As of Late...

We, like I'm sure you all, have been busy. Sometimes I'm reminded of the movie, About a Boy...where his life is measured in units. Units being things that take up time. When I'm waiting for something, say like, a baby, the units pass more slowly. However, now that school, and fall and Halloween and the elections, (yeah, even though I HATE all the crap that leads up to it, I always feel compelled to vote...that way I'll have a lot to complain about the next time around), Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and bi-monthly doctor's appointments, and all physical and dental exams before the new year are coming due...it seems like each day flies. And I'm wondering where it went, and how to make up for all my time wasted as I sit with my feet up, or "rest". Before it was relaxing, as those exercises "just killed the last hour", or "now there are only thirty minutes before the kids get home." Not anymore. I'm feeling the impending end of this countdown. And though I've waited for what seems like forever, now I'm kind of panicky.
Meanwhile, in copying Shauna, my children got their school pictures and I'm posting them, too. I've talked to a lot of parents that have an aversion to school pictures, and I know why, as it's pretty obvious. Just the smile and click method makes a lot of kids look frumpy, even after the hours on the hair, and de-boogering, and making sure that they've bathed recently enough that their faces will stay as clean as possible. (And totally not counting the effort it takes to find the perfect outfit that will compliment their eyes, and not show stains from breakfast, or their first recess). But, it's an exciting process for me, too. It's nostalgic, and that's one thing from my childhood that I can totally relate to, despite all the changes that have occurred, since. Next year, my sister Muff, bless her, will take Riley and Cole's school pictures for them. This way I'll know that I will have a quality product and not have to worry about blinking or what I like to refer to as the "stoned look", which both kids have a tendency to do. (It's totally a genetic defect they've inherited from me, sorry to say). But as for now, I really liked what came back this year. I think they both are showing their personalities quite perfectly.
Jeff did some stuff this weekend. He didn't have projects due, so he finally got around to the stuff that I just save for him, as I have no sewing coordination, and even my children have lost their faith in my ability to make repairs look nice. Cole's blue blanket, that is no longer blue, or could be considered an actual blanket, was completely redone by Jeff. He went and got some new batting, and essentially put an entirely new blanket inside Cole's old one, as we needed to still keep the "salties" on the outside of it. What salties are, we aren't too sure, but they are necessary for Cole to rub and feel. Yes, there were tears, and a lot of coaxing from Jeff, Riley, and myself ensuring Cole that his blanket would make it. Honestly though, I was a little bit skeptical as well. His entire blanket was falling apart. This is what the surface looked like, everywhere. If you put any pressure on it whatsoever, it would separate beneath your fingers. Every time we washed it, I would hold my breath, and then have to dig the batting out of the dryer that had balled up in little areas, and squeezed their way out of all the holes. This is the finished product, however, it keeps all the batting in, and the salties are still in tact. So all is well.
Jeff also sewed Cole's Halloween costume. I won't post the picture yet, because I'll take some at Kelli's Halloween party, and when he's actually wearing it. However, you will be amazed at Jeff's artistic ability, and my insight. We kind of have a system. Each year, after Halloween, the kids and I will find stuff on sale that will compliment their costumes for the next year. We decide what they'll wear--and what they're excited for. Then Jeff gets the hard part at the beginning of the next October. I ask/tell him what we need him to do in order to get the perfect costume, and he makes time for it. He's seriously the best guy ever. (Riley's was easy--she'll be beautiful and graceful at the same time, you'll see).
Anyway, that was our weekend, and it's carried on until now. Hopefully we'll be ready for all the ongoings this weekend, and make it through. I guess you'll all find out later. I'm sure you'll all be waiting.