what we've been up to lately

School Started.  The school I work at was better than others brilliant this year in having a later start date; we didn't begin until after Labor Day.  It was a-m-a-z-i-n-g.  Some of the area schools were heading back two weeks prior to us.  Boo yah!  On the flip side, having those extra days didn't make it any easier leaving the boys.  It was definitely an adjustment for everyone.  And by everyone I mean myself and my breast pump.

• On the subject of school, I mentioned I had an embarrassing moment on the very first day. With freshman staring at me.  I'm in the middle of my spiel about having fun and not having any time for foolish decision-making and instead of saying "screwing off" I said "jacking off."  That's right, Jacking. Off.  I actually didn't catch it until like 3.6 seconds later but just kept on rambling.  After thinking it over I decided to put it all out there the next day.  Turning it into a joke really helped - I was all I bet you were looking forward to science today.  It's like, what might Mrs. Rowland blurt out today?!  
• It was terribly embarrassing, however, I'd call last year's trip in the middle of the main hall the winner.  I'm talking high heel whipped up four feet in front of me, falling flat on my back in a dress.  Gosh, teaching sucks.

Down Time.  Take down, that is.  What is it with boys and wrestling/touching/messing?  At least Connor doesn't usually have a problem with it - he squirms his way out every time.

Hitting up the parties.  Some friends of our have this meat smoking/gun shooting/food snarfing party every year.  Earlier that morning, Jeff suggested that we go and I quickly hesitated.  I really can't leave the boys.  These two days are all I get now.  Then he said the words Well let's take the boys!  What?  Our children?  At a party?  Okay let's do it.

this kid is always talking.  "Mama, look!  There's a toad, he's jumping out of the water.  Come show me!"

• We don't take the boys too many places just because a.) they really suck at letting us enjoy ourselves and b.) they really don't want to be there to begin with.  But this time we took their toys, bundled them up and took off.  Turns out there were a lot of other kids and plenty of things for them to do.  Patrick's also finally reached the stage where we don't have to watch him like a hawk.  He was like a poster child (something we're not used to) - he chowed his prime rib, shared his tractor (!!), never once disobeyed us.  And Connor  - well that kid can have fun anywhere.  Especially when there are rocks to eat play with. 

It's been an awesome (and overwhelming) past few weeks.  Now to begin planning Connor's first birthday party.  Invitations just arrived in the mail and his First Year Video is being worked on.  Bittersweet.