31 October

Friday Photos and Words....

Today was all about having days off work, and getting ready for our big trip to NYC.
The story of Friday includes coffee for him...always starting the day with coffee in a Disney cup.

Coffee and connection.

Today I noticed him getting off to school... a little earlier this time.

I noticed her name on the door.

and that she packed for the trip herself...

I noticed how long her ponytail is now.

and how excited he is for a new adventure

 Today I noticed a typo on the school notice about eat through the Rainbow week.

and how excited he is for the book fair.

and how pretty  the yard is even in late fall.

Today I noticed how long the leaves stay on the oak trees.

And how he said "Ninja's don't smile Mom" when he dressed up for a special costume day at school (they filled the jewel jar)

Today, I noticed that he wore shorts and a winter hat (he calls it his "Eddie" hat)

Today I noticed the running playlist on my phone and wondered how it might be different a year from now.

Today I noticed warm.

and clean.

and stuff getting crossed off to-do-lists

Today, I noticed how much quicker that huge pile of laundry gets folded when you have help....and packing at the same time. We rushed to get it all done b/c we wanted to grab a quick lunch out, but never got there (and I quickly let it go).

I noticed that we can get away with bringing less stuff than we used to (but it could still be paired down even more).  Most of it involes in the car activities vs. clothes.

And the car is all packed.

We're trying out a new car arrangement.  

 We looked back and noticed that she was trying to use Siri to play her some "Taylor swift or Katy Perry"  that iPod doesn't have Siri or music on on it.

We stopped to fill up even before we left.

Even the big kids still like to take car naps.

 WE watched the odometer the whole way until it crossed 100k.  Funny that we were all together on a big trip when it happened. We took our very first ride as a family of 5 in this van.  Only I can get sentimental about a car!

We arrived at our hotel in the big apple,  traffic was a breeze.  With only a little snafoo about trying to park some where on 8th avenue, and bring all our stuff into the hotel on a Halloween night, when all the freaky people were out, we managed just fine.   We surprisingly had very little complaining about totally missing trick-or-treating.  We are used to sharing beds without much complaining  as we have had quite a few hotel stays. Fridays are for starting new adventures.

30 October

Thursday Photos and words......

The reason why|  morning cuddles is something I want to always remember.  It will be over all too soon.

the reason Why|  He's always the first one up, no matter how late he gets to bed.  His morning coffee in a gifted mug.  Morning e-mail.

 the reason Why|  Off to hist third of several years of orthodontic appointments.  Getting the bottom braces on today.  He's got to carry so much to school.  Laptop bag, backpack, sometimes a saxophone.

The reason Why|  See snuggles. Mornings are sometimes hard for this boy, as everyone rushes off and he begs us to slow down.

The reason Why| I love this blanket that was gifted to me from Pottery barn a few years ago by T.  I love that it looks hand knit, I love how soft it is.  I always love a blanket cover up when I'm cozying up on the couch.

The reason why|  Trying to eat healthy and take vitamins including fish oil.  Wish they made one that actually tasted good.

The reason Why|  Waiting for the bus is a goof time to connect with siblings, and have fun. I love capturing the kids doing what they do.

The reason Why|  I need to do better at expecting them to do chores and take some things off my plate.

The reason Why| things I'm always putting away in "their place"

 The reason Why| Love.

 The reason Why|  Stuff they leave around after they go to school.  I imagine in 5 years the "stuff" left around will be so much different

The reason Why|  Folding laundry is something I procrastinate on for days.  Until the project overwhelms me.  The kids usually know to come pick from the pile when they are looking for things to wear.

The reason why| I have discovered TJ max as a great place to buy beauty supplies.  Large shampoos, face creams...so cheap!

The reason Why|  the most expensive gas in town.....still so happy the price is coming down.

The reason why|  these bracelets, all gifted to me by my favorite people.

 The reason Why|  such a personality this boy has, yo.

 The reason Why|  exercise and feeling fit and good is a big part of my life.  I'm trying to get back to this class for the first time this fall so I can look and feel as fit as I was last spring.  I have some work to do.

The reason why|  Finishing up a backyard project.  He's starting to take some more time away from work when he can to catch up on home things when he gets back from a trip, which was part of our compromise when a trip includes part of a weekend.

 

 The reason Why| |  a 12 hour day at work.  Lately, work has been all consuming, filled with tension and stress about schedules, changes and duties and thoughts of leaving  It will slowly get better.

The reason Why|  Take time to enjoy the view.