A Lil' Homesick

So, it's 4:30 and I should be well on my way to my scrapbook retreat, but there is NO GAS in a twenty-five mile radius, so I'm sitting here on my computer and not heading to see my scrapbook buds for the weekend. While I'm wallowing in my pity, here are a few other things I miss:

School not starting until 8:20 (7:20 is really hard).
Having teachers that loved my kids so much that they call me here just to check on them.
Marvelous Monday, Terrific Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, Fabulous Friday, etc.
Neighbors that were friends.
Bunco in the 'hood, where they spelled it "Bunco" and knew how to play
Not having a kid sent to the principal's office for wearing a home-made "spirit shirt" because we weren't allowed to buy them until Oct. 7, but my kids weren't at the school last year, so they didn't have one to wear today.
Having a golf cart and cruising around on one is a common experience.
Not having to dial a "1" before my friends' numbers.
Double Shots' wings.
My friends' kids and not knowing how they are doing in school and hearing about their day and whatever (I guess the friends go without saying).
Back patio/deck hang outs.
Poker.
Cumming Dance Academy.
Dixie, Piper, Peanut, Abby, Bama and Cokie.
The crazy neighbors' boys from across the street (not the neighbor parents themselves).
Making cookies with all the neighbor boys who pretended to be too cool to do so, but always came over on cookie day.
The lady at Nail Dynasty who did a killer wax job on my eyebrows every time.
Actually, Nail Dynasty itself where a pedicure cost $18, not $30.
Moe's.
A big backyard with a beautiful view.
My BIRDFEEDER that I want back desperately but left there on accident.
Meineke off exit 17 that was the most honest car fixer place on earth.
Kroger where the shopping wasn't as good and fresh as here but where the clerks knew my kids. by name and waited for them every Monday to come in.
Dr. Babao, the best pediatrician in the world.
The outlet mall five minutes from my house.
A brown house.
Hillary, the best babysitter in the world.


Okay, so I will sign off for now. Life is fine here in SC, but I do miss a lot of things. I'm also glad to leave behind some things, but mostly I just miss it and my friends so, so, much...especially because I'm sitting here and not on the retreat! And can you give me a shout-out if you're reading my blog?

Our Defense is Dazzlin!

Amelia came home today and started telling me something like this:

"Mom today this girl in my class Lauren was SO BRATTY. She said she would go to breakfast with me but I had to go to the store with her first. So we sat in line at the store for a super long time and she kept telling me how her ring was so cool and expensive and cost $49. Then she showed me all her money that she had to spend at the store and asked how much I had, but I didn't have any. When it was finally her turn she bought a pen that writes in pink, purple and blue and three erasers. She gave the erasers to her best friends, but she didn't give me one. It took so long that we ended up not getting to go to breakfast. When we went back to the class she showed the teacher her ring and told her this big story about how it was her moms when she was a girl but she already told me that her mom bought it for $49. She was so bratty and I didn't get anything from the store or get breakfast."

I replied, "I'm so sorry that she is such a bratty girl. That makes me feel bad too. Maybe you can find someone nice to hang out with tomorrow."

Amelia said, "Mom, don't worry. I've had LOTS OF PRACTICE dealing with bratty girls. It's okay."

Taking a Breather...

In the last seven years I finally got pregnant, gained 85 pounds, nursed, pumped, cuddled, diapered, lost 80 pounds, got pregnant again (a little fast this time), gained 73 pounds, nursed, pumped, cuddled, diapered, kept up with a toddler and a newborn while moving across the country, lived in a hotel with a newborn and a toddler and no car, lost the $#%^ pounds again, made our Georgia house a home, started a playgroup, took kids to Gymboree, the park, Kindermusik, gymnastics, the library storytime, preschool, and taught at their preschool to be with them, ballet, soccer...even coached soccer for two seasons, swim lessons, cheerleading, wiped tears, made library trips, hospital trips, made lots of friends, lost some friends, PTA, Girl Scout leader, etc. etc., only to move again.

So now, both kids are in school...all day. And guess what? I'm kicking my feet up a little bit and enjoying it...and trying really hard not to feel guilty about it. I'm busy on some days and running around and whatever, but I've had more free time than I've ever had in my entire life, and I'm loving it.

Firecracker, Firecracker, Boom Boom Boom

Go Gators! The girls had so much fun cheering at their first game. The two little girls had a wardrobe ordering malfunction so they shared the uniform until next week!

Check out the link above to Grace and Hannah's from cheerleading blog for video coverage...so cute!

Good Eats????

I may have moved from Georgia, but I still live in the South.

I am reminded of this regularly, but this morning as I was reading the school menu to the girls and read "Bologna and Grits" I was reminded of where I live and then was speechless. Don't worry, I packed their lunch.

Go Utes!!!!

A house full of six adults, two teenagers, four kids and a baby.

Friends that we miss oh, so much.

Lots of fun, in spite of late nights and a sick baby.

AND the Utes reigned in the Big House...

What a weekend!!!! When can y'all come back?