Now what was the function of the executive branch again?

I'm just wondering these days if I didn't follow things like I should back in junior high. Weren't there three branches and wasn't the legislative branch supposed to be in charge of making the laws?

Hmmm... maybe I slept through something.

It seems our president thinks he's still a legislator or something. I mean, he seems like a nice guy. He has a nice wife and cute kids. I think he thinks he is doing the right thing.

But I'm not going with the flattery and smooth talk.

And well, I want him to know where he falls in the checks and balances established so long ago.

Catching Up

School has started.

It has been great. The days seem to pass so much faster now.

M loves it. T loves it. D loves it. And mom loves it.

S got half day preschool. I was bummed as I thought it would help me to solve a few of my problems if she got extended day. I guess I need to figure that out on my own. They are some doozies. But I guess doozies don't have much of a chance of going away without a bunch of work. Bummer.

C outgrew most of her 3t clothes. I put a tee on her and she had half her tummy hanging out. Where did the little baby go?

Today my friend came over to bring me a Diet Coke. C kept trying to hide her bottle behind my back. My friend always tells her she shouldn't have a bottle and C was doing her best to hide the goods. Funny kid!

Life has been life and it hasn't all been pretty by any means. I've been grouchy and unable to master those normal feelings of envy and selfishness. I'm working on it though and think I might be making a little bit of progress.

But what I wanted to write about was going to the movies with two friends tonight to celebrate a birthday. First of all I waited all day for dinner. Tomorrow I'll look like a puffer fish because I ate pretty much a side of fries and a small cup of soup. Every ounce of water in my being will find a home in my face tomorrow. And it'll still be worth it because they were great fries.

Then we went to see Julie and Julia or something like that. I had never heard of the movie but I thought it was great. Either life has gotten to the point where I just don't know what is funny or this movie is really hilarious. I'll take the latter. It made me want to go back on vacation to France. But for now a few images and a couple of actors with real accents will have to tide me over.

Then, as we were leaving, my friend saw a coupon on the ground. (This is so NOT a coupon picking up friend). She bent over to collect it for me and I started laughing so hard. Okay, secretly inside I also was wondering what coupon she found. I peed my pants two times in the mall there laughing.

I needed to laugh a nice big cackle almost snort laugh. What good friends I have that would put up with me crossing my legs cackling away in the mall.

Being Optimistic

I think S's cycle is broken. She pulled out her worst behaviors and for now we have to have new rules about her supervision. But this morning her demeanor was different and she appears to have decided to be happy again. I'm okay with her throwing a fit here and there like a normal 4 year old. Those are easy to deal with .

DH came in to tell me this morning. I was just waking up. He said, "It has broken."

My first thought was, "You have got to be kidding me. Something else broke?"

Then S came in and it was easy to see.

I am breathing so much easier. I didn't realize that I had been taking shorter breaths for the last few weeks (included D's time). It feels great to take slower and relaxed breaths. I'll have to add that to what I do intentionally when stressed because it feels great.

Yesterday C did a funny thing. We went to DH's parents house for a BBQ and our assignment was some ice. C thought he said mice. When we told her it was ice she started saying, "I like mice in my drink." (giggle giggle) "Mommy likes mice in her drinks." (giggle giggle). "You don't like some ice. You like some mice."

It was funny how she was using the words.

Another funny thing happened. M had her friend K over to play. I asked them what they played and M said they read. What a party!

A little update

I thought I should write down a few funny things. They do happen and I am super grateful for them.

Yesterday M received a phone call from my mom who called to get her pumped up about their trip to Alaska. My mom told her about the baby humpback that was seen near their lodge, the fish, and a pod of orcas. M came out so excited to tell me what was 'awesomely awesome'. Apparently there is a library.

T got his jammers for his first swim meet. I could swear these things are the size of an American Girl doll outfit. He wanted to wear them today to play at the neighbors. I let him even though it gave me the heebie jeebies.

Speaking of American Girl things, C brought the catalogue to dinner yesterday. She just had to check things out. What a turkey! Then tonight she put herself to bed after I mentioned bedtime. I went looking for her and found her asleep on her pillow.

D got the a okay from his doctor to go back to normal activities. His arm is pretty much healed. He still needs to gain a little ground but he can go back to swinging monkey bars.

And S, she finished preschool. It's kind of nice to not have to drive her every day. We started working on reading this week. I think she can pick it up pretty easily. She and her best buddy have been practically glued at the hip since preschool ended.

Lastly, I bought a basketball hoop. I was so thrilled. I have wanted one, thinking that it might help the boys have something in common. I looked for one online and found on in my town for TEN buckaroos. Then I called and realized it was someone I knew. Yipeeiay! (I know. I botched the spelling.)

It hasn't added to the bonding process yet but at least they are outside. I am learning a bunch about the rules of basketball as they tattle on each other. I guess I have to learn some way.

Yesterday I took T, S, C and S's friend to a few stores to run errands. We made it through both stores and at the checkout a lady informed me that T had put something in his pocket.

I was one very unhappy camper. I told T to empty those pockets and found (not that I was doubting that lady) two little cylindrical packages.

The kids was trying to steal ROLAIDS.

I was still mortified because, come on, the kids knows better.

But inside I also had to laugh that the kid tried to take antacids of all things.

And then on the way home I asked him what I always tell people I love about him. He became very somber and said that he always told the truth.

I'm hoping that's the end of it.

Scooters

C has pretty much taken over M's scooter. M had decided she didn't like it anymore because that spot you cover with your foot said Barbie. But then the two year old competition came in and suddenly Barbie is not such a bad thing to have on your scooter. Tonight C was riding it outside and M wanted it back. She blocked the sidewalk.

C said to her, "What do I need to do you grumpy old troll?"

I just started LAUGHING. How dang funny is that two year old.

We survived day two of summer. Luckily today was easy because it wasn't so busy. We just had preschool, a trip to the park, and violin lessons. It gets busier tomorrow and the kids have to live in the car as we have swimteam, preschool, and then a combo of 4 1/2 hours of dance. (We go back and forth... on Monday I put over 120 miles on my car.) I think I will be hitting a redbox for a new movie to play in the car. What did our moms do?

Great Garage Deal

I need to quickly talk about M's dancing in order to make this seem like a FABULOUS deal.

This week was observation week. M is not naturally strong or physically hardworking. On Tuesday I went to watch her dance. I notice that she pretty much works hard when the teacher is near but then totally slacks off.

On Wednesday I went and watched her pointe class. I had never seen that one because I don't drive that day. She did the same thing.

So that night I asked her about it and she said, "You know mom, there is this thing called sweat."

Um, yeah, it's a good thing.

I mentioned it to my good friend and she watched her in class the next day. She did the same thing. She puts herself in the corner and then only works when someone is watching. That night we had a talk. I told her she doesn't have to dance. In fact, it saves me a huge chunk of change if she doesn't. She insists that she will try harder and she really likes it. She made a chart to follow for the summer with strengthening and stretching (this is normal for her... she really adores making charts... but somehow she doesn't really ever do the work on them).

So today I went to a few garage sales. I found this great bag for Madeleine. Not only is it super cute with adorable embroidered flowers, but it also says, "Dance like no one is watching."

PERFECT!