Jumbled Up VIII

I started this post two weeks ago as Quick Takes, and never finished.  Although I have more "takes" in me, I'm going to publish this now as a Jumbled Up instead.  So here you go, a jumbled up mess of random blogging bits.  Who knows, maybe I'll be back on Friday for some Quick Takes too.  Enjoy!

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Last week was "back to work" for me as violin lessons have started up at the school where I've been teaching.  Last year I had only three students and then picked up two or three more over the summer.  This year I have 15!  So that's two afternoons of teaching from about 2 PM until 7:30 or 8.  So that adds to two more nights a week to the two that I was already away from home-- one for my regular Sunday evening gig singing at mass, and another one where I'm rehearsing for another paid choir.  M is now on kid duty a total of four nights a week.

The first week it felt like a lot of time away from my girls.  But really, I think that's just a knee-jerk kind of reaction, because I'm used to being with them so much.  They have been no worse for the wear.  We have found a baby-sitter that they ADORE and she covers the gap between when I leave and M comes home from work.  Although I'm "working", the break is really nice for me.  I simultaneously miss the girls a lot and feel a huge amount of relief at having my own time and identity.  Sounds weird but that's how it works for me.

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So.  Birthdays.  Miss J was first... big two year old!

Her request was a Minnie Mouse cake... how could I say no?  She came out pretty good, I think, despite looking a little sunburned.

We had a brunchy-type party with all her favorites-- bagels, fruit salad, egg casseroles.  I have to say that, having just completed a 13-mile run that morning in training for Zooma, it was wonderful to pig out on all my favorite breakfast foods too.  Nice choices J!

I love that she exclaimed with delight over every single present she opened!

Such a gracious birthday girl.

It was also adorable that each of the older girls chose one of their own personal possessions to wrap and bestow upon J.  N gave her a little wolf figurine, L gifted her favorite book, and C drew a beautiful Minnie Mouse picture for her.  J was, of course, just thrilled with everything.  They were all too sweet.

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Then, about a week and a half later, it was Mama's birthday.

It fell on a Saturday, and it was so wonderful and relaxing.  I did my long run first thing in the morning, then we all packed up to go to N's soccer game.  It was chilly and misty that day, but it was just my kind of day!  Especially after all the hot, humid weather we've been having, I'm really enjoying the fall temperatures.

We came home, had lunch, just laid around the house and relaxed... then went out for Chinese!

We picked up ice cream (did you know that Ben & Jerry's is now making a dairy-free oreo ice cream??? J and C are ecstatic!) on the way home, and enjoyed a treat before hitting the hay :)

What more could a girl want on her birthday?

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I love the idea of coffee and books and in this busy busy season, I'm definitely all about minimizing the amount of "have-to-dos" on our homeschool checklists.  Starting the day with a snuggle, a book, and a cup of coffee has not steered us wrong yet.  There is so very much that can be learned from great literature.

Cait has made so many great book recommendations on her Facebook page lately, and by far the biggest hit in our house have been the "I Am" biographies by Brad Meltzer.  The illustrations are comic-book style and so fun and engaging; every single one of the girls has just loved them.  Even our only non-reader (Miss J) will sit for long periods of time and just look at the pictures.  She especially loves "I Am Jim Henson" as all of her favorite Muppet characters are so realistically drawn.  Anyway.  Highly recommended!

That's all for now, folks!  See you again soon, I hope!