Long, long days

Summertime is awesome, and part of that awesomeness comes from the very long days, which I loved as a kid. I have fond memories of playing until almost 10:00 at night, when the last of the dusky light was snatched away from us. After the heat of those summer days, the cool of the evening would keep us out, playing whatever games our child-minds could imagine, until parents firmly escorted us back into the well-lit house. The smell of the cool, dry grass is still one of my favorite summer scents. The other side of the coin isn't quite as fun. My kids get up with the dawn, which at this time of the year in this part of the world means they're getting up at around 5:30-ish. Getting them to bed before dark is pretty challenging as well, so all of us are a little sleep deprived. Most of the time I cope by making sure we spend as little time in the house as possible, since somehow outside time cheers us all up. Even so, I'm kinda looking forward to the days getting shorter again.

Girl in pink and blue

Parental privileges

me: So let me get this straight--in front of your daughter, who just got in trouble for cutting her own hair, you are cutting your own hair.

D: Yes...

me: ...

D: I love you

Real walking

Today Paul decided to walk. He's had most of the skills for a while now--he cruises just about every where, he's quite good at standing on his own and as often as not crawls on his feet instead of on his knees. Today he put it all together and started taking several steps at a time, even over sand.

My baby is gone! Welcome to toddler-hood, Paul.

It just gets better and better

Tuesday Sylvia cut her hair while I was talking on the phone.

Wednesday I saved empty files over three documents I've been working on for the last month, destroying several thousand words of writing (like 10-ish pages; not all that much, I know, but it's all I've managed).

Thursday I took the car out to get a smog check and left my diaper bag at the smog check place.

Friday we had friends over for dinner. At one point we had eight plates. Friday we were down to five (which is where we've been for a while). As we were cleaning up Derrick joked he could break a couple of them so we could go out and buy new ones. Not ten seconds later he dropped two on the kitchen floor. Now we definitely need new plates.

This morning I realized the diaper bag I left at the smog check place used to have my nook in it. "Some black guy" walked off with it. In the course of having the nook shut off I found out that even if your lost nook is turned into a Barnes and Noble, they won't return it to you. Wonderful, huh? Lucky me, I get to buy a new nook.

But you know, life is still good. I have good friends, a great family, and a life I love.

I hate scissors

Stats

Paul had a well child visit on Tuesday. He's still growing well--19 lb 3 oz and 29.5 inches long, which puts him in the 79th percentile for height and 30th for weight. So, he's still long and skinny.