Was I supposed to be posting here?

Well, I'm failing miserably, then.  However, my kids are fed at least once a day, and most of their clothes are clean, and the house isn't too bad, and all that fun stuff, so I guess we're doing fine after all. 

There's way too much to write to ever be able to catch up, but a quick synopsis:

- My sister visited for five lovely days; she left last week.  Seriously, if I could have had
video footage of her introduction to the rats, especially when she first reached out to hold one and the rat promptly jumped down her shirt, I'd be a very happy person.  I did, indeed, laugh so hard that I cried. 

- JAMES EARNED ALL A's ON HIS REPORT CARD!  And apparently, I owe him $14, though I swear I don't remember saying I'd pay $3 for an A+.  But whatever, I was very proud of him and figure since he doesn't get an allowance (yet - really gotta work on that), this is a cheap alternative. 

- Our baby rats are coming this weekend.  Molly has chosen the name Bianca for the girl; James is still considering names for his boys - the latest report was that they'd be Sherman, Abrams and Phantom, but I don't think it's a done deal. 

- Bridget is doing her refresher course for ISR lessons.  She's not gained any love for the experience, and as of today, she starts crying as soon as we pull up to the instructor's house, and doesn't stop 'til she's out of the water.  Ah well.  As long as she's safe in the water - or as safe as we can help her to be - it's all good.  And important, because we're going to get a fairly deep (52") above-ground pool for now; we'd considered an inground pool, but since we think we'll be looking for a house on acreage (vs. our current <1 acre lot right now), it doesn't make financial sense to spend that kind of money.

- My sister taught Molly to sing "99 bottles of beer on the wall" and, speaking of walls, she's driving me up one singing it constantly. 

- I signed Bridget up for gymnastics; there is serious humor to be enjoyed, watching her in class.  She loves it and asks to go there nearly every day.  And tomorrow's her day, so I'll be getting some extra chuckles, too!

- James...I finally gave in, and I confess, I do NOT like it.  I feel so self-conscious, as if I am personally encouraging anti-establishmentarianism by allowing my 8-year old to sport a

He thinks it's just a neat haircut, but I am the one who feels the stares and judgment, and I am embarrassed to admit that even I feel judgmental, as if any sort of misbehavior on his part (and trust me, there's plenty of that) is amplified by his 'do.

- Molly and Bridget got their hair cut, too; Molly had a good five or so inches cut off; Bridget just got a trim.  Both have very short bangs now because I can't cut in a straight line, more's the pity.

Etc.  I also just finished a LO (um, finally?):

Credits here.

I'm outta here for now - late to bed as usual, but the price seems so much dearer lately, kwim?

Comments

[karin]

oh.my.gosh! that mohawk is to die for! I think I love that you "gave in" and let him be, well, HIM. Rock on .... and as far as the stares, and looks - shove a rat down their shirt! ;o)

{I would have fainted, Nat. out like a light. your sister is far better than I} ;)

love the LO, and glad that things are moving along well .... best of luck with the pool thing. And, uhm, a new house hunt? when dear, when will you be moving? (brave soul you are!!!)

[barbara]

OMG - the mohawk! I love it!! He looks cuter than ever. :-)

[Liz]

Natalie, I like the mohawk! I can imagine it takes some getting used to though. Sounds like you're all doing well at the beginning of summer...

[Lynn Glessner]

The haircut is adorable!

Boys don't have as many self-expression outlets as girls, or at least are limited to the more rebellious looking ones. But at his age, he obviously has the haircut because he wants to, not because you chose it for him - it's not like he's two - so any people who give you funny looks are just out of touch.

[Francine]

Love the hair. LOVE it.