Never Land Like Never Before

We did something we've never done before.

All five of us dressed up this year.

It was fun.

Have I ever mentioned that Mike has a mean right hook?

So Many Things, So Little Time

I want so badly to blog each day.  I have many things I want to share, or just remember.  But, I can't seem to carve out a bit of time in which I can actually gather my thoughts and form coherent sentences and create an entire post about a given topic, whether it be our costumes for tomorrow, or the World Series, or Michaela's sleepover, or our move, or the cheesepie I made.  I want to give each thing its own post.

Especially the cheesepie. 

It's a cheesecake wannabe, but it is a pretty successful imitation.

Just so that your mind is at ease regarding what is going on in our home that is keeping me away from this blog, I will share one thing.  Although it's been busy around here and my laundry has thrown down the gauntlet and then slapped me in the face with a white glove, things are also just as weird as they are normal.  Okay, weird is normal here.  I can't fool you.

I found this jar on this bookshelf in what is now called the Fun Room.  Here, in case you can't tell what it is.

Seriously.  What is a Fun Room without Sweet Hots?  My kids were so excited to see that these were around!

The truth is I don't have a clue where they came from.  If you have any inkling as to why there are sweet pickles and peppers in my Fun Room I'd love to hear from you.  Hey, I'd love to hear from you even if you have no idea what this jar is doing in my house much less my kids' play room.

I hope after this weekend I can sit down in the evenings and get back in the game.  Maybe scarf down a couple of Tony Packo's Sweet Hots.  Possibly cool off with a Peppermint Patty I confiscated.  Stay safe if you are headed out and about...and don't eat too much candy before you pass some of it out! 

Ha!  I bought mine tonight, so there is less of a chance that half of it will be gone before tomorrow evening!

P.S.  And Mindee, I can't believe my stellar photography and brilliant use of lighting (or on-camera flash) isn't your favorite on the whole internet!  Cut to the heart, that's me!

P.P.S.  Mindee, I'm just kidding.  I was being endearingly self-deprecating. 

My Michaela

Michaela and I ran some errands today.  We went into Learning Express and were waiting in line to make our purchase; she saw a paper that had a list of the birthstones along with a small description of those born in each month.  Her birthday is in January and the description said,"Creative and super patient".  That is accurate!  (I have to admit that the description for each month could have applied to her!)

I have to be careful as a mom.  She slips into the background as Eliana and Christian take center stage a lot of the time.  Eliana is a precious little girl, but she is demanding.  Christian is an awesome kid, but he is so intense, whether it is intensely happy or intensely upset.  And then there is Michaela...for the most part so even-keeled.  Patient.  Loving.

She is a sweet girl.  She is often working on some project, painting or sewing.  And if I can't find her she is probably curled up somewhere reading.  Sometimes a few books at once.  But she also loves to play.  And not just with dolls, but with balls, too!  Softball, soccer, basketball.  She enjoys it all.

Yesterday when the other two were in school Michaela wanted to go out and play basketball.  Since we don't have a hoop, this means bouncing the ball and throwing it against the wall and catching it again.  She loves it anyway.

That's my beautiful girl!

Dude.  She is so lovely, even when she makes the craziest faces.  Not my gift. 

I love how seriously she takes things.  She is one determined chick.  She keeps on until she gets it right, whether it's playing the piano or dribbling the ball.

And whether she is working or playing she literally stops to smell the roses. 

My first-born.  A delight.  Beautiful inside and out.  Funny.  Contemplative. 

She is a ray of sunshine in my life.

Pink

I Heart Faces is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness month by asking for pink. 

Pink makes me think of little girls...

Pink shirts, pink tutus, pink cheeks...

Pretty in pink.

My great-grandmother had breast cancer.  She was a survivor!  Take care of your boobs, ladies.  Go get 'em checked out.

And speaking of checking things out, head over to I Heart Faces and see all how lovely shades of pink can be!

Reckoning Forces

Boys are a mystery to me.  Even boys that I have known for a long time (boys or men, if you prefer).  They like things like wrestling, and making toot noises with their underarms, and they innately understand sports.

I don't even like wrestling my laundry out of the dryer, I don't need to make extra toot noises (I'll just leave it at that), and I have to ask questions like,"What does it mean, the bottom of the eighth inning?"

While there is a great deal about this other species group males that I just don't get, there is also a great deal that brings me delight untold.  The strange things that boys do make me laugh so. 

Star Wars never fails to be a source of inspiration for seven-year-old boys, so of course there was an epic battle playing out right before our eyes at a friend's birthday party.  And clearly we witnessed highly trained, seasoned veterans who demonstrated great expertise and mastery of their skills.  Even with both legs chopped off, they continued their attacks upon one another.

May the force be with you.  And me.  For sure.