Perks of nursing, OR I've been reading a lot lately

One of the few not-so-great things about nursing is the fact you are forced to sit on your backside for long periods of time. Instead of feeling annoyed by this, I am embracing this opportunity to read--without the guilt of not getting something else done.

I just read the most AWESOME book. Zorro, by Isabel Allende. Haven't you always wondered how your favorite action-hero gets all those mad skills? You know, they drop-kick the villian from the building, aim two guns at two different places and acheive their target with deadly accuracy, and top it all off with a trick phone call in two different languages. Seriously, I always wonder how they do it. Well, this book explains the roots of the fabulous Zorro. The beginning is a little slow, but over the course of the book you learn about why this hero is motivated to stand up for injustice, learns latin, knows the enigmatic ways of the Native Indians, and can sword-fight with deadly accuracy. LOVED THE BOOK!! I highly recommend it with no bad language or somewhat embarrassing love scenes.
On the simple side. I've also read 4 delightful little books by Shannon Hale: Princess Academy, Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets. The books are quick reads, found in the Young Adult fiction aisle, and just good plain fun!!

Simple Pleasures

Today, I feel happy. My twins are at school. They seem to like it (especially the part about eating lunch at school). Roger has a playdate with a friend on Mondays (I watch the kids on Thursdays). I went grocery shopping with a fabulously cute little baby. Then, I washed my car. Funny how such simple things are so enjoyable today. . . .I feel really grateful for my life. I think I will live on this high until I start potty training Roger in a few weeks. I am dreading this task.

On a side note, Saturday Eliza asked me if she could make her own toast. "Sure," was my quick reply. When I finally emerged in the kitchen Eliza was at the table with a big smile on her face. "Look, Mom, I am icing my own toast!" She exclaimed as she carefully spread jam across the bread. What a laugh from my little cutie.

The Lunchbox Fiasco

The twins started first grade yesterday!! SO exciting. Pictures to follow--well, maybe, I am not so good with getting them uploaded.

Today, I told the kids I would meet them by a tree just across the street from the school. I waited. Then Eliza showed up with her friend. I was glad to see her, but wondering where Davis was. Eliza told me she thought Davis ran ahead (pretty natural conclusion). I told her, "nope, I haven't seen him." Then she told me she had grabbed his lunch box.

We waited a minute or two for Davis, then decided maybe we better head up to the school to find him. Just as we turned around, Davis came to the crosswalk. When he got to us, he said he had been looking for his lunchbox and couldn't find it. He thought I would be mad. Then I told him that Eliza had grabbed it for him. At this point, figurative smoke started coming from his ears. He grumpily informed Eliza that he was "a first grader, and first graders don't need people to do things for them." Then Eliza started crying. She was just trying to help (last year, Eliza often grabbed Davis's jacket, mittens, umbrella, or even reminded him to get his backpack).

I had a great chuckle to myself that my little twin girl was enabling her brother. What a funny bond they have. . . . .

Think you pay too much for a doctor's visit?

I just opened the mail. It it was a bill from University Health Care, our health insurance carriers and D's employer. I thought the bill would be for Reed's pediatric care. Nope. It was a bill for services provided for D, BY Dr. Millar.

Yes, that is right. D just got charged for removing his OWN suspicious mole in melanoma clinic a few weeks ago. He was at clinic and had a mole on his stomach that has been bothering him for awhile. So, when there was a lull at the clinic during lunch, he found an empty room, removed his shirt, and covered his stomach in a blue gown with a peeping hole to show the mole. He then administered his own anesthetic and performed a punch biopsy on himself. He had one of the nurses film this whole escapade on his phone. His attending made him write up a history and physical to 'follow the rules.' The officed staff all came to watch Dr. Millar perform surgery on himself.

D thought he was hilarious. Now, I am not laughing. What ever happened to professional courtesy?

Dorky Mom

You know you have officially reached 'dorky mom status' when you purchase a box of cereal simply because it has 2 'bonus box tops' on the packaging. . . . . yes, that is a whole extra 20 cents for my kids' school!

Surprise

Isn't it great when you have brought your baby in bed for a quick snuggle/feed in the morning before everyone else wakes up? As you are staring down at his baby-cuteness, you feel fuzzy and warm about how great life is.

Shortly thereafter, your toddler runs upstairs and announces, "I hungwy." You get out of bed and realize that warm fuzzy feeling wasn't actually love, but your baby's diaper has leaked and you are now covered in warm pee-pee. Ahhh, life really is great.

Pictures!

A few photos from a busy July and August:

Independence Day hairdo's and playing with smoke bombs under the new tramp

Reed's Blessing Day with his grandparents

Yellowstone (can you believe we did this with a new baby? Yep, CRAZY)

Reed's First Smiles

Visiting Mom's (Grandma Diane) grave in Shelley

Reed posing by the tombstone of his paternal Great-Grandfather and namesake

Growing Pains

Eliza, "Mom, when will we look like first graders?

Mom, "You already do. You will start first grade in a few weeks."

Eliza, "No. I mean, when will we look like big kids?"

Mom, "You are growing a little bit every day."

Eliza, "I don't get it. That's ridiculous! Every day when I look in the mirror in the morning, I still look the same!"

W-O-W!!

Today while I was hauling my car seat and Roger to the register at the gas station, a teenage boy kindly let me go in front of him. Then as I was stepping out of the store, the same young man opened the door and waited for a hobbling old lady to pass through. He then proceeded to ask me if he could help me out to my car!!

What a rock star. I seriously got a warm fuzzy feeling when I thought about this kid and his parents-- it is so cool to know that there are amazing people who are teaching their kids to be so courteous and amazing teenagers who think about something other than themselves (I am pretty sure when I was a teen I was in my own little world and wouldn't have noticed a struggling mom or a hobbling lady!).

Badge of Motherhood?

Wouldn't it be funny if instead of a burp cloth on my shoulder, a diaper bag across my chest, and a baby in my arms, I had a badge that said:

True Mother: I Pee When I Jump on the Tramp