Stop Raining in my Sandbox

Mommy blogger vent ~ feel free to skip

I know you can't please all of the people all of the time but it really bothers me when commenters chose to be hurtful rather than moving on or seeing the humor.

Dr Daddy is having a crazy travel week what with giving a talk in Portland, OR on Tuesday,  seeing patients in his clinic yesterday (Philadelphia) and giving another talk in New York this morning.  So yesterday I loaded our borrowed rental (another story for another day) and we met Charlie for dinner in the train station before he left.  And it was exhausting and a blast!

Both!! My saying it was exhausting does not mean it was not a blast or that I regret it. Yes it was great fun for the kids to see Dr Daddy and eat in a train station; to listen to the conductor call "All Aboard" and see the trains, but getting into the city, finding parking, and getting everyone home and into bed by myself was a bit exhausting too, so what!

As has been said by those wiser and funnier than me (Colleen, Grace, Dwija)

We are making memories and raising saints, and trying to capture this moment in time.

And you are more than welcome to come along if you want, otherwise stop raining in my sandbox!

WWRW #3

Still reading the same books from last week so I thought I'd share some favorite's at bedtime.

9 O'Clock Lullaby: This was a library book and currently unavailable Amazon wise but I will be keeping an eye out for this one.  Beginning in Brooklyn, NY at 9pm with Mama singing a lullaby we than travel to Puerto Rico at 10 pm and across the Atlantic and around the world.  With lovely illustrations the book was a fun way to talk about places around the world and idea of time zones.

Blueberries For Sal: This was a favorite of Lisbeth that we have brought back out thinking Liam would like, he does.  They both enjoy adding the sound effects and the idea that the mommies and kids get all mixed-up.






Please head over to Cari of Clan Donaldson filling in the the vacationing Housewifespice

Sunday Best and a Challenge Completed

     Church was just us girls today and overall went well; Caitlin did request a feeding and Lisbeth a bathroom run but one can't always plan around this bodily calls.  Having recently mastered the 'Our Father' Lisbeth enjoyed the Gospel and for the first time in ever listened to part of the homily.
They both earned an A-.

Inspired by Ana, I recently bought (and wore today) a polka-dot shirt.  I like that they are of different sizes giving a sort of bubble effect. The rest of the outfit consisted of black slacks and shoes.

Clearly need to work on my selfies technique

     This post also marks to completion of the 7 posts in 7 days challenge.  It has been both easier and tougher than I guessed.  I could usually easily think of something to write each day but while I know in my head that most of what I write is interesting only to me and maybe some family members, my heart loves comments and so posting multiple times in a short period was a bit tougher on the emotions than I had anticipated.  Still I'm glad I took and met the Challenge.

Elisabeth ~ at the moment

Happy for a chance to in a sense hit the pause button and remember Lisbeth at this moment; in so many ways she seems on the verge of growing up.  We have recently bought her an alarm clock and will in the next couple of weeks go to the uniform store to get her uniforms for kindergarten.

She now swims with arm floats, is becoming faster and faster on her scooter and will soon need a bigger bike.

But it is more than milestone stuff, her attitude is maturing; less of the picky eater, lose of screen time or some other privilege is greater deterrent than time-outs, she this summer had her first 'crush' and will run off to play with the quickest of good-byes to me.

Currently wants to be a Mommy, nurse of animals and people and a potter when she grows up.
Loves pink and purple, Hello Kitty, watching Max & Ruby and Lalaloopsy.

A great big sister, most of the time.

Mailing a letter to her pen pal

Fun & feisty, still my strong-willed child but better at caring, sharing and controlling those emotions each day!

Quick Takes # 139, Work'n the Tired Neurons

1. Day 5 of 7 posts in 7 days; Quick takes have been a favorite of mine throughout my blogging time; a chance and space for new ideas or concepts and jot down events I don't want to forget.
2. Busy week in the world of the Royals; first on Sunday Belgium crowned their seventh king.  Was pleasantly surprised how much coverage I was able see here from the U.S.
3. Then on Monday the birth of the Prince George of Cambridge.  Congratulations again to them!!
4. Liam had another speech evaluation this week; he ages out of the Birth to 3 program this fall and this was for the next level. I was a bit worried since he had been under the weather this weekend and was still acting clingy.  He did great, even charming the speech therapist by tapping his chin and saying  "Tinking, tinking" when he didn't know the answer.
5. So excited to see all of the posts and news articles coming out of Rio and World Youth Day; I've never attended but since Denver have know someone who has attended (except this year I think).  It is always so fun to hear the stories when they get back.
6. So the sickies mentioned before continued into the night and Lady Cate and I camped out on the couch for the night ~ praying she is over it, no one else gets it ~ and on little sleep my patience holds up for the day.
7. Good Weekend Everyone!!

New Royal Family of Belgium

Please head over to Conversion Diary for the rest of this week's Quick Takes.

Silver amidst the clouds

So in one of those 'in the trenches' day which included vomit and many diapers and no potty success the promise to post 7 in 7 has me stopping at the end of the day to try and remember some silvery shimmers amidst the storm clouds

• Lisbeth's camp had a field trip to a bouncy place and she had a blast.
• During a feeding Liam came over a put a cowboy hat on my head, and Caitlin came off to flash the biggest smile
• Link-ups like Theme Thursday & 7 posts in 7 days gave me much to read & enjoy when I could get online.
• The day included a yummy iced coffee and a cold Dr Pepper now
• A very cool start to the day allowed for wearing favorite jeans for awhile
• An evening dinner brought home by Dr Daddy to be shared after tucking in the littles.

Hoping she is back to her happy self tomorrow

What We Are Reading Wednesday #2

Linking up with Jessica of Housewifespice to share What We are Reading


                                                  The Secret of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Williq; I'm

about a third of the way through this story of a graduate student who goes to London to investigate the spies of the Napoleonic Wars; and so far I like ~ well written, decently paced, interesting characters.  I'm told this is the first of eight so I may well have found a new author to explore.

Ladies of Liberty by Cokie Roberts is a continuation of her exploration of the lives and contributions of the wives, daughters and friends of the Founding Fathers of this nation begun in Founding Mothers.  This one covering the time from John and Abigail Adams time in the White House to their son John Quincy Adams and his wife, Louisa (1797- 1825). Only really getting started with this one but have read & enjoyed Founding Mothers.






Family plug
HIM is a sweet friends become lovers, coming of age, misunderstandings of first love story which is currently on sale on Amazon and B&N.com, and written by my youngest sister Carey Heywood.

Please head over to Housewifespice to see What We are Reading Wednesday