Wow...seems I took an extended vacation from blogging. Completely unintended - most days I sit and think about what I'm going to write about, or try to remember little things, and it just doesn't happen. Seems after the kiddos have gone to bed, I usually am cleaning up or just too darn tired to sit down at the computer. So I'll put my work hours to good use this morning.

The only problem with waiting so long between posts is that 1. I have too much information stored, and 2. I don't write any of it down, and then forget most of it and wonder what the hell I'm going to write when I finally sit down to blog, and 3. The blog usually winds up being hideously long - as this one is shaping up to be.

Jack is getting ready to start preschool. I found myself buying school clothes and uttering the words "school supplies". I mean, I feel like my mom was just purchasing a Trapper Keeper for me, and now I'm buying glue and animal crackers for Jack. For now, I'm putting up a strong front, but when I see him strolling off with his backpack, the floodgates might open. (I'm getting optimistic in my near 33 year-old age!). I am finally going to break out the flashcards to start with numbers & letters. His imagination runs wild like his voice - I think his teacher is in for a real surprise and may need to invest in some tape or a muzzle...the kid can talk...and talk and talk...and lately has been so whiny! I'm not sure what the deal is...I'm getting better at talking him out of the whining vs. throwing a fit myself, I think.

Charlotte is taking swimming lessons and is loving it! She sticks her face in and laughs and laughs as she jumps in from the side of the pool. She's standing on her own a bit and cruising all over the house. She crawls faster than I can run and is into EVERYTHING. It's funny how different the kids are. I never worried about a lot with Jack, which could have been just beginner's ignorance, but Charlotte is in to light sockets, cords, daring herself to crawl headfirst down the stairs, hands in toilet, emptying drawers...She cracks herself up constantly - spitting out her food while she blows raspberries, dancing to anything that makes noise, and squirming right off the table when I'm trying to change a diaper or put clothes on. She is also getting tooth #5 and she can still barely wear shoes. She's finally able to wear 0-3 month shoes. It's shaping up to look like we may not be able to share shoes after all...sad.

We also got a new kitten - courtesy of Jack. He fell in love with her at the in-law's house and we couldn't say no. Jack's name selection was Woo Foo, but we decided on Sasha (a nod to the former Jayhawk). Woo Foo is her middle name. She's a dolly and already completely owns the dogs.

Hubby has been coaching baseball like a madman (which makes me think of Mad Men, which leads me to Jon Hamm, which leads me to love). Today, his boys play in the state title game! Yahoo! Unfortunately, the powers that be set it up so that state baseball was in the most ridiculous spot on earth, 4 1/2 hours away and the Gordon clan could not go. Ultimate fail on behalf of the American Legion, but needless to say, I'm cheering on the inside from work today.

I have been hideous at taking pictures lately - mostly because my camera batteries are dead and I keep forgetting to buy new ones. I need to be better - and I also need a high-powered camera (high on my b-day wish list). I want a serious camera that takes a gazillion pictures a second. I literally want to sit around click, click, clicking away while the kids are doing their thing. Pictures will come soon. Love to all!