An Explanation

I checked out of the blog for a few days without an explanation. I haven’t done that in ages. Writing some quick thoughts at the laptop has become part of the daily routine in the past couple of years.

I always have twenty minutes or so to dash something out. Sometimes it’s when Steve’s reading the kids a bedtime story or when I throw in a video for the kids in the afternoon.

In the past couple of weeks, it has been very hard to find those twenty minutes. The hundreds of little tasks that the kids’ schools require have multiplied as the year comes to an end. Putting money in an envelope for the teacher’s present, washing a green shirt for spirit day, reserving my dad for “donuts for dad day” at school.

Jonah turned six today. We had 18 family members over for a cookout on Sunday and then festivities on a smaller scale today.

Yadda, yadda. Lots of chores. But, you know, it’s all good stuff.

I’m finally back to getting my own research done. I’m not pulling in any money yet, but I’m not frustrated anymore about being sidelined.

Ian’s in a school where they’re really committed to helping him talk. His vocabulary has increased to include the word “fart.” At Jonah’s portfolio review yesterday, his teacher clearly adored him. We watched him tumble around like a puppy in the baseball field on Saturday despite the blistering heat. The coach asked us, “What are you feeding him?” Everybody is happy and healthy.

For Jonah’s birthday, we went to the mall to the Build a Bear store. I know. I know. But he really wanted one. It was so much fun to let the boys pick out whatever they wanted and not worry about the cost. And they were so ridiculously appreciative, because this doesn’t happen everyday. A splurge like that would have been unthinkable a few years back. Buying gifts without hyperventing is something new.

So, we’re busy here, but it’s all good stuff. Blogging must take a back seat for a couple more days, until that spare twenty minutes of time opens up again.