So here they are!  If you are wondering why I didn’t take any pictures of the fabulous Ms. Ellie, I did, but Alicia asked me not to post them in Flickr or publicly online, which of course I respect and understand. You will just have to take my word for it that Ellie is a sweetie

I am competely wiped out - the drive back was not a lot of fun, but it was worth it.  And it feels good to be home. Mike missed us!!! 

If you can’t see the badge, click here.

I think my favorite place in my house is the screened porch, especially on days like today when the pollen count is slightly lower and I’m only mildly miserable breathing in the yellow air.  We’ve had torrential rains again, and the fish pond liner got flooded AGAIN.  Mike and I were outside at 10PM last night using the wet vac to suck out the water between the liner and the earth - way to cap off an evening! I had just forgotten how much I love sitting out here, especially when the girls are upstairs “napping” (Lily reads, Arden still sleeps).  I’ve got some good tunes on, the birds are chirping, and even the dog decided to drag her butt out of the bedroom and hang out with me.  What more can you ask for? 

I come out here when I want to escape.  There is no place to store the bills I haven’t paid yet.  There are no messes to clean, no piles of laundry to look at.  When I’m out here, I fantasize about being a full-time writer. I’d put a desk out here with a big ceiling fan and spend the hours sipping tea and staring into the trees (but knowing me, I’d obsess about the various weeds sprouting up in the beds). 

Yesterday kind of sucked, so today has been much better, thankfully. I had a great workout at the Y. I’ve managed not to tell at either child, and Arden has managed not to have a temper tantrum today. I nearly had an aneurysm at work last night when I found out Fedex hadn’t picked up a package like they were supposed to (I had run around all day Thursday trying to get this shipment out for a customer, just to have it not picked up by Fedex), and draining the pond at night wasn’t a good way to end the day either.  Being out here, in the peace and quiet, reaffirms my faith that I will succeed at my latest endeavor. Who would have ever thought that being a stay at home mom while still owning a business could be so challenging? 

I’m posting a Flickr slideshow since I’ve been bad about downloading photos.  Included are pictures of Lily and Arden’s new bathing suits (exciting, huh?), another visit from a turtle, mother’s day, a night of babysitting with Sophia, and random shots of the girls.

Clicky Here If You Can’t See The Badge

And since I have no time to write today, here’s my latest Flickr offering.  This set includes pictures from Easter, the last day at preschool, and today’s fun visit to the Children’s Museum. If you can’t see the badge, the link to the set is below. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34511368@N00/sets/72157604280767601/

I’m jamming a bunch into my entry today.  Because I can, that’s why. 

First, I got a package today in the mail from Maya’s Mom buddy Ellie’s Mom.  Her real name is Alicia, and she knows me pretty well.  In the package was the following:

She sent me a really thoughtful note about the book (”Getting Over Jack Wagner”).  The best part is that each part of the book comes with a music playlist, and Alicia had loved downloading the songs and listening to the playlists as she read the book. She made me three CDs of the playlists, and some of my all time favorite songs are on there!  The girls even love listening to Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U”, although they think the Purple One is singing “Apple Dapple U”.  And they love it.  It was such a surprise to get it in the mail!  She even made a CD of Laurie Berkner, which is one of the only children’s music I can listen to without wanting to gut myself with the nearest rusty blade.  Can I tell you how excited I was that both Lily and Arden learned to love Regina Spektor and Feist?  But I digress.  ANYWAY.  Alicia, you rock!  Literally! Can’t wait to read the book, listen to the tunes, and distract the girls with Laurie Berkner so I can do the aforementioned things. 

I’ve said it before, but I really appreciate my MM friends.  They are the bomb. 

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Next, Arden and Lily continue to enjoy their antics gymnastics classes at Little Gym. Arden was VERY excited that I found a leotard (she calls it a “leetar”) in her size.  They insisted I take pictures of them yesterday before they headed off to class. 

and again:

They really, really, really like their classes. 

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Finally, Mike enjoys making the girls look crazy in the tub. I made sure no major girl parts were showing in the picture.  I just had to post it - it’s adorable.  I think Lily looks like Ed Grimley Jr.  What do you think?  Compare, please. (note: the crazy drawings on the tub wall are made with bathtub crayons, the girls’ favorite bathtime toy of all)

Today’s assignment was to pick a photo or two that classify as my favorites.  Chances are you may have already seen these, but I’m following the rules and posting my all-time favs.  So here goes!

This is a picture of the backyard of Mike’s and my first house.  It was in the city, and before children, we had a lot of time to garden and play.  I love this picture because it brings back memories of being newly-married, our cozy house that was built in 1937, and the amazing times we had there. 

Arden.  This picture totally captures the essence of Arden.  Funny, boisterous, always ready for a good time.  And cute to boot.

Lily, in our first house, so she was probably around 4 months old.  I love this picture of her - she was all chunky (I had finally figured out how to breastfeed - only took 4 months), and she had just woken up from a nap.  She still sleeps this way - arms stretched out over her head.