"Luke Skywalker is the Republicans only hope."

Jacob sort of turned the phrase around.  The voice he used was great!  The actual phrase is a quote from Yoda in the Clone Wars trailer: "In Skywalker is the Republics only hope."  A little misquote.  It brought to mind the choice we have this time around for candidates.  It cracked me up!  Maybe 'Luke' really is our only hope.  How about a write-in?  Luke Skywalker for President!

School Has Begun!

We've made it through the first couple of weeks of school.  (Although, we still have yet to attend on a Monday.)  This year started out with my knowing that Jacob was going to be in a class where much was going to be familiar.  Jonny was going to be where he only knew one girl from his class last year (who 'chases boys and kisses them' - apparently, he's not quite into that yet - we'll just let that be the case for at least another decade or so.):}  Megan was going to be in a preK class that was completely new to her.  I think I was the most worried about Jonny - partly because he was the most nervous.  Jacob felt comfortable and Megan has wanted to go to school for a couple of years now.

I made it through cooping in both of the boys classes.  I'm glad I get to be in each class with both parents I know and those that I will get to know.  It's been enjoyable for me to reconnect with friends I haven't seen all summer...and meet new people all at the same time.

We love our school.  I'm glad we get another year.

When my camera will actually let me download pictures, I might add a couple.  Technology!  It's always a love/hate thing for me.  When it works - I love it...when it doesn't...well, it's not so fun.

Three and a Half Minutes

The boys and I just sorted the dirty laundry for the week.  It took us 3 1/2 minutes.  I was a bit surprised - and truthfully a little proud of us.  So - just had to share.  Amazing how much can happen when you're timing yourself.  (I let them know they only had 5 minutes of my help and then they were on their own to finish the rest of it tomorrow morning.)

Part Time Job

It's that time again.  School starts tomorrow.  We went to Oregon for a week in July (which I still need to post) and ever since we got back I have digressed.  I went from not doing a whole lot - to being just plain lazy.   The children have been a little bored.  Somehow, I have been trying to grasp at the very end of summer - hoping to get in as much relaxation as possible.

I think I have tried to gear myself up for a new school year.  I know I will not be sitting down much once that first school bell rings.  Most parents might think the school year means that someone else will have their children for the day and they will have a bit of a break from teaching/entertaining.  That's not the case at our house.  We get to enjoy the school year together.  I get to coop in their classes once a week, go to monthly parent meetings (for a total of 3 a month), work on a committee, provide transportation, volunteer to drive for field trips or sports, provide snack for each class about once a month (PreK, twice a month), coordinate/do babysitting trades to cover times I'm cooping in the classroom, figure out what my kids need to be working on at home so they can get some personally tailored 'learning time'...that's all that comes to mind off the top of my head.  Oh - Layne also helps out by staying home with the kids while I have evening meetings.

When the kids start the school year - we have the usual stuff with them - and I get to feel like I'm starting a part time job.  All of this is obviously on top of what normally gets done around here.  It's a busy time.

This program is a great fit for our family.  It's worth it to us to make this work.  I could write quite a bit more about all of the reasons it works for us - but, I'm proud of you for reading this far - so, I won't bore you with all of that right now.

You know your husband helps a lot when...

You take your daughter to the restroom at church and she excitedly exclaims, "We get to go in the girls one!".

He goes to pass the Sacrament in church and your daughters are quite vocal about missing their dad (because he's the one they usually sit with during Sacrament Meeting).

Your children are talking with their friends and they make comments like, "Ya, I don't know what my dad's making us for dinner tonight."  Or..."We had dad's 'Saturday' breakfast this morning.".  (Thus claiming the 'Chef Daddy' title.)

You bring the diapers and your husband is the one that makes the change when the child indicates it's time.

It's rare for you to do the washer/dryer part of the laundry cycle.

You haven't mopped a floor for over a decade.

The only time you remember to take out the trash is when he's out of town.

You don't have to worry about your vehicle - maintenance, registration or otherwise.

Your sons are active in scouting and you don't have much to do with it.

Your daughters will occasionally let him do their hair (when they will 'never' let their mom do it).

He comes home from a busy day just to see his kids and help with his wife's sanity (and with the evening routine) before heading back to campus.

If there's something that's not getting done - he just takes over.

I completely realize that it sounds like I don't do anything -but, really I do.  Or, at least I like to tell myself that.  Thanks Layne for helping out around here!!