{things making me hApPY today}

Drew is napping and I have finished "Mommy School" (Luke's name for our learning time each day) with Gracie and Luke. Feeling motivated to get something done this afternoon, I got out all of my painting supplies, put on my painting clothes- which have seen far too much use lately!- spread the old sheet over the carpet, painted for ten minutes........and decided it was time for a break. ;)

Have I told you how sick I am of painting????

My deal with myself is that I can sit here long enough for one blog post and one glass of tea- then it is back to work I go! This may be a long post.......

I am in a ridiculously good mood today. Could be that I am just so excited for our big trip, now just a couple of days away. Could be that all three kids are also in really good moods. Could be that the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, and it's a Friday. Whatever the reason, I'm extra happy today. Some of the things making me smile this week:

dozens of games of Sequence for Kids


morning oatmeal thoroughly enjoyed by Drew


Drew's love for his puppy

baking a batch of my mom's Zucchini Carrot Raisin Wheat Germ muffins with the kids

• We ran to Home Depot this morning to buy paint for the master bedroom. I think we were the only shoppers under the age of eighty. If you've ever been into Home Depot around ten in the morning, you know what I am talking about. I find older people, especially older men, to be some of the friendliest people I run into. They rarely seem in a hurry and they always have a smile and kind word for the kids. This morning we encountered a cute couple slowly making their way down the aisle, leaning onto one another for support. When they got near us, they stopped and just smiled at the kids. Drew gave them his flirty smile in return. The man then said to me, "You have some good lookin' kids there, darlin'." I hope Ben and I turn into a cute friendly old couple some day.
• Gracie and Luke now play "radio" when we drive in the van. They sing songs, announce the singer's name at the end of the song, and make up commercials. It's highly entertaining.
• As the kids and I were reading a mystery this week, Luke said, "Well, I predict it is going to be the nice guy because I've noticed that sometimes it is the people that you think are nice that end up being the bad guy in the book." Pretty insightful, Mr. Lukey.

I suppose I have done enough stalling. Back to painting I go.

Happy Friday!