100%

Jack just started spelling tests this year at school, which I didn't think much about since Max had no problem with spelling. But, turns out, what they say is true:

EVERY KID IS DIFFERENT!

I guess I should start listening to them.

I was in a bit of a panic when Jack's first practice spelling test came back with 0 out of 8 words correct. Yikes! So we started studying, and he had been doing so well.

I realized that I am taking this all a little too seriously the other day when he got 100% and I almost cried. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not.

It's so amazing when you see your hard work as a parent pay off, for both you and your kids!

Orbeez: The New Moon Sand

Okay, so you know those toys you hate and your kids love?

Here's a list:

Moon Sand, Play-dough, Anything Noisy, Things They Get In Party Gift Bags That End Up All Over The House.

You know what I mean. And the list goes on and on.

Here's a new one for the list: Orbeez. Max saw some at school and HAD TO HAVE THEM. We looked around, and couldn't find them anywhere but Big Lots, which should have been my first clue. They are these little granules that come in packets and then enlarge when put in water into these Boba sized balls that I am desperately trying to keep from ending up all over my house. But the kids LOVE THEM. I mean, like play with them for a half hour with no fighting love them. So, I guess I am mildly recommending them?

Wait, did I just say that?

I do have to admit they are kind of pretty suspended in a glass of water.

I'm a sucker for aesthetics. If only Moon Sand was so pretty!

Dear Blog,

Well, hello blog, how have you been?

It's been too long, right?

Well, I was just out on a walk today after having a fluish icky virus for two weeks and took this picture and thought of you. I'm so glad it's fall and that, at least for today, it's sweater weather.

Hope all is well in the blogosphere, and hope to be seeing much more of you soon.

Laura

To Blog or Not To Blog, That Is The Question

What has happened to me?

Since, like, May.

And before that it had been since March. What happened to that blogger who loved to write every day? To be honest, I'm not exactly sure.

Of course I'm always busy. Of course the kids take up a lot of my time. Of course I'm so lazy that I can't sit at my desktop for a few minutes a day to write something down and since Blogger doesn't work with my iPad, well, you know.

But I miss you, blog. I miss the writing and the daily ruminations. I miss the looking for something to write about, everyday. So, here I go again. And this time I have very few excuses. My kids are both going to be in school all day this year. I think within that time I can find a few minutes to get something down to remind me that life is good and sweet and sometimes hard, but mostly not. And I have a new motivation because my wonderful friend Mirjam is moving off to Europe, and sometimes Facebook just doesn't cut it, you know. She's a wonderful blogger, not the kind that makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little bit when you read about their perfect life, but one that just makes you happy because she reminds you that life is beautiful. A true, rare gift.

So, here I go again, and hopefully this time it will stick.

Doing The Dutch Thing

We're Back!

We don't have kids with us, and while it was hard to leave them (seriously, what happens to us when we become parents?) I can't help but thing how great it will be to sample some more Dutch cuisine that does not come in a hamburger bun.

Steve and I arrived this morning, which felt like the middle of the night, and checked into our apartment and then I laid down for just a minute and woke up 2 1/2 hours later.

Amsterdammit!

I think I might just barely be able to kick this jet lag thing.

Oh, and then there's this blog lag thing.

I think some photos of some beautiful Dutch architecture will do the trick! Tune in tomorrow (or is that today? Oh, forget it), for more...

Self Portrait

I was just syncing my iPhone and found this self portrait Max took (without my knowledge). Reminds me a bit of Francis Bacon.

Perhaps we have an artist on our hands?

Dilemma

Max showing our two drawings of our muse, the porcupine.

I was really looking forward to today because Jack had an after school playdate, which meant I had THE WHOLE DAY TO MYSELF!

Yes!

So I took the kids to school, did a little grocery shopping, went to yoga, and was just bringing in the garbage cans from the curb when my cell phone rang and I saw it was Max's elementary school calling. Well, my first reaction was "oh great, someone's throwing up," so I answered immediately. Instead it was Max telling me that he had a field trip today and needed more parents to come and wanted to know if I would.

Crap.

I mean, what do you do? I had no excuse other than my own personal interests to keep me home. I even told Max that I would try, but I wasn't sure. My body was weak (it really wanted that nap I had been planning), but the will was strong (Max never asks for anything, ever), so I sucked up my selfishness and went.

We walked to the natural history museum so the kids could sketch the animals. Max and I got to sit together on a bench and sketch a porcupine together, which, really, how often do you get to do that with your children? But really, that wasn't the best part. The best part was when I first got to his classroom and he turned around to see his slacker mother had shown up after all, and his face totally lit up like his favorite rock star had just walked in the room.

After a response like that, I only have one thing to say: Naps are over-rated.