Oh, my babies are growing so fast. Yesterday was preschool play day/orientation for Jack. He's so big and grown-up. So proud of his backpack embroidered with his initials that he wore it around the house half the night when he first got it. So imagine my (sort of) happiness when today he wouldn't let me go. Held tight in that little classroom even while watching a few boys play with a giant car wash (I can't believe he resisted this), a play-doh station, blocks, a kitchen, and more. I finally coaxed him down as I watched for a few minutes, then promised to return after the parent meeting. Dad was long gone - maybe he had the right idea, but I couldn't steal away while he wasn't looking. He'd be crushed. I came back after the meeting to find him cutting guitars out of play-doh. This morning he asked, "Am I going to school today?". He's ready. I'm not. I think he's going to be fine. I'm not. I dread this - how can it be time for this already? And here we are just a month and a half out from Charlotte's first birthday. I look old, harsh, and tired. I look ugly and feel it. Gross. Is this what happens after kids? When age 33 is creeping in? I don't feel old. Should have a large hump on my back? I'm sure I'm not alone, but holy hell, it sucks and I'm not sure what to do about it. Go back to blond? Because that will cure everything - including the swarm of puberty that's decided to hit my face.

So, speaking of 33, hubby and I are taking a little birthday weekend vacay to visit friends in Dallas. I need this. Oh, how I need this. Not only will it be a chance for me to attempt a make out with John Mayer (outdoor concert - yay), but a chance for me to rest, chill, have an adult conversation without Jack bursting in with, "Mom, let's listen to the baseball song. Mom, watch this. Mom, come see what I did - close your eyes! I want some milk. Can I lay in your bed? I'm not tired..." I know I signed up for it, but again, I need this to feel sane again. I need to have cocktails and not worry that I'll have to get up in the night. I need to go a day a just lay by the pool without having to catch someone, watch a cannonball, carry another one. I do love all of it, I just need a break. Two more weeks and I'll have it. Two more weeks and football/reffing will be in full force with hubby and I'm definitely going to need recharged batteries to get through it.

How did this post get to be about me? It should be about the kiddos - and how the other night after I'd put Charlotte down, sweet Jack said, "You want to share a bowl of ice cream, mommy?" Reason #4,501,932 that I love this kid. He kept saying, "Me first", each time I'd try to take a bite. And he's so good (generally) to his baby sister. She is kissing now and they kiss all of the time. They laugh in the tub and he gives her a beard with the bubbles that she tries to eat. She screams endlessly and ends each one with a big raspberry. She kicks water like crazy and eats some more bubbles. He holds her arms (slash drags her) and is so proud as she steps along with him. She will be walking soon and any peace of mind I had will be gone. She's already into cabinets and drawers...unloading dish towels, plastic Dillons bags, pots, cutting boards. The other day as I reached for dog food at the store she stood up and turned around in the seat of the cart. And she was buckled. The buckle means nothing - just ask the high chair. Next, she will figure out how to maneuver out of her car seat and be climbing into my lap while I'm driving. She.is.ornery.

I love my kiddos. Posting this has made me feel slightly more attractive because talking about them makes me happy and I leave you all with a big smile on my face.




And finally...can you tell who's who? A favorite pastime of babies & kittens at our house: