Oh, the irony.

I borrowed The Complete Tightwad Gazette from the library a few weeks ago. Great book. Full of useful, thoughtful, interesting and creative ways to save money. Like washing out ziploc baggies, which I'm not about to do, but I digress.

We went to the library again today and as we were checking out, I was informed that I had a $1 overdue fine.

You guessed it. I got a late fee on a book devoted to frugality, dedicated to not wasting a single penny... Nice.

Camping is supposed to be fun, right?

So why am I always having to convince myself that I'm having it? Fun, that is. Consider the prep work:

Plan meals, write a grocery list, shop, pack.
Drag bags out of the recesses of the closets.
Pack:
Clothes for the kids.
Toys for the kids.
Comfort items for the kids.
Various accoutrements for the baby. (Somewhere to sit -- saucer... somewhere to be in case it's muddy - pack n play... backpack carrier for hiking...)
Diapers for two. Wipes for two.
My clothes and toiletries. The Papa's clothes and toiletries. (Yes. He could do this, but I like to be sure he has his toothbrush!)

Clean the house before we leave, because there's nothing I hate more than coming home to a mess.

Make sure all of the camping gear is packed. Don't forget toilet paper!

Drive an hour to a campsite. Set up the camper. Roast weenies and marshmallows while choking on campfire smoke. Sleep (if we want to call it that) on a less than comfortable bed with a baby attached to my boob all night since she won't sleep in the pack n play.

Wake up the next morning to rolling thunder and sit under a tarp (pat myself on the back for remembering the tarp) to wait out the rain for about 4 hours before deciding to pack up and come home.

And I wonder why I find myself muttering, "We're making memories here! This is FUN. Really."

I am a fool for the school supply aisle.

There's nothing like the smell of a fresh box of 64 crayolas.

Or a pink pet eraser.
Mmmmm... Elmer's, I could sniff you all day!

I love to unwrap a new pack of wide rule filler paper, sharpen #2 pencils, and to crack open a 3-ring binder for the first time.

I was that kid. You know the one -- backpack packed two weeks before school started, new clothes all laid out for the week, up at 5 AM the first day of school, too excited to contain myself. And the nerdiness just lives on, as we prepare for our first official homeschool year with 5 y/o Bug. Kindergarten starts in just a few short weeks. We went through the magical aisle the other day, and I couldn't keep the giddy smile off of my face.

Washable markers? Check
Colored Pencils? Check
Crayons? Check
Ruler? Check

I think the real reason I always dreamed of being a teacher was the stuff. Mead composition books, peechee folders, protractors, calculators. Ahhh, bliss...

This about sums up our day so far.

My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane. My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane. My firstborn is not trying to drive me insane...

Oooh! Ooooh! Melanie tagged me!

Melanie tagged me with the "six quirky things" meme!

Here are the rules:
1) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other blogger´s by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.

So 6 uninteresting quirky facts about myself are......

1. I clean out my ears at least 2 times a day, but often more. I'm q-tip obsessed. It's a sickness.

2. I can put my feet behind my head. One at a time, but I used to be able to do both at once. Interestingly, Bug has never seen his mama do this, yet he does it all the time. Weird, no?

3. I am obsessive about getting to see/open the mail first. And it's one of the highlights of my day. Sad. Even on weekends, the Papa brings the mail to me to open, since he knows the joy it gives me, and the wrath he'll suffer should he rifle through or open anything first.

4. I hate socks and will wear flipflops as far into winter as I possibly can. As long as the snow isn't deeper than the flipflops, I'm good.

5. I love to dance to good booty shaking music.

6. I have to have my feet out of the covers when I sleep, I feel really claustrophobic with the sheets tucked in at the end of the bed, so I always yank them out and kick my feet out completely.

I'm tagging...

Meri
Kristin
Wife and Mommy
Rachel
Naomi
Keri

Long time no post...

Whoa, how did a month go by without a post? I'm so easily distracted! I've been meaning to get a few things posted, have had thoughts swirling around in my head for a bit...

But first, here's a recap of the last month or so in pics.

My little lady has two teeth and learned how to sit. She's also scootching herself all over the place backward, and rolls like a madwoman. I'm not ready for three mobile children, but there's no stopping this crazy girl.

The girl is sleeping on her own in her crib now, and going almost all night. The last week or so, she's gotten up once per night around 4-4:30 to nurse, then goes right back into the crib until around 8. I'll take it! She's such a sweetie pie, very smiley and giggley. She gets all kinds of attention with those big bright eyes and happy cheesy grin.



I love how she humors me. I'm a goofball for the hats and hairbows, you know...



Big brother love.



Grandma and Grandpa visited for a week or so in July. They met Chickie for the first time.


















The boys caught a frog by the creek in the backyard.







We worked on some crafty projects.





That's about it. Just enjoying what's left of summer.

We started receiving homeschool materials last week, and I am so jazzed. Who knew it would be so much fun to open boxes of school stuff? I'll post about that soon.

We have a big camping weekend planned with a bunch of families from church, Bug is beside himself with excitement. Every morning he wakes up asking, "How many more days, mama? 3 days? I can't wait to camp!" We're going out to the same lake where we ran into a big brown sow last year... has me a bit nervous, but I'm sure all will be fine, we'll be in a large group. There has been so much more bear activity/maulings this year than usual. Has everyone a bit paranoid.

I was feeling really guilty about my poor neglected blog...