for only a moment

11:05 and I’m wondering if the girls are asleep. It’s been late nights around here, even though school has started. They don’t get up til 8:15 or so, I’m guessing. I’m not here. Because people, I have a job.

Not a job in which I teach children apparently. But a job. Anyway, the teaching children part comes later. This part is the testing of new students, forms for all students and trainings and meetings oh joy! 

Anyway, this in not going to be about work, so let’s move on. Right, 11:05 and not sleeping. The girls were so good tonight while daddy was at bowling. We were just hanging out, watching some Toot and Puddle and SuperWhy, and then they played in Clara’s room. I should have put them down earlier, but they weren’t bothering me and they weren’t crying and they’d already eaten and bathed, and had jammies. So… 5 minutes turned into 30…

They are doing well, in spite of the upheaval of staff at their preschool. At least they are returning to classes they sort of never left. They went 2 half days each week in the summer. Hannah of course loves it and so does Clara although her transition has been marked by more difficulty settling to sleep at night. Hannah will really love kindergarten next year. I wonder where we’ll send her?

I’m planning to meet my mom and sisters in law for a girls weekend/mother daughter bonding weekend. I’m really excited. Seems far away still, but the four and half weeks will pass quickly.

My wonderful husband brought me tacos so time for me to and brave the hallway, hoping no one notices I left the bedroom!!

So summer is almost over. We had planned to be on vacation this week and then later decided to spend the money towards our new kitchen instead. Oh did I mention we’re re-doing our kitchen during the first weeks back to school. Awesome. And not so much with the timing.

Oh well. 

This summer has been so easy with the girls. I took a class. But other than that, we spent our days at the water park and playing with legos.  Or toothpicks. Or foam packing bits that fell out of the attic. Whatever was available really, and bonus if it made a big mess.

But we’ve had fun. And it’s simple fun. I am amazed at how little it takes for my girls’ imaginations to take off. Clara echos Hannah’s sentences so well that she can now finish the sentence for Hannah. Also, Clara detests transitions with the will power of a mule. No. No. Three more minutes. Squeal. No. Then "Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!" when it really is time for whatever is next, whether that thing is fun (nap) or not fun (going somewhere). I think I switched those around. No matter. She protests with the same tenacity either way. 

Today I had Hannah’s hair cut. Clint hates it. I like it. I think it’s an improvement from the shaggy bangs and grown out "short" hair cut look she was rocking before. This time I will let it grow because I’ve gotten her to let me brush it everyday as long as I spray conditioner in it first. 

And now can I just say how much I really don’t want to go back to school? I love my job, but this is better. 

Yesterday Clint was shaving and Hannah was watching. He asked if he should shave it shorter and she said yes. When he was done, she said, "You look different. But you’re still my dad."

I should have grabbed my camera card before I sat down. Maybe later. I have lots of cute pictures to upload of the girls and their cousins from our recent trip to Kansas. The trip went well despite the fact that we went for a sad reason. More than sad. I had hoped to spend more time reminiscing with friends about our loss and about the happy times, but it was not to be… We did spend a lot of time with my brother and his wife, which is always fun, and this trip was a particular comfort.

This evening we worked on the flower garden, replacing the fabric and wood chips. We got 3 bushes and I had purchased 4 kinds of flowers earlier in the day.

Tomorrow I am taking the girls to my classroom to finish cleaning it and checking out for summer. I hope they are good. If so, we’ll play on the playground a while. Guess that’s about it.

Seems I make it through the day alright, but then when I sit down to reflect, all the problems I have seem small in comparison to what Maria’s family is going through. It saddens me.