Phew. I Did It.

This is the last day of Nablopomo - 30 posts in 30 days. Did it! Actually did 31 posts in 30 days because one day I had too many cute pictures to post. Posting every day is a good lesson in just showing up - to write or to blog or to do anything creative. Showing up is a part of the battle, because if you don't show up, there is ZERO chance that you will ever write/create/post something interesting. If you do show up, hopefully there is at least a slightly larger chance that you will.

Anyway. A propos of nothing, here is a photo of the Roses and three of their cousins. This picture was taken more than two years ago at Uncle Eli and Aunt Brenna's wedding. A few observations follow.1. Last time Rose #1 wore a dress. Wasn't she DARLING in it? I wish she would wear dresses more often. So cute.
2. Rose #2 looks so much younger to me in this picture than today. I guess it was nearly half her lifetime ago. Crazy thought.
3. Rose #3 looks nearly the same to me, although she has lost some of the baby roundness in her face. I love how she is so excited to be in the group.

Signing off. 30 posts in 30 days is hard work!

My Niece and Nephew

Maddie with her hamster, Jack Severson:

And Sam with his uncle, Jack Severson:

Just kidding, of course. That's Uncle Eli.

Unexpectedly fun Saturday

Started off inauspiciously - a trip to Target with Rose #3 being removed bodily because she was misbehaving. Removed bodily by her father, that is - not security guards or anything like that! But we had a lovely lunch with Guppy and Poppy, and then Rose #2 discovered the telephone. She was invited to a classmate's birthday party and made a playdate, all on one day. Not to be outdone, Rose #1 also made a playdate. Turns out that both friends were just lurking around, driving their mothers crazy, and the mothers could not have been happier to accept a playdate invitation.

So we had a house full of kids this afternoon, and Rose #3 woke up from her nap with a MASSIVE bloody nose. Blood everywhere. After we staunched the bleeding and put her in the bathtub, the moms were here to pick up their kids. We snacked on cranberry scones and then Rose #2 worked her puzzle, Rose #1 played legos, and Rose #3 hung out with her daddy. Now I just finished folding laundry and we will all get ready for bed.

Friday, Friday, Wherefore Art Thou Friday

Today I snuck to work for the morning. Tonight I snuck out to get a cut & color from Aunt Boo. Thanks Aunt Boo. The Roses hung with daddy today. I have it on good authority that Rose #1 played some chess; she also did some homework. Rose #2 read three Bob books to me. She paused in the middle of one and said, "Hey! There's a reader in the house!" (meaning herself of course). And Rose #3 woke up from her nap mad, as usual, and screamed that she hated me. Sigh. H remarked that she sure wakes up hard. True.

Nablopomo is ALMOST over. Whew. It has been good to keep up more here, but sometimes (like today - can you tell) I have just been grasping to post something; anything. I guess that's the first rule of writing - just get pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

Off to change sheets. Did you ever notice how quickly time goes by vis a vis changing sheets?

Happy Thanksgiving

This morning we went to the Mall of America for the Walk to End Hunger. Here is Rose #3 hoofing it with her water bottle:
And sweet Maddie coming up the escalator:

And here is me, Rose #3, Guppy, and Rose. I really like the Mall of America when the stores are closed and we can just walk around the perimeter:

And finally Rose #1 and her cousin Sam. Sam is younger than Rose #1 (by just a few months) but he is very tall and can give his cousin a piggyback ride!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all (four) of you! I hope you have a great day.

I Am Truly Thankful

For three healthy kids. They are beautiful, funny, annoying (sometimes), high energy, smart, but today I am really thankful they are healthy.

For lots of family members who are very close. Today Guppy and Poppy picked up Rose #1 from school because our nanny (who is also a family member!) was out of town. They kept her for 3 hours until I could get there! Thanks.

For my husband, who for reasons that are sometimes a mystery, loves me and wanted to make this crazy family together.

For good books. And also not-so-well-written-but-tell-a-good-story-anyway books. Oh, I love to read. If there was a job where you just read for a living and decide how much you enjoy the book, that would be my job. Also, if there was a job where you could color pictures for a living (regardless of your actual artistic ability), I would like that job as well.

For good friends and neighbors.

For good food. I am a picky eater - yes, I admit it. But when I like something to eat, I really like it. Fresh tomatoes. Roasted potatoes. Stir fried chicken with garlic. Bagels with cream cheese. Yum.

I love Thanksgiving.

Our Little Princess