It was nice while it lasted...

The quiet, unexciting days, that is. Actually it's not that much different today, I'm just being taught to be flexible, I guess. I've been fighting something in my sinuses for a week now. I'm pretty sure it's another flare-up of my sinus infection that I got meds for when the others were sick. I just don't think I quite got rid of it, so I'm headed back to the doctor. Gary is spending the next two days in north-central KS, so I couldn't ask him to stay home so I could go, so Mom is on her way up so someone is here to pick the girls up at school. I had planned to take them with me to get a haircut today (big thrill, I know), but at least my Dr. appt. is this morning so I can still get that done. It's sort of critical at this point! At least it's me going to the doctor and nobody else. As much as I hate not being able to take care of everything myself, I know when I've got to seek out help. Our devotion at Faith & Fitness Monday night was about giving up control and just how difficult that is to do. I guess God's just making sure I really got that lesson. I'm working on it...

Needless to say, the girls were thrilled with the prospect of Meme being here today. Frankly, they don't care what it takes to get her here, just so she's here. There was no sympathy for me...not that I expected any! It'll be a nice way for hem to break up the week. They're really excited because they have Monday & Friday off next week (making for a 3-day week) and Thursday and Friday off the following week (another 3-day week). They seem to think that's the way school should go! I can't disagree. I enjoy having them around too. :)

Cool Tuesday

I'm such a Fall freak! Today has been such a perfect day weather-wise. We had some much-needed rain yesterday afternoon and had a little mist this morning. When I picked the girls up at school this morning we had a chilly north wind to contend with as we walked back to the car. It was great! It's hard to believe that we were hot on our walk back from the parade Saturday afternoon. (Can I tell you how much they enjoy Pomona parades?! Those Red Hat ladies really helped fill up the candy bag! Besides that, they also got 2 necklaces and some little frisbees. They thought they'd hit the jackpot!) In fact, we had our AC on up until this morning. The twins were hot last night before they fell asleep so we turned it on again. Hopefully that will be the last time for a few months.

We've really had a pretty quiet few days with nothing exciting going on. It's nice sometimes to have some excitement-free days. It doesn't happen very often around here, so I've sort of learned to appreciate it when it does happen. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Hopefully more of the same! ;)

I shouldn't have been watching this... (Political views again)

I typically watch MSNBC in the mornings because I enjoy watching "Morning Joe". It has such a variety of people who contribute to their news program and is informative and even somewhat entertaining. When I returned home from taking the girls to school this morning I flipped on the TV and found myself watching the Sarah Palin speech during her rally in Florida. It was an undesirable thing to do, but I found myself compelled to watch, sort of like people rubber-necking when they drive by the scene of an accident. I don't know why I left it on, as it only left me feeling disgusted and, quite frankly, fearful at the the prospect of this woman being such a small step away from the presidency. I want the candidates to tell me, a concerned American citizen, what they intend to do to improve the economy, improve the way our country is thought of by other countries, and improve the prospect of the lives of my children, grandchildren, etc. I am not impressed or connected to a candidate by this "folksy" talk and negative spin. I want someone who ISN'T the average guy. I know a lot of average guys, but I wouldn't want any of them to be in charge of our country. I want someone BETTER than the average guy. The leader of our country should be far above average. I think it demonstrates a total disregard for the American people when a candidate finds it necessary to begin attacking his/her opponent's character in order to win the big race. What's more important: the well-being of our country and its people or simply winning? I find it so hypocritical when people claim to be so devoutly religious and yet are the first people to begin throwing the proverbial stones. If you can't win the race by playing fair and with a positive message, you shouldn't win the race at all. It seems to me that the McCain/Palin ticket is in panic mode and will now do whatever is necessary, no matter how ethically deficient it is, to win. I don't think that's okay. It's going to be a long 29 days, I'm afraid...

Progress, Progress, Progress!

I have to do a little bragging on the girls. First, after seeing Boo read her ten books Wednesday evening, both of her sisters decided to finish up their goal last night. We're playing a flashcard game with sight words and they are doing absolutely great! It's a competition to see who can get more cards by the time we get to the bottom of the pile. Also, when I picked them up yesterday, their teacher told me that she had them come up with her and help read the big book they were reading. I had visited with her about their skills (because I knew they'd never let on that they knew how to read) and also that I'm working with them to read loudly at home as well. She was thrilled to know the strides they're making and is looking for ways to allow them to shine. I really appreciate that. While I was waiting for them to get packed up, the little boy that sits with Hannah said, "They READ OUT LOUD today!" I asked if he was surprised and he replied with a resounding, "YES!" I don't know if he was more surprised that they made a noise or that they can read, but either one is progress!

As for this morning's proud moment, it was something special to see. Every morning I walk the girls into the school and do the whole "Kissing Hand" drill. If you've never seen/heard this book, it's worth your time. Essentially, Chester Raccoon is scared to go to school for the first time. His mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that when he misses her all he has to do is put his hand to his cheek and her love will travel through him to his heart. It's a very sweet story, and especially appropriate for my three. Anyway, I give them all a kissing hand when we get in the school and they begin their trek hand-in-hand to the gym. This morning, they were joined by a friend, so there were four little girls hand-in-hand walking down the hall. It was a sight to behold. They are making such progress socially, which is essentially what this year is all about for them. It's these little things that make my day brighter! :)

The Big VP Debate - Caution: Political Views

I've been waiting for this. I really wanted to see the VP candidates answer some valid questions. What I feel like I'm watching, though, is Sarah Palin reading something from a teleprompter. I wish she would address the moderator rather than continually posing for the camera. It has been clear, however, when she has been asked a question that strays from her talking points. It is at that point that she becomes momentarily flustered until she can get back to her rehearsed points. I'll give her credit, though. She has those talking points down.

9:00 - Okay, why is it that some people find it so difficult to correctly pronounce the word "nuclear"?

9:06 - Senator Biden makes this debate look effortless. There's nothing in his demeanor that indicates that he is giving canned answers. I'm impressed by his knowledge as well as his communication skills.

9:09 - If I hear the word "maverick" one more time I'll scream. They really need a new title for themselves.

9:11 - What is up with all this "doggone it" talk? I want someone in this position who speaks intelligently when speaking on a national level. Yes, we all use incorrect English when we're at home, but do we really want our VP meeting with other world leaders and using phrases like "doggone it" or "say it ain't so"? I don't.

9:18 - I'm going to finish watching this from the comfort of my bed. I'd have to say that so far my mind hasn't been changed. It has, in fact, strengthened my belief.

9:21 - Crap! There's that stupid "maverick" again - TWICE!!! I've had enough. Maybe I'll take a page out of Governor Palin's book & watch her with the volume turned down... :)

Good night!

My Own Little Jonathan

I have always told my sister that her youngest son has to be my child. We're so much alike it's almost scary. Jonathan is in high school now, but he has always (even as just a little guy) been pretty (that is to say VERY) strong-willed - in a good way. He has an opinion on most things, isn't afraid to share it, and will not be persuaded to change his mind if he believes in something. He makes sure he accomplishes everything he sets his mind to, no matter what obstacles he has to overcome. As evidence that God has a sense of humor, I am apparently raising Donna's daughter in Hanny. That's the only explanation. If you know both of them, you know exactly what I mean. It's good for me, though, because I am awed and inspired by her fearlessness and lack of shyness. Anyway, I think I have found my own little Jonathan in this household.

Yesterday the girls brought home their first Book It! goal sheet. Their goal for the MONTH of October is to read/have read to them ten books. If they meet their goal, they get a certificate to take to Pizza Hut to get their own personal pan pizza. You'd have thought I'd told them we'd won the lottery! Boo immediately decided that it was NOT going to take her a month to read ten books. She decided that not only was she going to have all ten books done yesterday, she was going to read them all herself. I began listening to her read at 4:15 and had to stop her after nine books at 5:15 so I could fix supper. As soon as she was done eating, she read the final book. I am so proud! Her sisters were impressed as well. It's good for them to see her persistence, and it really spurred them on to get some books read as well. By the end of the evening, Doodle and Hanny had each read two books themselves and I had read three to them. They're planning to finish up the goal today, according to the morning chatter. I'm thrilled not only to have readers, but also to have readers who thoroughly enjoy reading. I look forward to fostering that love of reading and learning. I spoke to their teacher this morning about Boo's drive to reach her goal and she was very excited for us. I knew Boo wouldn't tell her, but I wanted her to be aware of what all the girls are doing as far as reading goes. We're going to work together to get them started with a reading group together, I think. Maybe we'll be able to do that at home so they're still doing all the social stuff at school. They're making great strides. What a fun time! :)

36 Days and Counting...

Yes, we've officially started the birthday countdown. It's a necessary evil when there are three sets of gifts to buy and wrap and three cakes to pick out, bake and decorate. Throw into the mix that we also have to get Halloween costumes put together and there's bound to be some organized chaos around here for awhile. As of last night (they're girls and change their minds often, after all) Hanny wants to be a princess (and MUST have a crown from the toy aisle, I was informed), Doodle wants to be Little Miss Muffet (with a prairie dress and bonnet), and Boo wants to be Little Bo Peep (again, with a prairie dress and bonnet). Obviously the time they spent learning and acting out all the nursery rhymes at school really had an effect on the twins.

They're also trying to pick out what birthday cakes they want me to make. Hanny wants me to make a yellow star cake for her (just like Addie's from last year), so that one won't be bad at all. Doodle wants another pink Care Bear cake. Last year she had Tender Heart Bear. This year she wants Cheer Bear. On the plus side, she chose a cake for which I already have the pan. Boo is still undecided. She wants to keep her options open until she peruses the Wilton cake magazines that I have stored in my bedroom for every year's birthday cake choices. Hopefully she'll choose one that uses a pan I have, or Meme or Donna has, but we'll see. Last year was the first year we made three cakes. Everybody deserves to choose one, though. Very few of us know what it's like to have to share our birthday with two other people living in the same house. I want to make it as individually special as I can. We still don't know when we'll have the family party yet, but we will make those plans soon. I'm sure there will have to be some shopping trips in the upcoming weeks to find birthday gifts. Before I know it I'll have to start getting Christmas gifts as well... I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet, although I did hear on the radio this morning that it is now 84 days until Christmas. Are you ready?!