I have a problem with fall...

Problem being...I love it too much.

Fall isn't even officially here yet, but once labor day hits it's all fall clothes for me.  There's no turning back.  I've already worn tights, loafers, cardigans, scarves, tweed skirts, plaid shirts and today, I even busted out my swede boots from their summer hibernation.  Luckily, temperatures in Ohio have been conducive to this type of clothing.  And I'm loving every second of it.

Potato soup is stewing.

Welcome fall.  Stay as long as you like.

Making Eyes

Do you ever sneeze right after applying mascara and the still-fresh mascara from your lashes ends up all over your eyelids?

Oh you don't?

Yeah.  Me neither.

On Aging...

At library story time few weeks ago, someone said to me, "Are those your boys?  You don't look old enough to have kids that age."

At first I took it as a compliment.  But then I thought...does that ever get said to young people?  I'm now old enough to warrant that kind of comment.

Later that same week I walked into a clothing store.  A girl I would have considered in my same age category (actually, I would have guessed she was even a little older) called me "ma'am."  "Ma'am!"  Do  I look like a "ma'am?"  I hope not. 

My self esteem was redeemed when I walked into Madewell...my new favorite place to window shop.  A well dressed man complimented me on my style.  It's always a better compliment when it comes from someone well dressed.

I did in fact, turn THIRTY last week. Yikes.  I'm not sure how much I'm enjoying being 30, but the day itself was great.  My friends and family treated me well. And to top it off  I dropped Gray off at school and had a full three hours to spend my birthday money...all alone...in the middle of the day.  It was heaven.

Thanks all for making turning thirty a little easier.

...party pictures coming soon...

School Days

It's back to school time here...just like every where else in the blogosphere. I had been unhappy with the boys assigned school and transferred them to a new school this year.

Parker is already excelling in the second grade...Mr. Smarty Pants is being pulled out once a week for special reading work with 4th and 5th graders. I'm happy he is finally being challenged in this area.  Being the new kid was hard on him.  He's pushed himself and reached far beyond his comfort zone the past two weeks. He's loving school more than ever and I'm really proud of him. 

Reid entered the wonderful world of all day Kindergarten.  He comes home so animated and chats my ear off clear until bed time.  He loves everything kindergarten has to offer.  And to top it off, the principal wears a prosthetic leg, which Reid thinks is the bomb.  He's thriving at school...just as I suspected he would.

And as luck would have it, this new school has a special needs preschool.  Gray got chosen to be a peer model for the afternoon preschool class (which means FREE preschool).  I've heard it's nearly impossible to get your kids into this and the waiting list is crazy long.  We really lucked out.  We're a week into school and his excitement level is still super high.  He loves everything about it and made friends quickly.

The boys love being in the same building.  Their classes are all in the same hallway and they pass each other throughout the day...which they love.  I have become a mother of all school-aged kids...which I love.  The kids all have INCREDIBLE teachers.  The parents here are really involved and really friendly.  We're falling back into our school day schedule.

I'm happy.  The kids are happy.  Things are looking up.

While sitting down to dinner...

Reid (throwing his hands in the air): This is my lucky day!!!

Me: You really like everything we're having for dinner?

Reid: No. But there's nothing here that makes me barf.



And that is how to successfully cook a meal for a picky five year old.