This and That and the Other Thing--and a Confession

So, how are we doing on our summer list?
Unlike Phineas and Ferb (whom I totally adore!), we only have 81 days of summer vacation, so we have a lot to cram in and quickly. 
Cold Stone--check.  That was a reward for memorizing a quote--little kids had one, big boys had one. 
Southwest Museum--check. 
Today was free doughnut day at Krispy Kreme--check.  Good thing Micah had such a good report card, too.  We got an even dozen.  Can I tell you how much I respect KK as a business?  That is a cool thing to give free doughnuts for every A on the report card.  Patronize them.  I know a dozen is expensive.  But they're actually rewarding the top students for what?  Being the best.  Imagine that.

And how did no sugar for the month of June fit in with a visit to Krispy Kreme, you may ask?  Ask away.  I have nothing to hide.  Lily was extolling her first doughnut with comments like, "This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my entire life."  And then, in a fit of generosity, she offered me one.  Which I refused, thank you very much.  "No, Mom, really, just a glazed one."  (just a glazed one?  Doesn't she know that a glazed Krispy Kreme is like crack cocaine to me?) Nope.  I told the kids that I wasn't eating sugar, and Hyrum piped in from the back seat, with his lisp and stutter: "But Mommy, s-s-su-sugar is AWESOME!" I'm still sugar-free, even if it is awesome.  I was asked what some of my strategies are for scaring off the monkey.  Well, I try to tell as many people as I can so they keep me honest.  Really. That helps.  I also suck sugar-free Altoids.  Whoa, are they strong. Not only are they strong, but they make my tongue a little sore so I don't want to eat as much.  I also splurge on sugar-free popsicles, and I just found Skinny Cow has sugar-free ice cream sandwiches.  They're not too bad, really.  Plus, I really like butter.  So I make a lot of homemade super-buttery toast.  Maybe that's defeating the purpose, but it makes me feel less deprived, so if you find some indulgence you can actually enjoy in moderation, like one slice of toast,  . . . then I say do it.

Twelve days.  That's all he's got left here at home. We went through his stuff a little this week and made a list of what he needs.  I am going to miss this kid.  He brings so much excitement and happiness to our family.

I've found that focusing our summer on the kids has been really positive for them.  They are happier, they fight less and watch TV less, they play and interact and laugh more.  The only downside is that my stuff is all getting thrown by the wayside.  My hip hurt a little after I rode the bike twice, so I'm resting until tomorrow morning to see if it was the bike.  So no exercise.  I haven't been as regular as I should with my personal goals and my personal time--even showering has become scarcer.  My goal for this next week is to find the happy medium between their stuff and keeping my cup full enough that I can keep up with them.  That's hard as the mom, don't you think?

Evie sporting one of her new bibs from Grandma T

And now for the confession.  On Tuesday, my cell phone fell out of the Suburban while I was picking Lily up from Musical Theatre Workshop, and I didn't even know until the college called and told me.  So Wednesday afternoon, I threw Evie in the car and we drove to Mesa Community College.  I got out at the security office, got my phone, got back in the car, drove around to the music building, got out and searched for Lily and came back to the car.  That entire time I forgot Eve was even in the car.  It makes me sick to even admit it here.  I was in the security office maybe five minutes, a drive of less than two minutes,  then in the music building for maybe eight.  I can't believe I forgot about her.  She'd fallen asleep and didn't make a sound.  I know you may think that I'm overreacting a touch, but to leave your baby alone in a vehicle in an Arizona summer for more than 15-20 minutes can be fatal.  It happens to someone about once every summer.  And I used to think, "How could they do such a thing--forget their baby's in the car?"  Now I know.  When I got her out of her carseat at Gilbert High School where we were dropping Lily off, I felt her back and she wasn't even sweaty.  So she was never in any danger.  This time.  I'm devising a way to remind myself when she's in the car alone with me.  Maybe a piece of tape on the steering wheel.  Something.
I think this time was one of those inspired warnings that we sometimes get as moms.  I could never forgive myself from something like that.

And with that, have a safe weekend.

Stay tuned for a fun giveaway on Monday.