Tonight's moon portend no good to us

The car is stuffed to the gills for spring break yurt camping. I made the reservations ages and AGES ago and we've been wishing and planning ever since – until tonight, when we are FINALLY loaded and ready to go. Then oops, we realize that we've been looking at someone else's reservation these months since it's been on our calendar, and we don't actually have a place to stay until tomorrow. Ah well, that's how it goes. Glad we are finding out in the driveway and NOT at the pitch dark campground where everything is now closed.

This evening's episode of HURRY UP and get in the car (hang out in there for while, climb out and follow bigs around while you try to figure out what's happening, whine a little, now whine a lot, get sent to the car, sit in the car for a while, pretend the trip has started and start playing, remember that you haven't left the driveway yet, realize that you probably are never leaving, repeat, repeat) and wait reminds me of many a trip when I was your ages.

I hope the rest of the trip goes more smoothly. But if it doesn't - at least I can promise you some lasting memories.

xoxo,
Mama

Train fun for kindergarten class

Henry, we had to cancel your train birthday party because of Grandpa's funeral. Instead, we had a party with cousins while we were in Utah. And this week, we brought some train fun to your kindergarten class.

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You did a great job on the train math and reading sheets. Using markers and jewel stickers on the train cutouts worked great.

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It was perfect kindergarten fun. Especially stamping your tickets with the super-industrial hole punch that I brought home from my dad's house. He would have loved to do that himself. Probably would have even mad the big letters like they do on The Polar Express.

I almost made it through the whole thing without shedding a tear. Almost.

Love,
Mama

50 BOOKS - It's game ON!

You have both read 50 books since December. YAY!!!!

To celebrate, we played some games that require reading: Quidler and Zingo Word Builder. Plus some Minecraft chess (your idea). Not sure that really fits in with the reading thing but I made it for you anyway. Good fun with mode podge!

At 100 books, we will be going to GREAT WOLF LODGE!!!! to play the great adventure games and swim like crazies. I'm' so excited to have readers!

xo,
Mama

Sasquatch sighting

Look who's out on the field looking like a lacrosse pro! Dad had to take you to three different stores to find all of the XXS pads (the smallest they make). So here we go with three hours of practice every week, plus games; I dearly hope you enjoy it as much as you did the first night.

And here, I was just thinking that you might finally graduate from your usual one load of laundry per day quota (yes - that is A LOT of laundry since your birth). Recently, all of that sitting inside during kindergarten has cut into your messy adventures. But lacrosse + muddy fields + sweaty gear should put us right back on track. The big question now is how long until your pads start smelling like bigfoot incarnate. Sasquatches?! I can only think a parent though of the team name in a carpool van after a hot game.

Oh well. I love you - dirty laundry, stinky feet and all.

xoxo,
Mama

Home, stinky home

We got home to a mountain of laundry and sour milk. But – thanks to good friends – also food in the freezer, two pots of yellow flowers (my dad's favorite), some potted succulents (my favorite), and delicious chocolate. I'm exhausted and wrung-out. But I feel so lucky and peaceful.

Your boots are the stinkiest thing I have ever met! Ever! So I washed them with bovine far, then baking sofa, then dish soup, and last oxi-clean and laundry soap. Pretty sure I'm breaking the manufacturers recommended rules. But the stink!!! Military grade tools be required to get rid of it. Luckily, I have no mustard gas or grenades handy.

The internet recommended I fill them with cotton balls soaked in alcohol. Great! But I don't have cotton balls - not so great. So now what? I'll tell you what - TAMPONS are now hanging it of your boots. Will I have to explain to out what tampons are tomorrow? Probably. Would that awkward conversation be worth ridding the buses of the STANK that is living in your boots - I sure hope so.

Love you so much, stinky feet and all.

Mama