Year 30 update

Wow. That took a LOT longer than it should have, but my Year 30 (365) is finally updated. I'd done okay updating every week or so from March but completely lost track of things in July. When I tallied up the missing days from July I was looking at over 17 missing photos. Normally that shouldn't be that hard to dig out, but with pictures from two phones, a point and shoot and a DSLR...  well there was NO such thing as date order. I probably could have made things easier on myself if I'd just looked for them directly on the c drive but no... I went through Picasa and made more work for myself (see of course I'm not actually realizing any of this until just now.)

However I will stop bemoaning because I did it! No missing photos at all! Enjoy.

Little gymnast!

The difference is shocking. 


A couple months back I signed Jessica up for a Creative Movement "dance" class. It was a disaster. We still have two classes left and while I try to stay positive to encourage Jessica, I bet she can still tell that I dread it. 


She loves dancing. She loves her ballet shoes. She loves Angelina Ballerina. The logical progression would be -- she loves dance class. Not. I don't know if it's the teacher, the building, the small class (only 2 other girls) or if she just had a bad first day (we had just dropped Daddy off at the airport and she didn't eat breakfast) but it all went downhill from there. Four classes later she still clings to me, cries, doesn't participate, begs to go home... it's a train wreck. 


Hence you can see why I might be slightly worried about the gymnastics class I signed her up for a month ago, that starts today. 


I shouldn't have wasted a second worrying. She LOVED it. I mean SERIOUSLY LOVED it. From the moment she saw the indoor rock wall and climbing frame in the lobby she's was hooked. After a few minutes introducing herself to other children and playing chase with a ball we headed into class. 

The teacher was brilliant. Lively, bubbly, engaging. She used to be a kindergarten teacher but has been teaching dance and gymnastics for Raleigh Parks and Rec for four years. Jessica danced, jumped, bounced, ran, followed directions, played nicely, took turns. She was an absolute dream and my heart swelled with love watching her play. I'm positive that knowing other children in the class helped her confidence. I can't wait to go back. Jessica's still talking about 'Nastics! We'll definitely be signing back up for next month! 

Hello August!

Honestly, I know I write more when things go wrong, when I'm stressed. The amusingly awkward and the hilariously unfortunate are more common topics for me. When my husband finds me writing in my journal his first reaction is to ask me what's wrong.

But right now? I'm happy. It was a good day to be me and I thought I'd share. Try to bust out of the only writing when things go wrong habit. 

The air conditioning in Mark's office is out. So he's working from home today. This is a GOOD thing! We don't have to figure out commuting with one car. I don't have to drive into Raleigh during rush hour to collect him. The day is off to a good start. 

Plans to meet friends at the park. It's overcast. Score! It's still humid but since the sun is obscured it's not roasting. I can handle a little (okay a lot of) humidity if it's only 78 outside. 

This is what happens when you ask toddlers to say cheese during snack time. 

Post park date, Jessica and I head over to Target for some essentials. 1 cauliflower, a loaf of bread a new rubbermaid box, boogie wipes, a couple sandwiches, a vanilla milk and a free Starbucks coffee later we head home. (What? Those don't sound like essentials in your home? Well maybe you're weird. Have you considered that. ;)

Lunch with Daddy! Turns out our tomato loving toddler also loves cucumber, but only if you don't cut it into slices. If you desecrate the awesomeness that is a whole cucumber she'll want nothing to do with it.... 

Oh no... I have just realized looking at these photos that I don't remember putting the cucumber away and the last time I saw it Jessica was headed into the living room. Erm.. so the question is... do I get out of my cozy bed (yes, I'm in bed it's almost midnight! ) and go search for this cucumber or leave it till morning... 

Finished lunch and Mark still has half an hour left.... he says he's going to take Jessica for a walk and I can stay home, take a nap and try to fight off my inner walrus (if you've seen me at all in the past 3 days you'll know barking cough would blend in seamlessly on a beach full of walruses.) I opt to be responsible and stupidly use my free time to wait around on hold with various doctor's offices, but I'm given a reprieve when he brings her back.... ASLEEP!!!! WHOO! We roll the stroller into the living room and I'm given a second chance at free time! This time I'm smart and use my time wisely. I lay on the sofa, drink some coffee and attempt to finish my book (for book club tonight.)

The bear wakes, we play. A awesome thunderstorm rolls through. Mark is finished with work for the day. Jessica and Mark adjourn to the den to fight monsters. (This girl is going to be an elite fencer before she gets to kindergarten. The sword we purchased at Edinburgh Castle has been well worth the £2.50.)

While they do battle with the unknown I'm able to finish the book. Which is pretty impressive since I started it right before bed last night. Book club can be stressful when you keep forgetting to read the book because you've forgotten when book club meets. 

Feed the family. Head to book club. Enjoyable relaxed adult conversation. Some of which is even about books! Peanut butter cookie, cafe mocha. Home again. Toddler asleep in her own bed. Husband not stressed out of his mind or covered in child's dinner. Did I mention it was a good day. :D      

                                                                          Psalm 118:24