop-off line at school. Instead of having me park the car down the street and walk him up, like we've been doing every morning. "I've been going to school for ten days, Mom," he told me. "Today is day 11 and I want to go through the line." He hopped out of the car, and I had to keep moving in the line. I couldn't sit and watch him walk to the door. Did he make it to the right door? I have no idea. For all I know, he's wandering the streets around the school, crying and lonely and scared.

Did I just say that?

I'm realizing that all my fears about how he'll handle this change (i.e. starting school) are rooted in my own insecurity as a parent. Have I prepared him well enough? (Probably not) Have I babied him too much? (My husband would say, yes!) Has he really listened when I've told him that he is important, and wonderful, and loved? Will he go with confidence and conquer kindergarten? Will he finally quit trying to get the stupid little bully kid to like him? (oh, how I'd like to shake that kid, after the things Little Bud has come home saying about him...) Will he ever remember to throw out his trash at lunch, instead of repacking it into his lunchbox and bringing it home???

I hope so.

Look at this FACE!

And yes, he's still bald and beautiful.
He keeps us laughing all day long with his funny noises (talking?) and his cute little faces.
He'll be a year old in less than a month!
Isn't he just the sweetest lil' thing?!

So in LOVE...

...with my first born. I miss him when he's at school!

P.S. I think he has a girlfriend in his class...at least I know she thinks he's dreamy because she insisted on a hug today when she said goodbye.....!