Conversation Starters

Quote of the Day - "In order to have joy, one must share it."

We have a bin of "conversation starters" that we sometimes use to spark discussion at the dinner table. The other night, Maya picked one out and read me the question: "What is the best part about being the age you are? The worst part?" Well, the best part was easy to answer--I have everything I have ever dreamed of having at this stage of my life: a great husband, two adorable, healthy, and happy girls, a comfortable lifestyle without financial hardships, good friends, a great family, and a great community. I am healthy--mentally and physically. And I appreciate all these things even more because I haven't always had them. So, what's the worst thing about being 36? The only thing I can think of is that it won't last forever....that one day I will be looking at my grown children and wishing, if only for a moment, that I might be able to cuddle with them as little ones once again. Yep, this is a great time of life, and I am lucky enough to know it now, while it is happening!

Cute Composer's Curtsy

I set the keyboard up in the play area again last week. It used to be in the play area in AZ, but the girls had gotten bored with it, so I decided to conserve space and keep it packed up from the move. I brought it out again so the babysitter could play songs for the girls, and now it is a favorite toy once again! I was getting dinner ready when I saw Ava "composing" a cute little rendition, so I grabbed my camera and captured this:

Quote of the Day:

"The more I encourage a child to think for himself, the more he will care what I think."
— Unknown

Saying Good-bye to Summer

Wow, it's been over a week since I have posted. During that time, I have had several ideas for some good blog entries, but no time to write them! So, a summary of highlights will have to suffice.

Here are some things I have learned during the past week:

1. Waking up to your dog throwing up, then topping it off with some bloody diarrhea, can change your plans for the entire day. (It could also have wreaked havoc on the brand-new, three-week- old carpeting downstairs, but, mercifully, the carpet was spared in the nick of time.)

2. A clothes dryer that takes 4 cycles to dry a load can really set a family of four back on laundry upkeep. Having the repair service tell you they can't see you for another 4 days sets you back even further.

3. Birthdays are fun, no matter what your age!

4. The students on my roster for 9th grade Religious School were all born the year I graduated from college. (But, birthdays are still fun, even when you are as old as I am!)

Happy Birthday to me, I'm 33 + 3!

Here is my mug shot for year #36, taken on my birthday in Uptown, where Mike and I went to celebrate. We went to Stella's Fish Cafe for dinner, then headed over to Comedy Sportz for some good laughs. It was a beautiful night. A great way to end one year and begin another.

And, this week, we all began yet another school year. So far, Maya LOVES first grade Spanish Immersion with Senora Gong. Her only disappointment is that she doesn't have any homework yet (except for daily reading, which she claims "doesn't count" as homework.) Here she is getting on the bus Tuesday morning, her first day of first grade. Ava was sad that she couldn't join her sister on the bus, but she was happy to see all of her friends again in the 3's class at Shalom Yeladim Preschool. She surprised us all by using the potty at school on the very first day. When I picked her up, here diaper was still dry. Yesterday, she kept her panties dry ALL DAY....I did not change one diaper! She even went at the neighbor's house a couple of times when we were over there playing...and she was the one who took the initiative to tell me she had to go. So I think we are turning a corner with the potty training. She has yet to poop on the potty, but I am hoping that will happen soon, and when it does, she will be amply rewarded for her efforts. Here she is seen on her way to Shalom Yeladim in her new tights and dress! And, while I don't have a picture of me on my first night of teaching Religious School, I will say that it went fairly well, as far as first nights go. (I have to gain their respect before I can let loose a little.) But, overall I think I have a good group of kids, and I am looking forward to a fun and productive year. So, we are all off to the races for the 2008-09 school year. Let the games begin!