Ten on Tuesday

1. My grocery list on the fridge reads tampons, then peanuts.  An odd pairing.

2. I am learning that doing less is doing everyone a favor.  It only took me ten years of marriage & six and a half years of motherhood to figure this one out.  But truly, the less I do, the more others do.  We're all much happier for it.

3. Lauren has two friends from school she can name: José & Nathan.  Leave it to my tom boy to befriend the boys.

4. I'm annoyed.  Apparently I've maxed out on pictures Blogger will allow me to have on file.  I have two choices: go back and delete some or stop posting pictures.  This mama is conflicted.

5. The talk of the neighborhood is the pack of coyotes that were ever so close to the house last night.  One would have thought with all of the construction going on in the no-longer-vacant-field the coyotes would have vacated.  Not so much.

6. Abby has yet to go head-to-head with her first grade teacher, and last night she was in top form for her new gymnastics coach.  I'm holding my breath this is the new norm.

7. Happy Crocking!  I liked the Crock Pot Girls on Facebook.  Please tell me this makes me cool.

8. I don't know what I did to deserve the fabulous staff that I work with and the great group of kids in my class this year.  I don't ever remember loving a job this much.

9. It amazes me how far we've come.  For the first few years here in Ohio we were quite happy keeping to ourselves.  Maybe it's because I didn't want to get attached.  Maybe it's because I didn't care about anything much outside of our home.  But now that the girls and in school we're all making friends.  What a great 'hood we live in!

10. Confession Alert: I think Tucker Carlson is my new conservative crush.... it certainly wasn't his debut on Dancing with the Stars that wooed me.

The Big K

Finally.  After watching all of her friends at preschool head back, and now her sister, it is finally Lauren's turn for the big time: Kindergarten and the bus.

I wish I had a cute little story to tell, or a fabulous tale from her first day, but I don't.  She bounced around the house this morning as happy as a clam.  She was ready in record time and waiting for me to head outside for our traditional First Day of School photo op.  And then we made the walk she's made so many times before, only this time she brought along her lunch, too, and there was no walking back until her day at school was complete.

My favorite kindergarten teacher happily reported that there were no tears shed today, and by the looks of the pictures she sent out to us anxiously waiting parents, Lauren and her cohorts did just fine.  Lauren walked off that bus with a smile on her face and a new friend.  A boy.

Congrats, Lauren.  You're a kindergartner!

First Grader

It's the day Abby's been waiting for all summer.... The day she can officially call herself a first grader!

Our morning was one of our smoothest to date.  With a slim selection of new clothes to start the school year, Abby opted to sport an old favorite; though I'm guessing the sparkly new Scotch Guarded Shoes and the new Duluth Pack were enough to make her feel special enough.

And I am happy to report that first grade really suits Abby.  She stepped off that bus a positive, upbeat young lady who had manners of every sort and happily held my hand with a firm, loving grip all the way home.

Thanks, Abby.

{The First Grader}

{Abby & Lauren}

{The Bus Stop Gang is Back Together at Last}

{There She Goes}

{Front & Center}

{First Day of School in the Books}

{Lauren & Mom Made Me Cookies!}

Ten on Tuesday

1. Smart mosquitoes hover around your coffee planning their attach.  No doubt they're doing a little mosquito giggle as they watch your fingers dance around the mug trying not to lace your drink with their bloody insides.

2. Abby is working on her two-handed mosquito killing technique.  Lauren prefers the fly swatter.  Both are effective pest eliminators.  Proud mama.

3. I've had it with the heat.  Hoping for some reprieve from the land of ten thousand humid days in a row and that times itself in mosquitoes.  San Diego or bust, Geoff.

4. Not the Japanese, not the heirloom Italian, but only the American eggplant comes in both a male and a female version.  The male has less seeds & is less bitter.  Who knew?!

5. I'm glad my dog isn't the only one who insists on being under foot.  Consequently, dogs are now topping my annoying list.

6. Abby's interest in boobies has heightened in recent days.  It is often the topic during our morning and evening grooming.  Tonight she wondered, "If I push my body hard will boobies come out?"

7. Games, games, games.  I'm pretty sure if given the choice between ice cream and playing a game Abby would choose the game without flintching.  Memory and Jump Over are her current obsessions.  She schools me every time.

8. It's amazing how much older Cory Monteith looks when he is not on Glee.  And I'd have never known if I wasn't up late last night watching Jimmy Fallon.

9. Iowa chops, Minnesota sweet corn, and a cold glass of Kemp's milk.  Midwest is the best!

10. Thank you, Facebook. Now I'm hooked on Blunt Cards.