annie blog

And How is Your Summer Going?

This is the question of this time of year. My answer…um, it’s going okay?

First off, I have to say that summer is harder than the school year is for our family. Secondly, I have to say that this summer in particular has had some challenges. Now, none of the challenges have been dire — but they’re not mundane, either. Not really anything that I could ask my fellow mom friends about. Those challenges plus a bunch of other assorted difficulties have made this summer *interesting*, so far.

I was explaining all of this to my friend, Eliza, the other day. I gave her a run down of all of our doings/happenings/challenges….

Me: Well, that’s about it. I really don’t know why I’m having such a hard time, really, I mean, taken separately, all of this doesn’t sound so bad.
Eliza: Yes, but, that’s kind a lot of stuff there, sweetie. Like a ton of stuff.
Me: It’s true, that stuff is heavy.
Eliza: I know it is. And, I think that it’s about to smother you.
Me: Yep.

So, I guess that I have to move into anti-getting-smothered mode. And, truthfully, it really depends on the day, my attitude, my boys’ attitudes, etc. For instance, today I felt much more hopeful than yesterday and definitely more hopeful than I did on Monday. And, as soon as I admitted this to myself and began to feel actually happy about it all, I instantaneously got a crick in my neck. Which means that my sense of humor is getting tested a little. I think, though, that my sense of humor is pretty tenacious. Because it has to be.

Alright. Enough about me…how’s your summer going?

Happy July 5th, Y’all
I hope that everyone had a good 4th yesterday. We had a good one. Although, I think that we may have been the only folks within the limits of St. Louis who didn’t partake of any BBQish food. Not that we don’t love, LOVE BBQish food — because we do, but we’d had pulled pork quite a few times this week, already. So, what did we eat? Pasta and homemade bread along with some watermelon. A bit unfestive, I must admit, food-wise, anyway. But, the day ended well. Some of our good friends came over last night and we walked over a few streets to see our city’s fireworks display. Wow. I’ve seen quite a few fireworks in my day, and this was the best. Not the grandest, I’m certain, and definitely not the most expensive. What made it so great is that the people who were shooting the fireworks were maybe a stone’s throw from us and, consequently, the display was right over our heads. They were dazzling and magnificent. And, the weather was perfect, let us not forget that.

Next year I’m going to do exactly the same thing but with more festive food and a flag cake just like Pioneer Woman’s. Only, I might not wait so long to make the cake.

Happy July 5th, Y’all
I hope that everyone had a good 4th yesterday. We had a good one. Although, I think that we may have been the only folks within the limits of St. Louis who didn’t partake of any BBQish food. Not that we don’t love, LOVE BBQish food — because we do, but we’d had pulled pork quite a few times this week, already. So, what did we eat? Pasta and homemade bread along with some watermelon. A bit unfestive, I must admit, food-wise, anyway. But, the day ended well. Some of our good friends came over last night and we walked over a few streets to see our city’s fireworks display. Wow. I’ve seen quite a few fireworks in my day, and this was the best. Not the grandest, I’m certain, and definitely not the most expensive. What made it so great is that the people who were shooting the fireworks were maybe a stone’s throw from us and, consequently, the display was right over our heads. They were dazzling and magnificent. And, the weather was perfect, let us not forget that.

Next year I’m going to do exactly the same thing but with more festive food and a flag cake just like Pioneer Woman’s. Only, I might not wait so long to make the cake.

Happy July 5th, Y’all
I hope that everyone had a good 4th yesterday. We had a good one. Although, I think that we may have been the only folks within the limits of St. Louis who didn’t partake of any BBQish food. Not that we don’t love, LOVE BBQish food — because we do, but we’d had pulled pork quite a few times this week, already. So, what did we eat? Pasta and homemade bread along with some watermelon. A bit unfestive, I must admit, food-wise, anyway. But, the day ended well. Some of our good friends came over last night and we walked over a few streets to see our city’s fireworks display. Wow. I’ve seen quite a few fireworks in my day, and this was the best. Not the grandest, I’m certain, and definitely not the most expensive. What made it so great is that the people who were shooting the fireworks were maybe a stone’s throw from us and, consequently, the display was right over our heads. They were dazzling and magnificent. And, the weather was perfect, let us not forget that.

Next year I’m going to do exactly the same thing but with more festive food and a flag cake just like Pioneer Woman’s. Only, I might not wait so long to make the cake.

A To-Do List

— *BRING BOOK*
— ask Allie what color her room is
— decorate locker
— go to pool
— wash t-shirt
— *FIX CIRCLE NECKLACE!*

My 10-year-old son found the above list in his library book. He showed it to me and we laughed and laughed. There is just something about finding other people’s lists — I just like it. Other people’s agenda can be quite interesting. Like the time I found the list that Jon’s centenarian aunt had made before a very special dinner and left in the cookbook that I inherited. I’m not sure, but I think that Aunt Jenny must have had a very exceptional meal that night. And, Jon and I agreed that if the above list was our list, well, we’d knock it out in like 5 minutes and spend the rest of the day drinking sweet tea or maybe margaritas.

A To-Do List

— *BRING BOOK*
— ask Allie what color her room is
— decorate locker
— go to pool
— wash t-shirt
— *FIX CIRCLE NECKLACE!*

My 10-year-old son found the above list in his library book. He showed it to me and we laughed and laughed. There is just something about finding other people’s lists — I just like it. Other people’s agenda can be quite interesting. Like the time I found the list that Jon’s centenarian aunt had made before a very special dinner and left in the cookbook that I inherited. I’m not sure, but I think that Aunt Jenny must have had a very exceptional meal that night. And, Jon and I agreed that if the above list was our list, well, we’d knock it out in like 5 minutes and spend the rest of the day drinking sweet tea or maybe margaritas.

A To-Do List

— *BRING BOOK*
— ask Allie what color her room is
— decorate locker
— go to pool
— wash t-shirt
— *FIX CIRCLE NECKLACE!*

My 10-year-old son found the above list in his library book. He showed it to me and we laughed and laughed. There is just something about finding other people’s lists — I just like it. Other people’s agenda can be quite interesting. Like the time I found the list that Jon’s centenarian aunt had made before a very special dinner and left in the cookbook that I inherited. I’m not sure, but I think that Aunt Jenny must have had a very exceptional meal that night. And, Jon and I agreed that if the above list was our list, well, we’d knock it out in like 5 minutes and spend the rest of the day drinking sweet tea or maybe margaritas.

Sleepy Conversations
My youngest is still taking a nap on most days. Today he told me that he was tired around noon and by one o’clock (after we read several books) he was in dreamland. The problem is that he wants to stay up late if I let his nap go overlong. So lately I’ve been trying to wake up the little darling. This leads to some funny exchanges.

Me: Hey, Sweet Boy, time for you to wakey-wakey.
4th son: sniff
Me: Little Barlow, you need to wake up now.
4th son: sniff I smell cheese.

He sits up and the conversations continues.
Me: What do you smell?
4th son: I smell cheesy cheese from da moon.
Me: Really? The moon has cheese?
4th son: Yes, the moon has wots of cheesy cheese, you know. I wuv cheese. sniff

Sleepy Conversations
My youngest is still taking a nap on most days. Today he told me that he was tired around noon and by one o’clock (after we read several books) he was in dreamland. The problem is that he wants to stay up late if I let his nap go overlong. So lately I’ve been trying to wake up the little darling. This leads to some funny exchanges.

Me: Hey, Sweet Boy, time for you to wakey-wakey.
4th son: sniff
Me: Little Barlow, you need to wake up now.
4th son: sniff I smell cheese.

He sits up and the conversations continues.
Me: What do you smell?
4th son: I smell cheesy cheese from da moon.
Me: Really? The moon has cheese?
4th son: Yes, the moon has wots of cheesy cheese, you know. I wuv cheese. sniff

Sleepy Conversations
My youngest is still taking a nap on most days. Today he told me that he was tired around noon and by one o’clock (after we read several books) he was in dreamland. The problem is that he wants to stay up late if I let his nap go overlong. So lately I’ve been trying to wake up the little darling. This leads to some funny exchanges.

Me: Hey, Sweet Boy, time for you to wakey-wakey.
4th son: sniff
Me: Little Barlow, you need to wake up now.
4th son: sniff I smell cheese.

He sits up and the conversations continues.
Me: What do you smell?
4th son: I smell cheesy cheese from da moon.
Me: Really? The moon has cheese?
4th son: Yes, the moon has wots of cheesy cheese, you know. I wuv cheese. sniff