Snuggle Bug

This how Jonathan naps now, with all of his 'babies'.

Radish

Clara came home today with a radish that she helped grow in the garden at school.

Mrs. Cope told her she had to wash it off before eating it.

Mrs. Cope also suggested to try it in a salad, but I didn't happen to have any of the fixings for a salad. I told Clara she could either wait for me to get salad fixings and try it tomorrow, or she could try it tonight on it's own...

She was far too excited to wait. At first, she thought it was pretty good...

...then she figured it was a little 'spicy'.

Not a fan of radishes!

A little milk to wash away the tang of the radish.

Yuck!

The Box Said 'Dark Golden Blonde'...

Somehow that translated into more of an auburn (or 'orange' according to Clara) for me.

I did it last night after I put the kids to bed. It's grown on me through the day. Not quite the color I was going for, but I don't hate it. At least it's only semi-permanent, meant to wash out in 28 shampoos.

I just hope it doesn't go through a real 'orange phase' as it fades...I don't look good in hats!

What's in the Envelope?

I posted a few weeks ago that I snipped the first few locks of Matthew's hair and placed them in an envelope...then I lost the envelope. I remembered putting it directly on the computer desk, without labelling the outside. Then I remembered a few days later I had needed an envelope and had taken that same 'empty' envelope that had been conveniently left out on the computer desk. So I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what it was I needed that envelope for.

I didn't remember addressing an envelope, so I was certain it hadn't gone out in the mail. I asked Chris if I'd sent him back to Fallon with anything in an envelope. He checked his bag and came up with nothing. I checked the envelope I keep on the refrigerator for box tops for the school. Nope. So I said something to my friend about it the other day. She threw out a few suggestions that I might have needed an envelope for...bills, coupons, lunch money...Lunch money!!!! That was it!

Clara typically takes a lunch to school, but a few weeks ago, in some confusion about Red Ribbon Week festivities, she got a hot lunch. I hadn't paid beforehand, so I got a notice in her school folder that I owed $2.25. Not having cash and not wanting to waste a check on such a small amount, I didn't send any money in the next day. That next day I received a second notice. So I got the money together and grabbed that envelope that was just laying out. I didn't think twice about it, and obviously didn't look in it as I placed the money inside. I sealed it, stuck it in her folder, and sent it in to school. The 3rd day Clara had a substitute, and I guess folders weren't sorted as usual in the morning, so I received a call from the lunch lady about my debt...I'll admit I was a little taken back by her persistence, but I let it go knowing I had sent the money in. I didn't even stop and think about the envelope for a good week after.

I am bummed to think that I no longer have Matthew's first snippets of hair, but it was very little to begin with, and it's not like I can't get more. However, I was mortified to think I had stuck it in an envelope with money to send in to Clara's school to pay for lunch. What she must have thought when she pulled out the money with that hair! I spoke to the secretary in the office about the mix-up today as I was signing in to volunteer, and promised I wasn't trying to make a statement regarding being hassled over a $2.25 debt! She thought it funny and promised to pass the story along to the lunch lady. She also seemed more upset than I was about no longer having the keepsake. A least I have a story to go with why I don't!

Beauty and the Beast

Last night Clara and I went out for a girls' night. I didn't tell her what we were doing as usual (the mounting excitement is more than I can take when she knows all the details). She was puzzled as to why we were going out on a school night. She thought she had it figured out Monday when she said, "Oh, I know! It's because the next day is Veterinarian's Day, so I won't have school." Unfortunately, when I bought the tickets, I hadn't realized that Thursday is, in fact, Veteran's Day, and she doesn't have school, or we would've gone tonight instead. I was trying to fit into my neighbor's schedule, increasing the odds that she'd be available to watch the boys for me. I did great with that aspect.

Anyway, we got dressed up and headed out for a night on the town to see the Broadway Musical Production of Beauty and the Beast here in Fresno! Clara was excited about having a reason to wear her Christmas dress from 2 years ago one last time before it's retired with the rest of the outgrown clothes. (We won't even address the day and a half I spent in search of black shoes that fit Clara properly to match the dress. We ended up borrowing them from a great friend!) When Clara saw I planned on wearing the outfit that I'd worn all day she said, "Hmmm, I guess that could be fancy enough." So I changed. She was pleased with my new choices.

All dressed up and ready to go!

We got there JUST in time! Not a minute to spare.

Clara loved it, but it started at Clara's bed time. She was tired. She so wanted to stay awake and not miss anything that she kept shifting in her seat throughout the first half so as not to fall asleep!

Intermission. We went out to the lobby to walk around to help wake her up a little. It worked! She was wide awake for the second half. She loved watching Belle dance with her prince at the end. What's not to love?

Back in our seats, ready for the show to start.

When we pulled into the driveway at 11:20pm! Poor thing, but such a good sport.

She was tired today at school. I explained the reason to her teacher when I went to volunteer. We had a great time, a little one on one time was just what she needed. Now Jonathan is asking for a special night with me as well...Let's see what I can come up with!

What are you thankful for?

Our family Thanksgiving project.

We take turns; each day we add one feather. We even call Chris on his days. The kids love it, and it gives them a chance to really stop and think about what Thanksgiving is all about!

Uh-oh!

I'm in trouble when 'Uh-oh' makes it the 'Top 5' of 1st words!