Hi Snowman!

Have you ever had an empty (or what you thought was empty) chocolate milk carton launched at your head when you were driving?   I have!  And not only was it thrown at me in a fit of tired toddler rage but it became lodged under the gas pedal and I had to drift to the side of the road.  Seriously.  Power steering's got nothing on chocolate milk.  I was so annoyed and started in with my in-the-rearview-mirror-stink-eye and a "mommy does not like that you threw that at me."  But as I pulled to the side of the road, the carton launcher in the backseat yells,  "Hi Snowman!"  Of course, he's saying hi to the inflatable in the lawn that we're now sitting beside.  He's moved past the chocolate spray on the inside of his sliding door (that I will soon discover when we arrive home.)  He lives in the moment.  And in this moment, he is wondering why his new friend isn't responding.

I realized how many times I end up drifting, especially as a mom, to take care of the thousand little unplanned details that pop up when you're running a household of six.  How frustrated I am when we are late for nap time or the to do list goes unchecked.  So today, I'll take my cue from Frosty's friend the milkman- veer from your path and sit on the sidelines for awhile.  Take in the moment.  And then clean the van!

I'm back!!!!!!!

I miss the blog.  Maybe at least one person out there does too?  What I miss most is the documentation for my family.  So, I'm coming back.  With four kiddos in four schools (including a three year old who isn't in school much), the posts might be short and not beautifully written, but I will try!  I will write my observations about family life, raising good people (how I'm failing and how I'm succeeding),  creating a home you love and of course, fun finds from shopping excursions.

So, for today- two things I'm thinking about.

1.    This might be the cutest Christmas book ever.  I'm kind of forcing it on my kids because three are really too old for it and one is too young, but gosh darn I had to have it.  And Finn will like it more and more each year.




The wooden manger folds up and completely fits in the box with the stuffed baby Jesus and the book. Sweet illustrations, sewn baby, opportunity for service and good old fashioned organization - they were speaking to me!

2.  Raising Canes holiday cups make me laugh.  While honoring Buddy the Elf, I can drown myself in iced tea.   And I mean drown myself- it might be a slight problem.   Sometimes (everyday) you just need a tasty beverage when you're out and about!  No intervention needed!


Talk to you tomorrow!