Record Time

Today we got ready in record time.
The goal is to leave by 8:10.

7:45 Woke up with the princess by my side, chatting in my ear,
7:51 Get out of bed, put on yoga pants
7:52 Noah tells me he would like a smoothie. I tell him we are in a hurry. He convinces me that it will actually save us time because although cereal is quick to make, it takes longer to eat. Great reasoning.
7:56 Making a smoothie
8:00 Noah and EJ are happily drinking their smoothies, Ricardo knocks on the door to ask how we are getting to school. He comes in to entertain JuJu while she eats grapes on the floor. Perfect.
8:02 Make Noah's lunch
8:06 Guzzle some smoothie, share some with JuJu
8:08 Put jackets on girls, strap JuJu in stroller,
8:10 Noah says a quick prayer on the back patio
8:11 We're off!

Nutella

Dear Nutella,

I love you.
I don't know what I would do without you.
You have been a lifesaver to me since moving here to Miami.

The children love you.
I can put you on anything and they will eat it.
Noah loves my whole wheat bread as long as you are on it.
Thank you for making Ella Joy happy for breakfast, then again at lunch today.
The 10 mintues of silence while she stuffed you in her mouth was a treat
to both of us!
You always look so sweet smeared on Julia's face.

Thank you for always being near when I need you.
A quick spoonful of you is just what I need when Noah is frustrated, Ella Joy is screaming, and Julia is whining. You make everything better!

If I was stranded on an island I would definitely want you there.
Surely roots, beetles, or grilled iguana would go down easier
smothered in you.

I love you. I love you. And again I love you

You were just what I needed tonight after a long day with the Princess.
I knew I could count on you to make the last corner of brownie even more choclatey and delicious than ever.


Your are wonderful.
And a constant in my life.

Jenny

My bedside table

There is a stack of books sitting on my bed side table.
They make me happy.
Ever since Julia's birth I have had trouble finishing books.
I am currently reading about 5 books.
Its nice to have so many to choose from.
I will read a chapter in one then pick up another and then another until my eyelids begin to droop and I fall asleep.
Reading A.D.D.
Maybe but it keeps it exciting and maybe I will finish one soon.

Happiness is reading

When David and I were first married we ate dinner with a family who had 5 small children. After dinner the kids all went into the living room and started reading/looking at books. They were so quiet and calm. The parents were able to talk and the kids were very content. I was so impressed with this sight. I remember thinking I want my kids to do that. Well tonight it finally happened. After dinner and baths I told the kids that it was reading time. Noah read his AR book for school, Ella Joy read her all time favorite book Honeybunny Funnybunny and Julia rolled around on the floor with her Puppy's Tail book. It was a beautiful sight.

When an 8 year old babysits you...

He may use a bike lock
to slow you down
and give you Goldfish
to eat at your convenience.

Grocery Store Craziness

Does anyone else feel like a crazy person in the grocery store?
I only had to run in for 4 items.
I quickly head to the first aisle.
Julia is calm.
Noah is picking out peaches (not on the list)
Ella Joy has found a plastic ball--the kind they sell at every store.
Why do they sell those at grocery stores?
I try to keep everyone gathered and head to the next item.
More and more items are entering the stroller (things not on the list)
Julia is starting to fuss.
Noah now is bouncing the ball and it gets away from him and lands on the head of a lady.
I pretend not to notice the chaos following me. Maybe they won't make the connection.
We pick out icecream-- Breyers Cookies and Cream, David's favorite.
I have everything I came for, I think.
I go to the self check out line
Julia is screaming.
Noah is trying to help.
Ella Joy is dancing around.
I am just trying to get out as fast as I can.
Scan, put the item in the back, Scan put the item in the bag
I am trying to be pleasant, trying.
But I know I look crazy.
I just want to get out of the store.
We finish our self check out--not so gracefully.
I walk out.
I have survived.
I commit once again to never bring the children to the store.

Another Hummus Lover

Today we had pita and hummus for lunch.
Julia thought it would be fun to dip Goldfish in the hummus.
Not too bad.
When she ran out of Goldfish she just leaned over and licked her tray.
I think we have another hummus lover in the house.