Prepare for Abundance

That is the message I received. I joked about hoping it was an abundance of good things, but prosperity was implied. I can't help but feel blessed. I hope I can be open to whatever comes. I don't have even a vague inkling of what lays ahead and for a goal oriented person like me that is extremely difficult. On the other hand it's freeing. I can tell what lays ahead is different from anything that came before.

When I returned from vacation I submitted an essay that will be published in a book that comes out this winter. Very exciting stuff! It was a daunting task to talk about myself as an inspiration, but I'm very proud of what I came up with. My wonderful sister-in-law came by for a 6am photo session so I'd have recent family photos to submit with my essay. Aren't we cute? I'm pretty biased though.

Those kids sure are growing up. Roo has another year of preschool because her birthday is a week after the deadline, but we're thrilled to have her starting at the new charter school around the corner from our house. She'll get a Greek lesson daily among other perks. Isaac will complete elementary school this year. The thought makes me feel very old.

There is plenty of struggling and being tough to be done, but I'm feeling more of the payoff from my hard work lately. Isaac finished his whole summer reading list by July! I was very proud of him and he earned a free book from the Barnes and Noble summer reading program for his hard work. He picked out the first book in the How to Train Your Dragon series. Riley's been reading a bit this summer too. It's kind of amazing what a little patience and the right educational software can too. Miss Roo also made a lot of progress swimming this summer too. We worked hard and played hard this summer. Go team!

Star Wars Movie Night

Opps! Some days are like that, poor puppy frantically searching for the ball I somehow wedged in between the wheel and the seat. She wishes she had the force.

So, we rented Star Wars and hooked up the projector in the living room. Earlier in the day Riley and I ventured to the store for a frozen pizza for dinner, kettle korn, caramel corn, cupcakes and M&M's. Food pyramid who? I know. Summer's winding down and it seemed like it was time. We watched all the Star Wars Movies when Riley came home from the NICU to celebrate. I was super curious how it would go over now that she was aware of it.

Mike taped a white table cloth over the entertainment center and hooked my computer up to the laptop. Then he secured them both on the back of the couch (much to the cat's chagrin). While he got everything set up I served the kids their pizza. While he continued setting up they each had a cupcake. As I feared the movie not starting until after bedtime was becoming a reality I made popcorn. I mixed up what I called "party mix" with kettle corn, caramel corn and M&M's. The kids were thrilled. I even got a sink full of dishes washed before the movie was ready.

First of all, Riley is very sweet. She shared every treat she had all night. She brought me every green M&M she found because she knows that's my favorite color. Awwww. Also, she is still a toddler so with the late hour, all the sugar and the non-animated entertainment she didn't last long. Maybe 20 minutes before she was becoming a problem. Bouncing around, blocking the screen, yelling over the movie. We did our best to cope, but in the end I took her to the tub.

The boys watched the end without us. Riley seems to have absorbed that there was a princess and a very bad guy with magic. Oh, also that it was in space. So, that's a solid foundation. I'm pretty sure she'll make it all the way through in a about two years.

Ok, here's something that bothers me upon re-watching, Does Darth know Lei is his daughter when he tortures her to find the rebel base? That's soooo screwed up if he does.