I am enjoying the cooler weather. I forgot how wonderful it is to go outside in a jacket and not be surrounded by mosquitoes.

Last Saturday we attempted to go disc golfing. After the first hole, we were cheerfully informed the course was closed to put down milch. We were bummed at first but played at the playground and decided to go shopping for PB’s birthday. When something doesn’t work out there are often better things to discover. In the parking lot for the store was an event with crafts, firemen, police, free food, and bounce houses. I think it was a fundraiser and safety fair. It was great fun and a bit educational. I did sneak away while Joe was with PB and bought him a few presents.

My favorite thing lately is seeing the kids make each other laugh.

I want to commit to be happy more. It is a choice. I can avoid dwelling on my mistakes or problems, and simply strive to do better. My life is wondrous only as I choose to see it that way.

And conference was wonderful, wasn’t it?

You only get one picture today, but there’s some good ones of our family at the end of this post (kudos to my awesome sister-in-law).

Here is my list of things to do with PB. I thought that others might find it useful. I’ll refer to the list to give me ideas and also have a bit of variety in play.

• Pretend
  • Dress-up, cities/cars, animals, house, food
• Science
  • Sensory boxes, water, sand, household ingredients, bubbles
• Art
  • Color, paint, dough, crafts, photography
• Circle Time
  • Music, finger play, verses, learning, stories
• Books
• Table play
  • Puzzles, games, foam, magnet, quiet books, lace-ups
• Active Play
  • Exercise, hide/seek, dance, sports, balls
• Build Play
  • Blocks, Lego
• Snacks
• Outdoors
  • Walks, playground
• Outings
  • Store, park, museum
• Screen Time
  • Music/games/shows
• Mommy help

Lately I’ve also been putting all the projects we do over on a pinterest board instead of on this blog. It’s a little more organized and easier.

Kids are great excuses to get creative and have fun!

Also, these two blogs have great ideas:

Not Time for Flashcards

Play Create Explore

The weather has been wonderful, so we’ve visited lots of parks. We went and saw butterflies, flowers, and fed lots of fish at Callaway Gardens.

Looking at pictures, CD’s skin is looking much better. The doctor gave us a prescription and told me what it probably was (I’ve forgotten), and he no longer looks like a pimply teenager.

PB had a fever early Monday morning and I realized that we have been incredibly lucky. We get colds all the time, but I can’t remember a previous fever. (PB’s fever was gone by the end of the day, and he never really acted sick either.)

While I was cooking, Peter asked for some stories. Telling stories is a great way to keep kids occupied while I’m getting something done. And there are plenty of fairy tales and old Disney movies to pull from. I taught him one that I remember my mom teaching me and now he will says, “When the log rolls over we will die, we will die.” If you’ve heard the story, you will realize why that makes me laugh.

Trying to keep everyone including myself fed is far too much work. I wish food was optional. Seriously, I’m losing too much weight because I should eat a lot and I don’t.

Curtis does not share my problem. He is a big healthy boy at 29″ and 25 lbs. He loves food, although I think the whole process is too messy right now.

It was Joe’s birthday. We blew up balloons, hung streamers, ate cupcakes, blew out candles, and opened presents. Much of it was more for Peter than for Joe. But we were all happy.

Last Saturday we went disc golfing. It was a new place and not only did we disc golf, we saw a dog show, equestrian, and played at a cool park. A nice day, a little bit warm but the rain stayed away until we went home.

A couple of days ago we went to a park with water fowl. Peter was attacked by swans.

No harm done, luckily, but here is your warning. Stay away. These guys are mean.

I felt a bit bogged down yesterday. I’m trying to get Peter toilet trained. We are both stubborn…it might take awhile. I’m tired of living in an apartment. I would love a backyard and a garden. Carpet in the dining room is not a good idea. We spill far too often (including red koolaid). I would like to have an income. Curtis had been off his sleep schedule. I miss my family.

Anyway, I was thinking about all this and I realized I was still mostly happy about life. Right now is not easy or fun, but it is a stepping stone to a great future. Because I know that where I am going is good and will be worth the effort, right now isn’t so bad. It reminds me of hiking. Hiking is often challenging and not fun but I do it for the destination and the beauty on the way and it’s always worth it.

There is plenty of good in life too. I get to do fun things with my kids all day long. Lately I’ve read a novel, had friends over, visited a museum, did this. We are making cookies today. In just a few months, life will stop being transitory. Until then, I can still enjoy the small joys that are around me.