Some bullet points.

Because my brain is only able to process that kind of post today.

*I am FINALLY getting my hair cut.  Last official cut (that means we're not counting the "trims" I've given myself) was in May.  When you have weed hair that grows faster than that crab grass in your backyard, this is a long time to wait.

*The boys "went back to school" this past week.  It was actually just the last week of summer school, which we used as an "adjuster" week for the B-rox.  See, at his school classes are blended.  3,4, and 5 (and the occasional 6 - birthday dependent) year olds are all in one class - for Pre-K and Kindergarten.
So, now that Braxton is officially a 1st grader, with a new teacher (same teacher for the last three years, due to blended class...) we thought it would be beneficial to have him do a week of summer school in the new class, to adjust.
He loved it, and is totally ready for it.
If only we could convince him he's not as big as the third graders in his class... 

*The exciting news I talked about at the beginning of the year takes place soon.
I'm starting school in January.
I'm nervous and excited, hyped and dreading it.  So... you know... normal back to school feelings?
And by "normal" I mean "normal" for a mom of three that hasn't been in school in 6 years... 

*I've had book ADD lately.  I normally have a few books going at one time, but because I read so fast they usually change out pretty quickly.
I've been stuck with "The Marriage Plot", "Dandelion Fire", and "Moby Duck" (Yes. Duck, not Dick) for some time now.  Hopefully soon I'll get some good quality nap times, where I have nothing to do but read, so I can finish them off.

*Also in my "pile": "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks", "The Chestnut King", A quintology about shoes, The Michael J. Fox book, and about a bazillion others.
I suppose I should feel pretty excited about the fact that my reading list is never ending, and that I don't have enough time to get through them all.  I'm going to interpret it as a "full life" problem, which isn't really a problem at all.

*Hubband and I have booked a vacation to the Dominican Republic for next month.  Just us. No kids.
Amen.

*I promised Hubband I wouldn't shop in the month of August (unfortunately that didn't include grocery shopping...).  So far, so good - though it's a little painful.  There have been a few sales that were INCREDIBLY hard to pass up.  Pats self on back... 

*I've taken a bit of a sabbatical from most social media, including facespace.  It's probably the election, but everything feels so... charged that I am having a hard time not feeling stressed when I get on.
Or dealing with a bit of depression over not being on a Hood to Coast team... 

*I joined a new gym lately, and eschewed the old one.  (Three words: location, location, location.)
With school starting I had some concerns about what time they opened the kids care area.  So, with me leading the charge, a few moms and I made suggestions to the gym, talked to the care ladies, and then eventually the regional manager.

In the reply from the manager:
"The new hours will be announced next week, and will be effective September 5th.  We believe the new hours will more than accommodate your schedule."

YAY!!! for making changes!

And, with that, I'm off.  Have a great weekend, everyone.

Conversations with B-rox

Braxton: Mom! Holden is eating the CD's!

Me [glancing at what he's actually chewing]

[source]

Me: Oh, those aren't CD's - those are just discs.

B-rox: What does CD mean?

Me: Compact disc

B-rox: What does compact mean?

Me: Small

B-rox

[source]

The other side of the conversation.

Talking to Grammy.

Just for you, Mom.

We live for bargains.

We also live for playtime.

So, super lucky us when I came across a LivingSocial deal to the Be With Me Playseum, in the District.


Sunday, after our morning trip to the Farmers Market (best farmers Market...ever), we loaded up and took that trek up 95.

 First we stopped at DC3, a hot dog restaurant, for some tasty vittles.  By tasty vittles, I mean I had the veggie dog and frickles.  All the boys had meat and fried Oreos.  (Have I ever mentioned that Oreos are kind of disgusting, on their own? Let alone fried and liquified.)  

"How you doin?"

 Then, we walked a block down to the Playseum.  Which is a children's used bookstore, set up in 18 different themed rooms.  There are books, dress up, and pretend play in all rooms.  All the books are for sale, all the toys are to play with.

"Yehaw". 

Baby with a shopping cart.
They actually encourage racing against your friends/family in the "grocery store" room.  

The courtroom/jailhouse room.  We were naughty.

Holdeezy wasn't all about keeping his Teddy Roosevelt glasses on.
But the wig is still funny! 

Kenny Roosevelt! 

Aaaaand, the B-rox stops to read an encyclopedia.
Where, afterwards, he blows his brain up getting angry because we won't buy the encyclopedias.  

On the walk back to the car, we detoured.
To Starbucks.
Luckily, that Starbucks is attached to the DOT building, and we were able to completely sap their energy entertain the boys
with the transportation walk. 

All in all, it was a pretty nice afternoon.  Even if we did have to trek back down 95 with unfavorable HOV lanes.  

Apparently, I like mud.

Two summer mud runs.  One in June, one in July.  I thought about rounding it off with another in August, but I have a big one coming up in September - so we'll call it a taper.

Yes.  I "Stole" this photo.
I personally think that paying $34 dollars for a single
DOWNLOAD of a photo is stupid.
SO I stole it.  With the "proof" and screenshot view.

Splish splash... mud bath. 

Team Mud, Sweat, and Heels.  

MuckDaniel.
Still makes me laugh.

Waiting our turn for "fishnets".  Hubband is a super good sherpa!  

The on course photographers were, well... Only one.  At this obstacle.
And, he only took pics as you were getting out.  Not of you sliding down.
BUT, at least these are free pictures.
Also, this water stunk.  A lot. Like poop.  So... yeah... 

And, the final group shot.
We iz sexy.

This year, I have a friend doing the Tough Mudder with me.  More mud to come!

He's high fashion.

Oh yes, not only is he charming - he seems to be ready for a life in high fashion.  

Little baby smuggler.
Smugglin' apples all smugly.  

I think the fuchsia/brown look works for him.  

Yes, that is in fact a beanie with his name on it.
Apparently there's a sports apparel company with the same name.
How do you not get that for him?

Diapers go with everything, darling.