Hot Fun in the Summertime

I guess the fact that August starts tomorrow is a sign that summer is starting to near its end.  Not that it feels that that way outside, and it won't feel like fall here until just before it gets winter-cold (seriously, fall lasts about one day, maybe two), but I like knowing that summer is near its end and my favorite months of the year - October, November, December - will shortly be upon us.

However, for now we're in the midst of trying to break a record for the longest streak of 100+ degree days in DFW.  The record, which was 60-something days, was set in 1980.  As of this weekend, we're in the middle of the second-longest streak at close to 30 days.  Obviously we have a lot of days yet to accumulate, and while accomplishing this feat would be pretty amazing, it means we have to suffer in the meantime.  However, Steve and I agree that we might as well root for breaking the record.  If it's not going to be 101 degrees, it will be 99 degrees anyway ... it won't feel any better, so we'd rather it just stay over 100 so we can say we lived through the hottest summer ever here. 

To beat the heat yesterday, we took Sara to a local splash park.  She had so much fun!  She ran and ran (even though we told her to walk), and came over to the bench we were on every once in a while to say, "I'm ALL wet!"  I think we had as much fun watching Sara as she had playing.  Afterwards, we were all hungry so we hit up In-N-Out for burgers.  It sure tasted good, but we instantly felt guilty about the indulgent calorie splurge.  We have vowed to not eat there again for a very long time ... which is what we said last time (which was roughly one month ago).

Today my sweet girl woke up with a fever and cough.  Although we'd been planning on going to the pool, when Sara woke up not feeling like her usual self, we opted for an inside, low-key day.  Sara didn't eat much today, and she was very clingy and cuddly (no complaints on the latter).  She only asked once to go in the backyard, and even that request was half-hearted.  She's already in bed for the night, and I am so hoping she wakes up feeling better tomorrow.  Tomorrow is another water play day at school, so when she wakes up and realizes she gets to wear her swimsuit to school again, I think she'll bounce right back to her routine.

In case you haven't already programmed it into your DVR, don't forget that the Jersey Shore crew takes over Italy and makes the rest of the American people look like complete fools beginning Thursday evening on MTV.  Now that's what I call good television, people.  Cabs-a-he'e! 

Have a great week, friends.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Our globe-trotting (well, TX to FL back to TX to MN and back to TX) is over for the time being.  After what can only be referred to as three and a half weeks of something-akin-to-bliss, I'm back at work and Sara is back at school.  While I don't necessarily feel rested, I do feel re-energized, and that's just as good.

Sara was a little shy going into school yesterday morning, but only for a minute.  By the time I slipped out the door, she was back into the swing of things.  I'm proud to say that she's been successfully wearing panties this week at school!  She had been doing really well at home (with the exception of nap time), so I packed her lots of extra panties and outfits and asked her teachers to give it a go.  What fun it has been to arrive at pick-up and find that she hasn't gone through all the outfits due to accidents.  Just like many of you told me would happen, when I finally threw up my hands and resigned myself to the fact that my child would be forever in diapers, she took matters into her own hands.  We still haven't ventured out in public without pull-ups, but I've decided I'm going to try have the patience to take the rest of this process one step at a time.  Just tonight I found myself saying to Sara, "For the longest, I was pushing you to use the potty ... and now that you do, I'm just a little sad."  

Other signs that point to the fact that a big girl lives in this house include the fact that Sara is now sleeping in a big girl bed!  After debating for a while as to what kind of toddler bed we should buy, we made the decision to just convert her crib.  (Duh ... not sure why we considered buying another bed and storing a crib that was made to convert.  We're not always the sharpest tools.)  Anyway, it's just perfect for Sara, and will last until she's big enough to climb into a twin bed.  She loves that she can crawl in and out by herself, and keeps telling us, "Look at me in my big girl bed!"  I had wanted to start the BGB earlier in the summer, but since we were out of town so much it didn't happen.  I was a little nervous about starting it the same week we returned to our work & school routine, but it might end up being the best thing ... she's so tired by the time she climbs in that I don't think it even occurs to her to climb back out (yet).  Sara slept in BGBs at Disney and at Lake Ida, so she felt like a seasoned pro when we told her to hop into the one in her bedroom for the first time.

Being back at work is going well, but I'm already exhausted.  I told Steve and my mom and probably some other people that it was almost easier last summer to not have much of a break because I just kept going without thinking much of it.  This year, I just got a little taste of break - like a teaser - and then it was time to return.  Still, I got a break at all, which is more than most, and I do love my job ... so I can't complain.  I'm just trying to not let myself become too stressed as my to-do list grows and the hours in the day dwindle.  Stress makes me mean and crabby, and I'm making a conscience effort to go with the flow.  I keep telling myself that everything this year has to be easier than last year when we were opening a brand new building and just crossing our fingers that it would be ready by the time students started coming.  If we made it through that, we can handle a "normal" start.  Plus, I have new shoes to wear tomorrow.  So take that, stress. 

On a different note entirely, I'm almost too embarrassed to discuss this is but you all deserve the entertainment factor so, at the risk of losing your respect for my intellect, I'll go ahead and announce that I'm obsessed with The Bachelorette. I say it every season (as Steve knowingly rolls his eyes and mutters, yeah, sure): "I will not watch. It's stupid. I refuse." And then something happens and it's like my brain knows it needs the show for survival (which is the most ridiculous statement ever because there are probably only two shows that could possibly be worse for one's brain) and I just have to watch. It's insane and, like I said, embarassing. Yet here I am again, anxiously awaiting Monday night's finale. I'm rooting for JP. I think he is handsome and seemingly genuine, and I went to high school with a couple cute JPs, which may or may not be influencing my vote. Once Monday night comes and goes and the tabloids on Tuesday announce that the happy couple has already split, I'll vow not to watch next season; then, against all better judgement and possibly even against my deepest desires, I'll tune in religiously every Monday night. Woe is me.

After I made my FB debut last week, Steve told me that my blog might take a hit.  I'm committed to making sure that doesn't happen for a couple reasons.  First of all, I could never write this much on FB.  That would be obnoxious (it might be obnoxious here, too, but it's my blog so I can write as much as I want).  Also, this blog - more than anything else - is truly my way of recording Sara's growth as well as what our family is up to in the here-and-now.  I know someday I'll really treasure having so much of our lives in writing.  And third, aside from reading, writing is absolutely my outlet, almost to the point of being therapeutic.  All that said, while I can't promise I'll always have interesting things to say, I do pledge to keep blogging for myself and my already flakey memory (and for you, if you are one of the three people who enjoys reading it).

Decisions, Decisions

Today I made two major decisions.

1. I finally officially joined Facebook.  I caved to the peer pressure and opened an account.  I realize that I'm doing this years after FB probably hit its peak, and I'm beginning as most people are leaving ... oh, well.  This afternoon, while Sara was napping, aside from doing something slightly more productive, my options were to either pack bags for Monday's Arc pick-up or join FB.  I chose the latter.  I feel a little more in the loop than I did a few hours ago.  I had been debating joining for quite some time (obviously, since it's been around for years), and finally bit the bullet.  Now, friend me, people.

2. When I finally did get around to selecting items to give away to those in need, I made some quick decisions regarding baby items.  I packed up blankets, clothes, shoes, and bottles.  I don't know what the future holds for us in terms of adding to our family, but I do know that if we end up expecting another baby, we'll need to buy new gear (if you read the Disney post, you already know we left our stroller there anyway).  I just couldn't see continuing to hang onto so many items I don't use and/or really have room to store.  What I wasn't prepared for was the rush of emotion I got while packing some of these items into plastic bags ... nostalgia, I suppose.  Anyway, it has passed now.

Time for a drink; you can imagine how stressful this busy day has been.  Happy Friday!

Lake Love

Sara and I just returned from a visit to Minnesota.  We are used to quick three or four day trips, so it was nice this time to get to stay for more than a week.  We spent a couple days on each end of the visit in The Cities, but the bulk - and best - of our time was spent at Lake Ida.  While we unfortunately received no relief from the Texas heat (in fact, it was hotter and more humid Up North), it made for great boating and swimming.

We spent time on the lake doing all of the important things: relaxing at the sandbar, swimming from the beach (which boasts a very fast slide and a diving platform, both of which we enjoyed immensely), and jumping into the deep water off the back of the boat.  It pleased me to no end that Sara so enjoyed the water, and walked right in without hesitation. 

There's not much like lake life Up North.  I am certain I have not found a lake outside of MN that can compare to the Land of 10,000.  Lake Ida is big, clean, and wide open.  No matter where you find yourself swimming, you can glance down and see your toes.

 Sara helped Grandpa Todd drive the boat.  Her preference was to crank the wheel and spin us in circles, but we could only handle so much of that, so it didn't last long.  On this occasion, Gpa T, Grandma, and I had jumped into the lake, so Sara took over the wheel and Auntie took pictures.

  I love going to Lake Ida.  Somehow I always feel like I can breathe easier there, and that I can relax in a way I can't anywhere else.  Life is slower, and the only items on the agenda during a typical day  include: lake, porch, grill, late-night movie.  Throw in a trip to the local winery, some wagon rides, and ladder ball; what more could you need? You'd relax, too, if this was your view ...

 

This was Sara's third summer trip to the lake, but for the first time she was old enough to fall in Lake Love. And she did, without a doubt. As we left Lake Ida to head back to The Cities, she cried and cried, and in between sobs said, "Go back to the lake house."

Parenthood is Hard

Sometimes I feel like parenthood brings out the absolute worst in me.  Don't misread what I'm saying: Sara herself doesn't bring out the worst in me; in fact, she probably inspires the best in me most of the time.  But in general, there are moments when I feel like I'm being my worst self, and it's often in reaction to something related to parenthood. 

If you noticed in my Disney post, I made reference to the fact that, between Sara and I, we had very few meltdowns.  I wrote it in jest, but there is truth in that statement.  I feel like on any given day, Sara may do (or not do) something - she throws a fit for what appears to be no reason or she tears a costly Pull-Up in half or she has some general discontentment with life - and I totally lose my cool.  Like when she wasn't following my directions in the Pluto line at Disney and I yanked her out of it and then instantly regretted my overreaction because she was so heartbroken. 

On one hand, I tell myself I have to try to understand what is happening in her little mind.  Even at two-and-a-half, sometimes her way of expressing anger, hunger, frustration, exhaustion is through tears and tantrums.  Oh, who am I kidding?  Sometimes that's my coping mechanism as well.  On the other hand, I don't want to make excuses for her.  At some point, she has to see a connection between poor behavior and an unwanted consequence.  Finding that line is so hard. 

Once in a while your child might look you right in the eye and say, "Don't tell me no, Mom."  During those times, finding the line isn't hard ... however, determining the appropriate course of action is the challenge.  Not that my lovely girl has ever said that to me.  It's just an example.

When I get frustrated with Sara or upset about something she has done - either intentionally or unintentionally - and I lose my cool, I end up feeling awful.  I feel bad because sometimes I don't think she knows what she has done wrong or maybe she doesn't know it was that wrong.  I feel bad because I don't want to get upset with her or hurt her feelings or ever have her doubt my love for her.  And I mostly feel bad because, in an attempt to discipline her when I'm at my wit's end, instead of doing anything productive, I end up behaving on her level.  I'm pretty sure we all know that gets us nowhere.

I guess this is the kind of thing people tell us before we're parents and we just don't listen.  Or we just assume we'll have the kid who minds and doesn't have tantrums and does everything he or she is told and is some sort of direction-following prodigy who miraculously skips right on over the bumps in the road.  And because of this, our marriages won't take a hit; they'll continue to progress blissfully because we'll agree on all parenting techniques and we'll make plenty of time for one another.

HA! 

Reality is, though, that a lot of days, I don't like myself for the way I react - or overreact - to things Sara does.  I become my worst self as a mom.  I certainly become my worst self as a wife.  I am not discounting all of the rewards of parenthood; they are many and they are like gold.  And I absolutely wouldn't trade my precious daughter for anything you could ever offer.  I don't mind that parenthood is a challenge and a learning experience; I expected both.  It's just uncanny that in almost the same moment, I can be equally overcome with uncontainable love and on the edge of anger at my complete lack of composure in handling difficult situations. 

I always knew that, as a parent, I would be emotionally invested, but I never imagined it would be to this degree.  Parenthood is absolutely rewarding and fulfilling.  And it sure is hard.

Book Talk

During one of our recent trips to Half Price Books, I picked up firefly lane by Kristin Hannah.  I was looking for something easy and enjoyable, and this seemed like a good choice based on what I read on the back cover. The story is told over the course of four decades, and follows the lives of two girlfriends who meet as teens and remain part of one another's lives through many ups and downs.  Although the two women make different choices regarding what they do with their own lives, they have known each other so deeply and for so long that they find themselves continuing to need one another even when they appear on the outside to have nothing left in common.  I think we all hope for this type of friendship in life.  There is, of course, a fork in the road when one of the women betrays the other in a way she never saw coming, and a decision about forgiveness - and whether it's worth it - has to be made.  I really enjoyed Kristin Hannah's writing style, and in general I did like this book.  However, when all was said and done, it was really a sad story.  Beyond the friendship at the center of the story, there were a couple very emotional mother/daughter relationships.  I had the cry ball in my throat for much of the book.  Still, I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson is another YA novel I never managed to read even though it should have been near the top of my list as an English teacher, especially since it was published in 1999.  The story is told by a high school freshman named Melinda who has been shunned by nearly the entire school because she called 911 from the big end-of-summer party.  As a result, she has stopped speaking, figuring that nobody cares to hear her reasons for doing what she did; judgement has been passed, and hardly anyone will acknowledge her anyway.  Melinda is witty and sarcastic, and tells a sad story with plenty of laughs embedded.  She finds an unlikely hero in her eccentric art teacher, and after a series of events lead her to finding herself, Melinda is finally able to speak.  This book so beautifully illustrates that absolute emptiness and isolation that kids can feel, especially during teenage years that are hard enough without something catastrophic happening in their lives.  I recommend this book to anyone who works with teen, who lives with a teen, who is a teen, or who has ever been a teen (okay, everyone).

A few months back, I picked up A Reliable Wife on a whim with what was left on a B & N gift card.  I enjoyed the setting: 1907-1908 small town Wisconsin and booming St. Louis.  I loved the language and the way the author so eloquently and precisely described the events.  The story itself, mystery-meets-romance, was enjoyable and engaging.  I enjoyed some of the quite unexpected twists and turns.  But there was a good portion of the book dedicated to, ummm, relations.  More than I cared to read about, quite frankly.  A good book in many ways, but not one I would necessarily be super quick to recommend to an unassuming reader.

Our book club selection this month was Bossypants.  I heart Tina Fey.  She totally put on the "this is my book so I'm gonna say what I want to say" hat and went to town.  She's funny (obviously), but more than that, she knows who she is, what she believes in, what is important to her, and - refreshingly - she deals with the same struggles that many of us face (she's a working mom, she doubts herself from time to time ... you know, normal things!).  Tina tells about where she came from and how she turned into the star she is today, although she would never phrase it like that - "star" is my word, not hers.  Of course, she doesn't tell her story in a boring or monotonous way.  It's hysterical.  Every. Last. Chapter.  I laughed through most of the book, and even had to stop from time to time to read Steve some funny passages.  He laughed, too.  I told him he needs to read this book, though it really is written for women, the main audience Tina addresses throughout. 

One of my favorite chapters is titled "The Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter"; it is heartfelt and wonderfully personal.  It also had me giggling almost uncontrollably.  Let me give you a taste:

"May she be Beautiful but not Damaged ... Guide her, protect her ... May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart ... Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For Childhood is short ... And when she one day turns on me and calls me a B**** in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that S***.  I will not have it."  For the record, Tina doesn't have to use the asterisks in place of full cuss words.  She's one bada** woman.

Leigh and Christine, in some inexplicable editorial oversight, your names were left off the dedication page.  I'm not sure how that happened, but I do know Tina would probably apologize for it, because this book was written for women like you.  Read it.  That goes for the rest of you, too.  If you do nothing else for yourself this summer, take a few hours and read this book!

"Medicine for the soul."

Inscription over the door of the Library at Thebes

a brief update

We're still working on recovering from our Disney excursion.  As you can tell from my post on the trip, it was amazing and wonderful (and lots of other adjectives).  Now Sara and I are getting ready to head to MN for a week.  I'm excited to catch up with some friends and spend some time relaxing at the lake with family.  I feel like we've been home just long enough to unpack, do laundry, and repack!  Of course, we've worked in some other fun, too.  Of my short summer vacation, we're spending the bulk of it places other than home, and by the time we get back from MN, I'll just have a couple of days before it's time to go back to work.  We are trying to squeeze as much as we can into our days together at home.

Friday morning we met some friends over at Bounce Town for open jump.  Sara had a b-l-a-s-t!  She was a little shy at first, unsure of all of the big inflatables, but quickly caught on and certainly wasn't ready to leave when the end of the open jump session rolled around.  We're planning to go back to open jump with Audrey when we get back from MN.  Besides the extreme amounts of fun the kids have while bouncing, it also makes for an excellent nap ... all for $5.  Yes, please.

Saturday we spent the day at home.  We played in the backyard and grilled.  It was nice to just be low-key.  We've had lots of bunnies in our backyard recently, and while I suspect they are eating my flowers, we let them hang around because Sara really likes them (and, really, what's the alternative?).  While we were out playing on Saturday afternoon, there was a bunny just sitting by the fence watching us.  Sara has been into names lately (especially saying her full name), so we asked her, "What's that bunny's name?"  Her answer: "It's Steve!"  She thought that was the funniest thing she'd ever heard.  Somehow she's picked up that Daddy's name is Steve; she still thinks I'm just Mom (or sometimes Mommy Brittain). 

Yesterday we took Sara to her first baseball game.  We had seats behind home plate (what I mean is, behind and up a few rows), which made for a great view.  The highlight for Sara was probably the fact that a home run was scored, resulting in a brief fireworks display.  It was also "bat day" so we came home with a wooden bat.  Nothing says destruction like a wooden bat that weighs as much as your kid (pretty close, anyway).  We told her she could only swing it in the backyard, so as soon as we got home yesterday, you can guess where we went ...

It's hard to believe how quickly this summer is flying by, and how little I've managed to accomplish around the house.  I had a short list of small household projects floating around in my head, but it has become clear to me that they'll continue to float for a while longer.  We did manage to rework our garage one evening before we left for Disney.  It really was a completely impromptu affair.  We started with one item that needed a home, and before we knew it, we were in full cleaning/organizing mode.  It's not much, but it felt like a worthwhile accomplishment.

I'm off to get our suitcase packed ... I'm committed to not over-packing for a change; we'll see how that goes.

7th Inning Stretch

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,

 I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

 If they don't win it's a shame.

 For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

 At the old ball game."

~Lyrics by Jack Norworth

Where Dreams Come True: WDW Highlights

Our trip to Disney was exciting, sweaty, exhausting-in-a-good-way, magical, and most of all, so very memorable.  Over the course of our stay, we spent time at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney.  We saw as much as we could see in our four and a half days, and still, of course, there wasn't enough time to see it all.  I can't wait to go back!

Between the three of us, my mom, sister, and I have tons of pictures.  I'm still trying to sort through them all, reliving the various moments we captured as I go.  The meltdowns (Sara's and mine, to be fair) were minimal, so the bulk of our memories are nothing but sweet!  I don't know how I'll ever decide which pictures to print and frame.  In the meantime, I'll post some highlights here.

When we arrived at our resort on Saturday, we checked in, ate some lunch, and headed directly to the Magic Kingdom. On our bus ride to the park, we all joined together in an incredibly well-done version - if I may say so myself - of "Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate's life for me!" We hit up all of our favorite rides including It's a Small World, Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion, just to name a few. That evening we had a character dinner with Pooh and Friends. We weren't sure how Sara would react to the characters, but she loved them. She readily gave out hi-fives, hugs, and kisses. I think she may have experienced a little slice of heaven.

On Sunday we spent the bulk of our day at Epcot enjoying the World Showcases.  While we ate lunch in Mexico, we all agreed that Germany was our favorite country of the trip.  For one thing, Snow White was in Germany and Sara was beside herself at getting to spend time with the beautiful Snow.  During our day at Epcot, Sara also met Sleeping Beauty and Belle.  She was thrilled to hug so many princesses.  She managed to get Grandpa Todd to buy her a Snow White of her very own ... imagine that.

Germany was also stocked with excellent adult beverages and brats and pretzels the size of Sara's head.  What can I say, we're easy to please.  We opted to return to Germany on the evening of the 4th to watch Epcot's incredible fireworks display.  For me, that was one of the highlights of the trip.  The tribute was incredibly moving, and on top of it, we had a great spot right on the water with good food and drink, and even better company.

Oh, yes she did eat all but about two bites.

Waiting for the fireworks to begin ...

No matter how old we get, my sister and I will always love It's a Small World ...

... and Mary Poppins.  Spit-spot.

Other highlights included a character breakfast at Animal Kingdom with Mickey and pals where Sara almost missed meeting Mickey due to an unfortunate bowel situation. Grandpa Todd mentioned that she must have just been really nervous about the big meet and greet. I don't know why, but traveling reeks havoc on Sara's little system. I won't go into details, but I will let you know that we had to buy a new dress last minute in the resort gift shop yesterday because our bags had already been checked (and we'd already gone through the extra clothes I had with me), and we opted to leave the stroller in a trash can at the resort after all was said and done. But I digress ... not really a highlight, I suppose.

We rode the Tower of Terror (it was worse than I remember ... I never need to do that again thankyouverymuch), we met all the friends at the top of the list, we probably lost at least five pounds each thanks to the combination of walking and sweating, Daddy bought Sara we bought too many souvenirs, I got an awesome backpack tan line, we had a front-and-center view for the Magic Kingdom parade, and overall, we all had a vacation we won't soon forget.  Truly, we have just come home from the Most Magical Place on Earth.

American Girls

Whistle Stop Station 4th of July Parade

BFFs Audrey and Sara

Here's to all things American - hotdogs and baseball and fireworks - and especially to those who fight for our freedom. 

 Happy Independence Day! 

What are we going to do next?

We're going ...

... to Disney World!

M-I-C-(see ya real soon!)-K-E-Y
M-O-U-S-E!