My Full Quiver

Across the street from our house is a large grassy path that meanders through soybean and corn fields.  It is the perfect place for bike rides, Sunday walks, and impromptu photo shoots.

 

Run Away!  She might take more pictures!!

Too Clever

Peanut fell in love with some Thomas the Train undies, and in an effort to make him use the potty he has shown he knows how to use, I told him how great it would be if he wore Thomas and kept him dry!  So in a flash of toddler ingenuity, he decided the best way to keep Thomas clean was to keep the diaper on and wear the undies on his head.  I think this one might be too much for me ...

Soccer Insanity

With four kids in soccer this season, life is pretty crazy!  We had our first soccer game last Saturday starring Diva!!!  I am so proud she is giving something so mundane as sports a try.  I told her to imagine the soccer ball as an annoying brother ...

The whole crew was there to support our favorite 7 year old.  Despite a few "back seat kickers" and another team's cupcakes within sight but out of reach, everyone did fairly well.  Go Diva!

First Day of School

A 7th grader, 5th grader, 2nd grader, and Kindergartener!

First Bus Stop Drop Off: 

Oh the trial of having a mother take pictures

Second Bus Stop Drop Off:

I don't think he's excited at all ...

 

Yes, his feet are bare.  So sue me.

See, mine are too.  Like mother like son.

Dane and Dreadlocks

A few pre-move pictures that I couldn't ignore!  First and most importantly, Dane turned FIVE!!!!  Watch out world, Kindergarten here we come!!!

He requested the marshmallow laden cake.  Of course.  And was gifted by a loving Granna a new costume to replace the quickly tattering dragon ninja costume, complete with movie.  His favorite thing to watch is Jack-Jack Attack on the Incredibles DVD.  

He also received (from the same source) a Costco sized barrel of Nestle Quik, per his request.  Please notice the remains of a mustache.  

My Dane is a force to be reckoned with!  I think next year I will give long complicated odes to my children on their birthdays ...  we'll see if it happens ...

In other news, just as important in certain eyes, Diva had a new summer hairstyle.  She loved it.  I loved it because I didn't have to look at straggly summer unbrushed hair for an entire week at a time.  

Her innocent face - hmm, I wonder what she's just done ...

Beware, more posts to come ...

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A Rose By Any Other Name ... Revisted

So, you may be wondering, if I've finally moved, what is the status of my first name?  Well.  I was feeling nervous/silly about trying the name change, but knew I would regret it if I didn't at least make an effort.  Since church is my main social outlet, especially in a new place, that was the first place I tried it.  My middle name was about to become my first name.


FIRST WEEK:  After warning my husband and children of the impending change, and having them look at me like I was completely mad, I was determined to try it.  My husband, to show solidarity, said he would introduce himself as Roberto.  Such a funny man.  I replied that if he wanted to use his middle name, or a nickname, or perhaps his initials - which happen to be D.D. - I would be all for it.  Which of course led to completely irreverent giggling in the middle of church at the thought of introducing him as DeeDee.  So funny.   The day went well - I didn't even giggle once.  It was strange but exhilarating.  I mean, it's still my name, just not what people have usually called me.  One lady even commented "What a pretty name!"  which of course led to much internal crowing.  It was fun.

SECOND WEEK:  After a week filled with using my given first name for utilities and school records (I wasn't ready to create any credit problems or snarl up my kids school records, at least not yet), going back to my middle name on Sunday was strange.  I felt like a fraud.  What in the world was I doing?  This must be my mid life crisis or something.  But I soldiered through, and even my husband succeeded in introducing me by my middle name.


AND SO ON:  So here I am, with people calling me by my middle name.  Which still feels strange.  It will be interesting to see if it ever feels comfortable.  I'm glad I tried it, but as of now will probably not continue with it after our next move.  (Next move?  What, you ask?  Come on, be real.  After 17 moves in 14 years do you really expect us to stay put for 20 years?)  I have only once signed an email using the wrong name, and once stumbled a bit at introducing myself.  Which is probably confusing the heck out of people but such is life.  I have definitely come to realize that even though I think my middle name is the prettier name, I am definitely my first name.  It is who I am and will always be. 

SOLD!! MOVED!!

We have moved!  Finally!  After 10 husbandless months, we are finally permanently back together as a family.  It's about time.  A friend of mine asked how many times we have moved, so I had to think back through the last 14 years to count them up.  (For some reason I can't remember offhand the number - I think I've blocked it).  Surprise surprise, this move is number 17!!!!  Some of them were small moves (across town to a better apartment), some were big moves (across oceans to another country), but they were all moves.  So here we are at number 17!  Go 17!


At the end of July, after 5 months of trying, after cleaning/vacating for over 50 showings, or house sold.  Hurrah!!  It was a long and horrible process and ended on a sour note.  But at least it ended.  Thanks to a great realtor!  And buyers who I won't talk about but at least they bought my house!



So our stuff was packed up (a pleasant but slightly weird experience) and off we went.  After spending a week in a hotel with five kids, made sane by free continental breakfasts and three large TVs, we found a house to rent and moved in August 1st.  Then came the flurry of registering for schools, utilities, soccer, etc.  And here we are!


Boring post, I know.  But now that I'm back on the blogging bandwagon, perhaps there will be more to come.